The WORST episodes of Dynasty

Every episode of Dynasty ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Dynasty!

The saga of a wealthy Denver family in the oil business: Blake Carrington, the patriarch; Krystle, his former secretary and wife; his children: Adam, lost in childhood after a kidnapping; Fallon, pampered and spoiled; Steven, openly gay; and Amanda, hidden from him by his ex-wife, the conniving Alexis. Most of the show features the conflict between 2 large corporations, Blake's Denver Carrington and Alexis' ColbyCo.

Last Updated: 3/28/2024Network: ABC (US)Status: Ended
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The Setup
star
6.75
32 votes

#1 - The Setup

Season 8 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/2/1987

Prodded on by Alexis' incessant questioning, Dana reluctantly explains the reason for her infertility was due to a botched abortion many years before. Suspecting Dana is manipulating Adam to selfishly benefit her own future, Alexis schemes to prevent Dana from legally becoming the mother of Adam's surrogate child. Seeking to undermine Steven's position of power at Denver-Carrington, Adam anonymously informs the press of Skip Maitland's arrest for dealing drugs to players on Steven's football team. This sets off a scandal linked to Blake's campaign. Returning from New York guilt stricken by his weekend affair with Leslie, Jeff hopes to work out his problems with Fallon. But when Fallon walks in on Leslie and Jeff innocently finishing business matters, she is convinced their marriage is over. Concerned by his poor playing performance, Steven requests Josh Harris have a physical. Fearing his drug use will be detected Josh quits the team. After Alexis informs Sean of Dana's ill-fated abort

Directors: Harry Falk
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Dex
star
6.75
12 votes

#2 - Dex

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/23/1983

Jeff storms into Alexis' office and accuses her of attempting to poison him. Her claims of innocence fall on deaf ears as Jeff forces her to sign back his Colbyco stock. After an intruder attempts to enter Alexis' apartment, Mark takes a job as her bodyguard. Adam's doctor in Montana explains to Alexis that the drugs Adam used in his youth can distort judgment. Alexis informs the board members that the sudden merger cancellation was based on her assessment of Denver-Carrington's lack of creative growth. Farnsworth ""Dex"" Dexter, the sharp-minded son of an important board member, surprises Alexis with a passionate kiss and suggests they form a business partnership.

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The Surrogate (1)
star
6.79
34 votes

#3 - The Surrogate (1)

Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/28/1987

Intrigued by Sean's mysterious interludes during the day, Alexis hires a private investigator, Mr. Hess, to follow her enigmatic lover. But when he catches Hess spying on him, Sean returns to Alexis, informing her of his decision to leave Denver. Pleading with him to stay, Alexis offers him a job. Tortured by a secret from her past explaining her inability to bear children, Dana struggles about whether to tell Adam, and risk losing his love. Jeff accepts Blake's request to be his campaign manager, after learning Fallon has sent for L.B. Detained at Blake's fundraiser, Jeff cancels his and Fallon's reconciliation dinner further weakening their fragile marriage. Alexis commits Colbyco to fight Blake's proposal of saving valuable timberland as a national park, depriving her of a resource for her newspaper. Accepting Alexis' job offer, Sean asserts Adam's involvement is a conflict of interest, persuading her to let him take over control of the matter. Steven asks Blake to sell him the Denv

Directors: Don Medford
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The Party
star
6.82
66 votes

#4 - The Party

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/24/1982

Blake announces that his sight is back. Alexis sleeps with Cecil. Fallon and Nick are friends again and wants to be together as soon as the baby is born. Steven and Sammy Jo decides to leave the mansion. Fallon and Alexis throws a party for them. Sammy Jo gets drunk and embarrasses the Carringtons. Claudia and Jeff seems to be getting good along. Everything about Cecil being Fallon's father is out in the open between Alexis and Fallon. In the end, Alexis and Fallon has an accident with their car and Fallon is left unconscious.

