Larry Hagman – Dallas Decoder

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Am No Longer for Sale’

May 11, 2012 by Chris Baker Leave a Comment

Dallas, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing, Whatever Happened to Baby John Part 1

Oh, snap!

In “Whatever Happened to Baby John, Part 1,” “Dallas’s” third-season opener, J.R. (Larry Hagman) sits next to Sue Ellen (Linda Gray), who is lounging near the Southfork pool, reading Texas Homes magazine.

J.R.: Darling, I wish you’d try and take a little more interest in things.

SUE ELLEN: Interest? In what?

J.R.: Well, to start with, our child.

SUE ELLEN: [Flips a page] I don’t think he’s exactly suffering from lack of attention.

J.R.: You wanted that child so much, and now you just don’t seem to care at all.

SUE ELLEN: [Flips a page] Of course, I do.

J.R.: Well, it doesn’t look like it. That’s what I’m saying.

SUE ELLEN: Appearances can very often be deceiving.

J.R.: Honey, I know how – I know how hard this has been for you. How difficult the time it was to quit drinking and go cold turkey and I just want you to know that I admire you for it, Sue Ellen.

SUE ELLEN: [Looks up from the magazine] My drinking was never a problem. I kept trying to tell everybody that.

J.R.: And what I’m saying is, if we try, if we really try, we can solve all our other problems – and I want you to know I am going to try. I really am. [Takes the magazine from her, pulls a ring box out of his pocket] Sweetheart, I got a little present for you this morning. I dropped in a store downtown. [Opens the box] Jeweler calls it a maternity ring. [He holds open the box, smiling.]

SUE ELLEN: You bought me once, J.R. – and you can’t do it anymore. I am no longer for sale.

She snaps shut the box, gets up and walks away.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Whatever Happened to Baby John? Part 1

Critique: ‘Dallas’ Episode 29 – ‘John Ewing III, Part 2’

May 10, 2012 by Chris Baker 14 Comments

Dallas, John Ewing III Part 2, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing

Crash test mommy

What a difference a year makes!

Sue Ellen has just four lines in “Digger’s Daughter,” “Dallas’s” first episode, but “John Ewing III, Part 2,” which debuted 369 days later, features the character in almost every other scene.

My favorite: When Sue Ellen tells Bobby that Cliff may be the father of her unborn child. This really isn’t a conversation as much as it is a monologue. For four-and-a-half uninterrupted minutes, Linda Gray delivers almost 500 words of heart-wrenching dialogue. It’s a tour-de-force performance, and it makes me appreciate how far Gray has come from those first-season episodes, when all she had to do was gaze adoringly at J.R.

The most surprising moment during Sue Ellen’s monologue comes when she kisses Bobby. No matter how many times I see the scene, the kiss is always a little startling. I used to find it odd how Patrick Duffy barely reacts to it, but I’ve decided it’s because the kiss isn’t a romantic gesture as much as it is an expression of Sue Ellen’s desperate loneliness.

Gray dominates “John Ewing III, Part 2,” but the other actors have good moments, too.

Larry Hagman’s performance in the final scene, when J.R. and Bobby sit at Sue Ellen’s bedside, is one of his most memorable. Despite all the rotten stuff J.R. does in the second season, it’s hard not to be moved when Hagman purses his lips, shuts his wet eyes and bows his head. J.R. has never seemed more human.

Ken Kercheval is equally moving in the penultimate scene, when Cliff sees Sue Ellen’s baby in the incubator and tearfully collapses into Pam’s arms. Like Duffy in Bobby’s scene with Sue Ellen, Victoria Principal doesn’t have much to do here, but she makes the most of it. I like how the actress moves from exasperation when Pam first spots Cliff in the hospital corridor to tears when he begins sobbing.

That Duffy and Principal shift so effortlessly from “Dallas’s” stars when the series begins to supporting roles in this episode reflect the cast’s evolution into a true ensemble.

What a difference a year makes, indeed.

