Dynasty: We Need to Talk About Steven Carrington’s Absence

Dynasty recently wrapped its drama-filled Season 4, where the Carringtons deal with weddings, family rivalry, and the death of loved ones. You know, an average day in the Dynasty universe. But, there’s still something missing. 

Due to its lackluster storylines for the main cast, Dynasty Season 4 is not one of the better seasons. However, one thing that never fails is the incredible family dynamic. Even when things aren’t the most exciting outside of the Carrington Manor, there’s bound to be drama afoot inside the walls of their humble abode.

Amanda Carrington’s arrival is a significant moment that helps round out Season 4 and garners some new excitement from fans. Eliza Bennett is magnificent as Amanda and brings a fresh, unique feel that we didn’t know was needed until her presence on the show.

However, with the introduction of yet another Carrington sibling, there’s an issue that needs addressing: Steven. Steven Carrington has been MIA since halfway through Season 2, and his return is long overdue.

Steven was last seen on Season 2 Episode 14, “Parisian Legend Has It,” in what should be a momentary goodbye. Instead, after Adam’s grotesque trick to coerce Steven into thinking he’s insane, Steven is left in a psychiatric facility in Paris.

Soon after, he’s completely forgotten about besides minute hear or there mentions, but nothing ever in detail.

Life moves on without Steven as if he had never existed. Sam finalizes his divorce from Steven, Fallon and Liam get married, Adam takes Steven’s spot in the family dynamic, Alexis acquires a new face, and Anders passes away.

Throughout the life events of Steven’s loved ones, he’s barely mentioned, and even when he is, it’s off-hand comments that do him zero justice.

Dynasty loves a good face change, so why has Steven not been given the same opportunities? It’s clear that James Mackay did not want to leave the show and was forcibly removed. Nobody knows the extent of why he was fired or what happened to lead to his dismissal.

But, on a show that loves to recast characters as much as it does, it’s a slap in the face to the fans who resonate with Steven to let Mackay’s departure end Steven’s storyline.

Steven has his fair share of drama on the show, but he is the tamest between his family and everyone around him. He doesn’t love flashy material like Fallon or go looking for drama on his own. He doesn’t enjoy ensuing in the standard Carrington drama.

Whereas Fallon loves a good eye-turning moment, Steven is more down-to-earth and not as flashy. He is genuine and cares more about doing what’s was right over any political stance or materialism. Those are only a few qualities that make Steven adored by fans. 

Former head writer for Dynasty Paula Sabbaga made an Instagram post months after Mackay’s departure, stating that the character would return in Season 4 with a brand new political arc. So, what happened?

It’s insulting to a character like Steven to be forgotten about on a show so immersed in family lifestyle. There’s no mention of him during Fallon’s wedding or Anders’ death, which are two significant life moments.

Both instances warrant a name drop at the very least. Steven’s father died, for crying out loud, and there isn’t one mention of him.

Fallon and Steven have been inseparable since they were children, so there’s a significant flaw in the writing for her to only mention him in passing during his institutionalization over the past two seasons.

If the show were true to Fallon’s character, they would have had her mention Steven in some capacity throughout the wedding fiasco. The best moment of her life is about to happen, and there isn’t even a sly mention of her cherished brother.

It’s painfully apparent that Steven is being kept off the show for a specific reason, but is there a reason worth getting rid of one of the best characters? Disputes between people happen, but recasting is an option that Dynasty has the ability to choose; they just won’t.

Adam has been thriving ever since he swooped in and took Steven’s place, which is abysmal and sickening. Adam is manipulative, deranged, and someone who will continue to thrive until he’s squashed with an iron boot. Theoretically, of course. Or not. I wouldn’t complain if Adam finally bit the bullet.

Sam Underwood is a brilliant actor and plays Adam phenomenally, but the character itself makes me want to scream.

Steven is the key to bringing Adam down once and for all, but it’s clear that he’s going to need some help making his re-appearance into the show again.

Amanda’s introduction sets up the perfect way to bring Steven back into the fold. Her resilience against Adam and his wrongdoings makes her the ideal person for the job of bringing Steven back. Amanda has proven to be Adam’s match in the short timeframe that she’s appeared.

Also, Amanda’s integration into the family without a word about Steven doesn’t go unnoticed. It only fuels the fire inside of me that wants her to be the one to avenge him.

Season 5 needs to center around Amanda’s investigation into Adam, which leads to her discovering the truth about her brother. Together, she and Steven can create a painfully devastating plan that destroys Adam and possibly the family that forgot about him as well.

Hugs and kisses exchanged between Steven and the rest of the family is off the table at this point. They’ve all abandoned him and moved on with their lives. His family turned their back on him in his greatest time of need, basically exiling him. It would be a nice twist to see Steven return as a potential villain to get his revenge.

No matter what the cost, Dynasty needs to bring Steven Carrington back for Season 5. I don’t care if that includes bringing Mackay back to reprise the role or recasting entirely. If not, kill the character off. It’s agonizing to know that there’s a multifaceted, exciting character sitting on the sidelines and not being utilized.

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What are your hopes for Dynasty Season 5? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Dynasty Season 5 airs sometime in 2022 on The CW.

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