Episode Report Card Pablo G: A- | 467 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT Homecoming
By Pablo G | Season 1 | Episode 1 | Aired on 2011.09.21
Jack's Family Tavern. Jack's dad Carl is toasting him in front of a big group of patrons, who Carl dramatic ironically teases for not being around his bar all winter, and explains Jack is setting sail tomorrow for Haiti where he'll be helping out with the Red Cross. The man from the bank enters the bar as Carl's finishing up his toast and Carl's eyes go wide. They go back into Carl's office and Jack overhears that the bank is not going to approve any further extensions on foreclosure.
Stark economical contrast as we cut to the party on the yacht. Daniel is complaining with a friend about this whole yacht party thing being same old shit, different day. It's so boring to have money, so Daniel's friend pulls out some coke. Before they can "bump it up," Amanda literally bumps into Daniel on purpose and spills her drink all over the shoulder of his suit jacket. Daniel is all smiles and immediately offers to go get Amanda a new drink.
Back at the merchant district of the docks, Jack is walking briskly to keep up with the bank guy as he leaves. It takes some persistence, but Jack finally gets the guy to reveal the bank's going to foreclose on Carl's bar at the end of month unless full payment is made. The bank guy walks off and leaves Jack standing face-to-face with Amanda the Boat.
Back on the yacht, Queen Victoria's giving a speech. Again, she starts off with talking about her party's theme, which is: "a fresh start for all of us." She wastes no time naming the winner of her art auction because she has made the executive decision of naming Lydia as the winner so she can publicly shame her. Instead of the Manet everyone was expecting to be awarded to the winner, Victoria announces Lydia will be taking home the Van Gogh -- the painting Lydia gifted to Victoria. Queen Victoria whispers to security guards standing behind her to have Lydia escorted off the boat. She then continues her announcement by saying Lydia's house is now up for sale and she will be leaving the Hamptons. Lydia is so devastated she stands up to leave, but Victoria calls out to her to say she hopes the painting will remind her, wherever she goes, of the friendship they shared. Nolan films Lydia's ungraceful exit at the hands of security on his Flip camcorder and Amanda watches with a blank look on her face the joy Queen Victoria derives from it. FLASHBACK: The night of the FBI raid on Amanda's house again. The FBI agent carries Amanda out the front door of the house right in front of Victoria and Conrad Grayson. Why would they even be there? /FLASHBACK. Daniel snaps Amanda out of her flashback to hand her the drink it took him forever to get and to say, "She's really something -- my mother." Amanda agrees and they toast to Daniel's "To chance meetings" and Amanda's "To an unforgettable summer." They clink glasses.