Dallas Decoder

Coming Nov. 12 at 4 p.m.: ‘The Best of #DallasChat II’

November 9, 2015 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

Best of the best

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Thursday, November 12, from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

Our theme: “The Best of #DallasChat II.” Once again, I’ll ask some favorite questions from previous discussions.

Are you new to #DallasChat? Here’s how it works: During each hour-long discussion, I tweet 10 questions from my Twitter handle, @DallasDecoder. Fans respond to the questions and comment on each other’s answers, making each chat a fun, freewheeling group conversation.

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. What if J.R. hadn’t gone into the oil business? What other career would have suited him? #DallasChat

A1. J.R. was a born politician. Given his charm and charisma, he could have gone all the way to the White House! #DallasChat

Here are three more tips and tricks:

• Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

• Include the hashtag #DallasChat in your tweets.

• During the discussion, enter #DallasChat in Twitter’s search field. This will help you watch the search results so you can follow the conversation. Click “All” to see all the related tweets.

This is another #DallasChat you won’t want to miss. See you Thursday!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With: Larry Hagman

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Cannot — I Will Not — Sell’

November 4, 2015 by Chris Baker 4 Comments

Dallas, Pam Ewing, Victoria Principal, Wind of Change

Speech, speech!

In “The Wind of Change,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) calls Pam (Victoria Principal) to the stage at the Oil Baron’s Ball to accept Bobby’s posthumous Oilman of the Year Award.

PAM: There’s a lot of wisdom in what Miss Ellie has had to say here tonight. I guess that’s where Bobby got his from. It is only right that Bobby’s son should keep this award. It will forever remind him of his father’s achievements, his business expertise, his standing in the oil community. And that’s good, but maybe that’s not enough. Remembering his father’s achievement is one thing, but appreciating his heritage is quite another. And that is something that he must do. As most of you know, I had intended to sell Christopher’s share of Ewing Oil to Westar. But I’ve slowly come to realize that if I did that, I might not be doing what Bobby would have wanted. Bobby always said that Ewing Oil and the Ewing family were inseparable. Working with his family is my son’s birthright, and I don’t want to take away his chance to follow in his father’s footsteps: to honor him, by emulating him; to carry the torch, so to speak; to work beside you, as Bobby had. Therefore, with apologies to those who may not understand my change of heart, I cannot — I will not — sell Christopher’s share of Ewing Oil to Westar.

The audience applauds as Pam exits the stage and is approached by J.R. (Larry Hagman) and Mark (John Beck).

J.R.: [Beaming] Well, I’ve got to admit in front of God and everybody else that what you did tonight is going to be remembered as a wise and historic decision.

PAM: Well, I’m surprised to hear you say that, but I’m happy to hear you say it.

J.R.: [Chuckles] Well, not as happy as I am, honey. I’ll tell you what: I’ll get our lawyers together and we’ll just close this little deal.

PAM: What deal?

J.R.: For Christopher’s share.

PAM: J.R., when I said that I wasn’t selling to Wendell, I didn’t mean that I was selling to you.

J.R. [Confused] What?

PAM: I’m not selling at all. From now on, it’s going to be you and me. I’ll see you at the office, partner. [Walks away with Mark, leaving J.R. stunned.]

Watch this scene in “The Wind of Change,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, John Beck, Larry Hagman, Victoria Principal, Wind of Change

Critique: ‘Dallas’ Episode 198 — ‘The Wind of Change’

November 4, 2015 by Chris Baker 9 Comments

Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, Miss Ellie Ewing Farlow, Pam Ewing, Victoria Principal, Wind of Change

Keepers of the faith

Who doesn’t get chills at the end of “The Wind of Change”? Pam takes the podium at the Oil Baron’s Ball and delivers a stirring tribute to Bobby, then announces she’s decided to not sell Christopher’s share of Ewing Oil to Jeremy Wendell. As Pam exits the stage to applause, J.R. — who’s been desperately fighting Wendell’s takeover — rushes to his ex-sister-in-law’s side and praises her “wise and historic decision.” J.R. assumes Pam is going to sell the shares to him, but she quickly bursts his bubble. “I’m not selling at all,” she says. “From now on, it’s going to be you and me. I’ll see you at the office, partner.”

