Why She's Vengeful: Born Amanda Clarke, her idyllic Hamptons childhood of pinwheels and swing-sets ended abruptly when her father, David Clarke, was tried and convicted of treason for his alleged role in funding the bombing of a commercial airliner, Flight 197, in the mid-'90s. For years she believed her father was guilty, and as a teenager she drowned her sorrow over being ''The Devil's Daughter'' with alcohol, 50 Cent songs, and the thrill of occasionally beating up guys in nightclub bathroom stalls. But when Amanda discovered her father had been framed by the Graysons — people he'd called friends — she swapped identities with her juvie cellmate Emily Thorne and began to plot her payback.
Where She Left Off: Emily's plan had been to gain access to the Grayson files that would exonerate her father by marrying the family’s playboy heir, Daniel. But after she managed to swipe the crucial intel she needed from her fianceé's briefcase, she promptly called off the engagement.
Best Line: ''I came here for revenge. You offered to help me. If you can't stomach it any more, how about you at least spare me your passive-aggressive judgments?'' (to Nolan Ross)
Secret Weapons: Thesp skills that put Actors Studio alumni to shame; terrible wigs (apparently the only disguise she needs to go completely unnoticed); an ability to pit her enemies against each other, Fistful of Dollars-style.