Season 8

[ArchieLucasCarringtonEwing1989]

This season has always fascinated me, not because of it being an improvement on previous years (though it was more consistent than seasons 6 & 7) but for the fact that we basically got abandoned plots from season 6 & 7 rehashed and changed around for season 8, except the season was so dry and flavourless, also that S8 should have been the reset season, if S6 was to have been its peak (which in many ways it was) then S8 should have been the season where the game changed.

I did like some ideas like Steven being ruthless while Adam was being more of the good brother this season with Fallon even siding with Adam at times.

Leslie was simply the latest in a long line of Fallon replacements, which by season 8 was unnecessary as Fallon was back albeit with Emma Samms, she replaced Amanda mk2 and would soon be replaced briefly by Virginia Methany - Krystle’s cousin.

Sean Rowan should never have even been a character, his role could have been filled by either Matthew Blaisdel or Nick Toscanni

Dana was most definitely the bright spark in this season and by far the best addition to the cast in years by that point, she really grew in S8, she was neither a Kirby stand in nor a Claudia replacement she was her own character.

Storyline’s that should have happened in S8, Matthew or Nick marrying Alexis and he runs for governor while Krystle is the opposition.

I’d still have Blake hand over control of DC to his children, including Amanda, having Steven show his ruthless side, causing Fallon and Amanda to side with Adam.

Leslie would have been a stalker for Alexis.

Kirby would have come back with Adam’s baby, Adam is loyal to Dana but wants to get to know his son

You are aware of one thing of Dynasty S8 and I think you can say this for both Dallas and Falcons Crest, not so much Knots, but by Autumn 1987, the party was over and the hungover for the 80s began.

Dynasty feels fatigued when really it should have bracing for a new era, one could argue had David Paulsen took the helm in 1987 rather than 1988 we would have gotten Dynasty as far as 1991

I know there was talks of Dominique returning for guest stints in season 8 as well as guest stints from Sable, Monica and Miles from the Colby’s, one wonders how this would have shaped Dynasty for the remainder of its run.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

For all its flaws, and sleepy actors, Season 8 actually had plotlines the show followed through on. And there was far less of the usual passive-aggressive bullshit in the dialogue. There was a story, however middling, the show (and its crop of new writers) wanted to tell. All helped by the relaxation of S.A.D. and the reduction of the excessive music scores.

I'd say fall of 1985 was the end of the party for the nighttime soap genre. Kerthump... By fall 1987, the desiccation was fully under way. (Except for KNOTS, and Season 10 of DALLAS, and Season 9 of DYNASTY).

In retrospect, Dana turned insane by Season 8. Just nuts. Which I had forgotten until I saw the year for the first time in ages a few months ago.

I have some radical ideas for Season 8: a multi-episode Christmas blizzard story arc (to save money for Aaron) with much of the cast snowed in at the mansion (as opposed to "The Siege"), and Blake's vengeful ex-fiancée (whom Alexis shoved out of the way as teenagers) -- now a political operator -- who attempts to help Blake in his pursuit of the governor's office, and Krystle's headaches turning her clairvoyant healer.

Seriously.

Also, Steven becomes concerned that he might be H.I.V. positive when his lawyer, Chris Deegan, is revealed to be dying of A.I.D.S.

Should be heavy on the atmosphere for Season 8.

 

[Monzo]

Season 8 is the season where, for me, the difference between the original premiere and rewatch is greatest. I didn't like season 8 much when it first aired, and I was appalled by what had become of Dynasty. However, on rewatch, I find season 8 to be well-constructed (with the exception of the aftermath of Fallon's UFO experience). I appreciate that there's no longer the same pressure as in season 6B and season 7, where you constantly felt like this or that plot had to be exciting. In season 8, it seemed as if Dynasty had finally realized that the momentum was over and was now offering more manageable, season-long plots, hoping that this would be enough to get renewed.

As for the characters, I think Leslie developed well in season 8, and I would have liked to see her as Sable's assistant in season 9 instead of Joanna.

 

[ArchieLucasCarringtonEwing1989]

I quite liked Joanna in season 9 she was a throwback to Tracy Kendall, but yes having Leslie work for Sable in S9 would have been great, the producers intended for Leslie to be part of season 9 but Terri Garber decided to leave after two years but always regretted not staying on as she didn’t know at the time it would be the final season and her character, along with many others was erased in the Reunion in 1991.

 

[xab]

Season 8 was well structured, yes, and for once, they had a clear vision. The Alexis/Blake feud was back. But it didn’t go far enough (except for Adam’s storyline). Everything fell flat… Krystle digging into Alexis’s past led nowhere. Leslie was just another slut who was quickly taken down by Alexis. Josh’s overdose was pointless. Sean was cartoonish and laughable, certainly not dangerous. He should have been much more twisted (Adam used to be worse in his own way). It lacked energy in the writing, directing, and acting. Everything that would return in Season 9.

 

[Colterton]

Season 8 was meant to be the big re-set.
The change of time slot to 10pm on Wednesday in the U.S. was meant to take some of the pressure off the ratings from the previous season, and network execs hoping it would win its time slot more easily.
Coupled with new staff - Shelley Hull and Ursula Alexander were brought over as Co Producer and Associate Producer from the The Colbys following its cancellation.
There was a concerted focus on younger members of the cast - the famous cast photo without the big three (John, Linda and Joan) was a marker for audiences in how they were hoping the show would evolve.
However the pace and tone just didn’t have the same fizz or excitement as Season 2 which they were trying to emulate.
Many have commented on how the music score this year was toned down - yes - but I n occasion it sounded like half an orchestra and cheap compared to the swelling scoring of previous years which did add more occasion and tone to the drama portrayed on screen.
Concerted efforts were obviously made with location shooting for scenes and in the latter half of the season, visual references to the colder Colorado climate and sense of place firmly noticeable. One scene had Krystle entering the mansion before going to see Dana upstairs and discuss the crib, and mentioning to Janette how cold it was outside as she wore a large fur coat.
The stories were more consistent with a clear season arc in place, and on paper had the potential to play out well on screen as a premise.
Sadly the detail lacked ambition and looked a bit cheap with the new Encore Video editing system deployed.
I still enjoy Season 8 more than 7B, but can’t help feeling cheated that the huge potential of what we were promised, didn’t quite play out in the detail we were presented.
But then - we did have the brilliant Season 9 to follow …..