While later seasons of the original Dynasty became synonymous with campy "catfights" and outrageous plots, Season 1 is often described by critics as a more serious, almost "dour" family drama.

: It was notable for featuring one of television’s first major gay characters, Steven Carrington, though his storyline in the 1980s was fraught with conflict from his father.

Developed by the creators of Gossip Girl , the reboot on The CW leans heavily into the "trashy-fun" aesthetic from the start. 'Dynasty' Reboot on CW: How Its Different From Original

: The season centers on oil tycoon Blake Carrington's marriage to his former secretary, Krystle Jennings, and the friction this creates with his ambitious daughter Fallon and his idealistic son Steven.

: Viewers found the initial episodes slower, focusing heavily on boardroom politics and realistic struggles of a middle-class family (the Blaisdels) contrasted with the Carringtons' opulence. The 2017 Reboot: Diverse & Fast-Paced

The first season of Dynasty serves as the foundational "origin story" for two distinct eras of television: the groundbreaking 1981 original and the modernized 2017 reboot. Both versions follow the high-stakes power struggle between the wealthy Carrington and Colby families, but they approach the drama with vastly different cultural lenses.