Features – Dallas Decoder

TNT’s Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Mama Like’

March 5, 2014 by Chris Baker 5 Comments

Judith Light, Judith Ryland, TNT, Trust Me

That’s one way to powder your nose

In “Trust Me,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Harris and Judith (Mitch Pileggi, Judith Light) meet Luis (Antonio Jaramillo) in an equestrian center in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

LUIS: Harris, my friend. Good to see you out of jail.

HARRIS: [Shakes his hand] Thanks to you, my friend.

LUIS: The least I can do for a man who knows the value of silence. A talkative man might have faced a much different ending.

JUDITH: Harris, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?

LUIS: When your son told me he was bringing his mother, I was … surprised.

JUDITH: Please, call me Judith.

LUIS: I hate surprises, Judith. They can lead to … unpleasantness. [Turns, begins to walk away]

JUDITH: [Follows him, arm in arm with Harris] Be that as it may, I’m now in control of Ryland Transport, so you’ll need to deal with me.

LUIS: We have a level of trust with your son, which he’s earned with years of working together. [Turns to face her] You have not earned such trust.

JUDITH: You think I’m wired. You’re right. [Hands Harris her cane] We’ve only just met, and trust is the most important ingredient in a business relationship. [Unbuttons her jacket, exposes her bra, pulls Luis’s hands out of his pocket and places them on her body] Without trust, there can be … misunderstanding. [Moves his hands up and down her legs] And misunderstanding can lead to doubt. And doubt can lead to suspicion. I feel like we’ve known each other forever. [Places her hands on Luis’s chest] Don’t you? [Begins to button up again] Due to my son’s previous legal difficulties, we can assume that all Ryland trucks will be scrutinized at the border.

LUIS: We assume this as well.

JUDITH: That is why from now on, all the trucks we use will be owned by a shell company that will be carrying drilling fluid and wastewater.

LUIS: And what about the checkpoints inside of Texas? I believe those have been compromised as well.

JUDITH: We avoid them by staying off the highways. We use the shale trucking routes instead. Six thousand miles of unmapped private roads without a border patrol agent in sight. And all of this will cost you just pennies on the dollar more.

LUIS: Whoa, whoa, whoa. We’ve already got a deal in place.

JUDITH: Well, that was with my son. Every day your cocaine pipeline is shut down, it costs you millions. Let’s not quibble over crumbs.

LUIS: [Looks at Harris, who looks away] Agreed.

JUDITH: Now, let’s seal the deal with a taste of our product. [Luis summons a boy who hands him a box. He lifts the lid revealing cocaine. Judith smiles, picks up a tube and snorts a line.] Hot damn! Mama like. [She snorts another line, then rubs some on her gums]

LUIS: [Closes the box, hands it to the boy] All right. Now that I’ve agreed to your conditions, I think it’s time you agree to mine.

JUDITH: It’s the polite thing to do.

LUIS: One interruption in our supply chain was unfortunate. Another would be fatal — for you and your family.

HARRIS: My daughter has nothing to do with this!

LUIS: Which would make it all the more … tragic, don’t you think?

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (TNT), Features Tagged With: Antonio Jaramillo, Judith Light, Mitch Pileggi, TNT, Trust Me

TNT’s Dallas Recap: ‘Trust Me’

March 4, 2014 by Chris Baker 25 Comments

Dallas, Harris Ryland, Judith Light, Judith Ryland, Mitch Pileggi TNT, Trust Me

Mommy’s home

Here’s what happened in “Trust Me,” TNT’s latest “Dallas” episode:

• John Ross got lucky. When John Ross (Josh Henderson) saw Christopher ask nebbish seismologist Howard Rieder (Christian Clemenson) to confirm whether the shale formation is within Southfork’s surface rights, John Ross tried to bribe him to make sure the test came out his way. Howard confessed the bribe to Bobby (Patrick Duffy), who was amused by John Ross’s antics and told Howard to keep the money. John Ross’s scheming turned out to be for nothing: When the test results came in, they showed the shale is indeed within the surface rights. “That settles it. … We’re fracking Southfork,” John Ross said.

