Give her hell, honey

In “Cuban Libre,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Holly (Lois Chiles) is in her bedroom when Elliot (Robert Pinkerton) escorts Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) into the room.

ELLIOT: Can I get you anything?

HOLLY: Sue Ellen?

SUE ELLEN: Nothing.

HOLLY: That’ll be all, Elliot. [He leaves.] All right, you wanted to talk?

SUE ELLEN: Yes. I want you to know that your rotten attempt to destroy my marriage has failed.

HOLLY: [Smiles] Oh?

SUE ELLEN: For awhile, I thought you were telling the truth, because I saw no reason why you should lie about something like that.

HOLLY: [Crosses her arms] You think I was lying?

SUE ELLEN: I know you were. And I know why. You and J.R. are partners. I know that. And I also know that you lost a lot of money because of him.

HOLLY: If you know so much, then you must know the truth about us — which is what I told you.

SUE ELLEN: I know you are beneath contempt. Because you and he failed in a business deal, you wanted to get revenge on him through me. By your vicious lies against him, you tried to ruin our marriage. [Takes a step closer] You are a very sick little girl. And I don’t want to ever see you or hear of you again. [Walks toward the door]

HOLLY: Sue Ellen? [Sue Ellen turns to face her.] I’m afraid we will see each other again.

SUE ELLEN: I doubt that. [Opens the door and leaves]

The other woman

In “Tangled Web,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie and Clayton (Barbara Bel Geddes, Howard Keel) sit in the dining room at the Cattleman’s Club.

CLAYTON: I think what I ought to do is lease a place for awhile, don’t you? That way I can look around a little more leisurely. What do you think, Ellie?

ELLIE: If that’s what you want.

CLAYTON: Well, I think it’d be the wise thing to do. [Silence] Ellie, are you all right? Is something troubling you?

ELLIE: Clayton, tell me. Why did you leave San Angelo?

CLAYTON: [Chuckles] Well, I thought I told you. Don’t you remember?

ELLIE: You told me that you were running away from memories.

CLAYTON: That’s right. Memories that concerned Southern Cross. They had no place in my life anymore. I wanted to erase them from my mind.

ELLIE: Have you been successful in doing that?

CLAYTON: Not completely, but I’m trying. Why do you ask?

ELLIE: Well, when we, when we met at Galveston that time, you were very troubled over a woman. So much that you had to get away from her and go down to the gulf. Clayton, were you in love with this woman?

CLAYTON: Yes, I was. Or at least I thought I was.

ELLIE: Clayton, I’ve been thinking about you and Sue Ellen. And all the things she said. Your attitude toward each other. Clayton, was Sue Ellen that woman?

CLAYTON: Yes. [Ellie rubs her temples.] Ellie, try to understand. Sue Ellen came to my home. She was in love with my son. And that relationship didn’t work for her. She didn’t know which way to turn. She was desperately in need. And I felt that I had to comfort her some way. And before I knew it, I found myself in love with her.

ELLIE: Did you tell her that?

CLAYTON: No. She thought of me as a father. She never recognized my feelings.

ELLIE: Well, didn’t you tell her how you felt?

CLAYTON: Yes, I tried, but I just couldn’t seem to get through to her. [Silence] Ellie, that part of my life is over now.

ELLIE: [Looking down] Is it?

CLAYTON: Yes, it is. And the feelings that I had for Sue Ellen then are gone. [Grabs her hand] If it eases your mind, nothing happened between us. Nothing.

No stairway to heaven

In “Things Ain’t Goin’ Too Good at Southfork,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters Southfork and heads toward the stairs, unaware a drunken Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) is waiting for him in the living room.

SUE ELLEN: You bastard! You finally came home. [Sips from her glass, pours another]

J.R.: You’ve decided to come back to Southfork, I’m happy to see. [Enters the living room, sets his car keys on a table]

SUE ELLEN: [Glares at him] Not because I wanted to.

J.R.: I was so worried about you, Sue Ellen.

SUE ELLEN: When were you the most worried? Before or after you made love to Holly Harwood?

J.R.: Sue Ellen, just because you may have seen my car in front of her house doesn’t mean anything happened.

SUE ELLEN: [Guffaws] Your car? You think this has anything to do with your car? I saw you and Holly in bed.

J.R.: You couldn’t have.

SUE ELLEN: Why not, because you didn’t see me? No, because you were too damn busy doing other things to see anything. [Begins to cry]

J.R.: [Steps forward] Sue Ellen, don’t fly off the handle. I can explain all of this.

SUE ELLEN: [Swats at him] Don’t you touch me!

J.R.: Darlin’. …

She tosses her drink in his face, grabs his keys and runs out of the room as Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) comes down the stairs.

