Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘… Why is She the Mistress?’

November 18, 2015 by 4 Comments
Horse sense

Horse sense

In “Close Encounters,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) is at the Ewing Rodeo when she approaches Mandy (Deborah Shelton), who turns away.

SUE ELLEN: Mandy. [Mandy turns back to face Sue Ellen.] I’m Sue Ellen Ewing.

MANDY: I know.

SUE ELLEN: May we talk?

MANDY: Why?

SUE ELLEN: [Steps closer] I have something to tell you that might be helpful. You’re not the first girlfriend J.R. has had. [They begin walking together.]

MANDY: That’s helpful?

SUE ELLEN: I’ve seen the way he’s treated all the others.

MANDY: Look, this time it’s different.

They stop walking, face each other.

SUE ELLEN: Is it?

MANDY: Yes, it is. J.R. and I love each other. You just don’t know him the way I do.

They resume walking.

SUE ELLEN: Mandy, I know J.R. every which way there is to know him. And he’s never going to change. Never. He’s going to use you like he’s use all the others, and then he’s going to walk out on you and never come back.

MANDY: You really want me out of his life, don’t you?

SUE ELLEN: Not for the reasons you think. I don’t want him back. Mandy, I’m telling you this for your own good — because J.R. destroys every woman he goes to bed with. It’s by the grace of God that he didn’t destroy me. Don’t let him do it to you.

MANDY: [Begins to cry] Thanks for the advice. You’ll forgive me if I don’t take it because you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.

She begins to walk away, when Sue Ellen grabs her.

SUE ELLEN: Isn’t it strange how the mistress always thinks she’s smarter than the wife? If she’s so smart, why is she the mistress?

Watch this scene in “Close Encounters,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

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Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Do You Want Anything?’

November 11, 2015 by 1 Comment
Dallas, Pam Ewing, Quandary, Victoria Principal

Tea for two

In “Quandary,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Pam (Victoria Principal) enters Bobby’s office, followed by J.R. (Larry Hagman).

J.R.: What the hell are you doing here? Don’t you have any respect at all? This is my brother’s office. Nobody’s supposed to be here.

PAM: Calm down, J.R. If you want me to go to another office, I’ll —

J.R.: I don’t want you in the building.

PAM: Well, that’s too bad, because you and I are partners now.

J.R.: That may be so, but I don’t want you hanging around here.

PAM: I’m not hanging around! I’m going to be working here right by your side, every day of the week.

J.R.: You can’t be serious.

PAM: What did you think I meant last night at the ball?

J.R.: I don’t know what you meant, but I’ll tell you what I mean: I don’t want you in my sight, much less my offices. And I always get what I want.

PAM: Your threats aren’t going to work. I’m here to stay, so get used to it. [Sits, punches the intercom] Phyllis?

PHYLLIS: Yes?

PAM: I’d like a cup of tea. A cup of herbal tea, please. [To J.R.] Do you want anything?

J.R.: This is no sentimental game, Pam. You’re in the big leagues now. And you better hope you can handle the heat, because you’re going to get plenty of it. And that’s no threat. It’s a promise.

He exits as Phyllis (Deborah Tranelli) enters with the tea.

PHYLLIS: Will there be anything else?

PAM: No, Phyllis. Not right now. Thank you.

PHYLLIS: Okay. [Smiles, exits]

Watch this scene in “Quandary,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

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Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Cannot — I Will Not — Sell’

November 4, 2015 by 4 Comments
Dallas, Pam Ewing, Victoria Principal, Wind of Change

Speech, speech!

In “The Wind of Change,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) calls Pam (Victoria Principal) to the stage at the Oil Baron’s Ball to accept Bobby’s posthumous Oilman of the Year Award.

PAM: There’s a lot of wisdom in what Miss Ellie has had to say here tonight. I guess that’s where Bobby got his from. It is only right that Bobby’s son should keep this award. It will forever remind him of his father’s achievements, his business expertise, his standing in the oil community. And that’s good, but maybe that’s not enough. Remembering his father’s achievement is one thing, but appreciating his heritage is quite another. And that is something that he must do. As most of you know, I had intended to sell Christopher’s share of Ewing Oil to Westar. But I’ve slowly come to realize that if I did that, I might not be doing what Bobby would have wanted. Bobby always said that Ewing Oil and the Ewing family were inseparable. Working with his family is my son’s birthright, and I don’t want to take away his chance to follow in his father’s footsteps: to honor him, by emulating him; to carry the torch, so to speak; to work beside you, as Bobby had. Therefore, with apologies to those who may not understand my change of heart, I cannot — I will not — sell Christopher’s share of Ewing Oil to Westar.

