Dallas Scenes of the Day – Dallas Decoder

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘There’s Been No One Since Jock’

January 6, 2014 by Chris Baker 3 Comments

Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, Miss Ellie Ewing, Peter's Principles

Work it out, Mama

In “Peter’s Principles,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Donna (Susan Howard) sits on a weight bench and does leg lifts in the Southfork fitness room while Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) peddles on the exercise bike.

DONNA: I knew there was something missing.

ELLIE: What’s that?

DONNA: [Chuckles] Your engagement ring. You’re not wearing it.

ELLIE: Well, I thought I was going to do some gardening later, so I left it upstairs.

DONNA: Shoot, I don’t know. I think I’d rather give up gardening than take a rock like that off my finger.

ELLIE: [Chuckles] It is beautiful, isn’t it?

DONNA: Yes, it is. You know what? I am so excited about the prospects of you and Clayton getting married. You know, you really make a gorgeous couple.

ELLIE: [Sighs, stops peddling] Donna, I keep thinking I’m rushing things.

DONNA: Well, I don’t know how you figure that. I mean, you’ve been seeing each other for over a year and you have been together constantly for the past couple of months.

ELLIE: I know.

DONNA: And you obviously get along very well.

ELLIE: Clayton’s a wonderful man.

DONNA: What’s the matter, Miss Ellie?

ELLIE: I’m not sure. The problems we left behind when we went on our trip are very near now.

DONNA: Well, I can’t imagine there being a problem in the whole wide world that you and Clayton couldn’t work out together.

ELLIE: Well, there’s the problem of where we live. And, when Clayton and I marry, he doesn’t just get me, he gets the whole family.

DONNA: You mean your sons — J.R. in particular. [She lies on her belly and begins doing leg lifts]

ELLIE: [Smiles] Yes.

DONNA: Well, I have to tell you, if there’s anybody that can handle J.R., it’s Clayton Farlow.

ELLIE: Maybe.

DONNA: [Stops exercising] Miss Ellie, is there something else that you’re not telling me?

ELLIE: [Glances down] Not really. It’s just that when Clayton and I were away, even though we saw each other every day, we never had any real physical contact. You know, beyond a kiss and a hug.

DONNA: Yes, ma’am. I understand.

ELLIE: There’s been no one since Jock.

DONNA: [Nods] Miss Ellie, Clayton is a very understanding man. And whatever it is, I know you can work it out.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Peter’s Principles, Susan Howard

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Wonder What It Is?’

December 23, 2013 by Chris Baker 5 Comments

Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Past Imperfect

Who shoved J.R.?

In “Past Imperfect,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. and Sly (Larry Hagman, Debbie Rennard) stand in the Ewing Oil reception area, reviewing papers.

J.R.: All right, Sly. I’ll check these out. You can work on them tomorrow. Good night.

SLY: Thank you, J.R.

She grabs her purses and approaches the elevator as the doors open. Clayton (Howard Keel) steps out and brushes past her.

CLAYTON: Where’s J.R.? Is he still here? [Heads toward J.R.’s office]

SLY: Uh, I don’t know. Mr. Farlow, you can’t go in there.

CLAYTON: The hell I can’t.

J.R.: [Begins to exit his office] What’s going on our here anyhow?

CLAYTON: I’m going to see you. [He smacks the papers in J.R.’s hand, sending them flying and marches into the office, forcing J.R. to walk backwards.] Now what the hell do you mean, poking around in my life?

J.R.: What are you talking about?

CLAYTON: Sending people to San Angelo to investigate me.

J.R.: I didn’t send anybody anywhere.

CLAYTON: You are a liar. [Grabs J.R.’s jacket lapels] Now I got a call from the sheriff that somebody’s been snooping around in my affairs. And the only person that could be is you.

J.R.: Now, Clayton, please. Let me explain.

CLAYTON: I was a fool to fall for that line of yours at lunch yesterday. You’re just as devious as you ever were. [Pushes J.R. onto his couch]

J.R.: Just give me a chance to explain, would you please? You would’ve done the same thing under the circumstances. I told you at lunch I love my mama and I’d do anything in the world to see that she’s safe.

CLAYTON: And you don’t think that she’d be safe with me, huh?

