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A 10-part series featuring never-before-seen footage of the New England Patriots' 20-year journey from struggling franchise to football dynasty. In the process, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, an... Read allA 10-part series featuring never-before-seen footage of the New England Patriots' 20-year journey from struggling franchise to football dynasty. In the process, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft reveal the cost of greatness.A 10-part series featuring never-before-seen footage of the New England Patriots' 20-year journey from struggling franchise to football dynasty. In the process, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft reveal the cost of greatness.
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I'm through 6 episodes this far, and I have two issues.
First, I can't tell who the audience is intended to be. There's almost no context to allow someone unfamiliar with this team over the last 25 years to get a good picture of who the Patriots were during this stretch. They basically only introduce two players: Brady and the QB he replaced (Bledsoe). They don't even bother telling us about how awesome the defense was in those early years. They interview a couple defenders, but don't show their abilities; they're only there to tell the story of Brady, Belichick, and Kraft. There's no details during games like score, stakes, down, nothing. There's no sense of the importance of any game whatsoever. Even the undefeated regular season in '07. Wouldn't it make sense to mention that only one team in the NFL's history ever went undefeated and won the Super Bowl? And it's not like they ran out of time - episodes 5 and 6 are 30 minutes each.
Second, it feels like it's very biased towards owner Robert Kraft. In episode 6 (focusing on Aaron Hernandez and being charged with murder), at one point they basically insinuate that if Belichick had traded Hernandez to the west coast (as he requested), that the whole situation could've been avoided. If anyone's unfamiliar, there's been quite the rift between Kraft and Belichick the last few years.
So the tl;dr is that this feels rushed to get it out right after Kraft fired Belichick, and as a result of rushing, lacks a ton of fundamental production/editing qualities to make this hold up to any of the recent docuseries. Maybe it needed 10 years to have a better perspective on the whole thing. Too bad.
First, I can't tell who the audience is intended to be. There's almost no context to allow someone unfamiliar with this team over the last 25 years to get a good picture of who the Patriots were during this stretch. They basically only introduce two players: Brady and the QB he replaced (Bledsoe). They don't even bother telling us about how awesome the defense was in those early years. They interview a couple defenders, but don't show their abilities; they're only there to tell the story of Brady, Belichick, and Kraft. There's no details during games like score, stakes, down, nothing. There's no sense of the importance of any game whatsoever. Even the undefeated regular season in '07. Wouldn't it make sense to mention that only one team in the NFL's history ever went undefeated and won the Super Bowl? And it's not like they ran out of time - episodes 5 and 6 are 30 minutes each.
Second, it feels like it's very biased towards owner Robert Kraft. In episode 6 (focusing on Aaron Hernandez and being charged with murder), at one point they basically insinuate that if Belichick had traded Hernandez to the west coast (as he requested), that the whole situation could've been avoided. If anyone's unfamiliar, there's been quite the rift between Kraft and Belichick the last few years.
So the tl;dr is that this feels rushed to get it out right after Kraft fired Belichick, and as a result of rushing, lacks a ton of fundamental production/editing qualities to make this hold up to any of the recent docuseries. Maybe it needed 10 years to have a better perspective on the whole thing. Too bad.
This was a very fascinating, informative documentary that allowed life-long fans to relive amazing moments while at the same time educate those unfamiliar with the greatest sports dynasty of all time. From humble beginnings, through controversies both real and imagined all the way until the bitter, inevitable end this series provides the viewer with a front row seat to all the ups and downs. My only disappointment is with many of the reviews disparaging this phenomenal documentary. To be a fan is natural and to "hate" a team that displayed consistent success at the expense of ones own team is understandable but, being unable to see past your own fandom to appreciate true greatness is unforgivable. True football fans will see the documentary for what it is: a recording of greatness as it rose and fell. Ignore the negatively of some of these reviews. They were written by fake football fans and bandwagoners who have allowed their bitterness to cloud their judgement.
There are episodes (like the Jordan doc) that make watching this series captivating. Whether you're a fan of the patriots or not this documentary is totally worth watching.
Know going in that the Kraft family essentially manipulated this, specifically with all their access, which is understandable because they produced it. Yes, the Kraft's had final control of the finished product. So above everyone else, billionaire Robert Kraft gets his say, and the last word.
