Dynasty - Season 7, Episode 21

"This may not have been one of Krystle's better ideas."

"The Garage"
Original airdate: 3/11/1987

Episode summary: Krystle rescues Sarah Curtis from her suicide attempt and invites her to temporarily live at Carrington manor. Alexis is weirded out when she's confronted by Neil McVane at a cocktail party. Adam continues to be distressed by the possibility of not being a biological Carrington.

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Recap: Kristina has fully recovered from heart surgery and is officially being released from the hospital. When she and her parents exit the hospital, the local paparazzi, who I guess had nothing more interesting to cover that day, rush over and ask the tot if she's happy about going home. They ask Krystle if she ever lost hope about her daughter's chances of survival, and Krystle's like, "Nope, I never lost hope", then climbs into the waiting limo with Kristina. The paps then interview Dr. Holland, who discloses that Kristina is doing very well, with no signs of organ rejection thus far. The camera then pans over to Blake, who gushes about the excellent care his daughter has received while at the hospital, and that her renewed young life is just beginning. Sarah Curtis, meanwhile, is tearfully watching the TV broadcast from her living room in Wyoming.

The Carrington manor servants stand at attention as they welcome Kristina home, and Danny shyly tells her she can play with some of his toys if she wants. Aww! Nurse Johnson, the uptight medical professional who's been hired to monitor Kristina's at home recovery, announces that the tot needs to go upstairs asap so she can rest, and Blake and Krystle concur and proceed to whisk their daughter upstairs and into bed. 

Over in Wyoming, Dex drops by the Curtis ranch and finds a despondent looking Sarah in the backyard, sitting beside her daughter's sandbox. She assures Dex she's OK, and that she's mostly keeping herself busy running the ranch. He suggests she take a break from that and go to lunch with him, but she declines and says she has way too much paperwork to do...and Dex backs off and tells her to please call him if she needs anything.

Gerard tells Nurse Johnson that he and his fellow servants have planned a little welcome home party for Kristina in the kitchen once she wakes up from her nap, and adds that Mrs. Gunnerson baked her favorite cookies. Nurse Johnson haughtily retorts that the tot needs to do without the cookies, and warns that she intends to stop by the kitchen later to snootily instruct the staff to lay off the cookie baking and instead come up with a more sensible diet for her young patient.

Steven informs Blake that he and Danny moved in with Sammy Jo at the Delta Rho, hastily clarifying that they're co-habitating as parents, not ex-spouses or lovers. Blake breezily tells him he doesn't have to explain his life choices - despite his history of being insufferably judgemental to the point of manslaughtering Ted Dinard when he caught him hanging around the mansion - and says, "What you do in your life, that's your own business, son." ... and Steven somehow refrains from pointing out that that's a total contradiction to the blatantly homophobic attitude he's been demonstrating towards him for the last six seasons.

Over at ColbyCo, Dirk Maurier coos to Alexis about how much he's been enjoying getting to know Denver for the past week, and has really enjoyed getting to know her better too. He not-so-subtly hints that he's interested in initiating a buyout of ColbyCo, and she responds by staring contemplatively into space and musing about how winning isn't enough for her anymore 'cause these days she's more interested in striking a better work-life balance. Dirk smarmily argues, "Making money is like making love. It's not the result that's important, but how you get there: the challenge, the victory." He then pulls a tulip from the centrepiece atop her table and hands it to her, prompting her to sniff the petals and stare back at him in mute contemplation. 

Neil McVane drops by Adam's suite at the Carlton Hotel, refers to him again as Michael, and says that the insider trading info he slipped to him days ago has netted him close to a million dollars. Adam's like, "Good! You should be satisfied with that and leave town", but Neil chucklingly says, to the contrary, he's just arrived. He orders Adam to score him an invitation to Dirk Maurier's upcoming A-list cocktail party...and when Adam argues that he definitely wouldn't fit in with the kind of rich, powerful men who will be in attendance, Neil barks at him to get him that invitation - unless he wants to go back to being Michael Torrence. He then exits the suite, leaving a tearful Adam staring despondently into space before he pours himself a drink and stares even more despondently into space. 