J.R.: Look, Clayton, you’ve been around the family a long time. But we really don’t know that much about you. The only reason I was having you checked out was to make sure that Mama didn’t have any surprises after she married you. That’s all.

CLAYTON: [Leans forward] When are you going to get it through that thick skull of yours that I love your mother and all I want is a chance to make her happy? And I’m going to have that chance, whether you like it or not.

He turns and leaves, walking past Sly, who stands in the doorway.

SLY: J.R., are you all right?

J.R.: I’m fine.

SLY: That is a very angry man.

J.R.: He sure is. And a man who gets that angry over a little snooping around must have something interesting to hide. [Chuckles] I wonder what that is?

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Debbie Rennard, Howard Keel, Larry Hagman, Past Imperfect

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘To Ewing Traditions’

December 16, 2013 by Chris Baker 5 Comments

Barbecue Four, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Perfect host

In “Barbecue Four,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman), Sue Ellen (Linda Gray), Bobby (Patrick Duffy), Jenna (Priscilla Beaulieu Presley), Ray (Steve Kanaly) and Donna (Susan Howard) gather around the Southfork dining room table.

J.R.: [Pulls out Sue Ellen’s chair] Darlin’, why don’t you sit in your regular place here? And that’s right, Jenna, you sit in Pam’s old chair. And Donna, why don’t you sit in Lucy’s chair, since we don’t have a regular place for you. [Pulls out the chair]

DONNA: [Sits] Thank you.

J.R.: And that’s right, Ray. You sit where Gary used to. You two have so much in common. Well, I think that’s about it now. I’d like to propose a toast. [Raises a glass] To Ewing traditions.

Miss Ellie and Clayton (Barbara Bel Geddes, Howard Keel) appear in the doorway.

ELLIE: May we join you in that toast?

J.R.: [Sets down his glass] Mama, well! How good to have you home. [He approaches and hugs kisses her, followed by everyone but Jenna, who remains seated.]

BOBBY: Why didn’t you tell us? We’d have picked you up at the airport.

RAY: Welcome home, Miss Ellie.

ELLIE: Oh, Ray.

SUE ELLEN: Oh, Miss Ellie.

BOBBY: [Shaking Clayton’s hand] Clayton, thank you for bringing her back to us.

CLAYTON: She wouldn’t stay away from Southfork another day.

BOBBY: Well, I know how that is.

ELLIE: I’ve been away too long. [Approaches Jenna, touches her shoulder] Oh, Jenna. Bobby told me that he was seeing you. It’s nice you’re here.

JENNA: Thank you, Miss Ellie.

J.R.: [Pulls out her chair] Here you go, Mama.

ELLIE: Thank you, J.R. [She sits.] Oh, I’m so glad to be back.

SUE ELLEN: You know how we feel.

ELLIE: Ray, I’m sorry about what you went through.

RAY: Well, that’s all behind us now, Miss Ellie.

ELLIE: Yes, but not the memories. I know how strong memories can be.

J.R.: Oh, you look wonderful. I mean, really wonderful.

ELLIE: Well, I did nothing but loaf and rest.

BOBBY: Well, it’s been good to you. You look terrific.

ELLIE: I’m sorry about the divorce.

BOBBY: I know, Mama.

ELLIE: Jenna, I hope I’m not embarrassing you, but I’d grown very fond of Pam.

JENNA: I understand.

ELLIE: Well, I may have been in Jamaica for a while, but I still know what time it is in Dallas and we should all be eating dinner by now. [They all laugh.] Clayton, please sit down. [Clayton sits in Jock’s old chair. J.R., Bobby and Ray each look bothered.] After all those restaurants we’ve been eating in, I’m really hungry for good old Southfork cooking. I mean, no matter how good the restaurant is, there’s nothing as good as eating at home. J.R., why don’t you take some of that food and pass it around before it gets stone cold?

J.R.: Oh, I’m really not hungry, Mama.

ELLIE: [Chuckles] You? Not hungry?

J.R.: I suppose it’s the excitement of you being home … with Clayton.

He smiles faintly and then looks at Clayton. The smile fades.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Barbecue Four, Howard Keel, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Sly, Why Did You Betray Me?’

