Peter Richards storyline

[the-lost-son]

I really liked the Peter Richards/SueEllen storyline in season 6 (DVD 7) for many reasons. It was a breath of fresh air and really creative to give SueEllen a much younger lover (after Cliff, Clint, Dusty in the seasons before). What I liked best was the writing of the full season. It‘s outstanding to this very day. There was so much going on (off shore oil leases,, Katherine &Naldo, Miss Ellie & Clayton) and JR was on top of his game, manipulating everywhere (Cliff‘s downfall, blackmailing Edgar Randolph, conspiring with Jessica) it‘s no wonder he didn‘t see that one coming.
Linda Gray and Christopher Atkins are superb actors as well.

There is short interview with Christopher Atkins.

Apparently:
1. Linda Gray objected to the storyline at first.
2. A substantial part of the audience objected to this edgy storyline as well.
3. Atkins got a 22 episode contract, left in the season finale and never returned.
(4. Atkin‘s mother was happy when he starred on Dallas because he could likely keep his clothes on.)

Although the storyline was wrapped up as it should have (except Sue Ellen should have kept the child, JR the father) I would have loved to have Christopher Atkins return once more. (I liked Dusty as well. If not with JR she should have ended up with one of these two. I didn‘t like Nicolas Pearce or Don Lovkwood.) His departure was so abrupt and he was never mentioned again. Anyone else who would have welcomed him back on the show?

For the viewers in 1983/84 - Was that storyline really that controversial at that time? Compared to other storylines (Kit Mainwaring, mastectomy) it seems timid in my opinion?

Did you like the Peter Richards storyline or were you glad to have it other with?

 

[Chris2]

I didn’t object to the idea. But Chris Atkins looked like he was about 16, and he and Gray and no romantic chemistry whatsoever. There was a real ick factor to the storyline. They should have hired someone who had less of a schoolboy vibe, and who had some chemistry with Gray. But they went with Atkins because he was a name.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I wasn’t a fan of the Peter Richards storyline. I would’ve preferred him being another one of Lucy’s many beaus. To be honest when I do a rewatch now I do tend to skip a lot of Peter’s scenes with Sue Ellen as I find their story creepy.

I will say however that there were parts of it I did like, especially that end scene when J.R. lowers the boom and exposes Peter, blackmailing Sue Ellen back into his bedroom. So I would say the payoff was well written but the months leading up to it were very cringeworthy for me.

I would not have minded Peter returning to the show later on but definitely not to try and get back with Sue Ellen. I would’ve had him return in a different capacity, maybe mentioning the previous affair with Sue Ellen would’ve been okay but not rekindling it.

 

[CeeCee72]

I didn't object to the storyline at all. I think with a stronger actor as her young lover, it really could have worked.

But, they dropped the ball with SO much here.

1. I don't see Atkins as a good actor. His performance was weak and whiny. Plus he looked like this young, skinny kid. And he has zero chemistry with Linda Gray.

2. That miscarriage was a waste. Imagine the drama we could have been treated to if Sue Ellen had to decide whether or not to abort? Or if JR had to go through a pregnancy with his wife not knowing whether he was the father or not AGAIN.

3. This could have been used to explore JR's psyche. I mean we saw Sue Ellen struggle with Mandy Winger being so much younger than her. What if JR had been made insecure by the fact his wife was getting it on with a young stud?

It was a good idea. But I felt like it was poorly executed.

 

[Angela Channing]

I really liked the storyline and thought Christopher Atkins and Linda played it really well. I know some people didn't like the idea of Sue Ellen with a younger man but why not? Look at all the very young women that JR had affairs with so why would it be strange for Sue Ellen to be with a younger man? I was less keen on Peter's scenes with John Ross.

This is one of my favourite Dallas scenes, when Sue Ellen ends their relationship:

 

[darkshadows38]

yeah the story arc itself wasn't bad but he did look 16 plus had they got a better actor i think it could have worked better too.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

The controversy wasn't the age difference per se but how young the double-phallically named Peter Richards looked. So Sue Ellen came off like she was reluctantly molesting a highschool sophomore. And a gay one.

That said, I didn't mind the storyline and they should have gone a wee bit further with it had Linda not worried about appearing so foolish. Yes, it was slightly creepy, but I was fine with that. Most relationships are.

