Dynasty Top Scenes - Claudia's Vigil For The Liars

Recently, we were lighting candles for a Colombia Christmas tradition and for some reason I could only think of Claudia lighting candles for all the liars in her life. So, of course I had to post the video - Pamela Bellwood’s final scene.

Claudia had been doing so much better after getting out of the sanitarium and even helped Steven win custody of his son. But, her sanity did not last long as Steven returned to his true self and Claudia got caught up with Adam. To be fair, getting involved with Adam would make anyone crazy.

Claudia finally thought she had her ticket out of the Carrington hell with an oil well she obsessed about. Claudia finally got her oil well but it amazingly dried up. Claudia would not be economically independent. What other option did Claudia have than to light candles for all those who treated her poorly. How would Claudia know that a non-existent gust of wind would knock over a candle and set the curtains on fire in record time? Were the curtains were treated with gasoline?

Clutching a photo (probably of nothing), Claudia screams while the fire spreads out of control instead of just leaving. I guess Claudia would rather take her chances with the fire than to see the liars at Dominque’s engagement party.

Dynasty Top Scenes - Claudia and Sammy Jo Slap It Out

Blake decides to take custody of Danny from Steven because he does not approve of Steven’s lifestyle - and maybe for Krystle, but Krystle wants no part of it. Despite evereyone’s better judgment, Andrew Laird calls Sammy Jo to the stand and she pretty much lies about Steven, by painting his as a deviant (in other words - gay). Everyone knows she is lying (other than the judge).

Claudia decides to take it upon herself to put Sammy Jo in her place and confronts her at La Mirage. I mean, that seems the normal thing someone would do. Claudia demands that Sammy Jo go back and tell the truth that Steven is a real man (seemingly because he has heterosexual sex). As if Sammy Jo will do that.

Claudia has the only appropriate response, she slaps Sammy Jo. Not to be outdone, Sammy Jo slaps Claudia back. Oh, it’s on! But, not for long, Claudia winds up and really slaps the hell out of Sammy Jo. Claudia is victorious against Sammy Jo (for now). Proud of her victory, Claudia leaves Sammy Jo’s room and fixes her jaw. That’s right Claudia, never let them see that it hurts!

To be fair, Claudia does come up with a more practical way to help Steven. She convinces Steven to marry him and that is enough for Steven to keep custody of his child.

From Episode 64 - The Hearing Part 2

Dynasty Top Scenes - It's a Doll

This is probably my second favorite scene in the series (after Alexis throwing Blake and Krystle out of the mansion) because it is incredibly campy and really is an emotional roller coaster. Poor Little Blake had been kidnapped at the end of Season 2, and all of a sudden, eyes turn on Claudia being the likely kidnapper. It did not help that she was running around Denver with a wrapped bundle which Claudia believed to be her dead teenage daughter Lindsey.

A tip comes in and Claudia, to escape the police, goes to the roof of the hotel she and her bundle of joy are staying. Yeah, I get going to the roof is not a great escape plan, but let’s not forget that Claudia is crazy. In any event, Fallon tries to talk to Claudia to return her baby but that gets nowhere. So, of course, Blake needs to speak to Claudia and actually is about to get through to Claudia until the police make a move that spooks Claudia.

Claudia trips and the baby goes tumbling off the roof. The family is devastated. Of course, it looks like a doll falling off the roof and the proof that it is a doll is when it smashes on the roof of the police car. Now, why would Claudia dress and wrap her doll Lindsey in boy colors. That’s right, she is crazy. When the family finally learns that it was not Little Blake, but a doll, they are relieved. Now, there is just one more issue, who has Little Blake? [Good thing, we find out the next episode.]

From Episode 37 “The Roof”

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.

Dynasty Storyline Miss: Claudia's Oil Well

Okay, I admit that I am a little bit apprehensive about making this a storyline miss because I love Claudia and this did provide many entertaining scenes. (Claudia buying the furs, Claudia telling off Krystle, Claudia setting La Mirage on fire). However, the premise of the storyline is ridiculous and the writers totally changed Claudia.

Claudia was on the outs with Blake when Steven left her for a man (Blake probably blamed Claudia and her affair for this) and Claudia started carrying on with Adam (who was really persistent in bedding Claudia). To be fair to Claudia, Blake did her dirty by putting Prince Michael in charge of La Mirage after Claudia had been running it in Fallon’s absence. After surviving the wedding massacre in Moldova, Claudia succumbed to Adam and the two married even though Claudia refused to move back into the mansion.

