Dallas Burning Questions: Season 3, Week 9

Dallas, Denial Anger Acceptance, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

Burn, darlin’, burn?

Here are the questions we’re pondering as we await tonight’s telecast of “Denial, Anger, Acceptance,” the midseason premiere of TNT’s “Dallas”:

Who survived the Southfork fire — and who started it? In the previous episode, “Where There’s Smoke,” Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) received a video of John Ross and Emma (Josh Henderson, Emma Bell) having sex and lashed out at Sue Ellen (Linda Gray), who spent a lonely night at Southfork getting drunk. While Sue Ellen was passed out in John Ross and Pamela’s bedroom, an angry Bo (Donny Boaz) could be seen lurking inside the house, watching as fire swept through a room. Moments later, Bobby and Christopher (Patrick Duffy, Jesse Metcalfe) arrived home and raced inside, calling out for Ann and Sue Ellen — only to have part of the ceiling collapse on them. What happens next?

What will happen to John Ross, Pamela and Emma? After she attacked Sue Ellen, Pamela tracked down John Ross at a hotel, where she walked in on him cavorting with Emma, who was clad in her green corset. “Love what you’re wearing,” Pamela said before removing her raincoat and revealing that she was wearing her green corset too. Pamela then said, “May I join you?” The three of them began making out — and then Pamela started convulsing. As Emma dialed 911, John Ross discovered an empty pill bottle in his wife’s coat pocket and tried furiously to revive her. “Wake up, baby, wake up!” he pleaded. Why did Pamela initiate the threesome, and where does this troubled trio go from her?

What will happen between Ann and Harris? Before the fire, Bobby went ballistic when he discovered Ann (Brenda Strong) had withheld the truth about John Ross and Emma’s fling. Bobby told Ann that Emma is no longer welcome at Southfork, prompting her to turn to Harris (Mitch Pileggi) for help. After reminiscing about their marriage, Harris kissed Ann, but she turned and walked away — as a seething Judith (Judith Light) watched them from a window. What will Judith do next?

Where do Christopher and Heather go from here? The previous episode began with Heather (AnnaLynne McCord) discovering Bo kidnapped their son, Michael (Dallas Clark). With help from Sheriff Derrick (Akai Draco), Bobby, Christopher and Heather found Michael with Bo’s brother. Once mother and child were reunited, Christopher told Heather he’d like to get serious with her. Will she allow that to happen?

What’s Nicolas up to? Pamela didn’t know the video of John Ross and Emma was sent by Nicolas (Juan Pablo Di Pace), who is secretly helping the Mexican drug cartel plot a takeover of Ewing Global. Elena (Jordana Brewster) also doesn’t know Nicolas’s true intentions and tried to back out of their plan to get revenge against the Ewings for cheating her father out of his land. Nicolas assured Elena that she isn’t wrong to seek revenge — and when she wasn’t looking, he punctured holes in her diaphragm before they had sex. Uh, what’s that about?

Where’s Drew? When Nicolas wasn’t sabotaging Elena’s birth control, he was receiving a surprise visit from the fugitive Drew (Kuno Becker), who asked for his help in striking back against the Ewings. Nicolas told Drew to be patient and allow his scheme with Elena to play out, but Drew didn’t want to hear it and ran away. Nicolas then called the drug lord Luis (Antonio Jaramillo) and told him to find Drew before he ruined their plans. What will happen if the cartel gets Drew before he gets to wherever he’s headed?

What “Dallas Burning Questions” are on your mind? Share your comments below and watch TNT’s “Dallas” tonight.

3 Days, 33 Episodes: Here’s How to Catch Up on TNT’s ‘Dallas’

Dallas, John Ross Ewing, Josh Henderson, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, TNT

Look back

Did you promise yourself you’d spend the summer getting acquainted — or reacquainted — with TNT’s “Dallas”? Did you fail to keep this promise? Relax: You still have time. Grab your DVDs and downloads and have a marathon of your own this weekend. Here’s how to watch all 33 hours of the show before the third season resumes on Monday, August 18.

 

Friday, August 15

9 to 11 p.m. Kick off your marathon on Friday night at 9 o’clock — the holiest hour of the week for “Dallas” fans — with a double feature of the TNT’s show’s first two episodes: “Changing of the Guard” and “Hedging Your Bets.”

