Patriots ‘The Dynasty’ Review: Episode 3, Borrowed Time

In the third chapter of the New England Patriots 10-part docuseries, the team’s first three championships serve as a backdrop to the birth of the “Dynasty.”

Just hours after completing the New England Patriots final team practice before their fateful Super Bowl XXXVI matchup against the St. Louis Rams, head coach Bill Belichick called quarterback Drew Bledsoe to his hotel room

After sustaining a near-fatal chest injury in Week 2, Bledsoe lost his starting job to second-year reserve Tom Brady. He did not see in-game action until the second-quarter of the AFC Championship game — relieving an injured Brady and leading the Pats to a 24-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Considering the O. Henry-type turn of events, speculation began to run rampant as to whether a healthy Bledsoe or an injury-hampered Brady would get the start against the Rams. In fact, Bledsoe himself began to wonder whether he would be starting a Super Bowl for the second time in his career. 

Unfortunately for the veteran quarterback, his optimism would be short lived. 

“We’ve been watching Tom out there and his ankle looks good,” Belichick told a beleaguered Bledsoe. “We’re gonna go with him this week.” 

Cred: Jim Davis, Boston Globe Staff

Belichick’s decision to keep Brady in place as the Patriots starting quarterback — a role he would not relinquish until his departure in 2020 — served as the ideal microcosm for the third installment of “The Dynasty” docuseries, entitled “Borrowed Time”   

In essence, the franchise’s success often hinged on making controversial, yet informed decisions. Director Matthew Hamachek begins the chapter by providing a look inside the savvy decision of team owner Robert Kraft to purchase Foxboro Stadium and its surrounding parking lot in 1988. Though such a decision was a bit unorthodox, Kraft’s control of the Patriots home field ultimately facilitated his purchase of the team in 1994.   

Conspicuous by his absence from the first two episodes, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells briefly appears to help bridge the team’s mid-1990’s success story to that of the 2001 championship squad. While both Kraft and Parcells, acknowledged their respect for each other’s contributions, the tension over Parcells’ sudden jilting of the Patriots in the aftermath of Super Bowl XXXI is still evident. 

"I don’t think he [Parcells] made decisions for the good of the team as much he made them for the good of ‘Bill Parcells,’” Kraft said. “So, I told myself that I would find a coach that always put the team first"

Fittingly, the story immediately transitions back to Super Bowl XXXVI. Upon arriving in New Orleans, coach Bill Belichick — who Kraft praised throughout the episide for putting “team first” — echoed the owner’s sentiments when speaking with his players. 

"Bill kinda gathered us all together and said ‘Look, we're all in this thing together,”said former Patriots lineman Damien Woody. “If you put aside your own personal agenda, and do your job, we will win this game."

Part of “doing their job” apparently included staying in a basic-style hotel outside the pomp and circumstance of New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street.

“My room was so small, I think it came with an oxygen tank," said ex-Patriots safety Lawyer Milloy. 

In fact, Milloy’s complaints prompted Belichick to surrender his own room to help placate the Pats’ defensive back, and help to lighten the  

"I said, ‘Look, if you want the coach’s room, that’s fine,’ Belichick said with a chuckle. “We kind of used that as a chance to have some fun with Lawyer … asking him if he was satisfied with his view, and such.” 

Still, the nostalgia of watching the team relive its first of six championships was understandably the highlight of the episode, From the Patriots decision to be introduced as a team, to Belichick discussing strategy with football research director Ernie Adams regarding the game’s final 1:30, New England’s coronation is made to feel all-but inevitable. Pats fans hearts will once again collectively pound as Adam Vinatieri’s 48-yard field goal sails through the uprights before a sea of patriotic confetti covered the Superdome turf. 

Though it would take two more Lombardi trophies to earn them the “Dynasty” moniker, New England’s legendary place in the annals of NFL greats. 

Startin’ Somethin’: Robert Kraft, Purchasing the Patriots and The Jacksons?

Perhaps the episode’s biggest drawback is the surprisingly little time dedicated to the Patriots second (XXXVIII) and third (XXXIX) Super Bowl victories. Instead, New England’s subsequent two titles are included in a montage of clips demonstrating Brady’s rise to pop culture superstardom — backed by Ram Jams’ Black Betty, to which the quarterback was known to “air guitar.”

Amid the success, however, there was a change in the winds of Foxboro, Mass. While winning had been euphoric in the team’s early days of success, it had now become expected. 

"Its difficult to explain this,” said former personnel director Scott Pioli. “this game is like a narcotic...when you have success, even if it’s a little bit … you want a little bit more. ...The highest high you feel each time you win, you want that forever.”

But just how far were the Pats willing to go to keep that feeling going? 

Episode 4, “Spygate” is also available on AppleTV+ on Feb. 23.

---