Dynasty (2017–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - I Hardly Recognized You - full transcript

Like it or not,
we live in an age of dynasties.

Who else can you trust to run
the family business... except family?

I'm a Carrington,
and our business is literally power.

If you drove a car today,

charged your cell phone,
or made breakfast,

chances are Carrington Atlantic had
something to do with it.

For generations,
this has been our dynasty.

And today, my father gives it to me.

Finally.

I know what you're thinking.

I'm young.



I haven't earned words like "finally."

But don't underestimate me.

Like these mansplainers in Denver did.

It's complicated, but, basically,
this company Windbriar over-expanded.

We're talking nearly a billion in assets.

This is why
I deserve that promotion.

Every day, I take one man's dirt,
and turn it into diamonds.

And digging up insider info is even easier
when they assume you work for the airline.

Way to scare away the stewardess.

Instead of owning the plane.

Look into what Windbriar wants
for an opening bid.

Not just the operation, the land.

Also find out who employs the d-bags
who leaked it.

They should learn my name
before they're fired.



I know a lot about being overlooked.

Our father wanted my brother Steven
to follow in his footsteps.

And I wasn't the most obvious candidate
at first.

Yo, fellas, you want some?
Come and get some

Doper than dope rhymes
So I can hit some

But as it turned out
Steven had his own path to take.

...lips, hips, and thighs

Fallon.

A rocky trail
to the middle of nowhere,

as far as he could get from my father.

-He started it.
-Dad would beg to differ.

He was literally planning
to frack a Native burial ground.

It sounds like a joke.

Okay, well, there is nothing funny about
the $600 million your protest cost him.

Face it.
You'll never see eye to eye on this.

But there's something
you'll always agree on,

and that is your love for me.

Come home.

If you haven't figured it out,
my father's old-school.

He made his fortune doing deals
with old white guys at private clubs.

And he refuses to accept
the world around him is changing.

Ms. Flores, you are a voice of dissent?

Ryan said you had thoughts
about his investor video.

The presentation should talk about how
we're training future engineers

by sponsoring STEM classes
in public schools

or developing worker safety programs.

Now this is the part when I say,
"Then let's talk about that."

Then you try to embarrass me
in front of the entire room,

because we
don't have those programs.

What you're really trying to say,
Ms. Flores,

is that it's not just this video
that's out of touch, it's me.

Not you.

The company.

Same thing.

As for the idea
that the future is female...

Well, Daddy likes to say,
the future's not here yet.

But he's wrong about that.

Welcome home.

How was Denver?

I miss the heat.

Trust me.

It wasn't as hot without you here.

Straight to the manor?

I'm open to a detour.

Ms. Flores?

Mr. Carrington asked to see you.

Can't say I'm surprised.

But he already left.

He wants you
to meet him at his home office.

Do you think he heard about
those accounts I poached in Dallas?

Exxon Mobil tried to poach me.
I mean, he must know I'm invaluable.

Can we stop talking about your father
for a minute?

Makes it hard to concentrate.

I'm sorry.

It's just...
I've spent five years preparing for this.

What if he doesn't give you this job,
Fallon?

He always disappoints you.

Know what's disappointing?

All this talking.

Ms. Flores.

Come in.

He's waiting in the study.

Alice said you wanted to see me?

If you're hoping to hear how Ryan
and I worked it out, we didn't.

Why would you? I fired him.

-Because of me?
-Because we need new ideas.

I assume you have project proposals
for the STEM thing,

the worker safety program?

I may have something drafted on my laptop.

Two steps ahead.

Always.

-Have it on my desk first thing Monday.
-Is that all?

Not quite.

Oh, Bow.

Oh, I'm home.

I'm home.

And so are you.

I can't believe that old Cessna
made it over the ocean.

I can't believe you spent
the median household income on jet fuel.

Fresh-baked cookies are worth it.

When the revolution happens
they'll come for your head.

Oh, I'll be sure to get my hair done.

Sooner the better.
How did I beat you back here?

Um...

I took the scenic route.