This is a great scene for a lot of reasons, beginning with the way it allows Pam to slide into Bobby’s old role as J.R.’s most effective antagonist. In one swoop, she manages to save J.R.’s bacon and ruin his day — just like Bobby used to do. The twist also carries more than a hint of destiny: Early plans for “Dallas” called for Bobby to be killed off at the end of the first season, leaving Pam as the spirited young widow, fighting for her place in the Ewing empire. Now Victoria Principal finally gets to play that character, except the conflict is far richer because the show has almost a decade’s worth of conflict between J.R. and Pam to draw upon.

Just as importantly, the Oil Baron’s Ball scene casts Pam in another role: as a kindred spirit to Miss Ellie. Earlier in “The Wind of Change,” Mama visits Pam and talks about how she used to dream of John Ross and Christopher growing up, side by side. “And then they’d finally start running the business together the way Jock used to — tough, honest,” Ellie says. “I had faith that they’d always do the right thing. I had faith.” It’s another nicely written monologue from Peter Dunne — delivered beautifully by Barbara Bel Geddes — and it lends extra poignancy to Pam’s big speech at the end of the episode. Her decision to hold onto the Ewing Oil shares doesn’t just mean Christopher will one day follow in Bobby’s footsteps; it also means Pam is poised to succeed Ellie as keeper of the Ewing faith.

‘I’m Pregnant Now!’

Dallas, Donna Krebbs, Ray Krebbs, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard, Wind of Change

Into the fire

With its emphasis on family and legacy, “The Wind of Change” bears more than a passing resemblance to the third-season classic “Ellie Saves the Day,” another episode that found the Ewing empire on the brink of ending. Both episodes are filled with somber moments, although “The Wind of Change” takes the theme of dashed dreams one step further with a subplot about Ray and the pregnant Donna learning their child will be born with Down syndrome. The performances from Steve Kanaly and Susan Howard are believably anguished, especially in the scene where Ray suggests Donna abort the child. “You can get pregnant again,” he says. “I’m pregnant now!” she shouts. We’re used to the Krebbses keeping “Dallas” grounded, but never have their problems felt this real.

And yet “The Wind of Change” manages to be a fun episode too, doesn’t it? The scenes at the Oil Baron’s Ball are everything we’ve come to expect from these affairs. When J.R. isn’t smiling and pretending he’s not seething about Wendell’s takeover, he’s discreetly caressing mistress Mandy Winger’s arm — something his nosy mother-in-law, Patricia Shepard, doesn’t miss. The ball scenes also find mysterious newcomer Angelica Nero spying Jack across the crowded room (this is Barbara Carrera’s “Dallas” debut), Jamie tossing a cream pie in Cliff’s face and Sue Ellen’s triumphant return to the public eye after her latest sanitarium stay.

The latter scene is shot from Sue Ellen’s point of view, an example of the visual flair that was a hallmark of director Corey Allen, helming his first “Dallas” episode since the second season. In another “Wind of Change” scene, Allen shoots Priscilla Beaulieu Presley and Shalane McCall galloping across a Southfork field on horseback (shades of Jim Davis’s cattle drive scene in “Bypass,” Allen’s first “Dallas” episode), while a breakfast conversation between Ellie and Clayton is staged on the Southfork balcony, which offers such dramatic, sweeping views of the ranch, I’ll never understand why other directors didn’t use the setting more often. I also love the cross-cut editing between Ray and Donna’s argument over their child and Jack and Jenna’s conversation about what the Krebbses are enduring.

