Season 9 opening with recurring actors.

[Jock Spectre]

In this well produced video you'll see the season 9 opening tweaked, to include the recurring cast who collectively made the final season such a deviation (that's putting it nicely). Jane's absence for most of 1989-'90 due to ill health and Susan's cessation early on, didn't help matters.

Uncouth Charley St. James has overstepped the mark; on a few instances since his arrival in the Tuscany Valley, as Emma's new beau. He has plonked himself down at the head of the dinner table; opposite the wine matriarch Angela and it soon becomes clear daggers are drawn, (a scene from season 9, 1989-'90):

Chao-Li is serving his best table wine. Himself and the new bad boy in the country talk Chinese. Charley gets to hear about Lance being a blackbelt and Chao-Li as his teacher.

Angela gives Chao-Li a look, indicating no more talk.

Angela: "What business are you in, Mr. St. James?"

Charley: "Well right now I'm in the business of doing whatever is I please. My brother and I own business back in London. I needed a break. You know!"

Angela: "So now you're doing whatever you please with my daughter."

Emma: "Mother!"

Charley: "Well actually I'm here to do whatever she pleases."

Angela could send Chao-Li on him, at this point. Her face is like thunder.

Emma: "Mother I didn't bring Charley here to be interrogated."

Charley: "Oh no, no! Your mother can ask me anything she likes. Next question Angie babe."

He winks at her.

 

[Monzo]

Carla Gugino should have been in the opening credits.

I wish Susan Blakely had been given more to do. After Susan Sullivan was sort of the replacement for Susan Blakely on Rich Man, Poor Man (as Rudy's love interest), it would have been funny if it had been the other way around on Falcon Crest.

 

[C Rose]

The season 9 casting was quite good. Philip Baker Hall later acted in several Paul Thomas Anderson films. Stuart Pankin brought some humor to the show. I was kind of bummed when Tony Plana’s character was killed off. He was funny too calling Richard “Doctor Dollars”.