Grade: A

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Crying, shame

‘JOHN EWING III, PART 2’

Season 2, Episode 24

Airdate: April 6, 1979

Audience: 17.8 million homes, ranking 11th in the weekly ratings

Writer: Arthur Bernard Lewis

Director: Leonard Katzman

Synopsis: In the sanitarium, Sue Ellen bribes a nurse for booze, escapes and is injured in a car crash. Her doctors are forced to prematurely deliver her son, whom Jock names John Ross Ewing III. J.R. weeps as the lives of Sue Ellen and the baby hang in the balance.

Cast: Dimitra Arliss (Nurse Hatton), Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie Ewing), Karlene Crockett (Muriel Gillis), Jim Davis (Jock Ewing), Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing), Meg Gallagher (Louella), Ellen Geer (Dr. Krane), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Michael C. Gwynne (Dr. Rogers), Heidi Hagman (receptionist), Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing), Peter Horton (Wayne), Dawn Jeffory (Annie Driscoll), Sherril Lynn Katzman (Susan), Ed Kenney (Senator Newberry), Ken Kercheval (Cliff Barnes), Jeanna Michaels (Connie), Victoria Principal (Pam Ewing), Alan Rachins (Dr. Miller), Charlene Tilton (Lucy Ewing)

“John Ewing III, Part 2” is available on DVD and at Amazon.com, iTunes and TNT.tv. Watch the episode and share your comments below.

Filed Under: Critiques, Critiques (Classic), Opinion Tagged With: John Ewing III Part 2, Ken Kercheval, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Gave You Up Too Soon, J.R.’

May 9, 2012 by Chris Baker 3 Comments

Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, John Ewing III Part 1, Miss Ellie Ewing

Mama tried

In “John Ewing III, Part 1,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) sits at the piano in the Southfork living room, talking to J.R. (Larry Hagman).

ELLIE: You were a small child, J.R., when I stopped interfering in your life. For some time now, I’ve been thinking that wasn’t a very wise decision. But just because I didn’t say anything doesn’t mean I haven’t watched and seen. You’re power hungry. [J.R., standing behind Ellie, throws back his head and sighs.] You’re like your daddy in that. But he has redeeming qualities. His love for his sons, for one. I don’t know that you have any redeeming qualities, J.R. Is there anyone you love?

J.R.: [Standing at the bar] I love Sue Ellen.

ELLIE: From the day you brought that girl into this house, you’ve neglected her. First with the business, then with other women. You didn’t even bother to be discreet most of the time. I don’t know why she didn’t leave you years ago.

J.R.: Don’t you?

ELLIE: I know money’s important to Sue Ellen – and power. But she loves you, J.R. She always has. You just never gave her half a chance.

J.R.: I don’t wanna talk about this anymore.

ELLIE: Sue Ellen’s in trouble, J.R., and your child’s life is in danger. You must do something about it.

J.R.: [Sips a drink] It’s too late. [Leaves]

ELLIE: I gave you up too soon, J.R. I should have held onto you a little longer.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, John Ewing III Part 1, Larry Hagman

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘God, J.R., How Low Can You Get?’

May 2, 2012 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Patrick Duffy, Red File Part 2

Why, he never!

In “The Red File, Part 2,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) is seated on the edge of his office desk, talking on the phone, when Bobby (Patrick Duffy) enters carrying Julie’s attaché case.

J.R.: Yeah, no fooling Dave. I think we got Cliff Barnes out of our hair permanently. Yeah, that’s right. [Chuckles]

Bobby snatches the phone out of J.R.’s hand and slams it onto the receiver.

J.R.: [Angry, to Bobby] Now what the hell was that all about?

BOBBY: You’ll have plenty of time for that when I’m through – if you’re still president of Ewing Oil.

J.R.: You know, I think one of the biggest mistakes I ever made in my life was letting Daddy talk me into taking you off the road and putting you into an office next to mine.

BOBBY: No, J.R., that was your second biggest mistake! [Tosses materials off J.R.’s desk, slams down the attaché case] That’s your first!

J.R.: What is that?

BOBBY: [Opens it] Julie was gonna set you up. She Xeroxed all your confidential files and she was gonna turn them over to Cliff Barnes.

J.R.: Where’d you get ahold of this? [Starts rifling through the case]

BOBBY: Oh, it’s all there, J.R. Everything. [J.R. studies a document and sits in his chair] Records of payoffs to senators, congressmen, photographs of judges. It’s all there.

J.R.: Why, that cheating little tramp.