-Thank you for coming home for me.
-Actually, Dad called me after you did.

I know. Maybe he's dying.

Fallon, Steven.

I didn't know your father
was expecting you two.

Especially you.

I come for the hospitality.

Dad asked us.

He said you never responded.

-This is our response.
-Where is he?

In a meeting.

Fallon, don't...

Wait.

Hey, guess who's...

-Oh, my God.
-What are you doing here?

-Who are you doing here?
-I think she works for the company.

Oh, wow, these are your...

-Hi, Daddy.
-Your children.

-And you are?
-Looking for a promotion.

Fallon, this obviously isn't
how I intended for you all to meet, but...

Why would we be meeting at all?

Fallon, Steven,
this is Cristal, my fiancée.

So, this is a nice surprise.
I'm usually the one

that makes things awkward around here.

I'm happy to relieve you of that burden.

Why didn't you call me?
If I knew you were coming...

Why are you so surprised?
You asked us to come...

When's the last time you did what I asked?

Oh, Dad,
stop acting as if you don't bang all

of your girlfriends in front of us.

I've heard so much about you two.

-And we've heard nothing about you.
-Well, that's why I called.

Get to know Cristal
before the engagement party this Sunday.

So, you've told other people?

Other people called me back.

It happened so fast.

Cristal's been an associate in PR
for four years now,

but she's only recently caught
my attention.

She hasn't let go.

At least we know what happened
to Kim Kardashian's stolen ring.

-Fallon.
-Yeah, that's ridiculous.

- They arrested those guys.
- You.

- Not helping.
- You're right, Daddy.

No point getting upset.
It's only an engagement.

Anything can happen.

I'm sorry.

Let me go talk to her.

Forgive my sister.

She thought she was getting a promotion,
not a stepmother.

And what did you think?

That I was getting an apology.
Not sure which of us was more wrong.

-He really didn't mention we were dating?
-He stopped bragging about his girlfriends

once he realized
it wouldn't make me any straighter.

Whose idea was it to call me?

I wanted to meet you.

To see how Blake Carrington could

-spawn a bleeding heart liberal?
-No.

I told him family is everything,

and when things get tough,
you don't give up.

You fight harder.

And you think he actually believes that?

He called you, didn't he?

Fallon.

I can only imagine what Mom would say
about your child bride.

Your mother forfeited the right
to an opinion a long time ago.

If I called and told you over the phone,
would you have come home?

Well, why'd you think I called?

You heard I was hiring a new COO.

You were my age
when your father handed you the company.

Didn't hand it to me. I earned it.

You know Windbriar Energy is going under?

At the airport, these guys bragged
about their plan to save it,

-in front of me.
-They didn't know who you were?

-They thought I was a flight attendant.
-They underestimated you.

I don't. That's why I made you
head of Acquisitions last year.

Now can we please stop talking business?

This weekend is a new chapter
for our family.

You and Cristal are the two
most important women in my life.

Bet you have a lot in common.

Hm.

I wouldn't take that bet.

You're not gonna scare this one off.

We're getting married.

Uh-huh.

He swore he'd never marry again.

People change.

Not on their own.

He didn't even react to my Windbriar tip.

Because that was your idea and not his.

He just entered a bidding war
for the Braves.

He hates baseball.

Not as much as he hates Jeff Colby,
who he is bidding against.

You're kidding.

What do you want for that?

You'll help me,
and not ask for anything in return?

I don't need anything.

You live in a barn.

It's a stable house.

You drive an old white guy around all day.

He pays me 200 K a year,
and I'm banging his daughter.

Fine. Then tell me what else
you've learned from the front seat.

-Who is Cristal Flores?
-Other than a woman who drives herself,

-don't know.
-Well, my dad said, get to know her.

That's what I need you to do.

I would say there's no way that's real.

Except it's Blake-effing-Carrington.

You guys have only been together for,
what, three months?

- Four.
- I didn't know it was over with Matthew.

-Not sure Matthew does either.
-You have to tell him.

She doesn't owe him anything.
He was never leaving Claudia.

