I haven't seen that ep in 15-20 years, but I can still hear Joan Collins' "Henry...", greeting Henry Kissinger, as though she's standing next to me. I remember Alexis taking one look at Claudia's dress and sniffing that it was "clearly off the rack" then snarking that she had seen several women in it already, and Steven comes back that "none of them look as beautiful in it as my wife."
Where are my housekeys? That I couldn't tell you.
Dynasty
Started by
juliefir
, Jan 04 2004 09:27 PM
329 replies to this topic
#1
Posted Jan 4, 2004 @ 9:27 PM
#2
Posted Jan 16, 2004 @ 12:01 AM
Wow, I can't believe this show has a thread here. I usually come to TWoP for Six Feet Under. A more middle-class soap opera. ha!
I watched Dynasty through its best years, IMO, from 1981-1984. I went to college and stopped watching after the 'real' Fallon left. PSM really grew in that role. I still didn't buy her remarriage to Jeff, though.
I think some major shark jumping occurred in the middle of Season 4. It was obvious to me that PSM leaving altered some of the originally planned storylines. I think that the writers probably had her marriage to Peter already written. That would have been fun to watch in Season 5!
It didn't make any sense to me that she falls in love w/ Jeff merely months after telling him that she didn't want to go backwards.
And the Kirby sick pregnancy storyline rang false to me too. Up until Krystle and Blake's remarriage, they emphasized how healthy she was, then suddenly....
I got the feeling that the actress wanted out of the show too. The way it had been going up until then, it looked like there would be a fun custody battle in Season 5.
So she agrees to marry Adam? WTF? Ew. How many times did they actually sleep together before Kirby left town?
That doesn't make sense considering all the nightmares she had at the beginning of Season 4 about just that sort of thing happening.
I watched Dynasty through its best years, IMO, from 1981-1984. I went to college and stopped watching after the 'real' Fallon left. PSM really grew in that role. I still didn't buy her remarriage to Jeff, though.
I think some major shark jumping occurred in the middle of Season 4. It was obvious to me that PSM leaving altered some of the originally planned storylines. I think that the writers probably had her marriage to Peter already written. That would have been fun to watch in Season 5!
It didn't make any sense to me that she falls in love w/ Jeff merely months after telling him that she didn't want to go backwards.
And the Kirby sick pregnancy storyline rang false to me too. Up until Krystle and Blake's remarriage, they emphasized how healthy she was, then suddenly....
I got the feeling that the actress wanted out of the show too. The way it had been going up until then, it looked like there would be a fun custody battle in Season 5.
So she agrees to marry Adam? WTF? Ew. How many times did they actually sleep together before Kirby left town?
That doesn't make sense considering all the nightmares she had at the beginning of Season 4 about just that sort of thing happening.
#3
Posted Jan 23, 2004 @ 4:49 PM
OK, I DIED seeing Sammy Jo bopping around the Carrington mansion with a boombox playing the Muzak versions of "Thriller" and "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". Too, too hysterical.
I thought she worked better being bitchier than nauseatingly sweet, but damn, Kirby was useless. Good riddance.
Not so much to Pamela Sue Martin's Fallon. Sigh.
And it's odd just how many little details I find myself remembering considering I haven't seen this particular crop of episodes in 20 years.
I thought she worked better being bitchier than nauseatingly sweet, but damn, Kirby was useless. Good riddance.
Not so much to Pamela Sue Martin's Fallon. Sigh.
And it's odd just how many little details I find myself remembering considering I haven't seen this particular crop of episodes in 20 years.
#4
Posted Jan 27, 2004 @ 1:27 AM
It's becoming more and more evident that these episodes are (obviously) edited for syndication, which is a shame. I was hoping that SoapNet wouldn't cut as much, but I've noticed lately that the episode summaries I read on the internet, as well as the episode descriptions on my digital cable service, mention scenes that were obviously cut.
For example, one of last week's episode description mentioned Alexis having nightmares about Mark which were cut. Today's episode description mentions Jeff finding out that Fallon died with Peter DeVilbis... kind of a major plot point that was also obviously cut (well, he did learn she was "dead", but no who with).
