Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Mama, You Don’t Know’

June 3, 2013 by 14 Comments
Billion Dollar Question, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

His father’s son

In “Billion Dollar Question,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie and J.R. (Barbara Bel Geddes, Larry Hagman) sit at the breakfast table on the Southfork patio after Bobby and Pam depart.

ELLIE: You look as if you’re going into town.

J.R.: Well, there’s nothing to do here. Ray’s got the ranch under control and I wasn’t cut out to punch cattle, that’s for sure.

ELLIE: No, I guess not.

J.R.: Bobby’s living my life. He’s doing everything I should be doing. [Pours coffee]

ELLIE: J.R., I know how you feel. You are my son and I do care about you.

J.R.: I have a hard time believing that right now. [Takes a bite]

ELLIE: I know what Ewing Oil means to you. But I can’t allow the company to be used to savagely destroy someone.

J.R.: [Tosses down his napkin, rises from his seat] Mama, I worked for a number of years with Daddy, side by side when he was running Ewing Oil. Now he was a fair man. But he was tough and ruthless when he had to be. He wouldn’t let the runny-nose, spineless Cliff Barneses of this world tell him what to do.

ELLIE: Your daddy never set a trap the way you did for Cliff.

J.R.: Mama, you don’t know the half of what Daddy did when he was running that company. He brought strong leadership to the company and he brought strong leadership to the family. You think he’d approve of the way the family’s been handled since he died? In that letter he sent you, dividing up all the shares? Supposed to be temporary. Well, how long is temporary? What direction is the family going in, anyhow? Who’s going to provide for Christopher, John Ross and Lucy? Are you handling the family the way he would want you to?

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Where There’s a Way, There’s a Will’

May 29, 2013 by 1 Comment
Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Serena, Stephanie Blackmore, Where There's a Will

Cash and carry

In “Where There’s a Will,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, John (Robin Strand) is dressing in the Ewing condo while Serena (Stephanie Blackmore) lounges in bed.

SERENA: You’re not leaving already?

JOHN: Gotta get home.

SERENA: Don’t be silly. It’s still early.

JOHN: It’s nearly 10.

SERENA: Aren’t you enjoying yourself?

JOHN: [Sits on bed] Are you kidding? Your husband must have been a fool to divorce you.

SERENA: He’s a lot older. We just weren’t compatible. Not like us. [Kisses him]

J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters.

J.R.: Oh, excuse me. [Noticing John] John Baxter?

JOHN: Mr. Ewing, what are you doing here?

J.R.: Well, this is a Ewing condo. Serena was just staying here.

SERENA: I’m sorry, J.R. I thought I’d be gone by now.

J.R.: Good Lord, what is Harv Smithfield going to say when he hears his brand-new son-in-law is in bed with another woman.

JOHN: Mr. Ewing, you wouldn’t say anything to him, would you?

J.R.: Well, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m a firm believer in the sanctity of marriage — and I’m damned disappointed in you, John.

JOHN: Yes, sir. I can imagine that you are. But you wouldn’t say anything to Mr. Smithfield, would you?

J.R.: Well, I’m going to give it some thought. I’ll call you tomorrow. I’m sure we can work something out. In the meantime, you might get out of here and go back to your little bride.

JOHN: Yes, sir. [Scoops up his clothes, rushes away]

SERENA: [Smiling] I hope that was what you wanted, J.R.

J.R. [Sits on the bed, reaches into his pocket, pulls out an envelope and hands it to her] That’s exactly what I wanted, my dear. And like my daddy used to say, “Where there’s a way, there’s a will.’”

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , , ,

Knots Landing Scene of the Day: ‘The Crown Stays in Dallas’

May 28, 2013 by 1 Comment
Abby Cunningham, Daniel, Donna Mills, J.R. Ewing, Knots Landing

The king’s speech

In “Daniel,” a fourth-season “Knots Landing” episode, Abby and J.R. (Donna Mills, Larry Hagman) are in his hotel room, where she gives him the missing chapters of Val’s book.

ABBY: As promised, chapters 2, 5, 6, 11 and 18. [Places each chapter on a table]

J.R.: [Pouring two glasses of champagne] Good, good.

