Revenge (2011–2015): Season 1, Episode 20 - Legacy - full transcript
A look at Emily before she set out to go after the people she holds responsible for her father's death.
Previously on Revenge...
- Who are you?
- Nolan Ross. Friend of your father's.
He wanted you
to have something.
My father was a murderer
and a liar.
So why would I trust you?
'Cause that's just what
they want you to believe.
Forget everything that you
think you know, Amanda.
Your dad was protecting you.
When deception cuts
this deep, someone has to pay.
Please let me out of here!
You destroyed a man's career.
No! No!
- You scare me.
- Good.
You're driving me crazy
tonight, Amanda.
Is that right?
- Let's get outta here.
- No, I want to dance.
You just gonna tease me
all night?
Get your hands off me.
- What's your problem?
- What's your problem?
Vodka tonic, hold the tonic.
You got it.
I've been watching you
all night.
- Oh, yeah?
- Let's go.
- You bastard!
- What the hell?
What's wrong with you,
you crazy bitch? Get off him!
Screw you, you son of a bitch!
- Hey!
- Stop it! You're gonna kill him!
Let go of me!
Freak!
Come on, man. Take it easy.
I'm just a girl.
I will give you $10,000
for a cigarette.
You know, you really
shouldn't smoke, Amanda.
It's bad for the skin.
You.
What the hell do you want?
Some moo goo gai pan
and maybe some wontons.
Care to join?
No.
Well, I really hate
to eat alone, so, uh...
Why don't you hop in?
You should really
drink some tea.
It'll help with that hangover.
I don't like
to think that far ahead.
Oh, well, that explains why,
uh, you didn't consider
that the guy you just
toilet capped at the club
could press charges.
Well, let him.
I can afford it.
I promised your dad
that I would look after you.
You don't even know me.
I met you once six months ago.
Yeah, outside
the gates of your
lovely one-bedroom
at Allenwood Detention,
where I gave you
half my company.
If you came to get your money back,
you're too late.
I don't want it back.
I just want you
to use it for something
other than
your own self-destruction.
Destruction's in my D.N.A.
- Take it up with Darwin.
- Wait.
You didn't read the journals,
did you?
And so what if I did,
he'd still be dead
and I couldn't
do anything about it.
This isn't about changing things,
Amanda.
This is about knowing who
your dad really was.
You have to read those journals.
Thanks for the ride.
Amanda.
This is everyone?
Everyone who represents
a threat of exposure.
I've expedited their invitations
to your New Year's party.
You know what my resolution
is gonna be this year?
No more parties.
They're like a hidden tax
on the rich.
I think Victoria might have
something to say about that.
About what?
We have a situation.
So you said
when you summoned me.
Now what was so important
that I had to leave
Le Bernardin mid-course?
This came
in the mail yesterday.
From David Clarke?
Obviously not, being the man's
been dead for the past eight months.
What is this,
some kind of sick joke?
We're treating it
as a threat
from someone who had inside
knowledge of the circumstances.
Frank's compiled a list
of everyone who played
a willing role in the cover-up
and everyone who was complicit
in their ignorance,
and all of them
will now be attending
our annual New Year's party
in the Hamptons.
And once we have them corralled,
Frank will be using
his investigative acumen
to narrow down the suspects.
Well, count me out.
I find the prospect
of ringing in the New Year
with any of these people
absolutely nauseating.
More or less nauseating
than the prospect
of life in prison?
Because that is what we face
if the author of this note
decides to expose the truth
about the late Mr. David Clarke.
What can I get ya?
- Vodka tonic, hold the tonic.
- Want a twist?
The hero and the villain
are actually the same person.
Get it?
A twist.
Sorry. I'm taking a mail-in
creative writing course.
Funny.
No, it's dumb,
but anything to pass the time.
In the winters,
it's like The Shining around here.
Actually, you're the first
new face I've seen since summer.
You a local?
Mm. No.
Just passing through.
Jack, help your brother
before he breaks something.
You're not gonna break anything,
are you, Dec?
He's got it.
That the last of your stuff?
Yeah, I got one more load,
and then your boyfriend
- officially lives in a bar.
- Mm. Lucky me.
Hey, Amanda.
Ah. Okay.
What do you think?
Your tie is a little crooked.
You know,
I don't have to go tonight.
Why not? It sounds fun.
Because...
It's kind of a tradition,
us staying home,
watching the ball drop.
You fell asleep last year.
- I think you need a new tradition.
- So did not fall asleep.
- Yeah, you did. And I stayed awake.
- No, no, you actually...
- I'm gonna have to torture you now...
- Stop that.
Because you are...
- Stop.
- You shall be grounded.
- Happy New Year, all.
- Who's that?
- Hey.
- Oh, hey, Bill.
- Hey.
- Party's next door.
I just came to make sure
you'd show up
and to give a certain young lady
her Christmas present.
Ah!
Ariel. Thanks, Uncle Bill.
Hey. Hey, come on.
Conrad's Montecristos aren't
gonna smoke themselves, huh?
All right.
Don't stay up too late.
Bye.
You know how much I love you?
Infinity times infinity.
That's right.
- Bye.
- Good night.
Happy New Year, honey.
You ready?
Yeah, I guess
as I'll ever be...
"My dear Amanda...
"In the pages that follow,
"I've attempted
to piece together
"the ruthless betrayal
that brought about
"my false imprisonment
and our unbearable separation.
"I hope this chronicle
will one day provide you
"an understanding of
what I believe happened to me.
"If I'm at all culpable for
what happened to us, Amanda...
"Believing in a system
rigged against me
"by the people I knew
as friends
"in a life I can no longer...
"It's because I gave away
my trust too easily...
"Bill Harmon has been
a close associate
"of the Graysons' for years,
whereas Conrad has...
"Roger Halsted
is a true friend.
"As for why he would let
himself be dragged into this...
"I can't claim to know
Tom Kingsly very well,
"in prosecuting the case
against me,
"it's clear
that he buried evidence
on behalf of the Graysons."
- Hello. Happy New Year.
- Thank you, sir.