BOBBY: That’s your red file, isn’t it J.R.? I mean, that’s everything that you didn’t think I was ready to see.

J.R.: Well, you are my baby brother. Some of this stuff’s pretty gamey. I suppose you’re ready to face the realities of life.

BOBBY: Yeah. [Reaches into his suit jacket, unfolds a document and shows it to J.R.] Well, I wasn’t ready for that.

J.R.: It’s a copy of Daddy’s will. Now what is she doing with that? You know, sometimes I can never figure out what makes a woman’s mind work. I –

BOBBY: [Disgusted] Yeah, J.R., it puzzled me, too. I mean, it wouldn’t have meant a whole lot to Cliff Barnes, would it? Just part of the package. I think the one that would’ve found this most interesting is Daddy.

J.R.: Now, what are you talking about?

BOBBY: I’ll refresh your memory. [Begins reading] “This codicil amends paragraph 37. In the event of my death, I hereby grant to my son, John Ewing Jr., full drilling rights to all oil found in Section 40 of Southfork Ranch, as described in said paragraph.”

J.R.: Bobby, I can explain that!

BOBBY: To who? To Daddy? To Mama?

J.R.: Well let’s not bring them into this!

BOBBY: J.R., this is a forgery!

J.R.: It was a business maneuver!

BOBBY: A bu – it brought an oil crew to Southfork. Ray was damn near killed on account of it! And to make matters worse, you were trying to con your own mother and father. God, J.R., how low can you get? [Turns away from J.R.]

J.R.: [Rises from his seat] I was trying to make Ewing Oil into the most powerful independent in Texas! I needed the muscle!

BOBBY: [Faces J.R., looks stricken] Do you mean that somebody else in the cartel knew about this? J.R., you’re the one who knew that Julie was going to give these, these papers to Cliff Barnes!

J.R.: I didn’t know about that!

BOBBY: [Slams the attaché case shut] Don’t lie to me!

J.R.: Bobby, I never killed anybody in my life. I’m not a murderer. I didn’t kill anybody, not even during the war. Now, if you don’t believe me, you talk to Dan Marsh. He had a tap on Barnes’ phone. He brought me those tapes the next morning, after Julie was dead.

BOBBY: The next morning?

J.R.: That’s right.

BOBBY: Well, then I guess I’d better talk to Dan Marsh.

J.R.: You’re not gonna say anything to Daddy about this, are you?

Bobby walks to the door, pauses and then slams it behind him.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Red File Part 2

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘… Or the Secrets We Share’

May 1, 2012 by Chris Baker Leave a Comment

Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Julie Grey, Larry Hagman, Red File Part 1, Tina Louise

Twice upon a mistress

In “The Red File, Part 1,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. and Julie (Larry Hagman, Tina Louise) stroll along a pier while drinking champagne.

J.R.: Three days down here, and what do we get? We get rain, sleet, sun. I tell you, this Gulf weather’s enough to drive you crazy.

JULIE: [Laughs] Well, darling, one thing you don’t have is power over the weather.

J.R.: I use my powers in other ways.

JULIE: Yes, I’ve noticed. I’m constantly amazed. [Giggles]

J.R.: Never underestimate your charms, my sweet. [Kisses her]

JULIE: Thank you, darling. I never know if it’s me or the secrets we share that makes me so appealing to you. [He pours more champagne in her glass.] Thank you. Honey, does it ever bother you that I betrayed you once with Cliff Barnes?

J.R.: Now, I’m hungry. What do you want for lunch?

JULIE: Now, J.R., we never talk about it. You know, I could’ve given him the whole red file instead of just those tidbits on the payoffs to Senator Orloff.

J.R.: Well, that’s water under the bridge, or over the dam, or however the saying goes. I don’t know.

JULIE: I gotta know how you feel about me.

J.R.: [Playfully] Well, I like that. I cancel every appointment I got in Dallas. [Motions toward the water] We’re supposed to be out inspecting the Ewing Oil platforms. Now I ask you, what have we been inspecting here? [She laughs and kisses him.]

JULIE: I’m sorry. I don’t mean to make demands. I’m having a wonderful time.

J.R.: But?

JULIE: But sometimes I wanna know what you’re feeling. I wanna know what you’re thinking.

