#DallasChat Daily – Dallas Decoder

#DallasChat Daily: Does ‘Dallas’ Celebrate Capitalism?

June 6, 2014 by Chris Baker 3 Comments

In some ways, “Dallas” is a show about excess: The Ewings are hard-charging business people who enjoy the trappings of their power and success. On the other hand, the family’s riches might provide them with a nice home, beautiful clothes and fancy cars, but their personal lives are a mess. Also worth noting: “Dallas” routinely depicts the havoc the characters’ pursuit of wealth creates in the world they inhabit. Witness the Ewing Oil tanker disaster on the original series, the Ewing Energies rig explosion on TNT’s “Dallas” and the debate over drilling on Southfork, which has been raging for decades, with no end in sight.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Is “Dallas” a celebration of capitalism — or a critique?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Josh Henderson, Larry Hagman, TNT

#DallasChat Daily: How Does ‘Dallas’ Depict Working Women?

June 5, 2014 by Chris Baker 6 Comments

None of “Dallas’s” women characters worked outside their homes when the original show began in 1978, but that gradually changed: Pam got a job at The Store and later entered the oil industry, Lucy modeled and waitressed, Donna became a politico, and Sue Ellen dabbled in fund-raising, lingerie and filmmaking. On TNT’s sequel series, Pamela is co-owner of Ewing Global and Elena works at the company, while Judith calls the shots at Ryland Transport and the brothel.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: How would you describe “Dallas’s” depiction of working women? Have things improved, worsened or stayed the same?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo, Linda Gray, Susan Howard, Victoria Principal

#DallasChat Daily: Who Was J.R.’s Greatest Business Rival?

June 4, 2014 by Chris Baker 8 Comments

J.R. Ewing won more business deals than he lost, but sometimes his rivals got the better of him. Carter McKay undermined J.R.’s attempt to become chairman of Westar and Jeremy Wendell forced the sale of Ewing Oil, while Cliff Barnes wound up owning the company. Other rivals included Rebecca Wentworth, who waged corporate warfare against the Ewings, and Clayton Farlow, who squashed J.R.’s attempt to shut down the Farlow refineries.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Which one of J.R.’s competitors posed the greatest threat?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: George Kennedy, Ken Kercheval, Larry Hagman, William Smithers

#DallasChat Daily: Which Brother Was a Better Businessman?

June 3, 2014 by Chris Baker 6 Comments

Before their sons began clashing over the direction of the Ewing empire, the battle was waged by J.R. and Bobby. Over the years, each brother had his share of victories: During the contest for control of Ewing Oil, J.R. scored big when he flooded the market with cheap gasoline, although Bobby squeaked to victory when he struck oil in Canada. Later, after the Justice Department forced the Ewings to sell their company, Bobby reclaimed the rights to the “Ewing Oil” name, while J.R. managed to reassemble the old assets.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Who was a better businessman — J.R. or Bobby?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy

#DallasChat Daily: Which Cousin is a Better Businessman?

June 2, 2014 by Chris Baker 6 Comments

Cousins John Ross and Christopher Ewing differ in almost every way, including their approach to business. When TNT’s “Dallas” began, John Ross was determined to drill for oil on Southfork, while Christopher tried to move the family into alternative energy production. This season, when Cliff Barnes interfered with Ewing Global business, John Ross tried to raise capital for the company by “fracking” Southfork, while Christopher focused on neutralizing Cliff by digging up dirt on his proxy, Nicolas Treviño.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Who’s a better businessman — John Ross or Christopher?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Jesse Metcalfe, Josh Henderson, TNT

#DallasChat Daily: What Was J.R.’s Best Business Deal?

May 30, 2014 by Chris Baker 6 Comments

J.R. Ewing scored a lot of big deals on “Dallas,” including secretly mortgaging Southfork to finance risky Asian oil leases, duping his friends into buying the leases when the wells were nationalized, undercutting the cartel by opening a chain of cheap gas stations and becoming chairman of Westar (although that last one may or may not have actually happened).

Your #DallasChat Daily question: What was J.R.’s biggest business triumph?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Jim Davis, Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, TNT

#DallasChat Daily: Who Was Miss Ellie’s Best Husband?

May 29, 2014 by Chris Baker 11 Comments

On “Dallas,” Miss Ellie was a strong woman who married two strong men: Jock Ewing, her first husband, and Clayton Farlow, her second. Each man brought unique qualities to his relationship with Ellie, but which one suited her best?

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Who was a better husband to Miss Ellie — Jock or Clayton?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Howard Keel, Jim Davis

#DallasChat Daily: Should Pamela Forgive John Ross?

May 28, 2014 by Chris Baker 22 Comments

John Ross and Pamela Ewing are “Dallas’s” most popular couple, but the midseason cliffhanger ended with their marriage in turmoil: After Pamela discovered John Ross was cheating with Emma, she tried to sabotage the affair by initiating a three-way with her husband and his mistress — only to begin convulsing after an apparent drug overdose.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: If Pamela survives, should she forgive John Ross?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Remember the “Miss Ellie Rule”: Keep it civil. Have a great discussion!

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, TNT

#DallasChat Daily: Why Were J.R. and Sue Ellen a Good Match?

May 27, 2014 by Chris Baker 10 Comments

J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing had the stormiest marriage Texas has ever known, but is there any doubt these two were soul mates? Despite all the obstacles they faced — including his ambition, her alcoholism and their mutual penchant for adultery — many “Dallas” fans never stopped rooting for them.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: What made J.R. and Sue Ellen a great couple?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great discussion!

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat Daily, Opinion Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, TNT

#DallasChat Daily: Can Cliff be Redeemed?

May 26, 2014 by Chris Baker 13 Comments

Cliff Barnes was no angel on the original “Dallas,” but he’s become downright evil on the new series. Among his crimes: using daughter Pamela to infiltrate the Ewings, conspiring with Harris and McConaughey to seize Ewing Energies, telling Frank to kill himself, ordering Roy’s jailhouse assassination and, worst of all, blowing up the Ewing Energies rig, which caused Pamela to lose his unborn grandchildren.