Thoughts/Impressions on “The Dynasty” Apple TV Series

[Dewey's 'stache]

I didn’t see a thread for this yet. Please delete, or merge if one exists.

I stayed up last night to watch “The Dynasty” on Apple TV and Oh my goodness, this is so well done! The first two episodes were released at midnight. The docuseries is a fantastic mix of nostalgia, “oh shit I forgot about that” and storytelling that is nearly perfect in capturing the moment that they cover, without the hindsight of 20+ years of history that has now passed. It’s incredibly entertaining and worth every penny of the Apple TV subscription!

 

[ColdSoxPack]

Just watched the first 2 episodes. Loving the candid comments from everyone. This series is just what the doctor ordered after the last couple years.

 

[Caspir]

The later seasons aren’t going to have this much candor, but episode one is such a home run for hitting people right in the feels. Drew continues to show his exceptional character, but the pieces with his wife and the family reaction to the injury and job loss was fantastic.

Also, Tom’s purple feet must have been the source of laughter for weeks.

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

They are doing a kind of post game show each week on NBC Sports Boston for the series. Michael Holly and Tom Curran had Jeff Benedict on.

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

This is great - thanks for the reminder

 

[Swedgin]

They are doing a kind of post game show each week on NBC Sports Boston for the series. Michael Holly and Tom Curran had Jeff Benedict on.

The Athletic had some coverage of the series and suggested there was plenty of candor from Brady and others about the difficulty of working with BB, especially in the later years.

 

[Valek123]

I’m just can not stop smiling when Ernie Adams is on. He’s just the ultimate sleeper.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

The tail-end of episode two, when they tease the AFCCG in Pittsburgh with Brady's ankle injury, and smash-cut to these lyrics from I'm Shipping Up to Boston:

I'm a sailor Peg and I lost my leg
Climbing up the top sails
I lost my leg...

Holy shit. Great needle-drop. Chills. LFG!!!!

 

[Oil Can Dan]

So far this is an awesome watch. I’d be happy with 50 minutes of behind the scenes coaching room film review though.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

The tail-end of episode two, when they tease the AFCCG in Pittsburgh with Brady's ankle injury, and smash-cut to these lyrics from I'm Shipping Up to Boston:

I'm a sailor Peg and I lost my leg
Climbing up the top sails
I lost my leg...

Holy shit. Great needle-drop. Chills. LFG!!!!

Its a rush from the first bars of episode one. I mainlined it all in one go and I am jonesing for so much more.

Ernie is a gem, Pioli is a revelation, Ty Law shines, Milloy is hilarious and the raw footage of practices left me wanting so much more. The media takes are gold - so many gatekeepers of the past who had no clue.

Its all glorious.

 

[Sille Skrub]

I am loving this so, so much. Well done and a lot of unseen footage to boot.

More please!

 

[Justthetippett]

Echoing the positive reviews. I could watch this stuff from the early 00s forever. Give us the extended cut!

 

[boca]

So are they dropping episodes of this weekly?

I could really do with binging the whole thing after watching the first two episodes.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Drew continues to show his exceptional character, but the pieces with his wife and the family reaction to the injury and job loss was fantastic.

I do have to admit I laughed a bit when, before the doc showed the injury, they had Drew talking about how he was at his best in difficult situations with the game on the line, etc. I mean, for all the good he did here, this dude was a horrendous playoff QB. Seven games (6 starts), 51.2% completion percentage, 6 TD, 12 INT, 5.3 yards per attempt. Tony Eason was more productive in the playoffs.

The best Drew ever looked in the playoffs was that first drive against Pittsburgh when he came in for Brady and hit 3 straight passes, all right on the money, ending with a TD. Maybe we don't win the SB without that drive. But even in the rest of that game he went only 7-18 for 66 yards the rest of the way.

 

[tims4wins]

I do have to admit I laughed a bit when, before the doc showed the injury, they had Drew talking about how he was at his best in difficult situations with the game on the line, etc. I mean, for all the good he did here, this dude was a horrendous playoff QB. Seven games (6 starts), 51.2% completion percentage, 6 TD, 12 INT, 5.3 yards per attempt. Tony Eason was more productive in the playoffs.

The best Drew ever looked in the playoffs was that first drive against Pittsburgh when he came in for Brady and hit 3 straight passes, all right on the money, ending with a TD. Maybe we don't win the SB without that drive. But even in the rest of that game he went only 7-18 for 66 yards the rest of the way.

