Season 12 flashbacks

[Ewing4]

Currently watching season 12, between Sue Ellen’s movie and the elevator episode there are a lot of flashbacks to classic Dallas moments. Not sure what the intention of these were for, but all it truly does was show how great Dallas was, and how it wasn’t anymore, Sad as that is for me to say, as I’ve always loved Dallas and the characters so much, but the last few years just took a nosedive in writing and storylines.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Even the things they did in Season 12 might've been acceptable, but the details and tone were way off by that point.

 

[Bobby Southworth]

Did they possibly think when these episodes were written(I'm assuming they were written with the particular flashbacks in mind?) that season 12 could be the last season? I don't know for sure when the show was renewed for two more seasons, but just a thought. Also, if not that. maybe it was a form of closure for the Sue Ellen character on Dallas. Well, mostly, as not all the flashbacks dealt with her.

 

[LMLDallas78]

Did they possibly think when these episodes were written(I'm assuming they were written with the particular flashbacks in mind?) that season 12 could be the last season? I don't know for sure when the show was renewed for two more seasons, but just a thought. Also, if not that. maybe it was a form of closure for the Sue Ellen character on Dallas. Well, mostly, as not all the flashbacks dealt with her.

Those were my thoughts too. They must've known they were nearing the end, but I feel it was also a nod to Sue Ellen's departure as well as allowing Linda a somewhat dignified leaving story.

Seeing those flashbacks made her impending exit even harder. A bleak time obviously for Sue Ellen fans like myself.

Pam & Sue Ellen should've had much better departure stories, but I'm happy Sue Ellen left with her head held high and able to return for subsequent installments.

 

[the-lost-son]

I watched these episodes only once in a 90s rerun which oddly started with the dream season. Especially that season with its flashback emphasized how great the show was and unfortunately how subpar it had become. The role of SueEllen felt disjointed from the rest - as most characters had kind of insular storylines. I always liked Dallas that they did not kill off their major characters one by one - which Falcon Crest was more likely to and after BBG/Duffx returned that decision was comprehensible. Especially after all SueEllen went through it was understandable for her to start a new likfe somewhere else. I just wish they had regarded her history more - like sending her off in the sunset with Dusty for example. I wish we had some sparks between her and JR - Dalls TNT managed to get that right in my opinion.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Can't do duh DALLAS widout duh David.

 

[Mustard]

The political, business and family conflicts were always what drew the viewers in most, and did so for many years. This was lost later on. Ewing-Barnes and Ewing-Southworth were important dynamics. Pam and Miss Ellie were vital links in them. Pam is the Barnes daughter who married Bobby the Ewing son and all the conflicts that result from it. Miss Ellie actually had a big link in both those family conflicts in the sense that she is Digger's ex-girlfriend who married Jock, and she's always Ellie Southworth at heart with that Southworth landed outlook that is rooted in old money, which contrasts with Jock Ewing's oil outlook that is rooted in new money.

Pam was gone after Season 10 DVD. Miss Ellie was mostly scaled back after Season 11 DVD. What drives the overall narrative after this? As good as J.R. Ewing is, he needs the dynamics that made Dallas brilliant as much as anybody else on Dallas. It would never be enough to just think "He's J.R., so it'll be fine" if you're neglecting the dynamics that make Dallas work.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I’ve never been a big fan of flashbacks in general as I never understood the point of rewatching scenes from a show that I’ve already seen when they could be showing something new instead.

That being said, I did enjoy the flashbacks from the elevator scene with Bobby and J.R. It just seemed to fit well there considering the scene and what they were talking about.

I didn’t enjoy the flashback scenes during Sue Ellen’s movie storyline though, but maybe that’s because I didn’t really enjoy the storyline itself. Sue Ellen deserved a much better exit in my opinion.

An honorable mention for me are the flashback scenes in season 11 during Christopher’s custody hearing. Seeing those scenes again with Bobby and Jeff Farraday actually made sense given the storyline.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

I’ve never been a big fan of flashbacks in general as I never understood the point of rewatching scenes from a show that I’ve already seen when they could be showing something new instead.

That being said, I did enjoy the flashbacks from the elevator scene with Bobby and J.R. It just seemed to fit well there considering the scene and what they were talking about.

I didn’t enjoy the flashback scenes during Sue Ellen’s movie storyline though, but maybe that’s because I didn’t really enjoy the storyline itself. Sue Ellen deserved a much better exit in my opinion.

An honorable mention for me are the flashback scenes in season 11 during Christopher’s custody hearing. Seeing those scenes again with Bobby and Jeff Farraday actually made sense given the storyline.

Yeah, flashbacks are tricky. It can seem like a good idea, but the actual manifestation of it tends to leave something to be desired.

Sue Ellen's movie (a concept I like but revile its execution) gave us re-done classic DALLAS scenes with middling actors in the roles of "JR" and "Sue Ellen." And the effect was reductive. Maybe if they'd played it more like VIRGINIA WOLFE (than even Larry & Linda already did) it might have worked... Perhaps they could even have seduced famous real-life movie stars to have done it as a lark (can you imagine Christopher Walken and Kathleen Turner making cameos as themselves playing JR & Sue Ellen in Sue Ellen's movie??)

