Dynasty

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ABC (ended 1989)
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Show Summary

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Dynasty was a larger than life soaps opera that purported to portray the lives of the wealthy rich while embracing the greed, glamour and excesses of the Reagan-era 1980s. The story set in Denver, Colorado, centered around the wealthy but troubled Carrington family, headed by the powerful oil tycoon Blake Carrington (John Forsythe). In the premiere episode, Blake married his beautiful and sweet secretary Krystle (Linda Evans), much to the chagrin of Blake's spoiled daughter, Fallon (Pamela Sue Martin), and Krystle's ex-lover, Matthew Blaisdel (Bo Hopkins). Blake also had trouble dealing with the fact that his son Steven (Al Corley) was a homosexual and, at the end of the first season, Blake accidentally killed Steven's ex-lover when he found him and Steven in an embrace. In the second season premiere, Blake's world turned upside down. Not only was he on trial for murder, but his scheming ex-wife, Alexis (Joan Collins), re-entered his life to testify against him. After the trial, she ended up staying in Devener only to wreak more havoc against him and his new wife, Krystle. Initially, the show was dismissed as a clone of another primetime soap opera, Dallas, which also centered around a rich powerful family who made their fortune in oil. However, Dynasty distinguished itself from Dallas and the other primetime soap operas of its era by by embracing campy over-the-top storylines over realistic ones and larger-than-life fashions. By the end of the 1984-1985 season, Dynasty became the #1 TV show in the United States, beating out its rival, Dallas, and spinning off a second series, The Colbys (originally titled, Dynasty II: The Colbys). However, in subsequent seasons, ratings began to decline as viewers grew tired of the over-the-top storylines, such as Moldavia, Krystle's look-a-like. After 9 seasons and 218 episodes on ABC, the show was cancelled. Two years later, ABC aired a 4 hour mini-series, Dynasty: The Reunion, to wrap up the loose ends of the series, which ended with an unresolved cliffhanger. After its cancellation, the show was syndicated and eventually aired on SOAPnet, the ABC-owned 24-hour soap opera channel. The show received more interest in the new millenium with the airing of a satirical 2005 TV-movie, Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure; a 2006 cast reunion special, Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar, and of course, the release of the first few seasons on DVD. Nielsen Ratings: (Top 30 or Better) #19 in the 1981-1982 Season #5 in the 1982-1983 Season #3 in the 1983-1984 Season #1 in the 1984-1985 Season #7 in the 1985-1986 Season #24 in the 1986-1987 Season ABC Broadcast History: January 1981 - April 1981 -- Mondays 10:00 PM November 1981 - April 1983 -- Wednesdays 10:00 PM September 1983 - May 1987 -- Wednesdays 9:00 PM September 1987 - March 1988 -- Wednesdays 10:00 PM November 1988 - May 1989 -- Thursdays 9:00 PMmoreless
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Episode Guide

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S 9 :  Ep 26 Aired 5/2/06
S 9 :  Ep 22 Aired 5/11/89
S 9 :  Ep 21 Aired 5/4/89
S 9 :  Ep 20 Aired 4/27/89
S 9 :  Ep 19 Aired 4/20/89

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Fan Reviews (17)

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  • I love this show - it is perfect escapism.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By goldtop2007, Jul 25, 2008
    This is a high end soap that, along with "Dallas" defined the atmosphere of the oil crazed 80's. Sumptuous surroundings were created, crazy writing, it's all part of the fun. Here, everybody sleeps with everybody else, betray each other looking damn fabulous while they do it. This is, of course, a black and white world, where you're either good or bad. There's no need for deep contemplation here, just a nice soft couch and ice cream or your favorite snack.

    My favorite character on this show is Alexis, who only makes her appearance at the beginning of season two. The evil people on the show always seem to have the best wit and charm, so sit back and enjoy the naughtiness! Sure, Dallas may have had the better writing, but Dynasty wins on attitude
    .moreless

  • Oh! the drama... the big hair... the shoulder pads...

    5.0
    "Mediocre"
    By RioMom, Jul 16, 2008
    I remember watching this periodically from its debut in 1981 through 1985. Just for fun I ordered the first season from Netflix last week. Now I know why I stopped watching Dynasty. Oh my goodness is it ever trite, overly dramatic and boring! I ended up fast-forwarding through most of the episodes. I'm sure at the time it was worth watching, but not now, unless you're a fan of melodramas! The storylines aren't anything close to realistic. Even for fantasy they're out there! I don't remember Blake Carrington being so mean or Krystal being such a doormat. Steven Carrington always looked like he was about to burst into tears. Fallon was unbelievably rude, childish and downright evil. The chauffeur was not at all attractive or appealing in any way, yet somehow this dud was able to bed Fallon (multiple times). Claudia is a complete waste of skin. She can't seem to do anything by herself. I understand she had a nervous breakdown and all, but come on! Suck it up and move on with your life. Well, anyway, I don't recommend watching this unless there's absolutely NOTHING ELSE ON!moreless

  • Funny show!

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Rozzzz, Mar 07, 2007
    It is not as good as L.A. Law, The Practice, Boston Legal or L Word.. But it is a classic!
    I think I was 6 when I started watching this classic, and I fell for it straight away! I adored beautiful Krystle (played by Linda Evans) and gorgeous Fallon (played by Pamela Sue Martin). And I loved to hate Alexis (played by Joan Collins).
    The last years of the show wasn't great, but still there were some highlights: espacially the arrival of the wonderful Sable Colby (played by Stephanie Beacham).
    The reunion-movie was actally pretty good, despite the fact that the original "Fallon" and "Adam" weren't in it...moreless

  • A very fine television soap-one of its kind.

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By c_etude, Jan 08, 2007
    I would say DYNASTY was one of the finest television soaps ever put out. It had it's very slow moments, probably the most boring was that royal wedding; this was one of the weaknesses. Also, the constant changing of actors, was inconsistent, I thought. Steve Carrington was played by two different actors, and so was Fallon. SO was Alexis's daughter. It's very hard to adjust to the new face once you have gotten used to one face. Later in the show it picks up momentum again. I would say the MAIN star of the show was Alexis (Joan Collins). Forever causing trouble, she kept it interesting. Blake Carrington (John Forsythe) basically had to dodge her attacks. Crystal and Alexis hate each other, mainly because Alexis still loved Blake and can't have him, so she's out to destroy him. The show really went out with a BANG in the end with just about everybody dying off (or nearly, well implied)..first Crystal left--with a brain operation that rendered her totally brain dead; Steven (Jack Coleman) skipped town to discover himself (Steven was wishy-washy always) then, in the end, during the finale, everybody else gets it--Fallon, and Blake's and Crystal's daughter Christine, gets trapped in a mine with no way out. Alexis crashes down stairs when there was a brawl. Blake gets shot. Cool ending! But how sad to see it go!moreless

  • A classic 80's soap

    10
    "Perfect"
    By nikkie_fikkie, Aug 18, 2006
    Dynasty will always remind me of the 80s. I was a huge Dynasty fan am still am, I think the show captured the 80s perfectly, with its over the top clothes, huge hair, and amazing waste of wealth. I remember watching and wishing so hard that I was a Carrington or that I was married to Alexis, just so that I could spend money like they did. The thing I most fondly remember about the show will always be Joan Collins, I think that she was amazing as Alexis and she captured the corprate B**ch like no one else will ever be able to. I was so excited when saeson one came out, I rushed right out and got it. Now if we can just get season 2.moreless
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alcoholism, beautiful people, dysfuntional families, family gossip, for women

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