Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Oh, Good Lord, Woman’

Night visitor

In “Blow Up,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) is sitting in her bed when J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters the room.

J.R.: Sue Ellen, darlin’, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about what happened with Lucy tonight.

SUE ELLEN: I was very touched that you came to my defense the way you did.

J.R.: Well, what else could I do? [Sits on the bed] What kind of a woman does she think you are? Peter’s just a kid. He’s half your age. The things she said about you and him absolutely disgusted me. [Leans forward] Sue Ellen, can we talk a minute?

SUE ELLEN: [Smiles weakly] All right.

J.R.: What happened with Lucy tonight made me realize just how far out of control our lives have gotten. The fact that she could even imagine a relationship with a boy — especially a boy like Peter. Well, it shows me that we have got to start changing things.

SUE ELLEN: I don’t think we could change things between us, even if we wanted to.

J.R.: Well, it wouldn’t be easy, but it could happen. Now, I know you’ve been angry with me, and with good cause. But it’s time to put all of that aside. It’s time that we start living like, like man and wife. [She’s silent.] Oh, good Lord, woman. Don’t you want a man back in your life?

SUE ELLEN: [Looks away, then back at him] Of course I do, J.R. Do you think I like living like this?

J.R.: Well, then move back in our room, where you belong.

SUE ELLEN: No.

J.R.: [Annoyed] Why not?

SUE ELLEN: I just can’t.

J.R.: Things can’t stay the way they are between us. Either they’re going to improve, or things are going to get badly out of hand.

SUE ELLEN: J.R., please.

J.R.: What happened tonight could be the turning point, Sue Ellen. It could help us change everything that’s wrong in our lives.

SUE ELLEN: One night is not going to turn things around for us. Don’t you understand that?

J.R.: Yes. Finally, I do.

He rises and exits the room.