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Oh Jeff, that world-class jackass.
Season 8
- Thread starter ArchieLucasCarringtonEwing1989
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Did I read that Jeff "tightens a**"???!!!!
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Not in the cliffhanger, rather in the first scene of season 9.
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Maybe this season is underrated.
We got to see something a bit more realistic and the not so absurd drama in comparison to seasons before. Politics, and the open fight between Alexis and Blake over something else than the stuff Alexis thrived on to bring up.
Season one and two have a more political aura and when Fallon, Steven and Jeff, and Matthew in his way, touches the subject in that social realism-way from their view, it's hard not to love when getting to know the Denver Clan.
Combined with, in 8, the "politics" around a surrogate-birth and the entanglement it can create.
We got to see something a bit more realistic and the not so absurd drama in comparison to seasons before. Politics, and the open fight between Alexis and Blake over something else than the stuff Alexis thrived on to bring up.
Season one and two have a more political aura and when Fallon, Steven and Jeff, and Matthew in his way, touches the subject in that social realism-way from their view, it's hard not to love when getting to know the Denver Clan.
Combined with, in 8, the "politics" around a surrogate-birth and the entanglement it can create.
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They should have had some specific political issue on which Blake and Alexis were on opposing sides. The kind of of issue on which all the characters had a strong opinion and carried through the whole season.
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Like what?
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And that was yet another perversity of the show -- DYNASTY finally did a year-long story arc for the first time in forever, and then they're not allowed to discuss anything!
"Liberal" Hollywood, post-the advent of Reagan, found politics difficult to discuss comfortably -- even in fiction. Some films tried, but it was nervously frowned upon. And, certainly, a series as poorly-written as (most of) DYNASTY, and produced by pimps, was not going rise to the occasion.
So they did nothing. No political issue could be debated. At all. Only what bitches and bastards the two were. For an entire year.
DYNASTY was largely an 'all-dressed-up-and-no-place-to-go' type of program already, but the Season 8 gubernatorial campaign plot, with so much potential, lasting the entire season with absolutely no details whatsoever, was the ne plus ultra of the fervent pointlessness that was The Carrington Saga.
Much ado about nothing -- I'm afraid that was DYNASTY in a decaying Pignolia nutshell..
Like what?
Almost anything!
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Responding to @Ked , it didn't have to be a contentious or emotionally charged issue that would divide audiences such as abortion. It could be an oil pipeline issue that could wreak havoc on the environment but also provide much needed jobs. Blake could support it and could argue to those opposed(Stephen, Krystle, maybe Fallon) that it's easy for them because they are because of his work and for projects like this so it doesn't affect them financially. Alexis would oppose it, not because she gives a feather or a fig about the environment, but she sees an opportunity to challenge Blake and make herself look more caring and thoughtful. It would also.put her and Krystle on the same side of an issue, and there would be interesting dynamics throughout the season.
Unfortunately, as @Snarky Oracle! said, that kind of writing was just not what anyone on Dynasty was interested in doing.
Unfortunately, as @Snarky Oracle! said, that kind of writing was just not what anyone on Dynasty was interested in doing.
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(Flashback: In Fallon's rape storyline, it was all in her imagination! Which was painful and ridiculous during a time when women were beginning to get traction on safety and assault issues. They wouldn't mention race in Dominique's storyline even though that was the obvious reason why the other cast members rejected her, doubted her, didn't like or feel safe with her, or were threatened by her mere presence in any given space.)
Given that the show's previous "attempts" (in profoundly inverted commas) to deal with controversial topics like rape (Krystle, Fallon) and racism + mixed race parentage (Dominique), where they bungled each in ways that were patently ridiculous back then, it wasn't surprising AT ALL that they had two central characters opposing each other in a political race without identifying a single substantive issue where Blake and Alexis differed.
Instead they debated The Environment! Women and Stuff! They wouldn't even identify a fictional party either belonged to. I was amazed at the time that they couldn't invent a fictional political party for each, the way they would routinely invent African or Latin American country names.
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In "defense" of DYNASTY -- which I'm well-known for -- Diahann Carroll requested that writers not mention Dominique's race, and simply script her the same way they would a successful white male. (I understand her reasoning in that, but then Blake's reluctance to "accept" her as his sister went unexplained -- especially since she didn't appear to be Eskimo).
Obviously, the handling of Fallon2's rape was dumb... But, actually, I like the way they handled Krystle's rape by Blake -- because that's exactly how she would handle it.
