Dallas Random Thought Thread

[Miss Texas 1967]

Used the new AI to write a fictional story about a Ewing Christmas and I particularly chuckled at the bolded part.

It was the most wonderful time of the year, and the Ewing household was bustling with excitement. JR and Sue Ellen were busy hanging up decorations and preparing for the annual Ewing family Christmas party.

As they worked, they couldn't help but reminisce about Christmases past. They remembered the year that Bobby surprised them all with a live reindeer, and the time that Lucy's boyfriend showed up dressed as Santa Claus.

But this year, things were different. Sue Ellen had finally found the strength to leave JR and his philandering ways, and she was determined to make this Christmas special for her and her children.

JR, on the other hand, was feeling particularly bitter. He couldn't stand the thought of spending the holidays without his family, and he was determined to win Sue Ellen back.

As the party got underway, tensions between JR and Sue Ellen were high. They bickered and snapped at each other, but underneath it all, there was a glimmer of the love they once shared.

As the night wore on, Sue Ellen found herself feeling more and more drawn to JR. She couldn't deny the spark that still existed between them, and before she knew it, they were dancing together under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.

JR whispered sweet nothings in her ear, promising to be a better man and to always put her and their children first. Sue Ellen felt her heart melting, and she knew that she couldn't resist him any longer.

As they embraced, they both knew that they had finally found their way back to each other, and that this would be the best Christmas ever.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

When Jock Ewing was in the service during WW2, who ran the oil business?

Some possibilities.

Mr. Anderson - highly likely, except as an able bodied male, he would have also served.

Aaron Southworth - quite possible, keeping it in the family.

Sam Culver - if he was not in the service, he could have represented Jock and made all necessary decisions.Jason Ewing - What if Jason ran the company and parted with Jock on bad terms, from ripping off the company? It was never mentioned by Jamie or Jack, but it would affirm JR's distrust of Jamie. (Assuming JR knew of Jason)

Digger - doubtful, but what if Digger became sober, ran the company well, and then when Jock came back, Digger was completely cut out?
That could have really inflamed the Barnes-Ewing feud, with a despondent Digger collapsing back into the bottle.

Members of the Cartel - Assuming they were not in the service

combination Jason/Digger - see above.

Again no references in the series, but who was running the oil business?

 

[Mustard]

You know, that is an interesting possibility. Gary is quite unlike his brothers, is an alcoholic. Maybe while Jock was cavorting with Margaret during the war, Ellie was renewing her acquaintance with Digger.

The difference in Gary's personality is far more easily explained by Jock being at war in Gary's early years and taking time to come home properly. It also explains the difference in Gary and J.R.'s different relationships with Jock. Young Gary spends a lot of time with his kind mother, and then in comes the more distant harsh father, while young J.R. was already dreaming of Ewing Oil and taking over from the father that he idolized.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

The difference in Gary's personality is far more easily explained by Jock being at war in Gary's early years and taking time to come home properly. It also explains the difference in Gary and J.R.'s different relationships with Jock. Young Gary spends a lot of time with his kind mother, and then in comes the more distant harsh father, while young J.R. was already dreaming of Ewing Oil and taking over from the father that he idolized.

Gary just takes after his Mother.

He wasn't interested in Ewing Oil, he loved the land and Southfork more.

It's quite plain to see that he held Southfork in high regard and with great affection.

 

[Billy Wall]

For two supposedly alpha males, JR and Bobby had to be treated like little kids at time. Just saw the scene where Miss Ellie had to assure her adult son Bobby that “no one will ever take your father’s place” after he was in his feelings about her and Frank Crutcher.

That scene kind of harkens back to the first episode of the Brady Bunch where Mike tells Bobby, “don’t ever forget your mother” after he took her picture down because he thought his step mom would have a problem with it.

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

I wonder if Pam was ever able to get her tennis game up to where she could beat her rival Millicent Lawson - perhaps by the time she was running Mark Graison and his bum leg all over the court

(Pam seen above waiting for Bobby to get to the car to drive them out to the Braddock Racquet Club for a couple of sets of mixed doubles.)

 

[Snowcat]

Which is why, given the amount of time that had passed, I don't think his portrayal in Dallas TNT was all that much of a stretch.

Yeah but Cliff started to mellow towards the Ewing family, except JR. I also like the way Cliff didn’t let his hatred of JR consume him in the movies. Maybe more transpired between then & the reboot. But Cliff wanted a child so badly. It was sad to see him do that to his daughter.

The difference in Gary's personality is far more easily explained by Jock being at war in Gary's early years and taking time to come home properly. It also explains the difference in Gary and J.R.'s different relationships with Jock. Young Gary spends a lot of time with his kind mother, and then in comes the more distant harsh father, while young J.R. was already dreaming of Ewing Oil and taking over from the father that he idolized.

