Finding (the rest of) Falcon Crest - Seasons 7, 8, and 9

[JROG]

Of course there's nothing wrong with a character getting a little older and wiser, and perhaps it even classifies as that precious "character development" that many soap fans seem to crave.
At the same time it cannot be ignored that the originally likeable characters were gone, except for Maggie, therefore it seems like a matter of logistics that former baddies Richard and Lance (and to a certain extent even Angela) became the likeable characters in a scenario with new baddies.
A villains-only model doesn't work in soap opera, I think.

I think my main objection is that, as a fan, I had to assume Lance got a little older and wiser instead of them showing me some kind of progression. He went from self-indulgent douche to acting like the soft-hearted hero. They cheated us out of the development. So, ultimately, I'm not against him fulfilling a different function on the canvas, I just disagree with how we got there, necessary or not.

 

[JROG]

But while a soap can suffer from losing likeable characters (or suddenly played by other characters) it doesn't take a lot to be entertained by villainous characters.
The dramatic impact of their dastardly behaviour doesn't always need to be earned, it's more self-explanatory.
Likeable characters have to make more effort to earn that love and respect, and sometimes even by showing that they're not so perfect at all.
Chase became more unlikeable as the series went on, but to me it seemed like a natural result of his somewhat misguided optimism that brought him to the Valley in the first place. It's a tale of tragedy and that's why I never stopped liking him.

Absolutely - I suppose using Lance was a sort of cheat code.

As for Chase, his progression made sense for me because it was based on elements of his personality we had seen all along: His blind determination, his stubbornness, etc. I do think they went a tad too far with him on his final season BUT, again, it was based on his original characterization.

I'd sooner watch characters who are compelling than likeable. I mean, every character in Succession is genuinely horrible, but that doesn't stop it being a brilliantly gripping and hugely entertaining show, and the tiny glimpses you get of people's humanity are all the more powerful for being so rare.

That said, I found Danny Sharpe a surprisingly touching character in Season 9. And I guess Richard moves into a more traditionally sympathetic role after Maggie dies and he loses his kids. And because they're so three-dimensionally written and acted, it's not hard to empathise with or feel moved by Michael, Genele, Walker, Sidney and Pilar at different times, even if they're not conventionally "nice" in a dependable, Maggie Gioberti sort of way. I think it's great when I find my sympathies continually shifting throughout a drama rather than having everyone clearly labelled either "good" or "bad" from the outset. That's one of the things I loved about New Dallas: nobody was just one thing.

Yes. Give me complex and interesting over cookie - cutter one-dimensional ones. Although I do think we stand apart from the general audience in liking those unlikeable characters. The vast majority of viewers will complain endlessly about having no 'nice' characters to root for. Genele and Sharpe were characters more suited for prime cable, in a way.

And yes, touching is a great word for Danny. From the very beginning you got the sense his similarities to Sharpe were largely a persona he put on to impress and get closer to daddy, and you saw his struggle through his efforts with Sydney. I find it quite sad, really.

 

[Chase Gioberti]

And that's fair enough! It never would've worked for the general audience without the usual cast - I'm just happy I love the new additions.



And what a pleasant change from what was mostly being served by the primetime soaps for a few years at that point - actual storytelling! Soapy stories that don't require you to turn your brain off to accept!



Speaking of Lance as someone to root for, that is something I noticed starting in Season 8. Suddenly, he started functioning like Cole or Dan used to: The dashing man we are supposed to root for. Not that he was without fault - like getting Cookie pregnant and telling her to just abort it - but all of a sudden he was a hero. It's a very bizarre direction for spoiled playboy Lance.

I think you are correct about having nobody to like: I love Genele and Sharpe, but they're not really likable people, are they? Perhaps Lauren could fit that bill. That being said, when I'm done with an episode, I can't wait to see what's next!



They sure did time it for maximum effect!

They neutered Lance around season 7. He was crying in every other episode. It was a bad character change. He was much better as the entitled jerk than a crybaby.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

They neutered Lance around season 7. He was crying in every other episode. It was a bad character change. He was much better as the entitled jerk than a crybaby.

Like April Stephens.

