Watching Season 6 (DVD) For The First Time

[JROG]

EPISODE 1: CHANGING OF THE GUARD.

What a fitting title. The episode starts, out of all places, at the Dallas Memorial Hospital parking lot, where J.R. is pacing up and down. Sue Ellen comes prancing down with significantly less hair. One imagines that, in a moment of desperate guilt, Sue Ellen would have hovered over Cliff's comatose body, going at her hair with a pair of large, rusty scissors, yelling: "Here! My pain and my suffering, shown through the blinding mutilation of my hair-cut! I shall not grow hair until you are awake again, my darling! I do this for you!" while drool escapes from her semi-open, quivering mouth to Cliff's forresty chest. Alas, we don't get to see that, but apparently there is a salon in the hospital. Anywaaaaay. Sue Ellen tells J.R. that she shares the blame for what Cliff did to himself and, for the first time since forever, there is something tragic and saddening about her. But she's not quite there yet. J.R. later drops by Sue Ellen's Castle of Lonely Hearts and tells Mrs. Chambers that John Ross is moving back to Southfork permanently. (That scream you hear is the actress' reaction to realize that she's being fired). Mrs. Chambers keeps asking all those questions and she keeps looking more and more like a demented vampire. Later, Sue Ellen comes home, looking drunk as hell, but apparently not, and Vampire Nanny gets to ask even more questions. When Sue Ellen goes to Southfork the next day, Miss Ellie convinces her to move back in for a few days (that scream you hear is the Castle's pain as it is being torn apart). Towards the end of the episode, J.R. and Sue Ellen finally find the time to acknowledge that they live together. "It's weird," they say. Tell me about it.

Meanwhile, Bobby and Pam come home (VP looking as lovely as ever) and Pam finds out that Cliff tried to kill himself. Gosh, I don't know what's wrong with that woman! Pam's reaction to the news is completely calm, sane, calculated, rational (she tried to jump off a roof 22 episodes ago). I can't figure out whether this is Principal deciding between over-dramatized reaction and no reaction at all and going for the latter, or if this is how Pam would react--calmly, taking charge. On one hand, I like that aspect of Pam being back--the strong woman--but it feels flat. She could have at least shown some emotion for chrissakes. When Pam looks at Cliff and doesn't even shed a tear (caring more about Afton being there), then you know something's wrong! VP, wake up!

Miss Ellie has a ranch hand drive her over to Ray and Donna's (who knows what she did to him on the way over, he's yummy). There was something I really loved about the way Donna jumped up and ran to Miss Ellie. It showed an innocent, truthful love and affection. Miss Ellie then asks Ray to vote her way as she tries to get J.R. out of Ewing Oil, and learns that Ray gave his proxy to J.R. Understanding, Miss Ellie goes off. When J.R. comes home that night, Bobby, Lucy (in her first appearance for the season) and Miss Ellie are waiting for him. By process of vote, Miss Ellie throws J.R. out of Ewing Oil. Thinking that he still holds Christopher over Bobby's head, J.R. leads Bobby to the nursery, where Bobby goes ahead and tells him how wonderfully the whole Christopher plotline was resolved and then decks him--unfortunately, the moment looses its power because the punch is yet another hilariously bad stunt.

Lucy (after disappointing with her acceptable performance in the voting scene), finally gets to have her TRUE debut of the season, as she sits in her room (new set, unless I am mistaken!) pouting as if something smells badly. Muriel comes in, and the moment we were all waiting for occurs. "How are you, Lucy?" Muriel asks. "OINK!!!!!" Miss Piggy answers. "Oink, oink, oink, pregnant, oink, oink, oink, oink, Roger's erection, oink, oink, oink, hungry, oink, clinic, oink, pregnancy test." The next day, Lucy phones in for the test results and learns that a baby piglet is on the way (damn!). Wonderfully, she considers abortion as one of her options. It kinda sucks that the show feels like its voicing its opinion on the matter through Muriel, and this could have been good, but somebody obviously forgot to feed Miss Piggy. What will she ever do???

After J.R. innocently drops the info in our laps, we get to see the new Ewing Oil offices and, I've got to admit, that now they look like they belong to the #1 show. There's something appealing about Bobby's start as President, and how he gathers the Heads of Departments. Bobby then meets Jordan Lee and Marilee Stone (drinking from an amazing glass!) and they make plans for lots and lotsa money. In drops Holly Harwood (niiiiice) and it seems to me like this flirting thingy happens between her and Bobby, but what do I know? I liked Holly from the moment I saw her. I love how we are given different clues about her in just a few seconds (her father, the company, Marilee obviously disliking her... but for what reason?). It all serves to substantiate the character a little bit, make her feel like she already existed, even though we know next to nothing about her still. Bobby mentions she's a little young to be running a company and Lee says he expects her father's momentum to keep it going--and we don't realize the importance of these words until the very end of the episode.

Weirdly, my favorite moment of the episode comes when Sue Ellen meets Clayton (aka Papa Bear). Sue Ellen tells Clayton that she's in Southfork and Keel so incredibly acts it that you are really mesmerized by his surprise and shock and realization when Sue Ellen announces that she's marrying J.R. Also some wonderful directing right there, with the constant back and forths of the looming camera.

Surprisingly, Cliff seems on a hurry to wake up (I thought he would be in a coma for episodes!) and Afton is there. As soaps would have it, Afton confesses her love for Cliff only for him to mutter Sue Ellen's name. I really don't like AL's acting in this episode. She seems too overdramatic, but with no real emotion, to me. As a matter of fact, having not seen DALLAS in quite some time contributes to the shock factor of this episode. The dramatic dialogue, the acting, the very slow pace, it is all so contradictory to everything we see today. Back to Cliff, everyone is happy to learn that he doesn't have any brain damage (aaaaaw, sucks!). Actually, even VP loosens up and is even believable! Apparently excited that Pam woke up (no pun intended), Rebecca announces that she could kill J.R.!

And to cap it all off, there you have Lovely Holly having a drink with... J.R.!!! Why, J.R. will secretly be president of Harwood Oil, for a mere twenty-five percent ownership! Ha! J.R. secretly--wow, damn, did not see this coming!

Welcome back DALLAS!

DDD

[Ray&Donna]

EPISODE 1: CHANGING OF THE GUARD.

What a fitting title. The episode starts, out of all places, at the Dallas Memorial Hospital parking lot, where J.R. is pacing up and down. Sue Ellen comes prancing down with significantly less hair. One imagines that, in a moment of desperate guilt, Sue Ellen would have hovered over Cliff's comatose body, going at her hair with a pair of large, rusty scissors, yelling: "Here! My pain and my suffering, shown through the blinding mutilation of my hair-cut! I shall not grow hair until you are awake again, my darling! I do this for you!" while drool escapes from her semi-open, quivering mouth to Cliff's forresty chest. Alas, we don't get to see that, but apparently there is a salon in the hospital. Anywaaaaay. Sue Ellen tells J.R. that she shares the blame for what Cliff did to himself and, for the first time since forever, there is something tragic and saddening about her. But she's not quite there yet. J.R. later drops by Sue Ellen's Castle of Lonely Hearts and tells Mrs. Chambers that John Ross is moving back to Southfork permanently. (That scream you hear is the actress' reaction to realize that she's being fired). Mrs. Chambers keeps asking all those questions and she keeps looking more and more like a demented vampire. Later, Sue Ellen comes home, looking drunk as hell, but apparently not, and Vampire Nanny gets to ask even more questions. When Sue Ellen goes to Southfork the next day, Miss Ellie convinces her to move back in for a few days (that scream you hear is the Castle's pain as it is being torn apart). Towards the end of the episode, J.R. and Sue Ellen finally find the time to acknowledge that they live together. "It's weird," they say. Tell me about it.