• … And then John Ross got luckier. Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) asked Bum (Kevin Page) to follow John Ross to see if he’s cheating with Emma (Emma Bell). Bum photographed John Ross and Emma cavorting in John Ross’s penthouse, but Bum lied and told Sue Ellen that her son “never went near” Emma. Instead, Bum showed the pictures to John Ross, explaining that he followed him because J.R. asked him to keep an eye on John Ross. Said Bum: “Your father was a great man. He did great things. But the way he ran around on your mother was a sin — and he figured that out too late. Grow into your father’s greatness, not his weakness.”

• Pamela got suspicious. Sue Ellen wasn’t the only woman who grew concerned about John Ross’s fidelity. Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) spotted her husband flirting with his new secretary, Candice, and warned him: “If I ever find out you’ve been stepping out on me, God’s wrath will be the least of your worries.” Later, when Pamela saw John Ross chatting with a pretty blonde at the Ewing Barbecue, she danced with Nicolas (Juan Pablo Di Pace), which seemed to arouse John Ross’s jealousy.

• Elena and Nicolas got closer to the truth about the Ewings. At the Ewing Barbecue, Elena (Jordana Brewster) snooped around Bobby’s laptop and came across an email to Carlos del Sol in which he wrote, “Talked to Rhonda Simmons. She agreed to play ball with us about JR.” Elena showed the email to Nicolas and explained that Rhonda was the witness whose testimony placed Cliff in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, on the night J.R. was killed. “That’s got to mean something,” Elena said as she studied Bobby’s email.

• The Ewings got closer to the truth about Elena and Nicolas. At the Ewing Barbecue, Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) quizzed Nicolas about his business dealings with Cliff and realized the details didn’t add up. He got together with Bobby and John Ross and explained his suspicions: “I think it’s a phantom deal. Cliff and Nicolas probably never worked together, so there’s got to be some connection — some other reason — why Nicolas is doing this for Cliff.” The barbecue wasn’t all business for Christopher, though: Heather (AnnaLynne McCord) planted a kiss on him and they danced, although he seemed more than a little bothered by Nicolas’s interest in Elena.

• Carmen got put in a tough spot. On the day of the barbecue, Elena told Carmen (Marlene Forte) that she’s working with Nicolas and Cliff but didn’t provide details. “You just have to believe that everything I’m doing is justified,” Elena said. This put Carmen in a tough spot; she pretended not to know Nicolas when Ann (Brenda Strong) introduced them at the party, although when Carmen and Nicolas had a moment alone, she touched the medal around his neck and said, “If even for a moment I sense that you are leading either of my children into the darkness, not even St. Christopher will be able to save you.”

• Judith got down to business. While Bobby and Ann tried to find out how Harris (Mitch Pileggi) got out of jail, Emma sprung Judith (Judith Light) from the rehab hospital. Judith seized control of Ryland Transport and demanded Harris take her to Nuevo Laredo, where she met with drug lord Luis (Antonio Jaramillo), negotiated a new deal to smuggle his cocaine into Texas — and then sampled his product. “Hot damn! Mama like,” Judith said after snorting a few lines of coke.

• The audience got shocked. Little did Judith know Harris was secretly recording her dirty dealings. But for whom? In the final scene, we got our answer: Gun-toting federal agents brought Bobby and Ann to a darkened warehouse and told the couple to stop snooping into Harris’s release. The reason: Harris is working with the CIA to bring down the Mendez-Ochoa cartel. Harris emerged from the shadows and told Bobby and Ann their questions are jeopardizing his sting against the cartel. “They have pictures of our daughter — and you, Annie,” Harris said. “Now if they find out who I’m working for, they’ll kill both you and Emma.”

What did you think of “Trust Me”? Share your comments below and look for Dallas Decoder’s critique later this week.

Filed Under: Dallas Recaps, Features

Dallas Burning Questions: Season 3, Week 2

March 3, 2014 by Chris Baker 7 Comments

Bobby Ewing, Christopher Ewing, Dallas, Elena Ramos, Jesse Metcalfe, John Ross Ewing, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Pamela Rebecca Barnes Ewing, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Return, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

Huddle up, y’all

Here are the questions we’re pondering as we await tonight’s telecast of “Trust Me,” TNT’s latest “Dallas” episode:

• What’s Elena and Nicolas’s next move? In “The Return,” last week’s third-season premiere, Elena (Jordana Brewster) formed a secret alliance with Cliff (Ken Kercheval) and agreed to help him prove the Ewings framed him. She lied to Carmen (Marlene Forte) about her scheme and took a job at Ewing Global, where she began snooping around for evidence against the family. Elena also recruited her childhood friend Nicolas Treviño (Juan Pablo Di Pace), a self-made billionaire who used to be known as Joaquin, to serve as Cliff’s proxy. Nicolas, who considers Elena’s parents to be his own, told Elena he wants revenge as much as she does. What will Elena and Nicolas do next — and what will Carmen say when she discovers their plan?

