Dynasty: Season One

ABC’s 1980s primetime soap has been resuscitated by the CW (just as its inspiration—CBS’s Dallas—was briefly by TNT). The reimagining of the saga of the ultra-rich Carrington family has led to changes. The locale is no longer Denver but Atlanta; some originally Caucasian characters have become African American or Hispanic; and the homosexuality of one important figure is treated less circumspectly. But in many other ways, the new series follows the template of the old. The remarriage of business mogul Blake Carrington (Grant Show) to young, beautiful Cristal (Nathalie Kelley) causes a rupture with his ambitious daughter Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies), who schemes with Blake’s rival Jeff Colby (Sam Adegoke) to secure power for herself. The narrative moves much more quickly than in the old series, with many characters to keep track of, including Blake’s calculating ex-wife Alexis—introduced in the second season of the ‘80s Dynasty in the person of Joan Collins—who shows up here at mid-season, played by Nicollette Sheridan. The furious pace of betrayals, killings, hostage-takings, impostures, and shocking revelations, is more in line with contemporary expectations, with a number of catfights thrown in for good measure. Presenting all 22 episodes of the 2017-18 debut season, extras include deleted scenes and a gag reel. An over-the-top guilty pleasure, this is a strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)