LMFAO So glad you're finally on the best season ever, Apollo!

Meanwhile, Bobby and Pam come home (VP looking as lovely as ever) and Pam finds out that Cliff tried to kill himself. Gosh, I don't know what's wrong with that woman! Pam's reaction to the news is completely calm, sane, calculated, rational (she tried to jump off a roof 22 episodes ago). I can't figure out whether this is Principal deciding between over-dramatized reaction and no reaction at all and going for the latter, or if this is how Pam would react--calmly, taking charge. On one hand, I like that aspect of Pam being back--the strong woman--but it feels flat. She could have at least shown some emotion for chrissakes. When Pam looks at Cliff and doesn't even shed a tear (caring more about Afton being there), then you know something's wrong! VP, wake up!

Now that's she's no longer shrieking or Brooktree-ing, she HAS to be calm

Miss Ellie has a ranch hand drive her over to Ray and Donna's (who knows what she did to him on the way over, he's yummy). There was something I really loved about the way Donna jumped up and ran to Miss Ellie. It showed an innocent, truthful love and affection. Miss Ellie then asks Ray to vote her way as she tries to get J.R. out of Ewing Oil, and learns that Ray gave his proxy to J.R. Understanding, Miss Ellie goes off.

God, I love Susan--she's so Texan in that scene.

When J.R. comes home that night, Bobby, Lucy (in her first appearance for the season) and Miss Ellie are waiting for him. By process of vote, Miss Ellie throws J.R. out of Ewing Oil. Thinking that he still holds Christopher over Bobby's head, J.R. leads Bobby to the nursery, where Bobby goes ahead and tells him how wonderfully the whole Christopher plotline was resolved and then decks him--unfortunately, the moment looses its power because the punch is yet another hilariously bad stunt.

Did you notice that the Booger has been recast?

Lucy (after disappointing with her acceptable performance in the voting scene), finally gets to have her TRUE debut of the season, as she sits in her room (new set, unless I am mistaken!) pouting as if something smells badly. Muriel comes in, and the moment we were all waiting for occurs. "How are you, Lucy?" Muriel asks. "OINK!!!!!" Miss Piggy answers. "Oink, oink, oink, pregnant, oink, oink, oink, oink, Roger's erection, oink, oink, oink, hungry, oink, clinic, oink, pregnancy test." The next day, Lucy phones in for the test results and learns that a baby piglet is on the way (damn!). Wonderfully, she considers abortion as one of her options. It kinda sucks that the show feels like its voicing its opinion on the matter through Muriel, and this could have been good, but somebody obviously forgot to feed Miss Piggy. What will she ever do???

I think the set is new, yes--thankfully the offices are too.

After J.R. innocently drops the info in our laps, we get to see the new Ewing Oil offices and, I've got to admit, that now they look like they belong to the #1 show. There's something appealing about Bobby's start as President, and how he gathers the Heads of Departments. Bobby then meets Jordan Lee and Marilee Stone (drinking from an amazing glass!) and they make plans for lots and lotsa money. In drops Holly Harwood (niiiiice) and it seems to me like this flirting thingy happens between her and Bobby, but what do I know? I liked Holly from the moment I saw her. I love how we are given different clues about her in just a few seconds (her father, the company, Marilee obviously disliking her... but for what reason?). It all serves to substantiate the character a little bit, make her feel like she already existed, even though we know next to nothing about her still. Bobby mentions she's a little young to be running a company and Lee says he expects her father's momentum to keep it going--and we don't realize the importance of these words until the very end of the episode.

Holly is good, kinda sexy, and I think you'll like her

Weirdly, my favorite moment of the episode comes when Sue Ellen meets Clayton (aka Papa Bear). Sue Ellen tells Clayton that she's in Southfork and Keel so incredibly acts it that you are really mesmerized by his surprise and shock and realization when Sue Ellen announces that she's marrying J.R. Also some wonderful directing right there, with the constant back and forths of the looming camera.

Poor Clayton. Poor dumb Sue Ellen.

Surprisingly, Cliff seems on a hurry to wake up (I thought he would be in a coma for episodes!) and Afton is there. As soaps would have it, Afton confesses her love for Cliff only for him to mutter Sue Ellen's name. I really don't like AL's acting in this episode. She seems too overdramatic, but with no real emotion, to me. As a matter of fact, having not seen DALLAS in quite some time contributes to the shock factor of this episode. The dramatic dialogue, the acting, the very slow pace, it is all so contradictory to everything we see today. Back to Cliff, everyone is happy to learn that he doesn't have any brain damage (aaaaaw, sucks!). Actually, even VP loosens up and is even believable! Apparently excited that Pam woke up (no pun intended), Rebecca announces that she could kill J.R.!

And to cap it all off, there you have Lovely Holly having a drink with... J.R.!!! Why, J.R. will secretly be president of Harwood Oil, for a mere twenty-five percent ownership! Ha! J.R. secretly--wow, damn, did not see this coming!

Welcome back DALLAS!

DDD

It's amazing how slow the pace is compared to modern TV--but I like it.

Happy watching!

[FSJD]

Great review JROG, my favourite season. Out of all 13 (14) Seasons I don't think their was 1 bad episode this year, Great writing and everyone gets a decent storyline.

Pam did look lovely this season and I liked Holly too, you have some more fun scenes with her and JR to come.

[mattwuk]

I loved the 1982-83 Season. One of my favourite episodes was THE BIG BALL, they hardly shot indoors during that episode, it was mostly on location in Texas, absolutely wonderful.

[alex]

I think this season has the most terrific pacing. It starts of slow (but by no means bad...not one bad episode this season I think is lacklustre) but every episode slowly builds and the plots are thickened and layered carefully until by the time the season finale rolls around u feel almost wiped out, it was such a masterful season.

[Fajita Mel]

Love your reviews JROG, and since this is one of my favorite seasons, I can't wait to read more. I think you'll enjoy this season too. There's something for everyone.

[JROG]

Thank you everyone for your kind words! I'm very happy to see everyone agree that this is a great season, I think I'm gonna love it too.

Did you notice that the Booger has been recast?

Say it isn't so! At first I thought that he just grew up during the summer break and the fact that that damned thing started crying every single time we saw him, I thought I was right! LMAO, But I guess this is Katzman's nephew?

DDD

[Ray&Donna]

Say it isn't so! At first I thought that he just grew up during the summer break and the fact that that damned thing started crying every single time we saw him, I thought I was right! LMAO, But I guess this is Katzman's nephew?

DDD

Yep, that's him! Keep an eye on Chriscries during the location scenes-- they use a baby who ain't Eric Farlow, but wails just as loudly

[JROG]

Yep, that's him! Keep an eye on Chriscries during the location scenes-- they use a baby who ain't Eric Farlow, but wails just as loudly

Oh, you remembered "Chriscries"!!!
Gosh, the horror, the terror of what is to come!