• Will Bobby or John Ross prevail? To finance a major drilling venture in the Arctic, the Ewings decided to sell off their company’s consumer division, but Nicolas scuttled the deal. John Ross (Josh Henderson) suggested the family could raise the capital for the Arctic project by drilling on Southfork, but Bobby (Patrick Duffy) refused to go along, pointing out that he and Gary control the mineral rights. John Ross countered with evidence that suggests the oil under Southfork has risen to the surface, which means he could access it as the ranch’s co-owner. Will Bobby or John Ross win this fight?

• What will Sue Ellen do? With Harris (Mitch Pileggi) in jail and Judith (Judith Light) in a “rehab hospital,” Emma (Emma Bell) became Ryland Transport’s chief executive. She agreed to give John Ross access to the company’s drilling and cargo ships — but only if he agreed to continue sleeping with her. He did, but he wasn’t very careful about it. When Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) spotted him coming out of Emma’s bedroom, John Ross lied and said he and Emma were just talking business. Sue Ellen didn’t look like she believed her son. What will she do with her suspicion that he’s a cheat?

• Where does Harris go from here? The Mendez-Ochoa cartel bribed a judge to release Harris from jail and sent two shady characters to greet Harris as he emerged from custody. The men showed Harris a picture of Emma and Ann (Brenda Strong) and told him if he doesn’t resume his drug shipments, they’ll make Emma wish she was dead. What will Harris do?

• What’s next for Christopher? After Elena apologized to Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) for concealing Drew’s role in the rig explosion, Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) told Elena he was sorry for treating her so badly in Zurich. Elena told him she’s not ready to take him back, which is just as well since Christopher seemed quite taken with Heather (AnnaLynne McCord), a spunky Southfork ranch hand. Will she help him heal his broken heart?

What “Dallas Burning Questions” are on your mind? Share your comments below and watch TNT’s “Dallas” tonight.

Filed Under: Dallas Burning Questions, Features Tagged With: AnnaLynne McCord, Brenda Strong, Emma Bell, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Juan Pablo di Pace, Judith Light, Julie Gonzalo, Linda Gray, Mitch Pileggi, Patrick Duffy, Return, TNT, Trust Me

TNT’s Dallas Styles: ‘The Return’

February 28, 2014 by Chris Baker 11 Comments

“Dallas’s” third-season opener, “The Return,” brought the Ewings back in style. My favorite look: the obi-belted color-block dress that Linda Gray wore in three scenes, including the family’s Arctic drilling strategy session inside the Ewing Global boardroom. Costume designer Rachel Sage Kunin created the dress, which evokes the ’70s chic looks that Sue Ellen sported during “Dallas’s” earliest years. What could be better for Gray, who hasn’t aged a day since then?

I also love the sleeveless, blue-and-black dress that Julie Gonzalo rocks in one of Pamela’s boardroom appearances, as well as Jordana Brewster’s dark-frame eyeglasses. Elena is hiding her true intentions from the Ewings, so why not complete the deception by hiding behind those sexy/smart spectacles? Speaking of cover-ups: Who doesn’t love Jesse Metcalfe’s beard? Even “Dallas” fans who prefer their men clean-shaven tell me they find Christopher’s scruff irresistible.

And then there’s J.R.’s belt buckle, which John Ross received in “The Return’s” most touching scene. I like this accessory because it helps keep alive Larry Hagman’s memory, but it also puts the audience on notice: We better all buckle up, because “Dallas” is going to take us on another wild ride this year.

What were your favorite looks in “The Return”? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and read more “Dallas Styles.”

Filed Under: Dallas Styles, Dallas Styles (TNT), Features Tagged With: Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Rachel Sage Kunin, Return, TNT

Say What?! This Week’s Best Dallas Sound Bites

February 27, 2014 by Chris Baker 10 Comments

“Dallas” delivers the most delicious dialogue on television. Here are the best sound bites from “The Return,” this week’s episode.

What are your favorite lines from “The Return”? Share them below and read more “Say What?!”

