Somehow I just can't let it rest.
Here's a theory of what might have gone wrong with the previous Carrington marriage, and it's basically a variant on O.Alexis' adultery.
Blake's working too hard, Alexis doesn't get the attention she deserves, they argue a lot, unhappy marriage, not even the birth of a son improves the situation.
"Stop bothering me, you've got a kid to take care of right now".
Alexis thinks that only a tragedy could soften Blake, she looks at her son and suddenly she has a brilliant idea.
Together with the help of, say, good old Cecil Colby, she orchestrates the kidnapping and hides Adam in a safe place. A convent, for example.
But the result is devastating, Blake becomes more cruel and intolerant. Time for part 2 of the plan: the return of the Carrington heir, Blake is going to be so appreciative!
She goes to the convent, but the nuns inform that her maid has already picked up Adam on her behalf. But since there was no maid involved, she knows something terrible has happened.
Whether Cecil was behind the real kidnapping or not, I don't know.
Alexis is tempted to tell Blake the truth as it may improve their chances to find Adam. But she knows he would kill her instead.
And then many years later, Cecil tells Blake the whole story, just to make his enemy feel miserable, and that's when Blake throws her out.
Perhaps NuDynasty could be taking advantage of some of the choices the original show didn't make?
I can almost see it: Some time after the funeral of fakeAdam, Blake walks into his study only to find Mickey (as in: Michael?) in his chair, feet on the desk.
"What the devil are you doing here, get your feet off of my desk! I'll tell your boss to keep you on a leash!"
"Firstly, I was merely enjoying the feel of this chair. Secondly, Alexis is not my boss".
"Oh for God's sake, I don't even want to know what she is to you. Now get the hell out of here!".
"Whatever you say,
Sir".