While fans grew up watching her belting out Broadway notes and stealing scenes on Nickelodeon’s Victorious, Gillies cemented her legacy as television royalty when she stepped into the towering stiletto heels of billionaire heiress Fallon Carrington in The CW’s five-season remake of Dynasty. To celebrate her special day, we’re ranking the five absolute best episodes where Gillies proved she was born to wear the Carrington crown.
Stepping into a role famously originated by Pamela Sue Martin and Emma Samms in the 1980s was no small feat. Yet, from the second Liz Gillies walked on screen in 2017, she didn’t just reboot Fallon Carrington—she completely redefined her for a new generation.
Blending razor-sharp comedic timing, high-fashion authority, Broadway-caliber vocals, and undeniable emotional vulnerability, Gillies anchored all 108 episodes of the reboot as its undisputed MVP.
As Liz celebrates her 33rd birthday today, let’s look back at the standout episodes that showcased her absolute best work as Atlanta’s favorite corporate mogul.
1. “I Hardly Recognized You” (Season 1, Episode 1)
First impressions set the tone for an entire series, and Gillies’ debut performance in the pilot episode remains a masterclass in introducing a character. Expecting to be named COO of Carrington Atlantic, Fallon arrives at the family mansion only to discover her father, Blake, is marrying Cristal Flores—and giving her the promotion instead. Gillies immediately establishes Fallon’s fiercest qualities: her corporate ambition, her sharp humor, and her complete refusal to back down from a fight.
The episode peaks with an internet-breaking fight scene at a funeral, where a grieving Cristal shoves Fallon directly into an open grave. Gillies climbs out of the dirt, brushes off her designer coat, and delivers a venomous, hilarious line with total poise. That single moment proved Gillies was the perfect fit to lead the modern reboot.
2. “Enter Alexis” (Season 1, Episode 17)
When Nicollette Sheridan arrived as the long-lost Carrington matriarch, Alexis, the show needed Fallon to stand her ground against a soap opera icon. Gillies did far more than hold her own; she stole the entire episode. The friction between mother and daughter created instant fireworks, with Fallon seeing right through Alexis’ manipulative charm.
The highlight of the episode comes during a skeet-shooting showdown on the estate grounds. Fallon calmly shoots clay targets out of the sky while trading brutal, lightning-fast insults with her mother. Gillies’ physical comedy and deadpan delivery hit their stride here, firmly cementing Fallon as the true protector of the Carrington family legacy.
3. “How Two-Faced Can You Get?” (Season 2, Episode 17)
In one of the wildist soap opera twists in modern television, behind-the-scenes cast changes led to Alexis undergoing facial reconstruction surgery after an accident—and receiving Fallon’s exact face. This left Gillies with the bizarre, hilarious task of playing both her own character and her own mother disguised as her.
For a three-episode story arc, Gillies took on double duty. She flawlessly adopted Sheridan’s voice mannerisms, sultry posture, and dramatic hand gestures while acting opposite herself. Playing her mother disguised as her own character required incredible comedic skill, and Gillies executed the absurd storyline with absolute brilliance.
4. “Something Desperate” (Season 3, Episode 4)
You cannot hire a Broadway-trained singer without letting her show off her voice, and this episode delivered the ultimate musical showcase. After accidentally inhaling toxic gas at a real estate site, Fallon experiences elaborate, high-concept musical hallucinations while attempting to fix a business crisis.
Gillies leads the cast in theatrical numbers, belting out powerful vocals while gliding through dreamscape sequences in stunning gowns. The episode blended her musical theater roots with Dynasty’s signature camp, giving fans a fun reminder that Gillies possesses one of the strongest singing voices in television.
5. “Go Rescue Someone Else” (Season 4, Episode 13)
While Dynasty was famous for its witty one-liners and high-fashion brawls, Gillies frequently reminded audiences of her dramatic strength. In this heavy mid-season story, the Carrington family faces the sudden, tragic loss of their beloved butler and father-figure, Joseph Anders.
Gillies delivers a raw, tear-soaked performance as Fallon processes the shock of losing the man who truly raised her. Without the shield of her sarcastic quips or corporate ambition, Gillies stripped back all the armor to show Fallon at her most vulnerable, giving a performance that left viewers deeply moved.