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"I don't think I can wear these drab pastels another minute."

"The Rifle"
Original airdate: 1/20/1988

Episode summary: At Fallon's and Adam's urging, Steven agrees to sign off on a business deal with Vitron Oil. Blake irritably tells Krystle to stop investigating the source of Alexis's fortune. Sean takes his revenge plot to a dangerous level.
Recap: As Krystle paces in the middle of the night, Blake tells her to stop fixating on the circumstances of Alexis marrying Cecil on his death bed. Krystle argues that the public deserves the know the truth about Alexis, aka the woman who's out to destroy his campaign - but Blake insists that he wants to win the gubernatorial election based on his merit as a great candidate, and is pretty confident that he can rely on the good judgement of the Colorado voters. 

While in bed with Sean, Alexis is having a nightmare crying, "No! No! Don't die!" - then wakes up in a sweat, which also wakes up Sean in the process. He cuddles her and asks her if the campaign is driving her too hard - but she weakly assures him she doesn't have any second thoughts about entering the gubernatorial race. Sean tells her he's planning on jetting to Natumbe in the morning to look into the Vitron Oil deal...and when Alexis asks him if it's a good deal, he shushes her and reminds her that he's taking care of everything business-related. He also reminds her that she has a debate coming up in a few days, and she reacts to that by staring worriedly into space.

Across the globe in Natumbe, Dex drops in on a hungover Fallon and shows her the local paper featuring the headline 'American Heiress in Barroom Brawl' with an unflattering photo of her being carted off by Dex. Fallon grumbles that this bad press isn't going to help convince Steven that the deal is good, and Dex says he's still not 100% convinced that the Vitron Oil deal is a good one and wants to hang around Natumbe some more and poke around for more intel. Fallon's all, "Good luck with that" and says that she just wants to board the first available flight back to the U.S. She then staggers to the bathroom as Dex chuckles amusedly. 

Over in the mansion's gym, Steven is doing weights when Adam enters and gets on the stationary bike. He tells Steven he got a call from Fallon, and that she told him she was impressed with what she saw in Natumbe. Steven chuckles at the notion of Fallon having the mental capacity to assess any kind of business deal and tells Adam he's merely doing his best to protect Denver Carrington. In response, Adam sneeringly asks, "How much do you need this company to assert your manhood?" and Steven gets so disproportionately furious at that sexually laced jab that he gets up and lunges at Adam. The two [stunt doubles] wrestle around until Blake rushes into the room, separates the two, and chides them for not getting along. He wonders aloud if maybe he should have turned over his company to some actual mature adults [um, probably], and Steven sheepishly promises it won't happen again. 
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"Ever since your promotion, you've been giving off some serious small dick energy."

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"I consider those to be fighting words."

Leslie enters Sean's office and tells him she really really wants to go with him to Natumbe. She locks the door and coquettishly threatens to convince him to take her along, which prompts him to grumble about how he doesn't like to mix business and pleasure. After he smooches her, he concedes, "You've got guts, woman.", and Leslie whisperingly responds, "But you looooove it." Ick, these two.

Alexis summons Gerald Wilson to the Carlton Hotel to shoot pool and apologize for firing him after Cecil died. Gerald chews on that for a few seconds and wonders aloud if he can really just forget all the shit-talking she did about him, so Alexis snippily reiterates that she has apologized - but isn't going to grovel for his forgiveness. Gerald remarks on the out-of-left-field nature of her apology and says he gets the distinct feeling that her past is finally catching up to her, then informs her that Krystle has been doing some digging into whether or not there's a connection between her marriage to Cecil and his sudden death. He suggests that perhaps Krystle will discover that Cecil did not, in fact, die from natural causes - and Alexis says that even if it were true, no one would be able to prove it. Gerald gleefully predicts that if the media were to get wind of any of this, it'd go a long way to bringing down her business empire and candidacy for governor, and Alexis warns him to not go public with this or else, then snarlingly orders him to get the hell out of her hotel.

The next day, Gerald meets up with Krystle to tell her about his conversation with Alexis, and that he no longer feels ethically bound to keep his mouth shut about anything Cecil-related. He hands Krystle a copy of Cecil's original will, which apparently he changed shortly before his death, and insists that Alexis must be stopped before the possibility of her being elected governor. Krystle thanks him for the intel and says she's now very hopeful that this (questionably) damaging evidence will put a stop to Alexis's political career. 

​Fallon tells Steven and Adam that she looked closely into Vitron Oil and was very impressed with what she saw. When Steven insists that he still doesn't like the deal, Adam chides him for putting obstacles in the way of a lucrative partnership and sides with Fallon. A worn down Steven finally decides 'ah fuck it', and promises to have papers drawn up for Vitron Oil to sign asap...and the three shake on it. 

Sean has arrived in Natumbe and is meeting with Harry Thresher, who cackles about how both Denver Carrington and ColbyCo have fallen for their oil scam. As the two look over a map, Harry says that both companies will receive some oil in an initial shipment, but that subsequent shipments won't actually make it to the U.S. Harry remarks on how this scam is much more of a long game type thing than the two of them are used to pulling off, then tells Sean he gets the distinct feeling this is about more than money to him. Sean contorts his face all sinister-like and snarks that it's none of his business, then angrily vows that two rich Denver families will soon endure the suffering they deserve. He then picks up a pistol (from the vast number of firearms Harry foolishly has on display in his office) and points it at Harry while nattering about the tragedy of his father's suicide, and how his sister was forced to flee Denver. Harry anxiously reminds Sean that he's on his side, then wonders aloud if the gun he's holding is even loaded. Sean responds by pointing it at the ceiling and pulling the trigger, demonstrating that - ack! - it was, in fact, loaded...causing Harry to be all, "The fuuuuuuck?!" and look extremely frightened for his immediate safety.
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"You probably shouldn't have firearms on display with me in the room."

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"Yes, I'm getting that sense."

Leslie complains to Sean about being cooped up in the Natumbe hotel with nothing to do, and he makes it clear how tiny of a rat's ass he cares about her boredom and dismissively tells her to find some way to amuse herself while he's off doing some scam-related shit for the next several hours. 

​At campaign headquarters, Blake looks less than impressed by Cecil's original will...so Krystle earnestly points out that surely Alexis pressured Cecil to change his will - an unfounded allegation she really really wants to make public. Blake argues that none of this actually proves anything, and that Alexis will just re-allege that Cecil changed his will 'cause of how in love with her he was. He firmly tells Krystle he doesn't want any of this released to the public 'cause surely Alexis will sue them for libel, then irritably tells her to stop fixating on this short-lived marriage that probably no one but her gives a hoot about anymore.  

Over at ColbyCo, Alexis is reading over the details of the Vitron Oil deal and is alarmed to learn that her company has committed to putting up $50 million in advance of any oil shipments. Adam tells her not to worry 'cause they're looking at a 28% return on the investment - but she doesn't seem convinced that this is a sensible arrangement.

Jeff is getting settled into his new apartment when Fallon drops by to say hey and remind him that they should prolly get around to telling Little Blake about their divorce plans. As they discuss their impending split, Little Blake quietly arrives and stands in the front doorway, looking distressed when he overhears them agree "it's over". He quietly slips back out and makes his way across town to Denver Carrington, where he asks Blake if he can help him find a place to live - 'cause, in his tiny brain, his mommy and daddy don't seem to want him around anymore. Blake gives the tot a comforting hug as he tells him that whatever separate living arrangements his parents now have is not his fault, coos about what a wonderful child he is, and assures him that his mommy and daddy love him very much. 

Back in Natumbe, Dex drops by Sean's hotel room and is surprised to find Leslie there. She explains that she and Sean are in Natumbe on business, offers no good explanation as to why she's in his room (other than the obvious), and complains that Sean has been gone since yesterday. She then gazes hungrily at Dex, lounges atop the bed in a sexy pose, and saucily asks him if he's hungry...and he wryly retorts that lately he's been on a strict diet. Leslie says she'd looooove to enjoy this town with someone she cares about - like him, for example - and gets all touchy-feely with him before leaning in for a smooch. Dex responds by making it clear he's not into it and has zero desire to get burned by her again. Leslie snarks that he's just not man enough to take "the heat" ... and when he remarks on how much she sounded like Alexis just then, she gets all prickly at the comparison and angrily insists, "I'm going to make it as me, Leslie Carrington!", and abruptly decides that she no longer wants him in the sack. Dex just kind of shrugs disinterestedly and warns that if she continues to hang around the wrong people, they might start feeding on her like a school of hungry sharks. Fingers crossed, Dex. Fingers crossed.
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"I'm bored. Wanna get it on?"

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"Nah, I'm good."

Fallon and Jeff rush over to Carrington manor, where Blake has safely transported Little Blake. A dismayed Blake informs Fallon and Jeff that the gaffer thinks he needs to find a place to live 'cause of something he did wrong, and strongly urges the two to explain their impending divorce to their son. They sheepishly agree to do it tomorrow. 

Alexis meets with a journalist (Mr. Baker), who's writing an article on her gubernatorial run. He tells her that the hook of the hit piece will be: Blake turned over his company to his experienced children, while she handed over ColbyCo to her trophy husband who has zero business experience. Heh. He goes on to tell her that he spoke with Gerald Wilson, who claims that she has a major skeleton in her closet - an accusation Alexis nervously chalks up to sour grapes after she fired him. Mr. Baker looks intrigued by her sudden nervousness and wonders of maybe her past sins will be dramatically revealed during tomorrow's debate - but Alexis warns that if he publishes lies about her, she'll sue him, and Mr. Baker smugly pronounces, "We don't print lies. We expose them."

Back at the Carlton Hotel, Sean assures Alexis that the business deal with Vitron Oil is going smoothly, and that he's looking forward to watching her on the debate stage tomorrow night. Alexis asks what he'd think if she decided to withdraw from the race, then says she's starting to wonder if a life in public office - with all the drab pastels and scrutiny it brings with it - is really something she wants to do. Sean's like, "Sure it is!" and wankingly assures her that she's going to own the election after tomorrow's debate. Alexis nevertheless continues to wonder about her priorities, then announces that she's heading off to bed. Sean stays in the living room and glares into space while muttering his annoyance about her mucking up his increasingly nonsensical revenge plot when he's so close to pulling it off.

The next morning on the Carrington estate, Krystle is sitting at an outdoor patio table, pouting as she reads the morning paper. Blake wanders over and tells her he hates it when they bicker. He says he's given serious thought to her suspicions about Alexis - but has firmly decided he wants to win the election strictly on the merits of his candidacy. He says that tonight's debate will give him the opportunity to do just that, as well as offer Alexis another chance to behave fairly and decently. He throws Krystle a bone by adding that if Alexis abuses the platform, then he'll be more open to taking the gloves off. Krystle perks up at that compromise and agrees to go inside for breakfast. 

Jeff reminds Steven that Colby Enterprises has a contract with Denver Carrington to deliver a pipeline, which is now delayed [due to Sean's general incompetence and Dex's abandonment of the project as a result of Steven's rude bitchitude]. When Steven says there's only a slight delay, Jeff irritably says he wants reports and firm completion dates, then condescendingly says there are serious responsibilities that go along with the CEO title he (Jeff) hopes he (Steven) can handle.

Debate night! Alexis is in her dressing room, rehearsing her 'I'm withdrawing from the race' speech. When Sean enters the room and is all, "The fuck?", she explains that she's still in the process of deciding whether or not to drop out. He rails, "You're soooooo close!", then slams the door and runs off. Alexis, meanwhile, heads over to the stage, where most of the Carrington clan has gathered to support Blake. 
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"How would you react if I were to quit the gubernatorial race?"

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"I imagine I'd fly into a murderous rage."

As Sean sneakily climbs up the wooden staircase towards the rafters of the studio, Alexis politely wishes Blake good luck with his debate performance...which prompts Blake to glance over at Krystle with an expression of bemusement. Sean, meanwhile, opens his briefcase, takes out the rifle parts housed within it, and quickly assembles the firearm. A few seconds later, he gets into a comfortable position and aims the rifle straight at Blake. Eeeeek!

After the moderator introduces the three candidates, Blake ambles over to the podium to make his opening statement. As he's doing that, Alexis suddenly jumps up to tell him something - just as Sean pulls the trigger. The bullet hits her from behind, and she collapses into Blake's arms...and all of the spectators stare at the stage in stunned horror as the camera zooms in for a closeup of the blood dripping off of Alexis's forehead.  ​
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"I have nothing better to do than dig into a long forgotten scandal from Season 3."

"Images"
Original airdate: 1/13/1988

Episode summary: Krystle launches an impromptu investigation of when Alexis inherited a vast fortune from her late husband, Cecil Colby. Fallon travels to Natumbe with Dex and makes a drunken spectacle of herself. Leslie pokes into Sean's past.
Recap: While jogging on the vast Carrington estate, Blake tells Krystle that Bill Cochran raved about how brilliantly she handled Alexis during the previous episode's televised debate. Krystle says that lately she's been thinking a lot about the source of Alexis's fortune, which she inherited from Cecil Colby when he died about five seconds after the two were pronounced husband and wife. She's decided that it might be a worthwhile endeavour to dig into that ancient (Season 3) history, and hopefully prove that Alexis forced Cecil into marrying her so that she could get her hands on all of his millions...which, duh. She also thinks that Alexis was behind the limo driver leaving Blake stranded on the road during the previous episode, and Blake concurs - but says he'd much father focus on his campaign and keep his fingers crossed that voters will deeply care about the issues he's been yammering about while out on the stump. 

Alexis is watching a re-run of last night's debate - specifically the part where Krystle smugly asked her if she ever held down a job prior to inheriting Cecil's dough. A few seconds later, Sean enters the room and assures her that she did a stupendous job last night - but Alexis complains that she had wanted to debate Rayford alone, and hadn't expected Krystle to sit in for Blake. She snappishly tells Sean she doesn't need his wanking, then picks up the phone and calls a D.C. based publicist named Russ Kelton and leaves him a message to call her back asap.

Dana is breakfasting with Sammy Jo at Delta Rho (where she's been hiding out) when Adam calls. Sammy Jo tells Adam that, yes, his wife is at her ranch, but that she can't come to the phone right now 'cause she doesn't want to...but will pass along the message that he called. After she hangs up, she urges Dana to call him back, but Dana declines and opts to go out for a walk instead.

Sean drives up alongside Adam in the ColbyCo parking lot and tells him he wants him to look into a promising oil deal in Natumbe. Adam says he's already done that for Denver Carrington, and that Steven reacted by turning it down flat. Sean clucks about how Steven is obviously not as clever as he might think he is, natters about what great things he's heard about the oil boom in Natumbe, and thinks it'd be an opportune time for ColbyCo to get in on that action. Adam argues that Natumbe has a fragile government that might possibly be overthrown by revolutionary forces - but an unfazed Sean flippantly replies, "Life is shaky" and tells him to think about all the money this deal could generate for ColbyCo. Adam agrees that, yeah, it's prolly a good move [despite the fragility of the Natumbe government, I guess], and Sean nods approvingly and applauds his business smarts.

Krystle meets with Gerald Wilson, who served as ColbyCo's chief counsel until Alexis fired him for no good reason soon after Cecil died. He makes it clear how intensely he loathes Alexis...but when Krystle asks him if he has any insight as to what went on between Alexis and Cecil around the time of their all too brief marriage, he haughtily says she's asking him to breach a dead man's confidence, then bitchily storms off. 

Leslie enters Sean's office...and is browsing through the files on his desk when Sean appears and irritably accuses her of snooping. Leslie barks back that she was merely looking for the Groeden file, which she desperately needs...and that if he hadn't arrived at work so darn late, she wouldn't have had to rifle through his papers. Sean back pedals and apologizes for "coming on so strong", but then asks her to please not step foot inside his office when he's not around. As he hands over the Groeden file, Leslie asks what he's hiding, and he plays dumb about his all-consuming revenge plot against Alexis/the Carringtons and tells her to run along.

Sean pays a visit to his father's grave [interesting bit of trivia: Joseph's last name is actually spelled Aynders, not Anders]. Sean tells his deceased dad that Alexis is going to be very sorry for what she did to him and Kirby...and that Blake and his clan will also pay [even though it remains unclear exactly what terrible things Blake ever did to his manservant]. He vows to keep revenging until these rich a-holes destroy each other, then leaves a large bouquet of red roses by the headstone before sadly shuffling off. 
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"My revenge plot is really coming along, Papá."

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"Yeesh. Let it go already."

Leslie has covertly followed Sean to the cemetery...and once he's safely out of sight, she walks over to Joseph's grave, picks up the rose bouquet, and stares at it contemplatively. A few seconds later, she's approached by an old cemetery worker, who shares that Joseph Aynders was a butler [well, majordomo] who worked for the fancy Carrington family - before it all became too much and he ended it all by shooting himself in the head. The man wonders aloud what Blake Carrington thought about that suicide, then heads off, leaving Leslie staring into space even more contemplatively.

​Krystle drops by Cheney Hospital to ask Dr. Louden (who was the attending physician when Cecil had his heart attack) if he recalls exactly what went on during the time Alexis sat at Cecil's bedside prior to his death. Dr. Louden instantly clams up, tells her that what she's asking him to reveal is "out of line", and irritably stalks off. A nurse, who couldn't help but overhear the exchange, motions Krystle to come over. She identifies herself as the private duty nurse for Cecil during his hospital stay, then makes a face at the mention of Alexis and recalls how rude to her she was...and that she asked something "very interesting" of Dr. Louden. Krystle stares back at her with an intrigued expression...before the scene fades to black for a commercial break. 

