Dynasty Review: A Friendly Kiss Between Friends (Season 5 Episode 9)

Thanks to Dynasty Season 5 Episode 9, “A Friendly Kiss Between Friends,” a new relationship is blooming.

After much teasing and hinting, Dynasty is taking the plunge and exploring a much-needed element on the series – Kirby and Amanda.

While Kirby and Amanda’s friendship is relatively new, the two have become quite close in a short period. So close that Amanda questions her intentions and must reflect on why she acts the way she does around Kirby.

We see the desperation in Amanda’s actions and how focused she becomes anytime Kirby’s involved. It’s normal to care and stick up for your friends, but Amanda takes it a bit too far by crashing Charlie and Kirby’s dinner.

Had Amanda spoken with Kirby before doing so, there wouldn’t be an issue. But, swooping in and accusing your friend’s girlfriend of cheating her out of money casually while eating is not the correct move. But, it’s also what I love most about the dynamic between Kirby and Amanda.

In terms of Carrington family and friends, Amanda is one of the first people not to see Kirby as trouble. All the best qualities in Kirby scream out to Amanda, and it’s all that she sees, whereas others had to overcome their warped versions of Kirby in their mind.

Even if it’s not apparent to Amanda initially, her infatuation with Kirby begins almost immediately after their first meeting.

While my detestation with love triangles has not faltered, it’s exciting for Amanda to express her feelings to Kirby. And that kiss! Whew!

Amanda: It’s not about what; it’s who. I’m not jealous of you, Kirby. I’m jealous of Charlie because she gets to be with you. I like you, Kirby. I think that I have for a while now. But I do not want to mess up anything you have with Charlie because I want you to be happy. But you are not a dumb model, okay. You are funny, and you are kind, and you are clever, and well, you’re pretty nice to look at. 

Queer representation has become more prominent over the past few years, but sapphic relationships are rarely given the spotlight and screentime in mainstream television. Dynasty pushing for a sapphic love triangle in the spotlight is helping push those boundaries.

There is a dire need for more on-screen queer love without it being glamorized or used solely to push other narratives. Even though Dynasty is known for its tendency to let interesting plots burn out too quickly, I’m hopeful they’ll do Kirby justice.

“A Friendly Kiss Between Friends” also sets up a potential multi-episode storyline for Jeff, if we’re lucky. Jeff’s sights are set on taking Plenexia, the pharmaceutical company that spiked their drug prices and essentially caused Luna’s death, down.

Anyone who has taken the time to watch documentaries on the horrors of big pharma knows how terrifying and threatening they can be. In its way, Dynasty is shining a light on the injustices of big pharma and how hard they work to ensure nothing gets in their way.

If anyone on the series has the ability and resources to go after big pharma and be successful, it’s Jeff Colby.

Other Thoughts:

• Blake and Cristal’s adventures in “A Friendly Kiss Between Friends” are a perfect reminder of the lengths one will go to provide happiness for the ones they love, even if it may hurt them.
• Fallon and Liam are too adorable of a couple not to have a child! We’re around the halfway point of the season, so I suspect we’ll get a confirmed pregnancy around Season 5 Episode 15, or right towards the end.

What did you think of this episode of Dynasty? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Dynasty airs Fridays at 9/8c on The CW.

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