Lydia.
Oh, Michael.
It is so good to see you both.
We wouldn't have come by
a day early like this,
but we were kind of, uh,
in the neighborhood.
House shopping.
Michael promised to buy
a place in Southampton.
Unfortunately,
all the beachfront properties
get snatched up the second
they hit the market.
One day, this bubble
is gonna burst.
Oh, well, let it.
There's been a veritable
invasion of riffraff around here
ever since the feds
flattened the rates.
What he means
is that we'd be thrilled
to have you as neighbors.
The closer the better.
Be careful what you wish for.
We did put an offer on David Clarke's
old beach house next door.
Yes, but, uh,
after the government seized
the property,
they auctioned it off
to some dummy corporation.
I mean, you'd think with
the history of that house,
they would be happy
to unload it.
But apparently, they're not
entertaining any offers.
Oh, well, that's unfortunate.
Would you please take
the Davises bags
and situate them
in an oceanfront room?
Hey, hold the tonic.
Thought you were
just passing through.
Thought I'd stay
a little longer than expected.
- How are the burgers here?
- Can't say. I don't eat meat.
People who do say
they're the best in Montauk.
Hey, boss, um...
You think I can get
tomorrow night off?
I lined up a gig
with a catering service
for the Graysons'
New Year's thing.
I need you here.
Well, I figured that
with the way
that business has been going,
you...
Were gonna
start cutting shifts.
You want the catering job,
take it.
But just don't come back here.
Turned you down?
I'm gonna go broke if I keep
working at this place,
and we need cash if we're
going to Europe this summer.
I'm sorry, Ky.
It's not like this is
some small setback.
Dad had to sell the house.
I'm not mad at him.
I'm mad at Montauk.
I feel like I'm gonna be
stuck here my whole life.
There are worse places.
Sorry.
Drama.
You know, I could use
some extra cash, too.
Think I could fill in for you
at that New Year's party?
Kick you back 25%
if you can hook it up.
Sure, if you really want
to work on New Year's Eve.
What's your name?
Mandy.
Sammy.
You got so big.
Your dad always said you had
a soft spot for animals.
What, are you following me now?
In this weather,
more like tracking.
Don't you have any friends
or family of your own
to harass over the holidays?
Sammy.
Come on. Get in here.
Hey, listen, if you guys aren't
doing anything tomorrow for New Year's,
we got 2-for-1 shots here
till midnight.
Tell your friends.
What do you think?
- I made plans.
- Let me guess.
Volunteering
in a homeless shelter.
Finding out who my father was.
Now get lost, Nolan.
I haven't had a guardian
in ten years.
I don't need one now.
I see Michael and Lydia Davis
have arrived.
Yeah. I'm pretty sure
there's nothing
to worry about with them.
I mean, Michael
didn't even play a part,
and Lydia's not exactly
the type to suffer
a crisis of conscience.
I would like to think
my secretary's a tad more loyal
than she was to David.
Everyone's a suspect,
even you.
And Victoria?
Where is Victoria?
- Don't be afraid.
- They put out a nice spread.
- Yeah.
- Bill.
Fashionably late as usual.
Oh, that's, uh,
my fault, I'm afraid.
- Bill took a detour to my house.
- Ah.
Hi, I'm David Clarke.
I-I work with your husband.
Happy New Year, Mr. Clarke.
How is it
we haven't met before?
David's not much
for parties.
Perhaps if you acquired shares
in that mentality,
your star would be rising
as fast as David's.
All work and no play?
where's the fun in that?
If you'll excuse me,
I'm gonna get a drink.
David just moved into
the beach house next door.
Oh, so you're the one.
Well, welcome to the neighborhood.
It's a beautiful property.
Well, it will be eventually.
It needs work.
But, uh, I'm afraid, uh,
all I could afford was a fixer.
- But it felt right.
- Felt? How refreshing.
As I understand it,
we only buy properties
if the tax incentives
work for us.
You know what?
Uh, Rudy just walked in.
Let's go talk to him
before he gets drunk
and starts angling
for another mayoral run.
Well, enjoy yourself tonight.
Thank you.
Victoria.
What are you doing?
Seeking calm before
the storm of our guests.
In this godforsaken place?
It was on the floor.
Someone's been in here.
Clearly, yeah.
You know, I think it's high time
we let this place go.
I'm selling it.
Why do we have to do that?
Because you're still
in love with him.
Here I was, planning a lonely
New Year's in the Keys
when imagine my surprise,
a last-minute invitation
to the ball.
Well, we're just so happy you
could come celebrate with us.
Aww. I'm happy, too,
though I would be happier
if my room had an ashtray.
I thought you were going to be
staying at your cottage.
I would had I ever thought
to have it winterized.
Ah, well, young lady.
Young lady.
Could you please see to it that
Mr. Treadwell has an astray?
And find him a place
to smoke outside.
Leo Treadwell?
How'd you like to help me
rescue your father?
I don't think he did it.
A fan, I assume?
Your biggest.
So how have you been, Victoria?
I imagine that
David Clarke's death this year
came as quite a shock.
Though on the plus side,
for me, his demise
has rekindled the public's
appetite for his story.
Don't tell me
you're writing another book.
Already hard at work
digging up new material.
A trip to the prison
proved fruitful.
During my visits with David,
I remembered that one of his guards
fancied himself a photographer.
He took this on the day
that David was killed.
Keep it.
We both know that he'd have
wanted you to have it.
Grayson security seized
my database this morning.
The S.E.C. gets ahold of this,
you're going to jail, Bill.
Grayson wants to cut a deal.
Today I am just grateful
that justice prevailed
and that this terrible man
has been held accountable
for his crimes
against the American people.
Miss?
I'd rather not be seated
so close to them.
Them?
All of these people.
Stick me in a corner
somewhere, uh,
where no one will notice me?
- You got it.
- Thanks.
They got me staying
in the pool house.
Bring by
a bottle of bourbon, huh?
I'm eternally in your debt.
What did he say to you?
He just wanted
to switch tables.
Have a seat anywhere.