Filed Under: Dallas Sound Bites, Features Tagged With: Emma Bell, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Linda Gray, Return, TNT

TNT’s Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes!’

February 26, 2014 by Chris Baker 9 Comments

Dallas, Julie Gonzalo, Pamela Rebecca Barnes Ewing, Return, TNT

Good answer

In “The Return,” TNT’s third-season “Dallas” opener, John Ross (Josh Henderson) rides his horse to the Southfork barn, where Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) awaits him.

PAMELA: So what is it?

JOHN ROSS: What’s what? [Ties his horse to a post]

PAMELA: At 7 o’clock sharp, you say to meet you in the middle of Southfork at the old hay barn. I’m expecting a big surprise. So what is it?

JOHN ROSS: It’s just the first time of the year you can see the lover’s cross. [Points to the sky] I wanted you to see it. And I want to give you this under those stars.

PAMELA: This? [He pulls out a ring box and hands it to her.]

JOHN ROSS: That’s the reason I had to go to Houston last night. Had to get you the biggest diamond in Texas.

PAMELA: [Opens the box, revealing a massive diamond ring] John Ross.

JOHN ROSS: We didn’t do it right when we eloped, and since Mama wants to give us a proper wedding, you deserve a proper ring. And a proper proposal. [Takes the ring, removes his hat, gets down on bended knee] Will you marry me, Pamela? I can’t promise it’ll be smooth sailing, but I can promise you I’ll give you the ride of your life. [Puts the ring on her finger]

PAMELA: [Smiles] Yes. [He rises, kisses and hugs her.] Yes, yes, yes, yes!

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (TNT), Features Tagged With: Josh Henderson, Julia Gonzalo, Return, TNT

TNT’s Dallas Recap: ‘The Return’

February 25, 2014 by Chris Baker 41 Comments

Christopher Ewing, Dallas, Elena Ramos, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo, Linda Gray, Pamela Barnes Ewing, Sue Ellen Ewing

They’re back

Here’s what happened in “The Return,” TNT’s third-season “Dallas” opener:

• John Ross and Emma struck a deal. After their tryst in the hotel room, John Ross and Emma (Josh Henderson, Emma Bell) found Judith’s power of attorney, which makes Emma chief executive of Ryland Transport if Harris becomes incapacitated. “Nothing says incapacitated like a 20-year prison term,” John Ross said.

Emma agreed to give John Ross control of Ryland Transport’s drilling and cargo ships, which the newly renamed Ewing Global needs to bid on lucrative oil and methane leases in the Arctic. But Emma’s offer came with a price: She wants to continue sleeping with John Ross. He agreed — and not reluctantly.

• Elena and Cliff joined forces. Elena (Jordana Brewster) confirmed Cliff (Ken Kercheval) was telling the truth about J.R.’s scheme against her father and agreed to help Cliff prove the Ewings framed him so she can gain leverage against them. “I’m not thinking of this as revenge. I’m thinking of this as justice,” she said.

Elena kept her connection to Cliff a secret and took a job at Ewing Global; she also recruited Nicolas Treviño (Juan Pablo Di Pace), a childhood friend who is now a billionaire, to serve as Cliff’s proxy. Nicolas, who was known as Joaquin as a child, grew up alongside Elena and Drew and considered their father as his own. “We will get justice for your family — for our family,” Nicolas told her.

• John Ross and Bobby clashed — and clashed again. To finance Ewing Global’s Arctic venture, the family decided to sell the company’s consumer division. Not so fast, said Nicolas, who introduced himself to the Ewings as Cliff’s proxy and cited a state law that prevents companies from selling major assets without the blessing of a “supermajority” of owners.

Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) suggested the family should find dirt on Nicolas and get him to switch to their side, but John Ross had another idea: He wants to pay for the Arctic venture by drilling on Southfork. Bobby (Patrick Duffy) rejected the plan, pointing out that he and Gary still control the mineral rights. But John Ross had a trick up his sleeve: He revealed the oil below the ranch has risen to the shale formation, which means he can drill it because he has the “surface rights.”

To make matters worse, John Ross also started talking about remodeling Southfork, including adding — gasp! — an atrium, an elevator and an indoor pool.

• Harris went free. After being released from jail, Harris (Mitch Pileggi) ran into some shady dudes who took credit for bribing the judge so he could walk away a free man. The men told Harris if he doesn’t resume his drug shipments for the Mendez-Ochoa cartel, they’ll make Emma wish she was dead. Yikes!