December 9, 2013 by Chris Baker 2 Comments

Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, To Catch a Sly

What he always wanted

In “To Catch a Sly,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) stands in his office doorway as Sly (Debbie Rennard) gets ready to leave for the night.

J.R.: Sly, would you mind hanging around for just a few more minutes? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.

SLY: [Nervous] Uh, yes, sir.

He goes to his bar and opens a wine bottle. She slowly enters the room.

J.R.: Join me?

SLY: No, thank you.

J.R.: You’re not going to let me drink alone. You’re a white-wine lady, aren’t you?

SLY: Mm-hm.

J.R.: You know, you’ve been looking a little peaked lately, Sly. [Pours a glass]

SLY: Well, I’ve just been having some personal problems. It’s nothing serious.

J.R.: [Turns to face her] If it’s the problem I’m thinking of, it’s very serious indeed. [Hands her the glass] You nervous? [Silence] Well, maybe you have your reasons. Sit down, Sly. [She moves to a chair in front his desk. He stands near the desk and retrieves a stack of photographs.] You recognize anybody in these pictures? [He sits next to her and flips through the pictures, which show her with Cliff in various settings.] Hm? Sure, you do. This is you, and this is Cliff Barnes, a man you know feels as kindly towards me as I do to him.

SLY: [Weeping, looking down] I’m sorry, J.R.

J.R.: Sly, why did you betray me to that man?

SLY: He forced me. He found out my brother is in jail and that he’s up for parole soon. And he promised that if I helped him, he’d talk to the right people and get him off. Cliff used to be with the district attorney’s office.

J.R.: Yes, I know. One of the darker periods of our city’s history. Why didn’t you come to me, Sly?

SLY: I couldn’t. I was so scared. Don’t you see? He threatened me. He said if I didn’t help him, he’d make sure my brother served his full sentence. And he had years and years to go. [Faces him] J.R., I love my brother. I couldn’t pass up a chance to help him. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to do it. You have every right to fire me. Even to call the police.

J.R.: I’d never do that. You didn’t try to cover up after I showed you these pictures. That pleases me.

SLY: I didn’t mean to hurt the company, J.R.

J.R.: No, of course you didn’t. As a matter of fact, I’m glad I found out it was you. Not somebody else. Because I can trust you, Sly. And you’ve given me something I’ve always wanted: a way of communicating with Cliff Barnes.

SLY: What do you mean?

J.R.: He doesn’t have to know I found out about you. And you can be very useful in passing on information — information I control.

SLY: You’re going to set him up?

J.R.: Mm-mm. He set himself up. What I’m going to do is bring him down — and bring him down very, very hard.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Debbie Rennard, Larry Hagman, To Catch a Sly

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Want That Little Insect to Bite’

December 2, 2013 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

Buck Stops Here, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

The exterminator

In “The Buck Stops Here,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) is seated in his office at night when Harry (James L. Brown) knocks on the door.

HARRY: Evening, J.R.

J.R.: Come in, Harry.

HARRY: [Enters the room, closes the door behind him] What’s up?

J.R.: Two very important deals were stolen out from under me by Cliff Barnes. They were hush-hush, strictly confidential. Brokers that I’ve known and trusted for years came to me and told me I was the only one they were talking to. But Barnes beat me out. That greedy little cockroach is getting information before I can act. He has a spy working for him.

HARRY: Well, the first thing we have to do is set out a trap.

J.R.: All right. Let’s talk about the bait. I want that little insect to bite — and bite hard.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Buck Stops Here, James L. Brown, Larry Hagman

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Bobby … I’m in Love With You’

November 25, 2013 by Chris Baker 8 Comments

Morning After, Morgan Brittany, Patrick Duffy

What’s not to love?

In “Morning After,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Bobby and Katherine (Patrick Duffy, Morgan Brittany) have a picnic in a park.

BOBBY: Well, this is a first.

KATHERINE: In what way?

BOBBY: I cannot remember, ever in my life, having a picnic in the middle of a working day. [They toast.]

KATHERINE: Well, do you mind?

BOBBY: I think it’s wonderful. I’ve just never done it before. [He pops a grape into his mouth.]