I-I'm looking for a girl.
Wish I could say you came
to the right place,
but it should pick up
later tonight, though.
But... who's picking you up
later tonight, though?
Mm.
Okay.
Look, you have every right
to come in here and hit on
the cute bartender all night.
You should just know,
it's not gonna happen.
Why not?
- She's with me.
- Ahh. Sorry.
Um, it's...
I'm Nolan, by the way.
Okay.
I'm Jack.
- Jack?
- Yeah.
Mr. Halsted?
I had to swipe this from
Mr. Grayson's private stash.
Well...
That man has swiped plenty more
than a bottle of whiskey
over the years.
His portfolio can handle it.
I don't want your money.
I want to know about my father.
Who's your father?
David Clarke.
Amanda?
What are you doing here?
After my father died,
he left me his journals.
He claims he's innocent.
He was found guilty in court.
But he said that you knew the truth,
that he was set up.
And if I told you he was right,
what would you do
with that information?
I would make sure that
everybody knew about it,
that these people
got what they deserved.
I have the guest list.
According to his journals,
most of those people
are here tonight.
All the more reason
for you to drop it.
Is that what you did?
You just dropped it,
drank until it all went away?
I'm not afraid of these people.
And you shouldn't be either.
I have nothing more
to say to you.
Man, these people can drink.
Yeah? Come work Puff Daddy's
White Party in September.
They go through $1,000 bottles
like it's water.
- Come on, Kingsly.
- I'm sorry, Bill, but my district has spoken.
They don't want gambling near
the churches or the schools.
One Indian casino is not gonna
get you unelected, Senator.
Surely you can set aside your
family-values agenda just this once.
We all know
you're capable of it.
- Bill, could I have a word?
- Do I have a choice?
Hello, Dr. Banks.
I read your profile
in The New Yorker,
a couple of days ago,
about the D.C. Sniper.
- You want to know what I think?
- No, but don't let that stop you.
Mm. My savior.
Let's, uh, let's talk,
uh, about your new book
on attachment parenting instead.
I just read it.
- Really?
- No. Not really.
Well, another year goes by.
- They just go quicker and quicker.
- Mm. Not this one.
I for one cannot wait
to put this one behind me.
Champagne?
I think I might be needing something
with a little more purpose.
Excuse me, Lydia.
Thank you.
What are you coveting, sweetie?
Is it the Dolce
or what's underneath it?
Oh.
Uh, hello again.
I was looking for your husband.
I didn't want to leave
without saying thank you.
I haven't seen him.
Won't you come in?
Okay. Well, I guess I will, uh...
Say thank you to you.
That was a lovely evening.
Well, it's snowing outside.
Could I offer you some
insulation from the cold?
Thank you, but I was
hoping to get home
in time to watch the ball drop
with my daughter.
Ah, well,
that's very important.
I wish I could spend
New Year's Eve with my son,
but he's with my in-laws,
and...
I've already called him four times.
It's amazing how much
you miss them, isn't it?
Mm. Mm.
Why don't you come over
for brunch tomorrow?
I'd love to meet
the whole family.
Ah, well, it's, um,
just me and Amanda now.
My wife is not with us anymore.
I'm so sorry.
No one should ever have to
spend the holidays grieving.
Thank you.
Here's to my pop,
the hardest working man
in Suffolk County.
What's, uh,
what's up with your dad?
- Did he die?
- What? No, he's upstairs.
- He's working.
- Oh.
Hence the toast.
My family now lives and works
under the same roof.
Oh, cozy.
We actually used to have this really
great cottage in Amagansett.
But then this...
Rich parasite started buying up
all our neighbors one by one.
Last month,
my dad finally caved.
That's four family homes
on Seacliff Lane,
just wiped off the map.
Seacliff Lane, huh?
Uh, I'm gonna hit the head.
So I've talked to...
- Kingsly...
- Yeah.
Harmon, and Judge Barnes.
I'm satisfied they have
nothing to do with the letter.
I see you've crossed off
Dr. Banks.
She's a latecomer.
She's an opportunist.
I think the guy that we're looking for
was involved from the start.
Roger Halsted?
He was pretty tight with David Clarke,
wasn't he?
He rolled over on him.
I always thought
Roger was weak.
I wouldn't say an anonymous threat
is a sign of towering strength.
Oh, sorry. I didn't know
anyone was in here.
I need to freshen up.
Your room is actually
in the South Wing, Mrs. Davis.
I can take you there
if you'd like.
Oh, that's...
That's all right, Frank.
Uh, you've got
better things to do.
I just left Victoria.
She's in quite a state.
Yeah. A state of
suspended animation.
So listen, uh, the corporation that
owns the deed to David Clarke's house
has exactly two members,
and you're lookin' at one of them.
- You and Victoria.
- Yeah.
I should've bulldozed it
when I had the chance.
That house is her twisted way
of hanging on to him.
It's perverse, don't you think?
Destroy a man you love
and then weep for him eternally?
I'd be lying if I said
I didn't understand
at least part
of her motivation.
When you asked me to
back your testimony in David's trial,
there's a reason I went along.
Yeah, there were a million reasons
if I remember correctly.
I never gave a damn
about the money.
I did it to protect you.
- Why?
- Isn't it obvious?
I'm sorry.
Anyone making any interesting
resolutions this year?
I don't believe in making promises
I never intend to keep.
My resolution is to spend more time
on the campaign trail
telling people
what they want to hear.
Not all of the people.
Who invented this
idiotic tradition anyways?
It's pagan
from pre-Christian Rome.
January is of course
named for Janus,
the patron and protector
of endings and beginnings,
a God with two faces.
Isn't that appropriate?
One face looking forward,
one looking back.
Of course, we don't much like
looking in that direction, do we?
Better to forget the innocent people
we've had to destroy in order to...
Ensure our own survival.
Oh, Roger brought the drunkard
out early this year. How droll.
Oh, there you are. Miss.
Oh, I got you.
I'll help you. I promise.
All right. I'm all right.
I'm all right. Oh, Frank.
Be a good dog and fetch me
a refill, will you?