• Meanwhile, back at the ranch.… Elena apologized to the Ewings for concealing her brother’s involvement in the rig explosion. When Christopher asked her to forgive him for treating her harshly, she told him they should take more time to sort out their feelings for each other, although the expression on her face — and the fact that she’s now secretly colluding with Cliff — suggests she didn’t really mean it. If Elena changes her mind, she better do it fast since Christopher seemed taken with Heather (AnnaLynne McCord), a spirited ranch hand who doesn’t care much for Bo (Donny Boaz), the ranch hand/rodeo cowboy whom Emma tangled with last season.

• John Ross and Pamela got engaged — again. Elsewhere at Southfork, John Ross got down on one knee and gave Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) a “proper” marriage proposal, along with an engagement ring to rival the rock Sue Ellen used to sport. Pamela wasted no time planning her wedding with help from Ann (Brenda Strong), Sue Ellen — and Emma, who was as sweet as spun sugar to Pamela’s face while sexting her husband behind her back.

Later, John Ross — who now sports J.R.’s belt buckle, courtesy of Bum (Kevin Page) — snuck across the hall at Southfork and had another tryst with Emma. Afterward, as he was leaving the room, he ran into Sue Ellen, who didn’t seem to believe her son’s claim that he and Emma were just talking shop. Would you?

What did you think of “The Return”? Share your comments below and look for Dallas Decoder’s critique later this week.

Filed Under: Dallas Recaps, Features Tagged With: AnnaLynne McCord, Brenda Strong, Donny Boaz, Emma Bell, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Juan Pablo di Pace, Julie Gonzalo, Ken Kercheval, Kevin Page, Linda Gray, Mitch Pileggi, Patrick Duffy, TNT

Dallas Burning Questions: Season 3, Week 1

February 24, 2014 by Chris Baker 9 Comments

Bobby Ewing, Dallas, John Ross Ewing, Josh Henderson, Legacies, TNT

Moving on

Here are the questions we’re pondering as we await tonight’s telecast of “The Return,” TNT’s third-season “Dallas” premiere:

• What’s John Ross up to? “Legacies,” the second-season finale, ended with John Ross (Josh Henderson) on top of the world: After marrying Pamela (Julie Gonzalo), he helped his family defeat Cliff (Ken Kercheval) and take over his company, Barnes Global. In the final scene, John Ross went to a posh hotel room, where Emma (Emma Bell) was waiting for him with an accordion folder full of documents. John Ross told Emma he was willing to “pay the price” for the folder as they began to undress each other. What’s John Ross after — and why is he willing to cheat on Pamela to get it?

• Will Elena accept Cliff’s offer? Also in the season finale, Cliff summoned Elena (Jordana Brewster) to Mexico, where he was jailed after the police arrested him for J.R.’s murder. Cliff showed Elena documents that suggested J.R. stole oil-rich land from her late father and invited her to become his proxy for the one-third of Barnes Global he still owns. Elena, who was nursing a broken heart after Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) discovered she covered up Drew’s role in the Ewing Energies rig explosion and dumped her, seemed tempted by Cliff’s offer. Will she accept?

• Did Bobby tie up all the loose ends in J.R.’s “masterpiece”? When evidence emerged that Cliff killed J.R. (Larry Hagman), Pamela helped the Ewings plant evidence on her father to make sure he wouldn’t get away with murder. Later, Bobby (Patrick Duffy) revealed the truth to John Ross and Christopher: J.R. was dying of cancer and arranged for Bum (Kevin Page) to shoot him so Cliff could be framed, thus bringing an end to the Barnes-Ewing feud. How flawless is J.R.’s masterpiece?

• How’s Sue Ellen coping? It’s no secret Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) will still be drinking when Season 3 begins. Will her problem get worse before it gets better?

• What will happen to Harris? Before Emma swiped the accordion folder and shared it with John Ross, she blew the whistle on her father, who was arrested for drug trafficking. How is Harris (Mitch Pileggi) getting along in jail? What will happen to his drug trafficking operation without him? And while we’re on the subject of the Rylands, whatever became of Judith (Judith Light), whom Harris sent to “rehab” after she threatened to take control of their family’s company, Ryland Transport, before tumbling down the stairs?