DDD

[Scarlett]

So wait, there were THREE baby Christophers?

[Ray&Donna]

Sadly, yes Unless the outdoor-Chris is the same baby from S4.

[Scarlett]

Sadly, yes Unless the outdoor-Chris is the same baby from S4.

What if they all came back at once and started talking about being adopted?

[JROG]

What if they all came back at once and started talking about being adopted?

Even worse, what if they all started crying? The world would have been brought to a cataclysmic end!!!

DDD

[Vote4Cliff]

EPISODE 1: CHANGING OF THE GUARD.

What a fitting title. The episode starts, out of all places, at the Dallas Memorial Hospital parking lot, where J.R. is pacing up and down. Sue Ellen comes prancing down with significantly less hair. One imagines that, in a moment of desperate guilt, Sue Ellen would have hovered over Cliff's comatose body, going at her hair with a pair of large, rusty scissors, yelling: "Here! My pain and my suffering, shown through the blinding mutilation of my hair-cut! I shall not grow hair until you are awake again, my darling! I do this for you!" while drool escapes from her semi-open, quivering mouth to Cliff's forresty chest. Alas, we don't get to see that, but apparently there is a salon in the hospital. Anywaaaaay. Sue Ellen tells J.R. that she shares the blame for what Cliff did to himself and, for the first time since forever, there is something tragic and saddening about her. But she's not quite there yet. J.R. later drops by Sue Ellen's Castle of Lonely Hearts and tells Mrs. Chambers that John Ross is moving back to Southfork permanently. (That scream you hear is the actress' reaction to realize that she's being fired). Mrs. Chambers keeps asking all those questions and she keeps looking more and more like a demented vampire. Later, Sue Ellen comes home, looking drunk as hell, but apparently not, and Vampire Nanny gets to ask even more questions. When Sue Ellen goes to Southfork the next day, Miss Ellie convinces her to move back in for a few days (that scream you hear is the Castle's pain as it is being torn apart). Towards the end of the episode, J.R. and Sue Ellen finally find the time to acknowledge that they live together. "It's weird," they say. Tell me about it.

"...while drool escapes from her semi-open, quivering mouth to Cliff's forresty chest." JRoG, you are a true poet!

Vampire Nanny! LMAO poor Mrs. Chambers

Meanwhile, Bobby and Pam come home (VP looking as lovely as ever) and Pam finds out that Cliff tried to kill himself. Gosh, I don't know what's wrong with that woman! Pam's reaction to the news is completely calm, sane, calculated, rational (she tried to jump off a roof 22 episodes ago). I can't figure out whether this is Principal deciding between over-dramatized reaction and no reaction at all and going for the latter, or if this is how Pam would react--calmly, taking charge. On one hand, I like that aspect of Pam being back--the strong woman--but it feels flat. She could have at least shown some emotion for chrissakes. When Pam looks at Cliff and doesn't even shed a tear (caring more about Afton being there), then you know something's wrong! VP, wake up!

I agree - I totally thought the same thing about Pam's reaction toward Cliff's suicide attempt (and the news that he may still die!) She is so calm, almost cold & indifferent???

Miss Ellie has a ranch hand drive her over to Ray and Donna's (who knows what she did to him on the way over, he's yummy). There was something I really loved about the way Donna jumped up and ran to Miss Ellie. It showed an innocent, truthful love and affection. Miss Ellie then asks Ray to vote her way as she tries to get J.R. out of Ewing Oil, and learns that Ray gave his proxy to J.R. Understanding, Miss Ellie goes off. When J.R. comes home that night, Bobby, Lucy (in her first appearance for the season) and Miss Ellie are waiting for him. By process of vote, Miss Ellie throws J.R. out of Ewing Oil. Thinking that he still holds Christopher over Bobby's head, J.R. leads Bobby to the nursery, where Bobby goes ahead and tells him how wonderfully the whole Christopher plotline was resolved and then decks him--unfortunately, the moment looses its power because the punch is yet another hilariously bad stunt.

Still a great scene/situation when sly, smug JR thinks he still holds the Christopher card only to find out Bobby has out-played him. JR is seldom surprised like that. It was fun to see.

Lucy (after disappointing with her acceptable performance in the voting scene), finally gets to have her TRUE debut of the season, as she sits in her room (new set, unless I am mistaken!) pouting as if something smells badly. Muriel comes in, and the moment we were all waiting for occurs. "How are you, Lucy?" Muriel asks. "OINK!!!!!" Miss Piggy answers. "Oink, oink, oink, pregnant, oink, oink, oink, oink, Roger's erection, oink, oink, oink, hungry, oink, clinic, oink, pregnancy test." The next day, Lucy phones in for the test results and learns that a baby piglet is on the way (damn!). Wonderfully, she considers abortion as one of her options. It kinda sucks that the show feels like its voicing its opinion on the matter through Muriel, and this could have been good, but somebody obviously forgot to feed Miss Piggy. What will she ever do???

You are always so mean to poor piggy Lucy! Somehow I remember her dialogue with Muriel to be slightly different than what you quoted here...

After J.R. innocently drops the info in our laps, we get to see the new Ewing Oil offices and, I've got to admit, that now they look like they belong to the #1 show. There's something appealing about Bobby's start as President, and how he gathers the Heads of Departments. Bobby then meets Jordan Lee and Marilee Stone (drinking from an amazing glass!) and they make plans for lots and lotsa money. In drops Holly Harwood (niiiiice) and it seems to me like this flirting thingy happens between her and Bobby, but what do I know? I liked Holly from the moment I saw her. I love how we are given different clues about her in just a few seconds (her father, the company, Marilee obviously disliking her... but for what reason?). It all serves to substantiate the character a little bit, make her feel like she already existed, even though we know next to nothing about her still. Bobby mentions she's a little young to be running a company and Lee says he expects her father's momentum to keep it going--and we don't realize the importance of these words until the very end of the episode.

Weirdly, my favorite moment of the episode comes when Sue Ellen meets Clayton (aka Papa Bear). Sue Ellen tells Clayton that she's in Southfork and Keel so incredibly acts it that you are really mesmerized by his surprise and shock and realization when Sue Ellen announces that she's marrying J.R. Also some wonderful directing right there, with the constant back and forths of the looming camera.

I felt badly for Clayton here. He restrained himself admirably, though. Always a gentleman.

Surprisingly, Cliff seems on a hurry to wake up (I thought he would be in a coma for episodes!) and Afton is there. As soaps would have it, Afton confesses her love for Cliff only for him to mutter Sue Ellen's name. I really don't like AL's acting in this episode. She seems too overdramatic, but with no real emotion, to me. As a matter of fact, having not seen DALLAS in quite some time contributes to the shock factor of this episode. The dramatic dialogue, the acting, the very slow pace, it is all so contradictory to everything we see today. Back to Cliff, everyone is happy to learn that he doesn't have any brain damage (aaaaaw, sucks!). Actually, even VP loosens up and is even believable! Apparently excited that Pam woke up (no pun intended), Rebecca announces that she could kill J.R.!

