The essential episodes of Revenge

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Revenge — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · September 21, 2011 · 1h

   Pilot7.3

   Emily Thorne is the newest arrival in the Hamptons. By all appearances, she's a friendly and sophisticated "girl next door," but with a dark family history, Emily is anything but what she seems. Seventeen years ago, her father was framed for a crime by neighbors he trusted, and sentenced to life. Emily never saw her father again, and spent her childhood consumed by rage, loss and betrayal. Now she's returning under an assumed identity with one goal - REVENGE -- every social overture a carefully planned chip at the foundation of her sworn enemies. Victoria Grayson is the glamorous matriarch of the Grayson family and reigning Queen of the Hamptons who holds a dark secret -- her culpability in the events that destroyed Emily's life. Conrad Grayson is the head of the Grayson family, a man willing to do whatever it takes to slither out of scandalous situations. Daniel Grayson is the Graysons' son who finds himself unable to resist Emily. Charlotte Grayson, their daughter, fits right in with the "mean girls" of the Hamptons, but is also drawn to boys from the "wrong side of the tracks." Nolan Ross shares a link to Emily's past, her present and her secret. Jack Porter has spent his life helping his father manage the Stowaway Tavern, and when fate brings Emily into his life, he's unable to shake a déjà vu-like connection to her. Declan Porter, Jack's kid brother, is intrigued by the wealthy world of these elite vacationers and finds a target in Charlotte Grayson. Emily's closest friend, Ashley Davenport, is the go-to event planner who hopes to gain entrée into Victoria's good graces and solidify her status among the Hamptonites.

2. 02

   S01E11 · Top rated · January 4, 2012 · 1h

   Duress7.4

   An unwelcome and unstable visitor makes a nightmare of Daniel's intimate birthday celebration with family and friends; Charlotte becomes a pawn in Conrad and Victoria's bitter divorce battle, and Emily watches her ultimate plan begin to unravel.

3. 03

   S01E14 · Top rated · February 8, 2012 · 1h

   Perception7.5

   In an atmosphere of nervous excitement for Emily & Daniel's upcoming engagement party, things quickly start to unravel: Victoria tries to regain the upper hand by using Conrad's own father against him; Jack finds himself wandering deeper into the fray; the rug gets pulled out from under Charlotte, and even more so for Emily.

4. 04

   S01E15 · Top rated · February 15, 2012 · 1h

   Chaos7.8

   The splendor of Emily and Daniel's Fire & Ice engagement party quickly turns to terror when her vendetta takes a dark, unexpected turn, putting those she loves and hates in imminent mortal danger. Meanwhile, Jack resolves to find Amanda and Charlotte takes desperate measures to soothe the pain of her family's betrayal.

5. 05

   S01E22 · Season 1 peak · May 23, 2012 · 1h

   Reckoning8.0

   With the end in sight, Emily fearlessly pushes forward, closing in on the final phases of her plan for revenge, while the Graysons continue their downward spiral into the rabbit hole of self-destruction. But a big, explosive event leaves much hanging in the balance, courses are altered and even more is left in question.

6. 06

   S02E14 · Season 2 peak · February 17, 2013 · 1h

   Sacrifice7.3

   Even with threats on their family closing in, the Graysons are in rare form as they put on a bold showing at their annual Labor Day bash. Jack and Amanda sail off on their honeymoon but the seas prove to be deadly, and this time Emily can't control the outcome.

7. 07

   S03E11 · Top rated · January 5, 2014 · 1h

   Homecoming7.5

   As allies and enemies scramble to learn what happened the night of Emily's wedding, the Graysons close ranks to protect their own. But when everyone's a suspect, it's only a matter of time before they tear each other apart.

8. 08

   S03E22 · Season 3 peak · May 11, 2014 · 1h

   Execution8.1

   Nothing is off limits as Emily and Victoria are dead set on destroying each other. Lives will be lost and fates will be altered, but who will rise victorious?, on the season three finale.

9. 09

   S04E01 · Season 4 peak · September 28, 2014 · 1h

   Renaissance7.9

   As Emily plans to host her most surprising party ever, Victoria finds a way to turn her greatest setback into a dangerous advantage. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them both, David Clarke plans his next move.

10. 10

    S04E02 · Top rated · October 5, 2014 · 1h

    Disclosure7.8

    Emily confronts former friends and a lifelong enemy in a desperate search for Victoria, while the fallen Queen of the Hamptons finds herself at the mercy of her own darkest secret.

11. 11

    S04E04 · Top rated · October 19, 2014 · 1h

    Meteor7.8

    Emily is shaken to her core by an unexpected revelation as Victoria sinks her claws deeper into David.

12. 12

    S04E05 · Top rated · October 26, 2014 · 1h

    Repercussions7.5

    With David Clarke back in the headlines and Victoria in control, Emily needs a new strategy to orchestrate a reunion with her father.

13. 13

    S04E06 · Top rated · November 2, 2014 · 1h

    Damage7.7

    Charlotte's downward spiral takes her to a place where even Emily worries she can't be saved as David and Nolan have a very public reunion.

14. 14

    S04E08 · Top rated · November 16, 2014 · 1h

    Contact7.5

    Victoria's future hangs in the balance as the FBI closes in and a mysterious new enemy strikes.

15. 15

    S04E23 · Series finale · May 10, 2015 · 1h

    Two Graves6.9

    Backed into a corner, Emily is forced to admit her guilt, but she'll have to decide how far she'll go before admitting defeat.