I've heard from my Bat-phone they wanted to bring back Charlton Heston to be the third party candidate in the gubernatorial race, but the show could no longer afford him; that might have been good, Jason's return, but it wasn't going to happen... I might've liked Season 8 to have come right out and said that they were all running for the Republican nomination, and have Jeff (in the first episode of Season 9) tell Blake that "it looks like Romer is a shoo-in for reelection" (Romer* being the real life Democratic governor of Colorado who was indeed reelected that November, only a few days prior to that episode's airing... but that's just a little unnecessary detail I'd want).
I accepted Zimtumbe because it's "so far away" but the sponsors of the assassination attempt on Alexis' in her Jackie O suit should have been something more shadowy than simply nutty Sean (even if they made him the gunman). I've fantasized that Blake's ex-fiancée, the one Alexis shoved out of the way when they were teenagers and is now a Washington power-broker and Georgetown matron, arrives in Colorado to help Blake in his campaign in order to stop Alexis, but is killed in the shooting before we learn she set up the assassination attempt herself in order to kill Alexis and herself, that fiancée terminally ill... Who would we cast?? ... But that's just me).
And after one of Alexis' paid paparazzo snaps some shots of Krystle in an innocent-but-looks-compromising situation with some dude (Alexis' campaign manager? Jason Colby, if they could get Heston?) in the estate garden, Krystle pulls out of her husband's campaign and returns to Ohio where she starts clairvoyantly healing her old family members thanks to that A-V malformation.
I swear I'd do it.
And I'm sure I've never mentioned any of this before.
"Oh, no! Now I'm psychic, too..!"
*EDIT: got the governor's name wrong.
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Oh, I forgot about that one idea of yours'! I actually really like it, it feels more... dynamic?
Not sure who I'd have the shooter be (maybe just some rando), but I'm suddenly imagining the scene playing out like this:After Alexis is shot and falls in Blake's arms, everyone starts panicking, running around and screaming... yet the ex-fiancee stands there, eerily calm with what can only be described as a triumphant smile on her face as she stares at Alexis' limp, bloodied body... and when the ex-fiancee herself is also shot... she continues to smile and stare at Alexis... before eventually crumbling and falling to the floor... and her dead eyes continue to stare at Alexis.
She dies believing that she had won, that she had triumphed and got to see Alexis die... except, of course, we all know that Alexis survives, that the bullet(s?) only grazed her, because of COURSE we're not killing off Alexis. Still, it'd be a fun scene, I think. x3
As for who I would cast... Elizabeth Taylor?
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As Gordon Thomson said recently, "the writing for DYNASTY sometimes left something to be desired". Regarding the Moldavian massacre (which Gordon defends, but not its aftermath) he asks, where is Aaron Spelling, here's this wonderful producer -- why did he let all this crap happen??
Well, Spelling was not a wonderful producer, He was a cynical producer who, like a pimp, was only adept at casting and initial concept -- which is why his even his most popular shows usually drop in quality by their third season.
It's how you run a restaurant.
At least with Season 8, there was a semi-cohesive year-long story arc, and the "how I feel!" bullsh!t dialogue was swept away, even if the actors still seemed a bit bored.
Well, Spelling was not a wonderful producer, He was a cynical producer who, like a pimp, was only adept at casting and initial concept -- which is why his even his most popular shows usually drop in quality by their third season.
It's how you run a restaurant.
At least with Season 8, there was a semi-cohesive year-long story arc, and the "how I feel!" bullsh!t dialogue was swept away, even if the actors still seemed a bit bored.
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The election race could’ve been done better as others have commented with actual issues used to drive plots apart from the Arthur Whitcombe land deal, the football team drug use, and other fleeting mentions.
However as I noted in a previous post, whilst the money for big name guest stars was over, surely some of the savings generated by the exits of characters at the end of Season 7, could have brought in a 6-8 episode arc for an opposing candidate in the election race - as a friend and cohort of Spelling - Robert Wagner would have been an ideal guest stars to stir up things - be a former fling of Krystle pre Blake - who during the election race gets romantically involved with Alexis - until Krystle finds out and exposes them both to the media.
a season that was more plotted, less frenetic, but just didn’t quite fizz as it should.
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I’m a little surprised by all the praise season 8 is getting. I just finished rewatching it for the first time in ten years, and boy, was it a struggle to get through. It took me ages. Was it better than season 7? Well, yes, but that’s not saying much considering season 7 was garbage. I agree that season 8 feels a little more relaxed; it has planned-out storylines, a clear vision of what it wants to be, and a more condensed structure. The problem is that none of the storylines were actually any good.