The other great artistic achievement in “The Wind of Change” belongs to costume designer Travilla, who outfitted the actresses in gowns that became iconic. The secrets behind the dresses are almost as interesting as what we saw on screen. According to a newspaper article quoted in Barbara Curran’s book, “Dallas: The Complete Story of the World’s Favorite Prime-Time Soap,” the beaded black gown worn by Bel Geddes weighed 20 pounds and cost $5,000, while Principal’s white dress weighed 30 pounds, making it hard for her to walk. As for Gray’s famous black dress? It was lined with plastic bags attached with safety pins.

Sue Ellen may be sober, but I guess she hasn’t completely left her bag lady days behind her. Who knew?

Grade: A+

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Wind of Change

Dallas deflation

‘THE WIND OF CHANGE’

Season 9, Episode 7

Airdate: November 1, 1985

Audience: 20.2 million homes, ranking 7th in the weekly ratings

Writer: Peter Dunne

Director: Corey Allen

Synopsis: At the Oil Baron’s Ball, Bobby is named Oilman of the Year, prompting Pam to change her mind about selling Christopher’s share of Ewing Oil to Jeremy Wendell. Sue Ellen leaves the sanitarium and moves in with her mother, while Mandy returns to Dallas and resumes her relationship with J.R. Ray and Donna learn their child will be born with Down syndrome.

Cast: John Beck (Mark Graison), Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie Farlow), Barbara Carrera (Angelica Nero), Fern Fitzgerald (Marilee Stone), Tony Garcia (Raoul), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing), Joshua Harris (Christopher Ewing), Jenilee Harrison (Jamie Ewing), Susan Howard (Donna Krebbs), Steve Kanaly (Ray Krebbs), Omri Katz (John Ross Ewing), Howard Keel (Clayton Farlow), Ken Kercheval (Cliff Barnes), Frances Lee McCain (Dr. Amy Rose), Shalane McCall (Charlie Wade), Greg Michaels (Private eye), Priscilla Beaulieu Presley (Jenna Wade), Martha Scott (Patricia Shepard), Victoria Principal (Pam Ewing), Karen Radcliffe (Barbara), Dack Rambo (Jack Ewing), Carol Sanchez (Angela), sDeborah Shelton (Mandy Winger), William Smithers (Jeremy Wendell), Don Starr (Jordan Lee)

“The Wind of Change” is available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes. Watch the episode and share your comments below.

Filed Under: Critiques, Critiques (Classic), Opinion Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Barbara Carrera, Barbara Curran, Bypass, Corey Allen, Ellie Saves the Day, Jim Davis, Linda Gray, Peter Dunne, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, Shalane McCall, Victoria Principal, Wind of Change

On Nov. 5, ‘The Road to Happiness’ Leads to #DallasChat

November 2, 2015 by Chris Baker 3 Comments

Dallas, Linda Gray, Road to Happiness is Always Under Construction, Sue Ellen Ewing

Book ’em, darlin’

Dallas Decoder’s next #DallasChat on Twitter will be Thursday, November 5, from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern time.

This chat will be about Linda Gray’s new memoir, “The Road to Happiness is Always Under Construction.” (If you haven’t read the book yet, don’t worry: You’ll still be able to participate in the discussion.)

Here’s a sample exchange:

Q1. What do you admire most about Linda Gray? #DallasChat

A1. Linda Gray is fearless! When she sets out do accomplish something, she doesn’t let anything stand in her way. #DallasChat

Here are three more tips and tricks:

• Each #DallasChat question is numbered (Q1, Q2, etc.), so your responses should include the corresponding number (A1, A2, etc.).

• Include the hashtag #DallasChat in your tweets.

This is going to be a spirited, sprightly, Sue Ellen-centric #DallasChat. Don’t miss it!

Got suggestions for #DallasChat questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Filed Under: #DallasChat, #DallasChat announcements, Opinion Tagged With: Linda Gray

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Who Would You Like to Blame?’