• Who is Joaquin? After the Ewings discovered Cliff and Harris blackmailed Drew (Kuno Becker) into blowing up the rig, he went on the run. Elena eventually caught up with her brother and gave him money and a cell phone, telling him to “call Joaquin” as soon as he got to Mexico. The last time we saw Drew, he was speeding away on his motorcycle. Later, after Cliff’s conversation with Elena, she took off too and wound up at a Mexican compound, where she told the guards she was there to see Joaquin. Who is this mystery man — and what’s his connection to the Ramoses?

• Who are the newcomers? “The Return” will introduce two new characters: Nicolas Treviño (Juan Pablo Di Pace), a suave billionaire who’ll spar with the Ewings, and Heather (AnnaLynne McCord), a ranch hand at Southfork. How will they figure into this season’s storylines?

• How’s life at Southfork? After J.R.’s death, John Ross inherited half of Southfork and moved in, putting him and Pamela under the same roof as Bobby, Ann (Brenda Strong) and Christopher. How’s the brood getting along? And how long until someone gets pushed into the swimming pool?

What “Dallas Burning Questions” are on your mind? Share your comments below and watch TNT’s “Dallas” tonight.

Filed Under: Dallas Burning Questions, Features Tagged With: AnnaLynne McCord, Brenda Strong, Emma Bell, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Juan Pablo di Pace, Judith Light, Julie Gonzalo, Ken Kercheval, Kevin Page, Kuno Becker, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Mitch Pileggi, Patrick Duffy, TNT

If Fans Wrote ‘Dallas,’ Here’s What You’d See

February 19, 2014 by Chris Baker 27 Comments

Ann Ewing, Brenda Strong, Dallas, Emma Bell, Emma Ryland, Julie Gonzalo, Linda Gray, Pamela Barnes Ewing, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

Fantasy gals

What would “Dallas’s” third season look like if the audience were in charge? Dallas Decoder asked four fans to pick up the storylines where Season 2 left off and describe their fantasy scenarios for the show. Here’s what they came up with.

Such a sneak!

Emma’s Switcheroo

By Chris Donovan

The Ewings celebrate the victory of Ewing Global, then discover they have inherited former Barnes Global enemies, including a dangerous Las Vegas casino family. Bobby employs J.R.’s mercenary (and killer), Bum, to mediate and more.

Elena and Joaquin disprove Cliff’s season-ending claim and Elena turns down the proxy. Instead, she insists on finding Drew and takes mother Carmen with her on her search, the family Ramos leaving in the season premiere.

Cliff picks Pamela’s mother, Afton (a one-time owner of a record company), as the proxy replacement. She begrudgingly complies, hoping to work with her daughter.

Katherine Wentworth, prosecution-immune after 30 years, flies back to appear on a Dallas TV show. She apologizes to Bobby and donates $500,000 to the upcoming Clayton Farlow Charity Rodeo at Southfork. Katherine has it all together now, or does until a blond haired woman shows up at her condo….

The presumed-dead James Beaumont revs up to J.R.’s grave and talks with John Ross. James has been living in New Zealand since the deaths of his wife and son.

Judith buys her way out of “rehab” and finds her long-lost son, Roscoe “Morrissey” Manley, in a plot to get Harris out of 50-year trafficking sentence. Will she succeed in an installment titled “Switched at Death”?

Ann becomes attracted to her probation worker, Devon Leeman. Will she add a love crime to her rap sheet?

Lucy’s gay twenty-something stepson, Henry Pattemore, is hired by Christopher for the ranch and then matched up by his boss with Sheriff Derrick.

Emma sabotages John Ross and Pamela’s pregnancy efforts by replacing fertility pills with birth control.

In the Sue Ellen stand-alone episode, “Come to Mickey,” Sue Ellen, after passing out at a restaurant playground, meets a 50-year-old Mickey Trotter in her car. Pushing her drunk past in her face (the pregnancy accident, his accident, her breakup with Don), he stops her from driving. She commits to rehab and AA, where she meets her new love interest: Lou, the Ewing attorney.

And Cliff redeems himself in the finale, giving his life for Afton: “Besides my daddy and my sister, you’re the only one I’ve ever loved!”

Donovan, a novelist, is the author of “AWOL.”

Gettin’ lusty with Dusty

Oh, Annie!

By Andrew H.

The Ewings’ unity in the wake of J.R.’s “masterpiece” to take down Cliff becomes fractured following an environmental calamity on Southfork created by John Ross’s oil exploration. This infuriates Bobby, who sues his nephew.