Back at Delta Rho, Sammy Jo asks Dana how long she plans to avoid Adam, then strongly advises her to go home so they can hash out their problems. Dana argues that Adam is never going to forgive her for aborting his demon spawn...so Sammy Jo brings up Alexis, and how happy she'd be if she and Adam split. She urges her to not give her mother-in-law the pleasure, then again urges her to kiss and make up with her weird creep of a husband.

Russ Kelton (image maker extrodinaire) apparently jumped on the next available plane to Denver and has just arrived at Alexis's suite. Alexis shows him some video snippets that were filmed for her campaign, and they show her busily working at her desk and taking important phone calls. Russ comes right out and tells her how boring as fuck the corporate-y footage is, cautions her against coming on too strong to voters, and to tone down her fashion choices from vibrant reds, blacks, and whites to bland pastels...and Alexis reacts to that advice by scrunching her face in horror while muttering, "Pastels..?" Lol. Russ then advises her to play up her female-ness and market herself as "a friend to women, a partner to men", 'cause wooing a significant number of women voters could win her the election. He then brings up her children and says they're to be a vital part of her campaign, and that she neeeeeeds their support if she has a hope in hell of becoming Colorado's next governor.
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"You need to wear pastels more."

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"Surely you jest."

Steven drops by ColbyCo to asks Adam whassup with him brokering a deal with Vitron Oil, and mistakenly assumes that he (Adam) was the one who pushed Sean into a partnership with the West African oil company before trying to now "sucker" Denver Carrington. He remarks on the hefty price tag and suggests that ColbyCo wants to lure Denver Carrington into the deal 'cause they don't want to foot the entire bill. Adam doesn't bother setting him straight about Sean being the one who told him to look into Vitron Oil, and says he'll get enormous pleasure out of seeing him (Steven) sweat when he and Fallon finally get to cast their votes about partnering with the Natumbe company. Steven snarks that he's not going to put up with him playing both sides of the fence, and Adam's like, "Whatever" and wearily says he has more important things to do than argue with him about accepting/not accepting an oil deal from a fictional West African government that may/may not be on the verge of a revolutionary war.

Back at the mansion, Blake overhears Krystle leaving a message for Reverend Downing, aka the man who performed the wedding ceremony for Cecil and Alexis. Blake makes it clear that he doesn't want her to go down that senseless rabbit hole, but she insists that down that rabbit hole she will go...with hopefully an Alexis campaign-ending scandal to show for it. 

Dana tiptoes into Adam's office, and he immediately hugs her, apologizes for the terrible things he said about her botched abortion, and whimpers about how afraid he was that she'd never return. Dana accepts his apology, then confesses that last night she followed him to Karen's house...and was dismayed to see him kiss and hug her, 'cause she interpreted that to mean he prefers Karen to her 'cause of her ability to carry his child. Adam explains that he merely went over there to unburden his feelings, and that Karen had urged him to forgive her for keeping the botched abortion secret from him for so long. He then stares at her and solemnly declares, "I love you more than life" ... and as they hug, Dana vows that nothing or no one - not even Sean - will ever get between them. A startled looking Adam is all, "Wuh?" and confusedly asks her why she'd bring up Sean as a person who could hurt their marriage.
​ 
In the next scene, Sean is screaming, "She is a damn liar!" in response to Adam calling him out for blackmailing his wife. As Sean continues to weakly deny any kind of wrongdoing, Adam growls, "If you ever threaten or try to hurt Dana again, I'll kill you." Sean abruptly decides the jig is up and smugly asks Adam if that death threat extends to Alexis, who knew all about the blackmailing. Adam looks momentarily shocked by that lie, then once again warns him to stay away from his wife. 

Steven drops by campaign headquarters to say hey to Blake...and when Blake says he gets the impression that things aren't going so well with him, Adam, and Fallon being in charge of Denver Carrington, Steven weakly assures him that everything is totes fine.

Steven heads straight to the mansion to ask Fallon (whose hair is mercifully back to her normal brown) why she felt the need to whine to Blake about their inability to get along as they try to co-run Denver Carrington. Fallon denies telling Blake anything, then once again insists that he's making a huge mistake by passing on the Vitron Oil deal. When Steven snarkishly challenges her to fly to West Africa and personally check it out, she smiles sweetly and says she'll do exactly that, then cheerfully thanks him for making the suggestion and flounces off to pack.

Leslie returns to Sean's office to drop off a memo and mention that she could see herself as his executive assistant...which seems like a giant step down from her newly created management position, but OK. Sean dismissively says he has no time for small talk and to "save it for the bedroom". Leslie responds by handing him an article she photocopied about Joseph Aynders' suicide...and after looking momentarily alarmed, Sean suddenly decides that Leslie has a very bright future at ColbyCo as his executive assistant. She then snatches the article out of his hand, sassily says, "You'll have to buy it yourself", and sashays out of the office. 

At the mansion, Fallon runs into Jeff as she's preparing to leave for Natumbe. Jeff guilts her about leaving Little Blake for a meet-up with Dex's old friend, Harry Thresher, so she points out that whenever he takes a business trip no one accuses him of being a bad father. She snidely asks him if he's planning on filing a custody suit while she's away (for a day and a half), and he ignores that snarkitude and sourly wishes her a nice trip. 

Krystle meets up with Reverend Downing at the Carlton Hotel patio restaurant - but he's unable to offer up any kind of useable dirt about Alexis and quickly rushes off. A few seconds later, Alexis ambles over to the table and jokingly tells Krystle she hopes that she and the Reverend were saying a prayer for Blake's failing gubernatorial campaign - but Krystle just ignores her and mutely exits the restaurant. A bellboy then informs Alexis that, as per her request, her children have gathered and are ready for an impromptu family meeting. 
​
Alexis insists to Fallon, Steven, and Adam that her decision to jump into the governor's race is not a personal vendetta against Blake - but rather a perfectly innocent decision to run based on her strong feeling that she'd make a terrific governor [despite being extra-extraordinarily disconnected from average working people and having zero governing experience]. When she tells them she'd really really appreciate it if her campaign had the full support of her children, Fallon and Steven firmly say they're a hard no 'cause they've already committed to being on Team Blake...while Adam weakly promises to help her out every now again 'cause he hates the idea of having to choose one parent over another. Alexis gives him a grateful hug, then rushes into the next room to self-piteously sob and breathily vow, "I'll never forgive you for this, Blake" ... which, huh?
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"I don't make it a habit to support Johnny-come-lately gubernatorial candidates."

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"Thanks a lot, Blake."

Alexis storms over to campaign headquarters to 1) nonsensically rail at Blake for her children's decision to not fully support her campaign, 2) complain about how he exiled her from Fallon and Steven all those years ago, and 3) object to him forcing them to be on Team Blake during the course of the gubernatorial race. Blake points out that their adult children simply levelled with her about where they stand, so she snarkishly levels with him by declaring that she's going to win this election without anyone's help. So there!

Across the globe in Natumbe, Dex and Fallon meet with Harry Thresher and discuss ColbyCo's imminent first shipment of crude oil, and how ginormous the profits are going to be. Harry explains that since there's currently a glut of oil in Natumbe, the prices are low...and when Fallon boldly asks if the government is on the unstable side, Harry denies any possibility of a revolution. He then tells them to skedaddle 'cause he has another meeting to attend, but promises to stay in touch. 

Later at the hotel, Dex studies a test tube sample of Natumbe's crude oil and tells Fallon it's definitely a high gravity crude [which I'll translate to mean it's of good quality]. Fallon squeals happily, says she can't wait to rub it in Steven's face that the Vitron deal is worthwhile, and agrees that they (she and Dex) should go out for a celebratory dinner.

Harry Thresher calls Sean to update him about his meeting with Dex and Fallon, and Sean instructs him to release the first shipment of oil so that they can officially launch Operation Scam ColbyCo and Denver Carrington With a Bogus Oil Deal. 

​That evening, Fallon and Dex are out at a bar, watching a gyrating bellydancer as she sexily entertains a group of ogling drunken men. When Dex suggests they call it a night, Fallon - who's visibly drunk and decked out in a revealing bikini top - raves about how amaaaaazing the bellydancer is, and that she wants to stay and enjoy herself. A few seconds later, the bellydancer urges Fallon to join her...so the two gyrate for the roomful of horny men, one of whom slips a dollar bill in the front part of Fallon's pants in exchange for some sexy time. Fallon gigglingly tells him she already has a date, prompting Dex to wander over and order the man to back off. The man growls, "I have an investment here" - but Dex firmly says he's "out of business", engages in a brief fist fight, then picks up and carries Fallon out of the bar...and while he's doing that, some rando with a camera starts snapping photographs of the embarrassing spectacle.
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"Here's a dollar in exchange for your sexy services."

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"There's no way this is going to end well."

Krystle drops by Alexis's office to smugly inform her she's getting closer to the exact circumstances that led to her inheritance of Cecil's fortune. She adds that the private duty nurse all those years ago found the entire situation bizarre, and that the doctor had said something very interesting shortly before the quickie wedding. We then see a flashback of when Dr. Louden told Alexis that he worried a wedding ceremony would put undue strain on Cecil's heart, to which Alexis insisted on marrying him regardless. That flashback is followed by a flashback of the ridiculous bedside wedding ceremony, when Reverend Downing pronounced the two husband and wife - less than a few seconds before Cecil suffered a fatal heart attack. Krystle warns Alexis that if she doesn't withdraw from the gubernatorial race, she'll see to it that an "anonymous" source plants this story into every newspaper. When Alexis accuses her of bluffing, Krystle snaps, "Am I? Watch me!" and strides out of the room, leaving Alexis staring after her concernedly.
​Thanks for reading! If you are enjoying TVofYore's recaps, consider thanking me by buying me a "coffee"!
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Fallon quickly learns that blondes don't necessarily have more fun

"The Interview"
Original airdate: 1/6/1988

Episode summary: Blake unhappily contends with Alexis's sudden decision to enter the gubernatorial race. Dana confesses to Adam that she once aborted his spawn. Fallon gets a grisly new 'do.
Recap: Blake, Krystle, and (campaign consultant) Bill Cochran are in Carrington manor, reading over the press coverage of Alexis's bewildering announcement that she's suddenly running for governor. Bill warns that her entry in the race will mean that votes for Blake will likely get syphoned off, and that their opponent (James Rayford) will benefit from the divided vote and go on to win the election. Bill also expresses concern that the public will weary of a campaign where a disgruntled husband and wife are so annoyingly catty to one another, and will want them both out of the race.

Leslie wakes up with Sean (ew) beside her...and the two engage in some light pillow talk and enjoy a leisurely morning smooch. A few seconds later, Leslie's radio alarm comes on, and a news report announcing Alexis's surprising run for governor. The two listen in stunned silence before Sean gets up and decides he'd better head back to his home suite pronto.

Alexis is phoning around to see if anyone's seen Sean this morning - when Sean suddenly makes a grand entrance with a mariachi band in tow. He explains that the Mexican performers are meant to be a reminder of their wedding day, then dismisses the band and contritely says he's very sorry for walking out on her last night. When she asks him where he went, he fibs and says he spent the night at a cheap motel, sulking, brooding, and realizing what a fool he was for not appreciating her for being the best thing that's ever happened to him. He asks for her forgiveness and she swiftly grants it, then directs her attention to the long gubernatorial campaign ahead of her...and the task of appointing an interim CEO of ColbyCo. Sean suggests she tap Adam for the top job - but she nixes that 'cause he's on the board of Denver Carrington and therefore not exclusively loyal to ColbyCo. She stares back at Sean and says she'd like him to run her company, and that she somehow believes he's just as qualified a businessman as Adam, despite there being zero indication of how well/horribly the weirdo would function as a CEO. When a less than enthused Sean murmurs, "No...", Alexis implores him to take the job 'cause she doesn't have anyone else she can trust. He mulls it over and reluctantly accepts. 
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"You are more than qualified to run my large oil company."

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"That comes as news to me."

Fallon, who for some unfathomable reason is sporting a horrifyingly large curly blonde wig while she works out on an exercise bicycle at a leisure center...and my initial reaction was to assume it was some kind of jokey disguise - but turns out not to be. She spots Dex splashing around the swimming pool and calls out to him...and he swims over and manages to keep a straight face as he compliments her new "look" by describing it as enticing, spicy, and sexy. Fallon giggles and says she was bored with her old look and wanted to personally investigate the trope of whether or not blondes really do have more fun. When Dex asks her how she's doing emotionally, she says that while it's sad to be divorcing the idiot father of her children, she feels free, independent, and more like her own person again. Dex is all 'hurray for you' and leaps back into the pool for some more fun time.

Over at the chalet, Sammy Jo is on the phone, berating one of her stable hands for fucking up something or other. When Jeff returns to the chalet and asks whassup, she explains that a Delta Rho employee made a mistake that cost her a lot of money - but that she really blames herself for neglecting the ranch in favor of spending all of her energy on Steven. She self-piteously chides herself for being a lousy businesswoman and a wretched mother, so Jeff points out that Danny adores her and that she should stop putting herself down so much. When Sammy Jo whimpers about how lonely she feels, Jeff says that that's typical when starting a new life, then invites her to join him in being a member of "the loneliest club in town". He invites her to go out to dinner with him later, and she gratefully accepts. 

Blake drops by Alexis's office to have a serious discussion about the two of them running for governor, adding that the press is going to have a field day with the spectacle she's deliberately created. He reminds her that they've had a quasi-warm relationship ever since the middle of Season 7, when she nursed him back to health in Singapore (albeit she used his memory loss to her advantage in making him believe they were still married). He says at one time they loved and cared for each other and should therefore have the deepest regard for one another now. Alexis concedes their past affection, but then says they have to be practical about their lives and their future. Blake concurs, but says they also need to be realistic about both of them running for governor, 'cause it's merely going to split the vote, resulting in a win for the terrible Jim Rayford. He strongly urges Alexis to drop out of the race, to which Alexis to bitterly chuckles and snarls at him for sweet talking her in the hopes that she'll do his bidding. She flatly refuses to end her candidacy and challenges him to quit...and Blake angrily barks, "Not a chance!" and grumbles, "Krystle was right about you" before storming out of the room.

The next morning, Alexis is on the phone, confirming her appearance at a televised debate that evening with Blake and Jim Rayford. Sean wankingly assures her she'll deliver an amaaaaaazing performance - but Alexis says she's actually quite nervous about being adequately prepared, then starts brainstorming a potential signature issue: giving young working mothers access to (mandated) babysitting facilities at every workplace and factory across the entire state...'cause yeah that fabulous idea is totally realistic. She looks almost inspired by her own genius as Sean wanks, "You have more know-how than some presidents." Alexis tells him that to take the pressure off she'd rather that Blake weren't present during the debate, and Sean suggests that maybe he doesn't have to be there, and shoots her a devilishly knowing look.

Before heading out to Grand Junction for the day, Blake grumbles to Krystle that he wasn't able to get a hold of Mr. Deselles (from the TV network) to assure him that he's A-OK with Alexis being included in tonight's debate...even though he's secretly worried about "tricky" she can be. 
​
Back at the chalet, Sammy Jo glances at the day's paper and is all, "Wha-a-a-a?!" when she sees the announcement about Alexis suddenly deciding to run for governor. Jeff too is shocked and says he should prolly get back to campaign headquarters in Denver to do whatever damage control needs doing. He asks Sammy Jo if she wouldn't mind finishing out the boys' ski trip by herself...and when she assures him it's no problem, he gives her an affectionate cheek kiss. Mmm hmm..
​
While having coffee and dessert at the Carlton Hotel, Karen asks Dana if she's so distracted and freaked out 'cause she hasn't yet told Adam about her back alley abortion...and Dana admits she is. Karen urges her to come clean before the (surrogate) baby arrives, and assures her that Adam will understand that she was young, vulnerable, and confused when she got knocked up [though: not]. 

Jeff returns to Carrington manor and does his best to keep a straight face when he runs into Fallon and the unsightly blonde mop she's now wearing atop her head. He jokingly says he didn't realize she wanted a new hairdo along with the divorce, and she coldly tells him she couldn't give even the tiniest of rat's asses what he thinks about her sudden decision to wear such a ridiculous looking hairpiece. Jeff makes it clear that he's so dunzo with this marriage that he's decided to pack up his things and move out of the mansion tomorrow.

Elsewhere in the mansion, Dana has summoned Adam to their bedroom to tell him about the back alley abortion that left her sterile, adding that the boy she had hit the sheets with was not so drunk that he couldn't adequately perform, but too drunk to remember it afterwards...then drops the bombshell: "And that boy was Michael Torrence." Adam stares back at her in stunned horror, then crosses his arms across his chest while looking as though he's trying to not be sick. Dana whimpers that she's been wanting to tell him about her long ago pregnancy - but was sooooo afraid he wouldn't believe her. Adam tears up at the spawn she aborted, crying, "I was going to be a father! You killed my child!" and races out of the room. 
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"After you knocked me up, I decided 'what could go wrong with going to a back alley butcher'?"

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"OMG. You killed Michael/Adam Jr.!"

Over at campaign headquarters, Jeff asks Krystle why in blazes Blake is appearing on a debate show hosted by a sleaze like Mr. Deselles, pointing out that the forum is one that's tailor made for a drama queen like Alexis, and one in which Blake is going to have to stoop to her level. Krystle explains that Blake couldn't get out of it after Alexis entered the race, but insists that he'll handle himself just fine.

Sean meets up with some unnamed hoodlum and hands him Blake's campaign schedule for the day. The hoodlum says he knows exactly what to do, and promises to call Sean once he's carried out the dirty deed. 

Blake has finished stumping in Grand Junction and remarks to his assistant that he's running late. He climbs into the waiting limousine and tells the driver (aka Sean's hoodlum) to take him to the airport...and to step on it 'cause he has a televised debate he needs to get to. Much to Blake's confusion, the hoodlum takes the backroads, then pretends as though the car has suddenly stalled. He gets out and looks under the hood...and when Blake exits the car to see whassup, the hoodlum jumps back into the driver's seat and squeals off, leaving a bewildered Blake standing by the roadside yelling, "Hey! Where are you going?!"

