dynasty Episode 146 - The Vendetta

We have finally come to the end of Season 6.  This has been an interesting season and is more like two seasons than anything else.  The beginning of the season had the Rita/Krystle plot line and the foreign intrigue involving the fallout of the Moldavian Massacre.  Since neither really worked, the writers switched gears and made the second half of the season just a pure bitch fest with everyone getting into the action.  This is why I claim that this is when the show became a parody of itself.   I am not saying it is bad, because it was most definitely entertaining and the season ended with what I consider probably the best scene of the series (Claudia on the rooftop is a close contender).

Alexis has gotten over her original anger of Ben, or so it seems.  Yes, Ben may control all the South China Sea oil leases, but he needs Jason Colby to ship the oil and Jason is not a big fan of Ben after Ben swindled him.  Ben realizes this and offers Alexis half of the leases.  The two will now be true partners.  Oh, partners who will stab each other in the back though.

Blake learns about the leases through the newspaper.  What a way to start the day.  Blake is pissed and needs to speak with the Chinese to rectify this situation.  At the same time, he is determined to destroy Alexis and has a surprise for her when she returns to Denver.  Krystle wants Blake to stop being consumed by hatred.  He is playing into her hands.  But, Blake cannot see that - he needs to get Alexis out of his life at all costs.  Blake, when will you learn that the ever angelic Krystle is always correct?

What is Blake's big surprise for Alexis at the tarmac - a copy of the never been published but widely circulated, Sister Dearest.  Blake begins to read from the transcript to demonstrate what a scoundrel Alexis truly is (because all the Chinese care about is dealing with honest business people).  Alexis stops this reading but Blake has plenty of other copies for the press.  

Alexis is not thrilled that the press will have access to Alexis's dirty past, but Ben assures her that it will blow over and that Alexis needs to be focused on Blake.  Alexis is so angry that she is prepared to take everything from Blake.  Ben fear that Alexis may lose by reaching so far but Alexis has no intention of losing, especially since she has Blake right where she wants him.

Where is the author of Sister Dearest?  That's right, she is in that Venezuelan prison.  Caress does not look great in gray blues.  Caress is not thrilled with the prospect of serving out the rest of her term.  We do learn that it seems Caress was convicted of a murder she did not commit and Alexis did nothing to stop it.  Even though Caress knows she is stuck in prison, she bribes a guard to get a letter to Blake.  Blake will help Caress out - hopefully.

Even though Dominique is part owner of Denver Carrington, she also learns of the oil lease deal through the newspaper.  Dominique wants to speak with Blake about the situation but Blake is busy and Dominique is planning for her engagement party.  Dominique does offer to sell much of her holdings to Alexis to help pay the debt but Alexis has little interest.  The meeting seems contrived, but we learn why later.

It leads to a more contrived meeting - that between Jackie and Alexis.  For some reason, Garrett believes that none of his friends will happen to mention that this is Garrett's first marriage.  Garrett was never married to a woman named Jessica.  He had lied to Dominique all those years ago.  (Even though it not discussed, we can assume why he lied to Dominique.  My guess, it was because Dominique is black and society did not look kindly on such relationships back then.)  Jackie learns the truth and she is very upset.  At least she is not whiny like Lindsey.

Anyway, Jackie goes to Colby Co to look for Dominique but Dominique has left.  Alexis senses something is wrong with Jackie and pries her for information under the guise of maternal concern.  Now, that is contrived.  This is how Alexis is going to learn about Garrett's lie, from prying the information from a naive young girl.  You would think Dominique would have taught her daughter not to trust or even speak to Alexis.  Who cares - it will make for great drama.

You know what also makes great drama - physical violence and there is plenty of that in this episode.  Dex really should call over to the Penthouse before showing up.  If he did, he would know that Alexis is not there and would not have to deal with Ben.  This time the two get into a fight which pretty much trashes the Penthouse living room.  Alexis puts an end to the fight by smashing another vase.  At least Dex is kind enough to offer to pay for the damages later, but Alexis will not take his money.  Maybe Alexis should take Dex's friendly advice about getting involved with Ben.

Another fight involves Amanda and Sammy Jo.  We all saw this coming a mile away.  The tension between the two rises when Amanda tries to question Sammy Jo about taking Danny out of the mansion.  Didn't we already have a scene like this.  Amanda really should mind her own business.  Besides, does she think that Sammy Jo is going to listen to her?  I would not. 

Things really heat up at Dominique's engagement party.  Even though Clay is Sammy Jo's date, Clay cannot stop making glances at Amanda.  Amanda is happy to return the look.  Clay later finds Amanda alone near the pool and the two begin to dance which leads to a kiss.  Who happens to see that kiss?  Sammy Jo, of course.  Sammy Jo has no intention of letting Clay go.  Once she sends Clay away to get some drinks, Sammy Jo gets into it with Amanda.  Amanda pushes Sammy Jo into the pool and the two wrestle in the pool while wearing exquisite gowns and high heels.  It gets no campier than that.  In fact, it is so campy, that it appears that Catherine Oxenberg is smiling at times during the fight.

