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Which show were you a fan of?
There is the DYNASTY that is a saga of the Carrington family, with a strong narrative in seasons 1-3, and some coherence resurfacing in season 5, certainly 6B (which is like a continuation of the strong first three years), and then a different chapter—but of the same Carrington saga—in season 9. Let’s call this narrative-driven hour “show 1.”
And then there is DYNASTY which is the companion to “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” with caviar dreams and champagne wishes. The lifestyle element was always there, even in the well-narrated years. But in the wobbly years, it became the focus rather than the setting. I’d say season 3 is when the style really starts to gain prominence alongside the still-strong narrative (Krystle for instance is now dressed the same as Fallon, and no more lessons in how one needs to appear are needed). Alexis lives in a penthouse atop a hotel because that is also more glamorous than a mansion like Blake’s which is more tied to old money, where flashing wealth is considered gaudy. But the style really takes center stage in season 4, and by season 5 and 6 even Claudia is flinging around fur coats. Let’s call this “show 2.” Not for nothing, but when DYNASTY II was announced, Spelling promised it would be richer than the original and the bigger budget was a big ad campaign point . And sure enough, Sable was flinging a fur coat in the opening credits.
DYNASTY’s rise in the ratings came from show 1, but I think its continuance there when show 1 faltered (or become non-existent) was because of show 2. By season 7B and 8, both shows were gone: there were no narrative arcs to follow, and the show looked cheap rather than flashy.
Now, I did not mind having both shows alongside—as I said, DYNASTY outshone DALLAS even in season 1 because the Carringtons looked rich and lived in a rich man’s house. One show augmented the other. But while maybe on first viewing, in the 80s, show 2 alone could have been interesting to gaze at, in reruns it looks tiresome to me. But I know many people may feel differently, which is fine of course. That’s what makes the forum interesting.
There is the DYNASTY that is a saga of the Carrington family, with a strong narrative in seasons 1-3, and some coherence resurfacing in season 5, certainly 6B (which is like a continuation of the strong first three years), and then a different chapter—but of the same Carrington saga—in season 9. Let’s call this narrative-driven hour “show 1.”
And then there is DYNASTY which is the companion to “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” with caviar dreams and champagne wishes. The lifestyle element was always there, even in the well-narrated years. But in the wobbly years, it became the focus rather than the setting. I’d say season 3 is when the style really starts to gain prominence alongside the still-strong narrative (Krystle for instance is now dressed the same as Fallon, and no more lessons in how one needs to appear are needed). Alexis lives in a penthouse atop a hotel because that is also more glamorous than a mansion like Blake’s which is more tied to old money, where flashing wealth is considered gaudy. But the style really takes center stage in season 4, and by season 5 and 6 even Claudia is flinging around fur coats. Let’s call this “show 2.” Not for nothing, but when DYNASTY II was announced, Spelling promised it would be richer than the original and the bigger budget was a big ad campaign point . And sure enough, Sable was flinging a fur coat in the opening credits.
DYNASTY’s rise in the ratings came from show 1, but I think its continuance there when show 1 faltered (or become non-existent) was because of show 2. By season 7B and 8, both shows were gone: there were no narrative arcs to follow, and the show looked cheap rather than flashy.
Now, I did not mind having both shows alongside—as I said, DYNASTY outshone DALLAS even in season 1 because the Carringtons looked rich and lived in a rich man’s house. One show augmented the other. But while maybe on first viewing, in the 80s, show 2 alone could have been interesting to gaze at, in reruns it looks tiresome to me. But I know many people may feel differently, which is fine of course. That’s what makes the forum interesting.
