Dynasty Top Scenes - Alexis Sends For Dominique

I am not sure why I waited so long to finally highlight one of the most classic scenes of Dynasty. It is definitely in my Top 5 scenes of all time. Dominique Deveraux arrives in Denver for reasons only she knows (at this point). After asking around about Alexis, Alexis sends for Dominique to learn more about this woman.

The conversation between the two is nothing more than a catty tit-for-tat that ends with Dominique insulting Alexis’s champagne and caviar. Really, does it get any better than that. You can watch this scene over and over and again and be amused on so many levels.

Dynasty Top Scenes - Alexis and Dominique Fight

We had to wait until Season 7 for Alexis and Dominique to have it out - but it was worth it. Now that Alexis owns a newspaper, she has nothing better to do than to have her critic write a scathing review of Dominique’s act. Dominique does not take it well and she storms into Alexis’s bedroom demanding a retraction. Like that it is going to happen.

This leads to a quick fight in Alexis’s bedroom with the poor dog watching from the bed until it gets accidentally hit by one of the stunt men fighting. Lin and Adam come in to break up the fight (Amazingly, Dominique managed to re-tuck in her shirt) and Dominique is carried out screaming, “I’ll slap her.” I mean, how great is that.

Dynasty Top Scenes - Krystle and Alexis's Final Scene Together

Thanks to Sable, Krystle learns that the body that turned up at the lake was none other than Roger Grimes - the man Blake had a run in with many years ago. No wonder Alexis is resuming her attacks on Blake. Krystle will not allow Alexis to get away with it. But, really what can Krystle do - she has a brain condition that can kill her.

That does not stop Krystle from making one final threat to Alexis. After breaking a fancy vase, Krystle holds a book to Alexis’s throat and warns her that she could kill her and no jury will ever convict her. How many times has poor Alexis had someone literally at her throat?

Ultimately, Krystle’s threat is hollow and Alexis knows it. Krystle will not be around long enough to stop Alexis. Good thing Sable had promised to do that for her.

Two parts of this scene are hilarious. When Krystle asks Alexis what she is doing, and Alexis responds with a reference to drinking champagne. And then there is when Alexis offers to take care of Krystle if worse came to worse. When Krystle tells Alexis that she is the last person to take care of Krystina, Alexis makes one of her many snarky remarks that she perfected in Season 9.

Dynasty Top Scenes - Tracy Quits

One of the new characters introduced in Season 4 of Dynasty was Tracy Kendall. Tracy worked at Denver Carrington and hope to get the position as head of Public Relations until Blake decided to give it to his questionably qualified wife, Krystle. Tracy, always ambitious (in a good way), tried to sabotage Krystle to get the position she believed she was entitled to. It is so hard to be mean to Krystle. Besides, Tracy found another route for her ambition just as Krystle went on maternity leave (okay, Krystle never came back to Denver Carrington in that position.)

Further, Tracy decided to make a play for Blake while the two were in Hong Kong, but Blake was too smart for her and fired her on the spot. Meanwhile in Hong Kong, Dex and Alexis brawled (literally). Tracy and Dex found one another and Dex convinced Tracy to join Colby Co to spy on Alexis for him. Alexis had other plans for Tracy - she wanted her to sleep with a banker to get information on Blake’s loan.

That seemed a step too far for Tracy who had no problem sleeping with other men to get what she wanted and she lets Alexis have it before quitting.

This is probably Deborah Adair’s best scene on the show, and her last. Sadly, the writers really did not know what to do with Tracy. They probably should have tied her to Dex and Alexis from the beginning than to have her interfere with Blake and Krystle. It also did not help that John Forsythe would not allow his character to cheat on Krystle. The writers did waste Adair’s talent. At least we got one of the best lines ever on the show, “I didn’t sign on this ship of vipers to become the company whore.” Oh, and mocking Joan Collins’ accent.

Dynasty Top Scenes - Alexis Causes Krystle's Miscarriage

In the eight seasons that Alexis was on Dynasty, she has done some pretty horrible stuff, but nothing is worse than Alexis’s “original sin” - causing Krystle to miscarry her first child. When Alexis returned in Season 2, her real goal was to regain her position as Mrs. Carrington. (Still never sure whether she loved Blake or the mansion more.) Alexis did have one advantage over the new Mrs. Carrington - she had given Blake 2 children (we later learn that it turns out to have been 4 children). Now, Krystle is pregnant, and if she gives birth to Blake’s child (one that Blake may favor over Steven), Krystle will have cemented her position as Mrs. Carrington and Alexis will have nothing.

