Blake, Krystle and Alexis are not leading characters like they were in seasons 5 or 6
Even DALLAS/KNOTS' creator lamented that "Linda and Joan don't even seem like the stars of the show anymore" by 1987 --- and that's the competition talking!
Obviously, the campaign for governor needed to be smarter, and with some actual politics (verboten in the '80s) thrown in. Krystle's investigation into Alexis "killing" Cecil should have turned up some testimony from his lawyer's partners that Alexis pressured Cecil's lawyer into changing his will at the last moment (the show seemed to think they actually did this, but it went nowhere) and once Blake pressures Krystle to drop it, she then hands the material over to Dominique to finish the job.
I want the Olde Englishe Faiyrrre to be a larger event, with a carnival of zoo animals behind the hotel, and a psychic's booth (either Esther or Aaron in a wizard's hoodie) dishing Adriannic admonitions and warnings.
Kirby briefly returns with Adam's child (and the surrogate story never happens) and, of course, runs off with it. Sean's appearance in Denver, marriage to Alexis, and his attempt to assassinate her is not just over vengeance about what happened to Joseph, but there's some external encouragement, too. (I always like the Moldavian scenario, Matthew Blaisdel, Constance Colby, Queen Mother Judith Anderson who didn't exist, and Dr. Toscanni all mixed in to all the worst behind-the-scenes scandals).
The take-over of the mansion which started the season would not have happened because they would have done the cancelled avalanche cliffhanger instead. That cliffhanger could shake loose Fallon#1 where the abominable snow monster had been holding her captive for three years. (Okay, maybe just a mountain man -- or maybe Walter Lankershim holed up in a cave somewhere??)
Steven#2 was a contemptible jerk much of the time, but after the massacre, I wanted Steven#1 back... In either event, I'd give him an HIV misdiagnosis (is that cheating?) after Chris Deegan shows up emaciated in end stage AIDS. Steven wonders if he contracted his HIV from Ted Dinard. Steven's boyfriend, somebody way better than Bart Fallmont, tests HIV negative. At first, it's actually Alexis who turns cold to Steven after his viral status is revealed, his father is much warmer. By season's end, Steven leaves for Washington, DC, for better HIV treatment and a Spotted Owl Defense Fund agency job.
Dana is, quite obviously, the closest thing to a real partner Adam can get. And yet he'll still screw it up.
I would have Leslie's "I Am Alexis Junior" routine go too far, the younger woman essentially stalking her mentor.
For some reason, I want to see an episode with family in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, even if they have to fake it in the studio. I also wanted to see the Carrington family in their stretch limo, Alexis in tow, get lost either outside New Orleans or on the bad side of Denver, when the car gets a flat, and the entire family gets chased and assaulted by the denizens of the ghetto (Oooooo --- social commentary!).
I also want to see a mid-season four episode Christmas blizzard story arc, but one far more sumptuous than the soulless, flat-lighted Yuletide feces they flung at us back in Season 5.
I envision Blake's first fiancée, now a Georgetown high roller in Washington politics, who shows up as an asset to Blake's campaign, a mentor of sorts, a kind of Pamela Harriman character. She gets along respectfully with Krystle. But when his former betrothed is killed during the assassination attempt, Blake eventually discovers she paid Sean to kill both herself and Alexis (the woman who'd schemed to push her out of Blake's bed as a teenager). She'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was going to die anyway, while Alexis is merely grazed.
Alexis obtains a porno tape from Sammy Jo's various excursions in California; it's used to embarrass Blake during his political race. Alexis also funds Sammy Jo's ventures into independent film stardom, and makes sure the porn tape is released just as Sammy Jo is set to receive an award. So, with the help of a corrupt stage hand who hands Sammy Jo a tainted drink before she goes on stage to accept her trophy, she loses it and has a Pia Zadora style fit on cable-TV.
ColbyCo is secretly fracking underneath the estate, causing localized earthquakes and the mansion rocking significantly at times. (Fracking wasn't discussed much at the time publicly, but it was an issue -- it's one of the potentially goods plots nuDALLAS used).
I also picture a platonic friendship cropping up between Krystle and Alexis' hunky campaign manager; Alexis is jealous of course, and has photos taken of he and Krystle together. There's nothing to it, but Alexis correctly predicts Blake will be jealous anyway, and she makes sure the story gets into the tabloid press, then the mainstream media... It's silly, but it's enough for Krystle to recommend recusing herself from the campaign (Blake aloofly doesn't encourage otherwise), Alexis enthusiastically recommends all her voters turn their support to Blake after the assassination attempt, and they have their business in Natumbe together which is ultimately successful.
Krystle then ventures back to Ohio, finds herself at barbecues and "decent normal people" parties, and her headaches and visions intensify so she winds up healing the neighbors and countryfolk --- the story played
absolutely straight. Eventually, these gossipy stories get back to Denver, which Alexis pushes thru her contacts in the local media to humiliate Blake (although he's not suspicious at first) with the intention of hurting his campaign but mostly his marriage. Krystle eventually returns home, and the quiet tension is so great that you know that she's about to leave him again --- especially since he and Alexis are now on such good terms.
Sean freaks out in a Limon, Colorado motel, shoots himself (perhaps accidentally) with his arsenal of weapons -- the law is after him, after all.
While leaving Colorado herself, Dominique runs into the couple at Stapleton airport whom almost gave their baby's heart to Krystina last year, but were talked out of it by Alexis who'd wanted to -- and did -- ride in on a white horse and provide her alternative black market baby heart. A switch that was ultimately successful, but Krystina lost valuable time which almost killed her.
The incident in Alexis' Carlton suite wouldn't be Sean with a firearm, but Krystle who shows up (while Blake and Alexis, in her pink bathrobe, are having a small celebration over their success in Africa and with Blake about to present a huge cheque to his ex-wife) with a notarized affidavit attained by Dominique from the above-mentioned couple. Blake becomes enraged, Alexis pulls a pistol, a physical fight ensues between Blake and Alexis, a migraine meltdown occurs with Krystle before picking up the derringer, and shooting at Alexis, only grazing the shoulder, and Krystle runs off. (Remnants of JR and Sue Ellen and Jack Scalia, but better).
Early in S9, Blake blackmails Alexis into silence over the events in her hotel suite, threatening her with exposure for this-and-that and not giving her the Denver-Carrington cashier's cheque she was expecting.
Anybody in??