I think you've had enough.
It looks like our bartenders
have been a little
heavy handed tonight.
Come on.
Let's have a talk.
Hey, let go of me!
Uh...
- Mr. Porter?
- Yeah.
I'm Nolan Ross.
I'm the guy who bought your house
and all the houses around your house.
Oh, congratulations.
Well, when I asked
my business manager
to look for property...
I didn't realize he'd be
displacing so many families.
Yeah, well, that's life.
Uh, what I'm trying to say is,
it's not too late for me
to pull out of escrow.
Well, nobody's asking you
to do that.
- It's not a problem.
- Well, not for you, maybe.
But see, I can't afford
to keep that place.
I mean, look,
my wife walked out
on me and my boys years ago.
She shows up last month
asking for a divorce
and half of everything I own.
Not even a mention of a hello
to her own children.
I'm sorry.
So it's either the house
or the bar.
Now if...
If you pull out of the deal,
I'm gonna have to come clean
with my boys
and tell 'em that their own mother
don't give one damn about them.
- You get what I'm saying?
- Yeah. I do.
Roger, Roger, Roger.
You were in rare form tonight.
- I get anxious at social functions.
- Social anxiety...
Is that why you requested a seat
away from the Graysons' table?
No one should be forced
to suffer my company.
I'm surprised
I was even invited.
- Must have been an oversight.
- Oh, no.
We wanted you here.
You know, the Graysons
received a disturbing note.
What'd you hope to gain
by sending this?
Why would I send this?
Because you feel guilty
and you're too scared
to do anything about it,
because the note's
a way to project blame,
make yourself
feel less culpable
for what happened
to David Clarke.
I just brought
Mr. Halsted some aspirin.
You know what?
I-I have something stronger.
He'll sleep like a baby.
It's almost midnight.
You should probably get out there
and get the champagne ready.
Yes, sir.
Before we close the book
on 2002,
I'd like to raise a glass
to all of you
who have stood by our family
here at home
and at Grayson Global.
As many of you know,
our company has been
languishing in the red
ever since the, um,
the terrible incident back in '93.
But I am proud to announce
that after ten long years,
we've finally fought our way
back to black.
Grayson Global is on top again,
and that is where
I intend to keep us.
Hear, hear.
And continuing with
the theme of onward and upward,
it gives me great pleasure
to announce that
Michael and Lydia Davis
will be sharing
our little stretch of beach.
As I've managed to broker
a deal with the title holders
of the house right next door,
who at long last will be
relinquishing their...
Death grip on the property.
You're a mensch, Conrad.
We'll have to arrange
a finder's fee.
Having you as my neighbors
is payment enough. Thank you.
Aw.
To a prosperous 2003.
15 seconds to midnight,
everyone.
15...
14, 13...
12, 11, 10...
Almost midnight. It's bad luck
if I don't kiss somebody.
Oh, you... You better
find your boyfriend.
Jack and I don't want
the same things anymore.
Oh, you know, I don't want to
get in the middle of all that.
Too late.
- What the hell, man?!
- It's not my fault.
* be forgot *
Jack!
* And never brought to mind... *
- Could I have a sit?
- Of course, neighbor.
About that...
I have a confession to make.
Conrad was able
to broker the deal
with that owner for you...
Because we are the owners.
I lied to you, and I'm sorry.
It has nothing to do
with how I feel about you
as a friend or our friendship.
It was a place that I held
for reasons of my own.
And I can't really make you
understand it, but...
That house was, um...
The only thing of David I had left.
It's not hard to understand
at all.
Take the house, Lydia.
Make it your own.
Nothing would make me happier
than to have my closest friend
be my closest neighbor.
Oh, there you are. Miss.
Oh, I got you.
I'll help you. I promise.
Roger?
Roger, it's Amanda.
It appears we can close the case
of the mystery holiday card.
For a man with a penchant
for writing letters,
you would think that Roger
would have left a suicide note.
Suicide is not a rational act.
I did a comprehensive sweep
of the room.
He left nothing behind.
Oh, how convenient
for all of us.
Quite the soiree.
It feels like we've been cast
in Ten Little Indians.
I wonder who'll be
the last to fall.
I suppose you consider it your job
to break this torrid story.
Less a job
than a moral obligation.
To quote Lippmann,
"There can be no higher law
in journalism
than to tell the truth
and to shame the devil."
Shame the devil?
- You wrote that note.
- I'm a writer.
Though this gruesome turn of events
was certainly not the intention.
Then what on earth did you
plan on gaining from it?
Inspiration.
I thought I'd beat the bushes
to see if I could drum up
some kind of fresh intrigue
for my book.
You are despicable.
Gee, thanks.
High praise coming from you.
They framed my father.
You were right.
You got what you wanted.
It's what he wanted.
I met a friend of his tonight.
He knew everything,
and he was
gonna help me.
And now he's dead, too.
What?
And unless somebody
does something about it,
they will never get
what they deserve.
Amanda...
More than knowing the truth,
your father wanted you
to get past all this.
Then why did he give me
those journals?!
One way or another,
these people are gonna pay.
They're gonna pay
for what they did.
You cannot
bring the Graysons down
all by yourself.
You will never
get close enough
to expose them.
The hell I won't!
Aman...
Dad, I'm sorry.
Help me.
"Amanda,
"Forgive me my methods,
but I had to get you this message
"before I lost my nerve.
"Writing this down is my way
of committing to you.
"I'll tell you everything...
"how your father was framed,
who was involved,
"and most importantly,
how to expose them.
"I've never had the courage
to do it myself,
"but I believe you do.
"Once we're on neutral ground,
I'll help you.
Until then, get as far away
from these people as you can."
I'm home.
Hey, babe, you're late.
I'm sorry.
Traffic was terrible.
Wow. You look stunning.
Look at you.
You better hurry up and change.
Wouldn't be right for
the new face of Grayson Global
to keep them waiting
on New Year's Eve.
Right, about that,
what do you say
we duck out early
and do some celebrating
of our own tonight?