Alexis will not allow that - but to cause Krystle’s accident in the hopes that Krystle would lose the baby - can any other woman do that? Alexis did. There really is no other reason why she shot that gun to spook Krystle’s horse. After the fact, Alexis realized what she really did and tried to cover her tracks, but she is eventually found out, and when Blake learns - any hopes of reconciliation with Blake are dashed forever.

Alexis’s actions will continue to have negative effects for Krystle as she starts having headaches a few years later. The headaches are a result of a dangerous brain condition that was caused by the “accident” in Season 2. In effect, one can argue that Alexis was responsible for putting poor Krystle in that coma. I mean, an aggressive prosecutor would charge that. But, now I am digressing. Alexis did the unforgivable here, and she never really suffered any consequences for it. I mean, other than being forced to turn to Cecil and becoming a wealthy woman when he died right after their marriage. I would like to suffer consequences like that.

One side note - I love Alexis’s outfit in this scene. Still doesn’t excuse her though.

From Episode 19 “Viva Las Vegas”

Dynasty Top Scenes - Take This Junk and Your Blonde Tramp

I really do not know why I waited so long to post this scene, because this is probably my favorite from the series. I can watch it over and over again (and I do). After a weak start to Season 6, the writers decided to go all in for the second half of the season and it worked. It culminates in the one thing that Alexis has wanted from Blake - and it is not the love of their children - it was the mansion.

Yes, how Alexis got the mansion is not realistic at all, and you just can’t kick someone out of their home without notice. But, who cares? It makes for great television. The luggage sitting there at the foot of the stairs (I am surprised Alexis didn’t have Krystina there), and Alexis at the top of the stairs with the furs. Blake’s reaction is understandable. I mean who hasn’t wanted to strangle Alexis (and he wasn’t the first to try).

My only issue is that the writers really botched the fallout in Season 7. Ahhh. no matter for now. At this point, let’s just enjoy Alexis’s glistening lips as Blake strangles her.

Dynasty Top Scenes - Kicked Out or Thrown Out

After Alexis stupidly gave control of Colby Co to Sean Rowan who ran the company into financial peril, Alexis was forced to get control of her finances. One of the first orders of business was to sell the hotel in which she lived, The Carlton. Dex was put in charge of the negotiations and made a great deal for Alexis. There was just one snag - Sable happened to be the buyer, but no one knew that until Sable begins redecorating her apartment.

For some odd reason, Alexis does not live on the top floor and sees what all the racket going on was. That’s when Alexis learns that her cousin has purchased the hotel and her first order of business is to upgrade the property - which means the eviction of Alexis. The two verbally spar (always awesome), and Sable gets the better of Alexis this time.

From Episode 202 “Every Picture Tells a Story”

Dynasty Storyline Miss: Blake Caused the Fire at La Mirage

Season 6 ended on one of the highpoints of the series - Alexis out maneuvered Blake into owning all of his holdings, including the mansion. Alexis evicts Blake and his “blond tramp” and is on the verge of gaining control of Denver Carrington. What more can she do? Apparently, Alexis is not finished and decides her victory is the perfect time to go into the newspaper industry for the sole purpose of destroying Blake and blaming the fire at La Mirage (caused by Claudia) on Blake.

Great job Claudia

Why would Alexis switch gears so quickly? Alexis can finally merge Colby Co and Denver Carrington (granted, she will be stuck with Ben and not Blake) - but turns away from that just so she can kick Blake while he is down. I get why Alexis would do it. But, what makes no sense is why others, especially the D.A. were quick to believe that Blake had someone set the fire at La Mirage.

Hasn’t Krystle suffered enough

It makes absolutely no sense that Blake would have someone set La Mirage a blaze while almost his entire family was there to celebrate Dominique’s engagement party. Would Blake really risk everyone he loves just because he was somewhat over-extended (final word about the South China Sea leases had not come in yet)? Who knew Alexis’s new venture can have such influence.

Thankfully, Jackie cleared this up very quickly

And to further show how ridiculous this is - Alexis and Dominique were able to figure out what had happened very quickly after Blake had been denied bail. It wasn’t a hard mystery to solve. It also helped that Dominque’s daughter, Jackie, just happened to see Claudia open the door to her suite with the flames going on behind her. So, Claudia actually opened the door and then just stood there - she didn’t try to run or anything. Wait, why am I trying to make sense of this.

