Facing the truth
In “The Fourth Son,” a fourth-season “Dallas” episode, Jock (Jim Davis) visits Ray (Steve Kanaly), who asks him to sit at the patio table outside his newly built home.
JOCK: Your father came to see me today.
RAY: My father?
JOCK: Yeah. Afraid he put the squeeze on me.
RAY: Jock, I’m sorry. I’m real sorry. I tried to get rid of him.
JOCK: Ray, I don’t know whether you know it or not, but your mother and I were real close friends.
RAY: Yes, sir, I know.
JOCK: I met her in England during World War II. I was in the Army Air Corps, and she was a nurse.
RAY: She used to talk about those nursing days a lot. Seems like the only time in her life she ever felt useful.
JOCK: The fact is, Ray, your mother and I had an affair. But it was, it was special. Oh, she knew all about Ellie. I knew about her fiancé, Amos Krebs. But it was wartime, and our feelings were…. Well, let’s just say that we were two lonely people.
RAY: Jock, you don’t have to explain a thing to me.
JOCK: Afraid I do. I was sent to France and she was shipped back home. We said goodbye. We knew it was over. We thought that was the best thing to do. We never kept in touch after that until –
RAY: Till I showed up on your doorstep. [Smiles]
JOCK: [Smiles] I was glad to have you. Still am.
RAY: Jock, let me handle my father. He’s not your problem. He’s mine.
JOCK: Ray, I don’t know how to put this, so I’ll just spit it out. He’s not your daddy. I am.
RAY: [Looks away, then at Jock; clenches his jaw] Did Krebbs tell you that?
JOCK: He provided proof. Don’t suppose he needed to. I know it’s the truth. I just, I just feel it. I don’t know why in the world I never realized it before.
RAY: You tell Miss Ellie yet?
JOCK: Not yet, but….
RAY: Then what are you going to do about it?
JOCK: What do you want me to do?
RAY: No disrespect to you, Jock, I’d just as soon you leave things the way they are.
JOCK: You understand, Ray, that you’ve got a lot at stake here.
RAY: Jock, I’d be proud to be recognized as your son. But you know what kind of problems that could cause for you and your family. And the pressure it might put between you and Miss Ellie. If it’s all right with you, I’m just happy to leave things just the way they are.
JOCK: You’re saying it’s my decision?
RAY: I want to do what’s best for you. It’s all I care about.
Dallas Decoder 
Just reading the scene gives me goosebumps and makes me admire and respect Ray much more since that dastardly Pilot episode. I’m so glad his character was ‘retooled’ for the rest of the series. Can’t wait to see this episode eventually, I’m trying to go in order. 😀
Ray changes a lot after the pilot. Steve Kanaly is great in this scene. I don’t blame you for watching the series in order. It’s the best way to appreciate it. Savor every episode!
I’m having my new wife watch Dallas for the very first time. We watch one episode a week every Friday night. It just seems like the right night to do it. Last week we got to this episode. This scene actually had her in tears. I think that says everything about the performances of these two fine actors.
I think it also says you married the right woman, Dan!
Speaking of Friday night viewing habits: My husband Andrew and I have been recording two Wednesday serials, “Nashville” and “Empire,” and watching them at the end of the work week. Not quite as good as the old “Dallas”/”Falcon Crest” double punch from days of yore, but it’ll have to do.
Thanks for your comments, as always.
Chris