J.R.: All right. That affair with Cliff Barnes. Now, how does he rate on a scale of 1 to 10? [Julie playfully tosses the champagne in her glass at him. He ducks and laughs, and then they kiss passionately.]

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Red File Part 1, Tina Louise

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I’m the Head of this Household!’

April 26, 2012 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

Dallas, Home Again, Jim Davis, Jock Ewing

OK, big guy. Calm down.

In “Home Again,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) is seated in a chair in the Southfork den, where she has called Jock (Jim Davis), J.R. (Larry Hagman) and Bobby (Patrick Duffy) together for an announcement.

ELLIE: This is very hard for me because you know how I love Southfork – and all of you. But I have to do what I think is right. My brother was named heir to Southfork in my daddy’s will. When he was lost at sea, your father and I declared him dead and claimed the ranch. It was right that we did that then. Now that he’s back, Garrison must have what is really his. We have to give Southfork back to him.

JOCK: [Angry, rising to his feet] What do you mean give Garrison Southfork? What kind of reasoning is that?

ELLIE: Jock, even when I thought he was dead, that day in court when we made it official, I felt I was stealing something from him.

JOCK: Miss Ellie, it was my life, my sweat and my money that saved this ranch. When Garrison ran away, he was bankrupt, the sheriff was knocking at the door.

ELLIE: Jock, I know how hard you worked – but it’s still ours by default. We have to correct that.

BOBBY: Mama, you are talking about giving up our home – a place we grew up in.

J.R.: Even if Uncle Garrison had stayed, he couldn’t have saved the ranch. I’m with Daddy. I don’t mean any disrespect, but what’s done is done, Mother.

ELLIE: What’s done can be changed. [Rising] Jock, I never told you how hurt I was when I found out that my daddy made Garrison the sole heir – but that’s the way things were done in those days: father to son. Daughters – daughters always came second. It was my daddy’s wish that Garrison have the ranch. My conscience won’t let me do differently.

J.R.: I knew he came here for some reason. He used to hang around with Digger Barnes – used to sing the same refrain, over and over again. The Ewings stole everything from them.

BOBBY: J.R., we’ve got enough problems without turning this into a Barnes-Ewing feud. Now leave it alone.

JOCK: [Raising voice] Miss Ellie! There’ll be no more talk about giving away Southfork. [Turns to leave]

ELLIE: Jock, we do need to talk about it!

JOCK: [Serious] You’re overstepping your place, Miss Ellie.

MISS ELLIE: [Screaming] My place! Just what is my place?

JOCK: It isn’t running this ranch! It isn’t running Ewings’ businesses! It isn’t saying what we keep or what we give away. I am still the head of this household – with or without your permission!

ELLIE: I’ve asked Garrison and Cathy for lunch tomorrow. Do I need your permission for that?

Jock glares at Ellie and leaves the room. Moments later, she leaves, too.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Home Again, Jim Davis, Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy

Critique: ‘Dallas’ Episode 19 – ‘Home Again’

April 26, 2012 by Chris Baker 14 Comments

Dallas, Garrison Southworth, Gene Evans, Home Again

Missing heir

I can’t watch “Home Again” these days without thinking about “Downton Abbey,” PBS’s hit British soap opera. Both shows feature land-and-lineage stories that entertain but also baffle.

In “Downton Abbey,” a World War I-era nobleman is legally prohibited from leaving his estate to his daughters because, well, they’re daughters. It’s an odd concept for American audiences to grasp, but “Dallas’s” take on patriarchalism is even harder to understand.

In “Home Again,” when Miss Ellie’s long-believed dead brother Garrison Southworth turns up alive, she offers to give him Southfork because she feels he’s the rightful owner.

It seems Ellie inherited the ranch only after Garrison, the intended heir, was lost at sea. “My daddy made Garrison the sole heir,” Ellie tells Jock and her sons. “But that’s the way things were done in those days, father to son. Daughters, daughters always came second. It was my daddy’s wish that Garrison have the ranch. My conscience won’t let me do differently.”

Sorry, “Dallas.” I’m not buying it.

Ellie may feel bad about Garrison missing out on his inheritance, but this is her home, not a family heirloom. It’s a bit much to ask the audience to believe the character would give away Southfork so easily.