The plot also led to a needless subplot of the husband of one of the individuals who died in the fire deciding to kill Krystle in revenge. Krystle is able to talk him out of shooting her. Further, poor Krystle had some sort of medical condition that required rest but Krystle was too busy playing Nancy Drew with Dominique to follow the doctor’s advice. Poor Krystle always seems to have medical issues. So fragile.

What, no Adam

Yes, it is important to keep the fighting between Blake and Alexis going after Alexis achieved her goal (and the second half of season 7 when Blake and Alexis were getting along was such a snooze), but the writers could have come up with something better. It is as if we are to ignore why the family was at La Mirage that night. The one good thing about this lame story line is that it only dragged on for about 5 episodes.

Happy Mother's Day

Dynasty Top Scenes - You Stupid Bitch

After the fight in the lily pond, Krystle would probably never fight Alexis again (considering Blake’s reaction). But, there is only so much Krystle can take. Following her quickie divorce to Dex, Alexis fantasizes about Blake and somehow believes that she can get him back. When Blake rejects her (again!), Alexis vows revenge.

Meanwhile, Krystle is not happy to learn that Alexis made another play for Blake. Further, Alexis is starting to spread rumors about Krystle and Blake’s marriage. Krystle tries to confront Alexis at a dedication of some forest land, but Alexis blows Krystle off. For some reason, the two find themselves in the woods. Wasn’t the car right near the woods? When Krystle tries to stop Alexis to confront her, the two go tumbling down and land in a pit of mud. Let this be a lesson about wearing heels in the woods.

Alexis is not happy that Krystle ruined her dress and expresses her displeasure - by throwing her purse in the mud. In fact, Alexis was so upset she storms off without her purse. I suspect there is something in there that she needs. At least Krystle is kind enough to throw it at her, while Alexis heads to God knows where - probably Australia to go fetch Ben.

Dynasty Top Scenes - Krystle Takes Alexis' Scenes

After Season 5 of Dynasty, Joan Collins wanted a pay increase and refused to film the first episode of Season 6. Instead of just saving Alexis’ scenes for the second episode, the writers gave the scenes to Linda Evans with a little bit of altering. That is why the Interior Minister wants to meet with Krystle to get her to sign a letter for Blake to give into the demands of the new Moldavian government. It is pretty funny as Krystle seems confused as to why she is there. First, why would she care about the deal between Colby Co and Moldavia since that is Alexis’ company? Further, why would she care about getting Denver Carrington to take the deal - that is Blake’s company? [Note - why not give that scene to Dominique since she is a 40% owner of Denver Carrington? Oh yeah, that is because the Interior Minister wants to keep Dominique as a concubine.]

There are later scenes in the episode that were also meant for Alexis - including when Krystle sees King Galen still alive after the authorities have informed everyone that King Galen was dead. That should have been Alexis. It also should have been Alexis that was thrown into holding. At least in the next episode, Alexis is found and is tossed into the cell with Krystle who tells her about Galen, which unfortunately leads to Alexis’ obsession to rescue King Galen.

Granted, all of this could have been avoided had they just paid Joan Collins.

Dynasty Top Scenes - Nobody Owns Alexis

Alexis will pretty much do anything to integrate herself into Blake’s life (starting with his business). She feels slighted that Blake has been able to move forward with getting oil leases in the South China Sea since some of the work had begun at Colby Co. Maybe Alexis should not have fired Steven. In order to be at the center of the action, Alexis heads off to Singapore where Blake is meeting with Chinese ministers.

Before leaving, Alexis promises to be faithful to Alexis and Dex does the same. Alexis, however, needs to be part of this deal and if that means bedding Rashid Ahmed, so be it. When Dex finds out, he is livid because fidelity is so important to him. Fidelity is less important to Dex in the future as he beds Alexis’ daughter, Amanda, and her enemy, Sable. (Not to mention a few other dalliances.)

Alexis responds to Dex calling her a dog in perpetual heat by slapping him. (Why not say bitch!) And how does Dex respond, he slaps her back. We are naturally repulsed whenever a man hits a woman (even if it is a slap). but there is an argument that his response is not that horrible. Regardless, Dex continues to repulse Alexis’ attacks (no more slapping) until the two kiss. Alexis is ready to make love, but Dex decides to dump her instead. A furious Alexis claims that nobody owns her.