The televised interview is about to get underway, and Krystle looks pensively concerned that Blake is nowhere to be found...while Alexis smugly wonders if Blake bailed 'cause he's too afraid to debate her. Deselles warns Krystle that if Blake doesn't make an appearance, he'll have to proceed with the debate without him...and when Krystle argues that he can't do that, he suggests that perhaps she sit in for him. Krystle mulls over that idea for a few seconds and decides 'ah what the hell', prompting Deselles to giddily remark to the cameraman, "We're going to have quite a show tonight."

James Rayford smarmily welcomes the challenge from his opponents, but insists that only he has the experience and dedication to be the best governor the state has ever seen. Alexis argues that he doesn't...and points out that Colorado needs new faces, along with fresh, innovative ideas. She accuses him of being out-of-touch [and says this as if she herself is, in any way, in touch with the common man], and a misogynistic douche, pronouncing, "Many men with a lot less knowledge than women have become president of the United States." [Heh.] She makes it clear how much she resents being characterized as a Johnny-come-lately and someone's ex-wife, particularly when she's proven herself to be an accomplished businesswoman and newspaper publisher. When Deselles asks Krystle what she thinks of this madness, she smugly asks Alexis if The Denver Mirror has won any prizes for excellence (as have Denver's other two papers) ... and Alexis tightly says she considers her rag's high circulation to be very rewarding. Krystle continues the humiliation by asking Alexis if she's ever held down a job, as in any kind of professional job prior to inheriting ColbyCo after being widowed by Cecil Colby [who died about five seconds after they were pronounced husband and wife], and Alexis is forced to admit that for decades she had never been employed by anyone in any capacity.
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"Please tell our viewers how many Pulizers your rag has won."

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"Titillating readers with daily Blake gossip is its own reward."

Krystle turns toward the camera and directly tells viewers that Blake is the best candidate 'cause of how very hard he's worked all of his life...and that surely something super important must have come up to cause him to miss this debate. Alexis cattily wonders aloud if perhaps he's breaking in a new secretary...and when Krystle calls her out on making such a cheap shot, Deselles decides it's time for a commercial break. 

Later in the dressing room, Alexis gives Krystle a heads up that she's planning to feature a snark-filled editorial on how Blake was too much of a scaredy cat to face her on live TV. Krystle rails at her for trying to destroy everything that has ever meant anything to her, then warns that she refuses to idly stand by while she wrecks Blake's campaign. Alexis chucklingly applauds her loyalty to Blake and says he's going to need it after he proves himself to be a giant coward...and Krystle says she's heard all she can stomach before giving Alexis a well deserved face smack. 

Adam drops by Karen's house to lament Dana's decision to abort his fetus when they were in high school. He then wonders if he's really meant to be a father, citing a "wonderful girl named Kirby Anders", though neglects to mention that she got knocked up after he violently raped her...then lost the baby after an illness. He tells Karen he's very worried about this surrogate child, but Karen assures him that nothing bad will happen.

At Denver Carrington, Steven is on the phone with Harry Thresher, insisting that he's still not interested in his business proposal. He ends the call - just as Fallon and her curly blonde wig enter the office. Steven chuckles at the unsightly "look" and jokes that if blondes truly do have more fun, she's in for a helluva good time. An irked Fallon directs the conversation to the Natumbe oil deal and chides her brother for making decisions unilaterally, and Steven argues that he doesn't see a good reason to invest $50 million in a West African deal that seems suspiciously too good to be true. He reminds her that he's the one in charge of Denver Carrington, then offers to give her a ride home - but she tells him to go pee up a rope 'cause she has her car downstairs. 
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"OK, seriously?"

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"I still don't seem to be having any more fun than when I was a brunette."

While standing on the front doorstep, Adam thanks Karen for letting him pour out his heart to her, and Karen's like 'no problem' - but reminds him that since Dana is going to be the surrogate child's mom, he needs to get past the whole 'I had an abortion years ago' subplot. Adam promises to try, then gives her a grateful hug...and across the street, we see that Dana is spying on them from inside her car before she covertly drives off.

Sean is on the phone with Kirby, who implores him to give up on what seems to have become an all-consuming revenge plot. Sean tells her he's not about to give up on making the lives of every Carrington + Alexis a living nightmare, snarks that he's not leaving Denver in the same shame-faced fashion that she did, then hangs up the phone and stares mutely into space as he has a flashback of when Kirby pulled a gun on Alexis, but then can't bring herself to pull the trigger [even though he himself wasn't actually there to witness it]. A few seconds later, Alexis sashays into the room...and Sean tells her that she was great during the televised debate, and Alexis tells him she enjoyed Blake being kept away so that she could test the political waters on her own.

Krystle greets Blake when he finally returns home. They both suspect that Alexis was behind the limo driver abandoning him on the side of the road - but Blake shrugs it off and happily tells Krystle that the cabbie who gave him a left mentioned that she had given Alexis hell during the debate. Krystle grins and says she did, and that she's determined to find a way to get the witch tossed out of the gubernatorial race.
​
Late that night, Krystle is having a nightmare about the time she fell from her horse (after Alexis fired her skeet shooting rifle) and suffered a miscarriage. That flashback is followed by another flashback of Cecil's will reading, where Alexis snarkishly asks Krystle if she's accusing her of killing her husband, and Krystle replies that it hadn't occurred to her until she needlessly brought it up. Krystle then wakes up from her dream, stares contemplatively into space, and murmurs, "Did you kill him, Alexis?"
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Alexis alleviates her boredom by announcing a run for governor

"The Spoiler"
Original airdate: 12/30/1987

Episode summary: Steven and Fallon continue to spar over the Vitron Oil proposal, which Dex suddenly thinks is a good idea. Jeff and Sammy Jo take their boys on a ski trip. Alexis announces her candidacy for Colorado's gubernatorial race.
Recap: A team of police officers are processing the death scene at Josh's apartment. The coroner confirms to the lieutenant that Josh's death doesn't appear to have been a homicide, but rather a fatal overuse of cocaine...then adds that he'll do an autopsy in order to verify that theory. The lieutenant turns his attention to Sammy Jo and questions her about the grisly discovery of Josh's body, but she's too shaken up to provide much in the way of helpful details...and when Steven bursts into the room, she flies into his arms and tearfully chides the both of them for not being there for Josh when he so desperately needed their help. 

Alexis is pacing the length of her living room (as her adorable Shih Tzu watches) when she spots a magazine lying on the floor that features Blake and Krystle on the cover beneath the headline 'On the Way to the State Capital?' Alexis gets so incensed by the prospect of her ex-husband being elected to public office that she picks up the magazine and tosses it into the fireplace. A few seconds later, Sean enters the room and asks her why she's pacing in the middle of the night, and she tells him she's still cranky about Blake running for governor 'cause she firmly believes he's the wrong man for the job. She decrees, "He needs to be stopped!", but then refrains from explaining exactly why she's so opposed to him being governor. When she invokes Ralph Dunbar as a potential upset for Blake's victory, Sean points out that Blake just beat him in the primary and likely wouldn't be able to win in the general election. Alexis grins and retorts, "Who said anything about winning?", prompting Sean to stare back at her perplexedly.

News anchorman R.D. Fleming arrives at Carrington manor to conduct an interview with Blake and Krystle regarding Josh's fatal overdose. R.D. comes right out and asks Blake if he had knowledge about the football team's drug issues, and Blake points out that it's not so much a team problem as much as it is an unfortunate cocaine situation in which only two players were involved. Blake states that while he's an advocate for mandatory drug testing, Steven isn't...and that since Steven owns the football team, he has total freedom to do whatever he sees fit. R.D. asks Krystle what she thinks of all this, then pointedly asks, "Doesn't this effectively destroy your anti-drug campaign?" Krystle scrunches her face in annoyance before pointing out that it actually strengthens it, given that Josh's fatal overdose serves as a cautionary tale for all the kids out there: don't do drugs, you could die. When R.D. asks Blake if Steven was covering for Josh, Blake gets testy and abruptly concludes the interview...and as R.D. exits the room, he warns Blake that this story isn't going away any time soon.

Sammy Jo stares sadly at the puppet head Josh broke the last time he was at Delta Rho, then once again blames herself (along with Steven) for contributing to his death. Steven rejects that notion and reminds her that everyone has pressure in their lives - but not everyone resorts to snorting cocaine to the point of death. He says he offered to get Josh help, but that he had been kidding himself...and Sammy Jo's like 'speaking of kidding oneself' and says she no longer wants to continue with their non-hetero living arrangement. She comes right out and says she wants a man to love, hold, and bed her and doesn't want to have to feel guilty about it...and Steven says he can totally dig that, and offers to move out asap.

Across the globe in Natumbe, Dex is enjoying a drink in a bar when he encounters Harry Thresher (who's apparently the fictional country's Oil Minister). Harry stares at him unhappily and says he had assumed he had left Natumbe hours ago...and when Dex fibs and says he missed his flight, Harry offers to get him on the next plane. Dex tries to decline and says he doesn't want to put him out, but for whatever reason Harry seems incredibly anxious for Dex to get out of his orbit and asks the bartender for a phone so he can book him on the next flight out. 
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"I thought I might settle in, stay awhile."

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"I'd much prefer it if you got the hell outa here, this minute."

Late that night, a frazzled Sammy Jo is tearing the house apart looking for something or other. She yells that everything is out of order, prompting an alarmed Danny to run into the room and give her a comforting hug. Jeff happens to drop by at that moment in his search for Steven, sees the emotional stress Sammy Jo is under, and offers to tuck Danny into bed. While he's off doing that, Sammy Jo mutters to herself in a deranged loop about how everything is out of order...and a few seconds later, Jeff reenters the room and urges her to chillax. He tells her that regrettably he neeeeeeeeds to rush off right now, 'cause he has something urgent to talk to Steven about - but invites her to give him a call, day or night, if she ever needs someone to talk to.

Jeff finally locates Steven (who's been sitting in his office), and barks at him to do something to keep the press from continually hounding Blake about Josh's untimely demise, e.g. order mandatory drug testing for the entire football team. Steven refuses to do that, doesn't seem to give a rat's ass about Blake taking all the heat for Josh's overdose, and snarkishly tells Jeff he doesn't have to justify his decisions to him.

The next morning at the Carlton Hotel, Steven meets up with his old friend Chris Deegan, who (Steven learns) just happens to be the attorney representing the quarterback he's interested in recruiting. As the two catch up on their lives, Chris tells Steven he's been living with someone for about a year and enjoys having someone to care about, while Steven grumbles that it's not so easy to be openly gay when you're a Carrington, and that his non-hetero living arrangement with Sammy Jo has just come to a sudden end.

Steven heads back to his office, where his secretary shows him the morning newspaper with the headline 'Drug Scandal May Hurt Carrington Campaign'. Steven chews on that for a few seconds, then calls up the head football coach and asks him to summon all of the players for an impromptu meeting on the practice field.

At the stadium, Steven addresses the entire team about Josh's fatal overdose and Skip Maitland's re-arrest for drug dealing. The players let that sink in for a few seconds, then bellyache about how they're being portrayed in the press as a bunch of junkies. When they ask Steven if he's going to force them to take a drug test 'cause of how stern Blake seems to be on the issue, Steven assures them he won't do that, and would much prefer that they come up with a solution that makes everyone happy. The players look pleased at being given the freedom of choice, wank Steven for doing such an amazing job turning the team around, then go off in a private huddle to discuss the issue amongst themselves. 

Over at campaign headquarters, Blake is on the phone, talking to a reporter about how admirably Steven has handled the druggie/football team conundrum. When Steven saunters into the room a few seconds later, Blake applauds him for allowing the team to decide to voluntarily submit to drug testing, and predicts that this brilliant solution will somehow help save the lives of zillions of drug addicts all over the country. 
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"I just decided: 'let the players do whatever the hell they wanna do'".

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"You deserve the world's highest medal of honor, son."

Ralph Dunbar makes it clear to Alexis that he has zero desire to jump into the gubernatorial race as an Independent, given how badly he lost to Blake in the primary. Alexis emphatically insists that Blake is the most ass-backwards wrong man for the job of governor...and when a puzzled Ralph asks her to explain exactly why she feels that way, she once again refuses to explain her strong opinion on the matter and coldly snarks that she was clearly wrong about him (Ralph) and now thinks he'd make a lousy governor. Meow. 

Leslie arrives at the Carlton Hotel patio restaurant, and is disappointed when Sean tells her that Alexis is far too obsessed with Blake's gubernatorial run to make time for dinner. Sean pours two glasses of champagne, tells Leslie that Alexis relied on his recommendation for the new management position, and creepily asks, "How far are you willing to go?" Leslie's all, "Excuse me?", then says she's always subscribed to the belief that a person should "be hungry" and perpetually want more. Sean warns that that kind of fucked up mentality can cause people to get in way over their heads, to which Leslie grins and saucily tells him that she's a very good swimmer. Sean slyly mutters, "I bet you are." Ew.

Dex is at Carrington manor, watching a vexed Fallon point out to Steven that if they were to go ahead with the Vitron Oil deal, it'd be Denver Carrington's first major project without daddy's involvement. Steven makes it clear that he still has no interest in partnering with Vitron Oil, then turns his attention to Dex and asks him why he suddenly trusts Harry Thresher [I'm sort of wondering that myself]. Dex tells him that that mistrust is something of the distant past...which seems fairly nonsensical, given how secretive and shady Harry was acting as recently as a few scenes ago. Steven abruptly changes the subject to the pipeline project, makes it clear to Dex that he's very annoyed by all the delays, and dickishly threatens to invoke 'the penalty clause'. Dex shoots him the stink-eye and warns that if he does that he'll invoke the 'the fuck you, I'm out' clause, then snappishly tells Steven to just finish the damn pipeline himself. After he storms out, an incredulous Fallon asks Steven why he's being so hostile to Dex, and Steven channels his inner Michael Corleone and calmly warns, "I know you meant well, but don't ever discuss family business with an outsider again." 

Jeff is helping Little Blake get ready for a ski trip when Fallon enters the room and tells her son that Danny (who's also going on the ski trip) has arrived. As Little Blake scampers downstairs to say hey to his cousin, Fallon and Jeff agree that eventually they're going to have to break it to the kid that their now fully deteriorated marriage is soon going to end in divorce.

Jeff swings by Delta Rho with the kids to pick up Danny's ski stuff (before the tots head up to the mountains with the nanny). As Sammy Jo finishes up some paperwork, Jeff says he plans to drive up there later tonight and invites her to come along on the trip...adding that since Fallon is staying in Denver, he could really use another adult to help corral the kids. As Sammy Jo mulls over the prospect, Jeff tries to sweeten the deal by pointing out that they could both use the company. Mmm hmm..
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"Hey - you're a single, Carrington-adjacent woman in my orbit. Let's couple up."

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"Sounds like a plan."

Dana pulls up to a remote industrial area, decked out in a very fluffy fur coat, to secretly meet up with Sean and hand over the Denver Carrington meeting minutes about the Vitron Oil proposal. She firmly tells Sean, "No more", and that she's officially declaring their agreement terminated. Sean threatens to tell Adam the full truth about her botched abortion, so she counter-threatens to tell Adam that he's blackmailing her and snarls, "Go to hell!" before she and her fluffy fur flounce back to their luxury car. 

Adam is admiring the expensive necklace he just bought for Dana...and when she enters his office and says there's something she urgently needs to confess to him, he ignores that and excitedly tells her to close her eyes, then places the jewelry box in her hands. Dana looks overwhelmed by the stunning piece of jewelry, while simultaneously trying to change the subject to the thing she really really needs to get off her chest - but Adam keeps cutting her off as he puts the necklace around her neck, gives her a from behind hug, and coos about how much he loooooves her. 

Sammy Jo is packing for the ski trip when Alexis drops by unannounced looking for Steven. When Sammy Jo tells her he moved back to the mansion, Alexis expresses her delight that the two are no longer cohabitating. She goes on to decree that Danny too should reside at the mansion, and Sammy Jo angrily says that she and Steven have a custody agreement. Alexis cattily asks if this agreement entails her sleeping around with every Tom, Dick, and Josh she rubs up against...and Sammy Jo raises her hand to deliver a well-deserved smack - but Alexis deftly blocks her fist and warns, "Don't ever do that again, little girl." Sammy Jo bellows at her to get the hell out of her house, and Alexis glares at her for a quick second before hightailing it out of there. 

Blake and Krystle are enjoying a romantic dinner at campaign headquarters when Alexis bursts in to angrily inform Blake that Steven has moved out of Delta Rho...without taking Danny with him. Blake says he knows all about it and advises, "Try living your own life and stop interfering with other peoples'." Alexis points out that her children are in her life, and insists that Danny should be under the supervision of Steven and not "that tacky little niece of Krystle's". She nonsensically declares that Blake's decision to run for governor is a disaster for voters, as well as for their (grown) children...and after she haughtily storms out, a weary looking Blake tells Krystle that he just lost his appetite. 

​Later at the Carlton Hotel, Sean is sucking Alexis's toes (yes, he really is) while Alexis and her Shih Tzu look visibly bored. Alexis finally tells him to stop 'cause she's not in the mood, and also declines his invitation to go out for a late supper. Sean immediately gets pissy about how unnecessarily irked she constantly is about Blake's gubernatorial run, and wonders aloud if she's ever really gotten her ex out of her system. Alexis rails about how he sounds just like Dex, and that both he and Dex don't have a clue as to the extent of crazy that continually swirls around her head. Sean angrily accuses her of being a manipulator of men, who lashes out when she doesn't get her way...then asks if he's the next target on her list [mmm, what do you think, Sean?]. He then decides to go out by himself, snappishly tells her to not wait up, and bitchily stomps out of the room. Alexis responds by rolling her eyes disinterestedly (lol) and then picks up the phone to call the managing editor of The Denver Mirror to order him to arrange a press conference in her office in exactly one hour. 
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"I'm getting the sense that you're a manipulative she-devil who wants everything her way."

