I just finished the first episode of Dallas

[JROG]

DALLAS is great if you enjoy it for what it is, but if you're going to look for DYNASTY in DALLAS...well, personally I don't think it was there (or vice versa), despite the similar plotlines.

Absolutely. Yes, they're both soaps about families in the oil business. Yes, there are some similarities in character archetypes and stories. But both shows took vastly different approaches in how they did that, and that's why both could be so successful at the same time: You never really felt like you watched the same show. But, if it's furs and catfights and camp you need, you are not going to find it on DALLAS (mostly).

 

[Rove]

But, it's your party Ked, can't wait to read your other reviews

As a newbie to Dallas I'll also be interested in your reviews Ked. Always refreshing to read other opinions and at times we will disagree on each others interpretations of Dallas, but that's okay, that's why we have the Southfork pool because that is usually where the arguments end up.

 

[Ked]

As a newbie to Dallas I'll also be interested in your reviews Ked. Always refreshing to read other opinions and at times we will disagree on each others interpretations of Dallas, but that's okay, that's why we have the Southfork pool because that is usually where the arguments end up.

Too bad the Carringtons didn't always end up in either the pool or lily pond.


But thanks, everyone, for your input and support.

 

[Michael Torrance]

DALLAS is great if you enjoy it for what it is, but if you're going to look for DYNASTY in DALLAS...well, personally I don't think it was there (or vice versa), despite the similar plotlines.

A lot of people grouped all of them together in the genre of prime-time soap, although their influence outgrew the genre. Prime time soaps died, but the serialized format remained and is now the standard for most dramas and frankly many sitcoms even. But the shows sure look so different; especially in Dallas' early years, I thought the real mystery was where the Ewings were hiding all their money, for it sure didn't look like they spent much of it on anything.

 

[Willie Oleson]

But the shows sure look so different

I think all the prime time soaps had their own unique style and atmosphere, and when I watch a soap I'm completely absorbed in that fantasy world - and then it doesn't matter what Dynasty did or who-did-what better.

for it sure didn't look like they spent much of it on anything

More oil.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Well done Ked, i didn't expect that so fast!
For me Dallas took up somewhere near the end of Season 2, but then it's getting better and better. And better. Give it a while. It was the first one of them all. The vibe of it will completly change.
Hang on. It will be a fun ride.

Yes, DALLAS isn't completely serialized until the latter part of Season 2. And then it further focuses.

I do love the atmosphere of the 1978 "miniseries" which opened DALLAS. They're in a different house, the location footage is winter (instead of summer, as it would be for the next decade) and there's an engagingly drab, late-'70s, post-Watergate, post-Vietnam flavor of malaise to the show, a program set in and named after the city that killed Kennedy and which saw its reputation utterly soiled for 15 years as a result... There's a feeling of vile secrets of which no one dare speaks, closeted away, while the family's current little silly dramas distracts us and them.

That context, in retrospect, may be the way to view the earliest episodes of the show.

 

[Ked]

I just finished watching Episode 2. And this, I took notes:

NOW Southfork looks beautiful, thanks to all the snow! Much better than the last episode. That's what we were missing on Dynasty.

...Bobby is immediately turned on by Pam's butt (as he helps her onto her horse). This is simultaneously cute and disgusting. XD

Why do Jock and Bobby want RAY to take Lucy to school? Aren't they rich enough to hire somebody for that particular purpose?

Oh Pam, you tease. XD

What's wrong with Lucy's clothes? Long-sleeved shirt, jeans, boots; they seem perfectly suitable for school in the winter-time.

Oh come on, Sue Ellen, hang out with Pam! Be gal-pals! XD

Like the usage of the mirror when Pam talks to Ray while he's in his truck.

Nice moment between Pam and Miss Ellie.

"I'm afraid Lucy's spoiled." PAHAHHAAHAHAHA!

I can't count the number of times I've thought, "Pam's so pretty."

Ewwww, is Lucy giving Ray a hand-job while he's driving? That's not safe.

Ewwwww, Ray, you dog! And I don't mean that as a compliment.

At least this episode is more exciting than the last.