Well, that's because he didn't want her
to be alone...

which is exactly why I loved him.

Point is you were in love.

You can't just give up on that.

Sure, you can.

I did. And let me tell you,

there have been wild advances
in vibrator tech.

Guys, I love Blake.

Okay, I do.

He's smart, he's worldly, challenging,

he likes that I'm challenging
and that I can't be bought.

I have champagne for Cristal.

The note said Mr. Carrington had it
sent over for your celebration.

There's a crate full of it.

Send it back please.

Leave it.

She can't be bought. I can.

Thank you.

You know, I just want you to be happy.

If you're sure about Blake,
I won't bring up Matthew's name again.

It's good to have you back home.

Thanks. See how long it takes you
to kick me out this time.

I didn't kick you out. You left.

But that's behind us.
I hope you stay as long as you like.

Cristal seems nice.

That wasn't sarcasm.

I really like her.

Me, too.

You know, I have to confess.

I didn't just call you here to meet her.

I came across a lead
I'd like you to pursue.

-Dad, can we not...?
-What?

You said you'd never return
to Carrington Atlantic

unless we balanced our portfolio
with 50 percent renewable energy.

-You laughed in my face.
-I shouldn't have.

Bill Prather has a massive site for sale,
up in Floyd County.

I'd like you to meet with him
on my behalf.

Given your common interest,
I think you'd be more persuasive.

What's the company called?

Windbriar.

You heard of it?

Bye, guys, see you tomorrow.

Matthew.

Can we talk?

Why'd you really come down here?

You don't owe me this.

I wanted you to hear it from me.

So there'd be no... confusion.

Yeah?

And being here alone with you,
that's not confusing at all.

Just tell me what you want me to say.

Goodbye.

You have the best bed ever.

It's better with you in it.

You were late last night.

I always lose track of time when
I'm with my girlfriends.

Maybe if you hadn't have sent us
that crate of champagne.

Hey, where are you going?

Didn't you read that itinerary
Anders sent us last night?

Ten a.m., engagement photos,
Topiary Garden.

Check your phone.

I might need some coffee.

- We have the count.
- Skip the Baccarat.

If the head count is 190,
use the Waterford.

One hundred ninety people?

Blake said
this'll be a small get-together.

That is small.

-Well, at least we'll be outside.
-We'll be in the ballroom.

Mr. Carrington prefers the ballroom.

Can I talk to you?

You've been doing this a long time,
I don't wanna tell you how to do your job.

No, please. I'm so curious.

None of my friends care about stemware.

And they'll make fun of me if they know
I live in a house with a ballroom.

Your friends amount about 1 percent
of the guest list.

This is for the 99 percent.

That's ironic.

Listen.

Can we at least do it outside?

And I'll take Bowie on Spotify
over a string quartet.

And how about some wildflowers?

I'll have the gardeners save
whatever weeds they dig up.

That should be enough to get you started.

Your new boss seems great.

How long have I been
inside this house?

You went out yesterday.

-You mean, how long have we lived here?
-Mm-hm.

Almost 13 years, I think.

That's unlucky.

Good morning, Claudia.

How we doing?

Good, good. Yeah, I mean,
I know what the doctors are saying,

-but she's been really alert this week.
-I know. That's how it goes.

Some days will be better than others.

I got it from here.

Beautiful.
Now let's get a few of Cristal alone.

Can I get a little more fill on her face?

Which one? How can you stand this,
after what I told you?

A temper gets you nowhere, Fallon.
You need patience and a strategy.

How is this a strategy?

And turn.

Matthew.

Thank you for meeting me.

-Of course.
-It's a multitasking kind of day.

You've met my fiancée, Cristal.

Cristal is an associate in PR.
Matthew's my best field engineer.

-I...
-I don't believe we have met.

Haven't you?

Recently, in fact?

You were in a PR video
Cristal's team put together.

Oh, right.
Thought you seemed familiar.

That's right.

-Well, uh, congratulations.
-Excuse us a minute, will you, honey?