Sammy Jo finally has the advantage

To make matters worse, Sammy Jo just inherited a ton of money (isn’t that nice) and rubbed it in Claudia’s face. Claudia will always be the poor Carrington dependent on others. As luck would have it, Claudia learned that Walter left her Blaidsel-Lankershim One, an oil well, in his will. Claudia is ecstatic that she will no longer be the poor Carrington. Claudia finally has her own source of wealth. (Go U.S.A.). There is just one problem, Walter had sold the well to Blake years ago. Blake lost it when Denver Carrington went bankrupt and he repurchased it. Walter had nothing to give Claudia.

That does not stop Claudia from obsessing about that well and how it belongs to her. Blake, of course, will not just give it to her. In order to get the independence that Claudia craves, she will become just as deceptive as others to get her oil well. It is a good thing she is married to the master of it. Adam tricks an ill Blake to sign over power of attorney to him. A power Adam will use to take Denver Carrington. Still, Adam will not give the well to Claudia until she blackmails him - she will tell Blake what Adam did. Adam secretly transfers the well to Claudia.

How many furs can one person own?

Now that Claudia has her well, she is done with all the Carringtons. What exactly Claudia will do with this well is a mystery? I guess Denver Carrington will operate it and Claudia just collects royalties. Further, before she leaves Adam, she purchases several furs and other expensive items to be charged to Adam. Alas, poor Claudia’s independence will not last long - he well is drying up. (Wow that was quick!). Claudia feels she is being cheated and tells Blake what Adam did and then holds a candle light vigil for all the Carringtons who done her wrong (the liars). Unfortunately for poor Claudia, the vigil sets her room on fire and she perishes.

By Season 6 of Dynasty, everyone was greedy and stabbing someone in the back. Also, it seems that wealth just lands in the lap of people - Sammy Jo, Michael Culhane, Jeff (again) - heck even Blake got bailed out from a half sister who showed up at an opportune time. Why should Claudia be left out in the cold? But, Claudia had to change her nature to get that wealth - I guess being married to Adam will do that to you. It’s a shame that it did not work out for poor Claudia who caused her own death. The writers ruined Claudia to make her like the others, and over an oil well that she had no right to.

Claudia’s last vigil

Dynasty Episode Analysis - "The Hearing, Part 2"

There is so much going on in this episode as we transition to many storylines that will dominate Season 4. The shifting alliances of the Carrington sons, Alexis still being targeted even after Joseph’s death, Fallon and Jeff drawing closer together while Kirby is further isolated. With all that, the focus of this episode is the continuing custody battle between Blake and Steven over Steven’s son, Danny.

Even though Blake did not buy Danny from Sammy Jo, he did believe Danny would help fill the void in Krystle after she miscarried (thanks to Alexis). However, Steven had not died in the oil rig explosion and returned home for the son he did not know he had. Krystle graciously gave Danny to Steven (in an amazing scene on the stairs). When Blake challenged Steven’s right to raise his own child, Steven decided to take Danny and leave the mansion. The more Blake tried to keep Danny for Krystle, the more he lost Danny and Krystle.

Blake, why did you bring her back

When Blake learned that Steven was living with his lawyer, Chris Deegan, as friends, he was determined to get Danny out of that environment, even if it would tear the family apart. Nothing was going to stop Blake. The hearing did not go well for him. Alexis lied about Blake buying Danny. Krystle sang Steven’s praises as a father.

Blake had no choice but to have Andrew Laird, his attorney, call Sammy Jo to the stand to dispute that Blake bought Danny. But, Sammy Jo did more than just dispute the accusation against Blake. She lied about Steven as she painted him as a man always on the prowl to have sex with other men. Blake did convince Krystle that he never intended for Sammy Jo to say such things. But, Blake unleashed all of this.

Krystle was not thrilled

Finally, Steven takes the stand and decides that his principles are more important than winning custody of Danny. Steven refuses to answer Andrew’s question whether Chris is his lover. Supposedly, they are just friends but Steven refuses to say that because it should not matter. Yes, he is correct and yes, the only reason they are in court is because Blake did not believe that he and Chris were just friends - but, come on, put your principles aside. Steven is so much like his father.

