Linda Gray – Dallas Decoder

Shop Like a Ewing: Your ‘Dallas’ Holiday Gift Guide

November 30, 2015 by Chris Baker 4 Comments

“Dallas” buyers club

The holidays are here and it’s time to consume conspicuously. Here are some gift ideas for the special “Dallas” fan in your life. Better yet, use this list to treat yourself. It’s what a Ewing would do, right?

Dallas, J.R. Ewing action figure, Larry Hagman

Ready for action

J.R. Ewing action figures. When your Dallas Decoder was a kid, he used his G.I. Joe action figures to play “Dallas.” (Lady Jaye made a good Sue Ellen, while Scarlett always stood in for Pam.) Now Figures Toy Company has come along with the real deal: two J.R. Ewing figures. Each stands 12 inches tall, meaning ol’ J.R. is the right size for a romance with Barbie. Watch out, darlin’!

Dallas, Ford F-Series, GreenLight Collectibles, J.R. Ewing, Ray Krebbs

Truck dynasty

“Dallas” toy vehicles. GreenLight Collectibles produces a line of Hot Wheels-style vehicles from TV shows and movies, including Ray Krebbs’ 1970 Chevrolet and 1979 pickup trucks and the 1978 black Corvette that Bobby bought Pam during “Dallas’s” second season. You can find the vehicles for varying prices on Amazon and eBay (search for “GreenLight Dallas”).

Audrey Landers, Dallas, Dallas Feels Like Home

‘Steal’ magnolia

“Dallas Feels Like Home.” I bought this album the moment it arrived in 2013 and it has pretty much played on an endless loop in my house ever since. The collection is comprised of songs Audrey Landers wrote and performed during her run as Afton Cooper on the original “Dallas” and comes with a digital booklet that includes lots of pictures and the original lyric sheet from Afton’s signature tune, “Steal Me Away.”

Dallas, Julie Jean White, Songs of Southfork, Trent Jeffcoat, What Would J.R. Do

Stay tuned

“Songs of Southfork Ranch.” Here’s a neat find: a CD featuring five songs inspired by “Dallas.” Trent Jeffcoat’s “What Would J.R. Do?” offers fun lyrics like, “Bribery, blackmail, lies and extortion / Whatever it takes to make you a fortune,” while Julie Jean White’s “Hat Makes the Man” is something Sue Ellen probably would’ve enjoyed. You can purchase a digital version from iTunes or get a physical CD from White’s site or Southfork’s online gift shop.

Home plate

Southfork collectibles. Speaking of Southfork: The online gift shop also offers collectors plates, ornaments, magnets, key rings and much more.

Tis the seasons

“Dallas” DVDs. Need to complete your “Dallas” DVD collection? You’ll find every season from the original show — along with the various TV movies and specials and all three seasons from the TNT sequel series — at WBShop.com, the retail arm of Warner Bros., the studio that produced “Dallas.”

Dressed to thrill

Official “Dallas” apparel. Show your love for the Ewings by wearing them. Amazon offers men’s and women’s t-shirts, along with tank tops, long-sleeved tees, sweatshirts, hoodies and more. There are no Ray Krebbs-branded cutoff jeans, but maybe one day!

“D” is for decor

Official “Dallas” housewares. Did you know there was a line of officially licensed “Dallas” housewares? I didn’t either, but while researching this article I discovered Amazon offers Trevco-produced throw pillows, blankets, beach towels, ottomans and much more. There are even duvet covers and shower curtains, which means you can dream like Pam and shower like Bobby.

Your best shot

J.R. Ewing Bourbon. This 80-proof bourbon is distilled in Kentucky and offers a slightly fruity nose with hints of vanilla, oak and orange. You can enter your zip code on the site’s “Where to Buy” page to find liquor stores in your area that carry the bourbon, or you can order online from merchants such as Binny’s, Crown Wine and Spirits and Liquor Barn.

Uncovered

“The Road to Happiness is Always Under Construction.” By now, you’ve probably read Linda Gray’s inspiring and insightful memoir. Why not share the wisdom by giving the book as a gift? Regan Arts, the publisher, is offering $8 off when you purchase the book from its site and enter code DALLAS DECODER at checkout. That’s a deal even J.R. would love!

Which “Dallas” gifts would you like to receive this holiday season? Share your comments below and read more features from Dallas Decoder.

Filed Under: Features, Features Tagged With: Audrey Landers, Julie Jean White, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, TNT, Trent Jeffcoat

#WhoShotJR: A Twitter Tribute to ‘Dallas’s’ Biggest Moment

November 21, 2015 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Who Shot J.R.?