October 28, 2015 by Chris Baker 2 Comments

Bibi Besch, Dallas, Dr. Gibson, Motheres

Analyze this

In “Mothers,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) stands in the office of Dr. Gibson (Bibi Besch), who is seated in a chair.

SUE ELLEN: Why do I drink? Now that’s a good question, doctor. And it’s been a good question every time someone asks me. Even when you’ve asked me. [Sits on the sofa]

GIBSON: Are you any closer to an answer?

SUE ELLEN: My father was an alcoholic. [Rests head on her hand]

GIBSON: So you said. Did your other therapist let you get away with that as an answer? Who would you like to blame this time?

SUE ELLEN: I’m not blaming him. I’m just trying to explain it.

GIBSON: You think the fact that your father was an alcoholic explains why you are. Or do you just wish it did?

SUE ELLEN: I don’t know. [Stands, walks across the room] I really don’t know. The whole thing is so perverse. [Sighs] I hated the smell of alcohol. I hated everything it represented. My father drank away all of his chances for success. And all of my mother’s chances for success went with him. [Sits in a chair] And now I’m doing the same thing.

GIBSON: Your mother. Let’s talk about her a little.

SUE ELLEN: What’s there to say?

GIBSON: I don’t know. Just tell me something about her.

SUE ELLEN: I did already. My father drank away everything that she ever wanted out of life. Money, prestige, social position. So she did the next best thing. She raised me to have that kind of life. She raised me to marry somebody important. To love, honor and obey. And she made it very clear to me that if I couldn’t love and honor, I could sure as hell obey.

GIBSON: That’s valid, Sue Ellen. Years ago, a lot of women thought that way. But the world has changed.

SUE ELLEN: Not for her. And not for me. It’s all I know. I was raised to be the best thing that ever happened to a husband. She just neglected to tell my husband. [Pauses] Did your husband ever cheat on you? [Gibson smiles.] Yeah, I know. We’re here to talk about me, hm? Well, let me tell you something. There is nothing in the world more degrading than your husband is sleeping with every tramp there is in Dallas.

GIBSON: Then why do you stay with him?

SUE ELLEN: [Chuckles] Oh, doctor. You forgot. I’m the perfect wife. Actually, I did divorce him once. Then I let him talk me into marrying him again.

GIBSON: Why did you let that happen?

SUE ELLEN: Because the plain truth of it is that I don’t know anything other than being J.R. Ewing’s wife. Pathetic, isn’t it?

GIBSON: Are you blaming your husband now?

SUE ELLEN: Well, why shouldn’t I? It’s his fault, isn’t it?

GIBSON: Is it? Is it your husband’s fault? [Leans forward] Or is it your father’s fault? Or is it your mother’s fault?

SUE ELLEN: You think it’s my fault?

GIBSON: Sue Ellen, I think it doesn’t matter whose fault it is. What matters is where you go from here.

Watch this scene in “Mothers,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Bibi Besch, Linda Gray, Mothers

Critique: ‘Dallas’ Episode 197 — ‘Mothers’

October 28, 2015 by Chris Baker 17 Comments

Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, Martha Scott, Mothers, Patricia Shepard

Lives of mothers

“Mothers” brings back Patricia Shepard, who visits Southfork and is stunned to discover her daughter Sue Ellen is being treated for alcoholism. Patricia’s arrival allows “Dallas” to delve into Sue Ellen’s past, drawing a connection between her troubled childhood and the addiction that now overwhelms her. The episode also examines the prickly relationship between Miss Ellie and Patricia, two women who are united by the marriage of their children but who otherwise have very little in common. It all adds up to another hour that allows the women of Southfork to step into the spotlight. Just think: It took only nine seasons for them to get there.