The scene is great because of the chemistry and passion between Dex and Alexis. Yes, the emphasis on fidelity is kind of ridiculous but you can see how much the two love and want one another. Further, Joan Collins pulls from her B movie days to make these erotic faces as Dex pushes her onto the couch. You really want them to make love, but Dex ruins that (and then goes sleep with Tracey). Alexis can swear that no man owns her, but we all know that men do (Dex and Blake to name a few) even if she does not want to admit it.

Dynasty Storyline Hit: Alexis vs. Sable

Or should it be Sable vs. Alexis. With little doubt, Sable Colby was the most popular character on The Colbys (those who don’t believe that are delusional), so it was only a matter of time before Sable appeared on Dynasty. Fans would have to wait a year as Sable blew her way into Denver in Season 9, but it was worth it.

Even though Dynasty was in a ratings decline from which it would never record, Sable’s appearance made Season 9 one of Dynasty’s better ones after 2 lackluster seasons. (Personally, Season 9 is my favorite). For 8 seasons, no one really challenged Alexis - other than trying to kill her. Yes, there was that one time Dominique started buying up Colby Co stock to thwart Alexis from buying stock in her company (query - where did Dominique get so much cash?) and Blake’s ill-fated attempt to take over Colby Co, (costing him everything - temporarily).

Can’t a woman burn her things in peace

Finally, Alexis had met her equal in the realm of business and in catty remarks. Sable was able to buy the Carlton, get Colby Co’s tankers at a bargain price and was prepared to bring down Colby Co but backed down to protect the reputation of the Carringtons and the Colbys (or maybe just Blake). Alexis was able to blow up Sable’s tankers (I’m sure they were insured), but Alexis could not stop Sable. And, Sable got the biggest prize of all - Dex.

And then there were the interactions between the two. Alexis could barely hide her disdain whenever her path crossed Sable’s. (Feeling Frankie’s pain). Krystle and Dominique were able to verbally (and physically) spar with Alexis but Sable was far more superior. And Sable never lost her composure until Alexis publicly announced that Monica is not Jason Colby’s daughter. The ensuing cat-fight wasn’t that intense but with Adam and Jeff fighting at the same time made it all the more enjoyable to watch. (Poor Monica)

Or read a newspaper

Alas, all good things must come to an end. Even though the two only sparred for a season, it was great television (even if many people had not seen it). It also provided some memorable scenes (and my voice box message in college) - ample material for this blog in the future.

Dynasty Storyline Miss: Sean Rowan

Dynasty ends the boring second half of Season 7 with Alexis. upset and afraid of being alone, stealing a car and driving it off a bridge. Note to self - if you steal a car, drive it off a bridge since the police won’t seem to care. Fortunately for Alexis, an individual happens to witness the accident and rescues her. Unfortunately for us, this person was Sean Rowan.

Alexis is determined to find her savior and when she does, she quickly falls in love with and marries him in Mexico. What a beautiful story? The only problem is that Sean Rowan is actually the son of Joseph Anders who happened to have kept secret the fact that he had two children in addition to Kirby.. And Sean wants revenge against Alexis, Adam and Blake for what they did to Joseph and Kirby. Of course, Blake did nothing to Joseph and they were close friends until the end - but that does not matter.

Maybe it would have been better had Alexis drowned

And it is easy for Sean to get his revenge since Alexis is so quick to integrate Sean into her family and her empire. Determined to stop Blake from becoming Governor (jealousy perhaps?), Alexis runs for Governor herself and puts Sean in charge of Colby Co since her three children (remember, Amanda has ceased to exist) are co-running Denver Carrington. Alexis never put Dex in charge of Colby Co and Dex is a far better business person than Sean. Sean, of course, uses the power to enrich himself and sow seeds of discord among the Carrington siblings.

But, Sean is not done. To keep Alexis from dropping out of the race, Sean tries to assassinate Blake (would it not be easier just to kill Alexis at this point since that is Sean’s ultimate goal). Alexis takes the bullet which revives her campaign (did Alexis even run on an issue?) which, ironically, helps him retain control at Colby Co. He seduces Leslie, blackmails Dana, and interferes in Adam’s adoption of his son by bringing back the estranged husband of the surrogate mother. I am surprised he didn’t sell the drugs to Josh before Josh ODed or try to convince the aliens to abduct Fallon again.