He done it

Ever wonder what “Dallas” would have been like if the Ewings had the power of social media at their disposal?

No? Well, I do.

To honor the “Who Shot J.R.?” cliffhanger resolution — which a record-setting 90 million people watched on this day in 1980 — I took to Twitter to recreate the scene in which Sue Ellen identifies Kristin as J.R.’s assailant. I tried to stick as closely as possible to the original script, although I deviated in a few spots. (“Jail baby” was destined to be turned into a hashtag, don’t you think?)

This exercise also pays tribute to “Dallas’s” role as a social media pioneer. Many of us watch TV today with a tablet or smartphone in hand so we can chat online about our favorite shows as we view them. The idea that television could be a shared experience is a concept “Dallas” shaped, especially during the “Who Shot J.R.” phenomenon.

To read the exchange, click on Sue Ellen’s tweet to Kristin. It will take you to a page where you can see the whole conversation. If you have a Twitter account of your own, feel free to retweet your favorite lines. Who knows? Maybe we can get the Ewings trending again.

.@KristinSheprdDD You have been trying to frame me. @JREwingDD

— Sue Ellen Ewing (@SueEllenEwingDD) November 21, 2015

What are your perspectives on “Who Shot J.R.?” Share your comments below and read more features from Dallas Decoder.

Filed Under: Features, Features Tagged With: Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Who Shot J.R.?

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘… Why is She the Mistress?’

November 18, 2015 by Chris Baker 4 Comments

Horse sense

In “Close Encounters,” a ninth-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) is at the Ewing Rodeo when she approaches Mandy (Deborah Shelton), who turns away.

SUE ELLEN: Mandy. [Mandy turns back to face Sue Ellen.] I’m Sue Ellen Ewing.

MANDY: I know.

SUE ELLEN: May we talk?

MANDY: Why?

SUE ELLEN: [Steps closer] I have something to tell you that might be helpful. You’re not the first girlfriend J.R. has had. [They begin walking together.]

MANDY: That’s helpful?

SUE ELLEN: I’ve seen the way he’s treated all the others.

MANDY: Look, this time it’s different.

They stop walking, face each other.

SUE ELLEN: Is it?

MANDY: Yes, it is. J.R. and I love each other. You just don’t know him the way I do.

They resume walking.

SUE ELLEN: Mandy, I know J.R. every which way there is to know him. And he’s never going to change. Never. He’s going to use you like he’s use all the others, and then he’s going to walk out on you and never come back.

MANDY: You really want me out of his life, don’t you?

SUE ELLEN: Not for the reasons you think. I don’t want him back. Mandy, I’m telling you this for your own good — because J.R. destroys every woman he goes to bed with. It’s by the grace of God that he didn’t destroy me. Don’t let him do it to you.

MANDY: [Begins to cry] Thanks for the advice. You’ll forgive me if I don’t take it because you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.

She begins to walk away, when Sue Ellen grabs her.

SUE ELLEN: Isn’t it strange how the mistress always thinks she’s smarter than the wife? If she’s so smart, why is she the mistress?

Watch this scene in “Close Encounters,” 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: Close Encounters, Deborah Shelton, Linda Gray

Critique: ‘Dallas’ Episode 200 — ‘Close Encounters’

November 18, 2015 by Chris Baker 26 Comments

Close Encounters, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Man of the hour

“Close Encounters,” the 200th hour of “Dallas,” is the kind of episode only this show could produce. Most of the action takes place at a Southfork charity rodeo, where the characters wheel, deal and confront each other over their various romantic entanglements — taking occasional breaks to climb into a saddle and test their calf-roping and barrel-racing skills. Sure, we’ve seen this kind of thing before on “Dallas,” but that doesn’t make it any less fun. If nothing else, “Close Encounters” demonstrates how the Ewings — after almost a decade on the air — had yet to wear out their welcome. Then again, did they ever?

Like the third-season classic “Rodeo,” the only other episode that depicts a Southfork rodeo, “Close Encounters” focuses on J.R. and Sue Ellen’s extramarital inclinations. He spends each episode sneaking around with a mistress (Kristin in “Rodeo,” Mandy in “Close Encounters”), while Sue Ellen finds herself being tempted by Dusty in both installments. The Sue Ellen of 1985 is much smarter and more confident than the 1979 version, however. She dictates the terms of her affair with Dusty in “Close Encounters” (it was the other way around in “Rodeo”), but her progress is also on display during her memorable confrontation with Mandy. In “Close Encounters’” best scene, Sue Ellen pulls the poor, disillusioned young woman aside and warns her that J.R. has a history of mistreating women, but Mandy refuses to listen. Finally, an exasperated Sue Ellen asks, “Isn’t it strange how the mistress always thinks she’s smarter than the wife? If she’s so smart, why is she the mistress?” The line is equal parts wisdom, compassion and bitchiness — and Linda Gray captures each nuance perfectly.

