We are finally almost to Emily and Daniel’s engagement party, when we will find out who was shot on the beach! I was slightly worried that “Perception” would be a filler episode with little movement forward, especially when we met Grandpa Grayson. While he didn’t really play a huge role in the story, it was definitely not a filler episode.
Poor Charlotte. She has been bounced back and forth like a ping-pong ball between her parents and it didn’t look to end on this day. From pushing her mother away to inviting Victoria to lunch to the heart-to-heart with Conrad, Charlotte was all over the place.
Emily was determined to have Charlotte find out the truth about her father until she saw Charlotte with Conrad. Does Emily have a heart? It appears she might! But, in the end, it didn’t really matter. Emily can try to control her revenge, but unfortunately it doesn’t work that way.
I was surprised to see the normally calm Jack all frustrated and angry. He really fell for Amanda, didn’t he? Plus, I guess getting the shit kicked out of you by a thug can do that to a guy. He was determined to watch that tape and I’m glad he did … for now. I’m sure there will be ramifications, perhaps even what happens on the beach, but he needs to figure out the truth.
Jack deserves the truth. Emily has tried to protect him, but her arrival in the Hamptons prevented that from being possible. The Graysons may want to get some security at their home or replace what they have. First, Tyler crashes Daniel’s birthday party, now Jack interrupts their dinner party, and we know someone is shot on the beach at the engagement party!
Out of all the ways for Charlotte to find out the truth about her father, this was brilliantly done. It was authentic, unlike much of the contrived actions on the show. Whether it is Victoria, Conrad, or Emily, they all carefully plan out their manipulations and what they will do next. Not Jack, he just wanted the truth to come out and for Victoria to pay for her sins.
Even when Conrad told Charlotte the truth, it was a spur of the moment action. He took the opportunity to his advantage, but it also felt so real. And, Emily just sat there taking in the whole scene in silence while the truth unravelled.
Neither Daniel nor Charlotte are likely to forgive Victoria any time soon or so you would think. But, Victoria has a way with words and will certainly try to spin this in her favor. Will this bring them closer to Conrad? Who knows?!? The Graysons are a complex family built on expectations, perceptions, and lies.
I’m more worried about Jack. What will he do next? Go to the press? Or, keep this to himself? Will he try and find Amanda? We know he is on the beach the night of engagement party, was he the shooter?
Then, there is Emily. Who broke into her hidden safe? Initially, I assumed it was Tyler. When he was at her house the night of Daniel’s birthday party, he felt the hidden compartment under the rug. He was interrupted by Emily before he could check it out. Did he come back to take revenge against her?
On a second viewing, I noticed the R.S.V.P for the party said “Emily Thorne,” so that could mean it was Amanda that took her box. Though, how would she even know about the hidden compartment? And, honestly, Amanda isn’t smart or conniving enough to pull that off. Perhaps, Tyler kidnapped Amanda?
We will finally find out next week what lead to the shooting on the beach and who was “killed.” It’s going to be a long week indeed!
Odds and Ends
Clacked by Carla Day 
on Feb 09, 2012 @ 18:20 EST5EDT
I’m assuming whoever found the Infinity Box will end up dead or in a mental institution by the end of the next episode.
We don’t see the first shot, but whoever fired the second and third shots wore gloves. Jack’s a spur-of-the-moment guy, and a little hotheaded, so I don’t see him being that meticulous if he’s going to kill someone.
I don’t believe Amanda is the thief, as she’s more likely to throw everything in the Box in Emily’s face in an angry confrontation than plan some convoluted payback against her “sister.” However, if it is her, Jack could easily have reminisced with her about the secret compartment they found under her floorboard as children.
Daniel has always been groomed by his father as the heir apparent to Grayson Global, and knew it. The only difference is that Edward is now trying to force out Conrad before he’s ready to hand over the reins.
Edward seems the type to always find fault with his son and never acknowledge his accomplishments. It goes a long way toward explaining how Conrad became the monster he is.
I didn’t notice this at the time, but read online that Conrad’s tie is the same color as Ashley’s dress in that South Fork Inn scene. That can’t be anything but foreshadowing.
I think Amanda believed Emily when she said that Jack would never forgive Amanda for playing with his affections by pretending to be his childhood friend. I also believe that’s true; that he would end the relationship. Whether Jack will someday forgive Emily when he discovers the truth, I don’t know. When Amanda kept glancing at the bathroom door in her hotel room, I knew Emily was in there listening. I so wanted Jack to notice that, and wait outside the room after he stormed out to hear the two conspirators talking.
The best part was the video of little Amanda. We finally know that she understood everything she saw of David and Victoria very well.
The scene of Charlotte and Declan in the Stowaway was a wasted opportunity. Sammy should have come up and tried to comfort the poor Clarke girl as well.
HOW DOES SHE KNOW!?