Mike Kelley truly understood that his show was a hit when people began arguing about it at a Los Angeles hair salon.

All Kelley wanted was a trim, but when he mentioned that he created 'Revenge,' his stylist began raving about how he loved the high-end fashion on the show, which was his favorite new soap opera. Another customer corrected the stylist and said that the show was really a murder mystery. A third salon patron chimed in with yet another interpretation of the show.

"If you've hit the salon in L.A., you've become a success," Kelley said with a laugh. But the spontaneous debate about the show, which has been a breakout hit for ABC, made him realize "that people can get whatever they want out of this show," whether that's schadenfreude regarding the wealthy, a soapy slice of escapism or a well-paced serial drama with a clue-laden mythology.

For those who have already become addicted to "Revenge," Kelley promised lots of exciting new developments in 2012: At least three new characters, including a love interest for Victoria (Madeleine Stowe), will arrive in the second half of the season, which will also reveal who died on the beach at the engagement party in the series premiere.

The first thing you need to know about 'Revenge' is that it's a verb.

Emily Thorne is in the Hamptons, stirring up trouble by REVENGING all over the place. She is REVENGING her dead father, who died after taking the fall for a bunch of venal rich people who committed a crime. Such infamy must be REVENGED. (Oh, that's another thing -- when you speak of the ABC drama, your tone of voice should indicate that you're speaking in ALL CAPS.)

What else do you need to know about 'Revenge'? Well, I found it a bit stiff and forced when it began -- as I said in my original review -- but I've grown increasingly addicted to it, and last week's episode was the most satisfying and entertaining festival of REVENGING yet. By fine-tuning its tone and its cheeky, brisk approach to the prime-time soap genre, it's become the guilty pleasure I always wanted it to be.

But if you're not up to speed on the show, the following guide should fill you in on what you need to know about Emily's busy schedule of REVENGING.