This is an episode with many interesting moments, beginning with Sue Ellen’s visit to Dr. Gibson, a therapist at the sanitarium where she’s receiving treatment. Linda Gray’s dialogue reveals new information about her character — we learn Sue Ellen’s father was an alcoholic too — epitomizing new producer Peter Dunne’s determination to dig deeper into familiar figures like Sue Ellen Ewing. The Gibson character also is put to good use. She’s full of insight, refusing to allow Sue Ellen to blame other people for her problems. “It doesn’t matter whose fault it is. What matters is where you go from here,” Gibson says. The good doctor is played by Bibi Besch, a wonderful character actress who makes everything she appears in better. What a shame this is Gibson’s only “Dallas” appearance while Dr. Ellby — Sue Ellen’s creepy, glass-eyed therapist during the early seasons — logged 19 (!) episodes.

The scenes involving Ellie and Patricia reveal a lot too. Here are two women who couldn’t be more different. Earthy Ellie allows her children to make their own decisions — sometimes to a fault. In this episode, she wisely tells Ray he must make up his own mind about whether or not to sell his shares of Ewing Oil to Jeremy Wendell, but she also says nothing when J.R. causes a scene at breakfast, complaining about how his family is selling him out to Wendell. Contrast this with that master meddler, the status-obsessed Patricia. She pries J.R. for information about his marital life — even getting him to admit he’s had affairs (notably, she gives him a pass for this) — and later visits Sue Ellen and vows to “straighten out” her daughter’s marriage. When Sue Ellen points out that she’s always run third to J.R.’s work and his mistresses, Patricia snaps, “I didn’t raise my daughters to run third. I raised winners.” This lady is like Jock Ewing in a skirt, is she not?

Patricia and Ellie’s direct interaction tells us a lot too. Note how warmly Ellie greets Patricia when she arrives at Southfork. Only after Patricia has exited the scene do we learn the truth: “That woman’s never been anything but trouble,” Ellie tells Clayton. Mama is nothing if not a gracious hostess. It’s also worth noting that Patricia acts like she has no idea her daughter has a drinking problem, even though the Shepard matriarch’s most recent visit to the ranch came during the third season, right after Sue Ellen’s previous sanitarium stay. Perhaps this is an oversight on behalf of Dunne and the rest of the writing team, but it seems just as likely Patricia is suffering a classic case of denial. Consider what happens at the end of “Mothers,” when Patricia lashes out at Ellie. While Mama is talking about how Sue Ellen needs to learn to deal with her problems on her own, Patricia is focused on fixing her daughter’s marriage. Patricia simply has her own set of priorities.

There’s a lot more to like about “Mothers,” including the opening scene, when J.R. urges the Oil Baron’s Ball organizers to honor Bobby with the Oilman of the Year Award, as well as the final shot, when Mama overhears J.R. lamenting how he failed to keep the family business together. This episode also plants the seeds for storylines that will take on greater significance later in the season: Clayton takes a call from an associate who reports bad business news, Mark hires his friend Dr. Jerry Kenderson to run his research clinic, and Jack is followed by someone who keeps snapping photos of him. Does the stalker work for J.R.? Jeremy? Someone else? We won’t find out for several episodes, and even though the resolution ends up being disappointing, you can’t deny the mystery gets off to an intriguing start.

Mostly, though, “Mothers” belongs to the women, especially Barbara Bel Geddes and Martha Scott. Both actresses are class acts, and it’s fun to watch them go toe to toe with performances that are nuanced, subtle and above all, believable. These are the kinds of mature roles we rarely see on television today. Make no mistake: If Ellie and Patricia were characters on a contemporary soap opera like “Empire” or “Scandal,” they’d probably be reduced to trading cheap quips and dirty looks. Then again, what are the chances either of those shows would give meaningful roles to a couple of veteran actresses like Barbara Bel Geddes and Martha Scott?