 

[JROG]

The show is so well-plotted and thoughtful, that "The Return" is clearly about Angela's return from her coma... or is it?

Sharpe's reaction to the news about Danny is riveting. Genele and Lauren are pulled into the vortex, both relying on their wits and their knowledge of Sharpe to put the various pieces together. Danny pleading with his father for answers only to hug him and get no hug back was heartbreaking ("Did I do something wrong?"), nearly moving me to tears. It all culminates in Genele pleading with Sharpe to come back to life, suggesting rage and revenge is the way to go. It's a truly stunning scene, shot at that breathtaking pool with a view, so deftly mixing complex neuroses, dynamics, and psychological aspects to soapy perfection. Sharpe returns to life, passionately kissing Genele.

That old bat regains consciousness and off she goes! It's SO good to see Wyman back, if frail, but calculating as ever. The Angela we see in her scenes is not the Angela we know, but the show trusts us that we'll trust them: Indeed, Angela meets Michael for a limo-off and tells him they must stop Richard and Lauren from getting married. Heck yeah, the bitch is back!

PS. Hilarious that Angela is back and, suddenly, Maid Melody and Chao-Li return as well. One has the image of them locked in her hospital room closet eternally taking care of her until allowed to come back...

2 episodes to go... no... it can't end!

 

[Willie Oleson]

PS. Hilarious that Angela is back and, suddenly, Maid Melody and Chao-Li return as well.

I suspect they volunteered to be comatosed and not woken up before the boss did.

 

[JROG]

The show doesn't let up all the way to the end.

Danny's suicide attempt was a great way to shake Sharpe into getting over the revelation Danny isn't his son. The rooftop scene was such a fun mix of flippant humor and tension - I kept thinking there was a good chance Danny would take that plunge, and I appreciate the fact the show had made me care so much. Richard and Sharpe having to work together was fun.

The culmination of the Danny story was one of my favorite scenes: Danny punches Sharpe but tells him their relationship won't change. It's full of little amazing details: Sharpe stunned yet impressed his son hit him. Sharpe feeling empathy that the hand Danny punched him with hurts him (but not mentioning it). So cute.

I'm very glad the show resolved the fates of Emma and Frank (even if we didn't see them). And I'm really happy we got to see Father Bob one final time.

The Lauren/Richard wedding was one of the most beautiful soap weddings I've seen, so stylishly done with the narration and beautiful shots of all kinds of people, relationships, and emotions.

And of course, the final monologue is a virtually perfect way to end the show: The mention of past characters, the shots of Falcon Crest and the vineyards, the freezeframe of Angela toasting... I cried and cried.

One of the best primetime soap opera seasons. What a ride this was!

 

[JROG]

I simply didn't want to like it.

I suspect you were far from the only one!

That didn't immediately made me switch from hating it to loving it, but at least I had come to appreciate it. And the more I read about it, the more I like it - which makes it such a joy to read about your experience of Falcon Crest's controversial last season. Hopefully one day I'll get the chance to re-rewatch it (I've seen it twice on television).
Lastly I want to say that your unspoilt opinion reminds me of how I watched New Dallas and enjoyed the heck out of it.

And I wanted to say how happy I am for all you darlings joining along for the ride - it's fun to be able to have discussion and exchange thoughts. It's not like I have anyone else to talk FALCON CREST with!

That's funny -- we posted at the same time and both ended up talking about New Dallas!

Which reminds me - I have the second half of the third season to finish!

 

[James from London]

I have the second half of the third season to finish!

Lucky you!!

 

[Falcon Crest I]

I thought season 7 was fun. Season 8 was very boring after Melissa died and season 9 was like the end of world for Falcon Crest fans. Just too different!

 

[aframe2]

Season #7 was FC on steroids. Wild and fun, with all those guest stars. Season #8 was an attempt at normality but it was boring. Season #9 is bat crazy and too much of a deviation from recognisable FC.

I agree that season 7 was fun and very enjoyable and in continuity, season 8 writers hated the characters, and season 9 made up for it with Richard but it definitely wasn't the original show but I like 9 way better then 8.

 

[Arlene Halloran]

Jane Wyman's opening credit from the 7th season is most defibetely her best, of the series.