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"You've met me, right?"

Inside another suite of the Carlton Hotel, Leslie is decked out in a long silky bathrobe as she puts on some muzak and then stares at the opulence around her while looking visibly hot and bothered. A few seconds later, Sean drops by with a bottle of champagne and two glasses, explaining that he's come to de-stressify her from her demanding job. He leans in for a smooch...and she warns him not to tease her, and irritably asks if Alexis has a headache. Sean responds by picking her up and carrying her over to the bed, then holds her arms on either side of her as he creepily coos, "Let it happen, Leslie. Be with me." Leslie says she's worked hard to get where she is and would prefer to not get fired by Alexis for hitting the sheets with her husband, and Sean makes it clear that right now he only gives a shit about getting his rocks off, and starts aggressively smooching her.

Over at Carrington manor, Jeff is about to leave for the ski trip when he's suddenly served with divorce papers. Fallon, who's lingering in the vestibule, is all, "Oops, I didn't mean for it to happen like this", and a miffed Jeff tells her that he never saw any of this coming. He then huffily exits the mansion, leaving Fallon staring after him with a look of stricken mortification. 

While en route to the mountains, Jeff apologizes to Sammy Jo for being terrible company, then explains that he was just served with divorce papers. As Sammy Jo clucks sympathetically, he says he feels depressed and relieved at the same time...then decides he doesn't want to talk about it anymore, and suggests they simply focus on having a fun ski trip with the boys. Fantastic.

Back at campaign headquarters, Blake turns on the news - just in time to see Alexis's press conference. She announces to her viewers that she's been so dismayed by the limited options being offered to voters in this gubernatorial race - two terrible white men - that she's decided to offer the state "a real choice", meaning herself as an independent candidate. Blake stares at the TV in shock, then shakes his head as he mutters to Krystle, "She's finally found a way to destroy my campaign." He somehow refrains from wondering aloud whether or not Alexis has actually fulfilled the necessary petition requirements in order to even be eligible to run for governor...'cause, while I'm no expert on U.S. politics, I'm sure there's something more involved in the process of running for governor than simply telling people you're running governor.
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In loving indifference
Josh Harris
Season 8, Episodes 5-11

"The New Moguls"
Original airdate: 12/23/1987

Episode summary: Blake holds a press conference to offer irrefutable proof that he didn't indulge in sexy time with a hooker. Steven turns down a business proposal from Vitron Oil, much to the annoyance of Fallon and Adam. Josh overdoses on cocaine.
Recap: Blake and Krystle are exercising in the mansion's gym when Jeannette brings in a spare rotary phone and informs Blake that he has a call. Blake quickly learns that the caller is a reporter wanting a statement as to whether or not he hired a hooker in Cora Van Husen's Colorado Springs bordello. He denies the accusation, slams the phone down, and grumbles to Krystle about how the Denver press doesn't seem interested in any real issues. He calls the bordello video footage "a cheap smear campaign", and Krystle clucks sympathetically and laments about how unfair it all is. He concurs and says he's hoping they can put their heads together and quickly figure out a way to undo the damage. 

Over at Delta Rho, Sammy Jo chides Steven for causing an embarrassing scene with Josh at the Old English Fair, insisting that she could have handled the matter herself. Steven rightly argues that Josh was the one who caused the scene, then asks her if he really did propose marriage...and Sammy Jo says he did - but that she has zero interest in being the wife of such a dumbass. She says she never intended to have an affair...and sheepishly admits to hitting the sheets with Josh, a mistake she now regrets. Steven softens and says he knows it's not easy for her to thrive within the confines of their sexless non-hetero living arrangement, but points out that Josh brings around the kind of trouble their family doesn't need. Sammy Jo tearfully whimpers, "Please don't hate me", and Steven cooingly assures her that that could never be possible.
​
Back at Carrington manor, Jeff is staring at a framed photo of him and Fallon, then has a flashback of their wedding day. After that, he wanders outside, seeks out Fallon's favorite tree, and isn't surprised to find her there, lounging atop one of the heavy branches. She tells him how much she loooooves this tree and likes to do her hardest thinking here...but this time her problems seem far tougher to solve than usual. Jeff tells her that whatever happens, he loves her very much...and she just stares back at him in mute contemplation.

During breakfast, Blake hands Krystle the morning edition of The Denver Mirror, which features a front page editorial on his bordello visit. He says he's pretty sure Alexis is behind it, but has no idea how to prove that...and figures he should just focus on repairing his now sullied reputation. Krystle says she'd love to get a look at the original video, and Blake agrees that, yeah, that'd be a good idea - but warns that if Alexis is behind this scandal, acquiring that tape isn't going to be an easy task.
​
Over at the Carlton Hotel, Alexis is meeting with (I'll assume) one of her editors, gushing about how pleased she is with his Blake-bashing editorial. The editor tells her he's still trying to look into the source of the bordello video footage, but hasn't found anything...and Alexis urges him to not waste too much manpower investigating something she would rather remain undiscovered. After he heads off, Krystle drops by and sternly informs Alexis that she doesn't buy her innocent act...and Alexis responds by continuing to feign innocence, then says she can't allow her feelings about Blake to dictate what she publishes in her paper. Krystle points out that, for whatever reason, she continues to feature Blake in every issue of The Denver Mirror [in lieu of reporting actual news], then demands that she hand over the video that was shown at the Old English Fair. Alexis says she doesn't have it, and tells her she should prolly focus more of her attention on what Blake was doing in a bordello. Krystle insists that the video is somehow fraudulent and vows that she's not going to let it destroy his gubernatorial campaign.
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"I'm not buying your innocent act."

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"And yet I continue to do a convincing job of selling it."

Leslie is milling around Alexis's office, dressed in a chic black business suit with a short skirt [I guess she took Alexis's advice about her office-wear from the previous episode]. Jeff storms in, bellows, "You're not going to get away with this, Alexis!", then looks befuddled when he sees that it's Leslie (and not Alexis) he's yelling at. When Leslie's all 'what in blazes are you talking about?', Jeff asks her if she was involved with the bordello video footage that publicly humiliated Blake, and she irritably tells him she would never hurt her own uncle like that. She [falsely] assumes that Fallon is behind his accusations, snarlingly pronounces that the two of them deserve each other, and decides that their one night stand in New York was "one night too many". Amen to that. 

Over lunch at the Carlton Hotel patio restaurant, Fallon asks Alexis if she had anything to do with the bordello video...and Alexis denies it, then hastily changes the subject to the marital problems that are increasingly apparent between her and Jeff. Fallon tells her she's seriously contemplating filing for divorce 'cause of how sick and tired she is of being treated like a child. Alexis cautions her to not throw Jeff away, not least 'cause there are so few marriageable men out there - but Fallon's just kinda 'meh' and says that while she still loves Jeff, no way in hell does she want to live with such a pompous horse's ass anymore. She then decides she's suddenly lost her appetite, and hastily gets up and flees the restaurant.

Josh drops by Delta Rho clutching a bouquet of flowers, and Sammy Jo politely accepts them before ambling into the next room to find a vase...and while she's doing that, Josh fishes around his coat pocket for his coke vial and takes a quick snort. He then spots one of Danny's toys - a clown puppet - and picks it up to perform an impromptu ventriloquist act to admonish himself for his boorish behavior at the Old English Fair. When Sammy Jo says she's already forgiven him, Josh visibly perks up...and then he and the puppet discuss how much he looooooves Sammy Jo and wants to marry her...and when he starts annoyingly waving the puppet in her face demanding a response to his marriage proposal, she shoves it away and shrieks, "I can't marry you! I don't love you!" Josh loses his grip on the toy, which falls onto the floor, causing its porcelain head to smash into pieces...and it defies logic why anyone would buy such an easily breakable toy for a small boy child. Josh poutishly tells her not to say she doesn't love him 'cause he's under the delusion that she does...and Sammy Jo softens slightly and says that just 'cause they hit the sheets once doesn't mean she's ready to marry him, or anyone for that matter. Josh irritably chides her for wanting to live "a sexless lie" with Steven, then storms out. 

Later, Skip Maitland drops by Josh's apartment to supply him with yet more coke...and expresses concern to Josh that the frequency with which he's snorting the white poison is rapidly approaching Tony Montana/Scarface levels. He cautions Josh about not being able to see his imminent demise and tries to look as street-tough as possible as he warns, "Take a look around, man. It's fourth down, the blitz is coming." He emphasizes that last thing by loudly clapping his hands together (lol), then gives Josh (who's barely listening as he busily arranges a line of coke in preparation for his next snort) one last exasperated look before abruptly leaving. In the hallway, Skip runs into Steven, who snarks at him to stay away from Josh so that he doesn't turn him into a cokehead...and Skip informs him that Josh's cokehead train left the station a long time ago, leaving Steven staring back at him with a look of alarmed dismay.

Later, Steven convenes a meeting with Adam and Fallon (and Dana for note-taking) in his Denver Carrington office, specifically to discuss a business proposal from a company called Vitron Oil, which is based in Natumbe (a fictional West African country). Adam and Fallon agree that it definitely sounds like something Denver Carrington should be getting onboard with - but Steven disagrees and says he turned them down flat. When Adam and Fallon are all, "Wha-a-a-a-a?!", Steven explains that Vitron insisted on an answer immediately (which, in his defence, seems like kind of a red flag), and that the deal itself seemed so shady that he didn't think it warranted even being put to a vote. He points out that Blake would have acted just as decisively as he did, prompting an enraged Adam to bellow, "You are not father!" Fallon too expresses outrage at being cut out of the decision-making process, then gets up and storms out of the room. Steven rushes out after her...but in vain, 'cause she dashes into the first available elevator and ignores his pleas to stay and talk this out.
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"I rejected a shady business proposal from some rando in a fictional African country."

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"How dare you."

Dana remarks to Adam how unpleasant that meeting was and expresses her burning desire to not be a note-taker for any Denver Carrington meetings for the rest of her life. Adam's all, "Noooooo.." and urges her to stay 'cause she's the only person inside the company he feels like he can trust.

Fallon heads straight to the pipeline worksite to ask Dex if he knows anything about Vitron Oil, as well as to grumble about how Steven rejected the company's proposal without so much as a discussion with her and/or Adam. Dex says he actually sides with Steven on this one, and also points out that Steven is desperately trying to prove to everyone that Denver Carrington is in capable hands. He then tells Fallon that tomorrow he just happens to be attending an energy conference on the Ivory Coast, and afterwards can drop by Natumbe and snoop around Vitron Oil headquarters to see what he can uncover.

Josh is reading a puff piece in the newspaper on how Ye Olde Kissing Booth (particularly during Sammy Jo's shift) was the most popular attraction at the Old English Fair. He then gets a call summoning him to Steven's office...and he pulls out his coke vial to take a quick snort before rushing out the door.

In the next scene, Steven asks Josh what he thinks about implementing a voluntary drug testing policy for the entire football team. An alarmed Josh calls that "a dumb idea", refuses to set an example by agreeing to having his urine tested, and accuses Steven of tormenting him 'cause of his hookup with Sammy Jo. Steven makes it clear that he's way more mad about the way he's been screwing up his life and football career 'cause of all the coke he's clearly been snorting, and Josh reacts by angrily quitting the team (a second time), snarling, "You and your ex-wife deserve each other! To hell with you!", and storming out of the office.

Over at campaign headquarters, Jeff hands Blake his resignation letter and says he can't help but feel fully responsible for the leak of the bordello tape. Blake points out that he couldn't possibly have known that that was going to happen, and gives him the option of taking some vacation time to recombobulate himself while trying to work things out with Fallon. He gently asks if there's anything he can do to help that along, but Jeff despondently says there's really nothing anyone can do to save their lacklustre marriage. Blake says that whatever happens, he loves both him and Fallon very much...then rips up the resignation letter.

Krystle heads over to the Colorado Springs bordello to tell Cora Van Husen that she could use her help proving that Blake didn't visit her establishment for the purpose of getting down with a hooker. She says she'd really really like to get her hands on the videotape that one of her gals must have filmed...then coyly points out to Cora that her clients likely depend on her discretion and would be none too appreciative of the prospect that they too could be filmed as they muse over which scantily clad prostitute they'd most enjoy getting their rocks off with.
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"It shouldn't be hard to recall which hooker was aiming a large '80s videocamera in my husband's direction during his impromptu visit to your bordello."

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"Fair point."

Alexis is lounging atop her bed with her adorable Shih Tzu when Sean enters the room...and his sudden presence prompts the Shih Tzu to start growling, which I found hilarious and a totally apt response to the weird creep. Sean tells Alexis that he covertly paid off Cora's hooker so that Krystle won't be able to trace the source of the bordello video, then grumbles about how much he dislikes meeting ladies of the night in dark alleyways. Alexis assures him it's totally worth it to destroy Blake's gubernatorial prospects [is it though?], and Sean gives her a hug and says he missed not seeing her for most of the day. 

Leslie encounters Sean in Alexis's office to drop off a proposal for a new management position...then sheepishly admits that, yeah, she's actually recommending herself for the job. She earnestly explains that she'd do a great job, has a strong engineering background, and was in a similar position in Canada. Sean mulls all that over and says he'd be more than happy to recommend her to Alexis, then creepily adds, "Let's hope you deserve it" ... and says this as though he himself wasn't just handed a top corporate job at ColbyCo solely because he's the boss's new trophy husband.

Dex arrives in Natumbe and meets up with the sinister looking head of Vitron Oil named Harry Thresher (who is also a past acquaintance). Dex fibbingly tells him he was in the area and decided to drop in to see how the company's doing...'cause he's heard they have a ton of crude oil that needs to be moved and would love to be able to get in on that action. Harry plays dumb about any specific deals he's proposed - like, to Denver Carrington, for example - and urges him to go away and fly back to Denver, pronto. Dex doesn't push it and bids him adieu before heading off to the reception area to call the local airport...and while he's doing that, he overhears Harry's receptionist placing an overseas person-to-person call to Sean Rowan located in Denver, Colorado, United States of America. The camera then pans over to Harry, who reports to Sean that he just had a visit from Dex Dexter, who seems to want to bribe his way into the kind of deal he just proposed to Denver Carrington, and Sean looks pleased by that and replies, "Good. The machinery is in motion."

Cora Van Husen drops by Carrington manor to tell Krystle and Blake that, upon further reflection, she doesn't like it when her hookers do shady shit right under her nose...then hands Blake a VHS tape that contains the boring footage of his infamous bordello visit. She says there's no audio on the tape, declines Krystle's request to make an official statement about any of this, and wishes them good luck with restoring Blake's reputation. 

Steven is meeting with the head football coach when Sammy Jo storms into his office and shrieks, "You fired Josh?!!" Steven confirms he did, then turns his attention back to the coach and asks him to please gather up the rest of the coaches for an important football update meeting in half an hour. An irked Sammy Jo demands to know why she had to read about this latest development in the newspaper (that's some speedy journalism), and Steven assures her that the firing had nothing to do with her bumping uglies with Josh, but rather his excessive cocaine use. As Sammy Jo stares back at him in shocked bewilderment, Steven firmly decrees that he doesn't want the druggie around her and/or Danny anymore.

Alexis giddily tells Sean that the bordello scandal is going to keep Blake busy and distracted from his gubernatorial campaign - just as Blake drops by her office to inform the two that he's holding a press conference in thirty minutes to expose her cheap trick of making people believe that he pays hookers for sex. He suggests she tune in to the seven o'clock news to watch "the re-run" of a tape she's no doubt familiar with...and smugly adds that this one will have a new and surprising ending.

Press conference! Blake admonishes the press for being so disproportionately intrigued by the character assassination of a gubernatorial candidate, then turns the floor over to Krystle, who explains that she was able to get a hold of the bordello video that makes it look as though Blake is negotiating the services of a hooker. She says that since the audio is missing from the tape, she decided to enlist the services of a professional lip reader to determine the exact nature of Blake's conversation with Cora. The lip reader proceeds to peer closely at the television screen in order to examine the footage and report back to the many fascinated reporters in attendance the exact nature of the one-on-one interaction between Cora Van Husen and Blake:
  • Cora offers Blake a drink, which he declines
  • Cora remarks that he had said he wanted to talk about his brother, then proceeds to natter about Ben's illicit affair with Emily Fallmont the night Ma Carrington perished in the fire, blah blah..
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"Blake then says to Cora: 'I'm not thirsty...but if I were, my afternoon beverage of choice is herb tea with a pinch of lemon'".

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"We're on record as not being titillated."

Alexis, who's glumly watching the non-titillating press conference from her ColbyCo office, snaps at Sean to turn off the TV. He obliges, then chucklingly remarks what a giant fool Blake just made of her...and says that if she expects to go toe-to-toe with a savvy public relations genius, she needs to deliver more of a knockout punch. Alexis begs to differ, then poutishly points out that she may have lost this round, but that the fight is far from over...and says this despite the fact that she could simply stop antagonizing her ex-husband on what seems like a daily basis and just live her damn life. ​

Sammy Jo is trying, in vain, to get a hold of Josh. She glances over at the broken puppet head, then rushes out of the house. 