Anyway, I know it happens all the time in syndication, but felt I could come here and vent about it anyway. :-)
For example, one of last week's episode description mentioned Alexis having nightmares about Mark which were cut. Today's episode description mentions Jeff finding out that Fallon died with Peter DeVilbis... kind of a major plot point that was also obviously cut (well, he did learn she was "dead", but no who with).
Anyway, I know it happens all the time in syndication, but felt I could come here and vent about it anyway. :-)
#5
Posted Jan 27, 2004 @ 11:21 AM
Sort of OT, but related to the cut episode thing--
I read in TV Guide last week that the average number of commercial/promo minutes in a 3 hour block of prime time network was in the 20s in the 80s and is now 52!!
So I immediatly thought back to Knots, Dallas and Dynasty on Soapnet and figured they must have been shaved to fit the new ad-heavy way of doing things.
Although, I would say, during Knots reruns on Soapnet, the last commercial break sometimes only has 1 ad or promo for about 1 minute instead of 3-4 like normal.
I read in TV Guide last week that the average number of commercial/promo minutes in a 3 hour block of prime time network was in the 20s in the 80s and is now 52!!
So I immediatly thought back to Knots, Dallas and Dynasty on Soapnet and figured they must have been shaved to fit the new ad-heavy way of doing things.
Although, I would say, during Knots reruns on Soapnet, the last commercial break sometimes only has 1 ad or promo for about 1 minute instead of 3-4 like normal.
#6
Posted Feb 1, 2004 @ 11:27 AM
i was watching soapnet yesterday and caught a first-season episode of dynasty.
it was like watching a different show - A GOOD ONE! it wasn't campy at all. and fallon's character really shines without alexis around to steal all the thunder. alexis may have brought in the ratings, but i thought this show (based on just this one viewing) was a heck of lot better at the beginning. i think it's a shame they ended up taking the cartoonish route they did. i liked this somewhat more understated dynasty a lot better.
steven, fallon, matthew and claudia were all intriguing characters. and blake was coming off rather villianous at the beginning.
i think the same thing about dallas. they are showing some first season episodes of it. it's FANTASTIC. back when j.r. was just one piece of the pie, it was awesome. the character of jock is terrific. in the first season, the ewings seemed like real people!
it was like watching a different show - A GOOD ONE! it wasn't campy at all. and fallon's character really shines without alexis around to steal all the thunder. alexis may have brought in the ratings, but i thought this show (based on just this one viewing) was a heck of lot better at the beginning. i think it's a shame they ended up taking the cartoonish route they did. i liked this somewhat more understated dynasty a lot better.
steven, fallon, matthew and claudia were all intriguing characters. and blake was coming off rather villianous at the beginning.
i think the same thing about dallas. they are showing some first season episodes of it. it's FANTASTIC. back when j.r. was just one piece of the pie, it was awesome. the character of jock is terrific. in the first season, the ewings seemed like real people!
Edited by farmerbrown, Feb 1, 2004 @ 11:28 AM.
#7
Posted Feb 1, 2004 @ 12:04 PM
Agreed. I thought Dynasty's wedding episode between Blake and Krystle was done perfectly. I asked my parents, who were big Dynasty fans back in the day, and they said they didn't think the show was campy at all. If anything, they said, Dallas was the worst offender of that.
Edited because Alexis wasn't even there at that time.
Edited because Alexis wasn't even there at that time.
Edited by TheCustomOfLife, Feb 1, 2004 @ 12:05 PM.
#8
Posted Feb 1, 2004 @ 12:36 PM
i think both shows became quite campy, but i think dynasty outdid dallas in that regard. dallas always stayed a little bit true to its roots, IMHO.
but both were much better when they weren't successful!
but both were much better when they weren't successful!
#9
Posted Feb 1, 2004 @ 12:41 PM
Jeff was so fucking dreamy. Fallon is a skank-ho. TWoP should so recap Dynasty.
#10
Posted Feb 1, 2004 @ 12:58 PM
i couldn't get over how YOUNG he looked. i never remember thinking of him as such a baby at the time. but then, i guess i was at the time too! LOL! (i think john james are i the same age. i'm 41. but i have no idea about him really.)
#11
Posted Feb 1, 2004 @ 12:59 PM
He was born in 1956. He was yummy back in '81 but he aged so horribly. To quote My Big Fat Greek Wedding, he looks so....OLD!