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The Threat
star
6.83
41 votes

#5 - The Threat

Season 3 - Episode 23 - Aired 4/13/1983

A scandalous newspaper headline implicates Congressman McVane with a young girl in Washington; he realizes Alexis orchestrated his downfall. Kirby finds she is pregnant; Adam is alarmed to learn that his former physician, Dr. Billings, lS soon due in Denver for a convention. Krystle and Alexis argue over Fallon, and the discussion quickly disintegrates into a brawl: The two fall into the lily pond flailing and punching. Blake approaches and pulls them apart, likening the women to 'common mud wrestlers.' Humiliated, Krystle packs her bags and checks into La Mirage. Alexis demands Joseph drain the pond and retrieve the diamond earring she lost in the scuffle, and threatens to tell Kirby the truth about her mother if he does not cooperate. A ruined McVane appears in Alexis' office after hours and threatens to kill her.

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The Interview
star
6.84
31 votes

#6 - The Interview

Season 8 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/6/1988

Following a night of lovemaking with Leslie, Sean hears a news report on Alexis' bid for governor. Seeing an opportunity to avenge his father's death, Sean returns to Alexis in order to curry favor. Alexis asks Sean to assume control of Colbyco so she can concentrate on the election. At the mountain cabin with Jeff and the kids, Sammy Jo contemplates her failed marriage and her inadequacies as a mother. Jeff comforts Sammy Jo and a new bond forms between them. Karen urges Dana to tell Adam that he was the father of the baby she aborted in high school. Adam is bitter when Dana finally tells him and he accuses her of murdering his child. Adam turns to Karen for solace and confides his worry that the baby she's carrying will come to a bad end. Karen reassures Adam and gives him an innocent kiss which Dana witnesses and misinterprets. Alexis sabotages Blake's televised debate and then shows up to steal his thunder. Krystle fills in for Blake and capably defends him against Alexis' politica

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Romance
star
6.85
34 votes

#7 - Romance

Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/12/1986

Blake and Krystle fly to Caracas in an attempt to free Caress. Their efforts are wasted as a prison official, bribed by Ben, denies that she's there. Alexis' refound romance with Dex drives Ben mad with envy. Dex shocks Alexis with a proposal of marriage, only to have her reject his amorous bid. Blake catches Michael Culhane and Amanda in a passionate embrace. In a fit of rage, he fires his playboy chauffeur, further distancing Amanda from her over-protective father. Dominique's singing talents are pursued by Gary Tilden, a dubious character who works for a recording studio. Having had enough of Ben's conniving, Alexis kicks him out of the mansion and out of Colbyco, but not before he promises revenge. Ben threatens to expose his and Alexis' conspiracy against Blake if he isn't put back in her good favor. Nick Kimball romantically pursues Dominique, who shows little outward affection in return. Fallon returns to Denver to warn Amanda of Michael Culhane's deceptiveness. Dex jumps after

Directors: Nancy Malone
Writer: Mart Crowley
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The Aftermath
star
6.86
7 votes

#8 - The Aftermath

Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/25/1985

Those surviving the carnage of the bloody wedding massacre are separated and held at the palace in Moldavia to await an uncertain fate. The revolutionaries, Yuri and Warnick, have seized power and announce that King Galen is dead. Krystle, however, imprisoned in a dank dungeon along with Alexis, has seen him alive. The women are told they will not be released without meeting the terrorists' demands. In New York City, Sammy Jo reveals her plan: Rita is to impersonate Krystle in order to have her aunt removed as executrix of her father's will. While reading the newspaper, Fallon, suffering from amnesia, spots a picture of Miles Colby and is unsure why she is drawn to the name.

