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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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