#12
Posted Feb 1, 2004 @ 10:48 PM
About Jeff, he was really dorky in the beginning. I wouldn't have gone for him either if I was Fallon. I can actually see what she likes about Uncle Cecil. He's way more intriguing and has a certain mystique.
Steven was more interesting too. He was obviously a decent person but he could be brutally honest too. I like how he warns Jeff about Fallon.
Blake was better as a villainous character. He creeped me out when he put those two dogs on Walter L. Later in the series, Blake is so watered down because of Joan Collins. He does retain some of the meanness and wiles with her but he's a sap compared to what he was in the beginning. Was that Krystle's influence? heh.
I think the first season of Dynasty was fantastic. Not campy and somewhat realistic. Watching that and watching the 5th season eps on SoapNet, it seems like two different shows.
Steven was more interesting too. He was obviously a decent person but he could be brutally honest too. I like how he warns Jeff about Fallon.
Blake was better as a villainous character. He creeped me out when he put those two dogs on Walter L. Later in the series, Blake is so watered down because of Joan Collins. He does retain some of the meanness and wiles with her but he's a sap compared to what he was in the beginning. Was that Krystle's influence? heh.
I think the first season of Dynasty was fantastic. Not campy and somewhat realistic. Watching that and watching the 5th season eps on SoapNet, it seems like two different shows.
#13
Posted Feb 16, 2004 @ 1:03 PM
This whole season (1984-85) seems utterly contrived now that I'm watching it in reruns. Before, things were over the top and campy, but at least made a certain amount of warped sense...but now, it just seems like couples are having arguments and splitting up and cheating from out of nowhere. I halfway expect for there to be an exchange like, "Why?"/"Don't blame me...the script called for it"! Amanda is grating on me and for the love of God, can Adam ever go after someone original? He's like a romantic parasite! Furthermore, I don't see what the big deal is if Krystle wants to pursue a career of her own...
Whew! I feel better. I do really like Dominique, though...but again, I don't see why Brady's blowing a gasket over things.
In the guest star arena, I didn't realize how adorable Bill Campbell was back then, and Ali McGraw is her usual riotously awful self...I'm probably the only person who laughed instead of cried at Love Story. But I've heard that she's admitted she was a horrible actress in interviews, so I'll at least give her points for refreshing self-awareness.
Whew! I feel better. I do really like Dominique, though...but again, I don't see why Brady's blowing a gasket over things.
In the guest star arena, I didn't realize how adorable Bill Campbell was back then, and Ali McGraw is her usual riotously awful self...I'm probably the only person who laughed instead of cried at Love Story. But I've heard that she's admitted she was a horrible actress in interviews, so I'll at least give her points for refreshing self-awareness.
#14
Posted Mar 1, 2004 @ 3:58 PM
Just two words for tomorrow's episode, folks:
MOLDAVIAN MASSACRE!!!
Whee!
So true. When Steven invited Luke to the wedding, I kept shouting "No!! Don't go! Don't go!"
God, she was badder than bad, wasn't she? She can go to the wedding. Heh heh heh...
Also, I just watched Friday's episode, which introduced Emma Samms as Fallon. When they cut to the new portrait over the fireplace, I just about spit out the water I was drinking!
God, I love this show :)
MOLDAVIAN MASSACRE!!!
Whee!
I didn't realize how adorable Bill Campbell was back then
So true. When Steven invited Luke to the wedding, I kept shouting "No!! Don't go! Don't go!"
and Ali McGraw is her usual riotously awful self
God, she was badder than bad, wasn't she? She can go to the wedding. Heh heh heh...
Also, I just watched Friday's episode, which introduced Emma Samms as Fallon. When they cut to the new portrait over the fireplace, I just about spit out the water I was drinking!
God, I love this show :)
Edited by Bat Hound, Mar 1, 2004 @ 4:00 PM.
#15
Posted Mar 1, 2004 @ 4:30 PM
Emma Sams ruined that character, IMHO.
#16
Posted Mar 3, 2004 @ 5:20 AM
The Moldavia connection is soooooo over the top, with Amanda's future wedding to one of the dorkiest characters ever to appear on Dynasty. I love the re-emergence of Sammy Jo but the "Rita" connection promises to be another ridiculous segue.
