Dynasty (1981 TV series, season 4)

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Dynasty
Season 4
Dynasty (1981) S4 DVD.jpg
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes27
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseSeptember 28, 1983 (1983-09-28) –
May 9, 1984 (1984-05-09)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 3
Next →
Season 5
List of episodes

The fourth season of Dynasty originally aired in the United States on ABC from September 28, 1983 through May 9, 1984. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver, Colorado.

Season four stars John Forsythe as millionaire oil magnate Blake Carrington; Linda Evans as his wife Krystle; Pamela Sue Martin as Blake and Alexis's headstrong daughter Fallon; Jack Coleman as Blake and Alexis's earnest son Steven; Gordon Thomson as Blake and Alexis's eldest son Adam; John James as Fallon's ex-husband Jeff Colby; Pamela Bellwood as Steven's new wife, Claudia; Heather Locklear as Krystle's niece and Steven's ex-wife Sammy Jo; Geoffrey Scott as Krystle's ex-husband Mark Jennings; Lee Bergere as Carrington majordomo Joseph Anders; Kathleen Beller as Joseph's daughter Kirby; Deborah Adair as public relations assistant Tracy Kendall; Michael Nader as businessman Dex Dexter; Helmut Berger as playboy Peter de Vilbis; Diahann Carroll as Blake's half-sister Dominique Deveraux; and Joan Collins as Alexis Colby, Blake's ex-wife and the mother of Adam, Fallon, and Steven.

Development[]

With the show's popularity soaring in the fourth season (now the third most watched program of 1983–1984),[1][2] former President Gerald Ford, former First Lady Betty Ford, and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger guest-starred as themselves in 1983.[3]

Michael Nader was introduced as Farnsworth "Dex" Dexter, a friend to Blake and a love interest for Alexis.[4][5][6] Though Dex was conceived as a supporting, short-term character, Nader's performance made the character "unexpectedly popular".[4] One of the five actors under final consideration for the role, Nader credited his chemistry with Collins with getting him the part.[4][5] Collins said of Nader, "He's a very romantic leading man and he has a certain sinister edge."[4]

Diahann Carroll was also introduced as wealthy singer and businesswoman Dominique Deveraux,[6] from the beginning intended as a foil for Alexis Colby, the villainess played by Joan Collins.[7] Dominique was revealed to be Blake's half-sister in season five.[6] Noting that the increasingly popular prime time soap operas had yet to tackle racial integration,[7][8] and wanting to be "the first black bitch on television",[7][9][10] Carroll had her manager reach out to Dynasty producer Aaron Spelling, but there had been no response before she and Spelling ran into each other soon after.[7][8] Spelling said, "When Diahann came in, Esther Shapiro and I looked at her, looked at each other and said, 'My God, she is Dynasty.'"[7][8] Carroll told Shapiro that night, "If it's not me let it be someone, because it's time."[7] Spelling said, "We virtually closed the deal that night while having a drink at the bar."[7] Joining Dynasty made Carroll the only black actress with a continuing role on a nighttime serial at that time,[7] and Dominique the first prominently-featured African-American character on a prime time soap opera.[11] She appeared in the final two episodes of the fourth season, and was contracted for at least 17 of season five's 29 shows.[7] Willis Edwards, president of the Beverly Hills/Hollywood chapter of the NAACP, said of Carroll's casting, "This is a major thing as far as we're concerned. We've been fighting for something like this for years."[7] Linda Evans, who played Krystle Carrington, said at the time, "I don't think the impact of her coming on the show will affect only blacks. I think it will be great for all the people who see her."[7]

Martin left the series at the end of the fourth season in May 1984.[6] At the time, New York quoted Martin as calling television "limiting".[12] USA Today reported in 2006 that Martin "left Dynasty and acting when she felt her 'glib' character ... had been reduced to 'a victim'."[13] In 2011, she said "I became extremely famous during that time, and it was a little discomforting".[14] Spelling wrote in his 1996 autobiography, "After three seasons, Pamela Sue Martin wanted to leave Dynasty to get married and we didn't stand in her way."[15]

Plot[]

Steven and Blake battle for custody over Steven and Sammy Jo's son Danny, and a false accusation of illegal weapons dealings orchestrated by Alexis threatens to ruin Blake's financial empire. In the season finale, Fallon disappears just before her second wedding to Jeff, while Alexis is arrested for the murder of Mark Jennings.

