Watching Season 8 (DVD) for the First Time

[ronald mascot]

Yes, it is disappointing that Bobby decides to believe JR- that tape should not be enough to convince him- it just continues the "Bobby is stupid" characterization which makes his character so dull at times. I hated that ending- it was just too unbelievable to me. that he would have a duplicate document about it, the show seemed to be turning a bit cartoony here and I didn't like the direction. Over on Dynasty around this time, Alexis was taking over Denver Carrington with stock options, etc., that seemed more legit (at the time)- Dallas is relying on surprise documents, coincidences, it seems less focused, and that is saying a lot considering what a joke Dynasty was.

I watched the shows as a kid, and a few years can be a lifetime so I remember when seeing this episode, I had actually forgotten Sue Ellen had an affair with Cliff, it had not been mentioned in many years, and it was interesting to see them hinting at that again and there was a year or two I did not watch the show so I did not see Cliff trying to woo Sue Ellen back when she and JR divorced.

[JROG]

EPISODE 20: THE BROTHERS EWING

An episode I could hardly concentrate on that opens with J.R., Bobby and Ray’s return to Southfork in order to give Miss Ellie, Clayton and Donna an update on their disastrous meeting with Cliff, Jamie and Pam. Sue Ellen hovers in the background, reminding me of a glamorous bat (as well as, weirdly, her Season 1 and 2 days). It seems that Clayton watched some earlier DALLAS DVDs while the boys were gone because he reacts in a most Jock-like way when the Brothers give them the news by yelling at them for going to the meeting unprepared. It doesn’t quite seem like what Clayton would do but I’ll be damned if this is not one of the most interesting things he’s ever done. His pulling the Ewing brothers together through verbal abuse makes it very clear that the dynamic Jock brought to the show is a big hole—I found myself wishing that Clayton could be like this all the time, so as to help bring that dynamic back. It seems the show operates on a better level that way.

The (newest) battle for Ewing Oil brings on some interesting developments (and dominates most of the episode). First we see signs of Ray and Donna’s marriage disintegrating before our very eyes because of Ray’s involvement with the case. While one can understand Donna’s reasons for wanting Ray to stay out of the fight (lest he gets involved with something beyond his control), Ray’s behavior is completely expected, seeing as he was always on Jock’s side. However, it’s sadly clear that a schism is forming in their relationship that may not be possible to mend.

In the meantime, J.R. is busy setting up holding corporations and looking for useless assets that Ewing Oil can own so that Cliff ends up with nothing if he wins the battle. Miss Ellie chooses to pretend that something illegal would be out of the question for J.R. as he talks to Bobby and gets him to agree (while also revealing that this particular trick was started when they were fighting amongst them for control of Ewing Oil).

But that’s not all J.R.’s busy with this week: He puts in regular phone calls to Mandy, wanting to see her, to be comforted and, presumably, to have sex. Mandy spends the episode telling him no and hanging up the phone. Points to her for that.

Sue Ellen appears to have finally resolved once and for all to stay away from J.R.. LOL. Just kidding. I can’t even type that without laughing. But it seems to be her current decision and I’m fine with that. She makes it very clear that she will not comfort J.R. and visits Barnes Wentworth, looking for Pam, but running into Cliff. Kercheval just pulls out every inch of his mastery and makes Cliff look completely smitten by Sue Ellen but, alas, she turns down his offer for lunch. It’s co cruel that the writers are toying with this; their chemistry is intoxicating but it’s pretty clear that this won’t be going somewhere. Sue Ellen then visits Pam and learns that she is going to Hong Kong to continue her search for Mark. “Why not?” Sue Ellen tells herself and decides to go with Pam. Later, she continues making J.R. think that she’s developing something with Cliff but sadly explains herself and threatens that she’ll hurt J.R. if he ever does something bad to Pam again. Well, this could be interesting. LOL. Just kidding. I highly doubt this will ever happen.