Dex calls Fallon from West Africa and tells her he's decided to hang around a bit longer. He tells her that the head of Vitron Oil, Harry Thresher, is a low-life who's somehow connected to Sean Rowan...then quickly asks her to keep mum on all this while he digs around for more intel. A few seconds later, Jeff ambles into the bedroom to once again discuss the tedium that is their failing marriage. He points out that, despite their many problems, the marriage has survived - but Fallon argues that she wants to do more than just survive - she wants to thrive, damn it. Jeff sadly asks her if she still loves him...and when she just mutely stares into space like a deer in headlights, he finally grasps the full reality that this marriage is 100% dunzo.

Sammy Jo arrives at Josh's apartment and lets herself in when she finds the door unlocked. As the radio blares out a muzak version of Michael Jackson's Thriller (yes really), she wanders around and mumbles, "Oh my God.." at the sight of drug paraphernalia strewn across the living room table. She heads towards the bedroom, and is horrified to find Josh collapsed on the floor. She's all, "Ack! Josh!" and frantically tries to revive him...but when he doesn't respond, she races to the phone and calls an ambulance to report the probable drug overdose. As she waits for the paramedics, she tearfully cradles Josh in her arms - just as a news report comes on the radio about the local football team, specifically that Josh Harris reportedly refused to take a drug test. The announcer goes on to detail the enormous pressure Josh has been under to win every game, then ponders, "Was it too much pressure?"

Apparently yes. 
​Thanks for reading! If you are enjoying TVofYore's recaps, consider thanking me by buying me a "coffee"!
Published on
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"it's the economy, fucktwats!"

"The Setup"
Original airdate: 12/2/1987

Episode summary: A scandal breaks out when the ex-quarterback on Steven's football team is busted for drug dealing. Dana confides in Alexis about a deep dark secret. Fallon tells Jeff she's ready to formally put an end to their deteriorating marriage.
Recap: Blake informs Steven, Adam, and Fallon that the Denver Carrington board of directors has approved the creation of a new Executive Committee, which offers each of them an equal partnership (with one vote) whenever anything major needs deciding...which to me sounds horribly cumbersome. He explains that Steven is the chosen one who will be sitting in his chair, and that it's simply the most logical choice, given that Steven has long been his right arm at the company. Fallon and Adam murmur that they totally understand his decision, and he happily replies that he's thrilled they're handling this so well. He then asks Steven to walk him to the parking garage to discuss a specific item of business...and once they're safely out of hearing range, Adam grumbles to Fallon about Steven being the one who gets to call all the shots. Fallon shrugs disinterestedly and points out that since they each have an equal vote, he shouldn't be so bugged by it...and then somehow fails to remind him that he continues to be employed at ColbyCo, a direct competitor of his own father's company. After Fallon sashays out, the phone rings, and Adam takes the call and learns from the football team's coach that the ex-quarterback, Skip Maitland, was just busted for dealing cocaine...and that he needs Steven's help to cobble together a formal statement. Adam immediately dials up security and orders them to find Steven asap...then gets another idea and calls up The Daily Express to leak this tidbit to the sports reporter.

Over breakfast at the Carlton Hotel, Alexis asks Dana how the whole surrogacy thing is going, and Dana says she talks to Karen everyday and that she and Adam are soooo lucky to have found such a wonderful woman who's willing to birth their child. When Alexis remarks on the speedy rate at which this surrogacy is barrelling along [right??], Dana explains that since Adam made it clear how insanely desperate he is to produce a Carrington heir, she was more than willing to accept the prospect of another woman carrying his bun in her oven...and Alexis chews on that for a few seconds before asking if it wouldn't have been "kinder" to have told Adam about her barrenness before the wedding. When Dana insists that she had no idea, Alexis says she must have had some idea, and urges her to open up about whatever deep dark secrets she might be harboring. Dana stupidly decides it'd be a good idea to confide that, when she was fifteen years old, she got herself knocked up and had a botched abortion - the consequence of which was that doctors later confirmed no way in hell could she ever birth children. Alexis coldly retorts, "So you did know you couldn't have children", and a distraught Dana says she always hoped the doctors were wrong, and couldn't bring herself to tell Adam 'cause of how deeply she loooooooves him. She pleads with Alexis to keep this secret to herself, and Alexis faux promises, then asks her how she expects her marriage to work when she's hiding such a dreadful secret from her husband...and Dana reacts to that criticism by staring into space with a shellshocked expression.
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"Please keep my shameful secret to yourself."

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"I estimate that I can probably keep it under wraps for about an hour, tops."

Josh, who's decked out in belly baring crop top, is studying his vial of cocaine...then hastily shoves it into his pocket when Steven drops by his apartment to inform him that Skip Maitland just got busted for drug dealing. Josh derisively says the dude was always a loser, then plays dumb about knowing anything about any drugs. Steven says he's worried about Skip supplying drugs to other members of the football team, and Josh gets defensive and insists that he's been directing 100% of his brain power towards football. Steven says he believes him, but vows that if there's a drug problem on the team, he will get to the bottom of it. After he exits the apartment, Josh fishes the vial of cocaine out of his pocket, then reaches for the phone to call Sammy Jo.
​
In the next scene, Josh is at Delta Rho, railing to Sammy Jo about how Steven accused him of being a cokehead 'cause of Skip Maitland's arrest. Sammy Jo says that maybe Steven was just seeking his help sussing out the druggies - but Josh doesn't buy that and grumbles about how Steven only cares about the number of games the team wins. He whines that Steven is much too hard on him, which in turn makes him feel bad about himself, and Sammy Jo suggests that maybe he's being too hard on himself and deserves better. Josh perks up at her kind words and moves in for a smooch - but she turns her head aside and reminds him about the agreement she and Steven have. Josh reacts by snarking, "You stick to your agreement, Sammy Jo. See what good it does you when you reach out on a cold night", then mumbles that he really needs a drink.

Alexis flounces over to campaign headquarters to blab to Blake that Dana isn't physically able to have children because of a botched abortion she never told Adam about. Blake says he couldn't care less, rightly points out that it's none of their business, and sternly orders Alexis to leave Dana and Adam alone. Alexis makes it clear that she has no intention of doing that, incoherently argues that "this little nobody" rushed into marriage with Adam in order to [not directly] produce a Carrington heir that would secure her future, and decrees that Dana shouldn't have any legal claim on the surrogate baby. [That's probably not how family law works, but OK.] Blake warns her again to not interfere in the lives of these grown adults, and Alexis mockingly wonders how he plans to govern Colorado if he can't even control his own family members. 

Later at ColbyCo, Sean is massaging Alexis's neck as she grumbles about how Blake is defending Dana the Gold Digger and her back alley abortion. She mentions that Blake just turned over one-third of Denver Carrington to Adam and nonsensically worries about Dana, by association, getting too rich and powerful...and says this as though she herself didn't become as wealthy and powerful as she is by being married to Cecil Colby for thirty seconds before he conveniently died. Sean looks visibly intrigued by the notion of Adam suddenly owning one-third of Denver Carrington and tells Alexis he's off to an impromptu meeting.

Sean heads straight to The Denver Mirror to look at newspaper articles on microfiche. [Hee! I remember microfiche.] He comes across an old photo in a Billings newspaper featuring that year's homecoming queen, Anna Gregory, and her friend Dana Waring.

Back at Carrington manor, Krystle is sorting through some old baby toys when Fallon enters the room and happily picks up her old Raggedy Ann doll. She recalls the time that Jeff pulled one of the legs off, then spent the entire evening making up for his cruelty by sewing it up again. She wistfully mutters, "It wasn't perfect...but I guess nothing ever is" and goes on to lament that she doesn't even think she and Jeff have a relationship anymore, and that she has zero desire to try. Krystle urges her to make one last effort and attempt to spend some time alone together, and Fallon silently ponders whether or not this is anything she's remotely interested in doing.

While aboard the private jet, Jeff does his best to avoid talking to Leslie by pretending he has a lot of paperwork he needs to finish before they land in Denver. Leslie's all, "Pay attention to me!" and says she thought their night in the sack was wonderful - a sentiment Jeff does not share as he makes it clear that he never wants it to happen again. He admits to being attracted to her, but that he needs to try making things work with Fallon. Leslie warns that he's kidding himself, then shrugs and breezily wishes him good luck with repairing his failing marriage.
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"Our night in the sack was the most.."

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"..hideous experience my penis has ever had."

Blake is out on the stump, delivering a campaign speech to oil workers while the press hangs on every word. He promises jobs for everyone capable of working, social assistance to those who deserve it, and a balanced growth that will propel Colorado well into the future. After the crowd applauds his platitudes, the reporters ask a bunch of gotcha questions about the drug abuse on Steven's football team:
  • How many druggies are on the team?
  • How does the ex-quarterback's cocaine dealing affect morale among the rest of the players?
  • Are you in favor of mandatory drug testing?

Blake rails about the "blight on society" that is drug abuse, is visibly annoyed at the focus on Steven's football team and not his economic blather, and hastily wraps up the speaking engagement. Adam wankingly tells Blake he did a great job, then remarks on how a drug scandal is the last thing he needs, sourly adding, "Thank you very much, Steven." Blake insists that it's not Steven's fault, and that the press is merely trying to pit one Carrington against another. He urges Adam to not "feed that fire". 

Leslie arrives at campaign headquarters to further stalk Jeff, and he reacts by urging her to go home so he can finish his work. He then excuses himself to, I'll assume, use the bathroom in the adjacent room...and Leslie uses the opportunity to arrange herself in a sexy pose atop the couch when Fallon suddenly enters. She glares at Leslie, growls, "I should have known", and informs her that she recognized her voice when she called Jeff's hotel room yesterday. By this time, Jeff has emerged from the bathroom and feigns cluelessness about what in blue blazes Leslie is doing in the office with him at this late hour. After Leslie beats a hasty retreat, Fallon comes right out and asks him if anything happened between the two of them in New York...and Jeff silently mulls that over and stupidly says it's not that simple, and Fallon says it is actually then quietly turns around and walks out.

Dex drops by Alexis's office to complain that Sean hasn't done squat about getting him an easement on transit rights for the pipeline project. He snarlingly says that Blake is sooooo much better to deal with for this type of thing, and Alexis just rolls her eyes and says she couldn't give even the tiniest of rat's asses about his pipeline project. She then makes a very weird segue way and complains that Blake once generated paperwork via a deposition that was signed by Cora Van Husen, aka the madame at a whorehouse in Colorado Springs. Dex is like, "The fuck I care about that?" and once again says he neeeeeeds that easement, like pronto. After he storms out, Alexis summons her chauffeur and tells him she has to get to Colorado Springs asap.

Over in the best little whorehouse in Colorado, Alexis asks Cora Van Husen about her involvement in Blake's deposition, so Cora explains that it was to confirm Ben Carrington had been with a woman (not Alexis) the night his mother died in the house fire. She says she was proud to help Blake, who's too good of a man to be blamed for her death. She then says, "Time is money" and wanders off...and a few seconds later, one of the hookers tells Alexis that she was around the day Blake Carrington dropped by for Cora's deposition, and that she knows of something very interesting [though: not] that was filmed that day. Alexis perks up at that nugget and looks intrigued. 
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"I have a nothing burger you might be interested in."

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"That intrigues me deeply."

During breakfast at the mansion, Steven chides Blake for his support of mandatory drug testing, insisting that he doesn't want to run his football team like a police state. Blake's like, "I really couldn't give a shit" and urges Steven to test or don't test and just do whatever he thinks is best [and then shut up about it, 'cause this entire football subplot is boring as fuck].

Fallon tells Jeff that their marriage is irretrievably kaput, and she no longer wants to be treated like anyone's "little girl". Jeff half-heartedly suggests they try again, but Fallon declines and says she doesn't want them to get to a point where they start hating each other. He points out that their separation might hurt Blake's gubernatorial campaign and offers to move into one of the mansion's many guest rooms, and she perks up at that prospect and agrees it's a prudent idea.

As Jeff proceeds to have his clothing transferred into a different bedroom, he runs into Leslie, who says she too is changing her living arrangement by moving to the Carlton Hotel so that she can be available to Alexis 24/7 for an upcoming project. She then says she refuses to apologize for hitting the sheets with him, then gives him the number of her suite at the Carlton.

Steven summons Josh to his Denver Carrington office to admonish him for not attending practice, and to inform him that he wants him to have a complete physical to make sure he's not suffering from any kind of neurological issues. Josh flatly refuses and abruptly quits the team - just as Sammy Jo appears in the doorway and is all, "Wha-a-a?"

Sean jets to Billings and meets up with Anna Gregory. He shows her photos of Dana's lavish wedding and the ginormous mansion she now lives in, then hands her an envelop containing 10K and says it's hers if she's willing to give him some dirt on her old friend.

Steven summons Adam to the study to accuse him of leaking the drug abuse story to The Daily Express. When Adam weakly feigns innocence, Steven snarks that he clearly hates not being in Blake's CEO chair and is therefore deliberately trying to make him look bad. Fallon enters the room and orders them to stop sniping at each other, remarking that they're already at each others' throats barely a day after Blake divested himself of Denver Carrington.

Alexis interrupts Krystle's facial at the Ravissante Spa to invite her and Blake to be guests of honor at a special fundraiser for the drug rehabilitation center that she knows the two of them staunchly support. Alexis pretends to want bygones to be bygones, then references a campaign video of the two of them (Krystle and Blake) touring the rehabilitation center and says she'd loooooove to screen it at the party. Krystle somehow sees no red flags with any of this and tells Alexis she's very interested in attending the charity event, and promises to talk it over with Blake. 
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"I'd really like to do something wonderful for you and Blake."

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"I sense nothing amiss with that."

Steven chews out Dex for his delay on the pipeline project, so Dex rails about how ColbyCo hasn't provided him with the easement on transit rights that he's been asking for. When Steven snarlingly retorts, "Then get it", Dex asks who the hell he thinks he's talking to, and that it's clear he's seriously lacking some interpersonal skills. Steven immediately gets defensive, says he doesn't need any managerial advice, and snappishly orders him to get the %$#@ pipeline finished - on time, and on budget.

Sean arranges a secret meeting with Dana to tell her he knows the full story of her botched abortion, namely that the boy who knocked her up in Billings was none other than Adam (!). Dana stares back at him in horror and asks what he wants, so he smarmily says that, for now, she simply needs to trust him.

Back at the Carlton Hotel, Alexis is going over plans for the upcoming fundraiser with Leslie, telling her she'd like the theme to be an old English fair. When Leslie asks her why she's planning a party for one of Krystle's favorite charities, Alexis says it's 'cause she's so darn altruistic...and that she discovered a fascinating tidbit from "a rather talkative lady of the night". 

Alexis meets up with a film editor, who tells her did his best to improve the quality of the film she gave him, which was clearly shot by an amateur. He then runs the clip, and Alexis grins devilishly and says, "This will do very nicely."
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Alexis would surely have thrived in Tudor England

"The Fair"
Original airdate: 12/9/1987

Episode summary: Alexis hosts an Old English Fair and tries to publicly embarrass Blake with some old video footage (that doesn't really seem all that embarrassing). Fallon tells Jeff she intends to file for divorce. Josh proposes to Sammy Jo.
Recap: After reading the morning paper, Blake tells Krystle he's happy to learn that the popularity of his gubernatorial candidacy is steadily gaining in the polls. A few seconds later, a man dressed up in a court jester costume drops by to deliver a personal telegram performance to invite them, in the most whimsical manner possible, to Alexis's fundraiser (themed Old English Fair). After he scampers off, Blake and Krystle chucklingly ponder whether or not they should attend the party...and Krystle can't help but wonder if she should have given Alexis the video of her and Blake touring the Hampton Springs Drug Rehabilitation Center. Blake breezily says he's sure it's fine, and that he's looking forward to an evening dressed up as an English lord while having to socialize with his ex-wife and her weird new husband.

Josh, who's once again decked out in his crop top, is packing up his stuff when Sammy Jo drops by his apartment. He sourly remarks that their hookup seems to mean nothing more to her than a one night stand, and she weakly insists that she sorta kinda does care about him, and urges him to not run away...like she did soon after Danny was born, and ended up missing out on three years of his life. Josh says he haaaaaaas to leave Denver...but when Sammy Jo says she doesn't want their [chemistry-free coupling] to end like this, he perks up and stares back at her in mute hopefulness.

While enjoying a beverage at an outdoor cafe, Fallon tells Blake that she and Jeff are separating, not least 'cause he's been acting like such an insufferable douchebag ever since she stupidly told him about her alien visitation. Blake scrunches his wrinkly face concernedly and says he loves them both...but insists that she feel free to move ahead with a divorce, regardless of how negatively it might affect his gubernatorial campaign.

Josh storms into Steven's office and brusquely announces that he wants back on the football team, and would like to play on Sunday. Steven, who was in the middle of a phone call, hangs up and informs Josh that he's currently in the process of recruiting his replacement - but Josh warns that if he dumps him as the quarterback, no way in hell is the team ever going to make it to the playoffs. Steven's all, "Egads!" and asks him what changed his mind, so Josh solemnly replies that he ran into an old friend: himself. As Steven ponders that incoherent retort, the phone rings, and he tells whoever's on the other end that he's no longer in the market for a quarterback, and says this while looking over at Josh. He then hangs up, and somehow refrains from pressing Josh on whether or not he'll agree to get a physical (and presumably drug test), which was the reason the dipshit so bitchily quit the team during the previous episode.

Alexis is in her hotel suite primping for the evening when she confirms to Sean that both Blake and Krystle have RSVPed for her Old English Fair party. Fantastic.

Dana arrives home and spacily tells Adam she was just at the doctor's with Karen and felt the baby move. Adam's all, "Really?!" and giddily hugs her before announcing that tonight they'll be dining with Alexis and Sean. Dana makes a blech face and says she's in no mood to do that - but Adam insists she be present, 'cause he has an unnaturally strong desire for her and his mother to get along. Dana reluctantly agrees, then stares miserably into space while Adam envelopes her in a grateful hug.

