Dynasty power rankings: Who’s responsible for Alexis’ departure from the manor?

As a new Carrington arrives at the manor, Dynasty bids farewell to Nicollette Sheridan as Alexis. How did the she leave, and will she be back?

Goodbye, Alexis Carrington. It’s true: Nicollette Sheridan turned in her final episode of Dynasty as the embattled matriarch of the manor. Of course, Alexis’ exit comes hand in hand with the shocking arrival of kidnapped Carrington first-born Adam (Sam Underwood), who washes up and gives the whole family a serious case of paternity test déjà vu.

But as Fallon tries to keep the truth about Steven from Blake, there’s little anyone can do to curb Blake’s instant trust of Adam. From powerful to powerless, we’re ranking Carrington manor’s best and brightest on their quest for control. Here’s how the power struggle stacked up in the latest episode of Dynasty Season 2. (Warning: Spoilers ahead!)

1. Adam

Believe it or not, but Adam arrives at the manor and doesn’t pull any punches. He doesn’t play the “I’m Steven’s friend George” line or pretend to be anyone he’s not. Instead, the former Mikey Harrison relies on the truth — that he grew up in Billings, Montana and didn’t actually have his finger cut off — to win over the trust of Blake, who’s instantly sure this is the real Adam.

A DNA test confirms this much, which makes it seem all the more suspicious that he’s able to maneuver through the manor with such simplicity. It’s not all smooth sailing, but he’s sure putting on a brilliant act.

2. Cristal

Since Blake’s overcome with guilt over killing the man suspected to have completed the hit on Mark, he can’t sleep and drinks liquor for breakfast. Cristal offers to step in and help with Atlantix when their pre-site approval returns denied for their upcoming stadium.

Clearly, we have hardly scratched the surface of getting to know Cristal and her capabilities. She swoops in and steals Jeff’s land, which he planned to use for a music and arts center, with a little help from her family. Just a question, “Christy”… Didn’t you cut ties with your family?

3. Fallon

With Adam orchestrating the chaos like a puppetmaster, you’d think Fallon would fall victim to a complete loss of power. But Adam has proven to be her fiercest competitor yet — even though she ultimately (and unknowingly) concedes. From the second he steps foot on Carrington property, Fallon’s strict “trust no one” policy goes into overdrive.

She tries everything to prove he’s not the real Adam, including flying to Montana with Sammy Jo to expose his story that he’s a veterinarian. While she does learn that he was a medical doctor fired for stealing drugs, Fallon’s attempts backfire. He’s got an explanation for everything: He stole the drugs for his ailing mother, blah, blah, blah, etc. If only Fallon had kept pressing…

4. Blake

As it turns out, Blake doesn’t have very much power at the manor this week. He’s been blinded by the trauma of losing his and Cristal’s unborn child, learning the truth about Steven’s mental health and location, and handling headaches regarding the stadium’s construction.

In short, he’s vulnerable, making this the perfect time for his long-lost son to drop on his doorstep and take advantage of his fragile state. You’d assume Blake would learn not to trust so hard so immediately, but he could wind up the one to sniff out Adam’s ulterior motives.

5. Alexis

Why not save the biggest shock for last? Alexis has the most polarizing reaction to Adam’s arrival, even more so than Fallon’s, because she has the most to lose. Remember, she fudged Hank’s DNA results to prove that he was Adam. Just as she’s burning this evidence, she receives a visit from Adam. He wishes to make peace with his mother since he found Hank’s false results at the hospital.

Alexis burns the paper to symbolize their fresh start as mother and son, but we’re smacked with a flashback of Adam poisoning his mother with a fatal dosage of medication. As he watches Alexis kneel by the fire, he pushes her into the open fireplace and she screams as she’s scorched.

Naturally, this begs a million questions: Will Alexis live? Does this allow the series to recast the role with a new actress? Could Nicollette Sheridan ever return? Only time will tell.

Honorable Mentions:

• After last week’s hint at a Culhane-Kirby romance (whose ship name would ironically be phonetically identical to Colby), Kirby was noticeably absent this week.
• Poor Jeff can’t ever get what he wants, and the hits will keep on coming. It’s been announced that his estranged mother Dominique Deveraux will be played by Michael Michele in the final episodes of the season, with the potential of a regular role in Season 3.
• On a lighter note, Sammy Jo’s love of food remains the strongest running gag of the series, and Liz sank all of Fallon’s dialogue three-pointers, as usual. Also, Fallon and Sam are the dynamic duo.

What did you think of the latest episode? Sound off in the comments!

Dynasty airs Fridays at 8/7c on The CW.