In the Lucy Scene, the writers decide to shake it up and show her running into Ray while leaving Southfork. Ray notes how happy she seems and Lucy continues to not give a damn about anything other than her storyline. Shockingly, the storyline gets a second scene later, when Eddie has a near pornographic exchange with Bitchy Betty. They have sex. How sad that Lucy’s not even in a scene about her storyline.

Jenna (so effective last week) goes back to trying to come off as a concerned mother. Poor Charlie’s being bullied because her mommy’s a bad actress, so Jenna changes her school. Then, the lovely Scotty shows up to explain that Jenna’s being tried in the press, which he feels will help make it much easier for the trial to be moved to Dallas. OK.

We also finally learn why it was only Jock who did something or another. It’s great to see Brindle again. The Brothers Ewing go to Clayton and ask him to help by swapping a piece of useless land he owns with prime Ewing Oil land. Back to being the Clayton we all know, Clayton turns them down. Miss Ellie shows up and says that she sides with Clayton. The episode ends with a Clayton and Miss Ellie freeze frame and I almost fall off my chair from the shock.

DDD

[ronald mascot]

The Brothers Ewing is an interesting episode. Clayton lecturing the boys did seem out of character, somewhat even bizarre, I found it annoying and even him over-stepping his bounds. Imagine what a great scene it would have been if Barbara Bel Geddes as Miss Ellie had given the same speech to them, that would have been exciting, instead they have that lump of jello in a dress, so they have to give the big scene to Clayton. There is a bit of electricity between Sue Ellen and Cliff when they meet up. The Sue Ellen scenes in the episode are the most interesting, even though she really doesn't do anything. Donna constantly worrying about Ray gets to be tedious, she thinks of him as a child instead of a grown man and she doesn't seem to hold his intelligence in much regard. She has always bemoaned that Ray think of himself as a dumb cowboy but that is pretty much how she treats him, she's more like a mother than a supportive wife at times.

And that ending- Donna Reed is so mousy in it- even when she is trying to portray strength. The Miss Ellie character is really messed with here- it's almost like the writers want her out of the fight because they don't think Reed is going to be able to handle any of the load so this is a way to clear her out of it. You kinda don't even like her anymore

[JROG]

The Brothers Ewing is an interesting episode. Clayton lecturing the boys did seem out of character, somewhat even bizarre, I found it annoying and even him over-stepping his bounds. Imagine what a great scene it would have been if Barbara Bel Geddes as Miss Ellie had given the same speech to them, that would have been exciting, instead they have that lump of jello in a dress, so they have to give the big scene to Clayton.

I did think that, in the characters' eyes, he was over-stepping his bounds (surely they had never built a relationship to warrant him doing what he did), but I was OK with it as a viewer because it meant he was no longer bland. Besides, I think that Clayton should have already started to get close enough to be able to chip in; otherwise, there's nothing for him to do! He's kinda boring now that I think about it!

There is a bit of electricity between Sue Ellen and Cliff when they meet up. The Sue Ellen scenes in the episode are the most interesting, even though she really doesn't do anything.

There's A LOT! I think I agree; Linda Gray portrays these type of scenes expertly. A far cry from her "Coffee, dear?" scenes.

And that ending- Donna Reed is so mousy in it- even when she is trying to portray strength. The Miss Ellie character is really messed with here- it's almost like the writers want her out of the fight because they don't think Reed is going to be able to handle any of the load so this is a way to clear her out of it. You kinda don't even like her anymore

For some reason, I didn't have a problem with her siding with Clayton, even though I'm not sure why. It just might be that the writers have, by now, realized she cannot possibly get more involved because it will fall flat. I'm kind of glad that we won't have to sit through any scenes of Miss Ellie strategizing about Ewing Oil etc. That would be painful. As she is now, I don't like her either; there is not a single semblance of Miss Ellie left right now.

DDD

[PAMANDBOBBYFOREVER]

Thanks for another great review!