"Why do you continue to torment me?"

"Mostly to satisfy my personal amusement."

Blake and Krystle look in on Kristina after she's been put to bed and remark on how happy they are that she's finally home. After they exit the room, Blake asks her if anything else is troubling her, so she tells him she's been thinking a lot about Sarah and how indebted they are to her...and that she hasn't been able to reach her lately and is gravely concerned about how she's doing.

 While that's happening, Sarah is packing up her daughter's clothing and ignoring the ringing phone (as Krystle again tries, in vain, to contact her) ... then picks up a framed photo of Cathy and stares at it tearfully. Krystle, meanwhile, hangs up the phone after Sarah refuses to answer and tells Blake she's growing concerned about her wellbeing.

 The next morning, Krystle summons Dex to drop by the mansion for breakfast so that she can further express her general concern about Sarah. Dex tells her he saw Sarah yesterday and that she seemed to be OK - but Krystle says she has a nagging feeling that something is very wrong, not least 'cause she can't seem to ever reach her by phone. She tells Blake she'd like to jet to Wyoming and personally check on Sarah...and when Blake argues that it may not be the best idea 'cause she could be a triggering reminder of all Sarah has lost, Krystle stubbornly insists on going so she can see for herself whether or not anything bad has happened. 

 Adam phones Dirk Maurier and leaves him a message to please add disgraced ex-Congressman Neil McVane to the guest list for his upcoming cocktail party. A few seconds later, Dr. Edwards drops by ColbyCo to see how Adam is doing...and Adam pretends to the doctor that he's doing fabulously, but is very very busy and can't talk long. A puzzled Dr. Edwards asks him if the Carringtons are fine with him (possibly) not being biologically related to them...and when Adam doesn't answer, he correctly guesses he didn't tell anyone about McVane's claim that he's really Michael Torrence. Adam insists that as far as Blake and Alexis are concerned, he's their son...and Dr. Edwards remarks on what a strain it must be to live this lie - but Adam insists that he's just fine, and that - in his mind - Michael Torrence doesn't even exist anymore. A few seconds later, Dana bursts into the room, recognizes Dr. Edwards from when she used to live in Billings, and invites him to join her and Adam for lunch. Adam's all, "Ack!" at that prospect and tells Dana that the good doctor has to rush off...and Dr. Edwards takes the hint and agrees that, yep, he's too busy to dine with them and needs to get going. Once he's out of hearing range, Dana chides Adam for his rudeness just now, so Adam explains that he simply wanted to have her to himself for lunch and then gives her a reassuring canoodle.

​Clay and Leslie arrive by jeep to some green space near their worksite, and both stomp around with their lunches, looking cartoonishly furious with one another. Leslie accuses Clay of acting like a chauvinist, while Clay accuses Leslie of being condescending to the male fieldworkers who have been on the job for many years. The two bicker back and forth...blah blah...until they suddenly start chuckling at their idiocy, and 1) Clay admits to overreacting 'cause of "false pride" issues, while 2) Leslie concedes that she may have come on a little strong. Clay suggests that they iron out their work issues over dinner tonight, and Leslie accepts.

 Blake summons Adam to his office to ask him if anything's bothering him, then explains that Dana blabbed to him that he's stressed out over something he refuses to talk about. Adam breezily replies that Dana is overreacting, most likely 'cause of the pressure of being engaged [to a psychopath] ... and Blake seems satisfied enough with that explanation, then says he has some good news: he (Blake) has put him (Adam) back into the will now that he's no longer mad at him. Adam reacts by staring spacily into the distance for a few seconds, says that this decision means a lot to him, and solemnly vows to never ever let him down again. 

 Krystle arrives at Sarah's house in Wyoming...and when Sarah doesn't answer the door, she wanders around the property and is alarmed when she notices smoke seeping out from under the garage door. She hastily opens the door, sees that Sarah is in the driver's seat of her car, and pulls her out of the garage. When it's pretty clear that Sarah was trying to off herself via carbon monoxide poisoning, a distressed Krystle cries, "Oh dear God!", and then, I'm assuming, calls 911 post-haste.