If Peter had been more manly, it might have helped, but then that would have defeated the purpose, these two neurotic, impotent personalities.... Plus, Peter wanting to confess all to JR branded him a shmuck forever, so good riddance, boyfriend,

 

[Angela Channing]

I think its a reflection of our sexist society. No one seemed to mind JR having a succession of younger lovers. Cally was barely out of school when JR had his wicked way with her. That relationship seemed more creepy than Sue Ellen and Peter

Peter cared for Sue Ellen and would never have treated her abusively and had her under the coercive control that JR. I was more offended by Sue Ellen returning to a man who was abusive than I was about her potentially finding love with a man who was and looked significantly younger than her.

 

[the-lost-son]

Peter looks really like a teenager. In my opinion that made it so compelling. JR never suspected anything like this affair between his wife and his son‘s tutor, he even joked about it. “Acne isn‘t contagious, is it?“ or expressing his thoughts about a duel with Peter to save Sue Ellen‘s honour - „if it‘s not too late“

There are couples which the audience wants to watch together or longs for their reconciliation. I think at least partially that‘s why Jenna&Mark are having a hard time with Bobby&Pam-fans. And JR&SueEllen-fand are not too keen on the winger tramp and cally or on the saddle tramp and Peter Richards. I regard that as part of Dallas‘ magic which is very hard to achieve.

Are there any fans who watched it in 1983/84? Was this storyline really that controversial at that time? Or did viewers just not accept this specific character (or the actor and his abilities)?

 

[CeeCee72]

I think part of the problem was the writing. Sue Ellen was CLEARLY sexually needy during this time. She even went to JR's bed for sex. But, instead of taking that to the next level and showing her having a down and dirty, lusty affair with a younger man, they made her hesitant and reluctant and guilty. And I think her feelings of guilt rubbed off on the audience. I mean it did me. I found it all to be icky.

So maybe it was the character's reaction to Peter that caused the audience to dislike him so much.

 

[stevew]

I would have liked to have seen John Ross in Dallas TNT mention Peter and Don and even Dusty. In a way these were good people in his mother's life and in his life and needed some reference, imo.

 

[Karin]

I've always liked the Peter Richards character. I first watched the storyline in reruns and as a 14 year old girl I found Peter rather good looking.

Peter and Sue Ellen on the other hand wasn't the best match. I think it's just as okay for an older woman to date a younger man as it is for an older man to date a younger woman. But well the way it came across it seemed like Sue Ellen didn't want to be with Peter. She tried to tell him to leave her alone. But he wouldn't listen and even used emotional blackmail on her "If you stop seeing me I will drop out of college" to get her to keep seeing him. That wasn't right.

Still I did find a perfect song that I think sums up the relationship so I ended up making a fan video about Sue Ellen & Peter:

It's in Swedish but has English subtitles.

 

[Balena]

I agree with @Angela Channing 's point that it's a reflection of our sexist society that it often seems to be less acceptable for a woman to have an affair with a much younger man, but in Sue Ellen and Peter's case, I agree to what some of you already wrote - Peter appeared much younger than he actually was, and he acted in a childish and immature way. The fashion for women at that time - Sue Ellen's hairstyle and clothes - certainly didn't help. I remember that scene at a diner or coffee shop, where some of Peter's friends saw them together and thought Sue Ellen was his mom... She really looked as if she was!

 

[Chris2]

I watched back in 1983-84. It was slightly controversial. But the reality is that the fans just didn’t like Atkins in the role. That was the reason that one of the trades gave for his departure at the end of the season.

 

[Jimmy Todd]

I didn't object to the storyline at all. I think with a stronger actor as her young lover, it really could have worked.

But, they dropped the ball with SO much here.

1. I don't see Atkins as a good actor. His performance was weak and whiny. Plus he looked like this young, skinny kid. And he has zero chemistry with Linda Gray.

2. That miscarriage was a waste. Imagine the drama we could have been treated to if Sue Ellen had to decide whether or not to abort? Or if JR had to go through a pregnancy with his wife not knowing whether he was the father or not AGAIN.

3. This could have been used to explore JR's psyche. I mean we saw Sue Ellen struggle with Mandy Winger being so much younger than her. What if JR had been made insecure by the fact his wife was getting it on with a young stud?

It was a good idea. But I felt like it was poorly executed.

. I like this third idea, but it's hard to see JR taking Peter seriously. If the character looked less like a teenager, such as having Mickey Trotter's chest hair, Clayton Farlow's spine when jt came to confronting JR, and some real sexual tension with Sue Ellen, than your third point would been compelling viewing.