[Ray&Donna]

EPISODE 20: THE BROTHERS EWING

An episode I could hardly concentrate on that opens with J.R., Bobby and Ray’s return to Southfork in order to give Miss Ellie, Clayton and Donna an update on
their disastrous meeting with Cliff, Jamie and Pam. Sue Ellen hovers in the background, reminding me of a glamorous bat (as well as, weirdly, her Season 1 and 2
days). It seems that Clayton watched some earlier DALLAS DVDs while the boys were gone because he reacts in a most Jock-like way when the Brothers give
them the news by yelling at them for going to the meeting unprepared. It doesn’t quite seem like what Clayton would do but I’ll be damned if this is not one of the
most interesting things he’s ever done. His pulling the Ewing brothers together through verbal abuse makes it very clear that the dynamic Jock brought to the show is
a big hole—I found myself wishing that Clayton could be like this all the time, so as to help bring that dynamic back. It seems the show operates on a better level
that way.

I think we could make a strong argument that Clayton never quite recovers from bringing a different wife home from his honeymoon. But I agree--it seemed like there would be times where they would HINT at Clayton becoming a rival to the boys, only to...well, not.

Sue Ellen appears to have finally resolved once and for all to stay away from J.R.. LOL. Just kidding. I can’t even type that without laughing.

HA HA HA HA....HA HA HA....

Jenna (so effective last week) goes back to trying to come off as a concerned mother. Poor Charlie’s being bullied because her mommy’s a bad actress,
so Jenna changes her school.

LMAO! You'd think the damned Ewings would go to some elite private school and J.R. would beat up the parents of any kid who bullied one of them. Then again,
that's more early-DALLAS, not the kinder, gentler version of this season. Keep up the good work!

[JROG]

EPISODE 21: SHATTERED DREAMS

Lovely title for an episode full of little surprises, good and bad.

The first one is bad: It involves J.R. going to Mandy’s house and being all sad and drunk and vulnerable. I get the feeling the audience is supposed to really feel for J.R. but it just comes off as fake and unnecessary. Even worse than that is the moment where J.R. wakes up the next morning, having slept in Mandy’s generic armchair in his clothes. I’m sorry, J.R. did that? He might as well start volunteering at the nearest homeless shelter. Mandy later comes home to find her whole house full of flowers; I don’t know what’s so romantic about that… if it were me, it might have pissed me off that now I have to deal with all that shit. Nevertheless, Mandy finds a key and a note and melts quicker than cheddar cheese on a hamburger. J.R. takes her to a fabulous apartment, where Mandy gets the chance to rip him a new one. And how much fun it was! “I’m not for sale!” she tells him and tosses the key back to him. J.R. might have to do more than steal Mandy’s messages from Cliff.

The second surprise is a pleasant one. Following her decision to side with Clayton, Miss Ellie realizes that she’s not willing to obsessively defend everything that Jock left behind anymore. It’s a shocking thing for the character to say but, somehow, it doesn’t feel wrong. Instead, it seems like the character is progressing, evolving, moving on. However, and this may be a big however, this also comes along with Miss Ellie's change of heart about keeping everyone under the same roof; often, Miss Ellie was the glue that kept them all together, thus ensuring that everyone did stay in the same house (a basic component of the show). An even better surprise? Donna Reed actually does really well in the scene! I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Donna and Ray argue over his involvement with Ewing Oil, causing more of a rift than before. When Donna tells Miss Ellie that they’re bringing in a new well (what? It seemed as if they had completely dropped this), it looks as if Ray and Donna are gonna have more things to fight about. Meanwhile, Reed goes back to being a Robot (no big surprise there). Near the end of the episode, we see Ray at a bar, talking to a hoe. It brings back memories of Bonnie, and that’s not a bad thing. At least she’s a smart hoe because, when Clayton arrives, she quickly gets it and disappears. It’s a lovely little scene between Ray and Clayton: Clayton warns Ray that J.R. will revert to his nasty behavior once the fight for Ewing Oil is over but Ray doesn’t care, making it clear that his main concern is to protect Jock’s legacy.