HAH! Pam has a "Rebecca" moment: "Mrs. Ewing isn't in at the momen... oh wait, I *am* Mrs. Ewing. Or one of them, anyway."

Ooooooh, Pam knows what's up! XD Oh wait, last episode established she already knew about Lucy and Ray. Still, I like how this played out.

That's right, Pam. Lay down the law!

HAH! Love how Lucy just jumps up when she realizes Pam isn't kidding. Much more entertaining than the last episode.

JR's secretary is really sexy. Even in a drab gray dress. JR just can't keep his hands off her.

Lucy looks so tiny next to Pam. :XD

"How'd you manage?"
"Blackmail."
"Whatever works."
Right on.

Lucy in red, sitting on a desk, surrounded by a circle of male students... how could she not want to go to school everyday? XD I wonder if that was a typical day for teenage Fallon?

The guy hitting on Lucy looks WAAAAAAY too old to be a high schooler... or wait, or is he? He did say he was a president of a club, so... eh? Oh now he's making eyes at Pam ("Surely not her mom?"). Take a cold shower, dude... or roll in the snow. Whatever works.

DAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! "I bought you some new school clothes, I think you'll like them. Why don't you look in the pink box?"
Lucy throws said pink box out the window. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!
Angry tires screech to a halt. HAH! And she makes Lucy get out and pick them up. Oh this is rich. I'm beginning to see why people like this now. XD

Pam's a lot more patient than I am. XD She still wants to help with alterations.

Bobby's secretary is real beautiful. I'm predicting he has an affair with her.

Oooh, Lucy in fancy lingerie. Total fan-service there. XD Oooh, what're you doin' with those scissors, Lucy? You intentionally ruining your new clothes? Or your old ones? Meh? XD

Hmm... Lucy alone with a teacher... I've got a few predictions, but I'll wait...

Oh, that wolfish student is peeping around the door...

...oh my gosh, Lucy, what is WRONG with you?! XD Oh my gosh...

I gotta admire the principal character; while I do feel sorry for the teacher guy, the principal is handling the situation in a sympathetic manner. I also like that Pam wants to hear all sides before taking any further steps.

JR vaguely reminds me of Don Draper sitting on the couch like that.

Gosh, I can't stand JR's condescending attitude towards Bobby, though it is amusing on some levels. He's so transparent. Jock was right, JR does need to learn subtlety.

Its kinda funny hearing the guy from "I Dream of Jeannie" saying "I've been busting my butt."

"You answered a few questions I didn't even ask." Way to go, Bobby.

Oh Pam, PLEASE beat Lucy's conniving little @$$, why don't cha?! ...or run her over with your car. Bwahahahahaha!

"She should have good taste, after all those years of working in the department stores." Oh Sue Ellen, you little... I'm too polite to say the word I'm thinking of.

Oh, I bet that one wolfy student is blackmailing Lucy now! Serves her right. HAH! That angry little face of her's...

"Lucy, a gentlemen never calls a lady on the evenin' of a party." Damn Sue Ellen is dull and flat and one-dimensional and boring and I just wanna smack her for being such a waste of space! Why are you even here, honey? Oh that's right, you supposedly turn into an intriguing character later on (I do look forward to seeing this woman as a pathetic drunk). So I'll put up with you for now. XD

Ah, but an apt liar Lucy is. Gotta give her props for a convincing performance, though.

"Makes me feel old."
"Junior, you were BORN old."
Nice burn, Miss Ellie.

Heh, I like it when women comb their hair in frustration. I don't know why...

Oh, Pam seems like a bit of an apt liar too: "Lucy thinks I'm doing this to win points with your mama." Instead of saying, "Lucy's blackmailing me."

Man, the lighting in this scene makes Pam look so beautiful and Bobby so ugly. Ewww, he wants to take her to a disco? Course, it is the '70s. I don't why I would react that way...

"If we stay up here much longer, JR's gonna have this room bugged. Tryin' to find out what we're doin' that he's not." Okay, EW. The implications, just... ew.

Oh. Sex first, disco later. Those are Pam's priorities.