Grade: B

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Mama’s here

‘MOTHERS’

Season 9, Episode 6

Airdate: October 25, 1985

Audience: 19.5 million homes, ranking 8th in the weekly ratings

Writer: Hollace White and Stephanie Garman

Director: Michael Preece

Synopsis: Patricia Shepard, Sue Ellen’s mother, arrives and vows to repair her daughter’s marriage. Pam and Miss Ellie each decide to sell their shares of Ewing Oil to Wendell, but Ellie gets cold feet when she realizes it will devastate J.R. Mandy leaves town. Mark decides to fund a medical research institute and asks Jerry to run it.

Cast: John Beck (Mark Graison), Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie Farlow), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Bibi Besch (Dr. Gibson), Donald Craig (Oil baron), Tony Garcia (Raoul), Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing), Joshua Harris (Christopher Ewing), Jenilee Harrison (Jamie Ewing Barnes), Susan Howard (Donna Krebbs), Barry Jenner (Dr. Jerry Kenderson), Steve Kanaly (Ray Krebbs), Omri Katz (John Ross Ewing), Howard Keel (Clayton Farlow), Ken Kercheval (Cliff Barnes), Hal Landon (Oil baron), Jared Martin (Dusty Farlow), Shalane McCall (Charlie Wade), Priscilla Beaulieu Presley (Jenna Wade), Victoria Principal (Pam Ewing), Karen Radcliffe (Barbara), Dack Rambo (Jack Ewing), Carol Sanchez (Angela), Martha Scott (Patricia Shepard), William Smithers (Jeremy Wendell)

“Mothers” is available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes. Watch the episode and share your comments below.

Filed Under: Critiques, Critiques (Classic), Opinion Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Bibi Besch, Linda Gray, Martha Scott, Mothers, Peter Dunne

‘Dallas’ Stars to Reunite at Autograph Show

October 22, 2015 by Chris Baker 14 Comments

Ewings reunite! (Getty Images)

Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and several other “Dallas” stars are slated to participate in a Los Angeles autograph show next weekend.

The Hollywood Show will be held from Friday, October 30, through Sunday, November 1, at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel.

The other “Dallas” alumni scheduled to participate are Ken Kercheval, Charlene Tilton, Christopher Atkins, Morgan Brittany, Mary Crosby, Morgan Fairchild, Jenilee Harrison, Leigh McCloskey, Sasha Mitchell, Sheree J. Wilson and Morgan Woodward.

More than 60 additional actors are slated for the event, including Corbin Bernsen, Annie Potts and Kevin Sorbo. The list also includes Patty McCormack, who guest starred in three “Dallas” episodes during the 1981-82 season as Evelyn Michaelson, the woman who came between Lucy and Mitch.

Ticket prices vary; a two-day pass costs $40. There are additional fees if you want to be photographed with individual actors or groups, including a $250 charge to have your picture taken with the “Dallas” cast.

More information is available on the Hollywood Show site.

Will you attend the Hollywood Show? Share your comments below and read more news from Dallas Decoder.

Filed Under: News, News Tagged With: Charlene Tilton, Christopher Atkins, Jenilee Harrison, Ken Kercheval, Leigh McCloskey, Linda Gray, Mary Crosby, Morgan Brittany, Morgan Fairchild, Morgan Woodward, Patrick Duffy, Patty McCormack, Sasha Mitchell, Sheree J. Wilson

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Hello, Cliff’

October 21, 2015 by Chris Baker 6 Comments

Cliff Barnes, Dallas, John Beck, Mark Graison, Saving Grace

Kitchen confidential

In “Saving Grace,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Cliff (Ken Kercheval) is in the kitchen cooking when Jamie (Jenilee Harrison) answers the front door and greets Pam and Mark (Victoria Principal, John Beck).

JAMIE: Hi, come on in. How are you? [They kiss.]

PAM: Good, thanks.

JAMIE: Good.

PAM: Jamie, this is a very dear friend of mine, Mark Graison.

JAMIE: [Shakes his hand, stunned] Mark Graison?

MARK: [Puts his fingers to his lips.] Shh, shh, shh. Where’s Cliff?