Emma feels pulled in both directions — a predicament Harris and Judith are more than happy to exploit. Working as Cliff’s secret pawn, Elena unknowingly has a hand in the disaster, but this doesn’t become apparent to her until later, as she remains unaware of the depth to which Cliff is willing to sink the Ewings to achieve his revenge.

As the Ewings become caught up in the Bobby/John Ross legal battle, their romantic liaisons become entangled too. Sue Ellen, fleeing sobriety, begins an affair with Ken Richards, and Ann, feeling neglected by Bobby, finds comfort in the arms of one of Sue Ellen’s old flames: Dusty Farlow.

Distracted by the lawsuit and their affairs, the implementation of Cliff’s diabolical scheme to get even goes largely unnoticed until Pamela discovers it. Irritated by her philandering husband, she must weigh whether to remain loyal to the scattered Ewings or rebuild the Barnes legacy by becoming the final piece in her father’s plan to sabotage the Ewings’ financial holdings and destroy their good name forever.

Andrew, who blogs about food at Cook In/Dine Out, is the creator of the “Dallas Drinks” and “Dallas Desserts” series. He’s also married to Dallas Decoder.

Dallas, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

Give ’em hell, honey

Call Her Madam Mayor

By Corina H.

Riddled with guilt, Bum tells Sue Ellen he accidentally sent her the wrong letter from J.R., one he penned before developing cancer, and only realized it when she read it at the burial. Bum reveals the truth about J.R.’s death and gives Sue Ellen the intended letter in which J.R. again professes his love and regret for squandering it, but also says goodbye and urges her to stay strong.

When Sue Ellen confronts the Ewing men about their deception, they dismiss her as emotional and John Ross cites her relapse as an example of how she can’t handle the truth. Heartbroken, Sue Ellen briefly flees Dallas and befriends Vanessa Ruiz (Shannen Doherty), a down-on-her-luck waitress with whom she develops a mother/daughter bond, leaving John Ross feeling threatened.

Back home, Sue Ellen voluntarily enters rehab, where she falls for fellow patient Royce Lee Caine (William Shatner), an eccentric cattle mogul who has J.R.’s power and charm but none of his dastardly ways. With Royce’s encouragement, Sue Ellen gets sober and is elected mayor — only to be challenged anew when Harris is released from jail and sabotages her efforts to aid her constituents after a major tornado.

Back at Southfork, the family takes in Lucy, who is newly divorced and broke. Ray also returns and — to Bobby’s dismay — rekindles his romance with his half-niece. The relationship is strong but challenged from all sides, prompting Lucy to use her Ewing Global shares like a weather vane depending on which family member is hassling her and Ray.

Meanwhile, when John Ross impregnates Emma, Ann is appalled but also secretly thrilled at a second chance at motherhood, which drives a wedge between her and Bobby. Feeling frustrated, Bobby seeks comfort from an old friend who, unbeknownst to him, is put in his path by Judith. Pamela is furious and issues an ultimatum: She’ll allow John Ross this one indiscretion if he ends the affair and Emma terminates the pregnancy. Looking for a distraction, John Ross develops a poker habit, defaults on markers and starts stealing Sue Ellen’s fortune.

Elsewhere, Elena aligns with Cliff and appeals to Sue Ellen’s integrity to try and get Cliff released from jail on false charges, putting the freedom of all involved Ewings at stake. Later, Christopher’s chance encounter with June Leigh Taylor (Jennifer Love Hewitt), a.k.a. “June Bug,” a beautiful farm girl, leaves him wondering: Is it time to give up his stressful career at Ewing Global and start a new life?

Corina, also known as “Team Sue Ellen” on Twitter, writes about her favorite “Dallas” character at FanFiction.net.

Dallas, Julie Gonzalo, Pamela Rebecca Barnes Ewing, TNT

Go see Daddy

Don’t Forget Cliff!

By James Holmes

Mostly, I want the show to keep on surprising me the way it has done. However, these are things I’d be happy to see more of:

• Cliff in prison. I hope he gets a lot of visitors because I want to hear him talk — about how he ended up as the man he is today, how repentant he is or isn’t for his actions, or just to hear Ken Kercheval find more ways to say “I did not kill J.R.!” — the soap equivalent of Laurence Olivier’s “Is it safe?” mantra in “Marathon Man.”