He also led a key drive very late in the game. They were backed up inside their own 10 and I think they gained 2, maybe 3 first downs, and he hit on a few key passes including a gorgeous rainbow to Troy. Overall he was meh but he had a couple huge drives / plays.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

He also led a key drive very late in the game. They were backed up inside their own 10 and I think they gained 2, maybe 3 first downs, and he hit on a few key passes including a gorgeous rainbow to Troy. Overall he was meh but he had a couple huge drives / plays.

Fair. I do remember, not being glad that Tom got hurt when he did, but definitely being glad that Drew had the opportunity to contribute to that win and the season.

 

[tims4wins]

Fair. I do remember, not being glad that Tom got hurt when he did, but definitely being glad that Drew had the opportunity to contribute to that win and the season.

It was comforting until he threw the backwards pass over his head. Then I remembered why I hated him.

 

[ShaneTrot]

That Mo Lewis hit on Bledsoe at full speed is something. Tom having more hair now than when he was in his early twenties is amusing. Pioli is really good. Ernie is a treasure. Viniateri is all rocked up. Those early 2000s teams were tight and seemed like they really liked each other. That linebacker room was just loaded with great players who were cool guys.

 

[Van Everyman]

So are they dropping episodes of this weekly?

I could really do with binging the whole thing after watching the first two episodes.

It looks like they’re dropping the next two next week and that part 4 is Spygate. So I’m not sure whether they are doing this exactly chronologically since that means they’re doing 3 Super Bowls in 1 episode?

It was comforting until he threw the backwards pass over his head. Then I remembered why I hated him.

Yes. Exactly this.

That was definitely the best telling of the Drew —> Brady story I’ve seen with Ernie describing what happened to Bledsoe’s game, the Kosar callbacks, the Kraft commentary of Drew coming to him and Kraft telling the story about why he backed Bill – and Bill making his decision to name him the permanent starter after Brady played one of worst games on national TV.

What I think the documentary is doing best in some ways is incorporating footage we know—like the “Run it again, *Brady*” bit with Bill in the silver Hefty bag top—with footage we haven’t to tell a deeper version of that story (tho I have a sneaking suspicion that footage is from 2003 since I thought we might’ve heard Rodney’s voice in the bgd).

Other highlights: all that footage of Tom as such a supreme dork. The Ty Law condo story. The thrilling telling of the Tuck Rule game.

The one thing I want is MOAR BILL (which we’ll get some of but not much I suspect).

 

[lexrageorge]

That linebacker room was just loaded with great players who were cool guys.

As long as you leave out Willie McGinest.

 

[B H Kim]

It looks like they’re dropping the next two next week and that part 4 is Spygate. So I’m not sure whether they are doing this exactly chronologically since that means they’re doing 3 Super Bowls in 1 episode?

Yes, it's two episodes a week for 5 weeks. And the two next week cover all three of the first set of Super Bowls and spygate. I love the show, but the pacing is odd, given that they aren't even to the first Super Bowl after two episodes.

 

[grsharky7]

It looks like they’re dropping the next two next week and that part 4 is Spygate. So I’m not sure whether they are doing this exactly chronologically since that means they’re doing 3 Super Bowls in 1 episode?


Yes. Exactly this.

That was definitely the best telling of the Drew —> Brady story I’ve seen with Ernie describing what happened to Bledsoe’s game, the Kosar callbacks, the Kraft commentary of Drew coming to him and Kraft telling the story about why he backed Bill – and Bill making his decision to name him the permanent starter after Brady played one of worst games on national TV.

What I think the documentary is doing best in some ways is incorporating footage we know—like the “Run it again, *Brady*” bit with Bill in the silver Hefty bag top—with footage we haven’t to tell a deeper version of that story (tho I have a sneaking suspicion that footage is from 2003 since I thought we might’ve heard Rodney’s voice in the bgd).

Other highlights: all that footage of Tom as such a supreme dork. The Ty Law condo story. The thrilling telling of the Tuck Rule game.

The one thing I want is MOAR BILL (which we’ll get some of but not much I suspect).

There was a clip in episode two that had Rodney in it even though he wasn't on the team yet. It was a practice shot, but its definitely Rodney warming up. Overall I've loved it so far, both episodes are solid. It seems like they're going to blow through 2002-2006 in the next episode if episode 4 is Spygate. I'm actually ok with that. I want to hear the opinions about the less savory stuff that maybe we haven't heard before, I also can't wait for Deflategate because that truly was a spectacle of bullshit and I'd like to hear them say so and I would love for them to call out the Ravens, Colts, Kensil, etc as a bunch of whiny losers who were looking to pound the flesh and ignored it when other teams were absolutely playing with the PSI of balls (cough cough Aaron Rogers wanting them overinflated).