Cast[]

Main[]

Recurring[]

Guest[]

Cast notes
  1. ^ Bergere appears and is credited only in first two episodes.
  2. ^ Locklear appears only from "The Hearing: Part 1" to "Tender Comrades" and from "The Check" to "The Nightmare", and is credited in the opening credits for those episodes.
  3. ^ Adair first appears in "Tracy".
  4. ^ Nader first appears in "Dex".
  5. ^ Berger appears from "Peter de Vilbis" to "The Vigil" except in "The Accident" where he is not credited in the opening credits.
  6. ^ Carroll appears and is credited only in last two episodes.

Episodes[]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		Rating
(households)
621"The Arrest"Irving J. MooreStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		September 28, 1983 (1983-09-28)DY-06027.2[16]
Mark Jennings saves Alexis and Krystle from the burning cabin. The police find there are multiple suspects but arrest Mark. Fallon tries to find out more about Adam's first case with the toxic chemicals, but Adam has his doctor convince Fallon of Adam's innocence. Jeff is leading ColbyCo during Alexis´ absence. After learning that Krystle list a baby in a riding accident, Kirby takes out a wild horse and purposely has an accident.
632"The Bungalow"Alf KjellinStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		October 5, 1983 (1983-10-05)DY-06122.5[16]
Mark is freed from custody as Blake comes forward with the $100,000 bail money to prove to Krystle that he is a fair person. After her accident, Kirby confides in Krystle that the baby is not Jeff's. Adam wants to convince Steven to work together against Jeff, but fails. Adam moves out of Alexis's penthouse because he feels she does not love him. In the hospital, somebody tries to kill Alexis. Joseph shoots himself.
643"The Note"Jerome CourtlandStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		October 19, 1983 (1983-10-19)DY-06225.0[16]

After Joseph kills himself, Blake and Jeff find a note in which Joseph confesses to setting the cabin fire to kill Alexis. Kirby is left devastated over her father's suicide and confides in Krystle that she provoked the accident because the baby is Adam's. Claudia Blaisdel is released from the sanitarium and starts another affair with Steven. Fallon resumes her investigation into Adam's first case. When Blake sees that Steven's gay friend Chris is living with him and Danny, he tells Steven that he intends to fight for custody.

Dynasty was preempted by Game 2 of the 1983 World Series on October 12, 1983.[17]
654"The Hearing - Part 1"Robert ScheererStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Dennis Turner		October 26, 1983 (1983-10-26)DY-06322.9[16]
Kirby demands Alexis divulge the real motive behind her father's attempts to kill her. In a fit of rage, she tries to strangle Alexis. Adam moves into the Carrington household and also starts working for Blake. Claudia starts working with Fallon at La Mirage. Steven finds a social worker snooping around his apartment, who later testifies at the custody hearing. There Alexis testifies Blake tried to purchase the baby from Sammy Jo and he is a bad father. Krystle also gives evidence for Steven, but Blake prohibits a cross examination of her.
665"The Hearing - Part 2"Irving J. MooreStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		November 2, 1983 (1983-11-02)DY-06422.1[16]
Alexis arrives home to find her apartment broken into. Fallon testifies on Steven's behalf. Fallon and Jeff fly to Montana to get information about the poisoning incident, and stay together the night. Adam is warned by Alexis. On the witness stand, Sammy Jo fabricates tales of Steven's homosexual promiscuity. Claudia barges into Sammy Jo's hotel room and slaps her for telling lies. Claudia tells Steven she has devised a plan to retain custody of his son.
676"Tender Comrades"Philip LeacockStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		November 9, 1983 (1983-11-09)DY-06523.8[16]
To retain custody of Danny, Steven and Claudia fly to Reno and are married. When the judge receives the assurance to jointly rear the child, the suit is dismissed. Attempting to win Krystle back, Blake offers her a public relations job at Denver-Carrington. Fallon and Jeff investigate the poisoning incident in Montana. They are stunned to learn the name of the prosecuting attorney was Michael Torrance-the name Adam used before arriving in Denver.
687"Tracy"Philip LeacockStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		November 16, 1983 (1983-11-16)DY-06620.6[16]
Alexis realizes that Adam has framed her for Jeff's poisoning. Denver Carrington PR assistant Tracy Kendall is jealous that Blake has given a job she wanted to Krystle. Mark overzealously suggests a reconciliation between him and Krystle, and attacks her when she says no.
698"Dex"Lorraine Senna FerraraStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Dennis Turner		November 23, 1983 (1983-11-23)DY-06721.3[16]
Jeff accuses Alexis of poisoning him. Michael Nader joins the cast as Farnsworth "Dex" Dexter, who wants to enter into business and pleasure with Alexis.
709"Peter De Vilbis"Jerome CourtlandStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		November 30, 1983 (1983-11-30)DY-06824.4[16]
As Jeff returns to work at Denver-Carrington, Krystle goes to battle with Alexis over comments she made about the corporation. Fallon meets Peter De Vilbis.
7110"The Proposal"Curtis HarringtonStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Dennis Turner		December 7, 1983 (1983-12-07)DY-06925.7[16]
Dex beats Alexis to the punch on a new business deal. Jeff nearly kills Adam over Kirby's rape. Blake and Krystle decide to remarry.
7211"Carousel"Philip LeacockStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		December 21, 1983 (1983-12-21)DY-07023.8[16]