The wolfish student looks like a younger version of Jock. 0_0

"Marryin' a man with dirty fingernails."
Jock looks at his nails. XD

Cute old married couple.

"I hate you for this."
"You'll feel differently later."
Again, ew.

"You got ID?"
"Honey, I got EVERYTHING we need."
Right. And just how many condoms are stuffed in your pockets, mister?

Oh, Ray's here with a little honey. ;D

Oh my gosh, they're discoing to the show's theme song! That is both lame and funny at the same time.

I just realized, Lucy looks like Melissa Joan Hart! 0_0

What is up with Pam's get-up? That bun and that all-white outfit... yuck. Totally out of place in the disco...

Oh Lucy, goin' cryin' to Ray to make things better...

WOW. I believe earlier, we got a shot of Lucy's butt as she danced (I think it was Lucy, anyway), and now we've got a view of Pam dancing with the angle just right so that her jiggling breasts are front and cen... now they're showing her butt as well. And lingering on it. I both do, and don't, object to this.

Gotta admit, Pam looks hot dancing like that. She's probably the most desirable girl there. Work them shoulders, baby! XD Although the lighter streaks in her hair make her look way older...

Oh, Pam's spotted the wolf student (Roger, isn't it?), and is starting to work things out...

Uh ooohhh, BOBBY has spotted RAY with LUCY. Dun-dun-duuuuuunnnnnn!

OOH! Sucker punch! I love it!

Noooo, Bobby, take it outside! Take it outside! TAKE IT OUTSIDE!

Ray's got an annoying face.

Oh Ray, why bring up your past with Pam now? The guy just caught you feeling up his teenage niece, ANY man would punch you for that!

And now Pam has got wolfy-student figured out. And now Lucy REALLY looks like Melissa Joan Hart!

"I don't need your help."
"Like it or not, you got it."
Way to go, Pam!

Wow. Pam rocks.

Wolfy-student suddenly reminds me of an uglier version of Ashton Kutcher. XD

Heh, Lucy called Sue Ellen a simp.

"You're a Ewing already. You already know how to use people and lie about it."
Oooooh, *cold*, Lucy. Cold... Pam looked ready to cry. ^^

Nice to see Bobby confront Lucy on behalf of his wife.

Hm, is Lucy going to try and lie about Pam...? Hm, perhaps not?

"Pam probably cares about you more than anybody else!"
No offense, Bobby, but that's a little over-doing it. Pam does care, but, come on...

"I don't need any guidance."
"Ah sure, cuz you're just perfect in every way."
Hah, good one, Bobby.

Lucy makes a Little Girl Face.

So now they're all dance like one big happy family? Umm... oh... kay?

