Dynasty - The Complete First Season (1981)

The Rather Non Glitzy Beginning To Television's Most Glamourous And Outrageous 1980's Prime Time Soap

When was the last time you can recall your home life literally stopping when the hour arrived when a favourite night time program aired on prime time television? During the 1980's the big budget soaps like "Dallas", and "Dynasty" succeeded in doing just that all over the world. I know in my household at 8.30pm on Monday nights the phone was taken off the hook, the dishes were already washed and put away, and the popcorn was at the ready so that we could sit back and enjoy uninterrupted the latest larger than life traumas and heartbreaks encountered by television's most outrageously dysfunctional family, the hugely rich Carringtons. We didn't tune in expecting to see nice people like in "The Waltons", instead we, like people everwhere, tuned in to lap up the glamour, double dealings, infidelities and memorable bitchy cat fights that made "Dynasty" such totally great fun to watch.

Reliving the at times rather unglamourous beginnings of "Dynasty" in the "Complete First Series", has been a great joy for me over this last month and has been highly interesting viewing especially when one considers what the series became after the dramatic second season entry of the unforgettable villianess Alexis, Blake Carrington's long absent first wife, played to perfection by Joan Collins. Immediately a very different series was born however I have to give this first, (half) season its due in that while lacking the later season's glamour and over the top storylines and excitement, it still sustains great interest and sets up the scenario of the oil rich Carringtons and the Colbys. It also allows many of the performers such as the wickedly wonderful Pamela Sue Martin, Al Corley, and Pamela Bellwood the opportunity to really shine in their own storylines before the arrival of the "Alexis Juggernaut" changed the series forever. April 27, 2008

Another series known for latecomers, good storylines, writing

I'd only started collecting TV shows on DVD this year. I realized just about any show is now available in this format, which has been the highlight of '07 for me. I wondered what show I'd like to have, and Dynasty came to mind. Imagine my delight when I realized the first season has been released. However, I didn't buy it yet as I remembered Dynasty started late in its first season, like Dallas, Fantasy Island, Grey's Anatomy, to name some. I decided to wait until Season 2 is released, to see if 2-packs for both seasons might be available. You know the rest; someone else here stated it's cheaper and I finally ordered the 2-pack. They arrived within a week and a half in good condition. I really appreciate the company for bundling them together; that's what I'd do for every show that starts late if I'm in charge of DVD releases.

Some actors had yet to appear that'd put this series on the map, like Joan Collins and Heather Locklear, to name two. If Dynasty did fare well at any time in the ratings during the first season, it must've been strictly by an episode or two as the series didn't make the top 25 overall for the season. Those expecting to see the aforementioned actors here will be disappointed as they didn't arrive until the sophomore season; if good writing is expected or if you'd like to know what started it all that got us Dynasty fans yakking about at the water cooler on Thursdays, then do check this one out. I'd say it's worth a look.

Actually, I'd never watched Dynasty until its 6th season when I was in college. Some friends told me how great it was and they kept telling me I should check it out. I didn't care but decided to give it a try, but sure enough I got hooked. Wednesday nights became Dynasty nights for me. One friend told me she's practically dead to the world when it's on--she ignores the phone, the door, etc. everything and everyone that breathes until the closing credits roll. I also remember this show being described as larger than life. Anyway, I'd watch the show for a while until I had to focus some more on my studies, when I'd lost interest in it altogether, or when I noticed the catfights seemed to finally become a thing of the past. What a time we had to enjoy the beauties that defined devastatingly wealthy excess for us.

I'd already finished watching Season 1. I had mixed feelings about this one at first given its early storylines but told myself to hang in there until the hiss-worthy Alexis finally charms her way into our DVD players, to put it somewhat questionably. It's been a wait but worth it. Enjoy... September 28, 2007

Oil

Before this past month, I had seen "Dynasty" only once: at the age of 9 in September of 1981 when I was in the hospital recovering from an appendectomy. It was the rebroadcast of the episode when Blake attacks Steven's ex, Ted. While watching the episode on DVD, I was surprised at how much of it I remembered and was also struck by how seminal that episode ended up being.

There are some slow moments in the first season, notably in the early episodes. Once Fallon marries Jeff, things start to take off. The cast is good. I had reservations about Pamela Sue Martin at first, but she won me over as Fallon. Martin has a wonderful command of Fallon and her scenes with Al Corley as her brother Steve are well done. John James as Jeff Colby seems to be having a great time and his eyebrows are as demonstrative as the rest of him. I'm surprised at how unsympathetic the character of Blake is, but he's counterbalanced by the radiant Linda Evans as Krystle.

The first season of "Dynasty" was a show trying to find its legs. After this season, major characters were written out and the show felt less like a Denver version of "Dallas.". Joan Collins was brought in and the oil rig story was phased out entirely though thankfully Pamela Bellwood was retained as Claudia. The show's ratings rose and it became must watch TV for many on Wednesday nights, so many may be surprised by the first season's different pace and tone.

I'm struck by how excellent the picture quality is of this DVD. There's barely an imperfect frame. These episodes could have been broadcast yesterday for all the age they show. Also, don't be fooled by the teaser photo of Alexis on the box; she appears in the last 30 seconds of the final episode. August 20, 2007

Love the 80's

Love the 80's and all of its over the top excess money.
Remember looking forward to every Wed night to watch Dynasty.
Just for the plot, fight scenes and costumes. Can't wait for Season 2.
Loved this DVD have watched it over and over. July 3, 2007

dynasty

i really like dynasty and the other older tv series
but i wished they had also dutch subtitels .
i hope in the future this is possible
May 18, 2007

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