 Later, at the local hospital, Sarah looks miffed at having survived her suicide attempt and tearfully complains to Krystle that the pain of losing her husband and child never stops, and that she can't help but want to die so she can be with them again. Krystle tut tuts her about suicide not being the answer and tries to comfort her with the nonsensical platitude: "Cathy lives in your love for her." She then invites Sarah to accompany her back to Denver and stay at Carrington manor until she's more emotionally stable, and Sarah stares mutely into space as she considers the ill-fated prospect. 

"I just want to die and reunite with my family."

"I do not accept that end-of-life decision."

Krystle calls Blake to let him know about the invitation she just extended to Sarah, and he says he worries how Sarah might feel when she's regularly confronted with the sight of Kristina - who, unlike her daughter - is alive and well. Krystle insists that Sarah needs their help...and Blake gives in and tells her he'll instruct Gerard to prepare a room for their grieving guest. 

 Adam is boozing in his office when Dana returns to happily ask him why he didn't tell her the happy news: that he was just re-inserted into Blake's will. She says she's thrilled that he's back to being a full-fledged member of the family, to which he snaps, "I'm a Carrington. I've always been a Carrington" and snarks that things are simply back to the way they should be. Dana scrunches her face confusedly and says she merely stopped in to tell him how happy she is...then shoots him a 'what the fuckity fuck's up with you?' expression as she backs up and exits the office, leaving Adam staring into space and continuing to look tortured about his lineage issues.

Later at the Carlton Hotel, Dirk Maurier's A-list cocktail party is in full swing. Dirk congratulates Adam and Dana on their engagement...and when Alexis notices Adam anxiously glancing around the room she asks him who he's looking for, so he curtly tells her he's just interested to see who's in attendance. Alexis notices the arrival of Dex and Dominique and breezily assures Dirk that she's totes OK with having to socialize with her ex-husband. A few seconds later, Dex and Dominique saunter over, and Dominique sassily concurs with Dirk that she mostly came 'cause of a "morbid curiosity" she has about his reputation as businessman who buys out other people's companies. Dirk retorts by gushing about how intrigued he is by her (non-music-related) career, which he's been following for many years. He cites her success with hotels, clubs, and her takeover of a record company, then says, "We seem to have quite a lot in common, don't we?" Alexis wastes no time clarifying to Dominique that that sassy reply was of the "tit for tat" variety, then abruptly walks off with Dirk toddling behind her.

Over at Carrington manor, Ben stops by Leslie's room to invite her for "a date with the old man" - but she has to decline 'cause she has "a date with a young man" (heh) and explains that she and Clay are going out to dinner. Ben winces and says there must be better guys out there than a womanizer like Clay Fallmont, and Leslie reminds him that she's a grown woman who's had boyfriends before, and that she's not conquered very easily. As she continues to primp for her date, Ben stares worriedly into space, no doubt contemplating the ickiness of his daughter unwittingly hitting the sheets with a guy who could be her half-brother...even though Emily was pretty adamant as she lay dying that Clay was definitely Oscar Goldman's bio son. 

"It's possible I may hook up with Clay."

"If only DNA testing were widely available in 1987."

Alexis tells Dex she's surprised to see him at Dirk's party, given that Dirk's business dealings are totally out of his league...then snarls about his choice of escort. Dex says he likes to expand his interests and keep up with whatever's going on in the business world...and as for bringing Dominique to the party, he insists that they're just platonic friends. He then says that the two of them, on the other hand, were many things to each other - lovers, husband/wife - but never friends. He then saunters off, leaving Alexis looking visibly put out by that jarring declaration.

Dirk and Sammy Jo chat about her stable of Arabian horses at Delta Rho...and after she and Steven amble off to mingle elsewhere, Alexis notices Neil McVane's arrival and looks visibly rattled. She wonders aloud who in the hell would invite that creepy murdering pedophile, so Dirk tells her that Adam requested he be included on the guest list and figured 'what could go wrong with a convicted murderer mingling among my high-brow business associates?'.