Although they never alluded to it, I wonder if the Cliffster DID actually suffer some brain damage, as his personality seems to become more erratic, cruel, obsessive and stupid over time and bears less & less resemblence to his pre-Season 6 character. Pam still seems a bit detached to me, given the serious situation.

And to cap it all off, there you have Lovely Holly having a drink with... J.R.!!! Why, J.R. will secretly be president of Harwood Oil, for a mere twenty-five percent ownership! Ha! J.R. secretly--wow, damn, did not see this coming!

Welcome back DALLAS!

DDD

Great review, looking forward to your thoughts on the next episode!

[JROG]

EPISODE 2: WHERE THERE'S A WILL.

Written and Directed by Leonard Katzman.

Oh my, what has happened to DALLAS this season? Yet another perfect episode? Something's going on here! The episode starts with J.R. finally hearing from Harve. Harve has been away, but J.R. wants to see him right away. For something good, I'm sure. When they finally meet, J.R. meets Harve's son-in-law, cutie pie John Baxter, and asks to see Jock's will (the bastard!). I truly start to appreciate what a good actor George Petrie is. There's something about this season, the lighting is crisp, it looks really good and I think the quality of the actual DVDs is awesome. J.R. learns that no-one is to read the will, until it's time. Of course, we can see that J.R. is planning to do something about this before we go to commercials. (Reaction: "Bastard!"). Sure enough, J.R. calls John so that they meet and then calls another person. Deliciously, we see a repeat of the trick that J.R. pulled last season with Jordan Lee, was it? John falls instantly for Serena and J.R.'s trick (I am loving the character and, especially, the way they so cleverly use her). (Reaction: "Son of a bitch!"). John of course sleeps with Serena, so then it's time for J.R. to walk in and pretend to be all shocked that John would betray the sanctity of marriage. John runs away, J.R. not sure if he will keep John's secret. (Reaction: "Ugh!). I guess it's good when J.R.'s antics have gotten me to enjoy calling him names. Finally, the character works again. Naturally, J.R. meets with an appropriately bashful John and agrees to keep his secret--if he lets him see the will, of course. Pause for obligatory complaints, before the victim surrenders, and cut scene! J.R. leaves John, who looks like he's about to cry.

Afton and Rebecca are looking after Cliff, who is recuperating. Cliff hasn't been awake for two seconds, and KK is already bringing it. Cliff is appropriately bitter and seems to have completely given up. Pam walks in and stays alone with Cliff. Finally, Pam seems to have gotten over last episode's robotic phase and shows some emotion, as she lays into Cliff about the way he has been treating everyone and for trying to kill himself. I really like the way that she tells him she loves him. I find this scene very interesting because it seems like something very extraordinary has happened to the two siblings: Pam, though when growing up she hated the Ewings and would throw stones at the Ewing Oil building, eventually got over her disdain for them. Meanwhile, Cliff never has and probably never will. Now, one would argue that Pam, while a Barnes, is not really one. McKinney was her dad, and therefore it seems that she does not carry this vendetta in her blood, while Cliff, in essence a true Barnes, does. There seems to be something very intangible, yet present, in this. Cliff has Barnes blood, so he can't get over his hatred. Pam grew up a Barnes, but she got over it before she found out she was another man's daughter.

Anyway, Sue Ellen, with her new 'do, visits Cliff at the hospital. Cliff wants nothing to do with her, she huffs and puffs, and she's outta there. However, we get a shocker when Sue Ellen calls Afton and asks that they meet. Landers is great in this episode, by the way. I love the restaurant scene between the two of them, were Sue Ellen apologizes to Afton. You can just see Afton's happiness and vindication at this, but she doesn't allow herself to be taken in instantly. Instead, she asks Sue Ellen why she cares how Afton feels. The conversation rather brilliantly establishes that Sue Ellen doesn't love Cliff and that she still doesn't know if she's going to marry J.R. It all ends up with the two women sharing a rare moment of understanding for each other, as they both realize that they seem to want what they don't have. Soon enough, we get to see Cliff impatiently waiting for the wheelchair, so that he can get out of the hospital. KK is hilariously funny in this scene as he sits on the wheelchair, this smug look on his face. Afton and Rebecca just frown and take his crap. While at his house, Marilee arrives, echoing their previous scene in the Season 5 ender, and asks Cliff to come work for her. Cliff turns her down, but I have a feeling that this is not over just yet.

Meanwhile, this horrifying shot of a crying Chrischries introduces us to our first Miss Piggy scene of the episode. Applause! Pamela goes to check on Chriscries and finds Miss Piggy pawing her face, in an effort to stick a finger in her eye and induce some tears. Worried, Pam asks Lucy to tell her what's going on and Lucy tells her about the whole rape/pregnancy thing. Despite myself, I get goosebumps, but Lord knows that it's only because of the great music and the drama of the dialogue. Pam is surprised to realize that Piggy's thinking about an abortion, but the writers go the right way by having her be concerned about making the right choice. Later on, Pam tells Lucy that she made an appointment for her with the doctor. Lucy oinks that her only option is the abortion.

There is this really lovely scene, were Ray and Donna horseback to some Lonely Trees location and Donna gives Ray a letter from his Aunt Lily. Its contents don't make Ray too happy, as he reads that Amos is in the hospital and they need money. Ray later tells Donna that he doesn't want to let Aunt Lily know that Amos is not his real father because of the scandal that could cause to a small town like that, giving us a sense of those out-of-show characters (Howard does some great movements with her hands here). He then says he's going to send Aunt Lily some money and that's it. Howard and Kanaly here just are Ray and Donna. And, yeah, I got a feeling this is not over just yet either.

There is something very endearing about the scenes where Bobby tries to deal with running Ewing Oil. I don't know what it is, but it's very interesting. We learn that Oil isn't really all that hot anymore and Bobby has to make cutbacks. Well, this particular scene feels kinda weird. I don't know if the dialogue is genuinely sketchy, or if it just shows Bobby's inexperience and awkwardness just a tad too well. Then, we get this funnily weird scene, where a friend from Bobby's pre-mini series days shows up with a Serena wannabe, and tries to get him to do business that way again. Bobby refuses and the whole thing really doesn't seem to go anywhere. However, I have heard too many things about Season 6 not to suspect that this is going to play a part in the season.

Miss Ellie, meanwhile, does that hilarious work-out thing of hers, in jeans, when Sue Ellen comes by (with a killer sweater) to take John Ross away since she is going to the Papa Bear Estate. Miss Ellie wants John Ross to stay there and Sue Ellen decides to let him, like we knew she would all along. Sue Ellen jumps on Papa Bear Airlines and then goes to Papa Bear Ranch. There's actually something very nice about her return to this place. When Sue Ellen says that this place calms her down, that she feels like home there, it oddly does feel like that. Strange. Then again, she also says that the place looks beautiful and that's bullshit.

Miss Ellie gets her second scene of the episode when she invites Bobby out to lunch (yet another surprising interaction). As they talk, Punk and Mavis show up. Is this the first time we see Mavis? I'm not sure, but I just already love the actress who plays her. Miss Ellie oh-so-brilliantly apologizes for her "f*ck you" the last time she saw Punk and Mavis hopes that Miss Ellie changes her mind about the Oil Baron's Ball. There's something wonderfully realistic about the fact that the Ball is being discussed for so many months now and is looked forward to. It helps build its credibility, as people rather prepare last-minute for events like that. Go, Mavis, I want more Mavis!

