Strange alliance
In “Brave New World,” “Dallas’s” third-season finale, Bobby and Sue Ellen (Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray) stand in the Ewing Global offices, gazing at J.R.’s portrait.
BOBBY: I miss him.
SUE ELLEN: Me too, but I think I finally feel free of him. Hell, I might even find love again.
BOBBY: You deserve that, Sue Ellen.
John Ross (Josh Henderson) enters.
JOHN ROSS: I agree. I want you to be happy, Mama.
SUE ELLEN: I am so glad you came back, John Ross.
JOHN ROSS: I just wanted to let you know that there are no hard feelings about what you did to me. [To Bobby] And I wanted to let you know that I am sorry to hear that you had to resign as railroad commissioner to buy those shares. [Sighs] It’s sad news, especially given all the environmental work you did with that lesser prairie chicken.
BOBBY: [Smiling] What are you up to, John Ross?
JOHN ROSS: See? Always suspicious of me, Uncle Bobby. A guy could get a complex. But since you ask, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the new railroad commissioner.
The elevator dings and the doors open, revealing Judith (Judith Light).
BOBBY: [Chuckling] You have got to be kidding.
JUDITH: [Striding into the room] It’s no joke, Bobby. The governor and I are old friends through some ladies he knows, and I’ve always had an eye toward public service. So when John Ross mentioned that the position opened, well, I jumped on it.
JOHN ROSS: Now those Ryland ships that I procured for Ewing Global to drill the Arctic? They can only enter, and exit, through ports of Texas — ports that are regulated by the railroad commission.
JUDITH: So if you want to make a play for that grand frontier, you’re going to have to deal with me.
JOHN ROSS: She means “us.”
BOBBY: Well, you can partner with the devil all you want to, boy. It won’t make any difference. I’ll always see it coming. In a lifetime, your daddy never got the best of me, and he was twice the opponent you’ll ever be.
JOHN ROSS: You see, that’s just it, Uncle Bobby. The last few months, no matter how much my old man I try to be, everybody keeps telling me, “You are just like your father.” I’ve done some soul searching, and I finally figured out the answer. [Steps forward, gets in Bobby’s face] I am not just like my father. I’m worse.
He locks arms with Judith, they walk into the elevator and turn to look back at Bobby and Sue Ellen as the doors close.
Dallas Decoder 
Campy, contrived scene.
Which Father J.R. would have LOVED! Imagine Mr. Hagman’s wide grin from heaven here! Also John, the worse John Ross is, the higher the ratings go & the more episodes & hopefully seasons get made!
I agree the scene would have been better without Judith. I also would have liked for Sue Ellen to turn back around at JR’s portrait and say ” you bastard” one last time.
I would have picked the scene where John Ross got in the elevator and broke down crying as Scene of The Day. I loved the fact that he saved a voice mail from J.R. on his phone and plays it back just to cheer himself up.
And if there’s a season 4 then John Ross and Judith totally need to start sleeping each other. That would be gross and awesome.
*sleeping together
Yeah, she’s old enough to be his mom, but so what?
And she’s playing a character old enough to be his grandma
I loved this scene right up to the introduction of Judith into it. Yes this should have been a Ewing only scene. That’s not a criticism of the writing so much as it is just a personal preference.
In my opinion Duffy nailed in the way he delivered it as he points out JR never really bested him. There is no doubt in my mind an undistracted Bobby can handle both Judith and John Ross. Of course Bobby is about to become very distracted. But this too is a great opportunity because this a chance for Sue Ellen to shine in a way she hasn’t since Valentine Lingerie. I believe she too can take down Judth.
Notice I’m focusing on Judith here. As I just outlined in the comments for this episode critique I believe that John Ross is worse than his father but not in the way he wants to be. He’s just plain worse because he is way too impulsive and inexperienced at this point to consistantly come out on top. At this point I see Judith getting the better of this alliance.
This really sets the stage for a season 4 showdown between Sue Ellen and Judith. Sue Ellen can handle the Governor and she will not put up with Judith corrupting her son.