I can't imagine you'd rather
do anything less
than make small talk with
my parents' friends on New Year's Eve.
Actually,
I'm looking forward to it.
- Who are you?
- Nolan Ross. Friend of your father's.
He wanted you
to have something.
My father was a murderer
and a liar.
So why would I trust you?
'Cause that's just what
they want you to believe.
Forget everything that you
think you know, Amanda.
Your dad was protecting you.
When deception cuts
this deep, someone has to pay.
Please let me out of here!
You destroyed a man's career.
No! No!
- You scare me.
- Good.
You're driving me crazy
tonight, Amanda.
Is that right?
- Let's get outta here.
- No, I want to dance.
You just gonna tease me
all night?
Get your hands off me.
- What's your problem?
- What's your problem?
Vodka tonic, hold the tonic.
You got it.
I've been watching you
all night.
- Oh, yeah?
- Let's go.
- You bastard!
- What the hell?
What's wrong with you,
you crazy bitch? Get off him!
Screw you, you son of a bitch!
- Hey!
- Stop it! You're gonna kill him!
Let go of me!
Freak!
Come on, man. Take it easy.
I'm just a girl.
I will give you $10,000
for a cigarette.
You know, you really
shouldn't smoke, Amanda.
It's bad for the skin.
You.
What the hell do you want?
Some moo goo gai pan
and maybe some wontons.
Care to join?
No.
Well, I really hate
to eat alone, so, uh...
Why don't you hop in?
You should really
drink some tea.
It'll help with that hangover.
I don't like
to think that far ahead.
Oh, well, that explains why,
uh, you didn't consider
that the guy you just
toilet capped at the club
could press charges.
Well, let him.
I can afford it.
I promised your dad
that I would look after you.
You don't even know me.
I met you once six months ago.
Yeah, outside
the gates of your
lovely one-bedroom
at Allenwood Detention,
where I gave you
half my company.
If you came to get your money back,
you're too late.
I don't want it back.
I just want you
to use it for something
other than
your own self-destruction.
Destruction's in my D.N.A.
- Take it up with Darwin.
- Wait.
You didn't read the journals,
did you?
And so what if I did,
he'd still be dead
and I couldn't
do anything about it.
This isn't about changing things,
Amanda.
This is about knowing who
your dad really was.
You have to read those journals.
Thanks for the ride.
Amanda.
This is everyone?
Everyone who represents
a threat of exposure.
I've expedited their invitations
to your New Year's party.
You know what my resolution
is gonna be this year?
No more parties.
They're like a hidden tax
on the rich.
I think Victoria might have
something to say about that.
About what?
We have a situation.
So you said
when you summoned me.
Now what was so important
that I had to leave
Le Bernardin mid-course?
This came
in the mail yesterday.
From David Clarke?
Obviously not, being the man's
been dead for the past eight months.
What is this,
some kind of sick joke?
We're treating it
as a threat
from someone who had inside
knowledge of the circumstances.
Frank's compiled a list
of everyone who played
a willing role in the cover-up
and everyone who was complicit
in their ignorance,
and all of them
will now be attending
our annual New Year's party
in the Hamptons.
And once we have them corralled,
Frank will be using
his investigative acumen
to narrow down the suspects.
Well, count me out.
I find the prospect
of ringing in the New Year
with any of these people
absolutely nauseating.
More or less nauseating
than the prospect
of life in prison?
Because that is what we face
if the author of this note
decides to expose the truth
about the late Mr. David Clarke.
What can I get ya?
- Vodka tonic, hold the tonic.
- Want a twist?
The hero and the villain
are actually the same person.
Get it?
A twist.
Sorry. I'm taking a mail-in
creative writing course.
Funny.
No, it's dumb,
but anything to pass the time.
In the winters,
it's like The Shining around here.
Actually, you're the first
new face I've seen since summer.
You a local?
Mm. No.
Just passing through.
Jack, help your brother
before he breaks something.
You're not gonna break anything,
are you, Dec?
He's got it.
That the last of your stuff?
Yeah, I got one more load,
and then your boyfriend
- officially lives in a bar.
- Mm. Lucky me.
Hey, Amanda.
Ah. Okay.
What do you think?
Your tie is a little crooked.
You know,
I don't have to go tonight.
Why not? It sounds fun.
Because...
It's kind of a tradition,
us staying home,
watching the ball drop.
You fell asleep last year.
- I think you need a new tradition.
- So did not fall asleep.
- Yeah, you did. And I stayed awake.
- No, no, you actually...
- I'm gonna have to torture you now...
- Stop that.
Because you are...
- Stop.
- You shall be grounded.
- Happy New Year, all.
- Who's that?
- Hey.
- Oh, hey, Bill.
- Hey.
- Party's next door.
I just came to make sure
you'd show up
and to give a certain young lady
her Christmas present.
Ah!
Ariel. Thanks, Uncle Bill.
Hey. Hey, come on.
Conrad's Montecristos aren't
gonna smoke themselves, huh?
All right.
Don't stay up too late.
Bye.
You know how much I love you?
Infinity times infinity.
That's right.
- Bye.
- Good night.
Happy New Year, honey.
You ready?
Yeah, I guess
as I'll ever be...
"My dear Amanda...
"In the pages that follow,
"I've attempted
to piece together
"the ruthless betrayal
that brought about
"my false imprisonment
and our unbearable separation.
"I hope this chronicle
will one day provide you
"an understanding of
what I believe happened to me.
"If I'm at all culpable for
what happened to us, Amanda...
"Believing in a system
rigged against me
"by the people I knew
as friends
"in a life I can no longer...
"It's because I gave away
my trust too easily...
"Bill Harmon has been
a close associate
"of the Graysons' for years,
whereas Conrad has...
"Roger Halsted
is a true friend.
"As for why he would let
himself be dragged into this...
"I can't claim to know
Tom Kingsly very well,
"in prosecuting the case
against me,
"it's clear
that he buried evidence
on behalf of the Graysons."
- Hello. Happy New Year.
- Thank you, sir.
Lydia.
Oh, Michael.
It is so good to see you both.