Oh. Now its over. Huh.

~~~~

Okay. So all in all, a much better episode than the pilot. I'm surprised they chose to focus so much on Lucy this early on. I'm predicting that each family member will get an episode centered on them this season. Lucy's a brat. And a b*tch. But she does show a glimmer of redemption towards the end, so, we'll see. Pam's really beautiful, I can't get over that. What on earth does she see in Bobby? He's certainly not much to look at, and he hasn't got much in the way of personality. But the way how he's stood up for her two episodes in a row is nice, so, maybe he does deserve her. X)

So yeah. I'm more willing to give this show a chance now.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

David Jacobs hated the second episode.

The snow is nice. Also, I can tell you that this miniseries feels exactly like the '77-'78 winter in which it was filmed.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Trivia details: in all its wrongheaded, red-taped glory, the network insisted that they re-shoot the pilot scene in which Ray dunks Pam in the lake because it was snowing when they shot it and the episode "was written for heat" -- as if you can hide that it's obviously 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

For the same reason, the fourth episode contains a "hurricane" (when hurricanes almost never hit in the dead of winter) instead of switching it to a blizzard since there's snow visible on the hood of the vehicles.

 

[Ked]

David Jacobs hated the second episode.

Um, who's David Jacobs again?

The snow is nice. Also, I can tell you that this miniseries feels exactly like the '77-'78 winter in which it was filmed.

I believe it.

Trivia details: in all its wrongheaded, red-taped glory, the network insisted that they re-shoot the pilot scene in which Ray dunks Pam in the lake because it was snowing when they shot it and the episode "was written for heat" -- as if you can hide that it's obviously 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

For the same reason, the fourth episode contains a "hurricane" (when hurricanes almost never hit in the dead of winter) instead of switching it to a blizzard since there's snow visible on the hood of the vehicles.

Pfft. What a lame decision. I think snowfalls are way more romantic. Hm, an upcoming hurricane episode, huh? Interesting...

 

[Michael Torrance]

David Jacobs hated the second episode.

The snow is nice.

I remember liking the harshness of the winter landscape and it added to the feeling of making Pam unwelcome to the ranch. Of course what was new to TV was having a character like JR be the main character. The US entertainment industry was so fervently moralizing, and all evil characters would get their due neatly at the end of the episode, that was the show's true breakthrough and original contribution. Frankly, I thought Alexis was never written as daringly, for all her plots came from wanting revenge from a man or wanting to win back the same man. Dynasty's true contributions for me were Steven (who not just as a gay man but as a very sensitive man was everything Blake was not and would not want in a son) and Fallon who truly wanted for herself the same power and agency men had at the time. THAT Fallon had men as a pastime but she would never obsess over Nick like she did in season 2. BTW, I always thought Krystle was more like Miss Ellen in terms of situations: good (but not one-dimensional) women married to a shady man who would test their own ethical boundaries. The previous involvement with an enemy may have been also what made me think of the two as similar. Plus they both had a certain class--easy for Evans to pull in the Dynasty surroundings, very hard for Bel Geddes to pull in the Dallas ones.

 

[ArchieLucasCarringtonEwing1989]

Hope you don't give up on DALLAS @Ked! Its a great series, you may end up liking DALLAS over DYNASTY!!

The 1977-78 season of DALLAS, in retrospect is odd, but a good kind of odd, DALLAS will forever be synonymous with the
1980s, no denying that, that's when the show peaked and 9 out of its 14 years was in that decade.
But its strange because when DALLAS first airs, it has none of that 80s flash, it's pure and down to earth 70s, Regan being president was still several years away at this point, its hard to think that DALLAS being filmed in late 1977, comes only eight years after PEYTON PLACE finished with Dr Rossi in jail, so there us a definite, quietness about 1977/78-1980 era DALLAS that fits the tone of the show at this point.

You won't see much of Sue Ellen in the first season and a bit, TPTB wanted to kill her off, they also intended to kill off Bobby at the end of the miniseries/first season.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