But the curtain being pulled back on the Patriots' dynastic run is fascinating. Bellicheck's relentless drive to win at all costs. The punishing years long pursuit of championships. Brady's maniacal will to win, also at all costs. The question everyone debates: was it Bellicheck or Brady? Answer: neither one. Actually both PLUS Kraft who managed to keep them together.
The Aaron Hernandez murder scandal, the deflate-gate scandal, the spy-gate scandal, the ego and prideful infighting between Brady and Bellicheck.
It's all there. It's obvious how the documentary wants to steer your thinking: Bellicheck's ego blew it up. And it did. But it was also Brady. AND Kraft. Bellicheck benched Malcom Butler in the Super Bowl. Ego? Maybe. Questionable? Absolutely. Was it him demonstrating that Brady couldn't win it all by himself? Possibly, even though Brady threw for over 500 yards in that game. Brady had his own office (not revealed in the documentary) and snuck his personal trainer into the Patriot camp. Subverted the strength and conditioning training of the organization because he was convinced that his way was better. He engineered (through Kraft) getting rid of Garropolo because he didn't went the competition. So there's some ego at play there too.
Kraft is the mastermind that created an invigorated organization that hadn't existed before. He assembled a lot of the pieces. He was also the Great Enabler. He coddled Hernandez. He created a separate safe haven for Brady and his wife, to complain about Bellicheck. He allowed Bellicheck to coach (govern?) without any checks or balances. It seems like Kraft wants it both ways: he's the genius, benevolent benefactor, but didn't know anything about any of the bad or questionable things that took place. There has to be some acceptance of accountability in there somewhere.
So Kraft gets a lot of credit, he also deserves a lot of the blame.
Bellicheck? He cheated, got fined, and never apologized. Brady? He cheated too. Suspended, never owned up. Bellicheck was a dictator. Brady was a sensitive diva who wanted complete protection.
You can argue that Brady left the organization and won a Super Bowl with the buccaneers, so it was all him. No. The Tuck Rule mismanaged call won him his first championship. Adam Viniteri won three in the last, or near last plays of the respective games. Pete Carroll gift wrapped one win by making the worst playcall in Super Bowl history. Bellicheck won championship number 6 on his outrageous decision to completely change the defense to thwart McVay's Rams.
A year after the Bucs won it all, it all fell apart. They won the division with a losing record and got blown out in wild card weekend. Brady was their QB.
Bellicheck got the Pats to the playoffs in his first year without Brady. Then the wheels came off.
What the documentary misses, and Kraft ignores, is what Bellicheck said at the beginning (and then forgot)...it's all about the team, and no one person is more important than the team.
Too bad that all three men, who achieved something amazing together, didn't understand that until it was over. And it seems as though they may never truly see their own roles in the deterioration of a uniquely special time.
Know going in that the Kraft family essentially manipulated this, specifically with all their access, which is understandable because they produced it. Yes, the Kraft's had final control of the finished product. So above everyone else, billionaire Robert Kraft gets his say, and the last word.
But the curtain being pulled back on the Patriots' dynastic run is fascinating. Bellicheck's relentless drive to win at all costs. The punishing years long pursuit of championships. Brady's maniacal will to win, also at all costs. The question everyone debates: was it Bellicheck or Brady? Answer: neither one. Actually both PLUS Kraft who managed to keep them together.
The Aaron Hernandez murder scandal, the deflate-gate scandal, the spy-gate scandal, the ego and prideful infighting between Brady and Bellicheck.
It's all there. It's obvious how the documentary wants to steer your thinking: Bellicheck's ego blew it up. And it did. But it was also Brady. AND Kraft. Bellicheck benched Malcom Butler in the Super Bowl. Ego? Maybe. Questionable? Absolutely. Was it him demonstrating that Brady couldn't win it all by himself? Possibly, even though Brady threw for over 500 yards in that game. Brady had his own office (not revealed in the documentary) and snuck his personal trainer into the Patriot camp. Subverted the strength and conditioning training of the organization because he was convinced that his way was better. He engineered (through Kraft) getting rid of Garropolo because he didn't went the competition. So there's some ego at play there too.
Kraft is the mastermind that created an invigorated organization that hadn't existed before. He assembled a lot of the pieces. He was also the Great Enabler. He coddled Hernandez. He created a separate safe haven for Brady and his wife, to complain about Bellicheck. He allowed Bellicheck to coach (govern?) without any checks or balances. It seems like Kraft wants it both ways: he's the genius, benevolent benefactor, but didn't know anything about any of the bad or questionable things that took place. There has to be some acceptance of accountability in there somewhere.