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The Test
star
6.86
35 votes

#9 - The Test

Season 7 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/11/1987

Alexis is reluctant to pursue a billion dollar venture put forth by a confident Michael Culhane. Suffering from congestive heart failure, Krystina lapses into unconsciousness, until doctors are able to regain her vital signs. Krystle and Blake helplessly stand by. Dana fears something may come between her and Adam, preventing their plans of marriage. Upon hearing the news of Krystina, Alexis rushes to the hospital to see Blake. Krystle reacts bitterly to her presence, requesting Alexis to leave and stay away from her family. Despite a brave front, Alexis is badly hurt. For Danny's sake, Steven and Sammy Jo agree to assume the appearance of a normal marriage, sharing the same roof, but not the same bed. Following the incident with Krystle, Alexis flies to Los Angeles to be with Jeff and Fallon, and their new baby. Coming as a complete surprise to Alexis, Michael Culhane follows her, professing concern for her. The result of Krystina's heart biopsy reveals a serious heart ailment. Krystl

Directors: Nancy Malone
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Shadow Play
star
6.88
32 votes

#10 - Shadow Play

Season 7 - Episode 28 - Aired 5/6/1987

Krystle is haunted by an eerie sense of foreboding following the appearance of mysterious shadows beneath her window. A blood test to determine the identity of Clay's real father proves inconclusive, causing Clay and Ben's decision to leave Denver. Steven's decision to leave Denver results in further pain and confusion for those that love him the most. Adam is awed and overjoyed by Blake and Alexis' demonstration of love by officially adopting him. Swept away by the romance and splendor of Adam and Dana's wedding, Dominique accepts Nick's proposal of marriage. Struggling with her loneliness following the wedding, Alexis flees in a state of emotional duress. Her car plunges off a bridge and falls into the river. The joyous atmosphere of the wedding is shattered as mysterious men besiege the mansion and round up the Carrington family. Krystle's ominous suspicions are confirmed when she recognizes one of the men as Matthew Blaisdel, who has returned for her

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The Warning
star
6.88
34 votes

#11 - The Warning

Season 6 - Episode 27 - Aired 4/9/1986

Determined to find the identity of the mystery woman Ben was in bed with the night of his mother's death, Caress begins to solve the mystery. When she witnesses a secret rendezvous between Emily and Ben, her suspicions are proven. In a desperate attempt to raise the money for the leveraged buy-out of Colby Co, Blake temporarily relinquishes control of Krystle Holdings to Bob Ashrnore in exchange for a 100 million dollar loan. The demise of Blake's empire continues when Bob Ashrnore places a congratulatory call to Ben, celebrating their successful coup over the unsuspecting Blake. As Ben's plot to ruin his brother unfolds, Alexis prepares to present the Chinese government with falsified records showing Blake to be cheating them of royalties from the China Sea leases. Claudia threatens to reveal Adam's power of attorney over Denver-Carrington unless the title to the oil well stolen from her is returned.

Writer: Diana Gould
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Tankers, Cadavers to Chance
star
6.89
35 votes

#12 - Tankers, Cadavers to Chance

Season 9 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/8/1989

Jeff pulls Sammy Jo from the burning barn, and Gibson is taken into custody. Sammy Jo recognizes Gibson as the man Krystle saw in her nightmares. Blake worries that Gibson is involved in trying to uncover his family secret. Dex gives Virginia a letter explaining his side of the story. She tears it up but later pieces it back together and gets teary as she reads it. Blake gives Dex an audio tape and documents relating to their secret for safe keeping. Loathing the thought of Sable winning over Dex, Alexis reignites his passion. Alexis fears the work she did to secure her ships in Natumbe may have run afoul. Adam snoops through Virginia's room and discovers the letter from Dex. Adam seduces Virginia and wins her trust. Gibson threatens Sable to get him out of jail. Zorelli storms into the Carrington mansion, accusing Blake of having him pulled off the Grimes case. Denying it, Blake has him thrown out. Torn between her father and her lover, Fallon leaves with Zorelli. Sable terrorizes Ale

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The Mission
star
6.89
9 votes

