Sins (1986) - Miniseries | Episodes 1-3

Starring: Joan Collins, Timothy Dalton, Gina Lollobrigida, James Farentino, Marisa Berenson

A lavish and sensational primetime television miniseries that became a major event in 1986. The first three episodes introduce the protagonist and set in motion a multi-generational family saga spanning decades and continents.

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📖 STORY: EPISODES 1-3

The story begins in post-war Paris. Young and naive American Evelyn Larin (Joan Collins) arrives to study painting. Her life is forever changed when she meets the charismatic, cynical, and ruthless art dealer Matthew Black (Timothy Dalton). He becomes her lover, mentor, and ultimately, the man who shapes her destiny.

These opening episodes chart Evelyn's transformation from an inexperienced girl into a determined woman beginning to build her empire. Simultaneously, the roots of her complex, strained relationship with her talented daughter are revealed—a dynamic filled with love, jealousy, and hidden resentment.

⭐ HIGHLIGHTS & ATMOSPHERE

· Star-Powered Confrontation: Joan Collins as the iron-willed heroine versus Timothy Dalton as the fatal seducer.
· Global Scope: Glamorous locales shift from 1950s Paris to contemporary (for the 80s) New York.
· Prime-Time Soap Essentials: Power, wealth, betrayal, family secrets, and revenge—all hallmarks of a classic 1980s television saga.
· An Origin Story: Focus on the genesis of the main character's strength and internal conflicts.

🎬 PRODUCTION DETAILS

· Original Title: Sins
· Year: 1986
· Format: Television miniseries (7 episodes total)
· Director: Douglas Hickox
· Screenplay: Based on the bestselling novel by Judith Gould
· Starring: Joan Collins (Evelyn Larin), Timothy Dalton (Matthew Black), Gina Lollobrigida, James Farentino, Marisa Berenson
· Network: CBS

🎪 BEHIND THE SCENES

· The role of Matthew Black was initially offered to Anthony Quinn but was ultimately masterfully played by Timothy Dalton, who was then associated with the role of James Bond.
· The series was one of the most expensive television productions of its time, evident in its lavish costumes and European location shooting.
· The adaptation retained the scandalous reputation of Judith Gould's novel, making the miniseries a major television event.

🏛️ CULTURAL LEGACY

Sins is a quintessential glamour soap opera of the big hair and even bigger ambition era. Despite criticism for its melodrama, it was a massive ratings success, cementing Joan Collins' status as the queen of 1980s primetime. Today, it stands as a nostalgic time capsule—an embodiment of unapologetic televised opulence and star power.

💬 FOR DISCUSSION

Who is more convincing as a manipulator—Dalton's character at the start of Evelyn's journey, or Collins herself as the matured empress of her own empire? Do the lavish production values elevate the series, or are they merely a glossy veneer?

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