• Joaquin! We haven’t seen him, we know nothing about him, but after his impressive non-entrance at the end of last season, he’s already my new favorite character.

• Multi-faceted Sue Ellen. We’d seen her be supportive, maternal, shrewd, aloof, devious and drunk before, but not until last year did it occur to anyone that she could be all of those things at the same time. I guess she’ll have to sober up sometime, but I’d love a drunken confrontation with John Ross first.

• I love the glimpses we’ve been given into the parallel “Dallas” that was happening at the same time as the original series — a dyslexic John Ross throwing toys at his mama’s head, the Ewing boys shooting hoops with the McKay brothers — but as well as playing fast and loose with the Ewing mythology, the new show has been able to honor and explain Pam’s convoluted departure in a way the original never could. In “New Dallas,” everything is up for grabs — the past as well as the future. I hope it continues to scramble my brain like this.

• Becky Sutter. I know Frank supposedly killed her off-screen, but is too much to hope she’s still out there somewhere — maybe holed up in a motel watching “Law & Order” reruns?

• Carmen needs to start stirring the mole or get off the pot. Either give her some scenes she can sink her teeth into or kill her off. This half-life is too cruel.

Holmes, also known as “James from London,” is a regular contributor to the SoapChat.net discussion board.

Whose ideas do you like best? Share your comments below and read more features from Dallas Decoder.

Filed Under: Features, Features Tagged With: Brenda Strong, Emma Bell, Julie Gonzalo, Ken Kercheval, Linda Gray, TNT

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘It is Over. Through. Finished. Done.’

February 17, 2014 by Chris Baker 4 Comments

Christopher Atkins, Dallas, Linda Gray, Peter Richards, Sue Ellen Ewing, When the Bough Breaks

This is where I leave you

In “When the Bough Breaks,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Peter (Christopher Richards) is straightening his apartment when Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) knocks on the door.

PETER: Hi, come on in. [He takes her purse, sets it on the coffee table and directs her to the couch, where they sit.] Let me take that. Come sit right over here. Come on. These are for you. [Shows her a bouquet of flowers, hands her a card] I didn’t get a chance to see you at the hospital — except for once and you were sleeping. Oh, did you get the flowers I left you?

SUE ELLEN: Yes, yes, it was very sweet of you. And thank you for these, but you should have saved your money.

PETER: Oh, listen. You don’t know how I felt. I’ve never been so miserable.

SUE ELLEN: [Rises] Peter, I’m all right.

PETER: [Rises, follows her across the room] But you miscarried a baby. Our baby.

SUE ELLEN: What are you talking about, “our baby”?

PETER: I know we only made love once, but you told me you weren’t making love with your husband. It had to be our baby. All I could think of was how wonderful it would have been to have that baby together. Care for it. Watch it grow. I can’t believe all the things I felt.

SUE ELLEN: Peter, I don’t know that you were the father.

PETER: You told me that I was the only one. That you and J.R. —

SUE ELLEN: I know what I told you. It was almost true.

PETER: [Shouting] Almost? What the hell do you mean by “almost”? You made love to him?

SUE ELLEN: Yes. One night. It could have been either one of you.

PETER: I don’t believe it. [Screaming] You lied to me!

SUE ELLEN: Peter, what difference does it make? If that had been your child, do you actually picture us raising it together?

PETER: [Screaming] Yes!

SUE ELLEN: You expect me to leave Southfork, J.R., for you? To raise a child and live here with you?

PETER: [Turns away] I don’t know what I thought exactly.

SUE ELLEN: Then I guess I better tell you the truth, once and for all. Peter, I have very strong feelings for you. I think you’re a wonderful, pure boy. But if that accident hadn’t have happened, I wouldn’t have had that child anyway. I would have aborted it. The pregnancy was a mistake. Our relationship is a mistake. I told you before that I didn’t want to hurt you and I have. And I didn’t want to be hurt — and I am. [Grabs him, turns him toward her] So Peter, I am telling you something once and for all: It is over. Through. Finished. Done. And I don’t want to ever see you again. [Walks toward the door, grabs her purse, turns and faces him] Oh, I know the pain you must be going through right now because I’ve been there. But it passes. It always does. You just stay out of my life. [Walks out the door, closes it behind her]

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Christopher Atkins, Linda Gray, When the Bough Breaks