Episode Report Card Pablo G: C+ | 146 USERS: B- YOU GRADE IT The Vote
By Pablo G | Season 2 | Episode 9 | Aired on 2012.12.02
Grayson Manor. Ashley greets Salvador, who drops in unexpectedly. He tells her that he's impressed with Daniel, which prompts Victoria to swoop in and affect that impression. She asks if Salvador is still on track for what they discussed before. He dodges the question, and suggests he speak to Conrad. As he walks off, Ash calls out to him attentively, gives Victoria a sideways glance and walks out. Victoria's phone bleeps and she has a perfect, little awkward moment turning her Windows™ phone landscape to watch the video that has just popped up. The Queen's eyelids flutter as she absorbs what she's seeing -- namely, crusty Conrad between ladder-climbing Ashley's legs.
At the chapel, the christening is somewhat of an out-of-body experience for Ems. She holds baby Carl while the priest goes through his bit, then hands him over for the baptism. She watches in slow-motion the joy on Amily and Jack's faces as they share this one-of-a-kind moment, the priest's voice becoming a drone in the background. Dead Carl's old buddy, Matt, the one who shot Kenny's dad, walks into the church in the middle of the proceedings. The Ryan boys stand in the very back of the church and take note of this.
After everything's over with, Jack spots Matt and comes over to greet him. They're so happy to see each other, but the smile fades off Matt's face when he sees Kenny and Nate. He asks Jack what they're doing there. When Jack explains how they've helped him out recently, it sets off alarms for Matt. He warns Jack to get out of the deal, telling him it's no accident they've come to his bar. He shouts an overly loud "Congrats, kid," to not arouse suspicion about their conversation before he walks off.
Back at Grayson Manor, Conrad's trying desperately to bring Salvador back on his side as he walks him to the front door, but that ship has sailed. When the front door shuts behind Salvador, Conrad's shoulders just slump. Victoria appears behind him and gets the bad news before starting in on Conrad. She accuses him of not giving a damn about Daniel, which throws Conrad for a loop. She hands over her phone so Conrad can see the video of him and Ashley. And this is why we love Victoria: "You have wormed your way in to the very nadir of repugnance." Wormed? Nadir? Repugnance? Yup. Supposedly this happened right after their divorce and before Daniel began seeing Ashley. In any case, Conrad fires back, "Oh, what are you suggesting -- that fidelity is one of your strong points?" I love the way these two love hating each other. Conrad deflects Victoria's onslaught because he has a theory. Only the Initiative could have the power and planning to unleash this video at such a perfect time to disrupt any sort of united front that could prevent Daniel from winning that vote. Victoria seems to find this perfectly logical. They agree to focus their powers on rescuing their son.