This won't take long.

You've heard about his wife, haven't you?

That man must be a saint.

-Our lead engineer will survey the plant...
-Forgive me.

What exactly is your role
at Carrington Atlantic?

I'm actually no longer with the company
in an official capacity.

You've heard of my father's efforts

- to bring fracking into Georgia.
- The protests against it, yeah.

Which I funded.

All I wanted was a compromise.

My father refused, and then he lost...

a lot of money,
his respect within the community,

and, he'd say, his son.

As far as my role...
I guess I'm the black sheep,

looking to come home to greener pastures.

Usually I'd be wary of selling
to Carrington.

But the idea that I could play a part
in the company going green with you?

Let's do it.

My father will be in touch.

Not your type?

The ones my dad picks never are.

Then would your dad pick me?

Never.

I'm seeing Jeff Colby tonight.

The tech guru.

He used to work in IT.

Daddy hates him.

Hate's a strong word.

While Jeff was at CA
he developed a music software

that'd go on
to earn him his first billion.

We should've owned it,
but a judge disagreed.

Okay. I guess I do hate him.

Friend of hers' older brother.
A charity case.

Tried to give him a break.

Just goes to show you never know
who'll stab you in the back.

Hey.

You're missing all the fun, Steven.

- I had a date.
- A date?

-I didn't know.
-Neither did I.

You said we had common interests.
I didn't realize you whored me out.

-Can this wait till after dinner?
-It's fine. I'd be more pissed

-if you hadn't let us tour Windbriar.
-What?

I gave you that tip and you sent Steven?

When striking any deal,
you send in

whoever makes the client feel
most comfortable.

Is that so wrong?

I bet he sent you to Prather
with the promise of going solar.

Did he happen
to mention that Windbriar's largest site

is smack in the middle of a shale field?

Eight hundred acres of frackable land.

That's why I brought it to him.

Is that true?

There's a lot to work out.

Actually, there's not.

You used us both.

And why?
We could've worked together on this.

Steven wouldn't have gone.

You'd have been jealous that I asked him.
We'd fight either way.

At least now we have a deal on the table
for Windbriar.

In case you ever wondered
why my dad is so successful,

it's because he's a genius
at making you feel

like he's acting in your best interest,
when really it's all about him.

Steven?

I'm sorry you had to witness that.

Fallon's right.

About how you manipulate people.

Matthew coming by today,
was that some sort of test?

Is that why you've been so quiet?
Someone spotted you two last night.

-I didn't want to believe...
-You could've asked.

-I wanted to see you together.
-If I tell you it was over,

-that isn't enough?
-You didn't tell me.

-You said you went out with friends.
-I did. But then I went to...

-See him one last time?
-Yes.

To tell him I loved you.

"Loved"?

Like Fallon said,
it's not worth getting upset about.

It's only an engagement.

-What does that mean?
-You'll figure it out.

You're Blake-effing-Carrington.

He saw that photo
and he didn't dump her ass on the spot.

We both know my father deals with things
in his own screwed-up way.

Good news is too much damage has been done
for it not to fall apart.

And when it does,
I'll be ready to pick up the pieces.

Wish me luck.

-Jeff Colby.
-Hey.

- It's been a minute.
- You look beautiful.

All right,
we have you in our penthouse suite.

Will you be needing one key or two?

Two, please.

I gotta say, I was, uh...
I was surprised you called.

I always assumed you were friends
with my sister

because you thought hanging
with the financial aid kids

made you seem edgy.

And you think a billion dollars later,
you've lost your edge?

All I know is no matter
how many zeroes are in my bank account,

the hottest girl from high school
never loses her mystique.

You have the second-highest bid
on the Braves.

Right now Reuther Capital is outbidding
both you and my father.

So, neither of you will win.

Not alone.

But if Colbyco and Carrington Atlantic
were to pool their resources,

say, my dad gets naming rights
to the new stadium and you get the team...

You know, I should've known
you only wanted to talk work.

You don't know any other way to get off,
do you?

Oh, I know lots of ways.