Steven’s testimony greatly damages his chance to win custody which is really odd because Chris could have just testified that they were only friends. But, why allow for that, when you can have Claudia save the day. Yes, crazy Claudia. Claudia confronts Sammy Jo to tell her that Steven is a real man - and a slap fest ensues. Finally, Claudia has a solution to Steven’s plight - and tells him to pack (they go to marry).

The episode has an interesting and conflicting view of homosexuality and the rights of gay parenting (which was much more contentious at the time). Steven was 100% correct when he was on the stand that his sexuality should not matter as to whether he should have custody of his child. But, at the same time, he is pursuing Claudia and marries Claudia so as to keep his child. Further, Claudia had to make a point that Steven is a “real man”.

And neither was Claudia

It is disturbing that the custody of Danny only turns on the issue as to whether Steven and Chris are living together as lovers. Blake, in effect, is blackmailing Steven into being straight. And that is pretty much what happens for the rest of the season. Since Steven does marry Claudia he is allowed to keep his child. Later, when Steven is divorced from Claudia and single, Sammy Jo threatens to take custody of Danny by claiming that Steven is unfit because he is gay. Steven resolves that matter without going to court (giving Sammy Jo custody). Steven wants to live his true self with his son but others won’t allow it.

Other highlights from the episode:

• Someone trashes Alexis’s apartment which eventually forces her to have Mark move in as her personal protection.

• With Jeff and Fallon about to learn the truth about Jeff’s poisoning, Adam prepares to set Alexis up for the poisoning. Further, it brings Jeff and Fallon closer together.

• There is a thawing in the relationship between Krystle (who is living at La Mirage) and Blake.

Dynasty Storyline Hit: Who Kidnapped L.B.?

The cliffhangers in the early seasons of Dynasty were very interesting and engaging - better than the later years when Alexis’s life was always put in peril. After a complicated pregnancy (including an almost abortion), Fallon finally brings her son, L.B., home. With Stephen running off, L.B. will become the new heir to the dynasty. But, it will not be easy for the new child as he is kidnapped from his crib and the frantic search for the child begins.

Would Claudia have worn gloves??

All fingers point to Dr. Nick Toscani who happens to have a connection with L.B.’s nurse, Susan. And, coincidentally, Susan happened to be in town to buy some salve for L.B. Susan is cleared (after drinking plenty of wine from the Carrington wine cellar) and eyes turn to Faruk Ahmed after a somewhat lucid Claudia recalls a car with some sort of flag with some Arabic writing. Blake confront Ahmed but that goes no where.

Now, it gets good as Claudia becomes the suspect. Claudia had been regressing after she learned that Lindsey was dead (and Cecil hid it from her) and has been acting weird (even weird for Claudia). Further, Claudia has ran off so as not to be put into the sanitarium. Wouldn’t you know it, Claudia is running around with a bundle wrapped in L.B.’s blanket. When the police flash her picture on the TV screen, the nosy woman running the hotel Claudia is staying at calls it, and everyone races to the hotel to get Claudia who runs onto the roof with “Lindsey.”

This results in one of the best scene’s in the show. Blake tries to reason with Claudia to return the baby to Fallon. Meanwhile, the police get in place to apprehend Claudia. Tipped off, Claudia makes a move, trips and the baby goes tumbling off the building. The family is horrified (Pamela Sue Martin was great here). But, horror turns to a sense of relief. Claudia didn’t have L.B., she had a doll that she thought was Lindsey. How awesome is that!

That’s a whole lot of blanket!

Now, there is the problem of who actually kidnapped L.B. Jeff, who should have figured this out earlier, remembers an Alfred Grimes, the caretaker at the cemetery where Phillip Colby is interred (supposedly), taking an interest in the child. Grimes also mentioned Dr. Nick Toscani (why would those two be connected). Blake instantly recognizes the name Grimes, Alfred is Roger’s father, the man Blake crippled (or did something to, Blake downplayed it) when he caught him with Alexis. Grimes is found with the child and L.B. is returned.

What makes the storyline great is the whole thing with Claudia. It also acts as a perfect lead in for another kidnapping, of Alexis and Blake’s first son, Adam (who was hinted at in Season 2). And with perfect timing, Adam returns to claim his stake in the Carrington family. These two things makes up for the obvious questions as to why Dr. Toscani wanted to kidnap L.B. and what his plan was? Since James Farentino did not come back for Season 3, those questions remained unanswered.