Over at campaign headquarters, Krystle and Jeff are watching the video of her and Blake touring the Hampton Springs Drug Rehabilitation Center, which looks like innocent enough footage. Krystle gently tells Jeff that she heard about his marriage going kaput, and Jeff sighs and says he's getting tired of the rollercoaster type relationship and would prefer to have a wife who has zero desire for the kind of personal independence that Fallon seems to be craving lately. He further complains, "I grew up expecting that the husband works hard and takes care of the family, and the wife is there to support him. It's just not that way. I just feel lost." Krystle stares back at him with an expression of serene pensiveness and agrees that, yep, misogynistic husbands had it way better during the '50s, and '60s...then urges him to fight hard to keep his/Fallon's marriage together if even a small part of him wants to keep riding that rollercoaster. 
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"Do you think it's unreasonable to expect a wife to devote her every waking moment to her husband's needs?"

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"Based on my current marital situation, nope."

Sammy Jo is grooming one of her horses when Josh enters the stables, dressed like a stereotypical cowboy as he leads around one of the horses. Sammy Jo giggles at his getup and says she's soooooo happy he decided to rejoin the football team. Josh suggests they go riding together and leans in for an aggressive smooch, but Sammy Jo pulls away and makes it clear that she's definitely not into it. Josh irritably asks why she fights him off when they're so good together, declares that he's deeply in love with her, then drops down on one knee and proposes (yep...marriage). A bewildered Sammy Jo declines to agree to marry someone she met less than a month ago, and Josh admonishes her for pretending she loved him during yesterday's "pep talk", and storms off.

After an awkward dinner at the Carlton Hotel, Adam invites Alexis to cut a rug with him on the dance floor, leaving Dana alone at the table with Sean...who gives her her first assignment: get a copy of the Denver Carrington board meeting minutes and then surreptitiously slip them to him during the Old English Fair party. He adds that he also wants any documentation on Blake's divestiture. Dana defiantly asks what he'll do if she refuses, and he tells her he'll reveal her botched abortion secret, in its entirety, to the world...and when an appalled Dana calls that blackmail, he grinningly replies, "You're wrong, Dana. That's life."

Leslie is alone in Alexis's office, mimicking her boss as she lights up a slim and talks in a faux British accent as she leaves herself a voice memo. Naturally, Alexis enters the room at that moment and looks amused by Leslie's imitation of her...and gives her embarrassed assistant some sage life advice: if she wants to appear more Alexis-like, she needs to wear shorter skirts and lots of really expensive jewelry. She glances down at Leslie's chunky bracelet, a cheap imitation of the pricey one she's wearing...then takes hers off, gives it to Leslie, and tells her to consider it "a taste of the future". 

Josh phones Sammy Jo to tell her he wants them to get together tonight, but she declines 'cause she and Steven are scheduled to attend Alexis's Old English Fair party. She tells him they prolly shouldn't see each other for the next while (or ever), then abruptly ends the call when Steven ambles into the room wearing his silly looking Tudor court costume.

​Party time! Alexis, who's dressed up as a Tudor/Elizabethan queen, makes her grand entrance in the Carlton Hotel courtyard and decrees, "Let the fair begin!" A few seconds later, she and Sean greet Blake and Krystle (who decided to come as a page boy).

Alexis circulates among the guests and eventually finds Dex sitting in the dunk tank. He amiably urges her to try to dunk him...and she throws three balls at the target, but misses each time.

Jeff, who's dressed up as a Tudor court extra, is in the mansion's study when Fallon sweeps into the room wearing a beautiful white princess gown, accessorized with an elegant crown and pearl necklace. She tells him she's been thinking a lot about their deteriorating marriage and has decided it's definitely time to file for divorce...and Jeff stares back at her in stunned bewilderment and says he assumed she'd want to give it another try. She says that clearly he hasn't been listening to her constant bellyaching about how unhappy she is in this marriage, wants them both to move on with their lives, and says they each deserve more than they're able to give one another. Jeff chews on that for a few seconds, then snappishly says they should prolly head over to Alexis's Old English Fair party now. 
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"Our marriage is so broken that we need to divorce, like yesterday."

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"I feebly beg to differ."

Steven and Sammy Jo arrive at the party...and when Sammy Jo says she has to head over to Ye Old Kissing Booth for her first shift, Alexis mutters, "How appropriate." When Steven chides her for her cattiness, she contritely promises to be nicer to his baby mama - just as Sean ambles over and tells Alexis that "everything" is under control. Leslie, meanwhile, get so alarmed by the performing fire-eater blowing flames everywhere that she scrambles to her feet and in the process accidentally bumps into Jeff. Fallon shoots her the stink-eye, than wanders off to look for Alexis...and Jeff roams off in search of the nearest bar, which looks like it's in some kind of makeshift barn.

Over at a game booth, Blake plays the shell game with Sean and wins twice, so Sean suggests they make it more interesting and suggests that Blake wager his diamond ring. For some reason, Blake agrees to this and promptly loses...then quickly discovers it's 'cause Sean has cheated, and in good-natured retaliation takes back his diamond ring.

Dana returns to the mansion later than expected, and Adam reminds her they're expected at Alexis's Old English Fair party and that it's super important to his mother that they both attend. An irked Dana says she doesn't feel like going and is getting increasingly creeped out by his babyish devotion to pleasing his mother [or maybe that was just me, projecting], and Adam just stares at her in exasperation before irritably storming out of the bedroom.
​
Steven indulges in a very long smooch from Sammy Jo at Ye Old Kissing Booth, and she seems to delight in his continued mixed messaging and laughingly orders him to pay up for the high quality smooch. 

Josh arrives at the Old English Fair looking visibly high, and calls out for Sammy Jo. He spots her and staggers over to Ye Old Kissing Booth, pulls out some cash, and says he wants to buy lots of kisses from his fiancée. As he tries to lunge-kiss Sammy Jo, Steven grabs him, and then he and a security guard promptly rush the out-of-control druggie off of the premises. A few seconds later, Sammy Jo finds Steven in the barn bar and says she was more than capable of handling Josh...and clarifies that, yeah, he had proposed to her - but that she's only interested in helping him, not marrying him. She then looks up at Steven hopefully and says she was hoping they might rekindle the kind of pre-Danny romance they had when he was at least slightly into women - but he firmly declares that that's a no go.

Adam arrives at the party and tells Alexis that Dana is sick - just as Dana rushes in and says she suddenly realized how important it is to him that she accompany him to the party. Adam thanks her for coming, and she concedes that he was right about wanting them to please his mommy 24/7...then glances across the courtyard and sees Sean staring over at her. 

Alexis and Krystle have somehow agreed to a tug of war competition over a square pit filled with mud...and I can only assume that the writers decided they suddenly missed writing messy catfight scenes between these two middle-aged women that used to be way more of a regular thing on Dynasty. The two seem evenly matched in strength - until Krystle tugs hard on the giant rope, causing Alexis's stunt double to dive face-first into the mud pit. As the observers cackle delightedly at the spectacle, Alexis lifts up her mud spattered face and admits to Krystle that she won this round...but warns that the night is still young. 
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"I've missed our filthy catfights."

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"Come on in, the mud's fine."

Sammy Jo is sitting by herself in the barn bar, looking as despondent as she can muster, when Jeff ambles over. He glumly tells her that Fallon wants a divorce, and she says that her life too is very complicated [though not really] as she does her best to keep her family together. 

Leslie enters the ladies room, where Fallon is primping in front of the mirror. Leslie mocks her for working so hard to keep up appearances with Jeff...but then points out that since she's rich and aimless she really has nothing else to occupy her time. When she marvels at how unlike Alexis she is, Fallon calls her out for being obvious, a pale imitation of Alexis, and an identity-free nobody who tries to "take one woman's style and another woman's husband" - but has failed at both. 

An enraged Fallon storms out of the ladies room and heads straight for the dunk tank, where she grabs the ball out of some guy's hand, and throws it so hard that it hits the target and sends Dex splashing into the water. As Fallon giggles at a soaking wet Dex, he laughingly expresses amazement at her strength.

Sean slithers next to Dana and asks her if she brought along the documents he asked for, and she says she didn't, and that she won't allow herself to be blackmailed. Sean suggests they discuss the matter with Adam, who just happens to amble over to where they're standing. Sean comes right out and tells Adam that Dana just accused him of blackmailing her...and Adam assumes he's joking around and asks what deep dark secrets he discovered. Sean says he can't say, otherwise he won't be able to get what he wants from Dana...which, he weirdly pretends, is for her to join him on the dance floor. Adam says he thinks that that's a wonderful idea and seems stupidly oblivious to Dana's discomfort and Sean's creepiness. While heading to the dance floor, Sean snarlingly warns Dana again that he wants that information.

Alexis re-enters the party wearing a very chic red gown - just as the director of the Hampton Springs Drug Rehabilitation Center takes center stage to thank her for hosting this fundraiser and to publicly acknowledge Krystle and Blake for their tireless efforts in supporting the Center. She says she'd like to show a short film that chronicles their recent visit...and the footage begins with Blake's/Krystle's actual visit to the Center - but then cuts to unrelated footage of when Blake was filmed, innocently ambling around Cora Van Husen's Colorado Springs whorehouse on the day she gave her deposition. A horrified Blake shrieks, "Stop that film!" as the titillated partygoers titter amongst themselves at the sight of Blake Carrington being in the same room as scantily clad hookers. Alexis pretends to be utterly shocked that this footage was "somehow" mixed in with their innocent charity visit and insists that she's merely showing the film reel that was sent over by his campaign office. Krystle accuses her of lying before she and Blake angrily storm off...and then Alexis and Sean grin evilly at each other before Alexis joyously declares, "All in all, I think it's been quite an evening!"
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Steven looks thrilled to be Blake's heir apparent

"The Testing"
Original airdate: 11/25/1987

Episode summary: Blake appoints Steven as Denver Carrington's new CEO (in the event that he's elected governor of Colorado). Sean reveals his true identity and intentions towards the Carringtons. Leslie and Jeff hook up in New York.
Recap: Krystle wakes in the middle of the night and finds a restless Blake standing in front of the window, contemplating the wide-ranging effects of his gubernatorial run. He tells Krystle that the next four months are going to be excruciating, not least 'cause he'll have to divest himself from Denver Carrington and decide which of his children should be installed as the company's new CEO. He then reminisces about striking oil for the first time when he was a young lad...and can't help but feel sad about having to turn over the day-to-day operations of his company to someone else. He ponders aloud whether any of his kids have the cojones to be in the top job, then grimly says he's no doubt going to suffer through a lot more restless nights working through this rich person conundrum.

Over at the Carlton Hotel, Alexis and Sean are lounging in their posh suite, enjoying champagne for breakfast. Alexis starts nattering about the upcoming election and says she thinks that Ralph Dunbar should run as an Independent against Blake in the general election. Sean tells her it's prolly a good idea, then says, "I think you should forget your ex-husband and concentrate on your present one." Alexis agrees with that sentiment and gazes at him hungrily...and then he picks her up and carries her over to the bed to indulge in a morning romp. 

A UFO groupie named Miss Lindquist is waiting in on of the mansion's sitting rooms when Jeff ambles in and apologizes for acting like such a horse's ass during last episode's support group session. Miss Lindquist says she totally understands that not everyone can get their brains around extraterrestrial visitations, and therefore feels strongly that the public needs to be better educated about them. When she says she'd really really like Fallon to be a contributor for her upcoming UFO book, Jeff furrows his furry brows and accusingly asks her if she's using Fallon for her Carrington name. Miss Lindquist openly admits that, yep, having Fallon's endorsement would definitely help with book sales...then snippily adds that she really doesn't think it's any of his business. Jeff argues that since Fallon is his wife it is his business, and calls her out for taking advantage of the dumb-dumb. A few seconds later, Fallon enters the room - just as Miss Lindquist snarks that she's outa here...and when Fallon asks Jeff whaddup, he calls Miss Lindquist a con artist and reminds her that publicly acknowledging her recent spaceship adventure might hurt Blake's gubernatorial campaign. Fallon mulls that over for a few seconds, then asks Jeff if she embarrasses him...and when he just stares mutely into space, she takes that as a yes. 

Over at campaign headquarters, Blake reminds Jeff that he still needs to get a formal endorsement (for his campaign) from Ambassador Campbell...and Jeff's like, "Oops, I forgot" and promises to jet to New York tonight to meet with Campbell. When Blake asks if anything's wrong, Jeff decides to spill the beans about Fallon's alleged spaceship encounter, along with her insistence that she was abducted by aliens. Blake and Krystle stare back at him in puzzlement...and then Blake says he doubts his daughter would go around telling such a wild tale if she didn't strongly believe it had really happened. [Though why the writers continue to dig in on this idiotic subplot is anyone's guess.]
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"Fallon went on a joyride with a space alien."

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"Come again?"

Dex drops by ColbyCo to 1) apologize to Leslie for insulting her during their last conversation, and 2) invite her to lunch. Leslie makes it clear she's not interested in anything he has to say, then asks him what he plans to do about Alexis's weird new husband Sean. Dex says he had no idea she had remarried, then scrunches his face concernedly.

Dex makes a beeline over to Alexis's office, where he's promptly introduced to Sean. Dex expresses his deep gratitude to Sean for saving Alexis's life...and when Sean rushes off to do something or other, Dex gushes to Alexis about how radiantly happy she looks. With that said, he asks her if she maybe rushed into this marriage too quickly, and Alexis winces and admits that, yeah, against all common sense she probably did plunge into matrimony with a man she barely knows - but nonsensically insists that, because of fate, she couldn't not do it. She insists on remaining ecstatically happy with the weirdo, despite any objections anyone might have, and thanks Dex for his good wishes.

Blake stops in at Carrington manor during lunch to ask Fallon if she has any interest in taking over one of Denver Carrington's subsidiaries: the cosmetic department. He wankingly points out that he'd love her to do it 'cause she has such good business sense...but then Fallon suddenly looks suspicious and asks if he's offering her a job 'cause of something spaceship-related that Jeff may have told him. Blake admits that, yep, Jeff did tell him and Krystle that she had had some kind of delusion involving a spaceship, and Fallon angrily insists she's not crazy, hilariously declares that she can find her own damn job, and storms out of the room.

Over at Delta Rho, Sammy Jo chides Josh for sleeping in so late, then asks him if he doesn't have something he needs to go do...as in right now please. Josh says he doesn't have football practice today, and Sammy Jo's just like, "OK whatever" and says she's off to pick up Danny from school...and firmly insists that the two of them bumping uglies is not something she ever wants to happen again. Josh responds to that by declaring how deeply in love with her he is, and Sammy Jo looks unmoved by that and says he needs to skedaddle 'cause she wants him long gone when Steven returns home from his business trip. 
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"Don't you have anything constructive to do with your time?"

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"Other than gaze at your hotness? Not really."

Adam informs Alexis that he and Dana are having a child via surrogate, and Alexis says she's A-OK with that, but wonders aloud why Dana didn't admit that her womb was a barren wasteland before they got married. Adam explains that he was led to believe that Dana had no idea about her barrenness until very recently, and that she's super supportive of him creating a baby with another woman. He then congratulates Alexis on her new marriage and describes her husband as a very lucky man...a sentiment with which Alexis heartily agrees.

Jeff returns home, starts packing for his overnight trip to New York, and suggests to Fallon that she tag along so that they can enjoy a much needed getaway. Fallon makes it clear how completely uninterested she is in going anywhere with him, then calls him out for blabbing to Blake about her extraterrestrial encounter, which has led him to think that there's something seriously wrong with her. Jeff nonsensically rails that she's mostly mad 'cause he came between her and Blake, who's always treated her like "daddy's little spoiled girl", to which Fallon argues that he (Jeff) is the one who hasn't given her a chance to grow. She snarlingly says he can go to New York or to hell, and angrily insists, "I'm nobody's little girl anymore!" while stamping her feet on the floor.

Adam drops by Blake's office to clarify that he and Dana are having a child by way of surrogate. Blake stares back at him in befuddlement and asks if he didn't trust him enough to mention this detail earlier...and Adam responds by countering, "Do you trust me?", which prompts Blake to stare back at him mutely.

Jeff boards a private plane bound for New York...and a few seconds later, he's surprised when Leslie joins him and says she hopes he doesn't mind her hitching a ride, 'cause she has some New York-related business for Alexis she needs to attend to. She says it's her first time travelling to the Big Apple, natters about how she wants to be a more assertive person [even though she seems plenty assertive to me], then pours two glasses of champagne and flirtily toasts to "first time experiences".

Back at the mansion, Adam tells Dana that something is definitely up with the family, and that he's pretty sure Blake is in the process of deciding which of his offspring he should appoint Denver Carrington's new CEO [providing that the gubernatorial election goes his way]. He wonders if maybe Steven is the frontrunner, adding that his recent killing of Matthew Blaisdel makes him a formidable, dangerous contender for the top job at Denver Carrington. That's...a strange way to look at it, but OK.

Downstairs, Blake tells Krystle he's worried that both Fallon and Adam are too inexperienced to run his company, and floats the idea that he could look beyond people named Carrington and bring in an outside hire. Krystle tut tuts that radical idea and says that surely one of his children is capable of being in charge of Denver Carrington, then serenely adds that she's extremely confident he'll make the best decision that could possibly be made.

Sean has let himself into the Denver Mirror offices, and is tapping away on one of the computers when an editor (Penelope) arrives and informs him that the workstations are restricted to employees of the paper. Sean goes on a smarmy charm offensive and gushes about insanely attractive [the plain looking] Penelope is, then introduces himself as Alexis's latest boy toy/husband. He says that, as a special surprise for his wife, he'd like to get as much intel on her kids as possible, and a blushing Penelope gigglingly decides that that request somehow makes sense and agrees to grab some microfilm and dig up as much info on Fallon, Steven, and Adam as she possibly can.

