It is kind of unfair to rank Season 1 at all since it really was a different show than the Dynasty we all love. But, if you look at Season 1 and ignore all that came after it, Season 1 is actually pretty good. But, then why did I rank it so low. That’s easy, many of the other seasons are just better.
Season 1 really is the story of Blake trying to get his family to fit his mold and the others struggling to belong in Blake’s world. Meanwhile, on the middle class side (the classic soap mixing of classes), Matthew struggles to bring his family back together even though he is in love with another woman. Claudia struggles to get her life back together following her breakdown. Even poor Lindsay struggles with being a normal teenage girl and learning that her parents only got married because Claudia became pregnant.
Season 1 wasn’t bad, Lindsay, why are you crying?
Aside from the family drama, there is the subtle critique of capitalism and the tension between old money (Cecil), new money (Blake) and those wanting to enter that world (Walter). In the spirit of the 80s/Reagan era, that critique is tossed aside by Season 2 as capitalism and wealth are celebrated.
The season climaxes with Blake on trial for killing (was it accidental?) Steven’s former lover. The trial itself is interesting on so many levels but it is the ending that made Dynasty what it became - the arrival of Blake’s ex-wife Alexis.
Highlights
Steven’s attempts to become a man in a mold different than what Blake wants. Blake wants Steven to straighten up but Steven, who does not know who he wants to be, has his own ideas. Instead of working for Blake at Denver Carrington, Steven decides to work for Walter and Matthew. Even there, Steven struggles to fit in with the wildcatters trying to strike it rich.
Krystle’s attempt to become the lady of the house. She buts head with Fallon who does not want her there. She also has to battle Joseph who was less than eager to give up control of the mansion. Blake makes sure that everyone respects Krystle, but has a hard time respecting Krystle himself. As Blake’s business teeters, he shuts Krystle out and takes out his rage on her. Even though tempted by Matthew, Krystle stays loyal to Blake especially at his murder trial.
I enjoyed watching Blake being the tough and not always likeable business person. This Blake is willing to play dirty. He is not the virtuous capitalist of later seasons.
The romance between Claudia and Steven just works. Two outsiders coming together with a love on a deeper level (despite the sex).
Lowlights
Of course we have to trash Lindsay. It is not her fault but the teenage girl coming of age story just does not work. Besides, you have Fallon’s far more interesting antics. Lindsay is always crying and it is kind of funny now that she made a big deal of finding out her parents only got married because Claudia got pregnant (something more common than people like to acknowledge.
Really, it is just Lindsay that sucked about Season 1. Maybe the lack of bitchy lines too - but that is because Season 1 is just so different.