Can you watch the former without getting chills when J.R. (Larry Hagman) doffs his cowboy hat, flashes his grin and declares, “Bobby may not be stupid, but I’m a hell of a lot smarter”? Can you watch the latter without getting choked up when our hero tells Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) she’s “still the prettiest girl at the ball”? Me either.

 

Christopher Ewing, Dallas, Elena Ramos, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, TNT

First time for everything

Saturday, August 16

7 a.m. Rise and shine, darlins! With so much “Dallas” to watch today, there’ll be no sleeping in. Resume your marathon with “The Price You Pay,” in which Julie Gonzalo’s character receives a smartphone pic of her husband kissing another woman. Get used to it, honey.

8 a.m. Have breakfast with “The Last Hurrah,” in which John Ross (Josh Henderson) squirts Elena (Jordana Brewster) with his hose. Insert your own joke here.

9 a.m. Have you done your workout yet? Download “Truth and Consequences” to your mobile device and head to the gym. Mitch Pileggi’s debut as Harris Ryland is bound to get your heart racing.

10 a.m. Got errands to run? Chores to complete? You’ve got one hour. Make the most of it.

11 a.m. We learn jewelry makes Ann (Brenda Strong) cry in “The Enemy of My Enemy.” Then again, doesn’t everything?

Noon. Grab lunch while watching “Collateral Damage,” in which Vicente Cano (Carlos Bernard) wonders if John Ross: 1) is a good dancer, and 2) has any oil in his pipeline. OMG, Vicente was such a flirt!

1 p.m. Tommy (Callard Harris) plants a kiss on Rebecca in “No Good Deed” — which is almost as creepy as when Nicolas starts smooching Elena in Season 3.

2 p.m. Bloody monkeys, Johnny Cash and the redemption of J.R. Ewing. It’s “Family Business” — one of my favorite episodes of this show.

3 p.m. Carmen (Marlene Forte) gets one of the crummiest chores in “Dallas” history — returning Elena’s engagement ring to John Ross — in “Revelations.” Also: More Johnny Cash!

4 p.m. Have you taken a bathroom break yet? If not, take care of that now, and then hurry back to your TV or tablet to watch the second-season opener, “Battle Lines,” in which Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) learns his wife is really his cousin. Ick.

5 p.m. In “Venomous Creatures,” J.R. saves Sue Ellen from going to jail and Judith Light discovers a taste for “Dallas” scenery.

6 p.m. Drew (Kuno Becker) arrives in “Sins of the Father” — his hair won’t show up for several more episodes — and calls John Ross “J-Ro.” Thank heavens that didn’t catch on. Also: Ann shoots Harris!

7 p.m. Has your family seen you at all today? Why not take a break from the Ewings and go have dinner with them.

8 p.m. to midnight: The next four episodes are a murder-a-thon, so brace yourself. Frank (Faran Tahir) offs himself in “False Confessions,” Brenda Strong kills it during Ann’s testimony scene in “Trial and Error,” Vicente bites the dust in “Blame Game,” and then the saddest shot of all: the death of J.R. Ewing in “The Furious and the Fast.”

Midnight. The nice thing about a late-night viewing of “J.R.’s Masterpiece” is that no one else in your house is awake to see you bawling. Once you’ve dried your tears, catch some shut-eye. Tomorrow is going to be another big day.

 

Dallas, Judith Light, Judith Ryland, TNT

Leg up

Sunday, August 17

8 a.m. You did a hell of a job yesterday, “Dallas” fan. Your reward: You get to start your Sunday with the wonderfully wacky hodgepodge that is “Ewings Unite!” Miss Ellie disinherits Bobby from beyond the grave, Valene (Joan Van Ark) reveals she’s as loony as ever and Cliff becomes the most hated man in the history of “Dallas” fandom.

9 a.m. Audrey Landers shows she can slink around a corner better than anyone in “Guilt and Innocence.”

10 a.m. In “Let Me In,” Harris reveals his fondness for: 1) TV nature documentaries, 2) Almonds, and 3) Hunting Ramoses.

11 a.m. John Ross and Pamela get wet in “A Call to Arms.”

Noon. You know what goes good with a nice, leisurely Sunday brunch? Watching Bobby take that badass, slow-motion walk away from Cliff at the end of “Love and Family.”

1 p.m. Christopher discovers the mystery lady under the big hat is not his mama in “Guilt by Association.” It’s not Aunt Katherine either, sadly.