KATHERINE: Bobby, there’s something I should tell you. I was very disappointed that you didn’t ask me to the Oil Baron’s Ball.

BOBBY: Ask you to be my date? Katherine, the thought never occurred to me.

KATHERINE: Don’t you think it should have?

BOBBY: You are Pam’s sister.

KATHERINE: But you’re not married to Pam anymore.

BOBBY: Well, I realize that, of course —

KATHERINE: Bobby, why did Jenna Wade come back into your life?

BOBBY: What?

KATHERINE: I’d just like to know about her.

BOBBY: All right. Jenna Wade. Jenna is probably the first girl that I ever truly loved.

KATHERINE: Yes, that’s what I’d heard. But what about now? How do you feel about her now?

BOBBY: Katherine, you forgive me if this sounds rude, but I don’t think that’s any of your business.

KATHERINE: But of course it is. Don’t you understand why?

BOBBY: No, I don’t.

KATHERINE: You don’t, do you? Bobby, don’t you realize I’m in love with you? I’ve been in love with you from the first time I ever saw you. I just never said anything because you were married to my sister.

BOBBY: Katherine, I … I don’t know what to say. I didn’t have the slightest idea.

KATHERINE: I thought it was written all over my face.

BOBBY: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

KATHERINE: Hurt me?

BOBBY: I could just never see you and I being together.

KATHERINE: Am I so unattractive?

BOBBY: Oh, no. Of course not. But you’re Pam’s sister. I could never think of you in any other way.

KATHERINE: But you could think of Jenna Wade in another way.

BOBBY: Jenna and I have known each other a long time. And we’ve always had very strong feelings for one another.

KATHERINE: Well, lucky Jenna.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Morgan Brittany, Morning After, Patrick Duffy

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘… Some Kind of Stud Service’

November 18, 2013 by Chris Baker 4 Comments

Dallas, Larry Hagman, Oil Baron's Ball, J.R. Ewing

Tables turned

In “The Oil Baron’s Ball,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. and Sue Ellen (Larry Hagman, Linda Gray) are in bed, surrounded by darkness.

J.R.: Where you going?

SUE ELLEN: [Sits up, turns on the lamp] Back to my room.

J.R.: Back to your room? [Rests his head on his hand] After tonight, we’ll be sleeping together.

SUE ELLEN: What makes you think that?

J.R.: [Smiles] The way you came in here. You wanted me as much as I ever wanted you.

SUE ELLEN: Well, that’s only partially true.

J.R.: Well, all our problems are over.

SUE ELLEN: Not quite. You see, J.R., I have no desire to live with you. Now, granted, from time to time, I may need you. And if and when that happens, then I’ll be back. [Smiles] But that’s all. That’s as close to being married as we will ever be. [Pulls her negligee straps onto her shoulders, stands and walks toward the door]

J.R.: I’ll be damned if you can come in here and use me like some kind of stud service.

SUE ELLEN: [Turns to face him] What other possible use would I have for you? Good night. [Pulls the door closed behind her]

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Oil Baron’s Ball

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Same Old J.R.’

November 11, 2013 by Chris Baker 5 Comments

Dallas, Holly Harwood, Lois Chiles, Ray's Trial

Goodbye girl

In “Ray’s Trial,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) is seated in a cocktail lounge, drinking alone, when Holly (Lois Chiles) approaches.

HOLLY: [Smiling] J.R.

J.R.: Oh, lord.

HOLLY: I was hoping I’d run into you.

J.R.: Would you please leave, Holly?

HOLLY: I just heard the most astounding news — that you and Bobby are going to run Ewing Oil side by side. [She sits across from him.] Share and share alike.

J.R.: Well, news travels fast in this town.

HOLLY: A good story like that? Hard to keep bottled up.

J.R.: You heard the story and you told me about it. Now, I really want to be alone. [A waitress brings him a fresh drink.]

HOLLY: Looks like the only friend you have left is in that glass. I just think it’s wonderful that despite all your manipulations, despite all your crooked deals, despite your hitting me up for 20 million bucks to get you out of my company — despite all that — you still couldn’t beat Bobby.