I also think it would have added more gravity to the season finale and the story as a whole if JR real viciousness raised its head. He should have really crushed Peter, not just forced him to leave the state. Something that would be on the level of taking baby Lucy out of Valene's arms. Season 7 was a good season, but you could see the show was losing its sense of urgency and needed a jolt.

I've always liked the Peter Richards character. I first watched the storyline in reruns and as a 14 year old girl I found Peter rather good looking.

Peter and Sue Ellen on the other hand wasn't the best match. I think it's just as okay for an older woman to date a younger man as it is for an older man to date a younger woman. But well the way it came across it seemed like Sue Ellen didn't want to be with Peter. She tried to tell him to leave her alone. But he wouldn't listen and even used emotional blackmail on her "If you stop seeing me I will drop out of college" to get her to keep seeing him. That wasn't right.

Still I did find a perfect song that I think sums up the relationship so I ended up making a fan video about Sue Ellen & Peter:

It's in Swedish but has English subtitles.

Peter's manipulation tactics hurt the character and the story. When Sue Ellen finally went to bed it seemed as if she was doing it more as a favor to him then any real passion on her part.

If part of the story was that she lusted after him and was actively using him to get back at JR, and he was collateral damage in their relationship, that would have been interesting. She could, of course, started to feel badly and regretted it as the situation got out of control. Lucy's role in this could have been her having a real Knots Landing type of confrontation with her, where Lucy continues her accusation from the previous season, "She's not happy destroying just her own life. She has to destroy everyone else's, too!"

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Jerry Hunter was hairier than Peter, too. And seemed to be spookily watching from nearby the relationship develop. Lee Montgomery wasn't a big enough name, however, for DALLAS to cast him in this role at that time. They wanted a Chris Atkins.

And, besides, the entire idea seemed to be that you couldn't seriously envision Peter and Sue Ellen having sex.

 

[Rove]

I can see why many had issues with the story back then but whenever I re-watch this season I've come to appreciate the story. Was it stunt casting? You bet. But this season showed the talents of Linda Gray as Sue Ellen and all her frailties including her penchant for sex. Did any others series at the time slap viewers with the knowledge that women do? Sue Ellen was the Samantha Jones of her era. If her estranged husband was not good enough she sure as hell was going to find it somewhere...even if its ogling shirtless young men in the park.

I've noted many women take issue with the story. As a late teenager myself when watching this season of Dallas for the first time I was fascinated by the concept of getting in on with a woman with experience. I think that's where most miss the point. Here is a young man, sweet and innocent, full of testosterone wanting to explore something with a woman he has a connection with. Sue Ellen might be reluctant since she is the adult but her natural urges take over and this is what I loved about her and showed her in another light.

By the way. This whole season was one of the best and showed the magnificent bastard at his very best. When I watch the scene between JR, Sue Ellen and Peter at the restaurant and Sue Ellen comes to the slow realization that JR knows of their relationship...well...let's just revisit it shall we...and it starts around the 1:10 mark.

 

[Rove]

And I think her feelings of guilt rubbed off on the audience. I mean it did me. I found it all to be icky.

In effect you could say Dallas was successful in its story-telling. It had the desired effect on you.

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

It’s possible they played up the barely-pubescent boy angle with Peter - the high-pitched voice, the ridiculous cut-off t-shirts, the fact that he and John Ross were ‘friends’ - giving the storyline an intentionally uncomfortable, even Oedipal feel, but like others above I think it would have gone over much better with the viewers if they’d chosen a different actor.

As @James from London has pointed out, many of the younger ‘male love interest’ characters seemed like they’d been transported from the 50s - Mitch, Peter, even Kit Mainwaring. I’m not sure the reason for that, but I think it hurt the effectiveness of the characters. Interestingly, the character in that age range who wasn’t anachronistic like that, Mickey Trotter, is almost universally more liked than the others. Does anyone actually say “man, I wish they’d kept that Mitch around longer - he and Lucy were such a great couple!”?

I know he has some strong ‘non-fans’ here, but imagine Brad Pitt in the role rather than as Charlie’s dopey boyfriend. He was actually about the same age as the Peter character at the time.

 

[Willie Oleson]

She tried to tell him to leave her alone. But he wouldn't listen and even used emotional blackmail on her "If you stop seeing me I will drop out of college" to get her to keep seeing him

That's how she plays it. The tramp.

Falcon Crest did it in 1982, and Dynasty in 1981.
But then, Cole and Steven didn't look like a kid from Village Of The Damned.

I think, in retrospect, it looks even dirtier than it did back then, and it just makes me love the power soaps even more.