The audience applauds as Pam exits the stage and is approached by J.R. (Larry Hagman) and Mark (John Beck).

J.R.: [Beaming] Well, I’ve got to admit in front of God and everybody else that what you did tonight is going to be remembered as a wise and historic decision.

PAM: Well, I’m surprised to hear you say that, but I’m happy to hear you say it.

J.R.: [Chuckles] Well, not as happy as I am, honey. I’ll tell you what: I’ll get our lawyers together and we’ll just close this little deal.

PAM: What deal?

J.R.: For Christopher’s share.

PAM: J.R., when I said that I wasn’t selling to Wendell, I didn’t mean that I was selling to you.

J.R. [Confused] What?

PAM: I’m not selling at all. From now on, it’s going to be you and me. I’ll see you at the office, partner. [Walks away with Mark, leaving J.R. stunned.]

Watch this scene in “The Wind of Change,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

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Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Who Would You Like to Blame?’

October 28, 2015 by 2 Comments
Bibi Besch, Dallas, Dr. Gibson, Motheres

Analyze this

In “Mothers,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) stands in the office of Dr. Gibson (Bibi Besch), who is seated in a chair.

SUE ELLEN: Why do I drink? Now that’s a good question, doctor. And it’s been a good question every time someone asks me. Even when you’ve asked me. [Sits on the sofa]

GIBSON: Are you any closer to an answer?

SUE ELLEN: My father was an alcoholic. [Rests head on her hand]

GIBSON: So you said. Did your other therapist let you get away with that as an answer? Who would you like to blame this time?

SUE ELLEN: I’m not blaming him. I’m just trying to explain it.

GIBSON: You think the fact that your father was an alcoholic explains why you are. Or do you just wish it did?

SUE ELLEN: I don’t know. [Stands, walks across the room] I really don’t know. The whole thing is so perverse. [Sighs] I hated the smell of alcohol. I hated everything it represented. My father drank away all of his chances for success. And all of my mother’s chances for success went with him. [Sits in a chair] And now I’m doing the same thing.

GIBSON: Your mother. Let’s talk about her a little.

SUE ELLEN: What’s there to say?

GIBSON: I don’t know. Just tell me something about her.

SUE ELLEN: I did already. My father drank away everything that she ever wanted out of life. Money, prestige, social position. So she did the next best thing. She raised me to have that kind of life. She raised me to marry somebody important. To love, honor and obey. And she made it very clear to me that if I couldn’t love and honor, I could sure as hell obey.

GIBSON: That’s valid, Sue Ellen. Years ago, a lot of women thought that way. But the world has changed.

SUE ELLEN: Not for her. And not for me. It’s all I know. I was raised to be the best thing that ever happened to a husband. She just neglected to tell my husband. [Pauses] Did your husband ever cheat on you? [Gibson smiles.] Yeah, I know. We’re here to talk about me, hm? Well, let me tell you something. There is nothing in the world more degrading than your husband is sleeping with every tramp there is in Dallas.

GIBSON: Then why do you stay with him?

SUE ELLEN: [Chuckles] Oh, doctor. You forgot. I’m the perfect wife. Actually, I did divorce him once. Then I let him talk me into marrying him again.

GIBSON: Why did you let that happen?

SUE ELLEN: Because the plain truth of it is that I don’t know anything other than being J.R. Ewing’s wife. Pathetic, isn’t it?

GIBSON: Are you blaming your husband now?

SUE ELLEN: Well, why shouldn’t I? It’s his fault, isn’t it?

GIBSON: Is it? Is it your husband’s fault? [Leans forward] Or is it your father’s fault? Or is it your mother’s fault?

SUE ELLEN: You think it’s my fault?

GIBSON: Sue Ellen, I think it doesn’t matter whose fault it is. What matters is where you go from here.

Watch this scene in “Mothers,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

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Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Hello, Cliff’

October 21, 2015 by 6 Comments
Cliff Barnes, Dallas, John Beck, Mark Graison, Saving Grace

Kitchen confidential

In “Saving Grace,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Cliff (Ken Kercheval) is in the kitchen cooking when Jamie (Jenilee Harrison) answers the front door and greets Pam and Mark (Victoria Principal, John Beck).

JAMIE: Hi, come on in. How are you? [They kiss.]

PAM: Good, thanks.

JAMIE: Good.

PAM: Jamie, this is a very dear friend of mine, Mark Graison.

JAMIE: [Shakes his hand, stunned] Mark Graison?

MARK: [Puts his fingers to his lips.] Shh, shh, shh. Where’s Cliff?