The episode pulls to a crescendo, as J.R. and John sneak into the Ewing Oil offices and John gives J.R. the codicil. John leaves (am I ever going to see you again?) and J.R. reads the will. A brief moment of apparent disappointment, then J.R. looks up to heaven, and thanks Jock. What did Jock decide for J.R.? WHAT DID JOCK DECIDE FOR J.R.?

*Thank you everyone for your kind words*

DDD

[Penny Lane]

Oh my gosh! This is hilarious!
I remember Sue Ellen's hair style change. I thought it was a real gaffe. I am surprised that the producers let her do that. Remember Cliff's suicide attempt was the "Cliff"hanger in season 4. So months went by until the filming began again. Linda's hair cut was in style at the time. But Sue
Ellen was so distraught over Cliff that she went out and got her hair done! Funny funny funny!

IMO Linda was much more attractive in long hair.

[Ray&Donna]

EPISODE 2: WHERE THERE'S A WILL.

Written and Directed by Leonard Katzman.

Oh my, what has happened to DALLAS this season? Yet another perfect episode? Something's going on here! The episode starts with J.R. finally hearing from Harve. Harve has been away, but J.R. wants to see him right away. For something good, I'm sure. When they finally meet, J.R. meets Harve's son-in-law, cutie pie John Baxter, and asks to see Jock's will (the bastard!). I truly start to appreciate what a good actor George Petrie is. There's something about this season, the lighting is crisp, it looks really good and I think the quality of the actual DVDs is awesome. J.R. learns that no-one is to read the will, until it's time. Of course, we can see that J.R. is planning to do something about this before we go to commercials. (Reaction: "Bastard!"). Sure enough, J.R. calls John so that they meet and then calls another person. Deliciously, we see a repeat of the trick that J.R. pulled last season with Jordan Lee, was it? John falls instantly for Serena and J.R.'s trick (I am loving the character and, especially, the way they so cleverly use her). (Reaction: "Son of a bitch!"). John of course sleeps with Serena, so then it's time for J.R. to walk in and pretend to be all shocked that John would betray the sanctity of marriage. John runs away, J.R. not sure if he will keep John's secret. (Reaction: "Ugh!). I guess it's good when J.R.'s antics have gotten me to enjoy calling him names. Finally, the character works again. Naturally, J.R. meets with an appropriately bashful John and agrees to keep his secret--if he lets him see the will, of course. Pause for obligatory complaints, before the victim surrenders, and cut scene! J.R. leaves John, who looks like he's about to cry.

Poor John Yes, this scene looks brilliant on DVD--the quality is great, particularly location stuff.

Afton and Rebecca are looking after Cliff, who is recuperating. Cliff hasn't been awake for two seconds, and KK is already bringing it. Cliff is appropriately bitter and seems to have completely given up. Pam walks in and stays alone with Cliff. Finally, Pam seems to have gotten over last episode's robotic phase and shows some emotion, as she lays into Cliff about the way he has been treating everyone and for trying to kill himself. I really like the way that she tells him she loves him. I find this scene very interesting because it seems like something very extraordinary has happened to the two siblings: Pam, though when growing up she hated the Ewings and would throw stones at the Ewing Oil building, eventually got over her disdain for them. Meanwhile, Cliff never has and probably never will. Now, one would argue that Pam, while a Barnes, is not really one. McKinney was her dad, and therefore it seems that she does not carry this vendetta in her blood, while Cliff, in essence a true Barnes, does. There seems to be something very intangible, yet present, in this. Cliff has Barnes blood, so he can't get over his hatred. Pam grew up a Barnes, but she got over it before she found out she was another man's daughter.

A brilliant scene, calling to mind Pam and Cliff's childhood, their love for one another and their fundamental difference.

Anyway, Sue Ellen, with her new 'do, visits Cliff at the hospital. Cliff wants nothing to do with her, she huffs and puffs, and she's outta there. However, we get a shocker when Sue Ellen calls Afton and asks that they meet. Landers is great in this episode, by the way. I love the restaurant scene between the two of them, were Sue Ellen apologizes to Afton. You can just see Afton's happiness and vindication at this, but she doesn't allow herself to be taken in instantly. Instead, she asks Sue Ellen why she cares how Afton feels. The conversation rather brilliantly establishes that Sue Ellen doesn't love Cliff and that she still doesn't know if she's going to marry J.R. It all ends up with the two women sharing a rare moment of understanding for each other, as they both realize that they seem to want what they don't have. Soon enough, we get to see Cliff impatiently waiting for the wheelchair, so that he can get out of the hospital. KK is hilariously funny in this scene as he sits on the wheelchair, this smug look on his face. Afton and Rebecca just frown and take his crap. While at his house, Marilee arrives, echoing their previous scene in the Season 5 ender, and asks Cliff to come work for her. Cliff turns her down, but I have a feeling that this is not over just yet.

Another great scene! Did you catch that the name of the restaurant is "Cardinal Puffs"?

Meanwhile, this horrifying shot of a crying Chrischries introduces us to our first Miss Piggy scene of the episode. Applause! Pamela goes to check on Chriscries and finds Miss Piggy pawing her face, in an effort to stick a finger in her eye and induce some tears. Worried, Pam asks Lucy to tell her what's going on and Lucy tells her about the whole rape/pregnancy thing. Despite myself, I get goosebumps, but Lord knows that it's only because of the great music and the drama of the dialogue. Pam is surprised to realize that Piggy's thinking about an abortion, but the writers go the right way by having her be concerned about making the right choice. Later on, Pam tells Lucy that she made an appointment for her with the doctor. Lucy oinks that her only option is the abortion.

Oink!

There is this really lovely scene, were Ray and Donna horseback to some Lonely Trees location and Donna gives Ray a letter from his Aunt Lily. Its contents don't make Ray too happy, as he reads that Amos is in the hospital and they need money. Ray later tells Donna that he doesn't want to let Aunt Lily know that Amos is not his real father because of the scandal that could cause to a small town like that, giving us a sense of those out-of-show characters (Howard does some great movements with her hands here). He then says he's going to send Aunt Lily some money and that's it. Howard and Kanaly here just are Ray and Donna. And, yeah, I got a feeling this is not over just yet either.

Yep, they are brilliant there and both scenes are lovely. Gotta love location shooting.

There is something very endearing about the scenes where Bobby tries to deal with running Ewing Oil. I don't know what it is, but it's very interesting. We learn that Oil isn't really all that hot anymore and Bobby has to make cutbacks. Well, this particular scene feels kinda weird. I don't know if the dialogue is genuinely sketchy, or if it just shows Bobby's inexperience and awkwardness just a tad too well. Then, we get this funnily weird scene, where a friend from Bobby's pre-mini series days shows up with a Serena wannabe, and tries to get him to do business that way again. Bobby refuses and the whole thing really doesn't seem to go anywhere. However, I have heard too many things about Season 6 not to suspect that this is going to play a part in the season.

