Dynasty
A dynasty
is a succession of persons belonging to the same family, who, through
various means and forms maintain power, influence or authority over the
course of generations. Most often the term has been used to refer to a
succession of monarchs or feudal nobles who reign over one or more
territories by hereditary right. However a dynasty may also be thought
of as a series of related individuals who exercise power or dominance
unofficially over a territory or people, or achieve prominence in an
industry, academic field, religion, cultural activity, or other sphere
of endeavor.
Dynasty the American prime time television soap opera that aired on
ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989, defines the definition of
dynasty definition it’s a well scripted TV series now available on DVD.
Though at first coming nowhere near the ratings of Dallas, the
second season arrival of Joan Collins as Blake's scheming first wife
Alexis heralded Dynasty's rise into the Top 20 and in 1985 the
series hit #1. Dynasty was nominated for a Golden Globe Award
for Best TV Drama Series every year from 1981 to 1986, winning in
1984. Dynasty spawned a successful line of fashion and luxury
products and even a spin-off serie. After nine seasons, Dynasty
was canceled in 1989.
Over the run of the series, the rivalry between Blake's current and
former wives is a primary driver for the melodrama. Alexis resents
Krystle's supplanting of her position as mistress of the Carrington
household and tries to undermine her at every opportunity, while
Krystle makes increasingly bold efforts to keep Alexis from interfering
in the lives of their mutual loved ones. The pair has numerous verbal
spats accented by slaps across the face, but more than once the
altercations get more physical. "Unfortunately, the thing people
remember about this show is the catfights," noted Collins in 1991.
Dynasty was nominated for a Golden
Globe Award for Best TV Drama Series every year from 1981 to 1986,
winning in 1984. Forsythe and Collins were also nominated for Best
Actor and Best Actress every year from 1981 to 1986, and Evans was
nominated for Best Actress every year from 1981 to 1985. Evans won in
1982 (tying with Barbara Bel Geddes of rival series Dallas),
Forsythe won in 1983 and 1984, and Collins won in 1983.
