Falcon Crest had natural beats to divide the season, based on the pilot, that it never used consistently, which feels like a missed opportunity in retrospect.  Upon re-watch, the length of each season is as remarkable, as the number of episodes which are total filler, and don't move the story forward. 

Dallas, had the annual BBQ, and the Oil Barron's Ball as events that they could build toward mid-season.  Whereas Falcon Crest could've utilized the annual harvest, the release of that year's vintage, and other wine-related circumstances that they could've employed.

The pilot, and the first season, wrung some tension about having to harvest the grapes on time.  And, Angela trying to mess with Chase by limiting the laborers for the harvest.  I feel like there were years of drama that could've come from the agricultural side of the winery that went to waste when they started to focus on the racetrack and the newspaper.  There was never any tension about the quality of the Falcon Crest wine, or the sales of that year's vintage.  Yet, that feels like a more organic story to tell (pardon the pun) than outrageous tales of stolen art and doppelgängers. 

Edited July 18, 20241 yr by j swift

12 hours ago, Khan said:

I think all subsequent seasons should have been mapped out that way: self-contained episodes that still fit within a season-long arc or mystery.

Well, up until CBS demanded they'd ditch the nazi plot that what was they did. After that the show just seemed to be thrown off balance entirely, though I guess Freilich's first season had the Kim Novak plot running through the episodes, but that one felt so separate from all other plotlines.

17 hours ago, te. said:

Well, up until CBS demanded they'd ditch the nazi plot that what was they did. After that the show just seemed to be thrown off balance entirely

Agree. The abrupt ending to the war crimes storyline derailed all the momentum that had been built during the course of the series.

With Knots Landing debuting on LiveTv, I watched some of the final episodes of this series.

Season 9 truly felt like a different show that happened to be called Falcon Crest without the charm and family atmosphere of previous seasons.  It seemed sleek, cold, and devoid of any personality.

And having Richard marrying that non-descript woman and raising the children bothered me.  He was rewarded for his bad behavior while his poor late wife Maggie drowned and died.

Pilar was not a bad character.. but she was no Melissa.   Melissa/Lance should have been the end game.

4 minutes ago, Soaplovers said:

Season 9 truly felt like a different show that happened to be called Falcon Crest without the charm and family atmosphere of previous seasons.  It seemed sleek, cold, and devoid of any personality.

There was a darkness and sadness that surrounded everything and it was painful to watch. There were times I was like "make it make sense".

4 minutes ago, Soaplovers said:

And having Richard marrying that non-descript woman and raising the children

That whole storyline was a dust off of The Sound of Music.

4 minutes ago, Soaplovers said:

He was rewarded for his bad behavior 

I don't feel he was rewarded, to me he was defeated and tired of fighting.

4 minutes ago, Soaplovers said:

Maggie drowned and died.

That was awful. I'm so glad I did not see it in real time.

4 minutes ago, Soaplovers said:

 Melissa/Lance should have been the end game.

Business arrangement marriage that turned into a love/hate relationship. I don't feel they had a genuine love.

I was in love with Lance when i was a kid. Told my Dad i liked him so much because he did karate

Falcon is back on Plex next Sunday after the end of Sisters! Heads up people!

I binged Season 1's first 5 episodes and I'm kinda hooked. I adore the atmosphere and I think the scripts are good. And I am loving Angela, that darling Devil. 

19 minutes ago, Maxim said:

I binged Season 1's first 5 episodes and I'm kinda hooked. I adore the atmosphere and I think the scripts are good. 

Episode 12 has an epic scene where my reaction was "hell yes I am here for it". Episode 20 has a pivotal scene which for me sets everything in motion for the rest of the series and my reaction was "I am totally down for this".

5 minutes ago, kalbir said:

Episode 12 has an epic scene where my reaction was "hell yes I am here for it". Episode 20 has a pivotal scene which for me sets everything in motion for the rest of the series and my reaction was "I am totally down for this".

Thanks for this nice heads up. I plan to watch 5 more tomorrow if I have the time. So far I don't have any negatives, other than it goes way too fast (I'm so used to daytime soap operas and slow-pace that I can't be trusted on this). 🤣

The first 13 episodes are clearly more written as episodic, especially obvious is that in one episode the Gioberti's are onto Angela's plots to drive them out of the valley and in the next episode they're chummy with her again. The show really kicks into high gear when Ana Alicia enters in episode 14.

Just now, te. said:

The first 13 episodes are clearly more written as episodic, especially obvious is that in one episode the Gioberti's are onto Angela's plots to drive them out of the valley and in the next episode they're chummy with her again. The show really kicks into high gear when Ana Alicia enters in episode 14.

Now you are getting me excited. I have adored the first 5 episodes... I think I may even play one more today. The thought that it gets better is amazing. I was dreading that it will get worse... like Dynasty spoiled with every next episode.  🤣

1 hour ago, te. said:

The first 13 episodes are clearly more written as episodic, especially obvious is that in one episode the Gioberti's are onto Angela's plots to drive them out of the valley and in the next episode they're chummy with her again. The show really kicks into high gear when Ana Alicia enters in episode 14.

I meant to mention that when I got to this episode. Cole literally overhears her talking smack behind his back to Lance, is visibly upset, decides to stay loyal to his dad, and then next episode, Chase is swirling around a wine glass at the big house.

1 hour ago, Maxim said:

Thanks for this nice heads up. I plan to watch 5 more tomorrow if I have the time. So far I don't have any negatives, other than it goes way too fast (I'm so used to daytime soap operas and slow-pace that I can't be trusted on this). 🤣

You're welcome @Maxim and happy watching. Looking forward to your thoughts.

10 hours ago, kalbir said:

You're welcome @Maxim and happy watching. Looking forward to your thoughts.

Thank you so much! I will keep you updated in how I experience this show. ❤️