So Kraft gets a lot of credit, he also deserves a lot of the blame.
Bellicheck? He cheated, got fined, and never apologized. Brady? He cheated too. Suspended, never owned up. Bellicheck was a dictator. Brady was a sensitive diva who wanted complete protection.
You can argue that Brady left the organization and won a Super Bowl with the buccaneers, so it was all him. No. The Tuck Rule mismanaged call won him his first championship. Adam Viniteri won three in the last, or near last plays of the respective games. Pete Carroll gift wrapped one win by making the worst playcall in Super Bowl history. Bellicheck won championship number 6 on his outrageous decision to completely change the defense to thwart McVay's Rams.
A year after the Bucs won it all, it all fell apart. They won the division with a losing record and got blown out in wild card weekend. Brady was their QB.
Bellicheck got the Pats to the playoffs in his first year without Brady. Then the wheels came off.
What the documentary misses, and Kraft ignores, is what Bellicheck said at the beginning (and then forgot)...it's all about the team, and no one person is more important than the team.
Too bad that all three men, who achieved something amazing together, didn't understand that until it was over. And it seems as though they may never truly see their own roles in the deterioration of a uniquely special time.
The vast majority of my football-watching life to this point occurred during the Bill Belichick & Tom Brady New England Patriots dynasty. As such, this Last Dance-style sports doc was always going to hit the nostalgic sweet spot for me. Filmmakers Matthew Hamacheck & Jeff Benedict are largely able to transcend the "nostalgia grab" narrative, however, by featuring excellent production values and one-on-one interviews with key Patriot figures that are as enlightening as they are sometimes exceedingly strange.
The Dynasty examines exactly that--the New England football dominance of 2001 through 2018. Quite literally every main event of that time period is covered through the prism of old TV footage, sit down interviews with the figures themselves, and color commentary from NE or national reporters. There will likely never be another dynasty rivaling the one created by Brady, Belichick, & owner Robert Kraft, and this ten-part series examines it all.
For the most part, I'd call this a pretty fair examination of the "Patriots Way", so to speak. They are hit hard on the Spygate scandal, the mismanagement (which led to tragedy) of the Aaron Hernandez situation, and Belichick's slide into utter arrogance towards the end. At the same time, the team's remarkable resiliency through it all is chronicled step by step.
Of course, to get the "big hitters" (Brady, Kraft family, Bill, other key players) to participate whatsoever there were a few seeming concessions made. The narrative here about "Deflate-gate" is poo-poo'd almost to minimization levels, and the elder Kraft is often portrayed as the "white knight" of the whole shebang despite off-gridiron scandals and chumminess with NFL commissioners that are never even hinted at. But all in all, a relatively small price to pay for on-the-record cooperation.
The strange--and often outright hilarious--piece of "Dynasty" is Bill Belichick's participation (or lack thereof). He does not have one insightful or constructive comment on anything asked of him. The now-former Patriots head coach simply refuses to engage--either playing to his stereotype or actually living it to fruition. As such, he is painted (rightfully or wrongfully who can tell) the villain of the piece simply due to his reticence towards any sort of candor.
Overall, I enjoyed "Dynasty" and more often than not had both Friday night episodes binged before my head hit the pillow! I can't quite give it the full 10-star treatment--mainly due to Belichick's odd presence and the Deflate-gate "hatchet job" episode--but it was a treat to re-live (through the lens of 20+ years of history) the entire saga of the dynastic New England Patriots.
The Dynasty examines exactly that--the New England football dominance of 2001 through 2018. Quite literally every main event of that time period is covered through the prism of old TV footage, sit down interviews with the figures themselves, and color commentary from NE or national reporters. There will likely never be another dynasty rivaling the one created by Brady, Belichick, & owner Robert Kraft, and this ten-part series examines it all.
For the most part, I'd call this a pretty fair examination of the "Patriots Way", so to speak. They are hit hard on the Spygate scandal, the mismanagement (which led to tragedy) of the Aaron Hernandez situation, and Belichick's slide into utter arrogance towards the end. At the same time, the team's remarkable resiliency through it all is chronicled step by step.
