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.

Dynasty Top Scenes - Blake Wants to Straighten Steven Out

First season Blake was pretty bad ass, or maybe just an asshole. Anyway, in the first episode of Dynasty., Oil, Blake is determined to get his family in order before marrying Krystle. And, that includes straightening out his son Steven who has spent the last two years in NYC, following graduation, finding himself. Blake believes Steven has had sufficient time.

Steven has returned for the wedding and Blake waits to call for Steven to speak to him about his future. Blake wants Steven to work at Denver Carrington and finally give back to what he has taken for so long. (Fallon will give back by marrying Jeff.) Blake actually has a point here and Steven’s counter that the oil business is corrupt and harmful to the United States really is not much of an argument. It does provide a debate about capitalism (which we only see in Season 1, after Season 1- capitalism is great!).

Blake let’s his real motive out when he tells Steven how can he respect the opinion of a man who would touch another man. Wow! That is pretty harsh. Blake swears he did not want to tell Steven what he learned in such a manner, but he clearly did. Or, maybe Blake thought that he could force Steven to return to Denver to work and his homosexuality would just magically go away. Yes, Blake has a lot of power, but he is not that powerful.

Blake is ready to help Steven go straight, but Steven does not know whether he wants such help or that he wants to change. That, of course, sets off Blake who notes that it is a shame that the American Psychiatric Association no longer considers homosexuality a disease since he could have endowed an Institute for the study of “Faggotry” (that’s a new word). I don’t know why Blake still could not create such an Institute - it would be interesting. For the record, Magnus Hirschfeld had founded such an institute in Germany in 1897, the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee (which was destroyed by the Nazis). Blake was only 80 years late.

The scene works because this is when the audience learns that Steven is gay and really sets up the tension between Blake and Steven for the next 5 seasons (until poor Luke is shot and killed at Amanda’s wedding). The treatment of Steven’s sexuality is very Freudian and clinical. Blake has this weird mix of understanding of Steven’s sexuality and determination to make Steven straight.

The scene is also interesting because of this conflict between Blake the capitalist and Steven the anti-capitalist, living off Blake’s labor. Blake, rightly, calls Steven out for his hypocrisy. Further, Steven’s critique of Denver Carrington is not its harm to the environment, but the selling out of the United States by getting in bed with Middle Eastern despots and manipulating oil prices. Of course this is a product of the times - OPEC boycotts, price increases and the Iranian Revolution.

Things never go well between Blake and Steven in the library

Audiences today would definitely be harsh on Blake for trying to change his son (and saying he cannot respect his son because he is gay) but homosexuality was not an issue that most people spoke of in 1981 - which makes the storyline itself revolutionizing. There is a mixed record as to how Dynasty treated Steven’s sexuality but it also mirrors America’s changing attitudes at the time. Because of disco and the growing gay rights movement, discussions of sexuality were more common in 1981, but the growing evangelical movement and the AIDS crisis distorted the national conversation and Dynasty tried to steer a path.

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.

Dynasty Storyline Miss: Krystle/Rita

Since I feel the need to post, I have been trying to come up with some ideas of what to talk about. With that in mind, I have decided to write about those Storylines that were great and those that were just horrible.

One of the most unpopular storylines, and rightly so, is the whole Krystle/Rita fiasco. Not only was the idea crazy, the storyline dragged on way longer than it should have. In fact, it was the length of the storyline that made it crazier. Had Sammy Jo just come up with the idea (it sounds like a scheme Sammy Jo would concoct, similar to making Claudia believe that Matthew was still alive) and it collapsed quickly - fine - no harm, no foul.

Why did Rita go to where Krystle was being held captive?

No, we actually have Rita taking the place of Krystle and no one seems to notice the change other than L.B. Blake has been married (twice) to this woman for more than 5 years and could not tell that Rita was not his wife. I mean, how much information did Sammy Jo actually know about Krystle or the mansion? Rita miraculously can run the mansion and remember everyone’s name (despite having Sammy Jo all of a sudden tied to her hip).