Pam and Sue Ellen are flying to Hong Kong! I just don’t believe that the show is actually going to go to Hong Kong and am expecting some horrid “Oriental” hotel room with “Oriental” music. In the meantime, Pam tells Sue Ellen that she’s starting to have doubts about what she’s doing and admits that Bobby's not out of her mind (squeak!). When they arrive I realize that it is indeed an overseas shoot! Well, that’s more than I ever thought they would do. Sue Ellen goes on for the rest of the episode being a silly tourist while Pamela learns that the doctor can’t meet her just yet. There’s also this weird bit with a man from Waco who approaches Pam and Sue Ellen, wondering if they’re related to J.R. Sue Ellen goes back to being the fabulous bitch that she is, ignoring the man from Waco, and telling Pam he is a jerk. Well, that’s not what I saw, but if you say so Sue Ellen. It’s weird because I can’t tell if this is something that will come back later or if it was some random thing. We shall see.

Lucy makes her first of two (two! There’s a surprise right there) appearances at Southfork, along with Booger #2. I guess you gotta take it one family member at a time. Shockingly, Bitchy Betty shows up and reveals that she and Eddie have been sleeping together this whole time. It’s a really lovely scene (Miss Piggy’s acting notwithstanding) and Bitchy Betty is really impressive here. I really love her last line, where she tells Lucy she’s happy to see that rich girls hurt just as much as poor girls. It’s good to see that Dallas has not yet made the Ewings into Gods and the poor people into evil monsters. Eddie later stops by Southfork and Lucy slings mud at him, telling him he’s a nasty little pig that was just after her for her mud reservoirs. Eddie looks like he’s really sorry for what is going on, and I believe him. wonder if he’ll come back for another piece of the mudpie.

The thread that was started when Mandy suggested Cliff marry Jamie in order to control 2/3 of Ewing Oil is picked up again when Cliff meets with Jordan Lee, supposedly to mend fences with the Cartel. However, Lee is there clearly to point out to Cliff that he can’t completely trust Jamie; even if they win, what’s not to say she won’t choose family over him? To that end, Cliff decides to, I guess, marry Jamie, but she doesn’t know that yet. However, when she says she’s been craving Chinese, Kercheval gives one of his fabulous, over the top but not really, reactions and it’s hilarious. Does this mean he’s fallen in love with her already?

What’s left? Oh, yes, Jennuh. She and Bobby learn that the trial will take place in Dallas and are all very happy and now that nothing ever will come in their way again. Which means disaster will strike. And seeing as to Veronica is coming back to the US to testify on Jennuh's behalf, I expect the plane to explode. Nothing as dramatic happens but we do see Veronica falling out of a toilet, dead. It’s such a surprising move for DALLAS to do such a thing; we’re not accustomed to things like this at all. Maybe it’s the seven year itch.

DDD

[ronald mascot]

I really don't like it when shows start having too many "murders"- producers and writers might think it gives a show a jolt and is exciting, I actually think the opposite, especially when it's people we don't really know. Naldo was murdered, and now this person- and we have this really boring trial.

[Ray&Donna]

Pam and Sue Ellen are flying to Hong Kong! I just don’t believe that the show is actually going to go to Hong Kong and am expecting some horrid “Oriental” hotel room with “Oriental” music. In the meantime, Pam tells Sue Ellen that she’s starting to have doubts about what she’s doing and admits that Bobby's not out of her mind (squeak!). When they arrive I realize that it is indeed an overseas shoot! Well, that’s more than I ever thought they would do. Sue Ellen goes on for the rest of the episode being a silly tourist while Pamela learns that the doctor can’t meet her just yet. There’s also this weird bit with a man from Waco who approaches Pam and Sue Ellen, wondering if they’re related to J.R. Sue Ellen goes back to being the fabulous bitch that she is, ignoring the man from Waco, and telling Pam he is a jerk. Well, that’s not what I saw, but if you say so Sue Ellen. It’s weird because I can’t tell if this is something that will come back later or if it was some random thing. We shall see.

It's definitely an unusual and unexpected location shoot. Still not sure what I think about it.