More trivia: the DALLAS pilot (written by creator David Jacobs) was originally called "Untitled Linda Evans Project" because she was under contract to CBS Talent and had done a TV movie called "Hunter" for Lorimar and DALLAS producers Lee Rich and Philip Capice. They were thinking of Linda for Pam, but Linda left CBS, the producers wanted somebody a wee bit younger (Victoria is four years older than she admits to) and Linda never saw the script nor was offered the role.

Lorimar executive Michael Filerman wanted NEWHART's Mary Frann for Sue Ellen (Frann was a much better dramatic actress than she was a comedic one) and he was still angry about it 30 years later despite the fact that Linda Gray obviously turned out to be the right pick.

 

[Rove]

I remember liking the harshness of the winter landscape and it added to the feeling of making Pam unwelcome to the ranch.

In retrospect it adds to the flavour of those first episodes, we just didn't see it at the time. When I think of Texas I think it has similar attributes to Australia's outback, hot and dusty. Imagine my surprise when viewing Dallas for the first time and its under snow. That weather event adds a certain coldness when viewing the series.

 

[Rove]

I thought the real mystery was where the Ewings were hiding all their money, for it sure didn't look like they spent much of it on anything.

I agree. But this is exactly why I enjoyed Dallas. Of course I knew the Ewing family were wealthy but those early seasons weren't always about splashing it about, that would come later on when Dallas was feeling the heat from Dynasty. At the forefront of this saga was family, followed closely by Ewing Oil and Southfork.

It's interesting when viewing Dallas and Dynasty side by side. Dallas begins knowing the family is filthy rich through its business dealings however they don't display that wealth. On Dynasty we know their rich but flaunt that wealth in costumes, jewels, cars, private jets etc., yet very little regard is paid to business dealings.

 

[ArchieLucasCarringtonEwing1989]

Early DALLAS your aware that, at least on the Southworth side, they're old money, The Carrington's were new money, JR and Bobby didn't whisk Pam and Sue Ellen off on a jet to San Francisco just to eat Chinese food. (Cliff might've done though;-) @Ked that's a reference for you ;-) ) The Carrington's was way more flash And new money, they tried to be Mid Atlantic in their outlook, whereas the Ewings were more American but old money.

 

[Ked]

Hope you don't give up on DALLAS @Ked!

I won't. X)

Its a great series, you may end up liking DALLAS over DYNASTY!!

Oh gosh, I hope not! I spent years obsessing over Dynasty with a passion, I'd hate to do the same with another 80s soap! Though who knows, I have been saying that I'm working on my own version of Dynasty; Dallas might provide some needed inspiration, so that I can say my story is influenced by all the famous soaps, rather than just one.

its hard to think that DALLAS being filmed in late 1977, comes only eight years after PEYTON PLACE finished with Dr Rossi in jail

Peyton Place is another soap I've become mildly obsessed with (nowhere near as I am with Dynasty, haha), though I mostly just imagine how I'd do a remake of it. If you're interested in hearing any of my ideas about it, feel free to send me a note. Or not. Whichever.

You won't see much of Sue Ellen in the first season and a bit, TPTB wanted to kill her off, they also intended to kill off Bobby at the end of the miniseries/first season.

That's kinda funny/weird, since Sue Ellen is one of the more talked about Dallas characters I've heard of. I was under the impression she was the Krystle of her respective show. Heh, only they did kill Bobby off in... which season was it? I know he's gone for one season, but then he's back and it was all revealed to be a "dream"...

That reminds me: should I skip the "dream" season? Since everything that happens during that year is, well, fake, and any character/plot development gets thrown out the window? I wouldn't mind skipping a season, so long as its "fake".

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Early DALLAS your aware that, at least on the Southworth side, they're old money, The Carrington's were new money, JR and Bobby didn't whisk Pam and Sue Ellen off on a jet to San Francisco just to eat Chinese food. (Cliff might've done though;-) @Ked that's a reference for you ;-) ) The Carrington's was way more flash And new money, they tried to be Mid Atlantic in their outlook, whereas the Ewings were more American but old money.

DALLAS wasn't really Old Money -- they'd only had the cash for 40 years when the series started, maybe 15 years longer than the Carringtons had it on DYNASTY.

Technically, they were both New Money.

What differed was how it felt: DALLAS started out feeling like rednecks with bank accounts (an intrinsically New Money thing), while DYNASTY started out about people who had some sense of taste and culture (an Old Money thing).