2 p.m. Kevin Page joins Mary Crosby as an answer to “Dallas’s” most famous trivia question in “Legacies.”

3 p.m. You might think this would be a good time to take a break, but you’d be wrong. The die is cast and there’s no turning back, so keep plugging away with the third-season episodes, beginning with “The Return,” in which J.R.’s belt buckle begins wearing John Ross. Also: Hello, Nicolas (Juan Pablo Di Pace)!

4 p.m. Time for “Trust Me” a.k.a. “Judith’s Snow Day.”

5 p.m. In “Playing Chicken,” Professor Bobby Ewing teaches us about endangered wildlife.

6 p.m. “Lifting the Veil” is the episode that should’ve included Sue Ellen’s comparison of Emma (Emma Bell) to Kristin, but instead it’s the episode that gives us scenes of hookers in canine costumes.

7 p.m. Dinnertime! Enjoy a glass of J.R. Ewing Bourbon (surely you have some, right?) while watching “D.T.R.” After the episode, check your bottle and make sure Sue Ellen didn’t bug it.

8 p.m. Despite the title “Like Father, Like Son,” John Ross wants you to know that he is not his father! Also: Carter McKay has grandchildren!

9 p.m. Pamela rocks Stella McCartney in “Like a Bad Penny.”

10 p.m. It’s finally time for “Where There’s Smoke.” Southfork goes up in flames and you get to go down for a well-deserved rest. Don’t forget to watch “Dallas’s” midseason premiere Monday night!

What are your favorite “Dallas” episodes? Share your choices below and read more features from Dallas Decoder.

#DallasChat Daily: Who Should Ann Be With?

Ann Ewing, Bobby Ewing, Brenda Strong, Dallas, Harris Ryland, Mitch Pileggi, Patrick Duffy, TNT

After Bobby screamed at her on “Dallas’s” spring finale, Ann turned to ex-husband Harris, who revealed his true feelings and kissed her. Which one of these men is best suited for Ann? Or should she be paired with someone else when the season resumes, beginning Monday, August 18?

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Who does Ann belong with?

Share your comments below and join other #DallasChat Daily discussions.

#DallasChat Daily: Who’s John Ross’s Greatest Enemy?

Bobby Ewing, Christopher Ewing, Dallas, Elena Ramos, Harris Ryland, Jesse Metcalfe, John Ross Ewing, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Judith Light, Judith Ryland, Mitch Pileggi, Nicolas Trevino, Patrick Duffy, TNT

Ewings whose initials include the letters “J” and “R” are bound to have a few enemies, and John Ross is no exception. His rivals include relatives like Uncle Bobby and Cousin Christopher, as well as outsiders such as Judith and Harris Ryland, Nicolas Treviño and Elena Ramos. Which one poses the greatest threat?

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Who is John Ross’s most formidable foe?

Share your comments below and join other #DallasChat Daily discussions.

#DallasChat Daily: Who Should Pamela Get With Next?

Christopher Ewing, Dallas, Emma Bell, Emma Ryland, Harris Ryland, Jesse Metcalfe, John Ross Ewing, Josh Henderson, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Julie Gonzalo, Mitch Pileggi, Nicolas Trevino, Pamela Rebecca Barnes Ewing, TNT

If Pamela doesn’t forgive John Ross for cheating on her when “Dallas’s” third season resumes next month, several other characters could help her mend her broken heart. Which one would be the best match?

Your #DallasChat Daily questions: Who should Pamela get with next?

Share your comments below and join other #DallasChat Daily discussions.

#DallasChat Daily: Who Are Your Favorite Cast Members?

Brenda Strong, Dallas, Emma Bell, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Julie Gonzalo, Linda Gray, Mitch Pileggi, Patrick Duffy, TNT

“Dallas” boasts one of television’s strongest ensembles. Your #DallasChat Daily question: Who are your favorite “Dallas” cast members?

Share your comments below and join other #DallasChat Daily discussions.

#DallasChat Daily: Who’s ‘Dallas’s’ Worst Father?

Amos Krebbs, Cliff Barnes, Dallas, David Wayne, Digger Barnes, Harris Ryland, Ken Kercheval, Mitch Pileggi, TNT, William Windom

“Dallas” has given us so many bad dads over the years, it’s hard to know which one is the worst. But let’s try to choose the franchise’s most feckless father anyway, OK?