I have come to adore the much romancing Jeff--is there any woman he doesn't fall in love with? He's halfway convincing in his adoration of the droll Ali McGraw. Was there no makeup left for her after Alexis left the makeup artists?
On a sadder note, I'm glad we had the chance to see Rock Hudson in what was his last appearance as an actor. Even though he was so much thinner than in previous roles, movies or McMillan and Wife, he remains one of my favorite actors of the time. He was among the last of the Hollywood glamour years--so handsome.
Where can I find recent pictures of John James and Bill Campbell?
I have come to adore the much romancing Jeff--is there any woman he doesn't fall in love with? He's halfway convincing in his adoration of the droll Ali McGraw. Was there no makeup left for her after Alexis left the makeup artists?
On a sadder note, I'm glad we had the chance to see Rock Hudson in what was his last appearance as an actor. Even though he was so much thinner than in previous roles, movies or McMillan and Wife, he remains one of my favorite actors of the time. He was among the last of the Hollywood glamour years--so handsome.
Where can I find recent pictures of John James and Bill Campbell?
#17
Posted Mar 3, 2004 @ 8:03 AM
You're kidding, you don't like Prince Michael? I know he married that weed Amanda, but he was terribly handsome. I can't remember what actually happened with them in the end - they fade out of my memory after the wedding massacre.
But I DO remember Alexis escaping disguised as a nun!
But I DO remember Alexis escaping disguised as a nun!
#18
Posted Mar 3, 2004 @ 10:25 AM
In one recent episode, I remember she was trying to be all flirty with Blake and was like, "Do you want me to be a villain? Or a harem girl?" Because apparently being a decent actress is out of the question.God, [Ali McGraw] was badder than bad, wasn't she?
Oh--and that was one of the most all-time jawdropping displays of stupidity I've ever seen. OK, so revolutionaries are spraying the church with machine gun fire and everyone's hitting the ground and playing possum. So what does this dipshit do? Whip out her camera, pop up, and start taking pictures!!! Yeah, the revolutionaries took really kindly to that. I mean, she may as well have just held up a huge sign saying, "SHOOT ME NOW!!! PLEASE!!!" Moron.She can go to the wedding. Heh heh heh...
I know. That was hysterical. What's even more ironic is that they didn't get the original picture until after Pamela Sue Martin left; Krystle gave it to Blake as a present to remember her by.Also, I just watched Friday's episode, which introduced Emma Samms as Fallon. When they cut to the new portrait over the fireplace, I just about spit out the water I was drinking!
The Moldavia connection is soooooo over the top, with Amanda's future wedding to one of the dorkiest characters ever to appear on Dynasty. I love the re-emergence of Sammy Jo but the "Rita" connection promises to be another ridiculous segue.
Aaaaand this would be when the show officially became a cartoon. It's about where I checked out growing up, and now that I've caught up on everything I missed in prior seasons, it's where I'm checking out now.But I DO remember Alexis escaping disguised as a nun!
I see both your points. He was a dud. But a very handsome dud.You're kidding, you don't like Prince Michael? I know he married that weed Amanda, but he was terribly handsome.
#19
Posted Mar 3, 2004 @ 10:51 AM
Ok, so I hadn't seen the Moldavian Massacre in 20+ years, but I remember watching it with my jaw dropped back then (after all, no internet meant no spoilers!). Seeing it again made me realize just how goofy and - yes, I admit it - FUN it was!
What strikes me as even funnier is that it's clearly NOT Ali MacGraw in that scene, nor is it her snapping pictures when Amanda's getting dressed and the sun miraculoulsy comes out just in time for the bloodshed. Since I recorded it, I was able to go back and check. She's definitely sitting next to Luke and behind Jeff in the group shots, but once the massacre starts, her contract must have let her turn tail and run. The funniest part is right before she and Jeff get shot and she never takes the camera away from her (non Ali) face!
Finally, when they show her and Jeff lying there, I must admit she looked more beautiful than she did all season. Which is another point... did they ALL get shot and thus were ALL unconcious, or did a lot of them smarten up and play possum? Cheesy fun!