JAMIE: He’s in the kitchen.

As Cliff tastes the sauce he’s making, Mark approaches from behind and peers over his shoulder.

MARK: Well, how does it taste?

CLIFF: Great. [Looks at him, does a double take, gasps]

MARK: Hello, Cliff. Pam wanted it to be a surprise.

CLIFF: Oh, boy. Oh, boy. She got her wish. [They shake hands, then embrace awkwardly.] Hey, where you been?

MARK: I’ll tell you all about it over dinner.

CLIFF: Okay. Great. Yeah. Boy, my sister’s had her share of shocks.

MARK: Yes, she has. I hope my being here doesn’t add to that. I came back to help her, Cliff.

CLIFF: Well, okay. I’m glad to hear you say that. Yeah. Because you know, she’s got a lot of responsibility. [Touches Mark’s shoulder] Oh, boy. You know, maybe we can both help her.

MARK: Uh-huh, I think we can. [Grips Cliff’s arm]

Watch this scene in “Saving Grace,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

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Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Can Do It’

October 14, 2015 by 4 Comments
Dallas, Linda Gray, Resurrection, Sue Ellen Ewing

Yes, she can

In “Resurrection,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) is in her room at the sanitarium when an orderly (Rex Ryon) enters.

SUE ELLEN: What do you want?

ORDERLY: Take it easy, Mrs. Ewing. It’s not what I want. It’s what I think you want.

SUE ELLEN: What do you mean?

ORDERLY: [Pulls out a liquor bottle] I just bet you could use some of this right now. Vodka. Oh, I don’t know if it’s your brand, but that doesn’t always matter, does it? I’m just wondering what this might be worth to you. A hundred dollars? Two hundred dollars? Well, you’re a real rich lady. There’s just no telling. And there’s a lot more where this came from. [Holds out the bottle] I think we can make a deal, don’t you? I can’t wait all day. What’s your answer?

SUE ELLEN: [Rushes to the bed, pushes the call button] Doctor. I’ll get the doctor.

ORDERLY: You’re not going to turn me in, are you? Now wait a minute, lady.

SUE ELLEN: Get out! You just get out. [He runs out of the room, she leans against the wall.] I can do it. I can do it. I know I can do it. I just need help. Help me. Help me.

Watch this scene in “Resurrection,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

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Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Kill Me’

October 7, 2015 by 4 Comments
Dallas, Dusty Farlow, Jared Martin, Linda Gray, Those Eyes

Suicide watch

In “Those Eyes,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray), lying in a hospital detoxification unit, covers her eyes when Dusty (Jared Martin) enters and sets on her bed.

DUSTY: You have nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to be afraid of anymore. [Pulls her hands away from her face] Sue Ellen, I’m here because I love you. I’m here to keep that promise I made to help you. No matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes. Because I want to see you healthy again. Because I want you.

SUE ELLEN: I want a drink.

DUSTY: Oh, God, no, darling. A drink would kill you.

SUE ELLEN: [Whispering] Kill me.

DUSTY: Sue Ellen, no. Don’t be like this. Just hang on. Hang on to me. [Embraces her]

J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters and spots them.

J.R.: Farlow! [Takes off his hat, tosses it aside] What the hell are you doing here? Let go of my wife, you hear? [Pulls Dusty away from her, grabs him by his jacket lapels]

DUSTY: Settle down, J.R. I’m warning you!

J.R.: You bastard. I ought to tear your head off.

DUSTY: You stay away from me, and you stay away from Sue Ellen. [Pushes him away, sending J.R. crashing into medical carts]

J.R.: Listen, is this the way you’re helping her? Huh? Is this the way you’re helping her? You’re a genius, you are! [Grabs him and punches him in the gut, sending him onto a bed] Now you get out of here, or I’ll kill you, I swear it.

DUSTY: [Rising] I love her, and I’m never going to let you hurt her again, you —

As they grab each other’s lapels, Sue Ellen rises between them.

SUE ELLEN: [Screaming] No, no! [Collapses onto the bed as orderlies and a doctor pull J.R. and Dusty away from each other.]

Watch this scene in “Those Eyes,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

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Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘You’re Just a Bad Memory’

September 30, 2015 by 2 Comments
Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Linda Gray, Rock Bottom, Sue Ellen Ewing

Home and away

In “Rock Bottom,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) is sitting alone on the Southfork patio when Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) approaches.

SUE ELLEN: I shouldn’t have left after the funeral. It was wrong.

J.R.: You should have thought about that before you deserted the family.

SUE ELLEN: It was a mistake.

J.R.: A little late to apologize, isn’t it?