 Neil smarmily wanks Alexis about how stunning she looks in her frilly pink '80s gown, and she impatiently snaps, "All right" before he saunters off. Alexis then rushes towards where Adam is standing - but before she can reach him, Michael Culhane intercepts her and whines about the bitchy way she and her rich friends are ignoring him. She's like, "Whatever, loser", and shoves past him to get to Adam so she can give him the what for for inviting Neil McVane to the party. Adam tries to weakly deny doing any such thing - but then points out that it's just a party, and that since McVane has paid his debt to society, he deserves another chance. Alexis glares at him in shocked bewilderment as he hastily steers Dana towards the nearest exit.

Neil introduces himself to Michael and welcomes him to "the club", aka someone who was just cast out from the inner circle and now sits on the bleachers. Michael tells him that Alexis's dismissive treatment is none of his business - but Neil presses further by informing him that word on the street is that Alexis is doing business with Dirk Maurier. He commiserates about how shitty it feels to be in one day, out the next...and when Michael asks him what his interest is in all this, Neil's voice gets all sinister-like as he says, "Let's just say, I think it's time Alexis paid her dues." He then hands Michael his card and wanders off. 
​
Over in Casa Waring, Dana asks Adam why he's been guzzling so much damn booze all evening, but Adam keeps mum about what's prompting him to drink so heavily. He tries to canoodle her, but she struggles against his grab-handsiness and complains, "Is this how we deal with each other? Instead of talking to me, or even sharing with me, you simply make love to me?" When Adam's like, "Well, d'yuh", Dana cries, "I don't know who you are anymore!", and Adam takes a stumbley step backwards and stares back at her with a haunted look in his bloodshot eyes. 

Krystle returns to Carrington manor with Sarah, who looks less than thrilled to be living at the mansion for the foreseeable future. Blake greets her warmly and suggests they have tea in the study - and Krystle says she'll be there after she checks in on Kristina. 

Sarah wanders around the study, then seats herself next to Blake on the leather sofa. He tells her she should make herself at home while she's their guest, to which she retorts that it's not actually possible, given that this isn't her home. She then apologizes for the bitchy remark and acknowledges that he's being very kind to her while she's somewhat of a basket case, and Blake mutely stares back at her with his face scrunched concernedly.

At Delta Rho, Sammy Jo primps before bed, then stares at her negligee clad slinky bod in the full length mirror. She then wanders out to the living room, where Steven is stoking the fireplace fire. She gives him a from behind canoodle, then plants a passionate smooch on his lips...and he looks into it for a few seconds before de-puckering his lips and murmuring in a chastising tone, "Sammy Jo.." She hastily apologizes for her amorous presumptuousness and beats a hasty retreat to her bedroom. Ouch.

"Sorry - but the writers finally seem firmly committed to portraying me as a consistently gay man."

"Drats."

Leslie and Clay are out at a club, slow dancing and agreeing that pressing up against each other feels really nice. A few seconds later, they look across the dance floor and see that Adam is yelling at the waiter for cutting him off, booze-wise. The two wander over to get a closer look at the spectacle, and Adam sheepishly admits that, yeah, he's had waaaaay too much to drink tonight. The offended waiter offers to call a taxi, and Adam hastily gets up and staggers off. 

Blake and Krystle are smooching in front of the fire and exchanging I love yous. Blech. He then tells Krystle that while he loves that she's helping Sarah, he thinks what she really needs is a professional grief counsellor - no duh - but Krystle argues that what Sarah most needs right now is their help as she emotionally recovers from her loss. 

Down the hall, Sarah is hovering over Kristina as she sleeps and whispers, "Goodnight, my darling" and kisses the top of her head. She runs into Blake as she exits the room and happily tells him that Kristina is sleeping like an angel...and as she heads to her guest quarters, Blake stares after her, his face once again scrunched concernedly.

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