What more would you like Miss Ellie to do?

[Jock Ewing Fan]

Jock did somewhat take responsibility for JR when he told Bobby, “maybe it is my fault. I taught JR everything he knows. But I never taught him when to stop.” But JR is a full grown man. You can’t continue to blame your parents when you’re doing bad deeds in your 40’s. He treated his wife like crap. Was that Jock’s and Mill Ellie’s fault too? He got involved with a terrorist which could have started WW3. That’s Jock’s and Miss Ellie’s fault too.

As for Miss Ellie. She even admitted that she let JR go too soon. She also said that JR and Bobby was more Jock’s and Gary was hers. She also told Jock that “you might have loved Gary, but you never cared for him.” You get on Miss Ellie about not caring for JR, which isn’t true, but what about Jock seemingly not giving a damn about Gary?

You are correct that Jock and Ellie can't be responsible for some of these specific actions by JR, but they do have to be accountable for
his psychological development which resulted from their parenting choices.

JR's treatment of Sue Ellen and his multiple affairs would seem to be the result of a man who was denied parental affection and approval,
which changes the a person's psychological development. I think that a psychologist would find that these factors change who a person is and becomes.

Jock's treatment of Gary was not so great either, I agree. I still think there is a lot to be explained about how Gary and Valene
became estranged from Lucy. Where was Miss Ellie's maternal care for Gary then?


The only times I thought that Miss Ellie cared about JR was the two that he was shot.
I still think Miss Ellie was a self-righteous hypocrite who ignored multiple bad deeds by Jock and JR as long
as she could continue her life of wealth and privilege.

Again, you make valid points. I think that there are more layers to the analysis.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

I agree with everything you said, but the part that Clayton was an outsider. Is Miss Ellie never supposed to re-marry?

Not a question of she can't remarry.
She married a major nemesis of her eldest son, not caring at all about his feelings.

This was a man who
Gave shelter to his runaway wife, her lover and his son.
Was prepared to propose marriage to Sue Ellen
Threw a cheap punch at JR at his wedding to Sue Ellen
Tried to physically attack JR when he remarked that Clayton was acting like a
jealous suitor - first his wife then his mother.

I can't imagine a mother who can be so callous toward her own son,
who despite his flaws, is still her son.

For bonus points, she cluelessly gives half of Southfork to Clayton.
JR was right to be outraged.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

I agreed with JR when he referred to Clayton as an outsider. Because he was.

Oh, heck. JR called everybody an outsider.

 

[Chris2]

Hell, JR didn’t even want insiders like Gary and Ray around. He would have been happy with just his mama and daddy, wife and son, and brother Bobby.

 

[lbf522]

I liked the idea of Ellie remaining widowed. The thing with Clayton was that he did not belong there and should have kept the Southern Cross. As for JR and Clayton, Clayton earned JR's dislike.

 

[Billy Wall]

As for JR and Clayton, Clayton earned JR's dislike.

Why, because Clayton was someone he couldn’t push around? JR counted on Sue Ellen being weak and couldn’t make it on her own and would come crawling back to Southfork. All Clayton did was take his sons girlfriend and her child in.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

When they were talking about doing a DALLAS theatrical film about 20 years ago, David Jacobs said something about Miss Ellie perhaps having her own TV show, like a talk show of some sort. (Well, it was good enough for KNOTS LANDING).

I've said before that I think that would have been a fresh and unusual idea for the 89/90 season: the tanker oil spill scandal rages, so JR goes on The Roy Ralston Show for publicity damage control purposes, and he winds up asking his mama to tag along, confident her warmth and folksy manner will help win over the audience. She's such a hit that she and JR make another appearance or two over several weeks, and then the local station asks Ellie if she'd like to host the show -- at least temporarily -- now that Ralston has signed to (finally) do a nationally syndicated show.

Predictably, JR is enthusiastic, Bobby is patronizing, Clayton is instinctively worried, and Miss Ellie dithers before feeling she can say "yes."

And that's when the trouble starts... Ellie has on celebrity guests, presents her favorite recipes, makes little witty jokes, and offers pithy words of wisdom, all to considerable approval. But when she begins waxing on about environmental topics and liberal political issues, the Dallas cartel (at least the ones Lady Jessica hasn't axe-murdered yet) are horrified. As is JR, who realizes that studio and broadcast audiences may adore Miss Ellie's Kitchen, but her appearances are doing more harm than good, burying the Ewings with the local oil community.

So JR, ever the dutiful and supportive son, has to do something decisive to sabotage her new media career as quickly as possible.


"No, no, don't kill her... Just make sure she shuts up fer a while..."

 

[the-lost-son]

Dallas' success was its unique concept - all these millionaires living under one roof with Mama around to keep the villain from running wild. That's why Miss Ellie's role was so essential during the show's heyday.

During the last 4-5 years the structure changed. The "boys" growing older and their offspring taking a more prominent role. In the end this beloved and once vital character of Ellie became boring and superfluous.

Gary Ewing is the most obvious choice for any storylines.

Personally I would have changed the business focus away of Ewing Oil towards Southfork and its ranching.
Dallas gave me so much insight in the fascinating world of the oil business (offshore drilling, drillbits, refineries etc.).

I would have loved more ranching business maybe a new feud with Southfork and the new owners of the Southern Cross. I'm sure there are many fascinating aspects to be told.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Dallas' success was its unique concept - all these millionaires living under one roof with Mama around to keep the villain from running wild. That's why Miss Ellie's role was so essential during the show's heyday.