And then both shows switched.

That reminds me: should I skip the "dream" season? Since everything that happens during that year is, well, fake, and any character/plot development gets thrown out the window? I wouldn't mind skipping a season, so long as its "fake".

I'd go ahead and watch it, if only to get some perspective on what was lost... The Dream Season (or Season 9 per DVD count) was put together by different writers/producers and has a different tone -- at first, it works: it's a little rawer, a little more experimental, slightly artier. But as the season progresses it gets soapier in an unfocused way, rambling and empty if cluttered, and starts to fall apart into an elaborate mess (to say nothing of the clothes that year, that just go too far for DALLAS).

Then Bobby (and producer Lenny Katzman and writer David Paulsen) returns for Season 10. And except for the infamously destructive opening scene where Bobby explains to Pam that his death one year and 31 episodes earlier was just a bad dream (I'm assuming this in no spoiler for you, @Ked ) the rest of Season 10 is fabulous fun, and the closest DALLAS came to self-parody which actually worked.

Definitely watch thru season 10, and probably Season 11 (which still feels like classic DALLAS even though the pacing is way off).

And if you've gotten that far, you might as well witness the slide of S12 thru S14, just to satisfy your curiosity.

 

[Ked]

I'd go ahead and watch it, if only to get some perspective on what was lost... The Dream Season (or Season 9 per DVD count) was put together by different writers/producers and has a different tone -- at first, it works: it's a little rawer, a little more experimental, slightly artier. But as the season progresses it gets soapier in an unfocused way, rambling and empty if cluttered, and starts to fall apart into an elaborate mess (to say nothing of the clothes that year, that just go too far for DALLAS).

Then Bobby (and producer Lenny Katzman and writer David Paulsen) returns for Season 10. And except for the infamously destructive opening scene where Bobby explains to Pam that his death one year and 31 episodes earlier was just a bad dream (I'm assuming this in no spoiler for you, @Ked ) the rest of Season 10 is fabulous fun, and the closest DALLAS came to self-parody which actually worked.

Oh yes, I already know all about Bobby's return and the shower scene, its hard not to watch any special on DALLAS and learn about that.

But I don't know, what you described just makes me want to skip Season 9 all the more. Maybe I can skip it for now, but then come back and watch it again later?

Definitely watch thru season 10, and probably Season 11 (which still feels like classic DALLAS even though the pacing is way off).

And if you've gotten that far, you might as well witness the slide of S12 thru S14, just to satisfy your curiosity.

Oh yes, I definitely plan on watching Season 10 and maybe 11. But from what 12 thru 14 sound like, eh... we'll see.

 

[Ked]

Okay, just finished episode 3! Here are my notes:

I kinda hate the clips they show at the beginning of each episode, "previewing" what the episode is going to be about. Then again, they don't seem to contain anything spoiler-y, so, meh. HAH! Plus I look forward to seeing Sue Ellen freak out. So far she's been as bland as a paper clip. XD

Bobby's trying to work with construction workers around him. I feel for ya, man. XD
"I do think in there, I just can't hear what I'm thinking."

Bobby's secretary is looking like she's checking out the construction worker.

So far, Bobby seems to have JR's number...

Wow, Bobby comes out and says JR should have married his secretary instead of Sue Ellen. Course that's because he thinks it would have been easier on Pam, and he's got a point. And this secretary lady so far has more sex appeal and interesting qualities than bland Sue Ellen.

Hm, so there's a history there...

Cliff Barnes has appeared on the scene, and is cozying up to the secretary. Wait, isn't Cliff the brother of Pam? ...or is he? Heh, sorry, I'm still new to this show, after all...

Cliff isn't good-looking. I'm just gonna come out and say it. I think its shameful that he's trying to get with this gorgeous redhead. Seriously, the women of DALLAS for the most part are beautiful, but none of the men are good-looking (and yes, that includes Larry Hagman; he just looks weird on this show so far).

Awww, cute doggies outside Southfork! (I'll give DALLAS one thing over DYNASTY so far: I like that the mansion has a name.) Although I think they lingered a bit too long on the dog scratching himself.

Meeeeh, this stuff with Jock is boring...

Oh good, finally, here's Pam to brighten up the screen!

Oh no, important documents have fallen behind a couch. Siiigh...

