Ep 1. The Challenge

In the second season's opening episode of Falcon Crest, titled "The Challenge," viewers are reintroduced to the wealthy and powerful families of Tuscany Valley, California. Set against the backdrop of the stunning vineyards and mountains of the region, the show follows the bitter power struggles and family dynamics of the wealthy clan who own the winery that the series is named after.

The episode opens with Angela Channing, the matriarch of the Channing family, suspiciously surveying her vineyard after a recent influx of visitors. Angela is immediately skeptical of the large crowds congregating on her property and demands that her head of security, Richard, investigate. Meanwhile, in town, Angela's nephew, Lance, has returned from his recent travels to New York City with his latest conquest, a glamorous fashion model named Melissa, and the pair quickly turn heads as they flaunt their relationship in front of Lance's ex-girlfriend, Pilar.

However, the real drama is brewing within the Falcon Crest winery itself. Angela's stepson, Chase, has taken control of the day-to-day operations while Angela focuses on the bigger picture. But the shrewd businessman soon realizes that he has a much bigger challenge ahead of him when he discovers that a successful competing vineyard, owned by the wealthy Gioberti family, is up for sale. With limited funds, the Channing family must fight to keep the land within their grasp and ensure that their winery remains the top producer in the Valley.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise between the two families, as they both compete to outsmart and outmaneuver each other. Angela's trusted advisor, Richard, suggests that they resort to underhanded tactics to sabotage the Gioberti family, but Chase quickly shuts down the idea, realizing the potential damage it could cause both their reputation and their business.

Meanwhile, the personal lives of the family members continue to unravel. Angela's daughter, Emma, struggles to come to terms with her failed marriage to Chase, while Pilar finds herself stuck in the middle of Lance and Melissa's drama. And amidst all the chaos, newlyweds Julia and Lance find a moment of solitude as they honeymoon on a yacht, only to be interrupted by Julia's ex-husband, who has arrived to cause trouble.

In the end, the episode culminates in a tense showdown between the Channing and Gioberti families as they compete in a decathlon-style competition for charity. As the two families battle it out in various events, the stakes become increasingly high, and tensions boil over. Will the Channing family emerge victorious, or will the Giobertis get the upper hand?

Overall, "The Challenge" sets the stage for an explosive second season of Falcon Crest, as the Channing family grapples with both personal conflicts and cutthroat business dealings. With its stunning scenery, complex characters, and dramatic plot twists, Falcon Crest remains a beloved classic of '80s television.