I completely agree. JR & Jock were bonded. Gary had a more sensitive personality. I could see Miss Ellie becoming protective of Gary

 

[Billy Wall]

I’ve done quite a few re-watches over the years. One thing that sticks out is Bobby being JR’s biggest enabler. I don’t know how many times he told different people that “it wasn’t entirely JR’s fault.”

 

[Lastkidpicked]

I’ve done quite a few re-watches over the years. One thing that sticks out is Bobby being JR’s biggest enabler. I don’t know how many times he told different people that “it wasn’t entirely JR’s fault.”

And this comes back to hurt Bobby. Most notably in The Venezuelan Connection.

Bobby had a shipment of crude coming in from Venezuela. The ship sinks, along with Bobby's oil. Come to find out, the ship itself was insured, but Bobby's oil was not insured and Bobby pre-paid $18 million for it and is now out that money.

Side note: Miss Ellie asks Jock to help Bobby with this crisis, which will definitely affect the health of Ewing Oil. Jock refuses, saying that since Bobby insists on doing things himself, he can go through this oil spill by himself. Jock even states that if Bobby can't handle it, then the wrong Ewing boy is in charge at Ewing Oil.

Bobby is smarter than J.R. gives him credit for, and figures out what happened. J.R. and Sally Bullock stole Bobby's oil. They then over insured the tanker, which was empty, and sank it. So J.R. collected on selling the oil he stole from Bobby and also collected insurance money for the tanker. J.R. made millions by stealing from Bobby (and stealing from Ewing Oil, as that is who really owned the crude).

Once Bobby discovers this, what does he do? He tells J.R. "I covered your tracks for you so that the name Ewing Oil wouldn't get dragged through the mud."
WHAT?
Why not let J.R. be exposed, allow Jock to see what was going on, and then let the chips fall where they may. Instead, Bobby covers for J.R. and allows Jock to think that Bobby is the weaker son.

Not smart, Bobby.

 

[Billy Wall]

Bobby should have fired that foreman who called JR about reopening Ewing 23 as soon as he got into the office.

People like him are the reason why it’s best to hire your own people when you takeover power.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

Bobby should have fired that foreman who called JR about reopening Ewing 23 as soon as he got into the office.

People like him are the reason why it’s best to hire your own people when you takeover power.

Let's just be thankful that it wasn't Wes Parmalee!

 

[Billy Wall]

Count this as a continuity issue:

S4 E6: Venezuelan Connection. Jock and Ray runs into Punk Anderson and both strongly implies that this is the first time they saw each other in a very long time. Even though Jock was with Punk the night JR got shot.

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

when did JR stop having roast beef on rye every day for lunch? Maybe he went fancy after Julie Grey met her untimely demise.

Bobby should have fired that foreman who called JR about reopening Ewing 23 as soon as he got into the office.

People like him are the reason why it’s best to hire your own people when you takeover power.

was that Harry Owens or someone else? I remember an exasperated Harry saying something like “I wish these Ewing brothers would just get together!”

 

[Billy Wall]

was that Harry Owens or someone else? I remember an exasperated Harry saying something like “I wish these Ewing brothers would just get together!”

That was him. Bobby made it clear that he was in charge and as soon as he got off the phone with Bobby, he calls JR. And then JR uses that info to create tension between Bobby and Jock.

 

[Jon Ewing Jr.]

when did JR stop having roast beef on rye every day for lunch? Maybe he went fancy after Julie Grey met her untimely demise.

J.R. was partial to roast beef for sure. One time when he was having lunch with Mrs. Ellie he ordered the "Roast Beef Platter".

 

[Lastkidpicked]

When did JR stop having roast beef on rye every day for lunch? Maybe he went fancy after Julie Grey met her untimely demise.

These daily habits were important plot points back before cell phones and tracking apps. If you knew a person's routine, you could find them when you needed them.

There is a fun exchange when J.R. Ewing is waiting at Carter Mckay's usual table at the Cattleman's Club. Carter says,

"I'm touched that you remember I eat here Thursdays. I give you credit for not pretending this is an accidental meeting."

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

how the hell did a hard-working, simple-living cowboy like Ray Krebbs get so damn good at racquetball?

(said in Jock’s voice)

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

how the hell did a hard-working, simple-living cowboy like Ray Krebbs get so damn good at racquetball?

(said in Jock’s voice)

These early episodes I feel like they might've actually had the actors playing the game to work up a sweat lol. Otherwise real attention to detail there

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

how the hell did a hard-working, simple-living cowboy like Ray Krebbs get so damn good at racquetball?

(said in Jock’s voice)

I think it's so he can show JR that he can use a racquet as well as knives and forks!

 

[Seaviewer]

I find it odd that the woman that Jason met and married in The Early Years was never named.
I presume she was Nancy Shaw, the future mother of Jack and Jamie, but it would not have been difficult to make this explicit in the dialogue.