Then there is the intimacy part. Yes, Rita went out of her way to prevent having sex with Blake (including poisoning him), but how long should it take for Blake to realize, “Wait, this woman does not feel or act like my wife?” And then Rita decides to fool around with Joel in the mansion. Hello?

Meanwhile, Krystle is being held hostage in Delta Rho and constantly watched by Joel. And, the only reason Krystle was help captive at Delta Rho is that is where Krystle discovered Rita and decided to call Blake (for some reason). I wonder how they dragged Krystle into the attic since Joel is probably not that strong and dead weight Krystle (especially with the shoulder pads) has to be a lot. Okay, maybe that can happen and it is a good thing that Krystle had access to a bathroom. But then Joel takes her to some western bar where they happen to run into Alexis and Dex and Krystle says nothing because Joel threatened Krystina. Oh come on.

The stunt doubles had a tough job here.

Sammy Jo should have just tried her scheme and have it fail quickly. At least there was one good moment, the fight between Krystle and Rita - a fight where neither woman takes off her heels. Still, not worth the weeks of this stupid storyline.

What If There Was a Season 3 of The Colbys?

Unfortunately for The Colbys, it was cancelled just at it was hitting its stride (going up against Cheers will not help any show’s rating). Based on Dynasty, we get some resolution to the Colbys Season 2 Cliffhangers:

• Frankie survives the crash and runs off with Jason

• Monica has no contact with Cash or Scott so they must have gone back to Washington D.C. and Monica decided not to fight

• Miles likely did not find Channing since he was with Fallon in the Reunion

• The aliens return Fallon and her talking about it ruins her marriage to Jeff

The real love triangle

Of course, if there was an actual Season 3 of The Colbys, things would have been different and we can only speculate. So, let me speculate:

• Frankie was going to be killed off. I believe Katharine Ross said she was not coming back and getting rid of Frankie sets up some great storylines: Jeff blaming Jason for Frankie’s death and a love triangle among Jason/Sable/Zach (which should have always been the primary love triangle).

• There should be the custody batter for Scott.

• Miles finds Channing and stops her from getting the abortion. The plot line with Lucas (Jason’s lawsuit) had not been resolved. And, Channing has a younger brother who could make an appearance.

• Bliss and Kolya are definitely gone.

• Even though Phillip escaped from the crash, you can spend a few episodes pretending to look for him and then just ignore him. (As was done with Dr. Nick Toscani and Joel Abrigore). Maybe a Phillip can appear in a Season 6 of The Colbys.

• As for Fallon and the UFO - it should be used the same way that it was used on Dynasty - to drive a wedge between her and Jeff (intensified by Jeff fighting with Jason).

Obviously, there would be newer characters and storylines but that is how I would like to have seen the cliffhangers of Season 2 resolved. (I really, really wanted Frankie to die!)

Fallon's UFO Adventure

I still haven’t got to the final episode of the Colbys where Fallon is taken away by a UFO, but I still think I can comment on the scene and how I feel I am one of the few people who actually liked it. Yes, it was incredible. Yes, it was campy. Yes, it adds a Sci-Fi element to a s soap opera. But it was also just one scene. I mean, if there was a Season 3 of The Colbys or Dynasty Season 8 had Fallon’s crazy adventures in space (like Josie and The Pussycats), that would be too much. But, that never happened.

Actually, I think the writers handled it well. Fallon believed she had been abducted and Jeff, of course, believed she was crazy. And, let’s face it, if there was going to be one character on the show who would probably believe they were abducted (well, Fallon went willingly), it would be Fallon (I can hear the cries of “No, Claudia” now.) Fallon even showed some interest in others that were abducted by aliens and her obsession with it helped destroy her second marriage to Jeff.

They didn’t put a lot of effort into the design of the UFO

Of course, you can only take the storyline so far. Further, Blake was running for governor and the last thing he needs is stories about his daughter swearing she took a wonderful ride with aliens. The storyline did not last as long as some of the other ridiculous storylines (Rita-Krystle, cough cough). It lasted as long as it should have.