Candidates include Digger Barnes, who “sold” Pam to Jock; Jeff Farraday, who sold Christopher to Bobby; Amos Krebbs, who tried to extort money from his in-name-only son Ray; Harris Ryland, who kidnapped Emma and sent her to live with his mother in England; Renaldo Marchetta, who kidnapped Charlie Wade and sent her to live with his parents in Rome; and of course Cliff Barnes, who blew up the Ewing Energies rig, even though his pregnant daughter Pamela was aboard.

Your #DallasChat Daily question: Who’s the worst father in “Dallas” history?

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

Emmy Voting is Underway. Will ‘Dallas’ Make the Cut?

Contenders

Contenders

Will “Dallas” receive Primetime Emmy nominations this year? The conventional wisdom says no, although at this early stage, the TNT drama is a contender — along with more than 100 other shows.

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences released the preliminary ballots this week. Academy members are asked to vote for their favorites in each category through June 20; the final nominations will be announced July 10.

The preliminary ballots list hundreds of shows and individuals. Most submissions come from networks and production companies, although anyone can pay the entry fee and submit themselves for consideration.

In the dramatic series categories, the preliminary ballots list Patrick Duffy and Josh Henderson as lead actor contenders, while Linda Gray is the show’s sole candidate for a lead actress nomination.

The other “Dallas” cast members — Emma Bell, Jordana Brewster, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Julie Gonzalo, Jesse Metcalfe, Mitch Pileggi and Brenda Strong — are listed in the supporting categories. The ballots also list two guest stars: Judith Light and AnnaLynne McCord.

“Dallas” is also one of 108 shows on the ballot for best dramatic series, while director Steve Robin is up for a nomination for helming “Like Father, Like Son,” the episode where John Ross confronts Sue Ellen over her drinking.

It may be heartening to see “Dallas” listed in these races, but don’t get your hopes up, fellow fans. Each category has only a handful of available slots for nominations, which are expected to go to critical darlings such as “Breaking Bad,” “Game of Thrones” and the resurgent “The Good Wife.”

It’s also worth remembering “Dallas’s” tortured history with the Emmys: Although Barbara Bel Geddes won the lead dramatic actress race in 1980, the series picked up only a handful of nominations during its heyday. The tradition continued last year, when the academy snubbed Larry Hagman in the supporting actor race and shamefully omitted him from the special tributes during the Emmy broadcast.

The 2014 ballots also contain a few oddities where “Dallas” is concerned: The “D” in Di Pace’s name isn’t capitalized, Gonzalo’s character is listed as “Rebecca Sutter” and voters are asked to consider Light’s work in “Venomous Creatures,” a second-season episode that falls outside this year’s eligibility time frame.

Do you think “Dallas” deserves Emmy nominations this year? Share your comments below and read more news from Dallas Decoder.

The Dal-List: 10 Reasons TNT Should Renew ‘Dallas’ (Again)

Dallas, John Ross Ewing, Josh Henderson, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

Never turn your back on a Ewing

We’ll find out who survived the Southfork fire when “Dallas’s” third season resumes on Monday, August 18, but there’s an even bigger cliffhanger afoot: Will TNT give the series a fourth season? To ensure the cable channel’s executives make the right decision, here are 10 reasons TNT should renew “Dallas” again.

Dallas, John Ross Ewing, Josh Henderson, TNT

Watch like you mean it

10. “Dallas” is TNT’s most-watched show (right now). “Dallas’s” midseason cliffhanger episode clocked 2.1 million viewers on April 14, making it TNT’s most-watched regularly scheduled show last week. Only the cable channel’s NBA coverage performed better. One week earlier, “Dallas” finished first overall, besting basketball and the ever popular “Law & Order” reruns. TNT, surely you wouldn’t drop your top show at the moment!

Christopher Ewing, Dallas, Jesse Metcalfe, TNT

Audiences grow back too!

9. “Dallas’s” ratings are growing. Yes, we all know “Dallas’s” numbers dipped this year, but they’re bouncing back. Since March 17, when the show hit a series low of 1.78 million viewers, “Dallas’s” audience on Mondays at 9 p.m. has grown 15 percent, with that cliffhanger episode hitting 2.1 million viewers. This means for the past five consecutive weeks, the show’s numbers went up.  This is what’s known as “momentum,” TNT.