ABBY: Now, the will?

J.R.: You don’t think I brought a copy with me, do you?

ABBY: Well, I guess I can wait until tomorrow.

J.R.: Honey, you’re going to have to wait until it’s read. I don’t even have a copy.

ABBY: [Angry] Wait a minute!

J.R.: [Reassuring] I know what’s in the will — generally speaking. And generally is all you need to know, isn’t it? [Abby sighs.] Gary’s coming into money. Big money. Valene’s got nothing to do with it. Now, feel better? [Hands her a glass of champagne]

ABBY: [Giggling] Oh, yes. [They clink glasses and each take a sip.] Yes, indeed.

J.R.: Oh, my poor little baby brother. You’re just going to eat him alive, aren’t you?

ABBY: [Sits on the sofa] What makes you think I want to do a thing like that?

J.R.: Well, drink’s not the only thing he can’t handle.

ABBY: He handles me very nicely, thank you.

J.R.: [Chuckles] That’s not what I’m talking about. You know, when Gary was 16, he somehow got it into his head that he wanted a motorcycle. And our family spoiled us boys rotten. But on this issue, my daddy put his foot down. He says, “You want a motorcycle? You’re going to have to earn it.” And by God, he did. Before dawn, up every day, mucking out the stables and pitching hay. Working on the rigs in the blazing sun. He just never missed one single day. Come September, my daddy took him down to the showroom. Gave him a slap on the back and a blank check. And of course, Gary had read all the brochures and motorcycle magazines. He knew exactly what he wanted. And he signed the check and revved that old motorcycle up. He drove straight through that plate-glass window. [Chuckles] I tell you.

ABBY: Some people take longer to grow up.

J.R.: Well, that’s true. [Sits next to her] And then of course some people never grow up at all. Are you really going to marry him?

ABBY: I love him.

J.R.: You mean that? Hmm? [He tries to kiss her. She resists.] Well if you do mean it, keep him out of my showroom.

ABBY: Your showroom?

J.R.: Keep him out of Dallas.

ABBY: What makes you think that I want to be in Dallas?

J.R.: You’re not Valene. When they were together, he wouldn’t come within spitting distance of me. But you’re different. You want to be queen of the Ewings.

ABBY: [Smiles] No. I’ll settle for princess.

J.R.: All right, you’ve got it. You get the ermine and the jewels. But the crown stays in Dallas. Because the crown is mine.

ABBY: If I do keep Gary out of Dallas, what do I get in return?

J.R.: [Strokes her hair, grins] My blessing.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , , ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘To J.R. Ewing, Back in Power Again’

May 27, 2013 by 5 Comments
Changing of the Guard, Dallas, Holly Harwood, Lois Chiles

Silent partner

In “Changing of the Guard,” “Dallas’s” sixth-season opener, Holly and J.R. (Lois Chiles, Larry Hagman) sit at a table inside a darkened cocktail lounge.

HOLLY: Well, what do you say? Do we have a deal?

J.R.: [Leans forward] Well, it’s a very tempting offer. Especially coming from such a lovely young lady.

HOLLY: It’s a dynamite offer. And you know it. [Smiles, squeezes a lime into her drink] You’re out of Ewing Oil. And I don’t know a damn thing about running an oil company.

J.R.: You’re very bright. [Sips his drink]

HOLLY: I’m bright enough to know what I don’t know. [Smiles, stirs her drink]

J.R.: All right, I’ll accept your offer. I’ll run Harwood Oil for you — on one condition: that I stay completely in the background. Nobody’s to know of my involvement.

HOLLY: Forever?

J.R.: Till I say so. You continue to act as president and I’ll give you all the moves. I don’t want an office, and I certainly don’t want to meet in your office.

HOLLY: Whatever you say. What about money? Or do you have somebody to take care of that for you?

J.R.: [Chuckles] Well, Holly, I think as you get to know me a little better, you’ll find that I take care of just about everything. I don’t want any money up front. But I do want 25 percent ownership of Harwood Oil.