We wouldn't have come by
a day early like this,
but we were kind of, uh,
in the neighborhood.
House shopping.
Michael promised to buy
a place in Southampton.
Unfortunately,
all the beachfront properties
get snatched up the second
they hit the market.
One day, this bubble
is gonna burst.
Oh, well, let it.
There's been a veritable
invasion of riffraff around here
ever since the feds
flattened the rates.
What he means
is that we'd be thrilled
to have you as neighbors.
The closer the better.
Be careful what you wish for.
We did put an offer on David Clarke's
old beach house next door.
Yes, but, uh,
after the government seized
the property,
they auctioned it off
to some dummy corporation.
I mean, you'd think with
the history of that house,
they would be happy
to unload it.
But apparently, they're not
entertaining any offers.
Oh, well, that's unfortunate.
Would you please take
the Davises bags
and situate them
in an oceanfront room?
Hey, hold the tonic.
Thought you were
just passing through.
Thought I'd stay
a little longer than expected.
- How are the burgers here?
- Can't say. I don't eat meat.
People who do say
they're the best in Montauk.
Hey, boss, um...
You think I can get
tomorrow night off?
I lined up a gig
with a catering service
for the Graysons'
New Year's thing.
I need you here.
Well, I figured that
with the way
that business has been going,
you...
Were gonna
start cutting shifts.
You want the catering job,
take it.
But just don't come back here.
Turned you down?
I'm gonna go broke if I keep
working at this place,
and we need cash if we're
going to Europe this summer.
I'm sorry, Ky.
It's not like this is
some small setback.
Dad had to sell the house.
I'm not mad at him.
I'm mad at Montauk.
I feel like I'm gonna be
stuck here my whole life.
There are worse places.
Sorry.
Drama.
You know, I could use
some extra cash, too.
Think I could fill in for you
at that New Year's party?
Kick you back 25%
if you can hook it up.
Sure, if you really want
to work on New Year's Eve.
What's your name?
Mandy.
Sammy.
You got so big.
Your dad always said you had
a soft spot for animals.
What, are you following me now?
In this weather,
more like tracking.
Don't you have any friends
or family of your own
to harass over the holidays?
Sammy.
Come on. Get in here.
Hey, listen, if you guys aren't
doing anything tomorrow for New Year's,
we got 2-for-1 shots here
till midnight.
Tell your friends.
What do you think?
- I made plans.
- Let me guess.
Volunteering
in a homeless shelter.
Finding out who my father was.
Now get lost, Nolan.
I haven't had a guardian
in ten years.
I don't need one now.
I see Michael and Lydia Davis
have arrived.
Yeah. I'm pretty sure
there's nothing
to worry about with them.
I mean, Michael
didn't even play a part,
and Lydia's not exactly
the type to suffer
a crisis of conscience.
I would like to think
my secretary's a tad more loyal
than she was to David.
Everyone's a suspect,
even you.
And Victoria?
Where is Victoria?
- Don't be afraid.
- They put out a nice spread.
- Yeah.
- Bill.
Fashionably late as usual.
Oh, that's, uh,
my fault, I'm afraid.
- Bill took a detour to my house.
- Ah.
Hi, I'm David Clarke.
I-I work with your husband.
Happy New Year, Mr. Clarke.
How is it
we haven't met before?
David's not much
for parties.
Perhaps if you acquired shares
in that mentality,
your star would be rising
as fast as David's.
All work and no play?
where's the fun in that?
If you'll excuse me,
I'm gonna get a drink.
David just moved into
the beach house next door.
Oh, so you're the one.
Well, welcome to the neighborhood.
It's a beautiful property.
Well, it will be eventually.
It needs work.
But, uh, I'm afraid, uh,
all I could afford was a fixer.
- But it felt right.
- Felt? How refreshing.
As I understand it,
we only buy properties
if the tax incentives
work for us.
You know what?
Uh, Rudy just walked in.
Let's go talk to him
before he gets drunk
and starts angling
for another mayoral run.
Well, enjoy yourself tonight.
Thank you.
Victoria.
What are you doing?
Seeking calm before
the storm of our guests.
In this godforsaken place?
It was on the floor.
Someone's been in here.
Clearly, yeah.
You know, I think it's high time
we let this place go.
I'm selling it.
Why do we have to do that?
Because you're still
in love with him.
Here I was, planning a lonely
New Year's in the Keys
when imagine my surprise,
a last-minute invitation
to the ball.
Well, we're just so happy you
could come celebrate with us.
Aww. I'm happy, too,
though I would be happier
if my room had an ashtray.
I thought you were going to be
staying at your cottage.
I would had I ever thought
to have it winterized.
Ah, well, young lady.
Young lady.
Could you please see to it that
Mr. Treadwell has an astray?
And find him a place
to smoke outside.
Leo Treadwell?
How'd you like to help me
rescue your father?
I don't think he did it.
A fan, I assume?
Your biggest.
So how have you been, Victoria?
I imagine that
David Clarke's death this year
came as quite a shock.
Though on the plus side,
for me, his demise
has rekindled the public's
appetite for his story.
Don't tell me
you're writing another book.
Already hard at work
digging up new material.
A trip to the prison
proved fruitful.
During my visits with David,
I remembered that one of his guards
fancied himself a photographer.
He took this on the day
that David was killed.
Keep it.
We both know that he'd have
wanted you to have it.
Grayson security seized
my database this morning.
The S.E.C. gets ahold of this,
you're going to jail, Bill.
Grayson wants to cut a deal.
Today I am just grateful
that justice prevailed
and that this terrible man
has been held accountable
for his crimes
against the American people.
Miss?
I'd rather not be seated
so close to them.
Them?
All of these people.
Stick me in a corner
somewhere, uh,
where no one will notice me?
- You got it.
- Thanks.
They got me staying
in the pool house.
Bring by
a bottle of bourbon, huh?
I'm eternally in your debt.
What did he say to you?
He just wanted
to switch tables.
Have a seat anywhere.
I-I'm looking for a girl.
Wish I could say you came
to the right place,
but it should pick up
later tonight, though.