Anyone notice the irony of Luke saving Claudia? (I had forgotten about that, too!)
You know, I must have felt the same way. I was talking to a friend yesterday at work (another Dynasty fanatic - in fact, we took over the TV at work so we could watch the killing spree), and I was saying I don't remember much after this episode. I remember the Rita plotline so I think I stuck it out for one more season, but I don't remember the 2nd Amanda, Blake running for office, etc., so I probably missed the last couple of seasons. I'll watch them this time, tho!
Oh--and that was one of the most all-time jawdropping displays of stupidity I've ever seen. OK, so revolutionaries are spraying the church with machine gun fire and everyone's hitting the ground and playing possum. So what does this dipshit do? Whip out her camera, pop up, and start taking pictures!!! Yeah, the revolutionaries took really kindly to that. I mean, she may as well have just held up a huge sign saying, "SHOOT ME NOW!!! PLEASE!!!" Moron.
What strikes me as even funnier is that it's clearly NOT Ali MacGraw in that scene, nor is it her snapping pictures when Amanda's getting dressed and the sun miraculoulsy comes out just in time for the bloodshed. Since I recorded it, I was able to go back and check. She's definitely sitting next to Luke and behind Jeff in the group shots, but once the massacre starts, her contract must have let her turn tail and run. The funniest part is right before she and Jeff get shot and she never takes the camera away from her (non Ali) face!
Finally, when they show her and Jeff lying there, I must admit she looked more beautiful than she did all season. Which is another point... did they ALL get shot and thus were ALL unconcious, or did a lot of them smarten up and play possum? Cheesy fun!
Anyone notice the irony of Luke saving Claudia? (I had forgotten about that, too!)
Aaaaand this would be when the show officially became a cartoon. It's about where I checked out growing up, and now that I've caught up on everything I missed in prior seasons, it's where I'm checking out now.
You know, I must have felt the same way. I was talking to a friend yesterday at work (another Dynasty fanatic - in fact, we took over the TV at work so we could watch the killing spree), and I was saying I don't remember much after this episode. I remember the Rita plotline so I think I stuck it out for one more season, but I don't remember the 2nd Amanda, Blake running for office, etc., so I probably missed the last couple of seasons. I'll watch them this time, tho!
#20
Posted Mar 7, 2004 @ 12:58 PM
I did stick it out to the end, but things definitely start to get woolly in my memory after this point.
#21
Posted Mar 7, 2004 @ 1:37 PM
Which is another point... did they ALL get shot and thus were ALL unconcious, or did a lot of them smarten up and play possum?
Steven did a bad job of playing possum. When they zoom out to the painting-like of people hunched "dead" over one another, you can see Steven moving at the right of your TV screen. Tsk tsk.
#22
Posted Mar 13, 2004 @ 7:22 PM
I'm watching the Dysfunctional Family episodes, and doesn't it seem like the drama regarding Steven's sexuality is just so contrived? I live in a very conservative part of the country, and even I kept finding myself saying to myself, "God, people don't SAY things like this to gay people. Not even then."
#23
Posted Mar 14, 2004 @ 4:25 PM
A friggin' triple post. Doesn't anyone watch this show anymore?
I was really moved by yesterday's DysFam episode. I don't want to wait a whole week...does Blake rape Krystle or not?
I was really moved by yesterday's DysFam episode. I don't want to wait a whole week...does Blake rape Krystle or not?
#24
Posted Mar 23, 2004 @ 1:17 PM
Oh my God. I am so hooked on this show now! I had no idea how good it was back when it actually aired.
So does Stephen get together with that Chris O'Donnell Doppelganger Senator or was that eighteen minute sweaty fight scene in that gym with absolutely no one else around just subtext?
And did anyone notice Patsy Stone's sister....as Alexis's sister?
So does Stephen get together with that Chris O'Donnell Doppelganger Senator or was that eighteen minute sweaty fight scene in that gym with absolutely no one else around just subtext?
And did anyone notice Patsy Stone's sister....as Alexis's sister?
#25
Posted Mar 23, 2004 @ 5:16 PM
That's only the beginning. Moldavian Massacre still sucked. I guess it gets bad around 1984, when it started hitting #1 and people got big egos.