Edit: I wonder how long this took to create, the Ty Law interviews must have happened when Tom was still playing because it sounded like he said, "when he hangs it up I want my money", when they were talking about the condo.

 

[bankshot1]

Its a fun watch and in some respects the timing is perfect. .

But its also a sad watch in some regards given recent events. its almost too soon.

More Ernie.

Edit: I hope we get some clarity if not complete closure on the unanswered question of: Why the fuck is Malcolm not playing?, which seem to be hinted at in Breaking Point.

 

[B H Kim]

If you're interested, here are the titles and descriptions of the remaining episodes:

Spoiler: Spoiler

 

[Gambler7]

That Mo Lewis hit on Bledsoe at full speed is something. Tom having more hair now than when he was in his early twenties is amusing. Pioli is really good. Ernie is a treasure. Viniateri is all rocked up. Those early 2000s teams were tight and seemed like they really liked each other. That linebacker room was just loaded with great players who were cool guys.

I swear it sounded like Vinatieri's voice has changed too.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I guess it is worth noting that we are getting to some degree an ownership perspective.

View: https://twitter.com/GregABedard/status/1758558699717566625?s=20

 

[Jungleland]

Its a fun watch and in some respects the timing is perfect. .

But its also a sad watch in some regards given recent events. its almost too soon.

More Ernie.

Edit: I hope we get some clarity if not complete closure on the unanswered question of: Why the fuck is Malcolm not playing?, which seem to be hinted at in Breaking Point.

Yeah, I personally have almost no interest right now despite this being pretty much a dream series. Between firing Bill and the KC 3 out of 5, I'm not sure there could be a month in the last 10 years I'd be less interested in celebrating the glory days.

 

[Dotrat]

Overall, this has been really enjoyable, a pure shot straight into Pats' fans veins.

A few stray observations:
I was really surprised to see so much of McGinest and wondered when they shot these interviews. Did they consider leaving Willie out and/or doing later shoots with, say, Bobby Hamilton or Roman Phifer?
I wish they'd interviewed Brian Cox.
I miss Scott Pioli and would love to see hm back in a personnel role some day. Or at least hear him doing Ernie Adams impersonations on a regular basis.
Ty Law is funny and super engaging.
That 2000 Draft Room seemed so much more crowded than those in recent years. Maybe the idea that BB closed ranks to an extreme and arguably detrimental degree following Mangini's behavior in Spygate is more accurate than I'd at first believed.
Ernie Adams is the man.

 

[Van Everyman]

I guess it is worth noting that we are getting to some degree an ownership perspective.

View: https://twitter.com/GregABedard/status/1758558699717566625?s=20

And The Last Dance was co-produced by Michael Jordan’s company and he had approval over the footage used. What are we talking about here?

 

[Al Zarilla]

I didn’t see a thread for this yet. Please delete, or merge if one exists.

I stayed up last night to watch “The Dynasty” on Apple TV and Oh my goodness, this is so well done! The first two episodes were released at midnight. The docuseries is a fantastic mix of nostalgia, “oh shit I forgot about that” and storytelling that is nearly perfect in capturing the moment that they cover, without the hindsight of 20+ years of history that has now passed. It’s incredibly entertaining and worth every penny of the Apple TV subscription!

Agree this is great. Apple went out and signed some key content production people and companies plus ad agencies to get their streaming business up and running right out of the gate. They sure have produced a lot of great stuff, IMO. I go there first, Netflix second, looking for something new to watch, although Netflix of course swamps Apple in quantity

 

[Eddie Jurak]

And The Last Dance was co-produced by Michael Jordan’s company and he had approval over the footage used. What are we talking about here?

I think what we are talking about is a Dynasty whose long-term success and ultimate end can be attributed to the three people: Belichick, Brady, and Kraft. And the documentary is probably going to present the story in a way that is more consistent with the way Kraft would tell it than either of the other two.

 

[Ed Hillel]

The clear implication I’m seeing with the previews is that Brady, and probably a number of others, are going to say BB benching Butler in the SB was the last straw. Which is strange because they won the SB the very next season, but that’s where it’s likely headed.

 

[Prodigal Sox]

Just my opinions:

Although still abrasive, Belichick seemed a bit more laid back in his dealing with the press. Whether age or pressure, he got much more dickish later on. He and Tom were really the only ones here for the two decades and I can only imagine the pressure they must of been under to produce at such a high level for so long. I have to believe that it impacted their relationship the last few years.

Bob Kraft sure seems like a star fucker to the max especially with Quarterbacks.