Lucy makes her first of two (two! There’s a surprise right there) appearances at Southfork, along with Booger #2. I guess you gotta take it one family member at a time. Shockingly, Bitchy Betty shows up and reveals that she and Eddie have been sleeping together this whole time. It’s a really lovely scene (Miss Piggy’s acting notwithstanding) and Bitchy Betty is really impressive here. I really love her last line, where she tells Lucy she’s happy to see that rich girls hurt just as much as poor girls. It’s good to see that Dallas has not yet made the Ewings into Gods and the poor people into evil monsters. Eddie later stops by Southfork and Lucy slings mud at him, telling him he’s a nasty little pig that was just after her for her mud reservoirs. Eddie looks like he’s really sorry for what is going on, and I believe him. wonder if he’ll come back for another piece of the mudpie.

Oink!

What’s left? Oh, yes, Jennuh. She and Bobby learn that the trial will take place in Dallas and are all very happy and now that nothing ever will come in their way again. Which means disaster will strike. And seeing as to Veronica is coming back to the US to testify on Jennuh's behalf, I expect the plane to explode. Nothing as dramatic happens but we do see Veronica falling out of a toilet, dead. It’s such a surprising move for DALLAS to do such a thing; we’re not accustomed to things like this at all. Maybe it’s the seven year itch.

Definitely a form of the Mile High Club you don't want to join, LOL

[JROG]

EPISODE 22: DEAD ENDS

Interesting, if somewhat weird, episode. We start off with Bobby and Jenna at the police station, following Veronica's dramatic fall from bathroom. They soon find out that Veronica was pumped full of drugs, making it appear that she died from an overdose. Bobby, in his infinite wisdom and because of his experience as a police detective, is sure that Veronica was murdered. He and Demorest get their hands on the passenger lists they need and Bobby and Jenna track down a wonderful guest start who tells them he switched seats after a while because Veronica was being a damn annoying tremulous bitch (thus freeing the seat for da killer?). Jenna becomes depressed but thankfully we don’t see that. Pam’s decent to gaga land was enough for one show (although I would love to see that storyline now, since Principal seems to have already woken up once).

J.R. continues his seduction of Mandy. It’s hard to believe just how long this has been going on for. Make him for it, Mandy! So far I find it hard to understand why so many people have dubbed her the Winger Tramp. Mandy is so not that. Mandy agrees to date J.R. and it leads to a fantastically fun scene, when J.R. decides to take her to his usual restaurant. Cliff and Jamie are there, making peace with Jordan and Marilee. Marilee is decked in her campiest Travilla fashion yet, with strands of her hair placed on her hat(!), but it somehow completely works. Unlike the main ladies of the show, Marilee seems able to change anything and everything at will and it’s fine. Anyway, J.R. decides to go make trouble and Cliff deliciously bites back by insulting Mandy. Mandy slaps him, J.R. punches him, Cliff falls down, oh la la!

Meanwhile, J.R. continues to look into the Jason's past. Not that I remember all the details they mentioned but it all seems to fit in. This might be a retcon, but it’s done with as much respect to the already established backstory and one has to give credit to them for it. On top of that, he continues to hide Ewing Oil assets and being very happy about it. And on top of that we have a surprise appearance by the Sly Spy, who hugs J.R. (really? They were that close?) and tells him she’s ready to go back to work. Which is not a good thing once she hears she might have to work for Cliff again.

As for Cliff, it seems his main goal is to seduce Jamie. First he starts by giving her a check for a thousand dollars, then he calls her apartment a dump, throws in a few sexy-I-want-to-****-you looks, and voila! Miss Jamie Ewing seems to have taken the bait! They should have just resurrected Cliff/Sue Ellen; it’s still as strong as it always was.

NuEllie has her best moment yet, as she makes a one second close-up appearance and then disappears from the scene she is a part of.

Donna also only has one scene but, as per usual, it’s memorable, greatly acted, and poignant. She tracks Ray down while he’s having lunch. Tired of fighting, Ray has taken to avoiding his wife. Donna wants to understand why he would throw in with J.R. and it causes Ray to talk about his childhood and his reasons for fighting for Ewing Oil. This might be one of my favorite Ray scenes.