#26
Posted Mar 24, 2004 @ 7:40 AM
hee! As Caress, right? My sister were amazed back in the day that someone would actually name their kid after a bar of soap.And did anyone notice Patsy Stone's sister....as Alexis's sister?
#27
Posted Mar 24, 2004 @ 9:32 AM
I dunno if "sucked" is the right word. I think that once the airwaves got saturated with night-time soaps (Dallas, Dynasty, Knots Landing, Flacon Crest, etc), the producers wisely took a page from their daytime predecessors and upped the camp value of the show. Sure, the plotlines got more and more ridiculous, but watching it all over again after twenty years makes me think that maybe the camp factor in later seasons was a bit intentional. Kind of a "let's see how far we can go with this thing".
For example, I didn't remember many of the elements of the Rita plotline, but watching it unfold again after all this time has been fun. Is it ANY of it even remotely plausible? Of course not (especially when you know Linda Evans could take George Hamilton with one hand tied behind her back!). Will we all be rolling our eyes when it's over and Krystal manages to forgive Sammy Jo yet again? Of course we will, but who cares? I sure don't. I'm just enjoying the ride.
For example, I didn't remember many of the elements of the Rita plotline, but watching it unfold again after all this time has been fun. Is it ANY of it even remotely plausible? Of course not (especially when you know Linda Evans could take George Hamilton with one hand tied behind her back!). Will we all be rolling our eyes when it's over and Krystal manages to forgive Sammy Jo yet again? Of course we will, but who cares? I sure don't. I'm just enjoying the ride.
#28
Posted Mar 24, 2004 @ 8:02 PM
Two words:
Dueling. Krystals.
I think the same thing happened to Dynasty that happened to 90210. (Both produced by Aaron Spelling). 90210 started out as an interesting look at twins who move to Beverly Hills from Minnesota and the cultural conflicts that ensued. By the time Aaron had finished with it, a lot of the original characters had left and it was a soap opera. One of Aaron's talents is for figuring out what brings in the viewers and whittling the show down to those elements. For instance: the addition of Joan Collins increased viewership. Ergo more Alexis.
I have to say that watching "Dysfunctional Family" reruns (season one) alongside the season six reruns, I like 'em both. I LOVE the original Fallon and Stephen. I love the brother/sister chemistry they had and how the show was about a family and a business and had a lot to say about wealth, loyalty and class. But then I love the Dueling Krystals and the ridiculous Moldavia plotline.
Dueling. Krystals.
I think the same thing happened to Dynasty that happened to 90210. (Both produced by Aaron Spelling). 90210 started out as an interesting look at twins who move to Beverly Hills from Minnesota and the cultural conflicts that ensued. By the time Aaron had finished with it, a lot of the original characters had left and it was a soap opera. One of Aaron's talents is for figuring out what brings in the viewers and whittling the show down to those elements. For instance: the addition of Joan Collins increased viewership. Ergo more Alexis.
I have to say that watching "Dysfunctional Family" reruns (season one) alongside the season six reruns, I like 'em both. I LOVE the original Fallon and Stephen. I love the brother/sister chemistry they had and how the show was about a family and a business and had a lot to say about wealth, loyalty and class. But then I love the Dueling Krystals and the ridiculous Moldavia plotline.
#29
Posted Mar 25, 2004 @ 10:29 AM
I think 85-86 was probably the last season worth watching, for the camp nirvana you mentioned. (Dueling Krystles! Alexis dresses as a nun! All this and George Hamilton, too!) But after this, even the camp laughs aren't really there as much. It's like the later seasons of Melrose Place (or 90210 as you mentioned), where most of the characters you care about are either gone or burnt out.
Agreed. Pamela Sue Martin rocked. She seemed to know just the right mix of camp and seriousness to bring to things. And I actually really liked Claudia and that whole storyline of trying to put her life back together and find a purpose, whereas in later seasons she was just an annoying, whining shrew.I LOVE the original Fallon and Stephen.
Edited by The Last Dodo, Mar 25, 2004 @ 10:31 AM.
#30
Posted Mar 25, 2004 @ 6:48 PM
I know I said Claudia looks like Peppermint Patty, but she also looks kinda like Carrie Bradshaw, no?
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