I'll Settle For a Prayer

**I'll Settle For a Prayer** is the eleventh episode of the fifth season, and the ninety-seventh episode overall of the drama television series, *Dynasty* on The CW. It aired on May 13, 2022.

## Synopsis

MAYBE DO FEWER TERRIBLE THINGS - Blake grows closer to Amanda, much to the chagrin of Alexis. Jeff teams up with someone who leaves a lot to be desired and trusted. Sam tries to cope as Fallon seems oblivious to his pain and then sets out to make things right. Meanwhile, Culhane jumps to a conclusion that is hurtful to Dominique.

## Plot Summary

Fallon and Liam jet to Idaho in search of Sam's guilt-ridden mother, Iris, to convince her to return to Atlanta. Her initial reluctance to leave her church causes the couple to pose as a nympho nun and an imbued priest, then come to terms with their own religious differences. Jeff and Adam gain a begrudging respect for each other when they steal and post a price-inflated drug formula from Plenexia. Amanda moves into the manor after Blake and Cristal strategize to be supportive parents in contrast with Alexis's vindictiveness. Dominique designs costumes for *The Biggest Payday* as Culhane and Nina's bickering starts to turn to passion. Daniel passes away with his true love, Iris, and son, Sam, at his side.

## Cast

* Daniella Alonso as Cristal Carrington
* Elaine Hendrix as Alexis Carrington
* Rafael de La Fuente as Sam Jones
* Sam Underwood as Adam Carrington
* Michael Michele as Dominique Deveraux
* Robert Christopher Riley as Michael Culhane
* Sam Adegoke as Jeff Colby
* Maddison Brown as Kirby Anders *(credit only)*
* Adam Huber as Liam Ridley
* Eliza Bennett as Amanda Carrington
* Grant Show as Blake Carrington
* Felisha Terrell as Nina Fournier
* Elena Tovar as Iris Machado

Co-Starring* Scott Daniel Johnson as Richard Payne
* Jesse Santoyo as Padre Romero
* Sherry Richards as Dr. Simms

## Notes and Spoilers

* Although credited, Maddison Brown (Kirby Anders) are absent from this episode.
* This episode marks the return of Iris Machado, Sammy Jo's mother, last seen in *I Answer to No Man*.
* This episode marks the death of Daniel Ruiz, his counterpart also died in the original Dynasty series, but it was due to the death of the actor playing the character.

## Trivia

* Fallon dressing as a nun is probably a reference to Alexis Colby dressing as one in the Season 6 episode 7 The Titans II from the original Dynasty series.
* Many references to past events and characters happened in this episode :
	+ Fallon mentions her kidnapping by Alejandro and Iris in Season 1, as well as Cristal/Celia offering money to Iris;
	+ Blake mentions Steven and their complicated relationship;
	+ He also mentions Joseph Anders.
* For the first time since the episode *Battle Lines*, the name of the episode is a line used in the episode. The line is used by Iris Machado.
* Blake tells Amanda to take everything that Alexis says with a "bucket of salt." This is a callback to the *seventeenth episode* of the first season when Alexis tells Cristal that she takes everything that Blake says with "a bucket of salt."
* The only episode in the series where Iris appears, but Celia does not.

## Quotes

**Blake**: Cristal, you beautiful genius. I'll look bad if I bad-mouth Alexis, so I'll go the other way, like Michelle Obama. One of the only times a Democrat had a good idea. Alexis goes low, I'll go high.

**Cristal**: I don't think you should compare yourself to Michelle.

**Blake**: Of course not. Michelle's not even in my league, but this, this is perfect. I'll elevate myself instead of denigrating that venomous snake.

**Cristal**: Toning down the insults might be a good starting point.

**Blake**: Duly noted, I'm just getting it out before I start.

**Fallon**: Clearly, she feels guilty about the way she left things with Sam and Daniel, but she also thinks God wants her here. Although, I'm pretty sure God has an office in Atlanta, too.

**Liam**: Saying God wants anything is ridiculous. It's all fiction.

**Fallon**: Do you not believe in God?

**Liam**: What, you do?

**Fallon**: Of course I do. Have we really never had this discussion?

**Liam** I guess not. Okay, yeah, and sure, I believe in some kind of God, just seems that only bad things come from organized religion.

**Alexis**: Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Kirby is the bad news. She's a troubled girl. It's really very sad.