Another great scene surprisingly comes from The Piglet Diaries portion of this episode. Lucy is shockingly at the Southfork living room, which feels as strange as it could possibly feel after the terrible alienation she’s suffered, when Eddie comes over! I would have thought last episode was the end. Eddie thanks Lucy for paying off all the debts to the workers and then proceeds to tell her he knows how much he hurt her; he admits he wanted it all and gives a heart wrenching apology, hoping that Lucy will someday be able to forgive him. Lehne is chilling in this scene and I daresay we’ve rarely seen such a thing from many of our leads.

All the way in Hong Kong, Pamela and Sue Ellen continue to randomly walk through a foreign country while discussing their search for a dying man that could very well have been manipulated by an oil baron (as you do). Sue Ellen says vaguely racist/touristy things now and then, while looking throughout like David Bowie in Labyrinth. Principal looks more and more like a doll as she is told that Mark refused to see her. I love Pam’s use of the Ewing name, power and money in this episode in order to open doors for her. Sue Ellen's remark that she dare not say “no” is a genuinely funny moment. Sue Ellen and Pam are soon approached by someone who works at the clinic who will sneak them in to see Mark for a fee. When Pam sees the man, it’s not Mark and the lovely Principal cries and run off. Alas, it was all a set up from Mysterious Asian Man.

DDD

[Barbara Fan]

at the piglet diaries - poor juicy Lucy

and a one second close-up appearance is still one second too many for me

love David Bowie in Labyrinth comment re SE, it wasnt her best look whereas Pam in Hong kong just looks stunning and i had forgotten about Marilee and that hat!

Another great review JROG, cant wait to you get onto the s8/dream season - Thanks again for all your hard work

[ronald mascot]

Pam and Sue Ellen are the best thing about the episode- they are a very magnetic buddy-buddy twosome. They have great chemistry together, I think more than they used to. It's a shame we never got to see more of those kind of moments from them, they never really explored that in Season 10 when both were at Southfork together. At least I don't remember them doing so.

Eddie is so cute, the Lucy storyline is a bit wildering and you wonder what the point of it is. It kinda went nowhere but fills time.

[PAMANDBOBBYFOREVER]

JROG, another excellent review and I really can't wait for what you have to say for episodes like Swan Song.

[Ray&Donna]

EPISODE 22: DEAD ENDS

Interesting, if somewhat weird, episode. We start off with Bobby and Jenna at the police station, following Veronica's dramatic fall from bathroom. They soon find out that Veronica was pumped full of drugs, making it appear that she died from an overdose. Bobby, in his infinite wisdom and because of his experience as a police detective, is sure that Veronica was murdered.

Well, he did break up that Farraday drug ring thingy...sort of.

Marilee is decked in her campiest Travilla fashion yet, with strands of her hair placed on her hat(!), but it somehow completely works. Unlike the main ladies of the show, Marilee seems able to change anything and everything at will and it’s fine.

LOL! God, that's a classic DALLAS hat.

As for Cliff, it seems his main goal is to seduce Jamie. First he starts by giving her a check for a thousand dollars, then he calls her apartment a dump, throws in a few sexy-I-want-to-****-you looks, and voila! Miss Jamie Ewing seems to have taken the bait!

Oh, Cliff, that charmer.

Donna also only has one scene but, as per usual, it’s memorable, greatly acted, and poignant. She tracks Ray down while he’s having lunch. Tired of fighting, Ray has taken to avoiding his wife. Donna wants to understand why he would throw in with J.R. and it causes Ray to talk about his childhood and his reasons for fighting for Ewing Oil. This might be one of my favorite Ray scenes.

LOVE.

