Miss Ellie's treatment of Sue Ellen

[Chris2]

Even JR, of all people, seemed more upset about Pam's apocalyptic crash. But the series wanted to minimize the impact (as it were) of Pam's exit, as the writing began gradually becoming less and less character oriented.

Yes, and TV Guide reported at the time that negotiations with VP had hit “a snag” and that scripts for the new season were being revised to take (Pam) out. The new season began shooting almost immediately after shooting for the previous season ended that year, due to a looming writers’ strike. So I think that’s another reason no one seemed to care that Pam was gone.

 

[Toni]

So why, when I'm watching much of the early seasons of Dallas, I often agree with J.R. when he's arguing with Sue Ellen? Frankly, by the time the series begins, it's obvious that the happier days of their marriage were in the past. Sue Ellen is very jealous of Pam and Bobby's relationship, and sees Pam as just a trashy girl anyway, whom she grows to admire later for Pam's strength of character.

Well, I´d say that what she admired about Pam was that she invited her to that Hong Kong trip... Let´s not fool ourselves...

 

[Toni]

Here is a note that Katzman passed to that season´s writers, explaining how to refer to Pam instead of by name...

​

 

[DallasFanForever]

You're right.

Guess I just think it's asinine that JR gets a pass in that scene for being out all night.

You’re not wrong either. I just think it comes down to a generational gap. Miss Ellie was from a different era where a lot of things were excused far too easily. She was very strong and able to “tough it up” perhaps, whereas Sue Ellen was not tough enough in those early years to do that. I think Miss Ellie, knowing her son would never change, figured telling Sue Ellen to be stronger and to take care of herself was the better way to handle it.

 

[Laurie Marr]

And how about that wonderfully petulant display by Ellie in Clayton’s apartment when a sozzled Sue Ellen tries to seduce the old boy? If nothing else it’s an example of many occasions on the show when the cool and sagacious matriarch can quickly be overwhelmed by teenage temper tantrums.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

sa·ga·cious
[səˈɡāSHəs]

ADJECTIVE

1. having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd:
   "they were sagacious enough to avoid any outright confrontation"
   synonyms:
   wise · clever · intelligent · with/showing great knowledge · knowledgeable · sensible · sage · discerning · judicious · canny · penetrating · perceptive · acute · astute · shrewd · prudent · politic · thoughtful · full of insight · insightful · percipient · perspicacious · philosophical · profound · deep · sapient

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

sa·ga·cious
[səˈɡāSHəs]

ADJECTIVE

1. having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd:
   "they were sagacious enough to avoid any outright confrontation"
   synonyms:
   wise · clever · intelligent · with/showing great knowledge · knowledgeable · sensible · sage · discerning · judicious · canny · penetrating · perceptive · acute · astute · shrewd · prudent · politic · thoughtful · full of insight · insightful · percipient · perspicacious · philosophical · profound · deep · sapient

Notes: Being Sagacious doesn't apply to an individual who is fond of the bottle. They are full of alcohol with a deep, profound insight of where they're going to get their next drink!