ELLIE: Sue Ellen!

J.R.: [Rushing into the foyer] Sue Ellen!

ELLIE: Well, you’ve destroyed her again. Don’t you ever learn?

Would he lie?

In “Penultimate,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters his bedroom, where Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) sits in the bed.

SUE ELLEN: I waited up to talk to you.

J.R.: All right.

SUE ELLEN: I want you to explain to me why this nightmare happened.

J.R.: [Walks toward the bed] Sue Ellen, it was a terrible, terrible mistake.

SUE ELLEN: Mistake? If you wanted to be with other women, why didn’t you just go ahead and do it, instead of playing this silly charade?

J.R.: What charade?

SUE ELLEN: Our marriage, J.R. Why did you want me to marry you again? Why did you chase me like you did? Do you find some kind of perverse pleasure in hurting me?

J.R.: You know I don’t want to hurt you, Sue Ellen. [Sits on the bed]

SUE ELLEN: Then what is it? Is it the game? Is that what it’s all about, J.R.?

J.R.: What happened between Holly and —

SUE ELLEN: [Shouting] Stop it! Stop it! I don’t want to hear any more from you!

J.R.: Listen to me, please. I can’t, I can’t tell you how sorry I am about what happened. But I promise you it was a direct result of the battle for Ewing Oil. Winning the company means everything to me. When we got married, the second time, I vowed I would never hurt you again. But things got out of hand, Sue Ellen — and I don’t blame you for hating me. But I hope you can reach down in your heart and believe me when I say that I love you. [She closes her eyes and turns away.] I truly love you.

Who’s afraid of Sue Ellen Ewing?

In “Ewing Inferno,” “Dallas’s” sixth-season finale, J.R. (Larry Hagman) comes home and finds Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) seated on the living room sofa, drinking.

J.R.: Sue Ellen, what are you doing down here? You need your rest, honey.

SUE ELLEN: How solicitous.

J.R.: You feeling better?

SUE ELLEN: You mean am I still drunk? [Smirks] Well, not enough. Somebody thoughtfully locked up all the liquor. But I just happened to find this lovely little bottle of burgundy in the kitchen. [Holds it aloft] Theresa tried to protect me from it. It seems like everyone’s protecting me, except my loving husband.

J.R.: Let me have the bottle, Sue Ellen. You shouldn’t be drinking. You know that.

SUE ELLEN: Don’t you lecture me on what I should and shouldn’t do. [Takes a drink]

J.R.: All right, all right. I won’t.

SUE ELLEN: My, how agreeable you are. [Gets up, walks toward him, still holding the glass and the bottle] Wonder why you’re so agreeable, J.R.? Hmm? Did you find someone new to sleep with you today? Or did you have to rely on one of your old mistresses? Maybe, just maybe, Miss Holly Harwood made herself available to you. Maybe the two of you were out wildcatting.

J.R.: That’s all over, Sue Ellen. It was a big mistake. I thought I explained that to you.

SUE ELLEN: You know, you are a terrific explainer. In fact, you do that better than you do almost anything. You know, you even explained away the 10 years of hell I went through during our first marriage. And you know what? I believed you so much that I married you for the second time. What an idiot I was.

J.R.: Sue Ellen, I love you. What do I have to do to prove it?

SUE ELLEN: You don’t have to do anything. You’ve ruined my life, J.R. You have destroyed me. Like you destroy everything you touch. [Moves closer] Now, why don’t you do one kind little thing for me, hmm? Unlock the liquor, because I’m going to drink myself into oblivion.

J.R.: We’ll talk about this when you calm down. [In the distance, John Ross calls for his mother.] I’ll see to the boy. [J.R. turns and heads toward the stairs.]

SUE ELLEN: Don’t you dare touch that son of mine. He’s mine.

J.R.: Well, I’ll get Mama to take care of him. Where is she, anyhow?

SUE ELLEN: She went away with Clayton. She can’t stand the sight of you either!

John Ross calls again.

J.R.: I’ll take care of him myself. [Climbs the stairs]

SUE ELLEN: Keep away from him.

J.R.: You stay here Sue Ellen.

SUE ELLEN: No! [She steps forward and throws the bottle at J.R. It smashes against the wall.] You stay away from him.

Sibling summit

In “The Road Back,” “Dallas’s” seventh-season opener, J.R. (Larry Hagman) arrives at Missing River, where Bobby and Ray (Patrick Duffy, Steve Kanaly) await him.

BOBBY: [To Ray] All right. You’ve got a beef with J.R. Let’s get it out in the open and talk about it.