HOLLY: [Smiling] Twenty-five percent? You don’t come cheap, do you J.R.?

J.R.: You wouldn’t want me if I did, would you? Look at it this way, Holly: With me, you have 75 percent of a profitable business. And without me, you just might have 100 percent of nothing.

HOLLY: [Long silence] All right. [Looks down, then back at him] Deal.

J.R.: [Smiles] That calls for a toast.

HOLLY: To Harwood Oil. Someday it may be bigger and stronger than Ewing Oil.

J.R.: [Hesitates, smiles, drinks] You know, it just occurred to me: I’ve only been out of work 48 hours.

HOLLY: [Smiles] To J.R. Ewing, back in power again.

J.R.: [Clinks her glass with his] As it should be.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , ,

TNT’s Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Shot Your Father, John Ross’

April 22, 2013 by 13 Comments
Bum, Dallas, Legacies, Kevin Page, Steve Jones, TNT

It was you, Bum

In “Legacies,” “Dallas’s” second-season finale, Bobby and Bum (Patrick Duffy, Kevin Page) visit J.R.’s gravesite.

BOBBY: Thank you, J.R., for taking care of all of us. Even from the great beyond.

A Southfork pickup truck arrives. John Ross and Christopher (Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe) exit.

JOHN ROSS: Don’t you think it’s about time you told us what really happened to J.R.?

BOBBY: What do you mean?

CHRISTOPHER: You’ve been pulling our strings since the funeral, Dad. It’s time you trusted us.

BOBBY: You know basically what I know. Cliff Barnes is responsible for J.R.’s death.

JOHN ROSS: I’m not buying it, Uncle Bobby.

BOBBY: The Barnes/Ewing feud is over. You two can reset your futures. Never worry about Cliff Barnes again. What else do you need to know?

CHRISTOPHER: J.R.’s whole master scheme was in that letter. And you haven’t even come close to telling us what it really said. We’re out here now, all alone. It’s time.

BOBBY: [Looks at Bum, removes the letter from his coat pocket, begins to read as John Ross and Christopher walk closer] “Bobby, Doctors say I’ve only got a few days left. Damn cancer. I should have told you earlier, but you know how I detest pity.

JOHN ROSS: [To Christopher] My father was dying?

BOBBY: “The feud Digger Barnes started with our family caused more heartbreak than either of us has time to recount. Well, I guess you do have the time. Use it. Put an end to this feud, once and for all. I had Bum steal Cliff’s gun. That malignant little troll Barnes comes to Mexico every year for a Marlin fishing competition. I’m going to damn well stay alive long enough to be here when he arrives. Carlos del Sol will smooth out the rough edges in Mexico for you. And talk to Bum. He’s the final and most important piece of the puzzle. And the best friend I didn’t deserve to have. So remember the time that you got grounded for “borrowing” Daddy’s favorite shotgun? You swore up and down it wasn’t you but Daddy said there was no point in lying because he found those extra shells in your room. Well, we both know it was me who planted those shells. Now it’s time to play that card again. I can – ” It just goes on.

He turns away. Christopher embraces his father, takes the letter and resumes reading it.

CHRISTOPHER: “I can never make up for all the terrible, hurtful things I did to you, Bobby. And I have no excuses either one of us will believe. But I hope in the quiet place in your heart, where the truth lives, that my jealousy, as powerful as it was, was nothing compared to my love for you. Goodbye, baby brother. I guess I’ll be duck hunting with Daddy. I’ll tell him I was the one who borrowed his gun.”

JOHN ROSS: I’m sorry. I’m confused. Who shot my father, Uncle Bobby?

BUM: I shot your father, John Ross. He only had a few days left and he asked me to do it. He said that’s the way it had to be. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Please believe that J.R.’s last act was an act of love. For his family. And for you.

John Ross walks toward Bum.

JOHN ROSS: The only person who could take down J.R. … was J.R.

John Ross shakes Bum’s hand. Bum wipes away a tear and leaves. Bobby hands John Ross the letter and walks away, leaving John Ross to kneel by the headstone.

