Critique: ‘Dallas’ Episode 136 — ‘The Quality of Mercy’

Pool shark

J.R. Ewing is a man of supreme self-confidence, but he has a jealous streak too. His primary goal in life — to grow the Ewing empire — is rooted in his determination to win Jock’s approval and supplant Bobby as their father’s favorite son. Sue Ellen also arouses J.R.’s envy whenever she turns her attention to other people, whether it’s for love (Cliff, Dusty) or friendship (Pam, Clayton). In “The Quality of Mercy,” J.R. finds himself feeling threatened anew, and this time by his unlikeliest rival yet: Peter Richards, the boyish camp counselor who has managed to captivate both Sue Ellen and John Ross.

Many “Dallas” fans don’t care for this storyline, but since I began re-watching the show’s seventh season, I’ve been fascinated by the contrast between dark, devilish Larry Hagman and blond, beatific Christopher Atkins. “The Quality of Mercy” is a crucial chapter in their on-screen rivalry because it represents the moment J.R. begins to see Peter as an enemy. This revelation begins to unfold in the sweet scene where J.R. tucks John Ross into bed and learns Peter helped the boy deal with a bully at camp. J.R. says he’s pleased his son’s problem has been resolved, but he also tells him: “The one person you come to when you’re in trouble is your daddy. You remember that.” Later, J.R. watches from the Southfork balcony as Peter spends time with Sue Ellen and John Ross by the pool. Hagman’s stony expression makes it clear: J.R. doesn’t share his wife and son’s enthusiasm for their new friend.

After the poolside romp, Sue Ellen, John Ross and Peter retreat to the patio for lunch. When Peter mentions his desire for success, Sue Ellen, who has been hurt by more than one ambitious man in the past, looks crestfallen. Peter explains he isn’t interested in wealth and power; he only wants to succeed in his career as a child psychologist. Sue Ellen’s face lights up, giving us our first clue that she has romantic designs on him. Sue Ellen then turns the subject toward Peter’s love life. She tells him how “mature” he is; this time, his face lights up. This is when J.R., who’s been eavesdropping, rounds the corner and announces it’s time for him to take John Ross to the barbershop. After Peter thanks his hosts and departs, J.R. tells Sue Ellen the young man clearly has a crush on her. She accuses her husband of having a “sick mind” and J.R. smiles impishly, but he isn’t really amused, is he? J.R. now sees Peter as a problem; the only question that remains is how he’s going to fix it.

Through it all, Hagman does a masterful job letting us inside J.R.’s head, while Linda Gray and Atkins are quite effective at slowly revealing Sue Ellen and Peter’s attraction to each other. I also appreciate Atkins’ scenes with Omri Katz. As the season progresses, Peter’s friendship with John Ross strains credibility, but in this episode, it seems perfectly believable. I’ll also confess: Given the amount of time Atkins spends in Speedos and half-shirts on “Dallas,” I’ve always dismissed him as another pretty face. Seeing his first few episodes with fresh eyes, I’m impressed with the way he establishes his character.

“The Quality of Mercy” also kicks off one of “Dallas’s” best storylines: the medical mystery surrounding the death of Mickey Trotter. It begins in the third act, when Mickey slips into another coma. His weary loved ones are once again left to deal with their frustration and grief, although no one seems more devastated than Lil, who declares she doesn’t want to watch her son kept alive by a respirator. Then, in the final scene, a nurse is at her station when she hears Mickey’s monitor flat line. She rushes down the corridor with a doctor and an orderly, only to discover the door to Mickey’s room won’t open. Cut to Ray, who is on the other side of the door, struggling to keep it closed. The camera slowly pans across the room’s medical equipment, Mickey’s body and Lil, who is seated next to him. Eventually, the medics overpower Ray and brush past him as he slumps onto the floor.

What I like best about this scene is how director Nick Havinga keeps his camera focused on Steve Kanaly, even as the doctors and nurses struggle to revive Mickey. There’s no need to show anything else because Kanaly’s tired, defeated expression says it all. We don’t even see Kate Reid’s face when Lil walks toward Ray and cradles his head against her leg. Before the freeze frame, we hear the off-screen doctor announce Mickey’s fate. “We’ve done all that we can,” he says. Who pulled the plug on Mickey? The answer won’t be revealed for a few more episodes, but there’s no doubt this is one of “Dallas’s” most haunting moments. (Trivia: Mickey’s nurse is named “Rettino,” an apparent tribute to John Rettino, the show’s longtime property master. Rettino later married producer Leonard Katzman’s daughter Sheril Lynn, who coincidentally returns to “Dallas” in this episode as Jackie Dugan, Pam’s coworker at the Store.)

“The Quality of Mercy” also includes a terrific scene where Cliff, channeling J.R., blackmails Sly into spying on her boss, as well as a lovely heart-to-heart between Sue Ellen and Lucy, two characters who don’t often interact. (I suspect if Barbara Bel Geddes was available for this episode, this would’ve been a conversation between Lucy and Miss Ellie.) There’s also the deliciously bitchy moment where Holly interrupts Bobby’s lunch with Katherine. Both women are oh-so-polite to each other, yet it’s clear that Katherine is furious that Holly is stealing Bobby’s attention. As Bobby chats with Holly, the camera cuts to Katherine seething. It’s fun to watch Morgan Brittany sighing heavily and shooting daggers with her eyes, but don’t overlook Lois Chiles, who has a tougher assignment. She must let the audience know that Holly has Katherine’s number, which the sly Chiles achieves with a few subtle, suspicious glances at Brittany.

This scene marks the beginning of Chiles’ “Dallas” swan song. (Hill Place, a classic TV and movie blog, just posted a thorough review of her exit from the show.) Watching her impressive performance here, I can’t help but wonder: Must we say goodbye to Holly Harwood?

Grade: A

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He done it?

‘THE QUALITY OF MERCY’

Season 7, Episode 5

Airdate: October 28, 1983

Audience: 20.1 million homes, ranking 4th in the weekly ratings

Writer: Leonard Katzman

Director: Nick Havinga

Synopsis: Holly invites Bobby to lunch, angering Katherine. Pam moves into her mother’s house and considers going to work with Cliff, who blackmails Sly into spying on J.R. for him. J.R. suspects Peter has a crush on Sue Ellen. After Mickey slips into a coma, someone unplugs his respirator, killing him.

Cast: Christopher Atkins (Peter Richards), Mary Armstrong (Louise), John Beck (Mark Graison), Morgan Brittany (Katherine Wentworth), Lois Chiles (Holly Harwood), Jack Collins (Russell Slater), Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing), Eric Farlow (Christopher Ewing), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Robert Gribbin (doctor), Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing), Susan Howard (Donna Krebbs), Steve Kanaly (Ray Krebbs), Sherril Lynn Katzman (Jackie Dugan), Ken Kercheval (Cliff Barnes), Audrey Landers (Afton Cooper), Joseph R. Maross (Dr. Blakely), Joseph Miller (security guard), Timothy Patrick Murphy (Mickey Trotter), Victoria Principal (Pam Ewing), Kate Reid (Lil Trotter), Debbie Rennard (Sly), Kimberly Ross (Nurse Rettino), Charlene Tilton (Lucy Ewing), Deborah Tranelli (Phyllis), Morgan Woodward (Punk Anderson)

“The Quality of Mercy” is available on DVD and at Amazon.com and iTunes. Watch the episode and share your comments below.