There’s much more to love about “Close Encounters”: Pam and Jenna’s awkwardly poignant exchange, which marks the first time the onetime rivals have seen each other since Bobby’s funeral; Miss Ellie’s “give ’em hell” pep talk to Sue Ellen before the latter participates in the barrel race (you can feel the affection between Gray and Barbara Bel Geddes here); and Angelica Nero’s gigantic, floppy pink hat, which is a look so bold, even Katherine Wentworth wouldn’t have dared it. There’s also the scene where Patricia defends her parenting skills to J.R. “There’s nothing wrong with the way Sue Ellen was brought up,” she says. Larry Hagman waits a beat before delivering J.R.’s retort: “No, just the way she turned out.”

Indeed, more than anything, I get a kick out of watching Hagman in episodes like this. J.R. is all smiles when he’s in the public spotlight at the rodeo, even though he’s privately seething over Patricia’s nosiness, Sue Ellen’s flirtation with Dusty and the fact that Cliff is buzzing around like a gnat, trying to horn in on his dealings with Angelica. And who doesn’t love this episode’s climactic scene, when J.R. — through gritted teeth — announces Dusty has won the coveted belt buckle that designates him as the rodeo’s best all-around cowboy? (Dusty was the winner in “Rodeo” too, although Jock Ewing presented the prize back then.)

“Close Encounters” also brings Ray and Donna’s pregnancy storyline to a close: She suffers a miscarriage after a caged bull causes her to take a spill. The expression on Susan Howard’s face when Donna falls says so much about the character’s fear, while Steve Kanaly does a nice job conveying Ray’s anguish in the hospital scenes. The episode also offers its share of curiosities: Why do the producers show Ray congratulating the taciturn adolescent Rocky on his victory in the rodeo’s junior competition? Is the point to demonstrate that Ray is good with children, thus making Donna’s miscarriage at the end of the episode seem even more tragic? Or was there some subplot involving Rocky that was left on the cutting-room floor? Why is this kid so mopey, after all?

In the same spirit, what should we make of the cameo by Mark White, the real-life Texas governor who appears at the beginning of the rodeo? Besides becoming the first person to play himself on “Dallas” (following appearances by Gerald and Betty Ford and Henry Kissinger in a 1983 “Dynasty” episode), White manages to deliver a hilariously brief speech when he greets the rodeo-goers thusly: “Thank you. Thank you. It’s really great to be with y’all up here today. Thank you.”

A politician who limits his public pronouncements to just 16 words? How did we not know this season was going to turn out to be a dream?

Grade: A

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Changed woman

‘CLOSE ENCOUNTERS’

Season 9, Episode 9

Airdate: November 15, 1985

Audience: 19.8 million homes, ranking 9th in the weekly ratings

Writer: Hollace White and Stephanie Garman

Director: Corey Allen

Synopsis: Angelica decides to do business with Ewing Oil. Sue Ellen raises Mandy’s doubts about J.R. and resumes her romance with Dusty. Donna suffers a miscarriage after falling at the Ewing Rodeo.

Cast: John Beck (Mark Graison), Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie Farlow), Barbara Carrera (Angelica Nero), Gino De Mauro (Rocky), Jim Gough (Announcer), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing), Robert Harper (Doctor), 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), Shalane McCall (Charlie Wade), Priscilla Beaulieu Presley (Jenna Wade), Victoria Principal (Pam Ewing), Dack Rambo (Jack Ewing), Deborah Rennard (Sly), Deborah Shelton (Mandy Winger), Merete Van Kamp (Grace), Governor Mark White (Himself)

“Close Encounters” 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, Close Encounters, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Mark White, Rodeo, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard

Critique: ‘Dallas’ Episode 199 — ‘Quandary’

November 11, 2015 by Chris Baker 9 Comments

Dallas, Donna Krebbs, Quandary, Ray Krebbs, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard

Courageous convictions

In “Quandary,” expectant parents Ray and Donna Krebbs deal with the news their child will be born with Down syndrome. Donna wants to have the baby, believing it would be wrong to terminate the pregnancy just because the child will be abnormal. Ray has strong feelings too: He candidly admits he isn’t ready to raise a child who is likely to have many health problems. By the end of the episode, though, Donna has brought her husband around to her way of thinking. Placing Ray’s hand on her belly, she tearfully says, “This baby was conceived in love — our love. How could it be anything but right?”

