Ralph Senensky

Following the Moldavian and doppelganger shenanigans in 1985, "Dynasty" improved creatively in the spring of 1986. Albeit, in the fall of the same year, once #1 prime time soap, "Dynasty" sank to new creative and ratings lows as it launched a hideous 7th season. This comparative look at the 1986 remake of a 1981 scene from the pilot, with Emma Samms replacing Pamela Sue Martin, illustrates well what kind of a mess "Dynasty" morphed into by late 1986. Aside from the wrong accent and hair, the remade scene shows Fallon as more vulnerable and out of control. The cheesy flashback music and the overall execution don't help. The chauffeur character, who was dropped at the end of season 1, returned as a self-made millionaire to, what else, carry out revenge against his former boss, Fallon's father Blake. As many other storylines on "Dynasty," the twist went nowhere, as the chauffeur set his sights on Blake's other daughter Amanda, who was also recast, but failed to click with the audience. The remake is taken from the 7th season premiere episode "The Victory" (aired September 24, 1986), directed by Don Medford. The original scene is taken from the "Dynasty" pilot (aired January 12, 1981), directed by Ralph Senensky.