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Dallas Couples JR & Sue Ellen - Swoonalicious Appreciation Thread
Ukdallasfan
Telly Talk Fan
Larry named his autobiography in tribute to Linda, didn’t he? What a shame circumstances weren’t different 
@Sarah I don't know what went on between JR/SE the day before the "blue sheet" scene. But I will say this, I think love scenes filmed in the 1980s were a lot hotter than what we have on TV today. Back then it was sort of implied that people were naked under the sheets. It left things to your imagination and was sexier than today when they are just showing off people in their underwears.
Also I love how JR/SE's reunion in the dream season just grew. You have that first kiss in the kitchen, then she kisses him after tucking in John Ross and then there's that visit at the office. There's all of the little moments that leads up to their reunion and JR got to fall in love with Sue Ellen all over again and realize that he already had what he wanted. He didn't need the Winger Tramp. He didn't love her after all. So yeah that reunion was really well handled IMHO.
Maybe @Rove has something to add to this since you just rewatched the season for the first time in years?
I love Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor. They remain my most favorite celebrity couple. Their scenes in the movies are smoking hot. But yes everybody knew they were married in real life! :heart:
The thing about Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy though was that they were in an unofficial relationship since he was married to someone else. They often portrayed a couple in the movies but people who didn't know them were under the impression that they were just good friends until years after he'd died. So yeah they had two very different relationships.
I think there's a bit of Taylor-Burton dynamic in JR/SE's relationship since it's very passionate and there's also some problems with too much booze. Richard went to a rehab (or funny farm as they called them back in the 1970s) to get his act together and kick his habit of drinking. But it was hard for him. In Dallas Sue Ellen of course had the drinking problem.
Also I love how JR/SE's reunion in the dream season just grew. You have that first kiss in the kitchen, then she kisses him after tucking in John Ross and then there's that visit at the office. There's all of the little moments that leads up to their reunion and JR got to fall in love with Sue Ellen all over again and realize that he already had what he wanted. He didn't need the Winger Tramp. He didn't love her after all. So yeah that reunion was really well handled IMHO.
Maybe @Rove has something to add to this since you just rewatched the season for the first time in years?
Totally believable as a passionate couple who, deep down, always loved each other. I’m struggling to think of any other on screen couple who matched them save for, perhaps, Burton and Taylor but they had a real life tempestuous relationship to draw their artistic skills from
I love Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor. They remain my most favorite celebrity couple. Their scenes in the movies are smoking hot. But yes everybody knew they were married in real life! :heart:
The thing about Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy though was that they were in an unofficial relationship since he was married to someone else. They often portrayed a couple in the movies but people who didn't know them were under the impression that they were just good friends until years after he'd died. So yeah they had two very different relationships.
I think there's a bit of Taylor-Burton dynamic in JR/SE's relationship since it's very passionate and there's also some problems with too much booze. Richard went to a rehab (or funny farm as they called them back in the 1970s) to get his act together and kick his habit of drinking. But it was hard for him. In Dallas Sue Ellen of course had the drinking problem.
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Miss Texas 1967
Telly Talk Addict
Sarah
Moderator Emerita
The fact that the Thing of Evil has been mentioned isn’t even enough to put me off this GLORIOUS picture - thank you @Miss Texas 1967 - this is the stuff right here. I am, swooning. And gulping.Not the same night but look at how they're looking at each other
Also, it's a real shame we never got any of the M***y (I'vename for you @Sarah
There is a photo where they have replaced Ed’s head with Larry's in the bathtub. Oh nom nom. Would have put Minger to shame. :love5:
Sarah
Moderator Emerita
How about this one?? There is nothing in JR’s body language here to suggest he’s angry even after the shooting, West Star and Nick. Sue Ellen was staying strong here but you can see how they feel about each other really. And who cares Cally is watching? I certainly don’t! 
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Sarah
Moderator Emerita
@Karin Schill - I don't know if I ever told you that my aunt and uncle are called Liz and Richard? :love5:
And where did everyone go??? Don't get me all excited then leave!