When he sees Fallon with Peter, Jeff is enraged. At the Carousel Ball, Blake announces that he and Krystle are to re-marry. Due to the warm nature of the occasion, Blake and Steven decide to bury the hatchet.

Dynasty was preempted by a repeat of a 2-hour episode of The Fall Guy December 14, 1983.[18]
7312"The Wedding"Irving J. MooreStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Michael Russnow		December 28, 1983 (1983-12-28)DY-07126.0[16]
As Blake and Krystle prepare to remarry, Tracy starts preparing plans to steal Krystle's job. Peter unexpectedly shows up at La Mirage looking for Fallon, but he seems to have eyes for Claudia.
7413"The Ring"Curtis HarringtonStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Dennis Turner		January 4, 1984 (1984-01-04)DY-07223.9[16]
Frightened by a mysterious stranger, Claudia decides that she, Steven and Danny should move back into the Carrington mansion. Tracy continues her scheming. Jeff and Kirby divorce, laying the groundwork for a reunion between Kirby and Adam.
7514"Lancelot"Irving J. MooreStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Milee Taggart		January 11, 1984 (1984-01-11)DY-07325.7[16]
Fallon discovers a less than noble attribute about Peter. Tracy sets Krystle up for failure in front of Blake and the board, while making herself out to be the hero. Claudia begins receiving ominous notes.Kirby collapses.
7615"Seizure"Georg Stanford BrownStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Dennis Turner		January 18, 1984 (1984-01-18)DY-07424.8[16]
Kirby begins to experience poor health. Even as he proposes to Fallon, Peter continues to proposition Claudia.
7716"A Little Girl"Irving J. MooreStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		February 1, 1984 (1984-02-01)DY-07525.4[16]

Blake is uneasy when Fallon announces that she and Peter will marry. Adam finally admits that he was behind Jeff's poisoning. Kirby's life and her unborn child are in danger.

Dynasty was preempted by the State of the Union address w/Ronald Reagan on special on January 25, 1984.[19]
7817"The Accident"Jerome CourtlandStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Priscilla English		February 22, 1984 (1984-02-22)DY-07623.0[16]

Claudia tries to warn Fallon about Peter's wandering eye, but her pleas fall on deaf ears. Tracy goes to extreme measures to hurt Krystle. As Peter abruptly flees from Denver, an inconsolable Fallon gets hit by a car.

Dynasty was preempted for two weeks by the XIV Winter Olympic Games on February 8 and 15, 1984.[20][21]
7918"The Vigil"Philip LeacockStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Dennis Turner and Michael Russnow		February 29, 1984 (1984-02-29)DY-07724.2[16]
While the family rushes to the hospital to be with Fallon, Blake goes on a mission to catch Peter. McVane spearheads a scheme to blackmail Alexis. Adam and Kirby make plans to marry.
8019"Steps"Irving J. MooreStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Dennis Turner		March 7, 1984 (1984-03-07)DY-07825.9[16]
Alexis resorts to dirty trickery to block the marriage of Adam and Kirby. Claudia receives a photo that Matthew took of her when they were first married and makes plans to go to Peru where he supposedly died.
8120"The Voice - Part 1"Georg Stanford BrownStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		March 14, 1984 (1984-03-14)DY-07924.6[16]
When Krystle discovers she is pregnant, she sends Tracy in her place on a business trip with Blake. Claudia comes to terms with the deaths of Matthew and Lindsay.
8221"The Voice - Part 2"Jerome CourtlandStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		March 21, 1984 (1984-03-21)DY-08025.1[16]
Alexis makes plans to destroy Blake's latest overseas deal. When Tracy puts the moves on Blake, instead of returning the advances, he gives her a pink slip.
8322"The Voice - Part 3"Irving J. MooreStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		March 28, 1984 (1984-03-28)DY-08125.2[16]
Dex is angry with Alexis over her dealings with Rashid Ahmed. Kirby continues to uncover truths about her parents. Fallon continues to experience aftershocks from her accident.
8423"The Birthday"Kim FriedmanStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Susan Miller		April 4, 1984 (1984-04-04)DY-08223.6[16]
Krystle confronts Tracy. Fallon and Jeff tell the family that they are to remarry. Alexis is shocked with the news of Krystle's pregnancy.
8524"The Check"Jerome CourtlandStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Dennis Turner		April 11, 1984 (1984-04-11)DY-08321.6[16]
Kirby's attempt to murder Alexis fails. Mark Jennings blackmails Alexis for $100,000 in exchange for his silence over her meeting with Rashid Ahmed in Hong Kong.
8625"The Engagement"Irving J. MooreStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Dennis Turner		April 25, 1984 (1984-04-25)DY-08425.3[16]

Alexis learns that Mark has been found dead at the bottom of her apartment building and the police are unsure whether he jumped or was pushed. Krystle questions Alexis about her "fourth pregnancy".

Dynasty was preempted by a repeat of the 1982 ABC Wednesday Night Movie Charles and Diana: A Royal Love Story on April 18, 1984.[22]
8726"New Lady in Town"Jerome CourtlandStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		May 2, 1984 (1984-05-02)DY-08525.2[16]
Diahann Carroll joins the cast as the mysterious Dominique Deveraux.
8827"The Nightmare"Irving J. MooreStory by : Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock
Teleplay by : Edward De Blasio		May 9, 1984 (1984-05-09)DY-08625.7[16]
Alexis is arrested for murdering Mark. As she is about to remarry Jeff, Fallon suffers another blinding headache, runs out of the house and has a tragic car accident.

Reception[]

In season four, Dynasty was ranked #3 in the United States with a 22.4 Nielsen rating.[1][2]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (October 2007). "Top-Rated Programs by Season". The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (9th ed.). pp. 1689–1692. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4.
  2. ^ a b "TV Ratings: 1983–84". ClassicTVHits.com. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  3. ^ Carter, Alan (October 18, 1991). "The Dynasty reunion". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d Wallace, David (March 4, 1985). "As Dynasty's Dex, He's Pure Sex, but New Papa Michael Nader Tries a Little Tenderness". People. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Hastings, Julianne (April 19, 1984). "TV World: Dynasty newcomer Michael Nader still awed by characters popularity". UPI. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d Schemering, Christopher (September 1985). The Soap Opera Encyclopedia. pp. 80–84. ISBN 0-345-32459-5.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Haller, Scot (May 14, 1984). "Diahann Carroll Dresses Up Dynasty". People. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  8. ^ a b c "Foundation Interviews: Diahann Carroll discusses Dynasty". EmmyTVLegends.org. January 20, 2011 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ "Diahann Carroll Interview: First Day on Dynasty Set". 1984. Retrieved August 21, 2018 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Iley, Chrissy (November 4, 2008). "'I'm ambitious, dedicated and vain'". The Guardian. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  11. ^ Mazzarella, Sharon R. (February 3, 2014). "Dynasty". In Newcomb, Horace (ed.). Encyclopedia of Television (2nd ed.). Routledge. pp. 771–773. ISBN 978-1-57958-394-1 – via Google Books.
  12. ^ Churcher, Sharon (February 13, 1984). "Fallon Ankling Dynasty". New York. p. 13. Retrieved June 1, 2017 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ Keck, William (April 24, 2006). "Forsythe rules his Dynasty". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 7, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  14. ^ "Pamela Sue Martin" (Interview). ABC Chicago. 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  15. ^ Spelling, Aaron; Graham, Jefferson (1996). A Prime-Time Life: An Autobiography. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-312-14268-1.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Episode List: Dynasty (1983–1985)". TV Tango. p. 2. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  17. ^ "TV Listings". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. October 12, 1983.
  18. ^ "TV Listings". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. December 14, 1983.
  19. ^ "TV Listings". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. January 25, 1984.
  20. ^ "TV Listings". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. February 8, 1984.
  21. ^ "TV Listings". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. February 15, 1984.
  22. ^ "TV Listings". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. April 18, 1984.

External links[]

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