Another great scene surprisingly comes from The Piglet Diaries portion of this episode. Lucy is shockingly at the Southfork living room, which feels as strange as it could possibly feel after the terrible alienation she’s suffered, when Eddie comes over! I would have thought last episode was the end. Eddie thanks Lucy for paying off all the debts to the workers and then proceeds to tell her he knows how much he hurt her; he admits he wanted it all and gives a heart wrenching apology, hoping that Lucy will someday be able to forgive him. Lehne is chilling in this scene and I daresay we’ve rarely seen such a thing from many of our leads.

Poor Lucy; even her storyline seems to exist in a vacuum.

All the way in Hong Kong, Pamela and Sue Ellen continue to randomly walk through a foreign country while discussing their search for a dying man that could very well have been manipulated by an oil baron (as you do). Sue Ellen says vaguely racist/touristy things now and then, while looking throughout like David Bowie in Labyrinth.

LOL!

Principal looks more and more like a doll as she is told that Mark refused to see her. I love Pam’s use of the Ewing name, power and money in this episode in order to open doors for her. Sue Ellen's remark that she dare not say “no” is a genuinely funny moment. Sue Ellen and Pam are soon approached by someone who works at the clinic who will sneak them in to see Mark for a fee. When Pam sees the man, it’s not Mark and the lovely Principal cries and run off. Alas, it was all a set up from Mysterious Asian Man.

Yeah, I really need to rewatch this season. Great work JROG!

[JROG]

EPISODE 23: TRIAL AND ERROR

We start off right where we picked off: Pam runs out of the clinic and Sue Ellen quickly follows her through various Hong Kong streets. It still feels very shocking to see all this on the show; Pam and Sue Ellen really stick out but at least Pam gets to cry and be very beautiful once more. She and Sue Ellen discuss the possibility that J.R. is behind this trip once more, while showing off the city as much as possible (I guess you should get as much bang for your buck as possible). Somehow, it doesn’t feel like J.R. is behind this one. A later scene, in which J.R. discusses Jenna’s possible imprisonment with Sly, his newest confidant it seems, has J.R. thinking about how great it would be if Pam were to continue going around the world, looking for Mark. It’s played with such a sense of villainous realization that it can’t possibly be J.R… Unless he’s just really happy about what he’s done. In any case, Pam doesn’t feel that J.R. is behind this either.

Cliff is sporting a big ole bruise right where J.R. hit him. He continues his sneaky little ways when Pam calls and he tells her there’s nothing at home that warrants her attention, even though he’s looking at a front page announcement of Jenna’s trial. Later on, he’s in his office, when Jamie stops by with Chinese food, which apparently unlocks the door to Cliff’s heart. They’ve overdone it with the Chinese food joke but I guess a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

The best stuff once again comes from Ray and Donna. Ray comes home drunk, having found out about Donna's oil strike by some other man. Kanaly is really great here, as he vocalizes the whole extent of his inferiority complex (if that’s not a way too simplified way of putting it). There’s a nice detail at the end, when Donna's eye falls on a picture of her and Ray in happier times. It’s very clear that things are shit now. Ray later opens up to Clayton and, the next day, Donna goes to the main house to shockingly announce that she’s moving out of the house because she refuses to change who she is for Ray. NuEllie decides she has to justify her check somehow, so she suggests that Donna stay there. In all honesty, any rational person would realize that Donna's stay at the main house could possibly make things worse but we are in a soap opera after all.

Mandy is ready to call it quits with J.R. following his fight with Cliff, but J.R. convinces her to give it some time. Mandy makes a horrid little speech about how J.R. and Sue Ellen are in institution and I have to wonder how the hell does she know that? Does she watch the show as well? This is the type of comment you’d expect to see on DYNASTY.

By the way, I thought the score for this episode was great. Melodramatic, for sure, but quite nice.

Jenna’s trial starts. I’m usually all for soap opera trials but this one is not too interesting. Perhaps a bit boring. It seems that the guest players (the prosecutor, Jenna’s lawyer, the witnesses) are the ones who have to carry the dramatic weight of the story and that seems a bit of a fail to me. However, it is nice to see how all the little details we saw throughout countless episodes are coming into play and it was fun to watch Bobby be subpoenaed and forced to testify. Then again, the most interesting part of the trial scenes was the fact that Lucy was there as well! Say what? That trial came with a big ole slice of Pigpie? Later, Veronica's sister calls to say she received a letter and that she’s terrified and she won’t testify. Bitch, shut up.