Miss Ellie, meanwhile, does that hilarious work-out thing of hers, in jeans, when Sue Ellen comes by (with a killer sweater) to take John Ross away since she is going to the Papa Bear Estate. Miss Ellie wants John Ross to stay there and Sue Ellen decides to let him, like we knew she would all along. Sue Ellen jumps on Papa Bear Airlines and then goes to Papa Bear Ranch. There's actually something very nice about her return to this place. When Sue Ellen says that this place calms her down, that she feels like home there, it oddly does feel like that. Strange. Then again, she also says that the place looks beautiful and that's bullshit.

Oh, but I love the Southern Cross! I'd live there

Miss Ellie gets her second scene of the episode when she invites Bobby out to lunch (yet another surprising interaction). As they talk, Punk and Mavis show up. Is this the first time we see Mavis? I'm not sure, but I just already love the actress who plays her. Miss Ellie oh-so-brilliantly apologizes for her "f*ck you" the last time she saw Punk and Mavis hopes that Miss Ellie changes her mind about the Oil Baron's Ball. There's something wonderfully realistic about the fact that the Ball is being discussed for so many months now and is looked forward to. It helps build its credibility, as people rather prepare last-minute for events like that. Go, Mavis, I want more Mavis!

Yes, I think this is the first appearance of Mavis.

The episode pulls to a crescendo, as J.R. and John sneak into the Ewing Oil offices and John gives J.R. the codicil. John leaves (am I ever going to see you again?) and J.R. reads the will. A brief moment of apparent disappointment, then J.R. looks up to heaven, and thanks Jock. What did Jock decide for J.R.? WHAT DID JOCK DECIDE FOR J.R.?

*Thank you everyone for your kind words*

DDD

Jock who art in heaven(!), hallowed be thy name

Great work Apollo

[MargaretKrebbs]

EPISODE 2: WHERE THERE'S A WILL.

Written and Directed by Leonard Katzman.

I find this scene very interesting because it seems like something very extraordinary has happened to the two siblings: Pam, though when growing up she hated the Ewings and would throw stones at the Ewing Oil building, eventually got over her disdain for them. Meanwhile, Cliff never has and probably never will. Now, one would argue that Pam, while a Barnes, is not really one. McKinney was her dad, and therefore it seems that she does not carry this vendetta in her blood, while Cliff, in essence a true Barnes, does. There seems to be something very intangible, yet present, in this. Cliff has Barnes blood, so he can't get over his hatred. Pam grew up a Barnes, but she got over it before she found out she was another man's daughter.

Exactly! Cliff's suicide attempt is so meaningful, in many ways. It reveals so much through this desperate and truly dramatic event. And shows the real differences between Pam and Cliff, as well as their bond.

Meanwhile, this horrifying shot of a crying Chrischries introduces us to our first Miss Piggy scene of the episode. Applause! Pamela goes to check on Chriscries and finds Miss Piggy pawing her face, in an effort to stick a finger in her eye and induce some tears. Worried, Pam asks Lucy to tell her what's going on and Lucy tells her about the whole rape/pregnancy thing. Despite myself, I get goosebumps, but Lord knows that it's only because of the great music and the drama of the dialogue. Pam is surprised to realize that Piggy's thinking about an abortion, but the writers go the right way by having her be concerned about making the right choice. Later on, Pam tells Lucy that she made an appointment for her with the doctor. Lucy oinks that her only option is the abortion.

Oh, I have a secret crush on Lucy, I am a secret fan. I love that she can't act, and that her character's storylines,, when she gets them, are so incredible and ridiculous. Those super huge blow up photos of Lucy's face from last season!!! Tiny girl as super huge girl. Now that's a real suspension of disbelief. She's barely there in the show half the time even when she's on camera and then she's given this heavy weighty "decision" to make. Did anyone really think she would carry the fetus to term?? It's a decision that's made before the rape, it's a done deal. To me, it's almost as if Lucy is in her own dream season the entire series.


There is this really lovely scene, were Ray and Donna horseback to some Lonely Trees location and Donna gives Ray a letter from his Aunt Lily. Its contents don't make Ray too happy, as he reads that Amos is in the hospital and they need money. Ray later tells Donna that he doesn't want to let Aunt Lily know that Amos is not his real father because of the scandal that could cause to a small town like that, giving us a sense of those out-of-show characters (Howard does some great movements with her hands here). He then says he's going to send Aunt Lily some money and that's it. Howard and Kanaly here just are Ray and Donna. And, yeah, I got a feeling this is not over just yet either.

Location, location, location. This scene could have been shot anywhere, so what a brilliant decision to set it out on Southfork. It places Ray in his comfort zone, the place that he calls home and has for most of his life, and makes the intrusion from the past that much more difficult. The wind is very "Shakespearean." Donna gets to take care of Ray again, as well as be the messenger. Thank goodness this scene was filmed before email and cell phones. The dramatic impact of a life-changing letter is so cool, isn't it? Ray just finished dealing with the death of one father, and it almost ruined him. And now must deal with the illness of his "other" father. Paternity and secrets, what would Dallas be without them?


There is something very endearing about the scenes where Bobby tries to deal with running Ewing Oil. I don't know what it is, but it's very interesting.

Yes, it is. I remember thinking the exact same thing when I watched it for the first time last spring. It's a very psychological scene and for once, I actually think that Duffy pulls it off. Another excellent and fun review!

[JROG]

EPISODE 3: BILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.

Actually, questions. What did the will say? Will they declare Jock legally dead? Is Lucy going to have an abortion? Will Miss Ellie and Sue Ellen go to the Oil Baron's Ball? The answer poses all these questions for this episode, never having a dull moment, and it solves some and some it doesn't. I really love the pacing and the structure of this season. It is heavily reminiscent of Season 3's (DVD) structure and I think it's a format that works greatly. The almost self-contained plots of "Bobby's old friend," "J.R.'s blackmails John," "J.R. and IRS guy" that are usually resolved in the space of an episode are very exciting because they will probably affect the season in some way, and they simultaneously provide for material, while the main stories remain in the background, to be resolved in a later day. Exciting!

We open with J.R. apologizing to Harve for coming down on him hard (I don't know why that'sa bad thing) and you just know that this is yet one more move that is going to play into the goings on of Season 6. He then sees that they have an invitation for the Oil Baron's Ball and Miss Ellie announces that they are going. This event is treated lightly, but only in the surface. This is going to be Miss Ellie's first social event without Jock, and it makes sense that she would have to struggle with it. She tells Mavis so herself, after they find another sack dress for Miss Ellie together (those can't be hard to find, right?). Mavis is all sweet, and supporting and high-pitch-voicy.

Meanwhile, Pam has taken a grumpy Miss Piggy to Dr. Grovner, who tries to change Piggy's mind about the upcoming abortion. "Oink!" Miss Piggy yells, saying that she has made up her mind. This could have been such a good story, it could have been played with so much context, with pain and determination, all those different facets. Sigh. Anyway, even Miss Piggy gets a wonderful scene in this episode, when she checks into the hospital before her operation. Piggy asks Pam what she would do in her place and Pam is brilliantly supportive of Lucy and says all the right thing--i.e. refuses to tell Lucy what to do, or what she would do were she in Lucy's place. I am really liking the way they're portraying Pam now in regards to Lucy and their relationship. It feels very important to establish this wise, warm, loving and caring side to Pam--it somehow makes the Barnes/Ewing feud more grand, and it certainly makes J.R. and Pam's relationship more toxic. Anyway, Praise the Soap Gods, they actually went ahead with Lucy's abortion! What a marvelously progressive thing to do! Of course, this gives us a Miss Piggy Crying scene, and you know how I hate those: "How are you feeling?" dotting Pam asks. "OINK!" Piggy groans, as she looks for some mud to splash in. As Lucy is getting ready to leave the hospital the next day, Pam suggests she goes back to work. Why Pam didn't see it coming when Lucy revealed she saw a connection between her modeling and her stalker/rapist is beyond me.

