Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘It’s Up to Me to Run This Family’

Late show

In “Mama Dearest,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie and Lucy (Barbara Bel Geddes, Charlene Tilton) sit at the Southfork kitchen table late at night.

LUCY: Was what J.R. did really so wrong?

ELLIE: It was wrong because of why he did it. Only to get the best of Bobby. And it hurt a lot of our friends at the same time.

LUCY: But it was a business deal, wasn’t it?

ELLIE: Yes, it was.

LUCY: You know how I feel about J.R. I mean, I hardly ever approve of anything he does.

ELLIE: Lucy, you’re very troubled about this. Why?

LUCY: Well, Granddaddy would have known that something like this could happen. He knew how J.R. operated. He had to take that into account when he decided that J.R. and Bobby should compete for Ewing Oil. Granddaddy was a very smart man. Especially when it came to business.

ELLIE: [Smiles] Yes, he was.

LUCY: Then how can you try and change what he wanted done?

ELLIE: It’s very difficult for me, Lucy.

LUCY: Well, then don’t do it. I’m sure it’s all turning out just the way Granddaddy expected it.

ELLIE: [Smiles] Oh, Lucy. I know how much you loved him. I did too. And I respected his judgment. I found him very wise. But even when he was alive, things didn’t always work out the way he planned. But then he was around to make the changes and straighten everything out. It’s gone wrong. And he’s not around to fix it.

LUCY: Grandma, are you sure you’re doing what’s right?

ELLIE: No. No, I’m not sure. I don’t want to go against your granddaddy’s wishes. But he’s not here anymore. And it’s up to me to run this family.

Lucy reaches across the table and touches Ellie’s arm.