J.R.: Holly, I don’t feel that I owe you any kind of an explanation. But since you’re not going to leave my table, maybe I can shut you up by giving you a little inside information: Bobby and I agreed to split up the company long before the accounting.

HOLLY: [Smiling] Maybe you did. But the way I heard it, you were going to double-cross Bobby. It was Bobby that agreed to share Ewing Oil with you, not the other way around.

J.R.: Well, I must compliment you on the quality of your spies.

HOLLY: I still have some people in this town who owe me favors.

J.R.: Well, since I don’t think you slept with Punk or Harv Smithfield, it must have been one of the auditors. Or all of them, as the case may be.

HOLLY: Same old J.R. Losing has done nothing for your soul. But I’m happy that you lost because you cost me the one thing in the whole world that I ever really wanted.

J.R.: Bobby.

HOLLY: [Smiling] Yes.

J.R.: Well, he’s free now, honey. You can go after him — free as a bird.

HOLLY: You made that impossible.

J.R.: I did?

HOLLY: You mean because of that one night I spent in your bed? Oh, my saintly brother. [Holly begins to leave. He stops her.] Darlin’, I’d like to make a little toast: to the fact that you will never, ever be my sister-in-law. And I want to thank you too, for reminding me how ethical my brother is. It’s a flaw in his character that eventually will cause his downfall in the oil industry. I’m not finished yet, honey. Not by a long shot. Thank you. I’m feeling better.

She walks away.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Lois Chiles, Ray’s Trial

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘You and Me Together. Brothers.’

November 4, 2013 by Chris Baker 2 Comments

Bobby Ewing, Check and Mate, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy

Daddy wins

In “Check and Mate,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman), Bobby (Patrick Duffy), Punk (Morgan Woodward) and Harv (George O. Petrie) are in Harv’s office, listening as Gerber (John Hostetter), the auditor, announces the results of the Ewing Oil contest.

GERBER: All right, that takes care of the breakdown on a section-by-section basis.

J.R.: Now let’s hear the totals.

GERBER: All right. These totals are accurate to the close of business yesterday. Mr. Bobby Ewing has improved the assets he was initially given by the sum of $24,160,000.

J.R.: Well, that’s a pretty good year’s work, Bobby.

PUNK: And Mr. J.R. Ewing?

GERBER: J.R. Ewing has improved the assets he was given by the sum of $40,220,000.

J.R. chuckles, throws up his hands.

PUNK: Well, now, that’s a fair margin. J.R.’s clearly the winner.

HARV: Yes. Congratulations, J.R.

J.R.: Thank you, Harv. Thank you.

PUNK: Now, boys. What about this letter?

HARV: Well, it pleases me to say that even before they knew about the letter, the boys had already agreed to split the company, no matter who won the contest.

PUNK: That’s what Bobby said, and then J.R. confirmed that yesterday. Right, J.R.?

J.R.: [Rises from his seat, goes to the bar] Well, yes. There’s some truth in the idea that were going to share the company —

PUNK: J.R.!

J.R.: But that was in the aftermath of what happened at Southfork. It was very special circumstances. [Fixing himself a drink] Both Bobby and I were, oh, highly emotional at the time.

HARV: [Answering the buzzing intercom] What is it, Janet? I told you I didn’t want to be interrupted.

JANET: There’s a gentleman out here who says it’s urgent he talk to Bobby Ewing.

BOBBY: Would you ask him to come in, please, Harv? [Rises from his seat, goes to the door]

J.R.: Could that wait, Bob?

BOBBY: No, it can’t, J.R. [Bobby opens the door and shakes the hand of his visitor: Thornton (Kenneth Kimmins).] Thornton.

THORNTON: I got here as fast as I could.

BOBBY: You had me a little worried. Everybody, I’d like you to meet Thornton McLeish. He’s my partner in those Canadian frozen fields that I was involved with. [Punk, Harv, Gerber and Thornton exchange hellos.] I asked Thornton to come down here because I — well, Thornton, why don’t you explain it to them?

THORNTON: When Bobby invested with us, we were sure our fields would come in — and come in big. What we couldn’t tell was when they’d come in. And that was crucial to Bobby because of this contest he had with his brother. Hello, J.R. [J.R. nods] Things looked pretty grim there for awhile, but Bobby not only stuck it out, he was instrumental in persuading another company—Barnes-Wentworth—to provide us with a special drill that would solve some of the problems we had.