Then why isn't that
what we're negotiating?

Think about it.

Yeah, I know this is unexpected.

You outside of Buckhead?

Extremely.

I come in peace, and alone, I promise.

No parade of flowers,
or crates of champagne.

Just...

Just a simple apology.

Anders isn't out front
with a string quartet?

Oh, they can wait in the van.

You're working on Sunday?

Well, you wanted those proposals
on your desk by tomorrow.

We had a fight.
I didn't think it meant I got fired.

I'm sorry.
I didn't confront you about Matthew

because I was afraid of losing you.

You have to trust me.

You know,
trust doesn't come easy to Carringtons.

But if I can learn,
there's hope for Fallon, too.

If I didn't tell you, she would.

She was the one who saw it.
She was just trying to protect me.

By sabotaging us?

All I want is for you
and Fallon to get along.

How can we?

She'll never see me as anything
but the girl you're banging.

She doesn't respect me.

Well, she will.

I would like to make a counter-proposal
to my proposal.

I'm gonna hit the shower.

Oh, no.

You look so elegant,
I hardly recognized you.

A moment with the bride, please.

Hm.

It was Blake's idea.

We were already having a party,
so, he thought, why wait?

But something tells me you hate surprises.

No.

That's not what I hate.

You should be having this conversation
with your father.

After Matthew,
I thought we were done talking about you.

Actually, thanks to your stalking,
your dad and I are closer than ever.

We've moved up the wedding date,
obviously,

but we have another announcement, too.

Now, don't tell me you're pregnant.

What, you let him knock you up,
so you could lock him down?

Fallon, that is no way to talk
to your new boss.

That's right.

He offered me the COO position.

That was supposed to be mine.

Which is why
I turned it down the first time.

Then I met you.

Let go, bitch!

Get off of me.

There will be plenty of time for this
after the wedding.

Bite me, Cristal.

Please.

Call me Mom.

She isn't family.

She will be soon.

It's not the same thing.

Look at everyone we know.

The Kochs, the Murdochs,
the president dad voted for,

all those businesses were passed down
to the next generation.

Also worth noting,
all of those people are evil.

Family dynasties flow through blood
from parent to child.

Wives, ugh... they just come and go.

So, that's what this is really about,
isn't it?

Mom. Ever since the day she took off,

you've done whatever you can
to fill the hole she left.

Always trying to be the best
and the brightest.

I don't have to try. I just am.

Now you feel like you're being replaced.

Not just at home, but worse, the office.

So says your high-priced therapist.

That company is the thing
that Dad values most in the world.

He should be giving it to me.

You know no one can ever replace you,
right?

Not to me.

Not to Dad.

He's in love.

I can't compete with that.

Then change the game.

Or don't play at all.

-You Carrington's field guy?
-Matthew Blaisdel.

-Thanks for having us.
-Sure.

I've always been curious about this place.

I'll give you a tour of the facility.
Come on.

What's with the thumpers?

Thought you're interested in
what's aboveground, not under it.

If Carrington buys the land
he'll cover his bases.

Test will take a couple hours.
I'll disclose everything I find.

Use it to milk Blake for all it's worth.

I gotta say, I'm surprised you agreed
to run point on this.

Yeah, it's my last job.

Gave Blake my notice yesterday.

-Life's too short.
-So, it's got nothing to do with the fact

that he's marrying your girlfriend?

They're not married yet.

Welcome.

If I had any idea
what I'd invited you to...

What do you mean?
Everything looks beautiful.

Very white, but...

Ignore my sister.

I've been thinking about
your Braves pitch.

We should talk.

Let's.
Meet me in the pool house in an hour?

Hello.

Thank you all for coming.

Everyone's been asking when Cristal
and I are getting married.

We are thrilled to announce
that we have picked a date and a venue.

It's today, right here,

and you all are invited.

Wait a minute. This is a surprise wedding?

More like an ambush.

Take a peek outside.

I can't believe Anders came around.

Pretty sure he didn't.

No, this was all my dad.