The scene does create the perfect narrative for the night time soaps of the 1980s and their waning popularity. The scene was a Hail Mary pass to save The Colbys and it did not work (even though Season 2 of The Colbys was pretty good). TV viewing habits in the United States were changing - people were less interested in outlandish storylines, outlandish sets and outlandish clothes (which is probably why Knots Landing was able to continue to 1993). It happens. Still, I am totally down with Fallon running off with some alien - she needed the break from the Miles-Jeff competition. I get it!

Why Use Rape Without Consequences?

A common plot in soap operas is the rape of a character, and usually by a character who faces no consequences for his actions. This was more common back in the 1980s (and before) than today because of how we view and treat rape/sexual assault today. Even though we would be horrified by such treatment of rape today on television, it was horrible back then.

There were three rapes on Dynasty/The Colbys and none of the perpetrators faced any consequences for his action. Further, the rape itself did not drive any sort of plotline. It seems that it happened just to have something happen.

In Episode 7 of Dynasty “Krystle’s Lie” - Blake becomes angry with Krystle because he wanted to have a baby and he learns that Krystle has been hiding the fact that she has been taking birth control. The angry Blake rapes Krystle as a result of her deception. (Note, how the episode is entitled Krystle’s Lie and not Blake’s Assault) The following day, Blake feels guilty for what he has done and apologizes to Krystle. It is referenced here and there (particularly after Adam rapes Kirby). Regardless, the question remains, why have Blake rape Krystle?

Blake tries to apologize to Krystle after raping her

In reality, the rape could have explored the larger issue of marital rape which at the time was not illegal in many states - including Colorado (if the husband and wife were not separated). Before the mid 1970s, a husband could not be criminally liable for sexually assaulting his spouse. (assuming they were together in some states, other states had no exceptions). Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, the laws were changed to recognize marital rape as a crime but there were still loopholes in the statutes that were eventually cleaned up. However, that discussion did not happen. Basically, Blake raped Krystle (even if not a crime at the time), she eventually forgave him and that was it.

Similar to Blake, Miles raped Fallon while they were married. At that time, the act was likely a crime in California since Fallon resisted (a requirement for California).. Still, the only consequence Miles faced was physical violence from Jeff which became more intense when there was the prospect that Fallon could have become pregnant as a result of the rape. At least this time, all the characters involved referred to it what it was - rape. Still, Sable did not seem to care that Miles raped Fallon when she learned that it could have resulted in Fallon’s pregnancy. Miles being the father of Fallon’s baby was more important the act of conception.

Finally, we have Adam and Kirby. Adam’s rape of Kirby was the most violent (not that violence matters) and everyone in the family seemed to not care - other than Jeff who of course got into a fight with Adam. Kirby never went the police and no one forced her to do so (there are probably class issues involved here). In fact, when Kirby discovered that the rape resulted in her pregnancy, Adam wanted to do the the right thing by marrying Kirby - which is what Adam wanted all along. Basically, by raping Kirby, Adam almost got what he had wanted.

In the end, these rapes seemed gratuitous and are actually harmful. Yes, it was a different time, but to allow three main characters rape three other main characters and have nothing happen (other than the occasional chastisement or feelings of guilt) really does a disservice to any discussion of sexual assault. Obviously, you cannot ship Blake, Miles or Adam off to jail. Then, don’t have them be rapists.

The Final Push for The Colbys Recaps

Could it actually be true. Since I have returned from Colombia, I have been pushing to finish up the recap for The Colbys. I mean it has only taken me numerous years to recap Dynasty and The Colbys. Ideally, the recaps will be finished before Thanksgiving as well as redesigning some of the navigation pages. As always, I might be a bit ambitious, but we will see what happens.

Was Kyle Richards' RHOBH Reunion Look Inspired By Dynasty?

It totally reminded me of the time that Virginia dressed up from her prostitution days. Just saying.

What Happened to the Blog???

I am finally going to do a final push to get all the Colbys episodes up. Then, I will revamp the style on the index pages. Let’s hope this doesn’t take me many years. In the meantime, I decided to just get rid of the blog and start anew. Maybe streamline it. Who knows? But something.