#13 - The Mission

Season 7 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/19/1986

Blake and Dex go over plans to break Caress out of prison and return her to Denver. This would present Blake with a weapon to use against his brother's treachery. Despite Ben's pleas to regain her trust, Alexis is keen to his selfish motives and plays Ben's deceptions to her own advantage. Sammy Jo is pregnant with Clay's baby and hopes to start a family. She warns Steven that if she bought a farm on which to raise a family, and with Clay as a husband, no court would deny her custody of Danny. Dana confesses her love to Adam. He feigns affection in return and acquire her promise to help him obtain information from Blake's secret files. Alexis learns of Blake's bold venture and immediately sets out to discredit his efforts. She publishes a headline proclaiming ""The Crater"" project as a risky speculation, causing Blake to lose vital investors. Dex and Clay Fallmont blast Caress out of her prison cell and return her to Denver. The D.A. refuses to prosecute Ben without proof he kidnapped C

Directors: Don Medford
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The Affair
star
6.90
31 votes

#14 - The Affair

Season 7 - Episode 27 - Aired 4/29/1987

Blake is stunned by Buck Fallmont's claim that Clay may be Ben's son. Concerned for Clay and Leslie's well being, Blake tells Clay the shocking news. Hoping to reunite her mother and father, Jackie asks Nick to stay away from Dominique. When her efforts fail, Jackie makes plans to return to her father. Krystle attempts to bring Sarah to face the reality of her baby's death by bringing her to the gravesite. The realization proves painful for both Sarah and Krystle, as Sarah is finally able to accept the tragic loss of her baby. Fearing that Ben may be his father, Clay confides in Leslie the possibility that they may be brother and sister. Leslie responds with rage towards Ben for not telling her sooner. Gavin Maurier treats Alexis to an unusual date on the back of a motorcycle, which leaves Alexis intrigued by the mysterious and younger Maurier. Krystle is angered to find a workman lingering after the completion of alterations for Adam and Dana's wedding. As surprisingly as the man appe

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The Rifle
star
6.91
32 votes

#15 - The Rifle

Season 8 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/20/1988

Sean prepares to leave for Natumbe to finalize his deal with Harry Thrasher. Leslie convinces Sean to let her join him on the trip. Alexis tries to persuade Gerald Wilson, Cecil's personal lawyer, to work for Colbyco. Instead of helping Alexis, Gerald gives Krystle a copy of Cecil's original will. Krystle learns the will was changed soon after Cecil and Alexis were married. Krystle thinks she finally has solid evidence against Alexis. Steven is outvoted and reluctantly authorizes the Vitron oil deal. Sean's vendetta against Alexis and the Carringtons is put into effect. Alexis has second thoughts about running for governor when a reporter hints at a scandal behind her marriage to Cecil. Realizing that Alexis running for governor is crucial to his revenge scheme, Sean tries to convince her to remain in the race. As she prepares to debate against Blake, Alexis questions whether or not she should run. In the rafters, a rifleman trains a gun below. Blake begins the debate unaware that a ri

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The Sublet
star
6.91
32 votes

#16 - The Sublet

Season 7 - Episode 25 - Aired 4/8/1987

Blake and Krystle wait helplessly as an all-points-bulletin is put out for Sarah and Krystina. Adam betrays Alexis' trust by tipping Neal McVane off to her and Dirk Maurier's stock buyout of Trouvitle Industries. Hiding out in a leased apartment, Sarah convinces herself Krystina is her little girl. Krystina, missing her family and home, refuses to take her heart medicine, resulting in a dangerous risk of rejecting her new heart. Having reaped the benefits of three very successful oil wells, Nick Kimball jets Dominique off to San Francisco for dinner, and caps the evening off with a proposal of marriage. In a drunken haze, Adam wanders the streets looking for the abuse he feels he deserves. Krystle finds an address circled in the newspaper. At the apartment, Krystle persuades Sarah to open the door, reuniting mother and daughter.