And where did everyone go??? Don't get me all excited then leave!
Ukdallasfan
Telly Talk Fan
I hated the JR and Mandy (there, I’ve said it!) bathtub and bed scenes with a passion. I’m wondering whether the writers felt that less was indeed more between JR and Sue Ellen so that more was left to the fans’ imagination?
Sarah
Moderator Emerita
The bathtub was to compensate for the air in her fekin head. Soooooo vacant. There’s literally nothing there. I agree about the less is more @Ukdallasfan !!!
Which brings me to - what do you think JR meant when he told Winger during the dream season ‘you were wrong about a lot of things, but mostly about Sue Ellen and myself’.
I her she was wrong about him and Sue Ellen, she was wrong that Sue Ellen couldn’t compete with her ( one is a Goddess the other a vapid tramp), and wrong that JR would come running back. What else?
I physically despise that woman. Like if I could have, I’d have had her sucked into the bathtub air vent. By her hair.
Which brings me to - what do you think JR meant when he told Winger during the dream season ‘you were wrong about a lot of things, but mostly about Sue Ellen and myself’.
I her she was wrong about him and Sue Ellen, she was wrong that Sue Ellen couldn’t compete with her ( one is a Goddess the other a vapid tramp), and wrong that JR would come running back. What else?
I physically despise that woman. Like if I could have, I’d have had her sucked into the bathtub air vent. By her hair.
Miss Texas 1967
Telly Talk Addict
The blue sheets scene was pretty suggestive...I hated the JR and Mandy (there, I’ve said it!) bathtub and bed scenes with a passion. I’m wondering whether the writers felt that less was indeed more between JR and Sue Ellen so that more was left to the fans’ imagination?
@Sarah no you didn't tell me that your aunt and uncle is named Liz and Richard. That's a nice coincidence.
I think the reason why JR told Mandy that she was wrong about JR and Sue Ellen was because Mandy was under the impression that JR didn't love Sue Ellen anymore and that he was miserable in his marriage. When the truth was that JR always loved Sue Ellen. I think that's the reason why Mandy got so upset in the episode "Those eyes" when JR started talking about how he had first fallen in love with Sue Ellen when she was Miss Texas 1967. Because the way he talked about Sue Ellen opened up Mandy's eyes to the fact that JR had loved Sue Ellen once and it was hard for her to hear.
I think the reason why JR told Mandy that she was wrong about JR and Sue Ellen was because Mandy was under the impression that JR didn't love Sue Ellen anymore and that he was miserable in his marriage. When the truth was that JR always loved Sue Ellen. I think that's the reason why Mandy got so upset in the episode "Those eyes" when JR started talking about how he had first fallen in love with Sue Ellen when she was Miss Texas 1967. Because the way he talked about Sue Ellen opened up Mandy's eyes to the fact that JR had loved Sue Ellen once and it was hard for her to hear.
Ukdallasfan
Telly Talk Fan
I completely agree Karin. Mandy wanted JR to no longer love Sue Ellen but that wasn’t the case. That’s why she crumpled completely when he started talking about when they first met and she saw how sad he was that she had fallen off the wagon and got herself into such a bad state. It was the same when he let fly at Dusty at the hospital telling him to take his hands off her. No matter how badly he behaved, JR never stopped loving Sue Ellen
Goldie
Telly Talk Member
Oooo, that right there ... that is one of their most quiet, smoldering scenes. So much chemistry.
Sarah
Moderator Emerita
You know this does perfectly address @Karin Schill ’s question about the bathtub.
Mandy needed a bathtub (in more ways than one) because her chemistry with JR was non existent.
Blue sheets is of course off the chart to a couple with chemistry that is already well... off the chart.
But with Sue Ellen and JR they can be hotter than hell even with a look.
Mandy has to cheapen herself. Tough break, Trampoid!!