After last night,
I wasn't sure you'd stick around.

Guess you're here for Cristal.

I'm here for you.

Thought there'd be an opening
for best man.

Mrs. Carrington.

Thank you.

Look how happy you've made him.

It's the happiest I've seen him since...

The first Mrs. Carrington?

I don't know anything about Alexis.
Your father never talks about her.

You two know each other?

Do you?

No.

Not really. We...

crossed paths
at the bar near your place yesterday.

How funny.

Well, Steven, this is my nephew, Sammy Jo.

Nobody calls me that anymore.

Sam.

- Nephew?
- Mm-hm.

My big sister's son.

Can we talk?

Yeah.

What are you doing here?

Uh, you mean, why didn't you invite me?

It's like you think I'm trouble.

Paths are the only thing
you and Steven crossed?

-I love you, but I also know you.
-And what do these people know?

Please, Sam.

Things are already complicated here.

Sounds like my kind of place.

If your father wants his brand
on the stadium, fine.

But then he has to walk away.

Forget baseball for a second.

I've spent years studying my father,
preparing to be his second-in-command.

But then I look at someone like you.
You've never had a shadow cast over you.

Everybody knows you by your name,
not your father's.

That's what I want.

You want your name on the stadium?

I said, forget baseball.

I have another investment opportunity
for you.

And what would that be?

Me.

Blaisdel.

Hydraulics are down.

Man, I've never seen that before.

I got it.

All right, here.

Try it again.

Look out!

So, did you get everything
you ever dreamed of?

Now I did.

The kissing bells.

Is it some family tradition?

It's a superstition.

The ringing is supposed
to scare away the devil.

Call an ambulance!

No, no, no.

Call Cristal.

Call Cristal.

Call his wife.

Call Claudia.

And then once the devil is gone...

We live happily ever after.

Ready?

Three, two, one.

Jeff.

I didn't know you were here.

Thanks for including me.

I didn't.

Oh, hey, I moved on that tip.
Just got off the phone with him.

What tip is this?

Company called Windbriar.

Heard of it?

What the hell have you done?

You can't just dabble in energy.
You don't have experience.

But I do. With Jeff's backing,

I will be chief executive officer
of Carrington Windbriar.

My own company, my name.

Actually, it's my name.

And your new competition.

Hello?

So, what kind of a butler are you?

More of a Bates or a Belvedere?

Your aunt failed
to mention how long you're staying.

I'm still working on that.

Hey.

Steven.

I just wanted to thank you
for not saying anything earlier...

-about the money.
-What?

About the money I took at the hotel.

You...? You didn't even notice?

Nope.

Why'd you lie?

I'm in a tight spot.

No, I mean to Cristal...

about us.

Are you the black sheep of your family,
too?

No.

She is.

You're in a better mood
than I thought you'd be.

-You work things out with your dad?
-Something like that.

Fallon. Hey.

Thought we could run over
your game plan before I go.

-You got time?
-Uh, sure.

Can I get another bourbon on the rocks,
please?

He's not a waiter.

Oh. Uh, man, I'm sorry.

Um...

this is Michael Culhane.

-He's...
-The chauffeur.

Oh.

Uh, well, perfect.

If you can bail early,
let's go out for a drink.

He can give us a ride.

Yeah.

Oh, Anders,
you don't have to do that.

I wear many hats around here.

Valet, party planner.

Although you may have relieved me of that.

I assure you, I am not out for your job.

That must make me the exception.

Excuse me?

Should your ambitions change,

just know that among
my myriad responsibilities

is managing the hiring of staff,

and that includes
running background checks.

When I heard about your tryst,
I decided to run yours.

I use a very thorough,
very private service.

And what they uncovered was riveting.

Samuel Josiah Jones.

Sammy Jo?

I've just moved him into the guest wing.

Whatever you found, I can explain.

Oh, there's no need, really.
As I say, they're very thorough.

I know everything.

Sweetheart.

- You ready?
- Mm-hm.

He tried to quit,
and you sent him to that place.

It was no accident.

You killed my husband!