**Amanda**: Okay, well, is it true that you persuaded her ex-boyfriend to just show up and start making problems?

**Alexis**: Where is this coming from? Did Kirby tell you about it? Okay. Yes, that is true. But I was protecting Adam. I can't be held responsible for Kirby jumping back into old habits. Just take my advice: keep your distance.

**Amanda**: Okay, but she's changed. I mean, she's sober now. Does she not deserve a second chance?

**Alexis**: More like a 22nd chance. Look, you know I don't like to say bad things about people... at night. But Kirby is rotten to the core. And that kind of fruit doesn't ripen, it spoils. What exactly is it you see in her?

**Amanda**: She's been a really good friend.

**Alexis**: It's your life. You can be friends with anyone you want. But you should know Kirby is not allowed in the penthouse. She would probably steal everything and sell it for heroin or PCP.

**Amanda**: Okay, I think that's a little bit extreme, don't you?

**Alexis**: Well, if it were up to me, that ex of hers would have taken her back to Australia where she belongs.

**Amanda**: Wow. Feel like I'm finally seeing the Alexis I've heard so much about. And I don't particularly like the view.

**Liam**: You seem troubled. I noticed you lighting a candle. Was it for anyone specific?

**Iris**: You have good intuition. I'm worried about my family. I haven't seen them in years.

**Liam**: You left someone behind? Family is one of the most important things that we have. In fact, the very foundation of religion is rooted in the Holy Family. A father, a mother, a child. Perhaps you can visit them? I know it can be scary to face the past, but maybe they need you right now.

**Iris**: Thank you, but I'm afraid my sins run too deep for their forgiveness. For now, I'll settle for a prayer.

**Liam**: This may surprise you. But even I've struggled with religion in the past. I feared disappointing people in my life. My family, my priest, my God. But there's a verse from, uh... from Sunday school that I always try to remind myself of. "For if you forgiven men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." In other words, forgive, and you'll be forgiven. Even if it's yourself you have to forgive. I hope these words bring you the same comfort they've brought me.

**Sam**: Um... (*sighs*) Thank you for what you did. I thought I'd be fine if Iris never came, but... (*voice breaking*) But when I saw them together, I just... I saw my family for the first time, and I'm so grateful.

**Fallon**: You deserved at least that.

**Sam**: I'm sorry for what I said to you.

**Fallon**: No, please, don't apologize. You'll take away my moment of selflessness.

**Sam**: Okay. I'm not sorry. But I am. I know that even if you're not around, you are always here for me.

**Fallon**: That's true, but it's no secret that I can be selfish sometimes. And, um... I just want to thank you for reminding me that... occasionally there are things going on in the world that are more important than my life. And I'm just so happy I got to do something for you, because I really love you so much, Sam.

**Sam**: And I love you, Fallon. Even if you're a little crazy.

**Fallon**: You didn't even see me dressed as a nympho nun.

**Sam**: Wow. You really would do anything for me.

**Fallon**: Oh, yeah. Mm-hmm.

**Alexis**: Funny thing, Amanda somehow knew about my past with that little Australian wombat, and it seems that it upset very much.

**Blake**: That is upsetting.

**Cristal**: Maybe Adam told her.

**Alexis** (*to Cristal*): Shut it, you Swarovski knockoff.

**Blake**: Well, he does like to be the mama's boy.

**Alexis**: I spoke with Adam, and he didn't say a word about it, which leaves you two, the Macbeths. Still trying to posion Amanda against me.

**Blake**: Oh, please. You started it. Isn't it ironic how worked up you get about somebody beating you at your own game?

**Alexis**: The only thing you will ever beat me at is dying first, hopefully soon. I would like to speak with Amanda and explain myself. Where is she?

**Cristal**: Unfortunately, Amanda's resting. She's had a rough few days.

**Blake**: Plus, she made it clear, she doesn't want to see you.

**Alexis**: That's because the two of you have filled her mind with lies.

**Cristal**: Oh, we don't have to lie about anything. You're so awful, you did all the damage yourself.

**Blake**: It's late Alexis. You should go.

**Alexis**: This isn't over. I know how much you like to collect possessions, but Amanda is our daughter. It won't take her long to figure out that she is your pawn. Just another pretty thing to put on the shelf. Like this vase. Have a pleasant evening.

## Multimedia

### Images

* Promotional
* Behind the Scenes

### Videos

Dynasty 5x11 Promo "I'll Settle for a Prayer" (HD)
## References

1. ↑ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20220414cw13/#ixzz7QYhuZL2I
2. ↑ This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).