J.R.: Well, I assume there’s a point to all this?

THORNTON: Oh, I’m sorry, J.R. I’ll cut it short. I just want to give Bobby his check for $26 million. [Reaches into his jacket pocket, pulls out a check and hands it to Bobby]

PUNK: Twenty-six million!

THORNTON: It’s his share of the profits in the Canadian fields. The drill bit worked. The test well came in gushing and we just sold out to the majors. That was the original deal. [Bobby smiles.]

PUNK: Well, this means that you win the contest, Bobby.

J.R.: The hell it does. The contest is over. The winner’s been declared.

BOBBY: Harv, correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the contest doesn’t officially close until the end of business today.

HARV: [Smiles] That’s right.

BOBBY: So I still have time to enter this check into my books. [Harv nods. Bobby hands the check to Gerber.] Mr. Gerber.

PUNK: Congratulations, Bobby. [They shake hands.]

HARV: Good work, Bobby. Good work.

J.R.: [Chuckling] Well, I’ll be damned. I’ve never been a sore loser. [Slaps Bobby on the back] Congratulations on your win, Bobby. Not that it makes any difference. I mean, we had decided to be partners, right? Huh?

BOBBY: Punk, if you don’t mind, I’d like to keep Daddy’s letter for myself.

PUNK: You betcha. [Hands him the letter]

J.R.: Bob, you’ve never gone back on a deal. We are partners, right? Just the way Daddy wanted it.

PUNK: [To Bobby] Jock would be proud of you.

BOBBY: [Pauses] Yeah, J.R. It’s going to be just like Daddy wanted.

PUNK: Good boy.

J.R.: [Chuckles, slaps him on the back again] Good, good. That’s just fine. Now, Harv, since there’s no loose threads hanging around, why don’t you draw up some papers, make this legal. We’ll be in tomorrow, to sign them. Get rid of the old business and on with the new. Now, Bob, like I said, just the way Daddy wanted it, you and me together. Brothers.

J.R. puts his arm around Bobby and smiles. Bobby doesn’t.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Check and Mate, George O. Petrie, John Hostetter, Kenneth Kimmins, Larry Hagman, Morgan Woodward, Patrick Duffy

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Southfork Should Be Yours’

October 28, 2013 by Chris Baker 3 Comments

Dallas, John Ross Ewing, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Omri Katz, Quality of Mercy

Lessons from Daddy

In “The Quality of Mercy,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, John Ross (Omri Katz) is lying in bed when J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters the room.

J.R.: You still awake?

JOHN ROSS: Yes, Daddy.

J.R.: Want me to tuck you in?

JOHN ROSS: Yes.

J.R.: [Kneels beside the bed, adjusts the blanket] You had a good day at camp?

JOHN ROSS: Yes, but there’s a bigger boy there that’s mean to me.

J.R.: [Concerned] Mean to you? What’s his name?

JOHN ROSS: I don’t know.

J.R.: Well, I’ll tell you what. You find out his daddy’s name and I’ll see what I can do about getting him kicked out of camp — and maybe out of Dallas. I’m not going to have anybody picking on my boy.

JOHN ROSS: Peter talked to him, and he said he wouldn’t be mean anymore.

J.R.: Oh, Peter did, did he? Well, that’s good. That’s good. But the one person you come to when you’re in trouble is your daddy. You remember that. I’ll make everything good for you. Matter of fact, I’ll make everybody happy around here. I’m going to make your Uncle Bobby happy by making sure that he won’t have to worry about running Ewing Oil. And that’ll make your mama happy, seeing that we’re not fighting anymore. Well, and then I have a feeling that pretty soon, Uncle Bobby’s going to be leaving Southfork too. And that’ll leave everything for me — and for you. That’d be fun, huh?

JOHN ROSS: I guess so.

J.R.: No, son. No, that’s one thing you’ve got to be sure of. Ewing Oil and Southfork should be yours. And I’m going to get ’em for you. [Smiles, kisses him on the forehead] Night now.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Omri Katz, Quality of Mercy