JOHN ROSS: Thank you, Daddy, for watching over us. I love you.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (TNT), Features Tagged With: , , , , , ,

TNT’s Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘This Drink … is For You’

April 18, 2013 by 23 Comments
Dallas, Guilt by Association, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

Set ’em up, Sue

In “Guilt by Association,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, Governor McConaughey (Steven Weber) is seated at his office desk when Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) enters.

MCCONAUGHEY: Sue Ellen, what brings you in from Dallas, huh?

SUE ELLEN: Actually from the Cayman Islands, where I had a lovely breakfast with Ken Richards.

MCCONAUGHEY: Good old Ken. [Throws his pen on the table] So how is he enjoying his retirement? Boy, I hope he’s wearing sunblock down there. As I recall, he gets burned easily.

SUE ELLEN: [Smiles] I gave him the news of the rig explosion that was sabotaged after all. And you know, he wasn’t surprised. I’m sure you weren’t, either.

MCCONAUGHEY: Sue Ellen, you know, I’ve got a charity function I need to attend so if you just kind of move it along –

SUE ELLEN: [Ignoring him, pulls out file] He also gave me a copy of a rather interesting document. It’s the initial findings report that was submitted to your office from TESHA’s investigation of the rig explosion. [Tosses the file on his desk, walks to bar, pours a drink] What I find very interesting is that there’s proof that there were two explosions. Proof that your office redacted and then refused to publish.

MCCONAUGHEY: Yeah, that is interesting, Sue Ellen. It’s very interesting. But you know what I think is even more interesting than that is why Ken would bring this to you when he knows that if he were to do that, he’d find himself in some serious trouble of his own?

SUE ELLEN: I gave him my word that I’d protect him.

MCCONAUGHEY: Well that’s very nice of you. I mean, it’s completely delusional, but it’s very nice. [Leans forward] Now you damn well that if you do anything with this report – anything at all – there’ll be nothing stopping me from taking Ken down.

SUE ELLEN: [Holding drink] I do.

MCCONAUGHEY: And yet you’re still here. [Leans back, notices Sue Ellen smiling] Oh, I see. Boy, Ken should’ve known better than to ever trust you. Because you can never trust a drunk.

SUE ELLEN: That’s right. And I have been a drunk most of my life. I used alcohol to allow myself to do things I could never do sober. Like lie and get taken advantage of by men like you. But today, I don’t need a drink. [Sets the drink on his desk] This drink, governor, is for you. You’re going to need it. Because now that I have the goods on you, you’re going to do what I want. [Sits across from his desk, smiles] So, let’s discuss eminent domain.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (TNT), Features Tagged With: , , ,

TNT’s Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Well, Big Brother, As You Wish’

April 14, 2013 by 10 Comments
Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Love and Family, Patrick Duffy, TNT

Raise a glass

In “Love and Family,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, Bobby (Patrick Duffy) is in the Southfork study, pouring himself a glass of bourbon when Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) enters.

BOBBY: Hello.

SUE ELLEN: Hi Bobby. I heard about the accident. How’s Emma? And where’s Ann?

BOBBY: Well, Ann’s upstairs asleep. Emma’s in jail. Christopher and Elena are on their way to Zurich to see if they can get Pam’s one-third shares of Barnes Global. [Takes a sip]

SUE ELLEN: At least someone’s making progress. Not me. Ken Richards is still under a rock somewhere. And I have been in meetings with bank executives all day. And not one of them is willing to cover our bank loan. Two hundred million’s a lot to ask for, Bobby. [Sits]

BOBBY: Well, J.R. always said fortune and misfortune are just two buckets from the same well.

SUE ELLEN: I know this is hard, Bobby. Doing J.R.’s bidding.

BOBBY: No, Sue Ellen, this isn’t what’s hard for me. What’s hard for me is to think outside the box. To do things in a way that I’m not used to doing them. It’s usually just straight up and straightforward. Guess that’s why J.R. thought he had to spell things out for me.

SUE ELLEN: What are you talking about?

Bobby’s cell phone buzzes. He receives a text message from John Ross: “Her shares will be mine by morning.”

