Jabari Lamar
Telly Talk Fan
Need a fourth option. I don't think it needs to be used, either as the prime business or part of a conglomerate, but it's also not because I couldn't care less. I think it makes sense to update the name for the modern era, especially since it is likely that a company like that would have expanded into other types of energy in addition to oil. Thus the name Ewing Energies as they used on TNT was fine with me (I even liked the new logo they designed for it). Although if it were up to me I would have probably gone with Ewing Industries (similar to the real-life Koch Industries). The problem with the TNT version was that it was a new company (at least until they bought out and merged with Barnes Global - but I didn't like the name Ewing Global, it sounded more like a travel agency than an oil/energy company), and not an outgrowth of the original Ewing Oil that Jock founded. I think that's a key element to Dallas.
stevew
Telly Talk Star
You’re right and I changed the poll. And I agree - Ewing Oil becoming Ewing Industries much like the Koch brothers did.
Lastkidpicked
Telly Talk Dream Maker
When you saw the poll by @stevew did any of you think of the exchange between Jock and Bobby during their most famous argument?
When Bobby said, "That money belongs to Ewing Oil". And Jock responded (think of his gravely voice when you read this next line):
"Who the hell do you think Ewing Oil is? It's ME!"
Powerful scene and perfectly acted.
When Bobby said, "That money belongs to Ewing Oil". And Jock responded (think of his gravely voice when you read this next line):
"Who the hell do you think Ewing Oil is? It's ME!"
Powerful scene and perfectly acted.
Jabari Lamar
Telly Talk Fan
I didn't think of it, but now I'm also thinking of the scene where Wendell is taking over Ewing Oil and as J.R. takes Jock's portrait he shows it to John Ross and says "This is Ewing Oil."
This ties into my reasoning behind my original answer. I advocate for a name-change just because I think it's realistic at this point. But it needs to be the company that was originally founded by Jock, I think that's the important factor about Dallas, that whatever Ewings we're focusing on, they need to be running (and fighting over) the company that Jock built. In some way they're all trying to live up to and respect the legacy of Jock Ewing. That's why J.R. and Bobby fought over it, that's why they each wanted it for their sons, etc.
And so that was one of the problems with the status quo of Dallas TNT, in my opinion, how it started with Ewing Oil being long gone and out of the family's hands, and then John Ross and Christopher trying to start a new company. The way it was set up it would have made more sense for them to just stay separate and doing their own things. If Ewing Oil/Energies/Industries was their from the beginning, their conflict would have made more sense.
stevew
Telly Talk Star
The scene does bring to mind, what is Ewing Oil now?
Jabari Lamar
Telly Talk Fan
Therein lied the conflict in the original series and would exist in a continuation. Who is the most rightful heir to Jock Ewing?
stevew
Telly Talk Star
Well most of the time in businesses like this everyone’s an heir, though one might take more of an over-site lead, such families usually hire people for the day to day running of the business. So “who is the most rightful heir to Jock Ewing?” never is asked. Who wants to work for (and possible up within) the business? Anyone want to take a lead on the board? Though it does appear Trump’s family operated much like this, pick an heir and the rest of us shut our mouths and if you can’t we’ll cut you off. And the Koch brothers fought over their ideas for the company. In the end, two brothers opted to take their inheritance and walk away while one took the leadership role and another followed. So there are cases like this, but I’d say the title of “rightful heir” is just a justification on the part of the one who screwed over his siblings. We learned Jock never really screwed over his friend or his brother.
Jabari Lamar
Telly Talk Fan
If you don't know of them, also look up Sid W. Richardson and his heirs, his great-nephews the Bass brothers, another real-life Texas oil family that I think of has a basis for the Ewings. There's some interesting stories there.
Well, we are talking about writing a soap opera. So, y'know, characters screwing over each other and acting in ways they probably wouldn't really need to in real life comes with the territory.
I honestly would have preferred if they'd left that ambiguous. No need to retroactively make Jock into a saint. We know J.R. and Bobby both learned how to play dirty from him (Bobby just didn't like doing it as much as J.R. did).
stevew
Telly Talk Star
Thanks for the reference.
I don’t mean a issue is with the fight but the idea of the “rightful heir.” That happens too of course. It’s just justification.
I don’t think it was retroactively making him a saint. He was still a ruthless man willing to justify his behavior, it’s just he didn’t actually screw over friends and family. I think that’s the difference they were trying to show. He didn’t cheat, except during the war. He didn’t screw over people in business, as long as they were friends and family. That sort of thing. Far from a saint. A long ways from JR as well.
Lastkidpicked
Telly Talk Dream Maker
And this is why people fight so hard for small businesses. It is not just a business, it is a person's life blood and hard work. Notice how the writers drive the point home by using the phrase, "I AM Ewing oil. I AM Takapa". People see these businesses as an extension of themsleves.
bmasters9
Telly Talk Mega Star
And then:
Jock: "Obliged! You telling me that I'm obliged to ask you how to spend my own money, any damn way I see fit?!"
Bobby: "That's right; you gave me the power to run that company, and damn it, I intend to run it!"
Jock: "So I gave you power, huh? Well, let me tell you somethin,' boy-- if I did give you power you've got NOTHING! Nobody gives you power. Real power is something you TAKE!"
Billy Wall
Telly Talk Dream Maker
One of the greatest scenes ever in Dallas, but I said it before and I’ll say it again, Jock was dead wrong.
Luke_Krebbs_Ewing
Telly Talk Champion
Last edited:
Rove
Telly Talk Warrior
I also preferred Ewing Energies used in TNT. One of the few things I liked. I don't like the name Ewing Industries as this could imply anything from pumping oil to pumping milk. Ewing Energies informs us the family are still in the game of natural resources whether this was oil or clean energy. Positioning John Ross (Oil) and Christopher (Fracking) was a great concept because both are contentious with the broader public and it creates the conflict within the family so desired. The side affect of this conflict of course is Southfork, the one place Miss Ellie wished to remain untouched by greed. This is when the Southworth blood kicks in with Bobby.
bmasters9
Telly Talk Mega Star
That could be why some other businesses fail-- their names don't allow for much clarity about what those businesses do.
Lastkidpicked
Telly Talk Dream Maker
Billy, if you have time would you expand on that? It is an interesting thought.
Billy Wall
Telly Talk Dream Maker
Despite Jock’s “if I gave you power” speech, he DID appoint Bobby the head of Ewing Oil. And as the head, no one (including Jock) should have the right to dip into Ewing Oil assets without consulting Bobby first.
Lastkidpicked
Telly Talk Dream Maker
The storyline where Bobby takes over Ewing Oil while J.R. recovers is where I think Dallas really hit its stride. And even though the Ewings were fabulously wealthy, they were producing storylines we could all relate to. How many times do we see this in real life:
Bobby is asked to take over Ewing Oil. He doesn't want to do it. Jock convinces him to do it for the good of the family. Later, when Bobby has the confidence to start making decisions the very person who asked him to take over is now questioning his decisions.
Bobby takes over Ewing Oil for the good of the family and that very family works to undermine his efforts (Looking at you, J.R. and Sue Ellen).
And here's one many of us can relate to. You start a new job and promise yourself, "I'll always keep a good balance. I'll always make it home in time for dinner and I will be able to keep date night once a week with my spouse." And then you find out that meetings take place in the evenings and things go wrong where you have to work late.
Oh yes, the writers did a great job with this season.
And it was nice that about this time we see Jock turning to Ray for advice on how to handle J.R. and Bobby. It's good to see Jock and Ray build a relationship this sseason.
Last edited: