While the focus of The CW series Dynasty, which streams on Netflix, is on the wealthy Carrington family, many of the characters connected to them are just as compelling.
Among them is Joseph Anders, otherwise known simply as Anders, the Carrington Manor majordomo who is in charge of making sure everything from food preparation to cleaning, special events, and even dirty dealings, are well taken care of. He's far more than just a butler, he's the house manager. Alan Dale plays the modern modern-day version of the character, and Lee Bergere played him in the original '80s series on which this show is based.
While always in character and a total professional, Anders also delivers some of the wittiest one-liners and insults in such a way that, if you didn't hear what he said, you'd almost think he was dolling out a compliment. Here are some of his best quips.
"You And Michael Dated For All Of Five Minutes!"
Anders says this to his daughter Kirby, who he still treats as though he doesn't have faith in her that she has grown into a mature woman. But he has good reason as she does act immaturely quite often.
Like when she was acting heartbroken after "breaking up" with Michael when technically, they barely "dated." Anders didn't mince words and told her "if this is how you're reacting than obviously you still have a lot of growing up to do."
"I've Been Watching You With That Necklace All Evening. Grasping It Like Gollum."
Anders was never fond of Cristal number-one from the first season of the show, who he quickly made aware that he knew she wasn't who she said she was and was actually a woman named Celia Machado.
He always believed she was a low-life who was just out for Blake's money, so when she was given an exquisitely expensive necklace to wear at an event, and was clutching it out of guilt for wanting to pawn it for money to get her family out of a jam, Anders caught her red-handed and delivered this line.
"Yes, Sir. I Got Your Meaning."
Insert sarcastic tone. Except Anders didn't need either. Even when Anders is replying to a condescending dig from his boss Blake, he remains totally professional. Blake tells Anders that they need to take care of the dead bodies that were pulled from the family lake, or else the only place he'll be working is in a prison, he adds, in clarification, "As a prisoner."
This was Anders' way of saying "duh, I get what you mean. You don't need to spell it out." Except he finds the most refined way possible to say it, and even manages to hold back the eye rolls.
"It's The Carringtons For You. What They Lack In Tact They Make Up For In Hospitality."
While discussing how many different types of con artists show up at the Carrington door trying to squeeze money out of them for one reason or another, he mentions, "we've had all kinds of wastes and strays; crazy murderer, kidnapping nanny, faux gurus." But he still manages to still squeeze in a dig towards his employers, the Carringtons.
He is referencing Blake's tendency to simply pay off everyone to get rid of the problem versus dealing with the situation in a way that would uphold a better reputation and dissuade others from trying to take advantage of the family and their tremendous wealth.
"There Are Other Things We Could Toast To. Leonardo Dicaprio, For One."
This quote comes totally out of left field. But apparently, Anders is a huge Leonardo DiCaprio fan and believes the actor is worth celebrating.
It's yet another time when Anders blatantly insults the very family that has employed him for essentially his entire adult life, yet no one realizes he's doing it or cares to take him to task for his smart-aleck comments.
"She Makes A Good Point."
The statement itself doesn't sound like a quip at all until there's context. Anders says this to Blake when he asks Fallon why she thinks Heidi is such a bad mother. "To have one is to know one," his daughter nonchalantly replies in one of her signature quick-witted insults.
Anders, ever the quick wit, replies with this subtle but acknowledging dig about Alexis. Blake himself can't really disagree.
"Last Time I Saw Him, I Assumed Would Be."
Anders it talking about Steven's old friend, Ted Dinard, a drug addict who seemed to bring Steven down with him whenever they got together. Whether Ted was a bad influence on Steven, Steven on Ted, or they simply fed off one another in the worst ways, the friendship was clearly toxic.
When Anders tells Steven about his visitor, he delivers this quip that suggests that he never thought Ted would make it out alive, or at least wouldn't come back to the Carrington Manor.
"Hashtag Blessed."
Anders discovers that Sammy Jo is posting cute videos of him to his Instagram, realizing that his followers love them. After initially forbidding it, Anders realizes it's important to Sammy and sends him a sweet video talking up his new friend/surrogate son and giving him full permission to post it. He follows that up with this comment, suggesting Sammy Jo add the text to the end of the post.
While Anders was trying to be "cool," Sammy Jo swiftly replied that "no one says that anymore" and Anders puzzlingly responded with a dejected 'Oh." At least he tried.
"Must Be Genetic."
Anders had it out for Cristal/Celia right from the get-go. And he made it known. Like when she tried to confide in him that her own sister robbed her after discovering that she took some money and belongings.
Anders' quip was delivered so swiftly, without missin a beat, and in the sweetest tone. So sweet and comforting, in fact, that if you didn't pay attention, you wouldn’t realize the subtle dig he was handing out.
"I Hate To Resort To Grade School Idioms, But It Takes One To Know One."
While arguing with Alexis Carrington, Blake's ex and, as it turns out, Anders' one-time lover that resulted in a child (Steven!), Anders doesn't even look at her when he says this in response to her suggesting that she has a "sixth sense when it comes to con artists."
Rather than resort to yelling, shaking fists, and saying totally mean things, Anders finds a way to say what he wants to say in a completely neutral and somehow non-confrontational tone.