JAMIE: He’s in the kitchen.

As Cliff tastes the sauce he’s making, Mark approaches from behind and peers over his shoulder.

MARK: Well, how does it taste?

CLIFF: Great. [Looks at him, does a double take, gasps]

MARK: Hello, Cliff. Pam wanted it to be a surprise.

CLIFF: Oh, boy. Oh, boy. She got her wish. [They shake hands, then embrace awkwardly.] Hey, where you been?

MARK: I’ll tell you all about it over dinner.

CLIFF: Okay. Great. Yeah. Boy, my sister’s had her share of shocks.

MARK: Yes, she has. I hope my being here doesn’t add to that. I came back to help her, Cliff.

CLIFF: Well, okay. I’m glad to hear you say that. Yeah. Because you know, she’s got a lot of responsibility. [Touches Mark’s shoulder] Oh, boy. You know, maybe we can both help her.

MARK: Uh-huh, I think we can. [Grips Cliff’s arm]

Watch this scene in “Saving Grace,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Jenilee Harrison, John Beck, Ken Kercheval, Saving Grace, Victoria Principal

Critique: ‘Dallas’ Episode 196 — ‘Saving Grace’

October 21, 2015 by Chris Baker 22 Comments

Dallas, John Beck, Mark Graison, Pam Ewing, Saving Grace

Swoon song

No one will ever accuse Mark Graison of being an interesting character, but you can’t deny the man knows how to make a comeback. In “Saving Grace,” Mark re-enters Pam’s life and reveals he faked his death a year earlier to focus on finding a cure for his fatal disease. Yes, the explanation is absurd, but it’s not like we haven’t been through this kind of thing before (Dusty Farlow), and it’s not like we won’t go through it again (Bobby Ewing). Mark’s resurrection might be “Dallas’s” best return from the grave, though — or at least the one that does the least damage to the show’s credibility.

Much credit goes to the actors who must carry this storyline, beginning with John Beck. Some “Dallas” fans will never forgive Mark for pursuing Pam while she was still married to Bobby, but Beck’s confident charm is put to good use here. It helps him sell all the outlandish dialogue he has to deliver about secretive death-staging and international cure-seeking. Victoria Principal also hits the right notes, especially when Pam faints in Mark’s arms, then awakens and simultaneously bursts into tears and laughter. Principal also gets to utter a line that is wonderfully hilarious, but only in retrospect: “Tell me I’m not dreaming.”

I also appreciate how “Saving Grace” doesn’t shortchange Mark’s return. “Dallas” dispenses with Dusty and Bobby’s revivals with just a few lines, but this episode has several lengthy scenes where Mark explains the reason for faking his death (he didn’t want Pam to watch him die slowly), the state of his disease (in remission, not cured), and why he’s re-entering Pam’s life (because now that Bobby’s dead, she needs him). We also get to see other characters react to Mark’s return: J.R. is rattled but refuses to show it, while Cliff is speechless. (Ken Kercheval’s double-take is priceless in the fun scene where Mark surprises Cliff in the kitchen.) By the end of the hour, though, everyone has recovered from the shock: Pam and Mark are back together, and he’s vowing to put Ewing Oil out of business after hearing about J.R.’s scheme to send Pam on a wild goose chase for him during the previous season.

Indeed, “Saving Grace” marks the moment “Dallas” begins getting back to business as usual after Bobby’s death. J.R. is once again battling Jeremy Wendell, pursuing Mandy Winger and neglecting the needs of Sue Ellen, including hanging up on her therapist when he calls to suggest J.R. attend marriage counseling. (The hang-up occurs off-camera, unfortunately). These scenes are balanced with a series of exchanges that highlight the show’s renewed sense of warmth: Donna and Jenna go shopping for baby clothes, Ray playfully asks his wife if she’d like to “mess around,” Jack sweetly urges Jamie not to worry about him after someone breaks into his apartment and noses around.

