A Scene in the HBO Max Mini-Series "Love And Death" Got Me Thinking Of Dallas, JR In Particular.

[Billy Wall]

In case you haven't seen this series, it's a true story about two people in Wylie, Texas (roughly 8 miles from Southfork) that had an affair that ended up in murder. But the scene that got me thinking of Dallas was the a scene when the defendants lawyer told ("""""""") that "I'm putting you on the stand because people down here, people are more likely to forgive murder than adultery."

That makes me wonder, in a bible carrying state like Texas, in the 70's no less, why were JR's actions accepted? I know it made for good TV, but in a real scenario, there's no way Jock and Miss Ellie would allow JR to be who he was.

Speaking of Love and Death, I highly recommend it and it ironically took place just when Dallas was taking off, between 1978-1980. This was probably front page in the newspaper that the Ewing's read everyday. Lol

 

[LMLDallas78]

there's no way Jock and Miss Ellie would allow JR to be who he was.

But they were also very naive as to who he was. The JR the family knew was different than behind closed doors JR. He was no murderer of course, even though he did threaten to kill Sue Ellen once to which she replied, "You haven't got the guts".

Jock and Miss Ellie knew a bit of what JR was like and what he was capable of. Jock encouraged his ruthless ways in business and Miss Ellie knew he didn't treat Sue Ellen very well but on the whole JR was clever at distracting the blame from himself.

Miss Ellie was the parent who stood up to him the most. She once called him a cold and insensitive man and questioned if he had any redeeming qualities but never anything much more.

That series sounds good. More likely to forgive murder than adultery is powerful.

 

[DallasFanForever]

That makes me wonder, in a bible carrying state like Texas, in the 70's no less, why were JR's actions accepted? I know it made for good TV, but in a real scenario, there's no way Jock and Miss Ellie would allow JR to be who he was.

I think the answer is simple. Money. Miss Ellie certainly had morals, and I do think Jock did also regardless of the things we know he did wrong, but I feel they turned a blind eye to a lot of things J.R. did as the money rolled in. If J.R. was the heir apparent to the throne and the one that was going to run the company then Jock had to have confidence it was going to run just as well. The more J.R. proved himself in business and that he could continue the Ewing empire then the less his personal life and mistakes were scrutinized.

 

[LMLDallas78]

I think the answer is simple. Money. Miss Ellie certainly had morals, and I do think Jock did also regardless of the things we know he did wrong, but I feel they turned a blind eye to a lot of things J.R. did as the money rolled in. If J.R. was the heir apparent to the throne and the one that was going to run the company then Jock had to have confidence it was going to run just as well. The more J.R. proved himself in business and that he could continue the Ewing empire then the less his personal life and mistakes were scrutinized.

Great analysis, makes me view Jock and Miss Ellie in a whole new light. I know the Ewings were often referred to as a family of greed but I never really included these two in that, I don't know why.
You're right though of course, they would have set the tone for that greed and to hang onto what they had, whatever the cost.

 

[CeeCee72]

It seems to me that adultery didn't go against Miss Ellie's "morals" unless she thought it was HER husband running around (Jock & Julie, Clayton & Laurel).

Not only did she knowingly put up with JR's constant cheating on his wife, she told Jenna to go back to Ray after he cheated.

 

[LMLDallas78]

It seems to me that adultery didn't go against Miss Ellie's "morals" unless she thought it was HER husband running around (Jock & Julie, Clayton & Laurel).

Not only did she knowingly put up with JR's constant cheating on his wife, she told Jenna to go back to Ray after he cheated.

Maybe Miss Ellie felt threatened by Sue Ellen and thought she might try to make a move on Jock! That's probably why Jock was often horrible to Sue Ellen and wasn't like a Father figure to her, for fear of Miss Ellie's jealousy causing upset.

She certainly felt threatened by Sue Ellen when she got with Clayton and she had every right to be, Clayton went from Sue Ellen to Miss Ellie very quickly. Talk about being second best.

 

[DallasFanForever]

It seems to me that adultery didn't go against Miss Ellie's "morals" unless she thought it was HER husband running around (Jock & Julie, Clayton & Laurel)

Ironically, neither Jock nor Clayton were even cheating in this case. Granted we don’t know what those relationships would’ve turned into had they continued but both were still innocent to a certain extent. But when Jock did cheat with Margaret back during the war it was all forgiven.