Features – Dallas Decoder

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘You Needed Slapping Down, Cliff’

February 4, 2015 by Chris Baker 2 Comments

Dallas, End Game, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Slap master

In “End Game,” “Dallas’s” seventh-season finale, Cliff (Ken Kercheval) pours a drink in his office for Vaughn (Dennis Patrick), who sits in front of the desk.

CLIFF: Vaughn, now look, we’re two civilized human beings. [Hands him the drink] We’ve made money before and we’ll make money again. I’m just asking you for a little bit more time. [Walks behind his desk]

VAUGHN: No. The interest payment must be collected on its due date. Now you read the papers. It was very specific.

CLIFF: I’m just asking you to bend the rules a little bit. There’s oil in that tract and we’re gonna hit, and we’ll all be rich. [Turns his back, looks out the window]

VAUGHN: If you don’t strike oil by midnight tomorrow night, the bank is foreclosing. And all of the assets of Barnes-Wentworth will belong to the bank.

J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters.

J.R.: Well, Vaughn, not all the assets. If I remember correctly, our deal calls for me to get control of Gold Canyon 340.

CLIFF: What are you doing here?

J.R.: Oh, I just thought you might want to see the face of your other friendly banker.

CLIFF: No, no, no. I got my money from Vaughn.

J.R.: You got your money from both of us. And tomorrow night, we’re going to turn off the faucet, and all your cash flow is just going to dry right up.

CLIFF: You set me up?

J.R.: From the very beginning. But I didn’t do it alone. In addition to Vaughn Leland here, I had a great assist from your massive ego and unbelievable stupidity.

CLIFF: I had those tracts checked. There’s oil in there.

J.R.: Well, sure there is. Millions of dollars’ worth. Oh, it was a fair setup. As a matter of fact, it was the fairest setup I’ve ever had the pleasure of engineering. I couldn’t lose — because I knew you were just too dumb to find that oil.

CLIFF: Why? Huh? Why did you do that?

J.R.: Because you needed slapping down, Cliff. You’d been stealing deals right out from underneath my nose. And after all these years, you know better than to butt heads with me. But I got all that property back. I got Kesey and Murphy, and tomorrow night, I’ll own Gold Canyon 340. You needed a lesson, you see. And the only way I could get the message through that thick skull of yours was to have you bankrupt your mama’s company while I just sat back and watched you. You’re out of my life for good.

CLIFF: [Softly] No, uh-uh. No, I’m not finished yet.

J.R.: Sure you are. Tomorrow morning, the janitor’s going to come in here and sweep you out with the rest of the trash. Unless, of course, you do the honorable thing, get in the elevator, go up to the roof and jump off, huh? [Chuckles] Oh, come on, Vaughn. I’ll buy you a drink. [Turns and leaves, followed by Vaughn]

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Dennis Patrick, End Game, Ken Kercheval, Larry Hagman

The Dallas Decoder Quiz: Third-Season Trivialities

January 29, 2015 by Chris Baker 6 Comments

No cheating!

Now that you’ve watched “Dallas: The Complete Third Season” on DVD, this quiz should be a piece of cake. The correct answers appear at the end.

1. What was the first line of dialogue spoken during the first third-season scene?

a) “Well, we did it.”

b) “How do I look?”

c) “John Ross!”

2. What was John Ross’s title at Ewing Global?

a) Chief Executive Officer and President

b) Chief Executive Officer

c) President

3. How did John Ross try to bribe Nurse Harlan?

a) He offered to pay her three weeks’ salary

b) He offered to pay her four weeks’ salary

c) He offered to set her up with Bum

Pay pal

4. How did Ann know Sue Ellen wasn’t paying attention to the wedding preparations?

a) Because Sue Ellen agreed to sit next to Afton

b) Because Ann caught Sue Ellen nipping from her flask

c) Because Ann caught Sue Ellen checking out Bum’s bum

5. Match the government employee in Column A with the person who blackmailed them in Column B.

Column A

I) Governor McConaughey

II) Judge Blackwell

III) Agent Tatangelo

Column B

a) John Ross

b) Sue Ellen

c) Harris

6. Who reported on the Ewing Global IPO?

a) Jason Matheson

b) Wolf Blitzer

c) Roy Ralston

7. According to Heather, “D.T.R.” stands for what?

a) Define the relationship

b) Down the road

c) Dirt track racing

State of play

8. What did Bobby and Cal play in college?

a) Football

b) Rugby

c) Jacks

9. Match the doctors in Column A with the patients they treated in Column B.

Column A

I) Dr. Bosnar

II) Dr. Englert

III) Dr. Sussman

Column B

a) Pamela

b) Sue Ellen

c) Bo

10. What was Elena and Drew’s father’s name?

a) Agustin

b) Enrique

c) Raoul

11. What’s Bo’s brother’s name?

a) Coy

b) Vance

c) Reece

Speak no evil

12. Each of these memorable quotes is missing a word. Fill in the blank and state who delivered the line.

a) “The most despicable thing (blank) ever did was you.”

b) “How very (blank) of you.”

c) “This is why politicians should never accept gifts — especially gifts with (blank)’s name on them.”