DallasFanForever
Telly Talk Supreme
I think my favorite J.R. and Sue Ellen scene would have to be the one where she shows him the proof that she was the one behind Valentine Lingerie and was responsible for getting rid of Mandy. I just love the chemistry between them in that scene. You can just see the pride in J.R.’s face. Very little dialogue between them after he realizes what happened but it wasn’t needed. The looks they gave each other said everything that needed to be said
Ukdallasfan
Telly Talk Fan
That scene is well written and acted. At first, there is the fear that he will be angry with her for the scheme to get rid of Mandy but then that smile starts to develop and he’s genuinely proud that Sue Ellen has used her brains and dispatched her rival. I also love the way Sue Ellen takes hold of his arm at the beginning and sits him down on the bed
Sarah
Moderator Emerita
Yes to everything above. He doesn’t mind when she drags him in, it’s like he almost enjoys it and when she pushes him on the bed to sit down, the look he gives her is one of curious sexiness. Sue Ellen really showed her courage here - it could have gone either way but I think deep down she knew he’d be impressed. And was he ever! That smile!!!! It almost said ‘You win. Game on my love’. I think JR must have also been very pleased that she was no longer shutting him out. Getting rid of Trampaloid meant she wanted him. She still loved him.That scene is well written and acted. At first, there is the fear that he will be angry with her for the scheme to get rid of Mandy but then that smile starts to develop and he’s genuinely proud that Sue Ellen has used her brains and dispatched her rival. I also love the way Sue Ellen takes hold of his arm at the beginning and sits him down on the bed
AND watch for the delicious up and down look he gives her - admiring her.
SWOON!!!!!
Ukdallasfan
Telly Talk Fan
I’m going back now to the two part episode when little John (later known as John Ross) is taken from the hospital after he was born by the woman who had lost her own baby. Although things are obviously not great between them, JR comes over very protective of Sue Ellen after this happens. He waylays the detective who is sniffing around her as if she’s a suspect and then is caring towards her getting her sedated and then bringing her home. Even as a teen, watching that for the first time, I could see how complex their relationship really was and, when it came down to it, he would always have her back. I’m wondering if anyone can think of any other good examples of the complexity of their relationship?
Miss Texas 1967
Telly Talk Addict
I’m going back now to the two part episode when little John (later known as John Ross) is taken from the hospital after he was born by the woman who had lost her own baby. Although things are obviously not great between them, JR comes over very protective of Sue Ellen after this happens. He waylays the detective who is sniffing around her as if she’s a suspect and then is caring towards her getting her sedated and then bringing her home. Even as a teen, watching that for the first time, I could see how complex their relationship really was and, when it came down to it, he would always have her back. I’m wondering if anyone can think of any other good examples of the complexity of their relationship?
When Sue Ellen defended JR in the interrogation with Nicholas Pearce's father. She hated JR enough to shoot him for what he did to Nick but she didn't want to see him die at the hands of a man who was seeking revenge for that same event. She didn't want John Ross' father to die but she also didn't want the man she had a complex love/hate relationship with to die in that moment either. He later thanked her for it and that was interesting.
Another one would be after he's shot the first time and she's all worried in the hospital. He's so awful to her, snapping about her act and playing caring in public and she doesn't admit anything but that she loves him, which I'd have to go back and watch but I think he may warm to her a bit for a moment. It might be a little abuse victim Stockholm Sydromey but that itself is complex.
Also, as we already discussed. This miscarriage. She and JR aren't really in a great place but he's there after as if she's the most important person to him.
I only just rewatched the show last year and already I feel like I've forgotten things and am missing bits and pieces that would fit here
Ukdallasfan
Telly Talk Fan
I agree. There are so many different nuances to the show that we could watch it a thousand times and still find more to talk about. The Cliff affair is probably another example. The scene where the private investigator tells him she’s been seeing Cliff and JR’s face- says it all. He might not have wanted her right then but he wasn’t going to let anyone else, let alone Cliff, have her