During the opening scene, Bobby rides off on a helicopter for no reason whatsoever, apart from the fact that they have the money to do helicopter stuff. Where is he going? Why does he need the helicopter? We are not told. I think I'd rather have them save the money spent on this, to do an extra episode in Dallas. Anyway, J.R. being J.R., he meets with a friend of his, Nelson Harding, an IRS guy, and lies that he believes that Ewing Oil is delaying the declaration of Jock's death, so that taxes can go down and the estate gets a less severe hit. Or something like that. Nelson visits Bobby and tries to threaten him, but we all know how Helmet Hair takes threats. Harve, in a greatly foreshadowing scene, tells Bobby that Nelson is the worst guy he could have ever thrown out of his office and warns him that, they way he handles the situation and Miss Ellie, is going to affect ways significantly (thus starting to create this larger than life, almost fatalistic notion that all the characters are now in a huge chess board, and shit's about to go down). Harve, who will now be known as the Grim Reaper, also warns Bobby that he thinks this is the first of many problems arising due to the Fight for Ewing Oil Storyline. Bring it on! Bobby, naturally, suspects that J.R. had something to do with Nelson's visit, but of course J.R. lies his face off.

Ray is busy being a sexy cowboy, when Donna stops by, huge smile, to let him know she's finished "Sam Culver: The Early Years," (already?). Those two look great in the Dallas scenery (unless this is in California. But anyway). Ray suggests they go together to New York and have the honeymoon they never had. Aaaaw. Unfortunately, it is not meant to be. Aunt Lil calls Ray to let him know that a-hole Amos Krebbs has died. Donna, sensing Ray's deeply hidden pain, says she understands, she'll cancel all their reservations in New York, and she'll go with him to Amos' funeral. Aaaaw.

Meanwhile, Sue Ellen is happily splashing along at the Southern Cross ranch, riding with Papa Bear and still being indecisive about marrying J.R. J.R. (in yet another helicopter scene) stops by with John Ross as bait (damn it, I was hoping we'd get a Boogers-less episode!) and invites Sue Ellen to the Oil Baron's Ball. Now I'm excited. Something's going to go down at that Ball, I can feel it! Sue Ellen eventually accepts and Clayton sets up next episode's Sue Ellen Storyline, when he lets her know that Dusty will be coming over. Sue Ellen says she can't wait to see him, in all her naive, egotistic splendor.

Cliff, looking semi-good I think, and Afton are out, when they run into Rebecca. Cliff tries to do the adult thing and pretend he didn't see Rebecca, but Afton doesn't let him get away with it. Kercheval is hilarious in this scene, as he tries to get away and then learns that Rebecca wants him to work at Wentworth Tool and Dye. Doing the adult thing once again, Cliff announces that he's going to work at Stonehurst Oil (he deliciously makes up his mind about it right then and there) and then teases Afton for being jealous of Marilee. God, Cliff can be such an ass, but KK plays him to lovable perfection. Speaking of Jealous Afton (she resembles a Pissed Kitten in this episode, meowing and waving her tail) she talks to Rebecca about Cliff and Marilee. Rebecca has nothing to be worried about, since she thinks Afton's hot (affair!), but Afton reminds Rebbie that power and status mean more to Cliff. Cue ominous frown from Rebecca. Uh oh. However, it seems that Rebecca might be right for now, as Cliff meets with Marilee at El Espana or something like that (God, they must have had so much fun with those names!). Marilee gives him the title of Senior Vice President "and with the salary that goes with it." Cliff eyes light up to almost Piggy proportions when she sees a piece of warm mud, but the Cliff we now know is a little more careful, just a tad more reserved. He tells Marilee that he doesn't trust that she won't become involved with J.R. again. Marilee reassures him J.R.'s out of the picture.

Well, no, he isn't, because he's everywhere in this episode (just like he always is) and I love it! He finally meets with Holly Harwood at her... boat? Anyway, they do this vaguely sexual game of "take my boots off" with J.R. and then J.R. tells her what to do with the company next. I always waited for a scene like this, and I'm glad we got it. Holly is appropriately green, but not annoyingly so. She questions J.R.'s advice to buy a refinery, so J.R. decides to fu*k her into making the decision. Shockingly, Holly turns him down (despite the fact that I found J.R. incredibly sexy in this scene) and tells him that "If I wanted a package that included sex, I would have hired your brother Bobby!" OUCH. Well, true. So Holly runs into Bobby while he's dinning alone (I knew she liked him!) and asks his advice concerning buying a refinery. Not knowing what he's saying, Bobby agrees it was good advice. Gee, something tells me Holly is going to create so much more trouble than I thought, isn't she?

J.R., during a drinks-at-the-living-room scene, brings up the subject of the will. He wonders whether Bobby is scared of what the will might bring. And I think he is. I think he fears that Jock gave Ewing Oil to J.R. Anyway, Miss Ellie has decided to redecorate the house (in between that and the new gown, they'll go broke!) and then J.R. decides to practically ambush Miss Ellie with the suggestion to declare Jock legally dead. While Bobby hates J.R. way of going about things, he agrees with him. J.R. pushes Miss Ellie and she announces she's not ready yet. J.R. ominously looks at Bobby and warns him that that will is going to be read, one way or the other, bringing us back to where we were at the beginning of the episode, but infinitely richer altogether.

Thank you everyone for your comments and kind words!

DDD

[Vote4Cliff]

EPISODE 3: BILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.

Actually, questions. What did the will say? Will they declare Jock legally dead? Is Lucy going to have an abortion? Will Miss Ellie and Sue Ellen go to the Oil Baron's Ball? The answer poses all these questions for this episode, never having a dull moment, and it solves some and some it doesn't. I really love the pacing and the structure of this season. It is heavily reminiscent of Season 3's (DVD) structure and I think it's a format that works greatly. The almost self-contained plots of "Bobby's old friend," "J.R.'s blackmails John," "J.R. and IRS guy" that are usually resolved in the space of an episode are very exciting because they will probably affect the season in some way, and they simultaneously provide for material, while the main stories remain in the background, to be resolved in a later day. Exciting!

We open with J.R. apologizing to Harve for coming down on him hard (I don't know why that'sa bad thing) and you just know that this is yet one more move that is going to play into the goings on of Season 6. He then sees that they have an invitation for the Oil Baron's Ball and Miss Ellie announces that they are going. This event is treated lightly, but only in the surface. This is going to be Miss Ellie's first social event without Jock, and it makes sense that she would have to struggle with it. She tells Mavis so herself, after they find another sack dress for Miss Ellie together (those can't be hard to find, right?). Mavis is all sweet, and supporting and high-pitch-voicy.