13. Ann suggested the Ewings could pay their ranch hands with what?

a) Carmen’s empanadas

b) Emma’s cookies

c) Bitcoin

14. Which character from the second season returned for the third?

a) Alison Jones

b) Denny Boyd

c) Peter Bedford

15. What was the final line of dialogue spoken during the final third-season scene?

a) “I’m worse.”

b) “Christopher!”

c) “Thank you, Daddy.”

Answers: 1) a. 2) c. 3) a. 4) a. 5) I. b., II. a., III. c. 6) b. 7) a. 8) a. 9) I. c., II. b., III. a. 10) b. 11) c. 12) a. J.R., Sue Ellen; b. J.R., Cliff; c. J.R., Governor McConaughey 13) a. 14) b. 15) c.

How did you do? Share your score below and take last year’s quiz.

Filed Under: Features, Features Tagged With: Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, TNT

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Want You Out of My Life for Good!’

January 28, 2015 by Chris Baker 5 Comments

Dallas, Hush Hush Sweet Jessie, Pam Ewing, Victoria Principal

Pam o’war

In “Hush, Hush, Sweet Jessie,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Katherine (Morgan Brittany) enters her bedroom, followed by Pam (Victoria Principal).

KATHERINE: Come on in, Pam. I was just dressing.

PAM: I want to talk to you about the letter.

KATHERINE: Letter? What letter? [Looks through her closet]

PAM: The letter that you read to Bobby. The letter from me to my attorney before we ever field for a divorce. The letter that said that I wanted to lead a different kind of life away from Bobby. The letter that I never wrote, Katherine.

KATHERINE: [Turns to face her] Now Pam, just a minute.

PAM: Did you write it? You did, didn’t you? [Katherine turns back to the closet.] Did you write it?

KATHERINE: Well, yes. J.R. forced me to. [Chooses an outfit, faces Pam] It was all his fault.

PAM: J.R. forced you? J.R. forced you to write a letter to break up me and Bobby?

KATHERINE: [Puts on a dress, smirks] That’s right.

PAM: You’re a liar.

KATHERINE: No, I’m not. You know how much he wanted the two of you divorced. And so did I. [Fastens a belt, smiles]

PAM: I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

KATHERINE: What difference does it make to you anyway? You left Bobby, didn’t you?

PAM: He was still my husband!

KATHERINE: But you walked out on him. [Walks toward her] You didn’t want him anymore, and I did. [Retrieves a scarf from the bed, drapes it around her neck] I fell in love with Bobby from the first time I saw him. And I’ve loved him ever since, Pam. And I’m going to have him too.

PAM: [Slaps her, sending a gasping Katherine onto the bed] Listen to me. You may be my sister, but I never want to see you again. I want you out of my life for good!

Katherine rubs her cheek and glares as Pam leaves.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Hush Hush Sweet Jessie, Morgan Brittany, Victoria Principal

Dallas Parallels: Caught!

January 22, 2015 by Chris Baker 7 Comments

History repeats itself during “Dallas’s” third season when Pamela finds John Ross cheating with Emma. It’s not unlike the classic scene from the original show’s sixth year, when Sue Ellen walks in on J.R. in bed with Holly. There’s one major difference, of course: Sue Ellen flees the scene of J.R.’s crime in tears — unlike the smiling Pamela, who joins John Ross and his mistress in a shocking threesome.

Why do J.R. and John Ross cheat? Both men justify their extramarital activities by claiming they sleep around for business, and in J.R.’s case, it might be that cut and dry. He treats Holly as nothing more than a pawn in his quest to beat Bobby in the contest for control of Ewing Oil. Similarly, John Ross begins his affair with Emma to gain access to Ryland Transport’s shipping fleet, although he comes to genuinely care for Emma, even risking his life to rescue her when she’s kidnapped by the Mexican drug cartel.