Tom senior seems like a real dick. He was really the fourth person, largely behind the scenes talking to Curran, involved the last couple years when it got so difficult for the three major players.

"I thought it was a fumble, it looked like a fumble, but we didn't write the fucking rule". That should be the defining statement. Fuck the Raiders and their sour grapes.

 

[BaseballJones]

The clear implication I’m seeing with the previews is that Brady, and probably a number of others, are going to say BB benching Butler in the SB was the last straw. Which is strange because they won the SB the very next season, but that’s where it’s likely headed.

And then started 8-0, the following season too.

 

[brandonchristensen]

Watched both today. Fantastic stuff.

I only came into Watching football around the Snow Bowl, prior to that I didn’t care about the NFL - only baseball and the Sox.

So the QB controversy paralleled with Bernie Kosar was fascinating.

It’s gonna have a super downer ending - but the path to it is gonna be a blast.

Far better than Man in the Arena so far.

 

[ShaneTrot]

And The Last Dance was co-produced by Michael Jordan’s company and he had approval over the footage used. What are we talking about here?

Well I am guessing Bedard wasn’t asked to contribute which is fine by me because he and Borges are the worst guys ever to be on the Pats beat.

 

[Dave Stapleton]

Interesting article with an interview with the director. Seems like there actually will be a bit of candor as we get to the end of the story. He also shares the love for Ernie and Pioli.

https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2024/02/16/the-dynasty-patriots-apple-tv-interview/?p1=hp_featurebox

Also loved the video from the way back machine with Felger and Smith and then Holley with the BB shoulder touch.

 

[Dotrat]

Well I am guessing Bedard wasn’t asked to contribute which is fine by me because he and Borges are the worst guys ever to be on the Pats beat.

Ben Volin has a sad now.

 

[Hendu and Spike]

Well I am guessing Bedard wasn’t asked to contribute which is fine by me because he and Borges are the worst guys ever to be on the Pats beat.

John Tomase would like to have a word with you.

 

[Van Everyman]

John Tomase would like to have a word with you.

Seeing Bob Lobel with Bob Ryan, Dan Shaughnessy and Steve Burton on one of those cynical weekend gripefests complaining about Brady starting over Bledsoe also made me remember what a complete troll Lobel was. I gather he has some serious health problems now but man, Lobel was a central figure in the relentless media negativity about Boston sports teams that pervaded the market until this dynasty.

Exiling that shit to sports radio where I can mostly ignore it is perhaps one of Kraft/Belichick/Brady’s greatest accomplishments.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

Seeing Bob Lobel with Bob Ryan, Dan Shaughnessy and Steve Burton on one of those cynical weekend gripefests complaining about Brady starting over Bledsoe also made me remember what a complete troll Lobel was. I gather he has some serious health problems now but man, Lobel was a central figure the relentless media negativity about Boston sports teams that pervaded the market until this dynasty.

Exiling that shit to sports radio where I can mostly ignore it is perhaps one of Kraft/Belichick/Brady’s greatest accomplishments.

Lobel is dead.

 

[Oil Can Dan]

Lobel is dead.

Like he said, serious health problems...

 

[Van Everyman]

Lobel is dead.

That would be news to him.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

Well, shit, I thought he died? Like, I swear I distinctly remember it. Oops. Sorry Bob. Carry on…

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

Well, shit, I thought he died? Like, I swear I distinctly remember it. Oops. Sorry Bob. Carry on…

Why can't we get graves like that?

 

[bankshot1]

I look forward to the Pat/Andy epilogue to add depth and context as one royal couple succeeds the Tom/BB reign. And maybe an obligatory Taylor Swift closing song.

 

[Hoya81]

Well, shit, I thought he died? Like, I swear I distinctly remember it. Oops. Sorry Bob. Carry on…

Might have been thinking of Bob Neuimeier, who passed away in ‘21.

 

[Hector Salamanca]

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned here that fascinated me is footage of Brady in a Riddell Revolution helmet. Given that those got rolled out in 2002, whoever said a lot of the practice footage is from ~2003 when Rodney was there is probably right. I know Tom wore a later Revolution model after whatever generic helmet he had stopped being allowed but that was much later in his career. Can't remember even ever seeing a picture of him in one of those and I guess he must have hated it and switched back after camp.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

Might have been thinking of Bob Neuimeier, who passed away in ‘21.

Or I’m just losing it!

 

[boca]

I swear it sounded like Vinatieri's voice has changed too.

I mean he looks absolutely jacked doesn’t he? Bigger than he was when was playing.