Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
‘Dynasty’ update gets franker, more diverse
Supergirl, the Flash and Arrow are gaining new neighbors as The CW rolls out fresh programming this week. The newcomers don’t have superpowers, unless you consider cover-model looks superheroic.
The U.S. Army helicopter pilots of “Valor,” a drama debuting Monday, are deeply conflicted. The Carringtons of an updated “Dynasty,” premiering Wednesday, bicker and connive while relying on fabulous wealth and sexual intrigue.
The new “Dynasty” may fascinate fans of the old serial, which ran 1981-89 on ABC. John Forsythe played oil tycoon Blake Carrington, Joan Collins was wicked former wife Alexis and Linda Evans was noble Krystle, the new wife.
The update brings diversity to the casting, topical issues (renewable energy!) to the family business and a franker approach to portraying sex. The chauffeur isn’t just for driving anymore.
The Carrington family, based in Denver the first time, works out of Atlanta. Dashing Blake (Grant Show of “Melrose Place”) is a manipulative father, moving chatty Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) and rebel Steven (James Mackay) around like chess pieces. Fallon expects a promotion while Steven is estranged from his father.
Steven is gay, as he was in the original, and a caustic observer. Of his father, Steven says, “He stopped bragging about his girlfriends once he realized it wouldn’t make me any straighter.”
Dad’s girlfriend, Cristal Flores (Nathalie Kelley), has a complicated, murky backstory. Alexis is just spoken of in the premiere, which still delivers a catfight. The original is remembered for the Alexis-Krystle bouts.
The Carringtons have the money, but butler Joseph (Alan Dale) has the most promise. He’s a sarcastic wit about the foolish affluent.
“Valor” is a military drama that relies on sex, lies and flashbacks. Warrant Officer Nora Madani (Christina Ochoa) and Capt. Leland Gallo (Matt Barr) survived a mission in Somalia.
In this conspiracy thriller, they have to turn investigators to understand what went wrong and help save comrades. Madani must contend with injury, doubt and sexism. Madani and Gallo also must cope with a powerful attraction — always a temptation for the extraordinarily good-looking.