Dynasty is back, and it knows exactly what it wants to be: a glossy, over-the-top soap opera that trades in betrayal, revenge, and enough fashion to fill a magazine spread. The CW reboot, which premiered in 2017, takes the original Dynasty premise—a wealthy oil family locked in a cycle of lies—and pushes it into the realm of high drama. The result is a show that rewards patience and punishes anyone who isn’t invested in the Carrington family’s tangled web of relationships.
Trailer, via Netflix Malaysia.
The Carrington Family
At the center of it all is Blake Carrington, played with icy precision by James Remar. He’s the patriarch of the family, a man who built his fortune on oil and now runs a global business empire. His wife, Fallon, is played by Elizabeth Gillies, and she brings a sharp edge to her role as the spoiled youngest daughter who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
The show also introduces a new generation of Carringtons, led by Steven, played by Sam Adegoke. He’s the son of Blake’s second wife, Cristal, played by Daphne Joy, and he carries the weight of being the outsider in a family that doesn’t trust him. The chemistry between these characters drives the show’s central conflicts.
Fashion and Style
If there’s one thing Dynasty gets right, it’s the clothes. The costumes are extravagant, from Cristal’s shimmering gowns to Fallon’s sleek power suits. The show uses fashion as a weapon, dressing its characters in outfits that say as much about their intentions as their dialogue does.
The music is equally strong. The show leans on pop hits and dramatic scores to punctuate key moments, turning scenes of betrayal into operatic set pieces. It’s a deliberate choice, and it works.
The Soap Opera Formula
Dynasty follows a familiar pattern: someone is betrayed, someone is seduced, and someone is left holding the bag. The show is at its best when it commits fully to its excess, letting the drama run wild without worrying about subtlety.
There are moments where the plot strains under its own weight. Some twists feel telegraphed, and the show occasionally relies on coincidence to move the story forward. But the cast sells it. The actors play these larger-than-life characters with genuine commitment, and that energy carries the show through its weaker stretches.
A Look at Two Episodes
| Episode | Tone | Standout Scene |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1, Episode 1 | Introducing the family | Blake and Cristal’s first meeting |
| Betrayal | Climactic | Fallon’s final reveal |
Verdict
The show’s strengths are its weakest points. The melodrama can be exhausting, and some viewers might find themselves tuning out during extended scenes of scheming. But for those who can handle the excess, Dynasty delivers.
Score: 8.1 of 10.
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