 

[DallasFanForever]

Sue Ellen's movie (a concept I like but revile its execution) gave us re-done classic DALLAS scenes with middling actors in the roles of "JR" and "Sue Ellen."

I agree that if executed differently the movie storyline actually could’ve worked. I think that’s what frustrates me about it cause it had the potential to be something good, but it just didn’t turn out that way.

Sue Ellen leaving while holding the movie over J.R.’s head was interesting, but not interesting enough. Her exit needed more, and I think the character deserved more.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

I agree that if executed differently the movie storyline actually could’ve worked. I think that’s what frustrates me about it cause it had the potential to be something good, but it just didn’t turn out that way.

Sue Ellen leaving while holding the movie over J.R.’s head was interesting, but not interesting enough. Her exit needed more, and I think the character deserved more.

And a couple of years later, once JR had run off Cally, a now-invisible Sue Ellen should have released her film into theaters, the Ewings having to live down the public scandal.

 

[pete lashmar]

The reason the movie idea didn't work was because when it started big names were mentioned to play the roles, yet what we got was bit part actors who were beige and boring. It also broke the 4th wall by showing the actual sets with supports, lighting etc - instead of taking viewers back it showed that none of it was real...wooden sets and cheap paint. Had they changed the sets and got well known actors in for cameo roles it could have worked better - more so if they hadn't filmed it line for line from the original scenes. But the pay off itself was also poor - had JR got a message from an unknown person to be in the cinema at a certain time with some sort of threat it would have worked better....as he enters the film begins, but Sue Ellen is not there. Then as a final scene we see Sue Ellen boarding a plane and flying out of Dallas, with a big grin on her face - happy and content. Then in the following season JR gets a letter from her explaining what she told him at the end of the episode.

 

[tommie]

I think the show started to become oddly reminiscent about its past in season 11 and it continued in season 12 - they just started randomly mentioning Holly Harwood out of nowhere as an example. I wouldn't have minded it as much if it wasn't the fact that the show was falling apart so it just served as a reminder what a great show this once was.

 

[Monzo]

I'm not a fan of flashbacks either, but they were the least of Dallas' problems in season 12. The idea of a movie about JR was actually a good idea from the writers. Sue Ellen already had her revenge in season 11 when she prevented JR from taking over Weststar and of course she had to get another revenge after Nicholas' death. The idea of a movie was something different and made sense in terms of JR's reputation. The beginning of the storyline was particularly promising, when Lucy and Jeremy were still involved. Lucy could have suggested her mother, the famous author, as the screenwriter and we would have had a nice visit from Valene.

I would have preferred if Sue Ellen had realized during the actual shoot that it wasn't worth it, not just because it would hurt John Ross once he watched the movie, but also because of herself. She should have realized that JR isn't worth getting any more attention and should instead focused on the future, be it with Don or whoever.

 

[Seaviewer]

The flashbacks were to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the show, 1978 to 1988.

 

[Rove]

I’ve never been a big fan of flashbacks

They belong on daytime television and even then I detest them as it tells me the writers are lazy and just wish to plump out an episode.

 

[LMLDallas78]

Flashbacks are fine, they take me back to certain scenes and re ignites my love for it. Makes me want to watch those whole episodes.

I remember the Flashbacks for Jock originally airing and feeling "wow!" and longing to see those episodes again. Even the dreamy wiggly visuals beforehand, I just loved them.

 

[DallasFanForever]

They belong on daytime television and even then I detest them as it tells me the writers are lazy and just wish to plump out an episode.

I guess they’ve always worked better on daytime, and maybe you can even make the case they’re necessary on daytime given they have to fill 250 shows a year.

Flashbacks are fine, they take me back to certain scenes and re ignites my love for it. Makes me want to watch those whole episodes.

I like them if they’re done right, and if they make me want to go back and watch again then I’d say they were definitely done the right way.

I remember the Flashbacks for Jock originally airing and feeling "wow!" and longing to see those episodes again. Even the dreamy wiggly visuals beforehand, I just loved them.

And this is a perfect example of flashbacks done right. Possibly the best use of flashbacks I’ve ever seen.

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

every time I see this thread title I get a bit nervous… will visions of Haleyville, chain gangs, JR ploughing a field, etc., etc. start to dance before my eyes like a bad LSD aftereffect? The horror!

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Seasons 12 (per DVD count), what with its range war plot and Halleyville scenarios, should have aimed to turn more cinematic -- at least for a few months, rediscovering its western roots and filming in spectacular west Texas locations and national parks.

Instead, they went to Moscow. Which was a nice feather in DALLAS' hat, but even Larry acknowledged that "it didn't work."

I always want to see Miss Ellie bending over backwards to avoid bringing in law enforcement during the range war with McKay -- much to Clayton's and Bobby's consternation. To the point her reluctance becomes suspicious (is she protecting something hidden out there? Something maybe Wes Parmalee hinted at as he whispered in her ear just before disappearing??)

And they should never had made nicey-nice with McKay. Especially when Bobby was engaged to his daughter, much less after Tracey -- along with stalker April -- dies in Paris later.