No matter the reason for their behavior, J.R. and John Ross are both humbled by their actions. After Sue Ellen catches J.R. with Holly, she falls off the wagon and is almost killed while driving drunk. Meanwhile, Pamela’s discovery that John Ross is cheating prompts her to overdose on pills — an ill-conceived attempt at revenge that almost costs Pamela her life.

Two scenes show J.R. and John Ross coming face to face with the consequences of their choices. In the 1983 episode “Penultimate,” J.R. sits on Sue Ellen’s bed, apologizes and begs for forgiveness. It’s similar to the scene in the 2014 episode “Dead Reckoning,” when John Ross sits near Pamela’s hospital bed and makes a similar declaration. Larry Hagman and Josh Henderson’s performances are also similar: J.R. tells Sue Ellen he’s sorry and stumbles over his words (“I can’t, I can’t tell you how sorry I am”), then concludes by saying, “I truly love you.” John Ross also trips over his words (“I will, I will be different”) after telling Pamela, “Look, I love you, okay?”

It’s somewhat startling to hear J.R. and John Ross pour out their hearts like this. Both scenes leave “Dallas” fans wondering what’s more shocking: seeing these master manipulators caught with their pants down, or seeing them caught being human?

‘I Truly Love You’

Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Penultimate

A game?

In “Penultimate,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters his bedroom, where Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) sits in the bed.

SUE ELLEN: I waited up to talk to you.

J.R.: All right.

SUE ELLEN: I want you to explain to me why this nightmare happened.

J.R.: [Walks toward the bed] Sue Ellen, it was a terrible, terrible mistake.

SUE ELLEN: Mistake? If you wanted to be with other women, why didn’t you just go ahead and do it, instead of playing this silly charade?

J.R.: What charade?

SUE ELLEN: Our marriage, J.R. Why did you want me to marry you again? Why did you chase me like you did? Do you find some kind of perverse pleasure in hurting me?

J.R.: You know I don’t want to hurt you, Sue Ellen. [Sits on the bed]

SUE ELLEN: Then what is it? Is it the game? Is that what it’s all about, J.R.?

J.R.: What happened between Holly and —

SUE ELLEN: [Shouting] Stop it! Stop it! I don’t want to hear any more from you!

J.R.: Listen to me, please. I can’t, I can’t tell you how sorry I am about what happened. But I promise you it was a direct result of the battle for Ewing Oil. Winning the company means everything to me. When we got married, the second time, I vowed I would never hurt you again. But things got out of hand, Sue Ellen — and I don’t blame you for hating me. But I hope you can reach down in your heart and believe me when I say that I love you. [She closes her eyes and turns away.] I truly love you.

‘I Love You, Okay?’

Dallas, Dead Reckoning, John Ross Ewing, Josh Henderson, TNT

An excuse?

In “Dead Reckoning,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, John Ross (Josh Henderson) enters the hospital room, where Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) sits in bed, waiting for him.

JOHN ROSS: I don’t want to be like this anymore. I don’t want to be the guy that … I don’t want to be the guy that could have done this to you. I know it’s going to be hard for me to convince you of that right now. All I can do is try to prove it to you, every single day of my life. [Sits on the bed] Pamela, I’m so sorry. For everything.

PAMELA: I didn’t call you in here so you can try to fix us, John Ross. I called you in here to tell you to stop sitting out there, because it’s over.

JOHN ROSS: Pamela, don’t say that.

PAMELA: Look, I spent my entire childhood trying to get my father to love me. And all I’ve done in my adult life was continue that pattern by falling for a man who would put greed and ambition before me. And just like with my father, I was willing to do anything to get you to love me, John Ross. But I see now: Our marriage was just an excuse to get my shares of Ewing Global. You didn’t put your mother away to get her help, but to push the IPO through. I see now that there will never enough success, enough money, to fill that hole where your heart should be.

JOHN ROSS: Pamela, please. Look, I love you, okay? I swear, from now on it’s going to be different, okay? [Voice cracks] I will be different. I will, I will be different for you. I’ll be different. I promise.

PAMELA: You ask me what I want. I want you to leave because our marriage is over.

Did J.R. and John Ross deserve forgiveness? Share your comments below and read more “Dallas Parallels.”

Filed Under: Dallas Parallels, Features Tagged With: Dead Reckoning, Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Penultimate, TNT

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘That’s What Brothers Are For’

January 21, 2015 by Chris Baker 11 Comments

Bobby Ewing, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Love Stories, Patrick Duffy

Bro code

In “Love Stories,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Bobby (Patrick Duffy) enters the Southfork living room, where J.R. (Larry Hagman) is fixing himself a drink.