Lucy seems more amicable towards Pam now; seems kinda strange. Though she still comes off as a little mischievous, so there's that...

So Pam and Bobby are moving into one of the little houses attached to the main mansion? I gotta admit, I like that detail, that there's a Main Mansion with three little houses next door for each of Jock Ewing's sons. Heh, I wonder what it would have been like if Blake had had four little houses for each of his children? Imagine Adam, Fallon, Steven and Amanda all having their own art studios like Alexis did.

"Sue Ellen, how come JR never comes home for lunch like Bobby does?"
Oh Lucy, needling Sue Ellen like that... I think its mean... but at the same time, I'm like, "Get 'er, Lucy!" XD

OOOOOH, Sue Ellen looks piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissed! First time we've gotten some personality on her vapid face.

Lucy with her little red ribbon in her little blond ponytail...

Ooooh, Sue Ellen picked herself up a little special outfit! Tryin' to get hubby to come home for luncheon, are we, Mrs. Ewing?

JR's home, what's gonna happen now?

WHOA. Sue Ellen just jumps right out wearing nothing but a towel, and for the first time, she looks HOT. 0_0 Seriously, THIS should have been Sue Ellen's first scene in the series. XD

Wow. JR picks up the negligee his wife obviously bought for herself, and he handles it like it were a dish towel. Dude, come on. At least she's trying, you could at least try yourself.

Sue Ellen looks oddly adorable, grinning all bashful-like.

"That's not you."
WOW, JR. Wow.

OOOOOOH, Sue Ellen's face managed to look pissed, shocked, hurt and crazy all at once. I'm starting to like her now.

Oh my gosh, JR, are you gay or something? No wait, he's interested in his secretary. I *think*, anyway; he can't keep himself from running his hand up and down her thigh like that.

"I'm all sweaty."
"You know I like you anyway."
Aww, that's both cute and desperate. Poor Sue Ellen.

"You're not actin' like a lady at all."
I'd like for somebody to smash JR's face in or something. This is your WIFE, dude, and you're alone with her; who gives a @#$% whether she's acting like a "lady"?!

Aww, the soft, vulnerable music as Sue Ellen tries to reach out to her husband...

"I don't find this very appealing at all. I find it cheap."
Says the guy who can't stop putting his hands all over his secretary's long legs.

"You've been hanging out with that sister-in-law of ours, and I'm not going to have anymore of it."
JR, Sue Ellen hasn't spent a single minute with Pam; and don't you go blaming Pam for YOUR poor handling of your marriage!

I wonder if the picture falling off the mantle and breaking was planned or not. I'm guessing it was a blooper that was kept in because it helped add to the drama; I like how the breaking glass seems to symbolize their marriage falling apart, not to mention Pam's slipping sanity.

"We don't make love anymore!"
That's one of the big signs of a doomed marriage. Poor Sue Ellen, I finally sympathize with her character. I find it interesting how they kept her so bland in the first two episodes, and then they allowed us a peak into her personal life. Now I'm beginning to see why the character became so popular.

Wow, even the secretary wants JR to sleep with Sue Ellen. So far, I like this secretary character... even if I can't remember her name. Oh Julie! That's her name. Don't know if I'll remember that, though, heh heh...

"You're the only one that ever turned me on."
Then WHY didn't you just marry HER, stupid?

"You told me how to turn you on, you told me what you liked. Why don't you teach Sue Ellen?"
Another point for the secretar- er, I mean, Julie. X)

Resist, Julie! Resist!

Gosh, JR's a pig.

"Every morning I have breakfast alone!"
Wow, she delivered that line with so much pain.

Ewww, JR, you scumbag. You sleazy, slimy, scumbag. He looks like he's borderline raping her. But its more like seduction, really.

Oh man, he doesn't even remember her birthday! Another sign he's bad for her. Its all about you, isn't it, JR?

Oh Julie, you're going to be eating breakfast alone for a looooong, long time...

Wait... is he... is he PAYING her?! 0_0

"Go out and buy yourself somethin' REAL nice."
Her face when he said that... her FACE...

Wow. I used to think Don Draper was the worst womanizer I had ever seen on televison. JR just beat him out with just one scene. DANG...

Poor Julie, you don't deserve this!

OOOOOOOOH, she's going to Cliff Barnes! Yeeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee!

....and she's paying for the dinner WITH JR'S MONEY! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!

Ah. Bobby needs to bring out the paper he dropped behind the couch; except he doesn't realize he left it behind the couch! How's this gonna play out?

Pam looks so pretty in pink. Wow, she sure found that pretty quick. ^^