Matthew coming back from the dead only to be turned into a psycho who dies again the next day was ridiculous. Then there was that annoying, drug-addicted football player Josh who was stuck in some kind of weird love triangle with Sammy Jo and Steven. This was especially absurd since the former didn’t want anything to do with him, and the latter acted like a jealous spouse despite being GAY! It’s as if the writers were saying, “We know Steven and Sammy Jo are just living together as friends for the benefit of their son, but let’s pretend they’re actually a heterosexual couple and have them react to Josh as if they are.” Why would Steven even care if his former "beard" hooks up with a guy on the football team? And once Sammy Jo finally decided to have a quick roll in the hay with Josh, why did she act as if she had been unfaithful to her gay baby daddy? It was so freaking weird.
And that damn gubernatorial race. Ugh! I don’t know why the writers even went there. No actual politics were ever discussed, and there was no joy in watching Blake or Alexis run for office. Was it just a way to have them feud over something new and different? If so, the storyline failed. It didn’t feel like anything of importance was at stake since neither of them had ever been shown to care about politics in the past, and as a viewer, I couldn’t have cared less about who won. As per usual, the writers chickened out anyway and had neither of them win the race in the end.
The boring surrogate storyline was so drawn out and unnecessary. Way too much screen time was given to Karen and her deadbeat husband. In the end, it was all for naught, as Dana decided at the eleventh hour that she no longer wanted the baby (as did Karen). I also hate how often this show trivializes rape. Apparently, Adam raped Dana in high school, yet she not only forgave him but chose to pursue and marry him about twenty years later because, “I know you were simply not yourself that terrible night all those years ago Adam.” Why do Dynasty and The Colbys treat rape like it’s some kind of "oopsie"—a minor lapse in judgment by the rapist that is easily forgiven? Leann Hunley is a talented actress, but it’s evident she was being held back by the static acting directive. You can often sense her going against her own instincts as an actress—wanting to move and react more naturally and freely but feeling unable to do so. The results of this struggle were almost unintentionally funny at times.
Speaking of the acting, the dude who plays Sean was dreadful. That’s another storyline that just goes on and on with no end in sight. First of all, by the time season 8 aired, I bet no one cared about or barely even remembered the impotent, robotic Joseph or his weird-ass daughter. Sean should have been there to avenge a much more recent victim of Alexis's schemes. But I guess it wouldn’t have mattered either way, since he spends 90% of the season doing absolutely nothing to further his misguided revenge plot. I will say, once it finally took off in the last three episodes, the actor's lack of skills sort of paid off and worked in his favor. He came off as completely unhinged—even more so than what was written on the page. Those are the only episodes where his character and storyline actually work. But it was a case of too little, too late.
Poor Steven never gets to have any fun. Give that guy a cute twink to bone! He’s always on the sidelines, mostly reacting to other people's storylines. He never has a love interest of his own, not even an off-screen fling. If I were to give the powers that be the benefit of the doubt, I’d say they were afraid to go there due to the AIDS epidemic at the time. But considering how they toyed around with his sexuality for seasons on end before that, I won’t. He did get a nice enough final scene with Adam and Blake, though. It was also great to see how much Jack Coleman improved as an actor over the years.
Krystle, Jeff, and Fallon2 did nothing of note the entire season.
You know, now that I think about it, the fact that season 8 had me feeling something—even if it was mostly frustration—proves that it at least had real storylines you can discuss and have opinions on. It even got me to post on here for the first time in ages. I don’t remember a single thing that happened in season 7 except for Sarah Curtis.
Sorry y’all for not having more positive things to say and for the very long post. I do think it’s great that other fans find enjoyment in season 8! It was a minor improvement on season 7, I will gladly admit. However, I’m on season 9 now, and I’m very impressed so far. It’s like the show has finally woken up from several years of slumber. It’s funny, fresh, engaging, clever, well-written, better-acted, and just highly competent. I’m only a few episodes in, but for the first time in ages, I’m actually bingeing multiple episodes at a time and looking forward to my next watch.
Stay safe out there, all you lovely Dynasty fans!
Matthew coming back from the dead only to be turned into a psycho who dies again the next day was ridiculous. Then there was that annoying, drug-addicted football player Josh who was stuck in some kind of weird love triangle with Sammy Jo and Steven. This was especially absurd since the former didn’t want anything to do with him, and the latter acted like a jealous spouse despite being GAY! It’s as if the writers were saying, “We know Steven and Sammy Jo are just living together as friends for the benefit of their son, but let’s pretend they’re actually a heterosexual couple and have them react to Josh as if they are.” Why would Steven even care if his former "beard" hooks up with a guy on the football team? And once Sammy Jo finally decided to have a quick roll in the hay with Josh, why did she act as if she had been unfaithful to her gay baby daddy? It was so freaking weird.