But... who's picking you up
later tonight, though?
Mm.
Okay.
Look, you have every right
to come in here and hit on
the cute bartender all night.
You should just know,
it's not gonna happen.
Why not?
- She's with me.
- Ahh. Sorry.
Um, it's...
I'm Nolan, by the way.
Okay.
I'm Jack.
- Jack?
- Yeah.
Mr. Halsted?
I had to swipe this from
Mr. Grayson's private stash.
Well...
That man has swiped plenty more
than a bottle of whiskey
over the years.
His portfolio can handle it.
I don't want your money.
I want to know about my father.
Who's your father?
David Clarke.
Amanda?
What are you doing here?
After my father died,
he left me his journals.
He claims he's innocent.
He was found guilty in court.
But he said that you knew the truth,
that he was set up.
And if I told you he was right,
what would you do
with that information?
I would make sure that
everybody knew about it,
that these people
got what they deserved.
I have the guest list.
According to his journals,
most of those people
are here tonight.
All the more reason
for you to drop it.
Is that what you did?
You just dropped it,
drank until it all went away?
I'm not afraid of these people.
And you shouldn't be either.
I have nothing more
to say to you.
Man, these people can drink.
Yeah? Come work Puff Daddy's
White Party in September.
They go through $1,000 bottles
like it's water.
- Come on, Kingsly.
- I'm sorry, Bill, but my district has spoken.
They don't want gambling near
the churches or the schools.
One Indian casino is not gonna
get you unelected, Senator.
Surely you can set aside your
family-values agenda just this once.
We all know
you're capable of it.
- Bill, could I have a word?
- Do I have a choice?
Hello, Dr. Banks.
I read your profile
in The New Yorker,
a couple of days ago,
about the D.C. Sniper.
- You want to know what I think?
- No, but don't let that stop you.
Mm. My savior.
Let's, uh, let's talk,
uh, about your new book
on attachment parenting instead.
I just read it.
- Really?
- No. Not really.
Well, another year goes by.
- They just go quicker and quicker.
- Mm. Not this one.
I for one cannot wait
to put this one behind me.
Champagne?
I think I might be needing something
with a little more purpose.
Excuse me, Lydia.
Thank you.
What are you coveting, sweetie?
Is it the Dolce
or what's underneath it?
Oh.
Uh, hello again.
I was looking for your husband.
I didn't want to leave
without saying thank you.
I haven't seen him.
Won't you come in?
Okay. Well, I guess I will, uh...
Say thank you to you.
That was a lovely evening.
Well, it's snowing outside.
Could I offer you some
insulation from the cold?
Thank you, but I was
hoping to get home
in time to watch the ball drop
with my daughter.
Ah, well,
that's very important.
I wish I could spend
New Year's Eve with my son,
but he's with my in-laws,
and...
I've already called him four times.
It's amazing how much
you miss them, isn't it?
Mm. Mm.
Why don't you come over
for brunch tomorrow?
I'd love to meet
the whole family.
Ah, well, it's, um,
just me and Amanda now.
My wife is not with us anymore.
I'm so sorry.
No one should ever have to
spend the holidays grieving.
Thank you.
Here's to my pop,
the hardest working man
in Suffolk County.
What's, uh,
what's up with your dad?
- Did he die?
- What? No, he's upstairs.
- He's working.
- Oh.
Hence the toast.
My family now lives and works
under the same roof.
Oh, cozy.
We actually used to have this really
great cottage in Amagansett.
But then this...
Rich parasite started buying up
all our neighbors one by one.
Last month,
my dad finally caved.
That's four family homes
on Seacliff Lane,
just wiped off the map.
Seacliff Lane, huh?
Uh, I'm gonna hit the head.
So I've talked to...
- Kingsly...
- Yeah.
Harmon, and Judge Barnes.
I'm satisfied they have
nothing to do with the letter.
I see you've crossed off
Dr. Banks.
She's a latecomer.
She's an opportunist.
I think the guy that we're looking for
was involved from the start.
Roger Halsted?
He was pretty tight with David Clarke,
wasn't he?
He rolled over on him.
I always thought
Roger was weak.
I wouldn't say an anonymous threat
is a sign of towering strength.
Oh, sorry. I didn't know
anyone was in here.
I need to freshen up.
Your room is actually
in the South Wing, Mrs. Davis.
I can take you there
if you'd like.
Oh, that's...
That's all right, Frank.
Uh, you've got
better things to do.
I just left Victoria.
She's in quite a state.
Yeah. A state of
suspended animation.
So listen, uh, the corporation that
owns the deed to David Clarke's house
has exactly two members,
and you're lookin' at one of them.
- You and Victoria.
- Yeah.
I should've bulldozed it
when I had the chance.
That house is her twisted way
of hanging on to him.
It's perverse, don't you think?
Destroy a man you love
and then weep for him eternally?
I'd be lying if I said
I didn't understand
at least part
of her motivation.
When you asked me to
back your testimony in David's trial,
there's a reason I went along.
Yeah, there were a million reasons
if I remember correctly.
I never gave a damn
about the money.
I did it to protect you.
- Why?
- Isn't it obvious?
I'm sorry.
Anyone making any interesting
resolutions this year?
I don't believe in making promises
I never intend to keep.
My resolution is to spend more time
on the campaign trail
telling people
what they want to hear.
Not all of the people.
Who invented this
idiotic tradition anyways?
It's pagan
from pre-Christian Rome.
January is of course
named for Janus,
the patron and protector
of endings and beginnings,
a God with two faces.
Isn't that appropriate?
One face looking forward,
one looking back.
Of course, we don't much like
looking in that direction, do we?
Better to forget the innocent people
we've had to destroy in order to...
Ensure our own survival.
Oh, Roger brought the drunkard
out early this year. How droll.
Oh, there you are. Miss.
Oh, I got you.
I'll help you. I promise.
All right. I'm all right.
I'm all right. Oh, Frank.
Be a good dog and fetch me
a refill, will you?
I think you've had enough.
It looks like our bartenders
have been a little
heavy handed tonight.
