How Would Jock Have Fit In, In The Later Seasons?

[Billy Wall]

In particular, how would he had dealt with silver headed JR and Bobby? In the early seasons, Jock was an unchallenged authority figure at Southfork. Would they had still shook every time Jock raised his voice by season 8? One thing I'm certain about is that JR would have been a much better father to John Ross. If Jock was around, would Bobby just allow Jenna to take "Jock's grandson" without a fight?

Among other things.

 

[Monzo]

I think Jock would have fit in very well in the later seasons. The main point would have been for the sons to stand up to their father. And if he had applied too much pressure—certainly in the Lucas situation with Bobby vs Ray—Miss Ellie would have stepped in to remind him, once again, that she didn't want to lose another son the way she lost Gary. They would have continued using the formula that had worked up to that point. It certainly would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Ewing Oil had been shut down because of JR while Jock was around.

If I imagine Jim Davis having been in excellent health throughout the entire Dallas run, the first thing that comes to mind is that Jock and Miss Ellie would eventually have divorced, leading to a battle over Ewing Oil. It likely would have started with Miss Ellie initiating a separation—perhaps because Jock had once again mishandled a situation with his sons—followed by the kind of misunderstandings typical of soaps; for instance, Miss Ellie might have convinced herself that Jock was having an affair with Rebecca. After the divorce, Jock would have taken up with a younger woman—likely someone already known to the audience, such as Holly or Marilee—but ultimately, he would have reunited with Miss Ellie for a second wedding, mirroring the paths JR, Bobby, and Gary took with their own true love. Of course, trouble in paradise would soon have followed, and we might well have seen Laurel Ellis appear in season 11 as a temptress for Jock.

I tend to picture Jock as a strong figure, but over the years, his character would likely have mellowed—much like Miss Ellie’s—eventually becoming little more than background scenery. Even so, the storylines involving McKay, Cally, and James might have been more interesting with Jock present. I wonder if Jock would have seen a sort of young Ellie in Cally—the country girl—meaning that, in a way, JR would have married his own mother.

I’m not sure, if the budget cuts during the final seasons wouldn't have eventually claimed Jock and Miss Ellie as well; following a health crisis for one of them, the couple might have decided to travel the world while they still had time, meaning we wouldn't have seen them in season 14 (or perhaps even earlier).

 

[Michelle Stevens]

It would have been interesting to see Jock through the entirety of Dallas, he'd be in his early eighties by the end. In a way the "legend" of Jock grew because that we didn't get too much of him, he stayed in the Jimmy Carter era of Dallas and wasn't .. dare I say it, ruined by writing later when the ideas started to run thin.

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

instead of JR marrying Cally I’d like to have seen an amnesia storyline where Jock, after falling off his cot during a hunting trip, wakes up thinking he’s Methuselah Bob Harper, Cally’s grandfather and/or uncle or something, and stays in Haleyville to work the family farm.

Will he unwittingly transfer ownership of Ewing Oil to Japhet and Boaz before JR and Bobby can figure out how to bring his memory back? Will his marriage to Cally’s friend Peninnah Mae be legally binding by authority of the Justice of the Peace? Will Miss Ellie storm Haleyville with her shotgun?

 

[CeeCee72]

If Jock was around in later years:

JR would have never lost Ewing Oil to the Justice Department.

Jock would have probably made JR and SE stay married because of John Ross

Jock would have absolutely insisted that Bobby marry Jenna because she was pregnant (and Bobby would have done it).

Ray would have stayed on his ranch - probably staying with Donna.

Clayton would have never threatened to put Lucy, a full grown woman, over his knee for a spanking.