In the lounge at the Carlton Hotel, Fallon grumbles to Dex that she's annoyed at Blake for inventing a cosmetics job for the sole purpose of diverting her attention from her extraterrestrial "delusion". She says there must be some type of non-Carrington job she could direct her time and energy towards, so Dex jokingly suggests she put on a hardhat and work with him on the pipeline project...but then nixes that and urges her to solely focus on holding her deteriorating marriage together. To that end, he urges her to call Jeff in New York to see how things are going, and she quietly mulls over the prospect.
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"There must be something employment-related I'm capable of doing.."

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"Or you could just fixate on your marriage 24/7."

Leslie drops by Jeff's New York hotel room to invite him to dinner, and he tells her he can't chat right now 'cause he's in a rush to get to Ambassador Campbell's office - just as the phone starts ringing. He tells Leslie he's can only assume that it's Campbell's office calling and asks her to take the call and pass along the message that he's on his way...but naturally the call turns out to be Fallon, who apparently took Dex's advice to heart. Leslie gleefully gives Fallon the impression that Jeff has no interest in taking her call right now and asks if she'd like to leave a message, and Fallon contorts her face into an incensed expression and abruptly hangs up. 

Over at ColbyCo, Alexis giddily presents Sean with a plaque for his door, which names him Executive Vice President for Internal Affairs. Sounds very intense. When he asks her if he deserves the weighty title, she insists he does...then proceeds to back pedal and coos that the lofty, made up job title is also a wedding present. Sean says he also has a present for her - but will have to keep her in suspense, 'cause he's off to the airport to meet a friend. 

Over dinner at a fancy looking restaurant, Jeff tells Leslie he got Ambassador Campbell's endorsement for Blake's gubernatorial candidacy, then admits to being in a blah mood. Leslie says that if he's lonely for Fallon he should go ahead and call her - but he just changes the subject and asks her if she went for a run in Central Park this morning. She happily says she did...and that she had one of those big salted pretzels (slathered with mustard!) for breakfast. 

Steven has summoned Josh to his Denver Carrington office to berate him about his subpar performances on the football field lately, and that it seems as though he's lost his edge. He bellows about how he wants leadership, not arrogance...then snappishly orders him to perform at his optimal level at every practice and every game. Josh absorbs that stern edict before storming out of the office - just as Blake appears in the doorway and asks Steven if he might be pushing Josh too hard. Steven firmly says he's not, and that, as the quarterback, Josh needs to smarten the fuck up or fuck the fuck off. Blake reacts to that tough talk by staring back at his son with a look of admiration.

​Later at Delta Rho, Steven tells Sammy Jo he had it out with Josh...and she assumes that Josh got chewed out 'cause of their earlier smoochfest. She complains about being accused of illicit hanky panky and races out of the house, leaving Steven staring after her, his face scrunched confusedly.

Back at the New York restaurant, Jeff decides he'd like to call Fallon to say hey, and asks a waiter to bring a telephone to the table. Fallon responds to him coldly...and when he says they need to talk through their problems and that he's willing to put certain things aside, she shrieks, "I'll bet you are!" and slams down the receiver. Jeff weakly smiles at Leslie and says he's no longer in the mood to stay for dinner, and Leslie informs the waiter that they're going to take their dinners to go.

Sammy Jo arrives at Josh's apartment, and he's pleasantly surprised to see her and leans in for a big smooch. Sammy Jo pushes him away and tells him she's suddenly very confused and doesn't want to be here after all...and a few seconds after she races off, Josh gets a visit from his coke dealer and immediately starts snorting the white powder.

In Jeff's hotel room, Jeff and Leslie gigglingly enjoy some champagne, and Leslie sheepishly apologizes to Jeff for suggesting he make the disastrous call to Fallon. She half-heartedly offers to head back to her own room for some shut-eye - but Jeff urges her to stay, 'cause he feels so wanked and wonderful in her presence. He leans in for a smooch...and soon the two are fully going at it atop the couch.
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"I can either go back to my room alone, or stay here and enjoy an illicit boning by my cousin's husband."

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"The latter. The latter."

Sean is inside the bungalow where Joseph Anders once lived (and killed himself), a house that has remained uninhabited and abandoned ever since Season 4. Sean is there with his (unnamed) sister, recalling that their father (yep, Joseph) shot himself in this very room...and then not one Carrington [or recapper, for that matter] mourned his passing. The sister says she had phoned him at the Carlton Hotel to ask him how, in the name of all that is holy, he could have married Alexis Colby, and Sean tells her he thought it wouldn't be truly fucking bizarre to marry the woman who drove their pa to kill himself...and who's also the mother of Adam, the psycho who raped Kirby. The sister reminds him that these storylines all happened many years ago, so then Sean points out that if he hadn't been locked up in a Dublin prison for the last several years, he surely would have sought revenge long before now. The sister urges him to let Joseph's soul to rest in peace, and informs him that she recently went to Paris and saw Kirby, who's apparently resigned herself to being so abruptly written off the show. Sean argues that since Kirby has never sold this bungalow (which she inherited from Joseph), so she clearly hasn't forgiven the Carringtons...and that it's going to give him great pleasure to stick around and watch these rich SOBs destroy each other.  

Blake has summoned Steven, Fallon, and Adam to the mansion's study in order to announce which of them he's selected to run Denver Carrington in the event that he becomes governor. He says that after careful thought, and watching Steven rip Josh a new one earlier, he's appointing Steven to be Blake 2.0. The camera then pans around the room to reveal the shocked - and, in the case of Adam, pissed off - expressions. Steven, meanwhile, stares glumly into space as he mulls over the prospect of being his father's heir apparent.
​Thanks for reading! If you are enjoying TVofYore's recaps, consider thanking me by buying me a "coffee"!
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Alexis should probably be saying I don't

"The Primary"
Original airdate: 11/18/1987

Episode summary: Blake wins the gubernatorial primary. Sammy Jo and Josh give in to their mutual attraction for one another. Sean convinces Alexis to marry him while on a surprise vacation in Mexico.
Recap: Alexis in her office, watching news coverage of Blake's gubernatorial campaign when Sean saunters into the room. In his stump speech, Blake insists to voters that he's not against economic growth, but is against the destruction of precious timberland for personal gain, citing it as "rotten greed". As the onlookers applaud, Alexis rolls her eyes and shuts off the TV. Sean reminds Alexis that she still has a handshake agreement with Arthur Whitcomb to purchase his 70K acres of timberland...and she concurs - but worries that the deal isn't totally nailed down and that Whitcomb can't be trusted. As she once again laments not being in the gubernatorial race, Sean suggests they forget about this tedious storyline for awhile and go on a short vacation, promising to get her back to Denver in time for the primary election. Alexis breathily coos about what a romantic man he is, then calls her editor at The Denver Mirror to strategize on ways in which her daily rag can serve to further torment Blake.

At Delta Rho, Sammy Jo tells Steven it was lovely having him home for dinner, and he natters about how crazy busy he's been with the football team lately, and that Josh has been turning things around. Sammy Jo applauds his decision to make Josh the main quarterback, then explains that the kiss he witnessed between them during the end of the previous episode was just "a friendly thing". When Steven pissily says he doesn't actually buy that, she reminds him that he was the one who insisted on separate beds...and muses that maybe a hetero hunk like Josh is what she needs right now. Steven mulls that over and promises to spend more quality time with her, which seems like sending out some really mixed messaging for an already confused dim-twit. 

Blake and Krystle return to campaign headquarters and are greeted like conquering heroes by the campaign staff. A few seconds later, they pore over the evening news and learn that, not surprisingly, The Denver Mirror is endorsing Blake's opponent: Ralph Dunbar. The article goes on to question whether or not Blake is capable of disengaging from his business, and Krystle angrily points out that everyone knows he'll divest from Denver Carrington if he's elected. Blake tells her to not get upset by the unflattering coverage and points out that the governor's race is going to be a long hard fight. Krystle back pedals and tells him she's looking forward to her many upcoming campaign events, including a speech to educators and tea with the voters council. Jeff informs Blake that Arthur Whitcomb is holed up in his Vail condo and is refusing to budge on handing over his 70K acres of timberland for the purpose of preserving the wildlife, and Blake scrunches his face in annoyance and says that despite the bad blood that exists between them, he doesn't get why Arthur is afraid to talk to him.

Alexis and Sean are aboard a private jet, en route to their vacation destination (which remains a surprise for Alexis). The two enjoy champagne, and Alexis says she knows the trip will be wonderful 'cause the two of them will be together. 

Over at the stadium, Josh gifts Danny a football jersey with his number on it. He then apologizes to Sammy Jo for smooching her, [falsely] promising that it won't happen again. A few seconds later, an irked looking Steven enters the stadium and is all, "Whaddup with my family being here?", so Sammy Jo nervously explains that Josh invited Danny to the stadium to watch the team practice, then gave him a football jersey. After she and Danny make a hasty exit, Josh contritely tells Steven he knows how wrong it was to kiss his ex-wife and says he respects their non-hetero/beard/whatever arrangement. Steven snappishly retorts, "I don't want your shirts, and I don't want your apologies", then chides him for losing his concentration during today's practice. He sternly orders him to focus solely on football and to stay away from his family.
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"We weren't kissing just now."

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"Good, 'cause I have a whole lot more mixed messages I'd like to put out."

Alexis and Sean arrive at a secluded villa on the "southern coast of Mexico" (mmm, Acapulco..?), which - Sean proudly says - has no phone, radio, or TV. He goes on to inform Alexis that, for the next three days, they'll be on their own without a chef or a housemaid...then picks up a fishing pole and offers to take the tiny boat out to fish for their dinner. Alexis winces at the horror of this vacation and murmurs about how much she'd love some caviar, then saucily suggests they skip dinner altogether and just hit the sheets.

Blake travels to Vail to drop in on Arthur Whitcomb, who looks less than thrilled to see him and snarlingly informs him that he has every right to sell his 70K acres of timberland to Alexis if he wants to. Blake acknowledges to Arthur that he knows all about the bad blood that festered between him and his curmudgeonly father - but points out that despite Tom Carrington's shenanigans, they both turned out to be successful, wealthy businessmen. Blake reminds him that they'd both shared the same dream about keeping Colorado "virginal and beautiful", to which Arthur argues he doesn't think the state should be "one big damn park". When he threatens to call security, Blake announces he's leaving...but on his way out, he insists that one way or another he's going to make their dream of preserving Colorado's wildlife come true, a pronouncement that leaves Arthur staring contemplatively into space.

The next morning, Sean tells Alexis he's going to use the tiny boat to row to the nearest village and get them some sustenance. When she offers to accompany him, he urges her to chillax and assures her he'll be back very soon.

Over at Carrington manor, Jeff asks Fallon what she's reading...and when he sees that it's a book about UFOs, he rolls his eyes and moans, "Oh boy." She wearily mutters, "Don't start", and then he asks when, in the name of all that is holy, this wretched storyline is going to completely run its course. He snippily informs her that one of her "weirdo friends" called to remind her about a UFO support group meeting tomorrow morning, complaining that the whole thing has "a ring of lunacy to it". Fallon looks visibly annoyed that he didn't pass along that message earlier, and urges him to attend the meeting with her so he can get his brain around her otherworldly encounter...and he responds by staring back at her mutely while sighing heavily.

Adam and Dana are at the Carlton Hotel restaurant, waiting to meet up with Karen. When Adam expresses concern that his sperm and Karen's egg "didn't take", Dana says it'd be perfectly OK for them to not rush this process, forget about surrogacy altogether, and settle into marriage more. Adam irritably insists that he has settled into marriage, and is utterly enchanted by the prospect of having a child who could very well be the grandson of the next Colorado governor. A few seconds later, Karen arrives...and when Adam offers her wine, she declines and announces that - hurray! - she's been successfully impregnated with his demon seed. While Dana makes a weak attempt to smile in response, a joyous Adam woots with joy, clasps Karen's hand, and profusely thanks her for being their surrogate. After he excuses himself to go to work, Karen asks Dana whassup with her less-than-enthusiastic reaction, so Dana says she's not entirely thrilled with the notion of her husband having a child with a woman who's not her. Karen warmly takes her hand, points out that she's merely the bio mom, and promises to share the pregnancy experience with her at every step. She then jokes about how bizarre it is to be knocked up by [an odd bird of] a man she barely knows - but insists that the spawn will legally and lovingly become her child. You might want to get that in writing, Dana.

Over at campaign headquarters, Leslie is massaging Jeff's shoulders when Dex enters the room looking for Blake. Jeff abruptly announces that he's outa here after enduring such a long work day, and bids the two good night. Dex shoots Leslie the stink-eye, calls her "a piece of work", and chides her for grabbing whatever she can get by first moving in on Alexis, and now Jeff. He snidely asks her if she's attempting to become a first rate Colby rather than remaining a second rate Carrington, and she sassily invites him to stay tuned to find out.

A violent storm hits "the southern coast of Mexico", and a panicked Alexis returns to the villa after searching for Sean on the beach. As rain and leaves blow into the villa, which apparently has no electricity or window panes, Alexis is unable to light a candle and becomes so distressed that she sinks to the floor and weeps uncontrollably. 

At daybreak, a despondent Alexis is still huddled on the floor when a soaking wet Sean returns to the villa. She clings to him desperately and says she was sure he had drowned. He woodenly recalls how terrified he was - not of death, but by the prospect of never seeing her again. An overwhelmed Alexis unbuttons his shirt and starts pawing his bare chest in incessant desperation while gasping, "Ooooh Sean." [Ooooh Alexis...you're getting almost as weird as your boyfriend.] 
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"More than drowning, I feared never seeing you, my beloved Alexis, again."

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"That makes me love you even more urgently."

Jeff​ has accompanied Fallon to her UFO support group meeting (in someone's house), and is rolling his eyes in amusement as a man recalls a play-by-play of his experience meeting an extraterrestrial being. Fallon chimes in and tells the man that, much like him, she too felt both controlled and peaceful at the same time. Another member of the group asks if LB ever had dreams about strange creatures, and Jeff snarkishly says that his son has nothing at all to do with aliens, and that if he ever brought them up as a topic of conversation, he'd rush him to the nearest psychiatrist. He then huffily leaves the house while Fallon opts to stay and finish out the session.

Back in Mexico, Alexis is cooking up eggs and tortillas when Sean suggests they take the plunge and get married. Alexis responds by gushing about how much she adores him, and that he's kind, strong, and romantic - but doesn't know him nearly well enough to enter into a legally binding union. Sean tells her that his parents only knew each other for two weeks before his father proposed...and that, despite that utter insanity, the two had a great marriage. He asks Alexis if she believes in fate, e.g. the way he just happened to witness her near drowning. He then draws her closer to him, convinces her that she'd deeply regret turning down his proposal, and she stares back at him contemplatively. Nooooo, Alexis! Don't do it.

Josh drops by Delta Rho to flirt with Sammy Jo...and when he leans in close and gives her a long, amorous smooch, she doesn't try to pull away. She looks conflicted as she explains, "Steven and I love each other in our own way, very deeply" ... and that while some people may not understand the beard-like nature of their coupling, they do. She adds that Steven is a gentle, caring man she wouldn't hurt for anyone, and Josh chews on that for a few seconds before hastily exiting the house. 

An exuberant Adam returns home and presents Dana with a pair of enormous ruby earrings. When she coos about how much she loves the exquisite jewels, he asks her if she thinks Karen will like them (!) and Dana's face falls as she squeaks, "Karen..?" She mumbles that she's pretty sure their surrogate will enjoy having such large, expensive earrings, and Adam cluelessly natters about how long it took him to pick them out. As he strides over to the bathroom to shower, a visibly put out Dana stares concernedly at the over-the-top gift.

Elsewhere in Carrington manor, Leslie wishes Jeff good luck with today's primary, applauds him for doing a wonderful job on the campaign, then kisses him on the cheek - an intimate gesture that's witnessed by both Fallon and Dex. When a miffed Fallon shoots Jeff a 'the fuck?' glare, he hastily scurries off...and this emboldens Dex to blab to her that it was Leslie who told him about her UFO encounter. When Fallon wonders how in the hell she found out about it, Dex wryly explains, "She has her ways. About a lot of things." A few seconds later, Gerard tiptoes over to inform them that the election telecast is about to begin. 

Over at the local TV station, Blake is getting his makeup done prior to going before cameras when Arthur Whitcomb drops by to hand over the deed to his 70K acres of timberland. He sheepishly admits to Blake that he was 100% right about protecting the land and wildlife. Blake looks overwhelmed with gratitude and profusely thanks him, and Arthur says the best thanks would be for him to be the best gosh-darn governor the state has ever had. 

During the telecast, Krystle stands in the background, staring adoringly as Blake waves around Whitcomb's deed and explains to viewers that it's for the 70K acres of timberland that was generously given to him so he could preserve the land and retain the raw beauty that is Colorado. He then promises that his amazing governorship will bring about more jobs and subsidies for education and social services and whatnot. Back at Carrington manor, everyone applauds his speech - as Sammy Jo slips in late and fibs to Steven that she got delayed 'cause she had to referee an argument between two stable boys.

Back at the Mexican villa, a Mariachi band is performing while a handful of locals are milling around as filler guests of Alexis's/Sean's impromptu wedding. Alexis makes a grand entrance wearing a frilly knee-length red dress and clutching a white bouquet, prompting Sean to wank, "My God, you look beautiful." A few seconds later, the judge who was summoned to perform the ceremony arrives, and gushes to Sean about his "muy bonita" fiancée. Alexis blushingly thanks him for the compliment, and the ceremony very quickly gets underway and is over in precisely 96 seconds (yes, I actually timed it).
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"Eres muy bonita."

