Falcon Crest 1.13
This 13th episode is much closer to the type of story the show will eventually do all the time, but rarely did in this first season.
Being the 13th episode one presumes it is the final episode of the first production block. And - with a dramatic closing shot of Angela at her desk - it offers a certain kind of closure. Had the show being cancelled here, we are left with an indication of what is coming next: serious complications for Angela.
Following a murder, Chase is convinced to run for local political office. Angela does not want him to win. The murdered man was in her pocket and she has used her political influence to get things her way in the valley and make conditions tough for the other vineyards. If Chase were to get elected, it would create trouble for her.
What follows is an entertaining and interesting look at events on the campaign trail. Chase is typically idealistic and practical, but before long Angela starts a smear campaign against him. They have two great scenes of confrontation. Always fun to watch.
The murderer is on the loose, too, and gunning for Angela (because her political influence ruined his vineyard, destroying his marriage/family in the process). This, too, is very FALCON CREST.
The episode ends with Chase saving Angela’s life when the guy breaks in and has her at knife-point.
There’s also a pedestrian b-story about Emma getting caught while shoplifting. After a bit of predictable back-and-forth Angela uses blackmail to get the charges dropped. The episode would have worked much better without this mild distraction.
8/10