BOBBY: [Sits] Hubris. J.R. always knew that that was Cliff Barnes’ Achilles heel. If J.R. were here with us right now, he’d just smile and say, “Let Barnes have his day. Let that bastard go all in, think he’s won. Let him be the architect of his own disaster.” [Raises his glass to a framed photo of J.R.] Well, big brother, as you wish.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (TNT), Features Tagged With: , , ,

TNT’s Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘She Was a Barnes First’

April 11, 2013 by 8 Comments
Bobby Ewing, Call to Arms, Dallas, Patrick Duffy, TNT

He knows

In “A Call to Arms,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, Bobby (Patrick Duffy) notices John Ross (Josh Henderson) drinking alone in his bedroom and enters.

BOBBY: So that’s where the bourbon went?

JOHN ROSS: Sorry.

BOBBY: It’s all right. As long as you share. [Pours himself a glass, sits] So, how’d it go with Pamela?

JOHN ROSS: For once in my damn life, I told the truth. And she thought it was a move. I guess I’m the like boy who cried wolf. My reputation precedes me.

BOBBY: You know, J.R. always liked that saying of Mark Twain’s: “A lie can make it halfway around the world before the truth can put on its pants.” You spend your days lying and scheming, people have a tendency to be suspicious.

JOHN ROSS: I just can’t help but feel like I let her down.

BOBBY: Well [sips], if anyone in this house knows how complicated a relationship with a Barnes woman can be, it’s me. Whenever there was a conflict between me and my Pamela, she would choose her family and I would choose mine. As much as I loved her, I had to understand that she was a Barnes first, a Ewing, second.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (TNT), Features Tagged With: , , ,

TNT’s Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Nothing Can Stop Us’

April 4, 2013 by 14 Comments
Dallas, Let Me In, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

You tell him, honey

In “Let Me In,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) is seated at a table in a posh lounge, where where she’s served a drink moments before Ken (Lee Majors) arrives.

KEN: Sue Ellen, I really shouldn’t be seen with you tonight. The only reason I came was to tell you about your nephew. He’s out of control. He came after me today.

SUE ELLEN: If he strangled you, I would sit back and watch the show.

KEN: Sue Ellen, you must know that I’m not jerking your family around.

SUE ELLEN: Did you ever really care for me?

KEN: Of course.

SUE ELLEN: What you’re doing now – covering up what really happened on our rig – is wrong. It’s morally and ethically wrong. And you know it. Understand me, Ken: When the Ewings unite, nothing can stop us. So you’re either on our side or you’re among the casualties – after we have taken down everyone who has screwed us. [Smiling] I hope you’re on our side.

She grabs her purse and leaves the table.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (TNT), Features Tagged With: , , ,

TNT’s Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘So Did I, Annie. So Did I.’

March 28, 2013 by 67 Comments
Ann Ewing, Bobby Ewing, Brenda Strong, Dallas, Guilt and Innocence, Patrick Duffy, TNT

More to come?

In “Guilt and Innocence,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, Ann (Brenda Strong) enters the Southfork den, where Bobby (Patrick Duffy) sits on the sofa, reading an investigative report.

ANN: Bobby? Who was at the door?

BOBBY: It’s a messenger.

ANN: Everything OK?

BOBBY: Yeah, it’s uh –

ANN: No, you don’t have to tell me Bobby. [Begins to leave]

BOBBY: No, Annie, Annie. It’s all right. [Motions] Come in. [She sits on the sofa.] It’s about Pam, Christopher’s mother.

ANN: [Concerned] You’ve been looking for her?

BOBBY: No, J.R. was, to help us with Cliff. She’s one-third owner of Barnes Global.

ANN: Where is she?

BOBBY: Uh. [Reads from report, Ann moves closer, puts on her glasses] “1989, with an unnamed man, presumably her husband, entered Abu Dhabi. Passports expired. No record of future travel.” Andy Ellis from the U.S. attorney’s office can help me with this. He owes me one after everything that happened with Vicente Cano.

ANN: I thought you were done with her, Bobby.

BOBBY: [Pensive] So did I, Annie. So did I.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (TNT), Features Tagged With: , , ,
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