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Dallas Character Harry McSween and Sly

Angela Channing

Angela Channing

Telly Talk Veteran
What exactly is the relationship between Harry McSween and Sly? I'm sure when Sly was first interviewed for the secretary job, she told JR that he was a family friend that she always calls Uncle Harry. However, during the BD Calhoun storyline, JR refers to Sly as being McSween's niece as if they were actually related.

Did I miss something or was that just a continuity error?
 
James from London

James from London

International Treasure
Funnily enough, I just watched the Season 9 episode you're talking about yesterday! JR referring to Harry as Sly's uncle didn't seem incongruous to me -- in fact, it seemed like a neat way of bringing up the past to inform the present. JR wants to console/control Sly, to minimise her reaction to the dead body in his office, so the fact that he mentions that "your uncle" is involved in the investigation/cover up just seems like an expedient way of reassuring her. JR's really thinking on his feet at this point so maybe he doesn't have time to differentiate between a real uncle and an honorary one.

That's just how it came across to me.
 
Pammy P

Pammy P

Telly Talk Fan
Slys dad and Harry were buddies she called him Uncle Harry
Lol
 
Angela Channing

Angela Channing

Telly Talk Veteran
James from London said:
JR's really thinking on his feet at this point so maybe he doesn't have time to differentiate between a real uncle and an honorary one.
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I'm sure in that episode or one close to it, JR when talking to Harry, refers to Sly as being his niece. I get calling a family friend "Uncle" as a sign of affection and respect but why would JR call Sly Harry's niece?
 
Sarah

Sarah

Moderator Emerita
I have a fake auntie who calls me her niece. It's a big thing in Ireland (and India). Although seemingly it's a big thing in Dallas too.

They weren't related. Harry was a family friend.
 
Snarky Oracle!

Snarky Oracle!

Telly Talk Supreme
Uncle Harry got blown up and murdered by a Manson-like cult in an episode of STARSKY & HUTCH, the cult leader played by an actual friend of the real-life Manson family, Aesop Aquarian.

I bet Sly never mentioned that to J.R.

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Taylor Bennett Jr.

Taylor Bennett Jr.

Telly Talk Winner
he kept it hidden in his professional life, coming across as a hard-boiled arch-conservative type, but Harry was quite into new-agey things, which explains his involvement with Manson-like cults in the 70s and his strong off-camera presence at the Institute for Advanced Awareness when Sue Ellen attended.

He was part of the same free love “pod” as Sly’s parents in the 70s, which explains the uncle confusion — familial relationships were quite fluid in those circles at the time.
 
Toni

Toni

Maximum Member
Snarky Oracle!

Snarky Oracle!

Telly Talk Supreme
darkshadows38 said:
i never liked the Character McSween since he was a dirty cop. and Sly i always considered her a Hoe
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Not, technically, until JR RETURNS.

It was always odd that JR went so easy on her after she sold him out to Cliff during Season 7 -- and just because Sly was worried about her brother's legal issues doesn't mean JR, vengeful by nature, would be so forgiving.

Likewise, why would the writers (probably because they forgot about it) not have JR wreak his revenge on Pam after she kidnapped his son and drove him to Sue Ellen on The Southern Cross?? When Pam later wound up on that rooftop, ready to jump, JR should have played some small, clandestine role in that.
 
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