Episode 6- The Enemy of my Enemy - Official Discussion

[SteveW]

The rewriting of the ‘mineral rights’ issue notwithstanding, this was another excellent episode. Indeed it was great to see Gray back on screen, but what was most revealing is proof that Josh Henderson can carry an episode (almost) without Hagman. The fact that Henderson can command the viewer’s attention in such a relatively short time is quite an accomplishment. The ‘test’ by JR is also one by writers who cannot rely on Hagman to ensure the show’s longevity. I also have a sneaking suspicion that Pileggi is being groomed as the show’s elder villain should Hagman have to finally lay down his Stetson for good.

As far as Henderson’s portrayal is concerned, I also chuckled at his exasperated ‘What now?’ when the self righteous father and son team confronted him at the end of the episode. He may not yet possess the charm of his daddy, but like his old man did in the classic series, I am beginning to root for him if only to frustrate the (dubious) moral posturing of Bobby.

If the mineral rights dispute had been a plausible plot twist (and it will be to those new to the show) my rating would have been B+. The writers have a vast resource at their disposal with the online die hard fans to ensure they get their facts correct. I would hope that they use it for Season 2. A succession of blunders on this scale could alienate permanently some long standing fans of the show.

Excellent points.

[Christine]

Correct. But it is on the DVD

But I bought a special edition.
4/5 episodes on one disc for one Euro.
So back then when the mini series/season 1 was released on DVD it cost around 30 Euros, I think?
And I bought the mini series + season 1 for 5 Euros.
The missing episodes are not on them.

Originally I bought these DVDs "just for fun", didn't think I would ever watch them. But then I watched 2 episodes and was hooked.
I did watch Dallas back in the 80s but didn't think I'd ever watch again.

[MargaretKrebbs]

I was disappointed in Sue Ellen's presence on the show last night. She is still not integrated into the show well. Nothing she did really affected anything- it seems

Sue Ellen actually had the opportunity to really be part of the action, but instead of reading her really well written dialogue with a bit of sarcasm and revelation that she knows how politics work dirty, she delivered these lines, in both her John Ross and Harris Ryland scenes, like a naive Pollyanna. That is why she left the impression of not really affecting anything, when really she did. She is now beholden in a dangerous way, to Ryland, and that dis sure to cause trouble for all the Ewings. But she was an easy push over. I wanted her to negotiate more, to show some moxy and politcal savvy, not act like many other real-life US female politicians.

But that Marta/Valerie is smoking hot! She should have been cast as Elena or Rebecca...I don't want her to turn into a spurned vixen with a gun and yet I do as long as she hangs around for a while.

[Lovely Linda]

Sue Ellen actually had the opportunity to really be part of the action, but instead of reading her really well written dialogue with a bit of sarcasm and revelation that she knows how politics work dirty, she delivered these lines, in both her John Ross and Harris Ryland scenes, like a naive Pollyanna.

That sums up my impression as well. But if they'd wanted her to go through her dialogues with a different attitude, they easily could have made her do this. She's not that bad an actress after all!

[Canyon340]

This show really does have such a hovering '90s vibe to it. I think the (somewhat derivative) music score has something to do with it.

I also like the location shooting done in the fall.

The old DALLAS was always high noon in mid-summer (except the 1978 miniseries, which of course was mid-to-late winter) and the show could have benefitted from some seasonal variety, especially in the later years.

Absolutely. The twilight and autumnal photography of SF is quite beautiful.

[Lovely Linda]

Absolutely. The twilight and autumnal photography of SF is quite beautiful.

But September/October should still be warm enough for outside breakfast, BBQ, Rodeo and pool fights!

[ronald mascot]

That sums up my impression as well. But if they'd wanted her to go through her dialogues with a different attitude, they easily could have made her do this. She's not that bad an actress after all!

I think like the two of you- the one line that something like "I don't want to start down that road..." it just seemed she seemed a bit unaware of how politics works- people keep saying she is powerful but she appeared POWERLESS more than powerful in both scenes. I think many of us have assumed she has ruthlessly struggled to where she is now- but the way those scenes were written, it doesn't seem to be the case. It was more Karen McKenzie than Abby Cunningham.

[Lovely Linda]

It was more Karen McKenzie than Abby Cunningham.

LOL. She definitely needs more Sable Colby, too

[MargaretKrebbs]

I think I figured out my "Sue Ellen" problem. Her wardrobe is all wrong for her characterization and if they can't get the clothes right, then how will they get the character?

If Sue Ellen is supposed to be running for governor, then why does she dress like a "Real Housewives of Dallas" participant? Don't get me wrong, I think she looks great in her sexy red dresses with her big flashy earrings and her spiky high heel boots driving around in her white Porsche. But that wardrobe is totally wrong for a serious candidate for governor. She can still dress sexy, and even dress in red and show off her figure, but maybe she should be dressed in more suitable business attire.

I like the character and I do think Linda Gray is a better actress than we've seen so far on TNT Dallas.

[Luke]

I think I figured out my "Sue Ellen" problem. Her wardrobe is all wrong for her characterization and if they can't get the clothes right, then how will they get the character?