RAY: It’s like I said before. There’s nothing to talk about. Driscoll tried to kill J.R. He hurt Mickey instead. If J.R. hadn’t double-crossed Driscoll, it never would have happened.

J.R.: That’s not the way I see it, Ray.

RAY: If Mickey dies, it’s the same as if you killed him!

BOBBY: [Puts his hand on Ray’s shoulder] Now, just wait a minute. I think that’s stretching things a little.

J.R.: That’s not stretching things. It’s twisting things. You got your facts mixed up, Ray.

RAY: You’re not going to talk your way out of this one, J.R.

J.R.: Well, maybe you’re right. Maybe I am guilty. But you and Bobby share that guilt because if that boy dies, we’re all responsible.

RAY: Now you just hold on!

J.R.: Listen to me, Ray. You and Bobby pulled a sting operation on poor old Driscoll. You took the money out of his briefcase and put in two loaded pistols. He not only didn’t get through airport security, he ended up in jail. And that’s why he didn’t get his payoff on the Cuban deal. No, sir. You boys set him up for a jail term, not me. And Ray, you were right there in the middle of everything. So don’t try to dump this Driscoll thing on me. You wanted to get involved in the fight for Ewing Oil? Well, you’ll just have to accept the consequences. None of us have clean hands, boys. None of us.

Choose or lose, honey

In “The Long Goodbye,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Pam (Victoria Principal) answers the door in her hotel suite and finds J.R. (Larry Hagman) on the other side.

PAM: What are you doing here?

J.R.: I want to talk. I think it’s important for both of us.

PAM: Nothing you have to say is important to me.

J.R.: Are you afraid of me?

PAM: I dislike you intensely. But I’m not afraid of you.

J.R.: Well, then why don’t you let me in? It won’t take long. I promise. [She opens the door. He enters.] Well, it must be kind of difficult, living in a hotel.

PAM: Do you really care?

J.R.: No. No, I don’t. You know how I feel about you. I’ve despised you ever since Bobby first brought you home.

PAM: Is that what you came here to tell me?

J.R.: No, I said that so that you’ll know that what I’m about to say is the truth. Now you might find that hard to believe, but I think I can convince you.

PAM: All right, J.R. What’s this all about?

J.R.: [Begins to circle her] Well, I’m talking about the two people you love most in life: Bobby and Cliff.

PAM: [Turns to face him] And Christopher.

J.R.: Oh, yes. Yes, of course. Christopher. He figures into this too. Pam, I know how close you and Bobby are to a divorce, and I’m sure it must be very painful for you. And when you do get that divorce, it’s gonna hurt. [Circles her again] Believe me, I know. But eventually, you’ll pull yourselves together and find happiness of another kind. I know you will.

PAM: How nice! You’re concerned about my happiness.

J.R.: Oh, no. I don’t give a damn about you or your happiness, honey. But I do care about what’s good for me.

PAM: Well, that I believe.

J.R.: Well, then try to believe this: If you divorce Bobby, I’m going to do certain things. [Circling] For instance, I think he and I could live in peace. Now, it might not be an easy peace, but I know that he and I could work together at Ewing Oil in harmony. And with you out of the picture, I think his natural instincts would lead him out of Ewing Oil and into something else. He never cared for it as much as I did anyhow.

PAM: I certainly hope that’s true.

J.R.: And as far as your brother goes, if you divorce Bobby, I’ll leave him alone. If he wants to become the biggest independent oilman in Texas, I won’t stand in his way. And to all intents and purposes, the Barnes-Ewing feud will cease to exist.

PAM: [Snickers] I find that hard to believe.

J.R.: Well, then try this one on for size: If you return to Bobby, all hell is going to break loose. I’ll call off this truce that exists between him and me. We’ll be in a dogfight that will make what went on before look like a love match. And as for your brother, I’ll use every penny at my disposal — and Ewing Oil’s disposal — to destroy him. I’ll bring Mr. Cliff Barnes down for good. And whoever goes down with him, so be it. Now, you’ve known me long enough to know I don’t make idle threats. So I promise you, what I have just said will happen — if you return to Bob. It’s your choice, Pam.

[He exits, leaving Pam looking unnerved.]

Never forget

In “The Letter,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Bobby (Patrick Duffy) is seated in Thanks-Giving Square when Pam (Victoria Principal) arrives and sits next to him.

PAM: Hi.

BOBBY: Hi.

PAM: I haven’t been here in a long time.

BOBBY: Come to think of it, neither have I.

PAM: Liz and Jackie and I used to come here — sometimes — when I was still working at The Store.

BOBBY: I know. I used to meet you here too. Remember?

PAM: Seems like two lifetimes ago.

BOBBY: Yeah.