BOBBY: Is there some reason you didn’t come into work today? I wanted to talk to you.

J.R.: And a good evening to you too, Bob. Want a drink?

BOBBY: No.

J.R.: That sounds serious. Something happen?

BOBBY: Katherine Wentworth.

J.R.: Yeah, what about her?

BOBBY: What’d you do to her?

J.R.: A gentleman never kisses and tells.

BOBBY: Does the same gentleman make tape recordings in bed?

J.R.: Did she say I did that?

BOBBY: She said that you blackmailed her with them, that you played them for me.

J.R.: I swear I’m beginning to think that whole Barnes-Wentworth clan is paranoid. [Turns to face him] Did I play a tape for you?

BOBBY: No, but she thinks you did. Why do you mess with people’s minds like that?

J.R.: Bob, do you care if I spend a couple of pleasant moments with Katherine?

BOBBY: I don’t give a damn what you do, as long as it doesn’t hurt other people.

J.R.: You mean Katherine? [Takes a sip]

BOBBY: I mean Sue Ellen too. What happens when she finds out?

J.R.: Well, I’m sure not going to tell her. And I don’t think you will either. Bob, it’s time we had a little brother to brother talk.

BOBBY: I think we just had it. [Turns to leave]

J.R.: No, no. I don’t mean about me. I mean about you.

BOBBY: And what makes you think you’re qualified?

J.R.: [Slowly circles Bobby] Well, I’m no saint, but I know one when I see one. Bobby, you go around telling everybody how to live their lives and setting up rules and regulations that only you can live up to.

BOBBY: You know, this is wonderful coming from you.

J.R.: Well, I’ve made some mistakes in my life, but not the kind of mistake you’re about to make.

BOBBY: And what mistake is that?

J.R.: Jenna Wade. She loves you, Bob. And so does her little girl. She’d make you a wonderful wife—if you’d just let her.

BOBBY: It’s none of your business.

J.R.: The hell it’s not. When Jenna jilted you, you made the tragic mistake of your life when you married Pam. But you’re free of her now. At least you ought to be. She’s marrying Mark Graison, and I think that’s best thing in the world for you.

BOBBY: You know, your concern for me is truly touching — if concern is what it is.

J.R.: Well, whatever my reasons, what I’m saying makes sense. You should have married Jenna a long time ago, Bob. You’ve known each other since you were kids. And she was more like us than Pam ever was. And she’s willing to wait for you, but she’s not going to wait forever. Now if I’m wrong, just tell me. [Walks toward Jock’s painting, faces it]

BOBBY: I’d love to. But for once, you may be right. I just wonder why you bother.

J.R.: Because I care. [Turns to face him] That’s what brothers are for. [Raises his glass] To love and marriage.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Love Stories, Patrick Duffy

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘You Have Too Damn Much Money’

January 14, 2015 by Chris Baker 3 Comments

Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Turning Point

Mo’ money, mo’ problems

In “Turning Point,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) sits on a bed, putting on his boots, while Katherine (Morgan Brittany) lies nearby, wrapped in a sheet.

J.R.: Well, that was definitely not terrific. A meeting with my tax accountant’s more exciting.

KATHERINE: Your disappointment has really shattered me.

J.R.: [Knotting his necktie] Well, you can relax, honey. I won’t be putting you through this sort of thing again. This is the last time I’ll be coming to your bed.

KATHERINE: [Snickers] I’d like to believe that.

J.R.: Oh, it’s true. It’s true. Too bad we couldn’t have gone out in a blaze of glory.

KATHERINE: Yeah. Too bad.

J.R.: [Rises, begins putting on his watch] You see, when I came to you and wanted to buy those fields that Wentworth Industries owns, and you turned around and made the deal with Bobby, that just clinched it, honey.

KATHERINE: What difference does it make to you? Ewing ended up with the fields.

J.R.: [Buttons his shirt sleeves] Well, it made me realize how much wealth you control. You know, I always felt deep down that Jenna Wade was a better mate for Bobby than you. And now I know why.

KATHERINE: And I don’t suppose I can stop you from telling me.

J.R.: [Chuckles, puts on his jacket] You just have too damn much money, Katherine. Putting you together with Bobby could double his assets, maybe even triple them. And I don’t want him to have that much power.

KATHERINE: You don’t? Well, there’s nothing you can do about it.

