Oh how the rich can get into mischief. This DVD set is smack dab in the middle of Dynasty’s successful nine season run. The mud slinging, both literal and figurative, was at its height in this fourth season, and no $200 haircut or $1000 outfit was left unruffled by the various scandals and plots set into the web of these wealthy Denver residents. In fact, this season was the one and only time this series won a Golden Globe for best TV Drama.
Both my age and lack of interest from the time I was between the ages of 1 to 5, when this show originally aired, betrays any memories I may have of this program. Approaching it these days I can clearly see how it was clearly derivative of Dallas, its CBS rival (Dynasty having aired on ABC). If these wealthy folk are not in each other’s faces they’re in each other’s beds.
Each episode is jam packed with enormous stories, as any good soap opera should, be it daytime or primetime. The final episode alone contains the end of the family business, a wedding, a death, arrests, and “Holy Cliffhangers Batman!” there are mysterious family members popping up, murder charges, and tons of other unanswered questions lingering for Season Five. So, be you a long time fan looking to reconnect or a curious newcomer, you will be eager for the next batch of stories to pull up in a Stretch Limo and tantalise you with their noses held quite high.
Video
Present in the 4:3 Fullscreen it was originally broadcast in. The picture quality transferred very well onto DVD. Little aging is visible in the film, which is very nice considering it being over 25 years in age.
Audio
Available in English or Spanish Mono. I suspect little could or should be done to bring this series to an enormous 5.1 Surround presentation. For what this soundtrack lacks in range over speakers, it certainly holds its own in clarity. Like the video, the Audio is well maintained from its original broadcast format. I’m sure fans will be more than satisfied seeing and hearing this show as it would have appeared in ’84.
Subtitles available in English and Spanish.
Special Features
None. Just the show itself.
Final Thoughts
With stories as big as the ladies hair in this program, it is easy to see how one can be sucked into this world of luxury cars, diamond encrusted everything, a teenage Heather Locklear and men whose hair looks freshly cut after “working out” in their private gym. The Devil may wear Prada, but something all the more conniving is wearing items from the “Dynasty collection” (and actual fashion line from the 80s, based on the show).