And that damn gubernatorial race. Ugh! I don’t know why the writers even went there. No actual politics were ever discussed, and there was no joy in watching Blake or Alexis run for office. Was it just a way to have them feud over something new and different? If so, the storyline failed. It didn’t feel like anything of importance was at stake since neither of them had ever been shown to care about politics in the past, and as a viewer, I couldn’t have cared less about who won. As per usual, the writers chickened out anyway and had neither of them win the race in the end.
The boring surrogate storyline was so drawn out and unnecessary. Way too much screen time was given to Karen and her deadbeat husband. In the end, it was all for naught, as Dana decided at the eleventh hour that she no longer wanted the baby (as did Karen). I also hate how often this show trivializes rape. Apparently, Adam raped Dana in high school, yet she not only forgave him but chose to pursue and marry him about twenty years later because, “I know you were simply not yourself that terrible night all those years ago Adam.” Why do Dynasty and The Colbys treat rape like it’s some kind of "oopsie"—a minor lapse in judgment by the rapist that is easily forgiven? Leann Hunley is a talented actress, but it’s evident she was being held back by the static acting directive. You can often sense her going against her own instincts as an actress—wanting to move and react more naturally and freely but feeling unable to do so. The results of this struggle were almost unintentionally funny at times.
Speaking of the acting, the dude who plays Sean was dreadful. That’s another storyline that just goes on and on with no end in sight. First of all, by the time season 8 aired, I bet no one cared about or barely even remembered the impotent, robotic Joseph or his weird-ass daughter. Sean should have been there to avenge a much more recent victim of Alexis's schemes. But I guess it wouldn’t have mattered either way, since he spends 90% of the season doing absolutely nothing to further his misguided revenge plot. I will say, once it finally took off in the last three episodes, the actor's lack of skills sort of paid off and worked in his favor. He came off as completely unhinged—even more so than what was written on the page. Those are the only episodes where his character and storyline actually work. But it was a case of too little, too late.
Poor Steven never gets to have any fun. Give that guy a cute twink to bone! He’s always on the sidelines, mostly reacting to other people's storylines. He never has a love interest of his own, not even an off-screen fling. If I were to give the powers that be the benefit of the doubt, I’d say they were afraid to go there due to the AIDS epidemic at the time. But considering how they toyed around with his sexuality for seasons on end before that, I won’t. He did get a nice enough final scene with Adam and Blake, though. It was also great to see how much Jack Coleman improved as an actor over the years.
Krystle, Jeff, and Fallon2 did nothing of note the entire season.
You know, now that I think about it, the fact that season 8 had me feeling something—even if it was mostly frustration—proves that it at least had real storylines you can discuss and have opinions on. It even got me to post on here for the first time in ages. I don’t remember a single thing that happened in season 7 except for Sarah Curtis.
Sorry y’all for not having more positive things to say and for the very long post. I do think it’s great that other fans find enjoyment in season 8! It was a minor improvement on season 7, I will gladly admit. However, I’m on season 9 now, and I’m very impressed so far. It’s like the show has finally woken up from several years of slumber. It’s funny, fresh, engaging, clever, well-written, better-acted, and just highly competent. I’m only a few episodes in, but for the first time in ages, I’m actually bingeing multiple episodes at a time and looking forward to my next watch.
Stay safe out there, all you lovely Dynasty fans!
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And, of course, you're quite right. But it was only in the last couple of years that I re-watched Season 8 for the first time in ages, and it was hard to not notice that the season at least had "cohesive" season-story arcs (which almost made sense, sort of) and Season 8 mercifully had dropped S.A.D., the excessive and rambling music scores, and the usual bullshit "You're-my-father"/"You're-my-daughter"/"You're-my-lover"/"You're-my-enemy"/"You're-my-gynecologist" dialogue that usually previously wrapped up a scene because the writers were disinterested in their own storylines.
So that alone made Season 8 stand head-and-shoulders over several other years of DYNASTY.
Was Season 8 scintillating television?? Well, no. The actors seemed bored, for one thing. But the show indeed relaxed, and it seemed like it was trying to actually tell a story --- really, the first attempt to do so since, maybe, Season 3.
So the "praise" lavished here on Season 8 is conditional, and has a lot to do with the facts that the dregs of DYNASTY -- the mentally ill Season 7 -- is dead and gone.
Yes, exactly. Season 8 had a potential, even if it never quite gelled.
Season 7 was a psychiatrically ill year, and Sarah Curtis was a metaphor for that. Even if she wasn't as ill as her host (the series itself). That said, I want Sarah Curtis to attempt suicide in the Carrington garages (as opposed to a sublet off-campus) which dredges up old rumors about Blakes, etc...
Yes, Season 9 is great, the best year since Season 2 !