J.R.: [Opens the door, turns to face her] Oh, I’ve already done it, honey. I played the tape for Bobby of you and me in bed. It’s all over, Katherine. He’ll never marry you.

KATHERINE: [Sits up, leans forward, looks stunned] I’ll kill you, J.R.!

He smiles, exits.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Morgan Brittany, Turning Point

EXCLUSIVE: See a Deleted Scene From ‘Dallas’s’ Third Season

January 12, 2015 by Chris Baker 38 Comments

Before Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) learned the truth about J.R.’s death in “Hurt,” she asked John Ross (Josh Henderson) for answers. Find out what he said by watching this deleted scene, a Dallas Decoder exclusive, from the “Dallas: The Complete Third Season” DVD set.

What do you think of this scene? Share your comments below and read more features from Dallas Decoder.

Filed Under: Features, Features Tagged With: Hurt, Josh Henderson, Linda Gray, TNT

Dallas Parallels: The Puppeteer

January 8, 2015 by Chris Baker 11 Comments

Cliff Barnes may be “Dallas’s” biggest loser, but give the devil his due: He has a knack for pulling the strings of women who’ve been wronged by J.R. Ewing.

On TNT’s “Dallas,” after the Ewings framed Cliff (Ken Kercheval) for J.R.’s “murder,” he summoned Elena Ramos (Jordana Brewster) to his Mexican jail cell and made a shocking revelation: J.R. once swindled Elena’s father out of oil-rich land. After Elena confirmed Cliff’s claims, she accepted his offer to help him get out of jail and join forces against the Ewings — an alliance Elena came to regret after it triggered a chain of tragedies that included the deaths of brother Drew and true love Christopher.

Elena — perhaps the new “Dallas’s” smartest character at one time — became the latest in a long line of ladies who foolishly sought revenge against J.R. by getting into bed with Cliff (only figuratively in Elena’s case, thank heavens). Cliff previously manipulated Sue Ellen, Julie Grey and Afton Cooper, although the strongest parallel between him and Elena might be his relationship with Mandy Winger (Deborah Shelton). During the original show’s ninth season, after Cliff stunned Mandy by telling her that J.R. was sleeping with Angelica Nero — cheating on his mistress with another woman, the nerve! — Mandy agreed to spy on J.R. for Cliff.

The scene where Many and Cliff form their alliance is not unlike the one between Cliff and Elena 29 years later: Each woman sits across a table from Cliff and tells him she’s confirmed his claims, and then she expresses anger over J.R.’s betrayal and declares she’s ready to fight back. Later, Mandy’s scheme spirals out of control — especially after she flushes expensive jewelry from J.R. down the toilet — and she ends up feeling guilty and disillusioned, just like Elena does many years later.

The parallels aren’t perfect, of course. Unlike Mandy, who makes J.R. the target of her revenge, Elena decides to make all the Ewings pay for J.R.’s sins. Also, only Mandy’s story has resolution: She eventually draws the wrath of Sue Ellen, who forces her to leave town.

I can’t help but wonder: How many “Dallas” fans wish they could have seen Sue Ellen do the same thing to Elena?

‘J.R.’s Betrayed Me for the Last Time’

Curiosity Killed the Cat, Dallas, Deborah Shelton

Seeking revenge

In “Curiosity Killed the Cat,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Mandy (Deborah Shelton) sits across from Cliff (Ken Kercheval) at a sidewalk cafe.

MANDY: I went to Angelica Nero’s hotel last night and waited. It was 5 o’clock in the morning when J.R. came out.

CLIFF: He didn’t see you, did he?

MANDY: [Shakes her head no] When he came over to my place this morning, I asked if he’d worked very late. He said he was back at Southfork by 11. You were right, Cliff. Sue Ellen was right. Everyone was right.

CLIFF: I’m sorry you had to find out this way. But since you did, are you ready to take me up on my offer?

MANDY: [Determined] Yes. You just tell me what you want me to do. J.R.’s betrayed me for the last time. Now it’s my turn.

‘His Betrayal Cost My Father His Life’

Seeking justice

In “The Return,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Elena (Jordana Brewster) sits across from Cliff in a Mexican jail cell.

ELENA: I don’t like you. You’re scheming. [Sighs] But I researched the land records. What you told me is true. J.R. switched my father’s land with a worthless deed. His betrayal cost my father his life. I came back here to accept your offer to be your proxy at Barnes Global.

CLIFF: Good. I spent my life building that company. I’d be loath to think that the Ewings could destroy it before I get out of prison.

ELENA: You’re getting out?

