The Dynasty

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.

A few reviewers wondered who this documentary is actually for. Obviously all the New Englanders and any Bill and Tom fans. Also, all New England and Brady haters, who are just waiting for the final episode to see the demise of the franchise without him and Bill (evidenced by their dismal record since he has left). And really, just anyone who cannot get enough of any football since the season is now over until August. Thus, it resonates with a lot of football fans.

I watched it just because I hated Brady, until he came to Tampa, and then I became an instant fan (I know, what a hypocrite). Thus, I wanted to see his emergence into becoming the GOAT that he is. Especially was it exciting reliving SB51--with that spectacular come-from-behind win against the Falcons (my team at the time--till I moved to Tampa) in overtime.

Yeah, they might be "cheaters," but you cannot win like they have by cheating the entire way. They just got caught is all (meaning most if not all teams cheat--they just have not gotten caught yet). In addition, it would not have been as big a deal had it been the Panthers (who actually need to cheat) or the Commanders.

All in all, I have enjoyed binge-watching the first eight episodes.

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.

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.

I've only seen a few sports documentaries over the years, but I'm glad I caught this one. "The Dynasty" allows us all to peek behind the curtain and to see the rise and fall of the patriots dynasty. This show gives an inside look at how Robert Kraft, Bill Billichick, Tom Brady and company, all established themselves as champions, as well as the struggles they all dealt with over the years. It's important to note how much of a role ego plays in an arena of this stage. But it's also worth remembering that we're all human and could've made the same mistakes or choices. What's most fascinating is reliving those moments from the players', staff's, and management's perspectives. All in all it was a nice trip to the past and it was a pleasure to be part of their journey.

I see a lot of review bombing going on and I really don't know why. This documentary is exceptional and I think people are letting their emotions get in the way. If you have Apple TV+ and are even remotely aware of the NFL, this should automatically go to the top of your list.