Like Sue Ellen’s efforts to get sober, Ray and Donna’s storyline feels like a deliberate attempt to inject more realism into “Dallas’s” ninth season. Fans who come to the series for escapist entertainment tend to be dismissive of these sorts of things, but I find a lot here to admire. Steve Kanaly and Susan Howard each deliver moving performances, and Joel J. Feigenbaum’s script is sensitive without ever resorting to schmaltz. There’s no doubt “Dallas” is trying to educate its audience — particularly in the scene where Donna’s doctor ticks off a list of Down syndrome statistics — but the story never becomes as heavy-handed as Miss Ellie’s third-season bout with breast cancer, “Dallas’s” other stab at so-called relevant storytelling.

Besides, it’s not like Feigenbaum doesn’t give us the usual wheeling and dealing too. After announcing her decision in the previous episode to take Bobby’s place at Ewing Oil, Pam shows up for work in “Quandary” and immediately clashes with J.R. She memorably cuts short his attempt to bully her by buzzing Phyllis and ordering “a cup of tea — a cup of herbal tea,” then quietly melts after he storms out of the room. Later, Pam is forced to crash a staff meeting when J.R. fails to invite her, which is a fun scene for a lot of reasons, especially since it confirms that J.R. and his secretaries are not, in fact, the only employees of this multi-billion-dollar corporation. I also like how J.R. and Cliff’s meetings with mysterious shipping executive Angelica Nero illustrate their differing styles: Cliff leaps at the opportunity to join forces with her, while J.R. plays it much cooler, wining and dining Angelica and even pretending to not mind when she orders mussels at La Champagne.

“Quandary” also has fun with Cliff and Jamie in the scene where she hangs up on him — repeatedly — when he calls to apologize for their latest fight. I also appreciate how this episode shows Sue Ellen telling Dusty she needs to focus on the other relationships in her life before she resumes her romance with him. Isn’t it nice to see Linda Gray’s character becoming smarter and wiser? In the same spirit, I like how Pam and Mark’s relationship is maturing. He spends this episode feeling overshadowed by Bobby’s ghost, and then in the sexy final scene, Pam barges into Mark’s bedroom, kicks off her heels and climbs into bed with him. If that doesn’t prove she wants the guy, what does?

These relationships stand in contrast to J.R. and Mandy’s, which no longer rings true. After spending much of the previous season refusing to become J.R.’s mistress, Mandy has now surrendered all her principles, although the show hasn’t gotten around to telling us why. In “Quandary,” she even allows J.R. to buy her a love nest, which the couple “christens” by hopping into a bubble bath and sipping champagne. What happened to the strong, independent-minded woman who once threw a key in J.R.’s face when he tried to rent her an apartment? Did Mandy have a lobotomy when she left town a few episodes ago, or has she always been this vacuous? Could it be the air in those bubbles is a metaphor for the space between her ears?

Grade: B

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bubble heads

‘QUANDARY’

Season 9, Episode 8

Airdate: November 8, 1985

Audience: 19.5 million homes, ranking 11th in the weekly ratings

Writer: Joel J. Feigenbaum

Director: Michael Preece

Synopsis: Ray and Donna decide to continue her pregnancy. Angelica uses Cliff as bait to lure J.R., although her real target is J.R. Jamie leaves Cliff over deceiving Pam, whose decision to work at Ewing Oil sparks backlash from J.R. and Mark. Sue Ellen tells Dusty she must decide what to do about her marriage. J.R. and Mandy resume their affair.

Cast: John Beck (Mark Graison), Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie Farlow), Barbara Carrera (Angelica Nero), Linda Gehringer (Ewing Oil employee), Lee Gideon (Carl), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Larry Hagman (J.R. 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), Priscilla Beaulieu Presley (Jenna Wade), Victoria Principal (Pam Ewing), Dack Rambo (Jack Ewing), Sherril Lynn Rettino (Jackie Dugan), Deborah Shelton (Mandy Winger), Michael Skipper (Bill Crawford), Deborah Tranelli (Phyllis), Merete Van Kamp (Grace)

“Quandary” 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: Joel J. Feigenbaum, Linda Gray, Quandary, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard

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+

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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.)

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 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.

• 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 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.