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"Sí sí, señor."

Back at Carrington manor, Blake asks Fallon if things between her and Jeff are OK - but she declines to get into it and says she'd much rather they focused on the returns of tonight's primary election.

Alexis and Sean have returned to Denver following their quickie wedding and stop in at ColbyCo. Alexis is in the process of dictating a voice memo to Leslie when Leslie enters her office with some papers that need to be signed. She remarks, "Interesting about Uncle Blake, isn't it?" and explains that she's referring to the early projection that he won the primary. As Alexis pales and gasps, "What?!", Leslie wryly says that Whitcomb's last minute decision to give him the 70K acres of timberland probably didn't hurt. Alexis does her best to mask her shock and kindly asks Leslie to beat it...and once she's safely out of hearing range, Alexis rails about Blake's ability to sweet-talk Arthur Whitcomb into doing his bidding. Sean reminds her that this is just a primary and that Blake is not governor yet, and Alexis whirls around and breathily vows, "He never will be. Never."

Blake and Krystle arrive at campaign headquarters, where the staff (and press) are celebrating his win with confetti and balloons. Blake gushingly thanks his supporters and expresses his gratitude for their kindness and help as they forge ahead with the gubernatorial race. Steven privately congratulates Blake on his win, then explains that he needs to take Sammy Jo home before jetting off to Houston for business. Adam then interjects with an announcement of his own: "we're going to have a baby!" As everyone oohs and aahs at the happy news, Dana awkwardly accepts the family's warm wishes while looking visibly uncomfortable [that the surrogacy is moving along in such an implausibly speedy fashion].

Later at Delta Rho, Steven declines Sammy Jo's offer to accompany him on his business trip even after she pleadingly says she really really doesn't want to be alone tonight - but Steven says he'll be too busy to spend even a minute with her, and promises to be back home soon. 

As Sammy Jo lounges atop the couch and stares despondently into space, Josh drops by the ranch and explains that her houseman let him inside. She softly tells him he shouldn't be here...and when he asks her if she wants him to leave, she stares at him mutely before the two pucker up and indulge in their most amorous smoochfest to date.

At the Carlton Hotel, Sean gets a phone call...and his face immediately tightens as he asks, "Why did you call me here?", then says it's already done, adding, "I married the woman." He then barks at whoever's on the other end to not call him here ever again...and when Alexis emerges from the bathroom and asks who he was just talking to, he breezily fibs that it was a wrong number. 
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"You'll be interested to know that curly hair is considered a dominant gene trait."

"The Surrogate Part 2"
Original airdate: 11/4/1987

Episode summary: Dana has second thoughts about surrogacy when Adam seems smitten with the prospective bio mom. Alexis offers Leslie a corporate job. Josh makes a move on Sammy Jo.
Recap: Krystle and Blake are exercising on stationary bicycles in the Carrington manor gym and reading the daily paper as they gabble about how the campaign's environmental stance has gone over very well with the public...much better than anticipated, in fact. When Blake stops cycling and saucily suggests they finish the workout with a happy ending in the bedroom, Krystle nixes that blechy prospect and barks at him to get back atop the bicycle and do fifteen more minutes of cardio.

Across town, Alexis and Sean are lounging in bed while reading the paper. Alexis gets miffed when she sees the headline about Blake's plan to turn 70K acres of timberland into a nature preserve and sneeringly vows, "He won't get away with it." Sean points out that there's another side to the story: people in Colorado need jobs, and these days even small businesses are barely getting by. Alexis perks up at that and says that if she were allowed to build a lumber mill, it'd offer an economic boost to the working class...and that her new catchphrase could be: "Blake is offering hiking trails, I'm offering jobs." Sean grins and slyly says he likes the sound of that, and Alexis decrees that very soon it'll be splashed across the front page of The Denver Mirror.

Back at the mansion, Krystle shows Dana a stick figure drawing Kristina drew of Blake. Dana chuckles wistfully and says it must be great watching her grow up...and when Krystle benignly says she'll have the same experience once she births her own children, Dana contorts her face into a tortured expression. She snappishly says she's sooooo tired of everyone badgering her about having kids, but then quickly back pedals and contritely explains that she's having a hard time accepting the fact that she can't have a baby. When Krystle murmurs, "I'm sooooo sorry", Dana says she's heard of one possible way she and Adam can have a child and that she'd like her help/moral support in taking the first step.

Over at Dex's apartment, Leslie is crawling around the floor in search of a missing shoe. When Dex suggests she leave more of her stuff at his place, she once again makes it clear that she's wholly disinterested in having anything resembling a serious relationship with him...then further explains that she needs to focus on doing amazing, well-compensated things during her life and doesn't want him to get in the way of that.  

Dana is nervously sitting in Emmet Hauser's waiting room with Krystle. When she's called in to speak to the attorney, he informs her that he received her psychological assessment from Dr. Davis this morning and wryly describes it as "interesting". He then says it's crucial for him to be fully convinced that she's 100% sincere about entering into the surrogate program and that she needs to 100% get that the child won't be biologically hers. When Dana tells him she totally grasps that reality and remarks, "That's a good thing, isn't it?", he barks, "Let me ask the questions!" and grills her about how deeply she'll be able to love a child she didn't personally birth. Dana insists she would love the child as much as is humanly possible, then angrily says she doesn't care for the hostile inquisition. She haughtily gets up and is about to storm out of the room when Emmet stops her and explains that he always deliberately acts like an insufferable douchebag during the decision making phase so that he can weed out any bad mothers-to-be. Dana assures him that she and Adam want a baby more than anything, and Emmet says he believes her and explains the "simple" process: the surrogate mom will be artificially inseminated with Adam's demon seed and then, fingers crossed, carry the pregnancy to term. He adds that he's already selected someone he thinks is acceptable for her and Adam and asks Dana if she'd like to meet her, and Dana happily says she would.
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"I'm OK with another woman being inseminated with Adam's sperm and birthing his spawn."

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"Sorry - but you're going to have to be deliriously enchanted by the icky prospect."

Dana returns to the waiting room, tells Krystle that her meeting with Emmet went well (sorta), and asks her to please keep her surrogate plans on the down-low...at least for now. 

That evening in the mansion, Adam looks aghast at the notion of impregnating another woman, and expresses his annoyance at Dana for initiating a meeting with Emmet Hauser without talking to him first. He then ponders aloud if he even likes the idea of fathering a child who's half his/half a strange woman's, and Dana desperately points out that it's the only way they can bring a child into the world who has coveted Carrington DNA [despite it remaining forever unclear if Adam is, in fact, Blake's biological son]. She tearfully says she'd go to the ends of the earth to give him a baby...so Adam mulls that over and decides that, yep, he's convinced he'd like to meet the prospective surrogate.

The next morning, Leslie drops by ColbyCo to return the Lex-Dex documents that Dex was asked to sign. Alexis asks her if she really thinks she has a bright future working under Dex's supervision at a pipeline worksite, and Leslie shrugs and says she considers it a living...for now, anyway. She then wanks Alexis about how deeply she admires her for all she's accomplished in a man's world, and hopes that one day she might be able to do the same. She admits that she doesn't see a path of success emerging from her current menial job, and Alexis grinningly retorts, "You may not have to."

Over in Blake's office at Denver Carrington, Jeff gives Adam an unequivocal no to any sort of compromise regarding the 70K acres of timberland. Adam argues that he's trying to prevent the issue from tearing the family apart - just as Blake storms into the room clutching a copy of The Denver Mirror. He hands it to Jeff and grumbles about how Alexis has shit all over his campaign, specifically by somehow claiming that allocating 70K acres of timberland as a wildlife refuge would result in a negative economic impact for the entire state. Adam hastily tells Blake that he knew nothing about this, while Jeff assures Blake that this kind of bad press won't necessarily hurt the campaign. A few seconds later, Steven arrives with LB and Danny, who race over to Blake for a grandfatherly hug. As the kids climb into the big leather office chair, Blake proudly tells Jeff, Steven, and Adam, "Someday these boys will be running Denver Carrington", then assures a glum looking Adam that the chair is large enough for an additional grandchild. 

Adam makes a beeline over to Emmet Hauser's office to accompany Dana as she meets the prospective surrogate for the first time. Dana tells him that the woman has two healthy children of her own, and adds that she's dying to see what she looks like. Emmet enters the waiting room and is quickly followed by the surrogate: an average looking woman named Karen Atkinson who's rocking an unsightly 'fro type 'do. Adam looks instantly smitten by his future baby mama, and his giddily joyous expression prompts Dana to look both miffed and alarmed.
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"So you're the fertile filly who will soon be carrying my seed."

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"Guilty as charged."

When Leslie arrives at the pipeline worksite much later than expected, Dex bitchily asks her where she's been for the last several hours. She tells him she dropped off his Lex-Dex papers at ColbyCo, makes it clear that she doesn't like the idea of punching a time clock, and informs him that Alexis offered her a job [upgrade] ... and that she accepted. Dex warns that it's a bad idea for her to work for Alexis, who obviously hired her for the sole purpose of annoying him, in a job that's not going to translate to "making it on your own". Leslie stubbornly insists that she wants to play in Alexis's league, sassily assures him that she knows what she's doing, and that she's going to go on doing it no matter who tries to get in her way. 

Karen Atkinson invites Adam and Dana over to her house to show them photos of herself in her younger years, along with those of her kids. She explains that, since she's a single parent, she likes getting the surrogate support money 'cause it means she can stay home and take care of her two young daughters...and grimly adds that her deadbeat ex-husband Jessie has no interest in her or the kids. Adam asks her if she minds being pregnant, and she dreamily tells him she looooooooves it soooooo much, and that it's a wonderful state of being that every women should experience - then abruptly stops talking when she catches the look of distress on Dana's face. Adam changes the subject and asks Karen if there's anything she'd like to know about them, and Karen says she's heard plenty about the Carrington family and can only assume that they'll make outstanding parents. She says she hopes her unmarried status doesn't bother them...and Dana is about to say it actually does kinda bug her - but Adam hastily replies that he's totally A-OK with it, and that it probably makes the situation easier. As the two flirtily grin at each other, Dana contorts her face into an expression of disapproving incredulousness. 

That evening, Steven and Sammy Jo are dining out with Josh, who apparently helped the nearly defunct football team win their first game in six weeks. Steven gushes to Sammy Jo about how well he played, and then Josh gets noticeably flirty with Sammy Jo - just as Steven is called away from the table for some contrived reason. Josh smarmily says, "Alone at last" and asks Sammy Jo whaddup with her and Steven, and she shoots him the stink-eye and makes it clear it's none of his business whaddup with that. A few seconds later, Steven returns to the table and says he has to rush off to the office...and when Josh offers to drive Sammy Jo home, Steven's all, "Thanks!" and beats a hasty retreat. Lol..

At campaign headquarters, Jeff tells Blake that Alexis's attack in The Denver Mirror is actually starting to affect his poll numbers, then gets all snappish with Fallon when she irritably tells him he should have talked to Alexis before she got mad enough at Blake to write smack about him in her daily rag. Jeff says he's been digging into some statistics and has concluded that a new lumber mill won't create as many jobs as Alexis is claiming...then snippily tells Fallon he's going to work late into the night to dig through more data. Fallon snaps, "Fine!", a snarly retort that's noticed by both Blake and Krystle, who calmly suggests they all pack it in for the night and enjoy a lovely dinner together. Fallon declines 'cause she promised LB she'd have dinner with him, and Jeff says he'd prefer to stay at headquarters and work on the data.

Back at Carrington manor, Adam is browsing a book on baby names and decides that he likes the sound of David Carrington or Jennifer Carrington. A troubled looking Dana lamely asks him if he thinks Karen is pretty, and he says he does...and that it's nice 'cause of the good looks genes she's going to pass along to their spawn. Dana comes right out and says she hates that Karen is unmarried and thinks they should put the brakes on the surrogacy, and Adam's all, "Wha-a-a-a?" as it finally dawns on him that she's jealous. He assures Dana that he loves only her, and that enlisting Karen to birth their child is going to work out just fine.  

Leslie enters campaign headquarters looking for Blake...and when Jeff tells her that he and Krystle went out to dinner, she urges him to also take a break. She then acts all coquettish about how she's been scouring the city for someone to take her to dinner. He firmly says he can't, so then she reacts by looming over him and covering his mouth so that he's powerless to argue as she tells him about a nearby restaurant that serves up great lasagne, garlic bread, and wine. Jeff thinks it over, tells the weirdo she's "a very persuasive woman" and agrees to go get a bite with her. 
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"Shut up while I describe my restaurant of choice."

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"I find your wack-a-doodlery charming."

Fallon is at home reading a UFO book when LB ambles into the room and asks where his daddy is. When she tells him he's working late, LB asks if they can please please please call him, so Fallon dials campaign headquarters, and looks suspiciously perplexed when there's no answer.

Josh drives Sammy Jo back to Delta Rho and admits to behaving like a cocksure fucktwat at dinner and totally gets why she's been giving him the cold shoulder. He explains that, in his defence, a dumbass such as himself has no real idea how he's supposed to act while in her presence. Sammy Jo complains that she didn't care for him openly flirting with her in front of Steven, so he tells her he had a rough childhood, spends his days with crass football players, and isn't used to being around a refined lady such as herself. Sammy Jo softens at that and smiles...and when he leans in for a smooch, she backs away snapping, "Hold it right there, hotshot" and threatens to castrate him if he continues making unwanted moves on her.

The next morning, Steven tells Sammy Jo that all of the sports editors are gushing about how Josh is "a savior", and that the crowd went super wild for him during the last game. Sammy Jo just kinda shrugs, says she didn't enjoy being left alone with him at dinner, and thinks the dude is in desperate need of a personality transplant. Steven admits that, yeah, Josh has a few rough edges...and that he's managed to make a strong impression on virtually everyone he comes across. 

Over at the Carlton Hotel, Blake and Krystle are breakfasting when a local businessman named Harry Donalds wanders over to say hey, and to invite Blake to come say hello to his business associates. A few seconds later, Alexis flounces onto the patio restaurant with Sean in tow and smugly needles Krystle about Blake's declining poll numbers. Krystle breezily says she hadn't noticed, then insists that misleading editorials in her stupid newspaper aren't going to cost Blake the election. She clucks faux sympathetically at Alexis for her "sad preoccupation" with Blake and chides her for not writing anything of real substance in The Denver Mirror, and Alexis snarkishly warns that she's grossly underestimating her competition.
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"You're still so obsessed with Blake."

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"That's precisely why I got myself this new distraction...er boy toy."

Fallon is having breakfast at the mansion when Jeff and Leslie enter the room...followed by LB, who looks exuberantly happy to see his father. He asks Jeff where he was when he and his ma tried calling him last night...and after exchanging sheepish glances, Leslie explains that Jeff was working so hard that she felt compelled to take him to dinner, and hopes it's not a problem. Fallon shoots them both the stink-eye to indicate that it is a big fucking problem, but then fibs and murmurs that it's fine. After Leslie heads out, Jeff promises LB he'll take him out for ice cream tonight, then coldly says, "See you later" to Fallon before exiting the room. 

Back at the Carlton Hotel, Alexis mutters, "Poor Krystle" and remarks to Sean that it must be sooooo hard for the trophy wife to be keeping up with a gubernatorial campaign, given "her background". Blake, meanwhile urges Krystle to not let Alexis get to her, prompting Krystle to complain about how much she haaaaates her editorial attacks on him. Sean urges Alexis to not stop needling Krystle 'cause she clearly struck a nerve, and Alexis assures him that she has zero intention of stopping anytime soon. Krystle wonders aloud what Alexis's next move could be - just as Sean advises Alexis to not make her attacks on Blake look like a personal vendetta. Alexis tut tuts him for sounding just like Krystle, and faux assures him that she couldn't care less about Blake. Krystle insists to Blake that Alexis is out to get him, but Blake is just like 'yeah whatever' and says he really just cares about convincing the electorate that he'll be a good governor. Sean tells Alexis there really is no such thing as "a good governor", 'cause all people care about is "how will his winning affect me?" Alexis chuckles about his (probably spot on) cynicism, something she loves in a man. Krystle happily tells Blake all that matters is that he's her favourite candidate, and he chucklingly says he needs the women's vote, and then the two pack up their stuff and head off. 

Dana delivers notes for Blake's speech to Krystle and acts all flustered as she explains that Adam is at the hospital in anticipation of Operation Impregnate 'Fro Lady...and if everything checks out, Karen Atkinson could have his bun in her oven as soon as today. Gross...and, yeesh, this is moving very fast. Krystle notices Dana's general aura of distress and says that now is the time to speak up if she has even lingering doubts about going the surrogate route, and Dana says she'd feel too idiotic putting the kibosh on it after having pushed so hard...but at the same time is feeling very left out of the process. 

Later, at the hospital, Adam lays it on thick to Dana about how much he loooooves her, and assures her that she'll make a fantastic mother. A few seconds later, Karen emerges from the exam room and reports that the doctor said the timing of the insemination was great, and in a few days they'll know for sure if Adam's sperm took. Adam's all, "Woo hoo!" and runs over to give Karen an aggressive hug while Dana looks on despondently. 

Josh drops by Delta Rho with a flower bouquet and offers it to Sammy Jo as a peace offering - but she tells him she's not interested. He assures her that an unwanted smooch attempt won't happen again, and that he'll do his damnedest to not act like such an asshat. Sammy Jo mulls that over and says she's suddenly OK with accepting his flowers - but Josh keeps his distance and explains that he's deathly afraid of the horse she's standing beside. An amused Sammy Jo urges him closer and invites him to pet the friendly animal...and then the two stare at each other in fascination before she leans in for a kiss. While that's happening, Steven wanders over and glares at Josh while sternly pointing out that he should be at football practice.

​Uh oh.
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