CLIFF: Yeah. And you’re going to help me.

ELENA: Why would I do that?

CLIFF: Because you want to hold real power over that family. And to do that, you need leverage — leverage in the way of evidence that they framed me for J.R.’s murder. My plane, without me in it, was moved to Nuevo Laredo the night that J.R. was killed. And that American woman in Nuevo Laredo — the dancer, Rhonda Simmons or something — you know, she lied to say that I was in the club when I wasn’t. And the gun that killed J.R. they stole out of my locker at the gun range. Together, we can take back Barnes Global, and then Southfork. Take from them what’s most important — what they took from us. But I need to know that you have the strength to exact revenge.

ELENA: They kicked me out of a company I helped start. They took away my oil leases. They accused me of helping my brother when they would have done the same to help their own, and now all this? I’ll find the strength — because I’m not thinking of this as revenge. I am thinking of this as justice.

What do you think of Cliff’s manipulation of Mandy and Elena? Share your comments below and read more “Dallas Parallels.”

Filed Under: Dallas Parallels, Features Tagged With: Curiosity Killed the Cat, Deborah Shelton, Jordana Brewster, Ken Kercheval, Return, TNT

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

January 7, 2015 by Chris Baker 2 Comments

Blow Up, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Night visitor

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

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

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

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

SUE ELLEN: [Smiles weakly] All right.

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

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

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

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

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

SUE ELLEN: No.

J.R.: [Annoyed] Why not?

SUE ELLEN: I just can’t.

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

SUE ELLEN: J.R., please.

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

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

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

He rises and exits the room.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Blow Up, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘J.R. Ewing Doesn’t Get Ulcers’

December 31, 2014 by Chris Baker 3 Comments

Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Strange Alliance

Guts and glory

In “Strange Alliance,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) is sitting with his boots propped up on his office desk, eating pizza, when Vaughn (Dennis Patrick) enters.

VAUGHN: J.R.

J.R.: [Chewing] Picked up some pizza. You want some?

VAUGHN: Oh, no thanks. I think my ulcer’s been acting up lately. [Sits]

J.R.: Oh, hell, that’s a shame. But I guess a high-pressure job like you’ve got, ulcers aren’t so unusual, are they?

VAUGHN: No. Don’t you ever have trouble with your stomach, J.R.?

J.R.: [Chewing] Only when there’s too much of it. I once did business with a man who said, “J.R. Ewing doesn’t get ulcers. He gives ’em.” [Chuckles] Well, now, have you heard from Cliff Barnes lately?

VAUGHN: Not for a while.

J.R.: Well, you will soon. My sources tell me that he’s drilled down two miles already and you know he hasn’t hit a thing. And he’s starting to complain about how much food his crews eat. So I figure he’s just about out of his own money right now.

VAUGHN: I thought it wouldn’t take too long. I heard he paid premium time and a bonus to get that exploration rig out there in a hurry.

J.R.: [Sips a glass of beer] Mm-hmm. Yeah, I expect he’s going to be knocking on your door, wanting to tap in on that next hundred million.

VAUGHN: Do I give him some?

J.R.: Sure. We don’t want to pull the plug on him yet, do we? [Snickers]

VAUGHN: How much?

J.R.: Well, not as much as he’s going to ask for, which I figure is going to be around 30 million or so. No, you persuade him to take 20 million, providing of course he has acceptable collateral.

VAUGHN: [Opens his suitcase, retrieves a piece of paper] Well, he’s already put up Barnes-Wentworth. Now, these holdings are the rest of his collateral. [Hands the paper to J.R., who studies it]

J.R.: Well, these are kind of shaky holdings, aren’t they? Well, you just tell him that acceptable collateral is everything on this list — except for the two on the bottom. [Hands the paper back to Vaughn, who looks at it]

VAUGHN: Muprhy land and the Kesey field. Why these two?

J.R.: [Serious] Well, that’s personal, Vaughn. [A beat] Oh, well, he swiped those properties right from underneath my nose. And if he wants money bad enough, he just might sell for 25 cents on the dollar.

VAUGHN: [Smiling] No, he’d never sell them to you, no matter how much he needed the money.

J.R.: [Snickers] No. Not if he knows I’m the buyer. But he won’t. Just like he won’t know that I’m going to take over his precious Gold Canyon 340. And then it’ll all be over. And it’ll all be mine. And the Barnes family — Cliff and that little sister of his — will be just be bad memories. [Chuckles]

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Dennis Patrick, Larry Hagman, Strange Alliance