Awww...what would Ellie do without her good friend Mavis?

Meanwhile, Pam has taken a grumpy Miss Piggy to Dr. Grovner, who tries to change Piggy's mind about the upcoming abortion. "Oink!" Miss Piggy yells, saying that she has made up her mind. This could have been such a good story, it could have been played with so much context, with pain and determination, all those different facets. Sigh. Anyway, even Miss Piggy gets a wonderful scene in this episode, when she checks into the hospital before her operation. Piggy asks Pam what she would do in her place and Pam is brilliantly supportive of Lucy and says all the right thing--i.e. refuses to tell Lucy what to do, or what she would do were she in Lucy's place. I am really liking the way they're portraying Pam now in regards to Lucy and their relationship. It feels very important to establish this wise, warm, loving and caring side to Pam--it somehow makes the Barnes/Ewing feud more grand, and it certainly makes J.R. and Pam's relationship more toxic. Anyway, Praise the Soap Gods, they actually went ahead with Lucy's abortion! What a marvelously progressive thing to do! Of course, this gives us a Miss Piggy Crying scene, and you know how I hate those: "How are you feeling?" dotting Pam asks. "OINK!" Piggy groans, as she looks for some mud to splash in. As Lucy is getting ready to leave the hospital the next day, Pam suggests she goes back to work. Why Pam didn't see it coming when Lucy revealed she saw a connection between her modeling and her stalker/rapist is beyond me.

"as she looks for some mud to splash in" you are horrible!!

During the opening scene, Bobby rides off on a helicopter for no reason whatsoever, apart from the fact that they have the money to do helicopter stuff. Where is he going? Why does he need the helicopter? We are not told. I think I'd rather have them save the money spent on this, to do an extra episode in Dallas. Anyway, J.R. being J.R., he meets with a friend of his, Nelson Harding, an IRS guy, and lies that he believes that Ewing Oil is delaying the declaration of Jock's death, so that taxes can go down and the estate gets a less severe hit. Or something like that. Nelson visits Bobby and tries to threaten him, but we all know how Helmet Hair takes threats. Harve, in a greatly foreshadowing scene, tells Bobby that Nelson is the worst guy he could have ever thrown out of his office and warns him that, they way he handles the situation and Miss Ellie, is going to affect ways significantly (thus starting to create this larger than life, almost fatalistic notion that all the characters are now in a huge chess board, and shit's about to go down). Harve, who will now be known as the Grim Reaper, also warns Bobby that he thinks this is the first of many problems arising due to the Fight for Ewing Oil Storyline. Bring it on! Bobby, naturally, suspects that J.R. had something to do with Nelson's visit, but of course J.R. lies his face off.

Harve = the Grim Reaper. Ok. got it.

Ray is busy being a sexy cowboy, when Donna stops by, huge smile, to let him know she's finished "Sam Culver: The Early Years," (already?). Those two look great in the Dallas scenery (unless this is in California. But anyway). Ray suggests they go together to New York and have the honeymoon they never had. Aaaaw. Unfortunately, it is not meant to be. Aunt Lil calls Ray to let him know that a-hole Amos Krebbs has died. Donna, sensing Ray's deeply hidden pain, says she understands, she'll cancel all their reservations in New York, and she'll go with him to Amos' funeral. Aaaaw.

Ray & Donna

Meanwhile, Sue Ellen is happily splashing along at the Southern Cross ranch, riding with Papa Bear and still being indecisive about marrying J.R. J.R. (in yet another helicopter scene) stops by with John Ross as bait (damn it, I was hoping we'd get a Boogers-less episode!) and invites Sue Ellen to the Oil Baron's Ball. Now I'm excited. Something's going to go down at that Ball, I can feel it! Sue Ellen eventually accepts and Clayton sets up next episode's Sue Ellen Storyline, when he lets her know that Dusty will be coming over. Sue Ellen says she can't wait to see him, in all her naive, egotistic splendor.

Cliff, looking semi-good I think, and Afton are out, when they run into Rebecca. Cliff tries to do the adult thing and pretend he didn't see Rebecca, but Afton doesn't let him get away with it. Kercheval is hilarious in this scene, as he tries to get away and then learns that Rebecca wants him to work at Wentworth Tool and Dye. Doing the adult thing once again, Cliff announces that he's going to work at Stonehurst Oil (he deliciously makes up his mind about it right then and there) and then teases Afton for being jealous of Marilee. God, Cliff can be such an ass, but KK plays him to lovable perfection. Speaking of Jealous Afton (she resembles a Pissed Kitten in this episode, meowing and waving her tail) she talks to Rebecca about Cliff and Marilee. Rebecca has nothing to be worried about, since she thinks Afton's hot (affair!), but Afton reminds Rebbie that power and status mean more to Cliff. Cue ominous frown from Rebecca. Uh oh. However, it seems that Rebecca might be right for now, as Cliff meets with Marilee at El Espana or something like that (God, they must have had so much fun with those names!). Marilee gives him the title of Senior Vice President "and with the salary that goes with it." Cliff eyes light up to almost Piggy proportions when she sees a piece of warm mud, but the Cliff we now know is a little more careful, just a tad more reserved. He tells Marilee that he doesn't trust that she won't become involved with J.R. again. Marilee reassures him J.R.'s out of the picture.

I loved that scene when Cliff tries to escape, nearly pulling poor Afton's arm out of the socket trying to go in the other direction.

"God, Cliff can be such an ass, but KK plays him to lovable perfection." Couldn't have said it better myself!

Well, no, he isn't, because he's everywhere in this episode (just like he always is) and I love it! He finally meets with Holly Harwood at her... boat? Anyway, they do this vaguely sexual game of "take my boots off" with J.R. and then J.R. tells her what to do with the company next. I always waited for a scene like this, and I'm glad we got it. Holly is appropriately green, but not annoyingly so. She questions J.R.'s advice to buy a refinery, so J.R. decides to fu*k her into making the decision. Shockingly, Holly turns him down (despite the fact that I found J.R. incredibly sexy in this scene) and tells him that "If I wanted a package that included sex, I would have hired your brother Bobby!" OUCH. Well, true. So Holly runs into Bobby while he's dinning alone (I knew she liked him!) and asks his advice concerning buying a refinery. Not knowing what he's saying, Bobby agrees it was good advice. Gee, something tells me Holly is going to create so much more trouble than I thought, isn't she?

She hurt JR's feelings...awwwwww

J.R., during a drinks-at-the-living-room scene, brings up the subject of the will. He wonders whether Bobby is scared of what the will might bring. And I think he is. I think he fears that Jock gave Ewing Oil to J.R. Anyway, Miss Ellie has decided to redecorate the house (in between that and the new gown, they'll go broke!) and then J.R. decides to practically ambush Miss Ellie with the suggestion to declare Jock legally dead. While Bobby hates J.R. way of going about things, he agrees with him. J.R. pushes Miss Ellie and she announces she's not ready yet. J.R. ominously looks at Bobby and warns him that that will is going to be read, one way or the other, bringing us back to where we were at the beginning of the episode, but infinitely richer altogether.

JR could have been a tad more subtle. I love the looks he & Bobby exchange in this scene.
Thank you everyone for your comments and kind words!

DDD

Excellent review! Thanks JRoG!