Of course, to get the "big hitters" (Brady, Kraft family, Bill, other key players) to participate whatsoever there were a few seeming concessions made. The narrative here about "Deflate-gate" is poo-poo'd almost to minimization levels, and the elder Kraft is often portrayed as the "white knight" of the whole shebang despite off-gridiron scandals and chumminess with NFL commissioners that are never even hinted at. But all in all, a relatively small price to pay for on-the-record cooperation.
The strange--and often outright hilarious--piece of "Dynasty" is Bill Belichick's participation (or lack thereof). He does not have one insightful or constructive comment on anything asked of him. The now-former Patriots head coach simply refuses to engage--either playing to his stereotype or actually living it to fruition. As such, he is painted (rightfully or wrongfully who can tell) the villain of the piece simply due to his reticence towards any sort of candor.
Overall, I enjoyed "Dynasty" and more often than not had both Friday night episodes binged before my head hit the pillow! I can't quite give it the full 10-star treatment--mainly due to Belichick's odd presence and the Deflate-gate "hatchet job" episode--but it was a treat to re-live (through the lens of 20+ years of history) the entire saga of the dynastic New England Patriots.
Overall Take
From the jump, this docuseries makes one thing crystal clear: This isn't a highlight reel.
This is the real story - the drama, the dysfunction, the genius, the resentment, the winning... and the implosion.
You get: Raw behind-the-scenes footage Candid interviews with all the key players (yes, even Brady, Kraft, and Belichick) Insight into how the machine ran - and what broke it down
This is House of Cards: NFL Edition - with rings.
Section 1: The Rise of the Empire
This starts with the humble roots - a nobody team with a cold, calculating coach in Bill Belichick and a sixth-round pick named Tom Brady.
Belichick, the scheming tactician, arrives like a storm cloud. Cold, brilliant, no-nonsense.
Brady, raw and underestimated, becomes the spark no one saw coming.
Drew Bledsoe's injury changes NFL history.
From here, the dynasty begins - and the first Super Bowl win in 2001 sets the tone: They don't just win - they shock the world doing it.
You feel the hunger in these early episodes. The chip on the shoulder is everything.
Section 2: Building the Machine
The middle of the series gets into the Patriots way - discipline, sacrifice, and complete control.
Brady transforms into a silent killer.
Belichick's system becomes law - no names, just roles.
Players are interchangeable cogs in a war machine.
The defense - Bruschi, Harrison, Seymour - becomes legendary.
And you start to see the price of perfection: Players speak about fear, silence, and being cut while still in their prime.
The joy is replaced with expectation.
Winning isn't a goal - it's a demand.
Section 3: The Cracks in the Armor
Then it shifts. The undefeated 2007 season looms.
Randy Moss joins, and the offense goes nuclear.
They steamroll everyone... until that Super Bowl. The Helmet Catch. The Giants.
18-1. And it haunts the dynasty forever.
That loss is a turning point. You can see the toll it takes.
Meanwhile: Brady begins to evolve - not just as a QB, but as a brand.
Belichick stays the same - ice-cold and unflinching.
Tensions rise. Control vs. Freedom. Logic vs. Emotion.
Section 4: The Second Era of Dominance
After setbacks and near-misses, the second wind hits.
The Malcolm Butler interception - absolute poetry.
The 28-3 comeback vs. The Falcons - the peak of NFL mythology.
Brady cements himself as the GOAT - the Michael Jordan of football.
But even during the greatest moments... you feel the divide growing.
Brady wants more voice.
Belichick sticks to his system.
Kraft becomes the mediator - and it wears on all of them.
Section 5: The Fall
This section is the most emotionally loaded.
You see the fallout of Jimmy Garoppolo's presence.
The "Guerrero rift" shows Brady asserting independence.
Belichick becomes isolated.
The locker room fractures.
Brady and Kraft connect emotionally. Belichick shuts down.
And when Brady finally leaves - it feels like a divorce.
Years of built-up emotion come to a head.
You can see it in Brady's eyes - tired, proud, and done.
It's not hate. It's just... time.
Final Episode: Legacy and Reflection
The ending doesn't pretend the dynasty ended perfectly.
Brady wins in Tampa - and it hurts Belichick's legacy.
Belichick struggles to rebuild without his QB.
Kraft looks back with bittersweet pride.
But the show doesn't pick a side.
It lets all three men - Brady, Belichick, and Kraft - tell their truth.
It's emotional. It's powerful. It's the end of an era.