During the last 4-5 years the structure changed. The "boys" growing older and their offspring taking a more prominent role. In the end this beloved and once vital character of Ellie became boring and superfluous.

Gary Ewing is the most obvious choice for any storylines.

Personally I would have changed the business focus away of Ewing Oil towards Southfork and its ranching.
Dallas gave me so much insight in the fascinating world of the oil business (offshore drilling, drillbits, refineries etc.).

I would have loved more ranching business maybe a new feud with Southfork and the new owners of the Southern Cross. I'm sure there are many fascinating aspects to be told.

More Southfork (yes!) and less Miss Ellie?

I agree the character became boring and superfluous (as did the show itself) but that was due to the writing for her.

 

[the-lost-son]

More Southfork (yes!) and less Miss Ellie?

I agree the character became boring and superfluous (as did the show itself) but that was due to the writing for her.

No, Southfork and Miss Ellie are inseperable (making her absence in the last season gard to take).

Miss Ellie was superfluous because the focus of the last years was reduced to JR's/Bobby's love life and the leftovers of Ewing Oil. Of course, it always comes down to the writing.

More ranching storylines, business rivalries regarding cattle or another Takapa project might have given Ellie/Clayton (even Ray maybe) somethibg to do. In the end Southfirk just was the Ewings' residence and not the biggest asset JR used as collateral once.

 

[Chris2]

I’ve said this before: the character of Clayton Farlow should have been written as much more of a direct business rival to JR and Bobby. It would have livened up his marriage to Miss Ellie and made for more lively pre dinner conversations in the living room. As it was, Clayton was pretty much neutered when he married Ellie, and spent his spare time doing crossword puzzles with her or flirting with dull English girls.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

I think she should've made pancakes rather than just her famous chilli con carne all the time.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

I feel there's some Dallas vs. Knots mudslinging going here!

What makes you think that?

We all know that Knots Landing was crap anyway!

Dallas was a far superior show, better writers, better actors, better sets, better everything really!

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

I know DALLAS did better by avoiding holidays or pop-culture references, but I do wish they'd let Ellie and Clayton dress up as their true selves at least once --- smells like 1989....

We all know that Knots Landing was crap anyway!

Dallas was a far superior show, better writers, better actors, better sets, better everything really!

Noooooooooooooooo!!

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

I’ve said this before: the character of Clayton Farlow should have been written as much more of a direct business rival to JR and Bobby. It would have livened up his marriage to Miss Ellie and made for more lively pre dinner conversations in the living room. As it was, Clayton was pretty much neutered when he married Ellie, and spent his spare time doing crossword puzzles with her or flirting with dull English girls.

Your idea is quite interesting, and it would have created some great story ideas

 

[DallasFanForever]

I think something they should’ve considered was having Clayton keep all of his financial holdings long after they were married and Miss Ellie getting more involved in his companies. This would’ve caused the boys to question her loyalty to their daddy’s company and put her right in the middle. I guess it could even cause problems between Clayton and Dusty and Miss Ellie and Dusty, and perhaps even more animosity between JR and Dusty. I would’ve preferred this in the later years to Murder, Ellie Wrote.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

And they could have investigated Ellie's and Mavis' ... relationship.

Larry jokingly said Miss Ellie should get hooked on cocaine and have an affair with her chauffeur. So I'm guessing she was less demure between the sheets than her public demeanor might suggest.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

And they could have investigated Ellie's and Mavis' ... relationship.

Larry jokingly said Miss Ellie should get hooked on cocaine and have an affair with her chauffeur. So I'm guessing she was less demure between the sheets than her public demeanor might suggest.

Miss Ellie should've ran off with Wes Parmalee.

On her return to Southfork she should've marched into the living room with Wes & showed everyone her new wedding ring!

Clayton would've been beside himself! Ellie would've turned to Clayton and said "I want you off the ranch, Clayton. Our marriage is over!"

It would've left everyone gobsmacked. But the biggest revelation would come at the episodes end.

"JR, Bobby. Your Daddy and I are taking a little trip to the Ewing building tomorrow. A deal has come up and your Daddy needs to finalise it."

"Oh!" JR says.

"I've just acquired 10% of WestStar," Jock says. "That idiot Wendell thought he was gonna use me to break the Ewing family, well I'm gonna tie his company in knots by the time I've finished with him! JR, Bobby I'm gonna need both of you in on this deal with me."

JR nods at Jock and reaches out to shake his hand. "Welcome back Daddy."

 

[Billy Wall]

Miss Ellie should've ran off with Wes Parmalee.

On her return to Southfork she should've marched into the living room with Wes & showed everyone her new wedding ring!

Clayton would've been beside himself! Ellie would've turned to Clayton and said "I want you off the ranch, Clayton. Our marriage is over!"

It would've left everyone gobsmacked. But the biggest revelation would come at the episodes end.

"JR, Bobby. Your Daddy and I are taking a little trip to the Ewing building tomorrow. A deal has come up and your Daddy needs to finalise it."

"Oh!" JR says.

"I've just acquired 10% of WestStar," Jock says. "That idiot Wendell thought he was gonna use me to break the Ewing family, well I'm gonna tie his company in knots by the time I've finished with him! JR, Bobby I'm gonna need both of you in on this deal with me."

JR nods at Jock and reaches out to shake his hand. "Welcome back Daddy."

And then Clayton wakes up to find Miss Ellie in the shower. Lol

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

And then Clayton wakes up to find Miss Ellie in the shower. Lol

You've been watching too much of the dream season.

I also recommend increasing your medication, it's obviously not strong enough!