Ranking the top 4 seasons (Season 3-5 and 9) is a little difficult because they are all really good and my favorites (with Seasons 3-5 being the sweet spot of the shot). But, rank them I must. With that caveat, I am ranking Season 5 as the 4th best season of the show.

The season started off really strong, and why would it not with Alexis on trial for the murder of Mark Jennings. Granted, it was a little weak having Steven being the one to convict his mother since there was no indication that Steven saw anything when Mark died in Season 4 (in fact, it was highly unlikely). Still, it was great drama and with the actual killer being Congressman McVane in drag.

The departure of Fallon was met with the arrival of Amanda (also hinted at near the end of Season 4). Now, Amanda was not as interesting as Fallon but there was something about the way Catherine Oxenberg played her that made for interesting drama. It also gave a great opportunity for mother and daughter to vie for the affection of Dex. Alexis won of course, and solved her Amanda issue, temporarily, by marrying her off to a prince - a wedding which did not end well.

In the end, Season 5 will be best remembered for two things: 1.) it was the season that Dynasty finished #1 in the Nielsen ratings and 2.) the season finale where terrorists ambush Amanda and Prince Michael’s wedding, wildly shooting everywhere leaving the viewers to wonder who survived (we all know that Lady Ashley was a goner). Oh, maybe I should add a third, this was the season of the “infamous” kiss between Linda Evans and Rock Hudson and the scare this caused when Hudson died of AIDS. Yes, things were way different back then.

Highlights

Alexis On Trial - Alexis’s trial for the murder of Mark Jennings was so gripping and gave us the opportunity to see Joan Collins in the prison blues. Joan Collins really shined during these first 7 episodes.
Dominique’s Move to Be Accepted as a Carrington - While Blake was quick to accept Amanda as his daughter, he was not as quick to welcome Dominique into the family. Dominique was torn by so many feelings but in the end, it was her desire to be accepted into the family that drove her and not any need to “get Blake.” Blake was slow to come around and it took Tom’s deathbed confession for Blake to finally accept the truth. This gave Blake an ally in his struggle against Alexis.
Steven and Claudia’s Marriage Collapses - Let’s face it, how long were these two really going to last. It was also nice to make Steven “gay” again even if he struggled with his desire to be “normal.” It didn’t hurt, that he had the very attractive Luke pursuing him. Steven finally gave in and accepted his reality (for a while) but made the grave mistake of brining Luke to his sister’s wedding.
Amanda - Amanda and her portrayal by Catherine Oxenberg has always fascinated me. I mean, Oxenberg made her so wooden. I am not sure if that was intentional, but there was just something about Amanda that made you not want to hate her even though she was pretty much annoying (but not like the Kirby find of annoying).

Lowlights

Lady Ashley - Enough said
Daniel Reese - I get the need to bring on big names on the hottest television show. And maybe it may have worked out with Rock Hudson had he not been ill. At the same time, did we need another season of another man fighting Blake for the affection of Krystle. Once Krystle had Blake’s child, that should have been it. At least after this storyline, there never was any real strain in the marriage between Blake and Krystle as they became a super couple.
Jeff and Nicole - Jeff did not take the disappearance and death of Fallon very well. Jeff’s struggle with accepting Fallon’s death and acting like a prick was entertaining. Then, it got ruined by teaming up Jeff with Nicole and hinting that Fallon was still alive. Then it got worse when the writers decided to discard Nicole (good move) and then pair Jeff with Lady Ashley (horrible move).