Why It's a 10 out of 10 + Authentic, unfiltered storytelling + Candid interviews from the three pillars of the dynasty + Intimate look at one of the most successful (and controversial) runs in sports history + Not afraid to expose the dysfunction + Balances legacy with the human cost of perfection + High-quality production and pacing
Final Verdict
"The Dynasty: New England Patriots" isn't just about football.
It's about ambition, ego, control, trust, betrayal, and the brutal truth that winning comes at a cost.
If you ever wondered what it's really like behind a 20-year empire - this is it.
It's not a love letter. It's a portrait of power.
And it's damn near flawless.
From the jump, this docuseries makes one thing crystal clear: This isn't a highlight reel.
This is the real story - the drama, the dysfunction, the genius, the resentment, the winning... and the implosion.
You get: Raw behind-the-scenes footage Candid interviews with all the key players (yes, even Brady, Kraft, and Belichick) Insight into how the machine ran - and what broke it down
This is House of Cards: NFL Edition - with rings.
Section 1: The Rise of the Empire
This starts with the humble roots - a nobody team with a cold, calculating coach in Bill Belichick and a sixth-round pick named Tom Brady.
Belichick, the scheming tactician, arrives like a storm cloud. Cold, brilliant, no-nonsense.
Brady, raw and underestimated, becomes the spark no one saw coming.
Drew Bledsoe's injury changes NFL history.
From here, the dynasty begins - and the first Super Bowl win in 2001 sets the tone: They don't just win - they shock the world doing it.
You feel the hunger in these early episodes. The chip on the shoulder is everything.
Section 2: Building the Machine
The middle of the series gets into the Patriots way - discipline, sacrifice, and complete control.
Brady transforms into a silent killer.
Belichick's system becomes law - no names, just roles.
Players are interchangeable cogs in a war machine.
The defense - Bruschi, Harrison, Seymour - becomes legendary.
And you start to see the price of perfection: Players speak about fear, silence, and being cut while still in their prime.
The joy is replaced with expectation.
Winning isn't a goal - it's a demand.
Section 3: The Cracks in the Armor
Then it shifts. The undefeated 2007 season looms.
Randy Moss joins, and the offense goes nuclear.
They steamroll everyone... until that Super Bowl. The Helmet Catch. The Giants.
18-1. And it haunts the dynasty forever.
That loss is a turning point. You can see the toll it takes.
Meanwhile: Brady begins to evolve - not just as a QB, but as a brand.
Belichick stays the same - ice-cold and unflinching.
Tensions rise. Control vs. Freedom. Logic vs. Emotion.
Section 4: The Second Era of Dominance
After setbacks and near-misses, the second wind hits.
The Malcolm Butler interception - absolute poetry.
The 28-3 comeback vs. The Falcons - the peak of NFL mythology.
Brady cements himself as the GOAT - the Michael Jordan of football.
But even during the greatest moments... you feel the divide growing.
Brady wants more voice.
Belichick sticks to his system.
Kraft becomes the mediator - and it wears on all of them.
Section 5: The Fall
This section is the most emotionally loaded.
You see the fallout of Jimmy Garoppolo's presence.
The "Guerrero rift" shows Brady asserting independence.
Belichick becomes isolated.
The locker room fractures.
Brady and Kraft connect emotionally. Belichick shuts down.
And when Brady finally leaves - it feels like a divorce.
Years of built-up emotion come to a head.
You can see it in Brady's eyes - tired, proud, and done.
It's not hate. It's just... time.
Final Episode: Legacy and Reflection
The ending doesn't pretend the dynasty ended perfectly.
Brady wins in Tampa - and it hurts Belichick's legacy.
Belichick struggles to rebuild without his QB.
Kraft looks back with bittersweet pride.
But the show doesn't pick a side.
It lets all three men - Brady, Belichick, and Kraft - tell their truth.
It's emotional. It's powerful. It's the end of an era.
Why It's a 10 out of 10 + Authentic, unfiltered storytelling + Candid interviews from the three pillars of the dynasty + Intimate look at one of the most successful (and controversial) runs in sports history + Not afraid to expose the dysfunction + Balances legacy with the human cost of perfection + High-quality production and pacing
Final Verdict
"The Dynasty: New England Patriots" isn't just about football.
It's about ambition, ego, control, trust, betrayal, and the brutal truth that winning comes at a cost.
If you ever wondered what it's really like behind a 20-year empire - this is it.
It's not a love letter. It's a portrait of power.
And it's damn near flawless.
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