Miss Ellie also shows a little love, of the tough variety, when she tells Dusty to steer clear of Sue Ellen while she’s trying to get sober. This is a good scene because it brings together two characters who don’t usually interact and reminds us that Ellie has a fifth “son”: Dusty, which is a relationship I tend to forget about. The dialogue is smart too, especially when Dusty says the idea of staying away from Sue Ellen “isn’t that simple” and Mama smiles and responds, “Let me simplify it for you.” I also like how director Nick Havinga stages the scene in a corner of the Southfork lawn, with the actors in the foreground and the house looming behind them. It makes me wish more scenes had been filmed at this angle.

Ellie is planting a tree when the scene begins, which marks the third or fourth time we’ve seen her gardening since Barbara Bel Geddes resumed her famous role a few episodes ago. Q-Less, a Dallas Decoder reader, recently pointed out the frequency of these planting scenes at the beginning of the ninth season, suggesting it symbolized how Bel Geddes was keeping the show grounded. I couldn’t agree more. Every time we see Ellie puttering around her garden, it’s as if “Dallas” is getting back to its roots. Keep digging, Mama.

Grade: B

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Blood and soil

‘SAVING GRACE’

Season 9, Episode 5

Airdate: October 18, 1985

Audience: 19.2 million homes, ranking 9th in the weekly ratings

Writer: Joel J. Feigenbaum

Director: Nick Havinga

Synopsis: Mark tells Pam he faked his death to find a cure for his disease, which is now in remission. Jack resists Cliff’s pressure to sell to Wendell. Clayton orders J.R. to stop pressuring Miss Ellie, who tells Dusty to give Sue Ellen room to recover.

Cast: John Beck (Mark Graison), Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie Farlow), Burke Byrnes (Pete Adams), Alan Fudge (Dr. Lantry), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing), Jenilee Harrison (Jamie Ewing), Susan Howard (Donna Krebbs), Steve Kanaly (Ray Krebbs), Howard Keel (Clayton Farlow), Ken Kercheval (Cliff Barnes), Jared Martin (Dusty Farlow), Priscilla Beaulieu Presley (Jenna Wade), Victoria Principal (Pam Ewing), Dack Rambo (Jack Ewing), Debbie Rennard (Sly), Carol Sanchez (Angela), Deborah Shelton (Mandy Winger)

“Saving Grace” is available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes. Watch the episode and share your comments below.

Filed Under: Critiques, Critiques (Classic), Opinion Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, John Beck, Ken Kercheval, Nick Havinga, Saving Grace, Victoria Principal

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Can Do It’

October 14, 2015 by Chris Baker 4 Comments

Dallas, Linda Gray, Resurrection, Sue Ellen Ewing

Yes, she can

In “Resurrection,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) is in her room at the sanitarium when an orderly (Rex Ryon) enters.

SUE ELLEN: What do you want?

ORDERLY: Take it easy, Mrs. Ewing. It’s not what I want. It’s what I think you want.

SUE ELLEN: What do you mean?

ORDERLY: [Pulls out a liquor bottle] I just bet you could use some of this right now. Vodka. Oh, I don’t know if it’s your brand, but that doesn’t always matter, does it? I’m just wondering what this might be worth to you. A hundred dollars? Two hundred dollars? Well, you’re a real rich lady. There’s just no telling. And there’s a lot more where this came from. [Holds out the bottle] I think we can make a deal, don’t you? I can’t wait all day. What’s your answer?

SUE ELLEN: [Rushes to the bed, pushes the call button] Doctor. I’ll get the doctor.

ORDERLY: You’re not going to turn me in, are you? Now wait a minute, lady.

SUE ELLEN: Get out! You just get out. [He runs out of the room, she leans against the wall.] I can do it. I can do it. I know I can do it. I just need help. Help me. Help me.

Watch this scene in “Resurrection,” available on DVD and at Amazon and iTunes, and share your comments below.