Directors: Don Medford
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The Bracelet
star
6.93
58 votes

#17 - The Bracelet

Season 8 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/27/1988

As Blake rushes to Alexis' side, it is revealed Sean is the gunman who squeezed off the bullet. Recovering from her wounds, Alexis tells Blake she has decided to withdraw from the election. But when she becomes aware of her sudden rise in popularity, she reconsiders. Determined to unleash his frustrated sexual energy on Leslie, Sean drags her into Alexis' bedroom. Struggling against him, Leslie's bracelet falls off and rolls unseen under the bed. Unaware that Alexis has reconsidered against dropping out of the election, Sean panics. Deciding to speed his plan up, he flies to Natumbe. Thinking Sean is skimming profits off the top of the Vitron oil deal, Leslie follows him, demanding a piece of the action. Karen's husband, Jesse, shows up and tells her he never signed the final divorce papers, making them still legally married. After Jeff bails Sammy Jo out of her financial debts, Steven offers him a warning to stay away from his ex-wife. Saving Sammy Jo from an attempted rape, Jeff stay

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The Dismissal
star
6.93
30 votes

#18 - The Dismissal

Season 6 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/19/1986

Blake becomes obsessed with apprehending Joel and Rita. A remorseful Sammy Jo offers Krystle a prize horse in restitution and promises a hesitant Morgan Hess a small fortune for the capture of the co-conspirators. Galen is exiled to Lisbon, and a hopeful Michael returns to Amanda, only to learn that she loves Dex. Alexis completely breaks relations with Dex, driving him back to Amanda. Blake tries to separate his daughter and Dex by tempting Amanda with a trip to Hawaii. Adam schemes to win political support by publicizing Bart Fallmont's sexual preferences. Steven protests and joins Bart for a drink. Posing as a journalist, Caress interviews Adam, and then makes a surprise visit to her sister as the final chapter of the Alexis Carrington-Dexter story nears completion. Alexis dreams she and Blake are together again. When her attempts to make that a reality fail, she vows to destroy Blake's power hold in Denver-Carrington.

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The Garage
star
6.94
32 votes

#19 - The Garage

Season 7 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/11/1987

The Carrington family gathers to offer Krystina a joyous welcoming on her arrival home. Dirk Maurier, an arrogant California real estate baron, sets his sights on one of Denver's most prestigious assets, Alexis Colby. As Sarah Curtis' grief deepens, Blake and Krystle are unsuccessful in contacting her to express their concern. Convinced that he is truly not a Carrington, Adam is forced to choke back the irony, as Blake forgives him for all his malicious past deeds and welcomes him back as his son and heir. Krystle flies to Wyoming and discovers Sarah, unconscious in a garage full of exhaust, apparently having attempted suicide. To make amends for their rocky start, Leslie and Clay have a night on the town. Neil McVane demands an invite to Alexis' party and makes an unwelcome impression.. Upon Krystle's insistence, Sarah moves in to the Carrington mansion. Her presence near Krystina affects Blake with a looming uneasiness.

Directors: Don Medford
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Here Comes the Son
star
6.94
34 votes

#20 - Here Comes the Son

Season 9 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/26/1989

Another skeleton is discovered buried in the tunnel beneath the mansion. Blake is convinced that whoever else is looking for the treasure also killed Elsworth. He gives Dex and Jeff one week to meet with Roger Grimes' widow, Emily, before he reveals their tangled secret to the police. To prove his loyalty to Fallon, Zorelli quits the police department. Tanner and Sammy Jo have an unspoken desire to be together. Sable learns she is pregnant, but is unable to tell Dex he is the father. Fallon decides to move into an abandoned cottage on Blake's property. Adam retouches the photograph he had taken of Jeff and Monica to appear as if their relationship may be incestuous. He then submits it to a sleazy tabloid for publication. Outraged, Jeff storms into the tabloid's office and begins attacking the reporter. A photographer captures the assault on film. Fallon recognizes a lullaby she hears Krystina sing. Setting up house in her cottage, she is haunted by the lullaby. Afraid her mind is playi

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The Siege (1)
star
6.94
35 votes

#21 - The Siege (1)

Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/23/1987

Still held captive by the deranged Matthew Blaisdel, Blake and his family wait helplessly as Blaisdel's obsession for Krystle grows dangerously stronger. Witnessing Alexis' car plunge into the river, a handsome and mysterious stranger rescues her from the rushing current. Unaware of the tragedies that face their family, Adam and Dana are on their private jet, en route to their honeymoon paradise. Alone in her bedroom, Blaisdel takes Krystle and reminds her of their past love .for each other, promising things will be that way once again. Fallon's car is found abandoned in the desert. Receiving word of his wife's disappearance, Jeff rushes to the scene. Searching several miles from the car, Jeff finds her unconscious by the side of the road. Allowed to leave the mansion to secure a fortune in cash for Blaisdel's trip back to Peru, Blake overpowers his guard and goes for help. Determined to thank her mysterious rescuer, Alexis finds the man she feels indebted to, but is dismayed by his ca

Directors: Don Medford
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The Scandal
star
6.97
33 votes

#22 - The Scandal

Season 8 - Episode 19 - Aired 3/2/1988

Certain Sean is intent on exacting revenge for his father's death, Alexis warns Blake that their family may be at risk. Taking Dex with him, Blake leaves for Natumbe to uncover Sean's mysterious dealings with the Vitron oil deal. After waking up from a passion fIlled night with Jeff, Sammy Jo begins to fear her affair with him will harm her and Fallon's friendship. Uncertain of her future with Jeff, and not wanting to get hurt, Sammy Jo asks him to keep their romance a secret until they know for certain what they are feeling is permanent. Returning to Denver to capitalize on Alexis' bid for political office, Neal McVane is paid an unexpected visit from Adam. Forcing McVane to name his source on the Carrington kidnapping, Adam finds him and questions him on what he knows. To his great satisfaction, Adam learns that he truly was the Carrington baby that was kidnapped. His elation is short lived, however, when he is served papers for Karen's custody suit to keep the baby. Blake and Dex di

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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She's Back
star
6.97
36 votes

#23 - She's Back

Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/30/1988

Finding Krystle and her sister, Virginia, talking, Blake is pleased to see Krystle well, but remains distressed when she has no recollection of how she got to Dayton. Fearing she will react badly to the news that she may be involved with a murder, Blake keeps the truth from her when they return to Denver. Adam persuades Steven's secretary, Claire Tennyson, to work for him, hoping she will reveal some of Steven's secrets. Claire eagerly accepts, having her own devious reasons for doing so. With Alexis in Natumbe with Hamilton Stone, Sable pours her seductive charms on Dex, who is only amused by her passes. Krystle is overcome by a painful migraine, as the reason for her attacks continues to frustrate her. Finding out from Sgt. Zorelli that she is a suspect in a murder, Kryslte accuses Blake of lying to her. Needing to know what happened at the lake, Krystle goes to Sammy Jo, demanding to be told the truth. Finding out about the body in the lake, she convinces Blake to take her to the mo

Directors: Nancy Malone
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The Dinner Party
star
6.97
76 votes

#24 - The Dinner Party

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/26/1981

Blake apologizes to Walter and Matthew about their fight at the wedding and asks Matthew to come back to his old job. He also invites them to a dinner party at the mansion. During the dinner, many things happen; Steven and Claudia meet and get along really well, Matthew has a long talk with Krystle and tells her that he's still in love with her, and Cecil and Fallon start realizing their plans. Cecil offers to help Blake and Fallon starts hitting on Jeff.

Directors: Don Medford
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The Vigil
star
7.00
32 votes

#25 - The Vigil

Season 6 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/22/1986

After falling down the stairs, Blake is rushed to the hospital. Adam realizes that he has been written out of his father's will and desperately tries to convince a delirious and barely conscious Blake to sign a new document. Blake is able to flash back to the fatal moment of his illness and realizes that Rita is not Krystle. Galen continues his deceptive charade as he requests two million dollars from an unsuspecting Alexis and Dex is incensed. Elena's father is betrayed by Yuri and thrown into a Moldavian prison. Amanda catches Elena and Michael in a consoling embrace and explodes with jealousy. Rita panics when Blake demands to know who she really is. She flees to Joel, but finds Krystle instead. A vicious struggle ensues and unexpectedly, Sammy Jo appears and helps Krystle overpower Rita. Krystle and Sammy Jo race to escape but are abruptly cut off by Joel.

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