James, a class thread indeed! You never cease to amaze with the content in your posts and this particular topic keeps the standard, we have all come to expect of JFL. I thoroughly enjoyed the history of FALCON CREST, as rich and powerful as the eighties prime time phenomenon was.
Angela Gioberti Channing Erikson Stavros Agretti gives us her soliloquy, which finishes the series with wine as a pith and there is just one more raise of the glass, (the final FALCON CREST scene, season 9, 1989 - '90):
"Grandfather,
How long has it been since you came to the valley and planted your first vine from Italy? I remember how you used to hold me on the saddle, riding through the fields and teaching me about the land and the vineyards and how precious they are together, seems like only yesterday.
I think of all the people who have passed through these vineyards; there's Chase, Maggie, Cole, Vickie and that feisty Melissa Agretti and Erikson, killed in the planecrash that almost killed all of us but I was spared to carry on your heritage.
Julia is safe and happy in the convent and Emma and Frank will both be coming home soon. Oh and Stavros. Oh, it was tempting Grandfather but in the end you knew I couldn't follow him and live in Greece. I couldn't leave Falcon Crest.
Training Lance to take over has been a challenge but I think he's coming around and for the first time I think Richard and I are beginning to understand each other.
Meanwhile, I'm going to do everything I can to keep the vineyards and the winery the jewel of the valley, just as you always dreamed they would be.
Yes, the past has its place but I'll keep looking to the future. After all, there's a wedding today, children are playing, more children are on the way and of course the land, always the land. People come and go but the land endures.
A toast to you, Falcon Crest and long may you live!"
The frame freezes on Angela smiling; standing on her veranda and her glass of bubbly raised. Then there is the fade to black, the closing theme tune commences and the credits appear.