Dallas: TNG

Jock's Ghost

Telly Talk Well-Known Member
Say what you will about sequel Dallas, i enjoyed the attempt despite the premise needing more DALLAS ingredients; characters from the past- marilee Stone, Jeremy Windell, Donna Krebs, more face to face scenes with Gary, Val and JR; dinners, dressing up for dinner, pre dinner drinks. Snarky dinner conversations.
The one standout for me is Mama Ryland. Played by Soap legend Judith Light. She was a nasty, conniving, fire breathing devil woman that would have made for some great sparring matches with the Ewings of yore. Still she made a small part into a big deal and made an impression, unlike her doormat son Harris.
Being back Mama Ryland!
 

Luke_Krebbs_Ewing

Telly Talk Champion
I don't think we're going to get another continuation series, mainly due to the disastrous performance worldwide of the TNT Cyntax Dallas. I'd be very surprised if we did!

I think the only future for Dallas now is a complete reboot with new actors.
 

Rove

Telly Talk Warrior
I recall the TNT Dallas episode, "Venomous Creatures" when Bobby visits the Ryland mansion and is introduced to Judith Brown Ryland. Her first dialogue to Bobby was, "My son isn't home". A pitch perfect delivery from Judith Light. A little unnerving but I recall thinking, this looks promising. If the writers had kept Judith Ryland as this ice maiden who knows where it might have led. But like most things on TNT Dallas she turned into a caricature and I couldn't take her character seriously.
 

stevew

Telly Talk Star
I recall the TNT Dallas episode, "Venomous Creatures" when Bobby visits the Ryland mansion and is introduced to Judith Brown Ryland. Her first dialogue to Bobby was, "My son isn't home". A pitch perfect delivery from Judith Light. A little unnerving but I recall thinking, this looks promising. If the writers had kept Judith Ryland as this ice maiden who knows where it might have led. But like most things on TNT Dallas she turned into a caricature and I couldn't take her character seriously.
My only issue with her was "momma likes" - that was cheesy. But the rest, I agree. I would have loved to see her character fleshed out as someone JR had a relationship with, an unknown friend and partner in crime of JR's (much like I assumed was the case with Carlos - some how with JR I could believe he had a lot off people in his closet in the original series). And with JR gone, I would have loved to have seen her relationship with John Ross. I would have taken her to the U.S. Senate and destroyed Harris - left him in prison. That was dumb to bring him back, not only showing the weakness of JR's masterpiece but also the weakness for Judith for not being able to make sure her son stayed locked up like he tried to do to her. Weakening two very important characters for Harris made no sense.
 

stevew

Telly Talk Star
I sort of agree - we needed a lot more original Dallas brought to the update.

1. Jeremey Wendell's son, J. Paul Wendell, based on J. Paul Getty and the start of a new Ewing Feud with a guest appearance by William Smithers. Could have played up a minority group they seemed to want to have represented. Maybe Phylicia Rashad as his mother.

2. Punk and Mavis's granddaughter, Amy Anderson, what more perfect bridge for John Ross could JR have picked and we all know he would have been involved in the picking. Maybe Christopher ends up with her. She could have been Hispanic, who knows who Punk and Mavis's son married.

3. Ellie Ewing, the secret child that JR and Marilee Stone and JR Ewing had.

So many possibilities that they could have minded from the original. Even Carmen. Why couldn't she have been Teresa's sister? Certainly would have explained more.
 

lbf522

Telly Talk Well-Known Member
If JR had a daughter, I would have preferred it would have been his and Sue Ellen's after having John Ross.

Yes the maid should have been Teresa's sister not some never before mentioned family. I could care less about the Ramos family.

The problem with Dallas TNT was that they put someone in charge who clearly did not care about the show and it showed in the writing.
 

cws

Formerly kcmimichar
If JR had a daughter, I would have preferred it would have been his and Sue Ellen's after having John Ross.

Yes the maid should have been Teresa's sister not some never before mentioned family. I could care less about the Ramos family.

The problem with Dallas TNT was that they put someone in charge who clearly did not care about the show and it showed in the writing.
To this day, I still wonder if Larry,Linda, and Patrick regretted doing Dallas TNT.
 

Bobby Southworth

Telly Talk Fan
Top Poster Of Month
The Rylands, in my opinion, were a nice addition to the series. That's one thing Cynthia got right. It's too bad in the original series that the Ewings couldn't have had enemies like them in the later years, instead of McKay. Nothing against Carter; he was alright, but I just think they needed someone a little darker.
 

Rove

Telly Talk Warrior
but I just think they needed someone a little darker.
Lorimar Dallas had the character already in play. I'm speaking of course about Jeremy Wendell. After the demise of Pam I think the ongoing story of Ewing versus Barnes had run its course especially when Miss Ellie and Cliff resolved their dispute after their conversation in the park. Jeremy could have been the new adversary to the Ewing family. He desperately wanted Ewing Oil and it would have been fun to watch him up against the Ewing family. The series worked so well when outsiders tried to mess with the family.

I had hoped Dallas would have went to a really dark place after the death of Bobby to counter the shrill happening over at Dynasty. But those behind the scenes were insistent his soul had to be resurrected. Fine. So perhaps Dallas should have went dark after the death of Pam...oops...hang on...she isn't dead...or is she? Perhaps the writers should have used Jeremy to bring out the worst in the Ewing family. Let's be honest. Dallas was so much more enjoyable to watch when JR was dark and menacing.
 
Top