If Sue Ellen is supposed to be running for governor, then why does she dress like a "Real Housewives of Dallas" participant? Don't get me wrong, I think she looks great in her sexy red dresses with her big flashy earrings and her spiky high heel boots driving around in her white Porsche. But that wardrobe is totally wrong for a serious candidate for governor. She can still dress sexy, and even dress in red and show off her figure, but maybe she should be dressed in more suitable business attire.

I like the character and I do think Linda Gray is a better actress than we've seen so far on TNT Dallas.

I agree Margaret, there is a real disconnect between Gray and the Sue Ellen she is putting forward. I do love Gray, but I think she really needed to take herself to lunch a few more times...

Linda maintains in every interview that 'people change in 20 years'. Really... Some do for sure, but my exprience is most don't change really that much. Sue Ellen already went through a life time of changes between 1978's brunette on the couch and the movie maker/panty creator she was when she left the show in the late 80's.

The problem is Gray did not return to a changed Sue Ellen, Gray came back as an almost unrecognizable character we have not really seen before. Bobby is still Bobby, J.R is still J.R but Sue Ellen is more the 2012 version of who Pam might have become....

[SteveW]

I think like the two of you- the one line that something like "I don't want to start down that road..." it just seemed she seemed a bit unaware of how politics works- people keep saying she is powerful but she appeared POWERLESS more than powerful in both scenes. I think many of us have assumed she has ruthlessly struggled to where she is now- but the way those scenes were written, it doesn't seem to be the case. It was more Karen McKenzie than Abby Cunningham.

you are 100% right - I know politicians who are polite and all - don't have to come off all JR - but she comes off whimpy - she should have said to Ryland "I need you to do me a favor." Point blank - he gets the point - she'll be nice to me in the future. She went with her hat in her hand. Bad play.

[CarlD]

But September/October should still be warm enough for outside breakfast, BBQ, Rodeo and pool fights!

True, it is usually in the 90s for much of Sept, Oct in the 80's.

This is only season 1, maybe they'll work breakfast scenes by the pool, heck, even on the patio !!, for season 2.

[Barbara Fan]

Absolutely. The twilight and autumnal photography of SF is quite beautiful.

I remember a poster and local Dallas guy called Blondboy posted photos of SF at Xmas and in the snow and springtime
it looked so pretty
looks lovely in the fall too

[CarlD]

I remember a poster and local Dallas guy called Blondboy posted photos of SF at Xmas and in the snow and springtime
it looked so pretty
looks lovely in the fall too

I always want to drive out to SF when it snows or ices to take pics, but afraid I'll wreck my car !!

Late Oct is sooo nice here, after a long hot summer. I compare it to how northerners look at April, after a long winter.

[Daniel Avery]

Maybe her wardrobe and the whole feeling that she isn't really suitable governor material is a subtle way of the writing team letting us know she can't win the election. After all, if she wins, she has to pack up and leave for Austin, and we will see even less of her (if we see her at all). Keeping her in town and on the show practically necessitates her losing the election.

On Knots Landing, Greg Sumner made a splash as the up-and-coming Senatorial candidate, and much of his draw was the power he was soon to wield as a Senator. He won the election, but stepped down almost immediately to run his (late) father's corporation. It allowed him to still be powerful and influential, but most of all this plot twist allowed him to stay in SoCal rather than move to Washington DC. So perhaps they can find her something influential and powerful to do (like a major stake in the family business) to keep her from heading off to Austin.

[Barbara Fan]

I always want to drive out to SF when it snows or ices to take pics, but afraid I'll wreck my car !!

Late Oct is sooo nice here, after a long hot summer. I compare it to how northerners look at April, after a long winter.

if you wreck your car, we will all chip in or I will pay Tessie to go (in chocolate)

i looked for Blonboys photos - but they are no longer on his threads which is a pity as it was beautiful

[ronald mascot]

Maybe her wardrobe and the whole feeling that she isn't really suitable governor material is a subtle way of the writing team letting us know she can't win the election. After all, if she wins, she has to pack up and leave for Austin, and we will see even less of her (if we see her at all). Keeping her in town and on the show practically necessitates her losing the election.

On Knots Landing, Greg Sumner made a splash as the up-and-coming Senatorial candidate, and much of his draw was the power he was soon to wield as a Senator. He won the election, but stepped down almost immediately to run his (late) father's corporation. It allowed him to still be powerful and influential, but most of all this plot twist allowed him to stay in SoCal rather than move to Washington DC. So perhaps they can find her something influential and powerful to do (like a major stake in the family business) to keep her from heading off to Austin.

True, but it possible she might win just long enough to cast some sort of pivotal decision, like Bobby, who won the Senate seat and immediately proceeded to cast votes on Takapa and JR's involvement in the foreign overthrow- after that, he promptly resigned. Since they have been developing the idea and this show was years, I wonder if the idea came because of Sarah Palin and her popularity and that provided the impetus for plot. It's hard to know.

[ewingreviewing]

Hey we discuss the dreaded Mineral Rights in the Ewing Reviewing podcast which you can get to by following the Dallas Podcast link at the top of the page. I can't believe the writers got it wrong!