In the last scene, Pam and Sue Ellen are in the plane. Pam is predictably touching as she realizes that Mark is really gone. But, no! Their exit has been witnessed by Mysterious & Somewhat Stereotypical Asian Man, who calls someone and tells him to tell someone else that Pam is gone. It’s all so exciting!

DDD

[PAMANDBOBBYFOREVER]

Great review, although starting to show how the dream affects this because we never find out who sent Pam to HK. (Once Pam wakes up)

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2

[Matthew Blaisdel]

You just missed a very good chance to shut up...

[SnarkyOracle!]

EPISODE 23: TRIAL AND ERROR

Mandy makes a horrid little speech about how J.R. and Sue Ellen are in institution and I have to wonder how the hell does she know that? Does she watch the show as well? This is the type of comment you’d expect to see on DYNASTY.

That's it precisely. It's one line but an awful one. If only she'd said, "From what I hear, you and Sue Ellen are an institution," it might not have been so bad. But as written, it sounds like Mandy just got the DVDs off of Amazon.

[Ray&Donna]

EPISODE 23: TRIAL AND ERROR

We start off right where we picked off: Pam runs out of the clinic and Sue Ellen quickly follows her through various Hong Kong streets. It still feels very shocking to see all this on the show; Pam and Sue Ellen really stick out but at least Pam gets to cry and be very beautiful once more.

The best stuff once again comes from Ray and Donna. Ray comes home drunk, having found out about Donna's oil strike by some other man. Kanaly is really great here, as he vocalizes the whole extent of his inferiority complex (if that’s not a way too simplified way of putting it). There’s a nice detail at the end, when Donna's eye falls on a picture of her and Ray in happier times. It’s very clear that things are shit now. Ray later opens up to Clayton and, the next day, Donna goes to the main house to shockingly announce that she’s moving out of the house because she refuses to change who she is for Ray. NuEllie decides she has to justify her check somehow, so she suggests that Donna stay there. In all honesty, any rational person would realize that Donna's stay at the main house could possibly make things worse but we are in a soap opera after all.

The wedding photo of Ray and Donna is kind of amusing in how it moves throughout the sets over the years. I've now spotted it in at least three different places. And story-wise Donna is getting ready to be the only lucid gal left at Southfork.

Mandy is ready to call it quits with J.R. following his fight with Cliff, but J.R. convinces her to give it some time. Mandy makes a horrid little speech about how J.R. and Sue Ellen are in institution and I have to wonder how the hell does she know that? Does she watch the show as well? This is the type of comment you’d expect to see on DYNASTY.

Yes.

Jenna’s trial starts. I’m usually all for soap opera trials but this one is not too interesting. Perhaps a bit boring. It seems that the guest players (the prosecutor, Jenna’s lawyer, the witnesses) are the ones who have to carry the dramatic weight of the story and that seems a bit of a fail to me.

I guess the ultimate problem is that we already know she's innocent, right? It's a bit like every trial happening on Y&R these days.

Then again, the most interesting part of the trial scenes was the fact that Lucy was there as well! Say what? That trial came with a big ole slice of Pigpie?

I have tears from laughing so much.

Later, Veronica's sister calls to say she received a letter and that she’s terrified and she won’t testify. Bitch, shut up.

Ditto.

In the last scene, Pam and Sue Ellen are in the plane. Pam is predictably touching as she realizes that Mark is really gone. But, no! Their exit has been witnessed by Mysterious & Somewhat Stereotypical Asian Man, who calls someone and tells him to tell someone else that Pam is gone. It’s all so exciting!

LOL! This season is winding down quick.

[Pam's Twin Sister]

JROG, I wish you could write the reviews for the new Dallas!! Piglet has become Biglet!! And I wonder how you would call the new characters...

(I´d call the megavillain "Marta del Bitch")