My guess is the “Dallas” writers came up with the “Home Again” storyline to show how Ellie is more principled than the rest of her cutthroat family, but the plot just doesn’t work. How can we respect Ellie’s desire to do right by her brother when it means giving the rest of her family the shaft?

I might be more willing to forgive the unconvincing plotting if “Dallas” used “Home Again” as a jumping off point to explore sexism, but the show never really goes there. We never find out, for example, how progressive Pam feels about Ellie’s decision.

Of course, “Home Again” has its strengths, beginning with Gene Evans’ fiery turn as Garrison. The actor proves to be an effective foil for Jim Davis and Larry Hagman.

It’s too bad Garrison didn’t stick around longer. He might have made an interesting addition to Southfork – just not as its owner.

Grade: B

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Big brother’s house

‘HOME AGAIN’

Season 2, Episode 14

Airdate: January 7, 1979

Audience: 19.1 million homes, ranking 11th in the weekly ratings

Writer: Arthur Bernard Lewis

Director: Don McDougall

Synopsis: Miss Ellie’s brother Garrison Southworth, whom she believed died 40 years ago, visits Southfork. Ellie considers Garrison the rightful heir to Southfork and offers him ownership of the ranch, but he reveals he’s come home to die.

Cast: Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie Ewing), Jim Davis (Jock Ewing), Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing), Gene Evans (Aaron Southworth), Melinda Fee (Cathy Baker), Meg Gallagher (Louella), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing), Steve Kanaly (Ray Krebbs), Ken Kercheval (Cliff Barnes), Michael McManus (Matt), Victoria Principal (Pam Ewing), Charlene Tilton (Lucy Ewing), Charles Wilder Young (Charlie Watters)

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

Filed Under: Critiques, Critiques (Classic), Opinion Tagged With: Gene Evans, Home Again, Jim Davis, Larry Hagman

Critique: ‘Dallas’ Episode 18 – ‘Kidnapped’

April 25, 2012 by Chris Baker 4 Comments

Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Kidnapped, Patrick Duffy

Bobby, trapped!

New rule: If you’re watching “Dallas” and a Ewing becomes a crime victim before the second act, chances are it’s going to be a lackluster episode.

So far, crooks and lowlifes have been front and center in three installments: The first-season episode “Winds of Vengeance” (two working Joes hold the Ewings at gunpoint and threaten to rape the women), the second-season entry “Runaway” (a robber makes Lucy his reluctant accomplice) and now “Kidnapped” (three abductors hold Bobby hostage).

The first of these segments is actually pretty good. The other two? Not so much.

The problem is “Dallas’s” depiction of criminals. They’re almost always straight-from-central-casting villains who specialize in evil cackling and corny one-liners.

In “Kidnapped,” the bad guys think they’re nabbing J.R. when they tail his Mercedes and force it to come to a stop on a dusty Texas back road. They’re surprised to learn Bobby is behind the wheel, having borrowed his older brother’s car after his own vehicle got a flat tire.

“Our luck!” exclaims Fay, one of the kidnappers, while laughing uproariously. “We may have the wrong goose – but he can still lay the golden egg!”

“Kidnapped” isn’t as awful as “Runaway.” Patrick Duffy does a nice job making Bobby more vulnerable than usual, and I appreciate how the show uses Cliff as the intermediary between the Ewings and the kidnappers. It’s a clever way to involve Cliff in the story and add drama to the scenes of the family awaiting word on Bobby’s fate.

This plot device also lends “Kidnapped” some historical significance: This is the first episode where Larry Hagman and Ken Kercheval share scenes.

Today, we remember J.R. and Cliff’s bitter feud as one of “Dallas’s” defining conflicts, so it’s surprising to remember it took 18 episodes to bring them face-to-face.

Cliff also figures into “Kidnapped’s” best moment: when Jock and Miss Ellie wish him luck before he departs to deliver the ransom.

“You bring my son home safe, I’ll be grateful to you forever,” Ellie tells Cliff.

For a woman whose husband is holding a bag with more than $1 million in cash, those words prove mighty cheap.