Christopher Ewing, Dallas, Jesse Metcalfe, TNT

Not that kind of hit, dude

8. “Dallas” is a DVR hit. Last season, roughly 800,000 DVR users recorded “Dallas” each Monday night and watched it within the next three days. This number has pretty much held steady this year, lifting “Dallas’s” Monday night average of 1.9 million viewers to 2.8 million viewers overall. This means “Dallas” has one of the most reliable DVR audiences in prime-time cable television. That’s nothing to skip over, TNT.

Dallas, John Ross Ewing, Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Pamela Rebecca Barnes Ewing, TNT

Real. Love.

7. Adults love “Dallas.” This might be the most important number of all: “Dallas” is averaging 1.2 million adults between ages 25 and 54 (including DVR users). Why should you care? First, TNT targets 25-to-54-year-olds, so these are the viewers the channel cares about most. Second, last year, “Dallas” averaged 1.5 million 25-to-54-year-olds, so even though the show has declined overall, it’s held fairly steady with TNT’s favorite viewers.

Dallas, Elena Ramos, Jordana Brewster, TNT,

Who knew?

6. “Dallas” is TNT’s biggest show on social media. “Dallas” has 1.6 million Facebook “likes” and 88,800 Twitter followers — more than any other TNT series. In fact, TNT’s biggest hit, “Major Crimes,” has only 488,000 Facebook likes and 12,500 Twitter followers. That’s right: “Dallas” is three times as big as “Major Crimes” on Facebook and seven times as big on Twitter. Suck on that, “Major Crimes”! (Sorry, “Major Crimes.” Couldn’t resist.)

Dallas, Emma Bell, Emma Ryland, Julie Gonzalo, Pamela Rebecca Barnes Ewing, TNT

Feel the heat

5. “Dallas” has buzz. “Dallas” raised a ruckus with that notorious three-way in the midseason cliffhanger, but the show has made its mark in other areas too. Entertainment Weekly went gaga over Judith Ryland’s coke-snorting scene, and on separate occasions, Judith and Sue Ellen each wound up near the center in EW’s weekly “Bullseye” feature. You know what show hasn’t hit EW’s “Bullseye” this year? “Major Crimes.” Just sayin’.

Ann Ewing, Brenda Strong, Dallas, Harris Ryland, Mitch Pileggi, TNT

Love. Really?

4. Metacritic loves “Dallas.” From a creative standpoint, “Dallas” has never been better, but don’t take my word for it: Users at Metacritic, the online review aggregator, currently give the show’s third season a score of 8.6 (out of 10), up from a 6.7 for Season 2 and a 7.3 for Season 1. This means “Dallas” outranks the current cycles of “Scandal” (7.4), “The Walking Dead” (7.4), “Downton Abbey” (7.3) and, yes, “Major Crimes” (5.5).

Dallas, John Ross Ewing, Josh Henderson, TNT

A star is born

3. Two words: “Josh Henderson.” “Dallas” is blessed with one of the strongest acting ensembles on television, but this season, Henderson has emerged as first among equals. He’s delivering a remarkably complex performance, alternately making John Ross a source of scorn and sympathy. (Remind you of someone else we once knew?) Trust me: Henderson is going to be a big star someday. Hold on to him as long as you can, TNT.

Dallas, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing, TNT

Always our darlin’

2. Two more words: “Linda Gray.” As much as we love everyone on “Dallas” — and we adore them all! — Gray is special. Our admiration for her knows no limits. Dare I suggest she’s the main reason most of us watch, DVR, tweet and Facebook the show? No one does a better job evoking the old Hagman magic, and if there’s any justice in the world, TNT will renew “Dallas” and campaign like hell to get Gray the Emmy she deserves.

Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Patrick Duffy, TNT

Grrr

1. If you don’t renew “Dallas,” Bobby Ewing will be pissed. And take our word for it: You don’t want him mad at you. Just ask Ann.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why do you think TNT should renew “Dallas”? Share your thoughts below and read more “Dal-Lists.”

Say What?! This Week’s Best Dallas Sound Bites

“Dallas” delivers the most delicious dialogue on television. Here are the best sound bites from “Where There’s Smoke,” this week’s episode. 

Dallas, Harris Ryland, Judith Light, Judith Ryland, Mitch Pileggi, TNT, Where There’s Smoke

What are your favorite lines from “Where There’s Smoke”? Share them below and read more “Say What?!”