Even after everyone learns the truth about Sean, his reign of terror does not end. He tries to kill Blake and Dex in Africa; kidnaps Adam’s baby and beats the hell out of Leslie (is Leslie still in that cabin?) before he finally is able to confront Alexis one last time. Of course, Dex is there to save Alexis and Sean is finally killed.

Revenge is a common theme throughout Dynasty - especially to avenge a wronged family member. Blake had to deal with members of the Grimes family, Jason had to deal with Zach Powers, and Alexis had to deal with the Anders family (among her several enemies).

He lasted one season too long

Sean Rowan so dominated a Season 8 that was not really that bad if you take him out of the equation. Alexis just happens to be rescued by Joseph’s son that no one knew about? Come on. Alexis just happens to marry him and hand Colby Co over to him? Come on. (Alexis being undone by her irrational hatred/love of Blake). Sean just happens to become so pervasive in the lives of many? Come on.

I get that there needed to be more conflict in Season 8 after the snooze fest that was the second half of Season 7, but this storyline just didn’t do it. Further, the storyline did not need to last all season. You can also see how the writers/producers knew the popularity of the show was fading so they would reach back to a time when the show was more popular (that happened a lot in the later season). for storylines. It actually worked in Season 9, but did not work here (or in Season 7).

Dynasty Episode Analysis - "The Vote"

One of the reasons Cecil had married Alexis was to recruit her to help him destroy Blake. Unfortunately, a heart attack left Alexis alone in charge of Colby Co. to battle Blake. Alexis has no experience running an oil company (or probably even working) and has no idea how she can destroy Blake. Alexis has the good fortune that her kidnapped first son, Adam, has returned and is a sociopath. Adam poisons Jeff and a poisoned Jeff turns over L.B.’s stock (that Blake stupidly gave him) to Alexis. Combined with the stock that Cecil had purchased, Alexis now has controlling interest in Denver Carrington and she is going to use it to force a merger the two companies.

Of course, Alexis is less interested in a merger of the two companies than a merger between her and Blake. And Blake will do anything in his power to stop the merger. Blake has his man in Washington, Congressman Neil McVane, delaying the merger. Alexis has a plan to thwart Congressman McVane - she has learned that McVane has is own Washington Lolita.

Assertive Alexis taking on the old white men.

Colby Co has grossly undervalued Denver Carrington’s assets and Blake demands a meeting with Alexis to resolve the matter. Alexis claims she is too busy to meet in the office but that he should meet her in her apartment after work. Alexis isn’t busy working though. No, Alexis is busy getting dirt on Congressman McVane and preventing Fallon from getting involved with Mark Jennings (Alexis wants Mark to go back to Krystle so she can have Blake).

Blake realizes what Alexis is doing and it becomes more obvious when Alexis changes into a sexier (and not work appropriate) outfit to discuss business with Blake. Alexis is hoping for dinner for two but Blake has a better idea - he is going to call Krystle and have her join them. Enraged, Alexis tells Blake they can meet the following day in the office and after Blake leaves, vows how she hates the man. Ahhhh, there is a fine line between love and hate.

The episode sets up nicely the tension within Alexis and whether she is a feminist icon - an embodiment of female power. You have Alexis enter the Denver Carrington Boardroom full of old white men and pretty much have them do her bidding. At the same time, the motive for Alexis is not business related but personal - she wants Blake back. Further, you have the hard working Blake who chastises his Board of Directors for abandoning him and the company that he built from the ground up. Meanwhile, you have Alexis, who inherited her company and just uses her power and wealth to manipulate others. One wonders how Colby Co functions (at this point because of two men - Jeff and Adam, and soon to be joined by a third - Steven).

Seductive Alexis only using her leverage to win Blake back.

And, who does Alexis blame? Men. There is the scene with Adam where Alexis learns that McVane is thwarting the merger. Alexis is tired of cold, unfeeling men running her life. Women are soft until men ruin them. There is one thing Alexis has learned from these men, “use or be used.” Is Alexis a feminist/self made woman or just a stereotype of female emotionality? She is being driven by emotion (love, hate, revenge) while Blake is being driven by a desire to retain what he has earned.

Through it all, Alexis is terribly entertaining so you cannot help but love her.

Other interesting storylines in the episode:

• The tension between an unaccepting Blake and Steven continues and Krystle is caught in the middle.

• Kirby feels like a third wheel to Jeff and Fallon even though Jeff is married to Kirby.

• Adam, as always, acts like a real asshole.