
Blood is thicker than oil
In “Fallen Idol,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters his office to find Jeb and Willie Joe (Sandy Ward, John Ashton) waiting for him.
J.R.: Well boys, what’s got you all stirred up on a busy Monday morning?
JEB: We heard about your little brother’s shopping center. It was all over town by 9 this morning.
J.R.: [Standing behind his desk] Well you didn’t come here to talk about a shopping center.
WILLIE JOE: He’s building exactly where your daddy’s will gives you the right to drill for oil!
JEB: We share in that oil, J.R. It’s the basis to every deal we’ve made. I’m beginning to think that maybe that will is a fake.
J.R.: You calling me a liar?
WILLIE JOE: If we come up dry in the Panhandle, and Bobby builds on that red-file land, we could be out of business!
J.R.: I’ve always protected you boys. You keep this up and I’m gonna stop.
JEB: [Leaning across J.R.’s desk] If you don’t stop Bobby, I’ll stop him.
J.R.: [Drops his mail on his desk] What’s that supposed to mean?
JEB: You know damn well what it means.
J.R.: [Pauses, then slaps Jeb, sending him back on his feet] Don’t you ever threaten my brother – or any other Ewing. I told you I’d handle this. Now get out of my office! [Turns his back to Jeb and Willie Joe and stares out the window. They leave.]
[…] of the best moments comes during the third act, when J.R.’s underhanded cronies Jeb Ames and Willie Joe Garr show up […]