Grade: C

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cliff Barnes, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Ken Kercheval, Larry Hagman

Face to face, at last

‘KIDNAPPED’

Season 2, Episode 13

Airdate: December 17, 1978

Audience: 16.5 million homes, ranking 18th in the weekly ratings

Writer: Camille Marchetta

Director: Lawrence Dobkin

Cast: Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie Ewing), Nancy Bleier (Connie), Byron Clark (Tom), Stephen Davies (Will Hart), Jim Davis (Jock Ewing), Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing), Meg Gallagher (Louella), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing), Bob Hoy (Mahoney), Steve Kanaly (Ray Krebbs), Ken Kercheval (Cliff Barnes), Paul Koslo (Al Parker), Kelly Jean Peters (Fay Parker), Victoria Principal (Pam Ewing), Charlene Tilton (Lucy Ewing)

Synopsis: A trio of kidnappers hold Bobby hostage for $1.5 million. Cliff delivers the money and secures Bobby’s release, but they’re almost shot when J.R., Ray and several ranch hands ambush the kidnappers.

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

Filed Under: Critiques, Critiques (Classic), Opinion Tagged With: Ken Kercheval, Kidnapped, Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Runaway, Winds of Vengeance

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Don’t You Ever Threaten My Brother’

April 24, 2012 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

Dallas, Fallen Idol, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Blood is thicker than oil

In “Fallen Idol,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters his office to find Jeb and Willie Joe (Sandy Ward, John Ashton) waiting for him.

J.R.: Well boys, what’s got you all stirred up on a busy Monday morning?

JEB: We heard about your little brother’s shopping center. It was all over town by 9 this morning.

J.R.: [Standing behind his desk] Well you didn’t come here to talk about a shopping center.

WILLIE JOE: He’s building exactly where your daddy’s will gives you the right to drill for oil!

JEB: We share in that oil, J.R. It’s the basis to every deal we’ve made. I’m beginning to think that maybe that will is a fake.

J.R.: You calling me a liar?

WILLIE JOE: If we come up dry in the Panhandle, and Bobby builds on that red-file land, we could be out of business!

J.R.: I’ve always protected you boys. You keep this up and I’m gonna stop.

JEB: [Leaning across J.R.’s desk] If you don’t stop Bobby, I’ll stop him.

J.R.: [Drops his mail on his desk] What’s that supposed to mean?

JEB: You know damn well what it means.

J.R.: [Pauses, then slaps Jeb, sending him back on his feet] Don’t you ever threaten my brother – or any other Ewing. I told you I’d handle this. Now get out of my office! [Turns his back to Jeb and Willie Joe and stares out the window. They leave.]

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Fallen Idol, John Ashton, Larry Hagman, Sandy Ward

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘What’s Your Excuse?’

April 23, 2012 by Chris Baker 3 Comments

Dallas, Garnet McGee, J.R. Ewing, Kate Mulgrew, Larry Hagman, Triangle

Pillow talk

In “Triangle,” a second-season “Dallas” episode, country-western singer Garnet McGee (Kate Mulgrew) nibbles from a plate on her dining room table while J.R. (Larry Hagman), stretched across her bed, pours himself a drink.

J.R.: You hungry again?

GARNET: Honey, I am always hungry.

J.R.: Were you very poor?

GARNET: Uh-huh. You want some of this? [He shakes his head no. She sits at the table.] There were 10 of us, J.R. You know, I never had a pair of shoes of my own, brand-new, till I was 16 years old and started working? Always had my mama’s or my big sister’s. I figure that’s how come I’m so greedy now. What’s your excuse?

J.R.: [Takes a sip] I don’t need one.

GARNET: [Joins him on the bed] That’s probably how come I like you so much.

J.R.: Is it?

GARNET: You’re just the way I am. [Counts the money from their poker game while he caresses her hair] Maybe a little worse. And not the least little bit ashamed of it, are you?

J.R.: Do you really like me?

GARNET: Well, I still have a whole pack of little brothers and sisters to take care of – not to mention myself. [He nuzzles her neck.] Hey, hey J.R. Don’t you have to go home now?

J.R.: Sue Ellen’s a very understanding wife. When Ray gets back, I want you to finish it. I mean it. Finish it with him – because if you don’t, I will. [Nuzzles her neck again]

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Kate Mulgrew, Larry Hagman, Triangle