Come on.
Let's have a talk.
Hey, let go of me!
Uh...
- Mr. Porter?
- Yeah.
I'm Nolan Ross.
I'm the guy who bought your house
and all the houses around your house.
Oh, congratulations.
Well, when I asked
my business manager
to look for property...
I didn't realize he'd be
displacing so many families.
Yeah, well, that's life.
Uh, what I'm trying to say is,
it's not too late for me
to pull out of escrow.
Well, nobody's asking you
to do that.
- It's not a problem.
- Well, not for you, maybe.
But see, I can't afford
to keep that place.
I mean, look,
my wife walked out
on me and my boys years ago.
She shows up last month
asking for a divorce
and half of everything I own.
Not even a mention of a hello
to her own children.
I'm sorry.
So it's either the house
or the bar.
Now if...
If you pull out of the deal,
I'm gonna have to come clean
with my boys
and tell 'em that their own mother
don't give one damn about them.
- You get what I'm saying?
- Yeah. I do.
Roger, Roger, Roger.
You were in rare form tonight.
- I get anxious at social functions.
- Social anxiety...
Is that why you requested a seat
away from the Graysons' table?
No one should be forced
to suffer my company.
I'm surprised
I was even invited.
- Must have been an oversight.
- Oh, no.
We wanted you here.
You know, the Graysons
received a disturbing note.
What'd you hope to gain
by sending this?
Why would I send this?
Because you feel guilty
and you're too scared
to do anything about it,
because the note's
a way to project blame,
make yourself
feel less culpable
for what happened
to David Clarke.
I just brought
Mr. Halsted some aspirin.
You know what?
I-I have something stronger.
He'll sleep like a baby.
It's almost midnight.
You should probably get out there
and get the champagne ready.
Yes, sir.
Before we close the book
on 2002,
I'd like to raise a glass
to all of you
who have stood by our family
here at home
and at Grayson Global.
As many of you know,
our company has been
languishing in the red
ever since the, um,
the terrible incident back in '93.
But I am proud to announce
that after ten long years,
we've finally fought our way
back to black.
Grayson Global is on top again,
and that is where
I intend to keep us.
Hear, hear.
And continuing with
the theme of onward and upward,
it gives me great pleasure
to announce that
Michael and Lydia Davis
will be sharing
our little stretch of beach.
As I've managed to broker
a deal with the title holders
of the house right next door,
who at long last will be
relinquishing their...
Death grip on the property.
You're a mensch, Conrad.
We'll have to arrange
a finder's fee.
Having you as my neighbors
is payment enough. Thank you.
Aw.
To a prosperous 2003.
15 seconds to midnight,
everyone.
15...
14, 13...
12, 11, 10...
Almost midnight. It's bad luck
if I don't kiss somebody.
Oh, you... You better
find your boyfriend.
Jack and I don't want
the same things anymore.
Oh, you know, I don't want to
get in the middle of all that.
Too late.
- What the hell, man?!
- It's not my fault.
* be forgot *
Jack!
* And never brought to mind... *
- Could I have a sit?
- Of course, neighbor.
About that...
I have a confession to make.
Conrad was able
to broker the deal
with that owner for you...
Because we are the owners.
I lied to you, and I'm sorry.
It has nothing to do
with how I feel about you
as a friend or our friendship.
It was a place that I held
for reasons of my own.
And I can't really make you
understand it, but...
That house was, um...
The only thing of David I had left.
It's not hard to understand
at all.
Take the house, Lydia.
Make it your own.
Nothing would make me happier
than to have my closest friend
be my closest neighbor.
Oh, there you are. Miss.
Oh, I got you.
I'll help you. I promise.
Roger?
Roger, it's Amanda.
It appears we can close the case
of the mystery holiday card.
For a man with a penchant
for writing letters,
you would think that Roger
would have left a suicide note.
Suicide is not a rational act.
I did a comprehensive sweep
of the room.
He left nothing behind.
Oh, how convenient
for all of us.
Quite the soiree.
It feels like we've been cast
in Ten Little Indians.
I wonder who'll be
the last to fall.
I suppose you consider it your job
to break this torrid story.
Less a job
than a moral obligation.
To quote Lippmann,
"There can be no higher law
in journalism
than to tell the truth
and to shame the devil."
Shame the devil?
- You wrote that note.
- I'm a writer.
Though this gruesome turn of events
was certainly not the intention.
Then what on earth did you
plan on gaining from it?
Inspiration.
I thought I'd beat the bushes
to see if I could drum up
some kind of fresh intrigue
for my book.
You are despicable.
Gee, thanks.
High praise coming from you.
They framed my father.
You were right.
You got what you wanted.
It's what he wanted.
I met a friend of his tonight.
He knew everything,
and he was
gonna help me.
And now he's dead, too.
What?
And unless somebody
does something about it,
they will never get
what they deserve.
Amanda...
More than knowing the truth,
your father wanted you
to get past all this.
Then why did he give me
those journals?!
One way or another,
these people are gonna pay.
They're gonna pay
for what they did.
You cannot
bring the Graysons down
all by yourself.
You will never
get close enough
to expose them.
The hell I won't!
Aman...
Dad, I'm sorry.
Help me.
"Amanda,
"Forgive me my methods,
but I had to get you this message
"before I lost my nerve.
"Writing this down is my way
of committing to you.
"I'll tell you everything...
"how your father was framed,
who was involved,
"and most importantly,
how to expose them.
"I've never had the courage
to do it myself,
"but I believe you do.
"Once we're on neutral ground,
I'll help you.
Until then, get as far away
from these people as you can."
I'm home.
Hey, babe, you're late.
I'm sorry.
Traffic was terrible.
Wow. You look stunning.
Look at you.
You better hurry up and change.
Wouldn't be right for
the new face of Grayson Global
to keep them waiting
on New Year's Eve.
Right, about that,
what do you say
we duck out early
and do some celebrating
of our own tonight?
I can't imagine you'd rather
do anything less
than make small talk with
my parents' friends on New Year's Eve.
Actually,
I'm looking forward to it.