SUE ELLEN: J.R., you’re not the only one who’s hurting. Bobby was very special to me too.

J.R.: He wasn’t your brother.

SUE ELLEN: I loved him.

J.R.: Is that supposed to make me feel better?

SUE ELLEN: Don’t you think I share your pain?

J.R.: Well, I won’t let you. We haven’t shared anything in a long, long time, Sue Ellen. Not my love, my bed or the responsibility for John Ross. [Snickers] What’s left?

SUE ELLEN: We could help each other.

J.R.: Go back to your bottle. That’s the only help you need.

SUE ELLEN: [Tearing up] I haven’t been drinking.

J.R.: The day’s young yet. [She turns and begins walking away.] Where are you going?

SUE ELLEN: I have to see Miss Ellie.

J.R.: Don’t even think about it.

SUE ELLEN: [Crying] J.R., please, I’m sorry.

J.R.: You’re a terrible embarrassment, Sue Ellen. Nobody around here wants to see you. You’re sinking, honey, and you’re dragging me down with you. I can’t allow that to go on, not for my sake or my son’s.

SUE ELLEN: He’s my son too.

J.R.: He doesn’t have a mother. I don’t have a wife. You don’t exist. You’re just a bad memory that doesn’t know when to go away.

Watch this scene in “Rock Bottom,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

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Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Bobby’s Dead’

September 30, 2015 by 5 Comments
Dallas, Family Ewing, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Feel his pain

In “The Family Ewing,” “Dallas’s” ninth-season opener, J.R. (Larry Hagman) is drinking in the Southfork living room when Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) enters the foyer and runs into Clayton (Howard Keel).

SUE ELLEN: Hello, Clayton. It’s a lovely evening, isn’t it?

CLAYTON: What?

SUE ELLEN: Oh, I had the best day.

J.R.: Oh, you had the best day, did you?

SUE ELLEN: [Sighs, enters the living room] Yes. Is there something wrong with that?

CLAYTON: Sue Ellen, don’t.

SUE ELLEN: Don’t what? What’s the matter? [Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) comes downstairs and stands in the foyer.] Something is wrong. What is it?

J.R.: My brother’s dead. Bobby’s dead.

SUE ELLEN: [Turns to Clayton, who nods] Oh, my God. No.

J.R.: Where were you, Sue Ellen, when we were all at the hospital?

CLAYTON: J.R., don’t.

J.R.: When Bobby was saying goodbye to us, when we needed you the most, where the hell were you?

SUE ELLEN: [Crying] I didn’t know.

J.R.: Of course you didn’t know. [Circles her] How could you have known? You were too busy rolling around in bed with that saddle tramp. Or maybe it was just getting stinking drunk at some motel.

CLAYTON: J.R., stop it.

J.R.: You’re never around when anybody needs you. John Ross almost died. Bobby did die. All you ever think about is yourself.

SUE ELLEN: That’s not true.

J.R.: Get out of here, Sue Ellen. Go back to your cowboy. Go back to your bottle. Go anywhere you want. Just get out of my sight!

Sue Ellen, sobbing, turns and runs upstairs.

ELLIE: J.R., what happened to Bobby wasn’t her fault.

J.R.: She was never a Ewing. She never was and she sure as hell never will be.

Watch this scene in “The Family Ewing,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

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Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Be a Family’

September 18, 2015 by 6 Comments
Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Patrick Duffy, Swan Song

Gone, Bobby, gone

In “Swan Song,” “Dallas’s” eighth-season finale, Bobby (Patrick Duffy) lies in a hospital bed, surrounded by Pam (Victoria Principal), Jenna (Priscilla Beaulieu Presley), J.R. (Larry Hagman), Miss Ellie (Donna Reed), Clayton (Howard Keel), Donna (Susan Howard) and Ray (Steve Kanaly).

RAY: Bob.

BOBBY: Hey, Ray. [Sees Ellie] Oh, Mama. I’m sorry.

ELLIE: No. No, Bobby.

BOBBY: All that wasted time. We should’ve been married. Take care of Christopher. [Pam nods.] Charlie. [Jenna nods, sobs.] Tell them I love them. [The monitor shows his heart rate slowing.] Be good to each other. Be a family. I love you so much.

He winces in pain. The monitor flat lines, startling Pam.

ELLIE: No, no.

J.R.: Don’t do this to me, Bobby. Don’t leave me.

DONNA: Bobby, no.

Pam throws back her head and sobs, J.R. cries. Ray and Donna hug, sobbing. Ellie turns away into Clayton’s arms.

Watch this scene in “Swan Song,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

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