Dynasty Review: The Only Thing That Matters Is Winning (Season 5 Episode 8)

Fallon focuses her attention on the Peachtree Stakes horse race on Dynasty Season 5 Episode 8, “The Only Thing That Matters Is Winning.”

In pursuit of following through with the promises made to herself and her loved ones, Fallon continues to set time aside for Allegra and the races. What Fallon fails to do is keep business and pleasure from mixing when Patty makes an entrance.

“The Only Thing That Matters Is Winning” does a good job showing a new side to Fallon, progressing with her past promises to not focus solely on work. Even after taking back over as CEO at Fallon Unlimited, Fallon is still very involved and enthralled with the Heroic Hooves Foundation.

However, no amount of character growth could prevent Fallon from taking a bet with her nemesis, Patty. The pettiness that ensues anytime they’re around each other will more than likely never change. Not because Fallon hasn’t tried to move past their differences, she has, but because Patty cannot get over Fallon one-upping her.

After her public humiliation, Patty tries to save face and get back at Fallon to validate herself. She’s so content with her decision that she takes a risk and bets Fallon that the loser must leave the foundation. But her optimism about winning fails her as Allegra triumphs and takes the win last minute.

Patty’s decision backfiring in her face should be the wake-up call she needs to sit back and reflect on her next moves. But, from the behavior we’ve seen so far, it won’t be long before she’s trying to get one over on Fallon again.

Focusing on the stables allows Dynasty to jump between Fallon and Sam’s storylines since the two intersect thanks to Daniel.

The future for Sam doesn’t seem to be filled with much happiness as Dynasty works to inflict more pain upon him. Daniel’s cancer revelation may wash away any thought of him being a drug addict, but it doesn’t improve the situation.

While the fear of losing his father thanks to drugs has been eased, a brand-new one is fostered. Depending on the severity of Daniel’s cancer, the possibility of him not being in Sam’s life for long is high. It’s something that would break Sam completely.

Since season one, Sam has not had a connection with anyone blood-related, let alone someone in his immediate family. Introducing his biological father into the mix is a huge deal, and ripping him away before he and Sam can make amends fully would be devastating.

We can only hope that Daniel and Sam will get enough time to make up for the past.

Where “The Only Thing That Matters Is Winning” goes wrong is its treatment of Jeff.

Since taking over for Fallon at Fallon Unlimited and swiftly taking his role as CEO of Morell Green Co right after, he’s been doing well. In fact, he is better than he’s been in a long time, so naturally, it’s time for Dynasty to shake things up.

After his neurotoxicity routine check-up and being given a clean bill of health, Jeff unexpectedly runs into Luna, another patient at the hospital when he was admitted. They exchange hello’s, and within a few moments, he and Luna are set to attend the Peachtree Stakes horse race together.

Their time spent together is fun, lavish, and genuinely a great evening out. But when Luna decides to make her move, Jeff swiftly dodges her advances. 

In his journey to becoming more well-rounded and focusing his sights on his goals, Jeff is taking a break from dating, which Luna understands. Jeff takes the compliment of her forwardness and moves on, not giving it another thought until Dominque talks him into calling her later on.

“The Only Thing That Matters Is Winning” gives an effortless lesson in not taking what you have for granted. When Jeff decides to reach out, he learns that Luna was re-admitted to the hospital.

It’s quickly revealed that Luna was in end-stage renal failure and was never released from the hospital. She wanted to enjoy the last moments of her life with excitement instead of sadness, so she lied to Jeff about her remission.

Luna’s death blindsides Jeff, leaving him questioning a lot, but more importantly, it angers him. Her ability to afford the lifesaving medication she needs should not have been a factor in whether she lives or dies.

Now, Jeff is on a man-hunt to blame someone for her death.

Dynasty is doing the absolute most in its attempts to humanize Adam in any way it can. The new path that he and Alexis are going down is meant to make the audience sympathize with Adam, but nothing will ever be enough.

Adam has been a force of destruction since he entered the series, and the only retribution that could make up for his heinous acts is if he admits to what he did to Steven. Or if the truth comes out that Adam drove him to insanity, I’d gladly accept that. Only then will I begin to feel any emotion outside of disgust and distrust for Adam.

Though, Sam Underwood is a phenomenal talent and plays the villain role exceedingly well.

Upon the first introduction to his character, we were supposed to distrust and dislike Adam, and that’s a feat Underwood has achieved. However, getting behind a redemption arc for his character is too much for me after Adam’s part in Steven’s departure.

My favorite moment of “The Only Thing That Matters Is Winning” is Amanda diving into the Carrington ways. Even though Amanda has been around enough to settle in, she hasn’t fully immersed herself into the Carrington lifestyle. You know, the one that allows them to move, fire, or kill whomever and do as they please.

It boggles her when a particularly rowdy doctor won’t acknowledge or listen to Amanda’s instructions about new hospital regulations. As a lawyer, she’s obviously had to deal with thick-headed men before, but she’s out of her element.

Amanda may be quick with the threats and insults toward Adam at the hospital, but she’s still getting her footing in the job overall. She hasn’t been at the hospital long, and she doesn’t want to overstep, but at the same time needs to find a way to solve her issue.

So, she asks Cristal, as someone who had to get accustomed to the Carrington lifestyle, what she should do. Getting Blake to ruin the doctor’s life is too easy and not something she wants to do, but Cristal makes a good point. If Amanda wants power, she needs to take it and show that she will be heard when speaking.

Enlisting Blake’s help isn’t something anyone wants to do, but when you’re a Carrington or related to one, eventually, it’s the only option.

For the first time in a good minute, Dynasty has found its footing and is producing terrific episodes one after the other. I need this momentum to continue throughout the rest of the season.

Other Thoughts:

• Maybe it’s because we’re not used to Cristal being so brass, but the attitude she exhibits when speaking with Amanda seems questionable. It feels more like a move out of Rita’s playbook.
• It’s nice to see Kirby living life and enjoying it, but I fear it’ll soon pass with our newfound knowledge of Charlie. Her eagerness to grab ahold of Kirby makes more sense knowing she loves to perform shady business practices and steal hard-earned money.
• Patty and Fallon’s friendship provides fun banter and drama between the two, but I feel like it’s time for them to squash their differences. Fallon is ready to make peace; all Patty has to do is accept it.

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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