Uh oh, Pam left it with Julie. ^^ What's she gonna do NOW? Ooh, she gonna give it to Cliff?

Yup. She did. Heeheehee. Take that, JR!

Ooh, now JR is intimating that Pam gave those files to Cliff!

Pam seemed hurt that Bobby didn't stick up for her this time around, but I can't quite blame him; the evidence and circumstances are way too damning. Its obvious he doesn't *want* to believe, but still.

Miss Ellie won't have any shouting in her house!

Well, at least Bobby is defending her now, at any rate. I was kind've hoping Lucy would say something, but then again, she still doesn't know Pam all that well, and she's obviously not used to getting involved in this kind of stuff.

Close-up of Pam's beautiful face.

Oh Cliff, just tell your sister you got the files from JR's secretary, its not that difficult. But nooo, you see this as an opportunity to be all high and mighty and say "Its not my fault the Ewings don't trust each other." Stupid jerk.

Oh Julie, regretting your decision?

Pam says Cliff scares her sometimes because "he's so intense." I disagree; he's more annoying than anything.

Oh FINALLY Pam remembers she gave the file to Julie! And of course Bobby doesn't believe its Julie... then again, I suppose that's realistic too.

Julie mentions Tom Landry and I start thinking of "King of the Hill."

There really doesn't seem to be much method to Cliff's madness here.

"I also know you're very sensitive behind your knees."
Ewwwww. Didn't need to know THAT, Julie!

Oh wow, now Bobby is telling Pam about JR and Julie having a "thing" all these years. Hah, Pam's expression...

They find Cliff's name in Julie's whachamacallit... that little roll of business cards... what is it? Haha, oh wow, this show really WAS made in the '70s! XD

They've dialed Cliff's number... he answers... their suspicions are confirmed.

Cliff turns on the radio... I'm not really paying attention to what its saying, but Cliff seems upset by it.

Aha, Julie has got Cliff figured out now: he doesn't care about ethics, he just wants to screw over the Ewings.

Julie's got both hands on the side of her head as she looks in the mirror. I'm reminded of the scene from Melrose Place where Kimberly takes off her wig.

Julie points out Cliff is just like JR. Cliff points out that he was honest from the start: "I SAID I was gonna use you!" XD Gotta give the guy that...

Poor delusional bastard, he believes he's the good guy. At least Julie's there to call him out.

Oh, Pam's gonna confront Julie!

"I did what you were afraid to even try!"
Good one, Pam.

I half-expected Juile to hit Pam. ^^

Bobby tells JR what Julie did... and the music that plays... oooohhh...

OOOH, now Bobby's threatening to tell the family about JR's affair with Julie!

"I won't do what you already did to me, BROTHER."
Nice one, Bobby!

Here comes Julie, all decked out in red... which is interesting, because beforehand, I believe all her other appearances had her clad in grays and browns. Now she's a "scarlet woman", so to speak. "Defiled"...

Oh, she's quitting! I was expecting JR to fire her, but nope. Good for you, Julie!

"I gave the file to Cliff Barnes."
"Why?"
"I like the way he made love. Thought he deserved a reward."
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurn, Julie!

"You love him?"
"I don't love anybody."
Awwwww, don't give up on love, Julie! You've got so much to offer...

Oh JR, you dummy-head...

Heh, Pam convienently shows up at this moment just so she can be there.

Bobby's chewing the family out on Pam's behalf, even though she's being gracious about it.

"There's no excuse for it!"
"Of course there is, Bobby. We all thought she was guilty."
Heh, good one, Lucy. Even Pam finds this amusing.

Although I do have to take note of how JR tried to excuse the family for believing Pam was guilty and taking all the blame for himself. Or maybe he was just putting on a show. Who knows?

"You were the hardest on her, JR."
Again, good one Lucy.

JR actually looks like he's sorry... or is he broken-hearted over losing Julie? ^^

AAAAHHHHHHHH HAHAHAHAHA! DAH HA, *HA* HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! Lucy wants Pam and JR to "kiss and make up!" XD

"Just a friendly little kiss." Lucy's got a face that says, "No need to make it weird, people."

Bobby silently encourages JR. Oh, ew.

So he gives her an innocent kiss on the cheek. Okay...

~~~~~

Alright, so that was episode 3. Not bad. Last episode was more exciting, but this one had its moments. We got some insight into Sue Ellen, though sadly the writers lost in her rather quickly, but I can see why they wanted to focus in on Julie so much. I'm guessing we never see Julie again, though, which is sad because I thought she was a great character. But her leaving also felt organic; its nice that she got out of those toxic relationships.

So... yeah. Well... nothing much else to say.