The physical altercations do not just involve fighting, you need a good slap or two to make things perfect.  As noted above, Jackie tells Alexis that Garrett was never married.  Alexis could not keep that information to herself.  Alexis is more than happy to share that information with Dominique at the engagement party.  At first, Dominique does not believe Alexis but then she accepts Alexis's information and then slaps Alexis in gratitude.  Alexis takes the slap as a good sport.  Besides, she will experience much worse later in the evening.  But, we will get to that soon.

It is getting hard for the directors to hide the fact that Pamela Bellwood is pregnant.  Blake agrees to meet Claudia out at Lankersham One where Claudia rambles on about Blake cheating her out of the well and then now stealing from the well and claiming that it is drying up.  Why would Blake do such a thing?  Oh, and Blake wants to know how Claudia got that well.  Claudia tells Blake how Adam got him to sign that Power of Attorney when he was being poisoned by Rita and Adam transferred the well.  Blake lets Claudia know that the whole field is drying up - it does happen.  Claudia's capitalist dreams are coming to an end.

Blake is pissed with what Adam did.  Adam tries to justify his actions but Blake cannot believe his own son is someone he cannot trust.  Since Blake cannot cut Adam out of his will again, he throws Adam out of his office.  Maybe, he kicks Adam out of Denver Carrington also, but that won't matter really soon.

Back to poor Claudia.  While everyone is enjoying the engagement party at La Mirage, Claudia is in her suite lighting candles for all the liars in her life.  Claudia is also holding some sort of a picture.  We can all speculate what that is a picture of but we all know that the picture is there to cover Pamela Bellwood's baby bump.  Anyway, one of the candles tips over and sets the curtains on fire.  What the hell are the curtains made of - kerosene - because that suite bursts in to flames way too quickly?  Instead of turning and running, Claudia cries out on her knees screaming at the fire.  That really does not put the fire out.  As Claudia's suite burns, people continue to party at Dominique's party unaware of the smoke coming out of the vent.

At least Blake and Krystle left the party before Claudia decided to torch the place.  Blake did not even want to go to the party because he was waiting for a Chinese representative to come to the mansion so he can get those leases back.  And, Blake really needs those leases.  Now that he no longer has the leases, Ahmed refuses to give Blake the $1 billion raised by the consortium since the leases were the collateral.  Even though Blake cannot get the $1 billion, that does not mean Blake does not have to pay the $250 million fee he promised.  Blake will do no such thing.  When Ahmed threatens to sue, Blake wants to speak to the consortium.  Ahmed reluctantly tells Blake that the consortium is Alexis.

Blake confronts Alexis and swears he should have known that all along.  Alexis is willing to purchase Denver Carrington stock at market value so Blake can raise the $250 million but that would give Alexis controlling interest of Denver Carrington.  Blake would rather sell it on the market even if it would drive down the stock price.  I guess it never occurred to Blake to sell his holdings of Colby Co stock because Alexis would have to purchase that to protect the stock price.  I thought Blake was such a great business man.

Anyway, Blake believes he will be able to convince the Chinese to give him back the leases.  He does try to get Garrett to speak to Jason about a loan, but that will never happen.  Blake also tries to get an extension on that mortgage he took out on ELC Holdings, but that does not seem to go well.  Well, when Blake learns he has a guest waiting for him at home, he is sure it is the Chinese.  But, it is not the Chinese.

Blake arrives back at the mansion to find his and Krystle's luggage at the bottom of the steps.  Ben is there to greet him to let him know the Chinese have nothing further to say.  To make matters even better, there is Alexis at the stairs holding two furs.  She is now the owner of all of Blake's holdings, including his home and she wants Blake and that blonde tramp out of her home - pronto.  Blake cannot believe it, and neither can I since there are legal proceedings to evict an individual.  Blake is so enraged that he lunges for Joan Collin's body double and begins to strangle Alexis.  It only took six seasons (well, maybe five and one episode) but Alexis has finally driven Blake to try to kill her.

Memorable Dialogue

Alexis:  Oh no, Ben, ever since I came back to Denver, I've been winning and I'm going to keep on winning because I am this close to destroying Blake Carrington for ever.

Blake:  I swear, I'll see you in hell before I let you take anything from me.
Alexis:  Oh, I just don't want anything, Blake, I want everything.

Dominique:  Poor Alexis, devoting all of her energy to hate.
Alexis:  What do you suggest I do with my energy - charity work?
Dominique:  I don't think there's a charity around that would take you.

Sammy Jo:  Well, Miss Perfection, you look like a cat on a rainy night.
Amanda:  You pathetic little tart.
Sammy Jo:  You'll never get Clay, Amanda.  He wants a real woman, not a plastic excuse for one.

Alexis:  You heard him, Blake, you're finished.  You've lost everything and I now own this house.
Blake:  This house, are you insane?
Alexis:  Oh no, I'm perfectly sane.  So, take this junk and your blonde tramp and get out of my home.

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