PAM: It’s amazing how different we are now, you and me. It’s odd how people change.

BOBBY: I don’t think people change so much, really, Pam. It’s feelings that change.

PAM: Bobby, I called you because I think we have to talk about our marriage.

BOBBY: Yes, we do.

PAM: You know the last couple months have been difficult. They’ve been hard for both of us. You know, as young as Christopher is, I know he’s felt it too. I’ve asked myself a thousand times if I was right to leave you — and what we should do about it now. But I could just never come to any decision. And then a couple days ago, my attorney called and reminded me that we had a court date coming up.

BOBBY:  Pam, don’t go on. I have something I want to say. Please let me say it.

PAM: All right.

BOBBY: Sometimes, when people fight so hard for something that means a whole lot to them, they seem to lose track of the truth. And ever since you’ve left me, I’ve done everything I can to try and get you to come back. I was ready to give up the ranch, Ewing Oil, anything. And then I realized that that’s just not something that can work.

PAM: Bobby —

BOBBY: No, let me go on. I’ve thought a lot about this, especially the last couple of days. I finally realized that what I’ve been fighting so hard to try and keep just doesn’t exist anymore. We have feelings for one another — wonderful feelings — but they’re just yesterday’s memories.

PAM: Yesterday’s memories?

BOBBY: That’s right. Just like the hours that we spent right here in this square.

PAM: No, they’re more than that.

BOBBY: All right, maybe. Maybe a little more. I don’t know. But I do know they’re not the same. And Pam, a lot has changed between us. So before you tell me what’s on your mind, I wanted to tell you that I … I’m letting you go. I won’t put pressure on you anymore. I won’t rush you anymore. I just don’t think it’s fair to either one of us.

PAM: Bobby —

BOBBY: It’s for the best, Pam. For both you and me. [Sighs] So I’ll call my lawyer in the morning and he’ll contact yours. I just think it’s better we both finally realize that it’s over.

She sits in silence, begins sobbing, rises and walks away. He begins crying, stands and watches her leave.

Sister’s keeper

In “My Brother’s Keeper,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Cliff and Pam (Ken Kercheval, Victoria Principal) walk down a busy street together.

CLIFF: I tell you, there is nothing better than some good Mexican food to clear the cobwebs out of your hair.

PAM: Ugh. Just the thought of Mexican food right now is enough to make me sick. What I need is some more sleep. Do you know what time Christopher got me up?

CLIFF: You’re healthy. You don’t need anymore sleep. I think there’s a pretty good Chinese restaurant right around this corner.

PAM: Well, there’s a coffee shop just down the block.

CLIFF: You can’t exist just on coffee.

PAM: So I’ll have some toast. Since when are you so concerned about what I eat?

CLIFF: I’m not concerned about what you eat. I’m more worried about you right now.

PAM: You really are.

CLIFF: Yeah. And I tell you, I’m gonna be the one to pick you up and drive you to court tomorrow.

PAM: [Laughs] Why? Are you afraid I’ll change my mind?

CLIFF: No, except I know that you’re hurting right now, and I don’t want you to be alone. [They stop and face each other. He holds her arms.] Believe it or not, I understand how much you love Bobby. And tomorrow is going to be a rough day, and I want to be with you.

PAM: You know, whatever else has gone wrong for me these past few years, it’s wonderful to have my brother back.

They lean in to each other and smile.

Lessons from Daddy

In “The Quality of Mercy,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, John Ross (Omri Katz) is lying in bed when J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters the room.

J.R.: You still awake?

JOHN ROSS: Yes, Daddy.

J.R.: Want me to tuck you in?

JOHN ROSS: Yes.

J.R.: [Kneels beside the bed, adjusts the blanket] You had a good day at camp?

JOHN ROSS: Yes, but there’s a bigger boy there that’s mean to me.

J.R.: [Concerned] Mean to you? What’s his name?

JOHN ROSS: I don’t know.

J.R.: Well, I’ll tell you what. You find out his daddy’s name and I’ll see what I can do about getting him kicked out of camp — and maybe out of Dallas. I’m not going to have anybody picking on my boy.

JOHN ROSS: Peter talked to him, and he said he wouldn’t be mean anymore.

J.R.: Oh, Peter did, did he? Well, that’s good. That’s good. But the one person you come to when you’re in trouble is your daddy. You remember that. I’ll make everything good for you. Matter of fact, I’ll make everybody happy around here. I’m going to make your Uncle Bobby happy by making sure that he won’t have to worry about running Ewing Oil. And that’ll make your mama happy, seeing that we’re not fighting anymore. Well, and then I have a feeling that pretty soon, Uncle Bobby’s going to be leaving Southfork too. And that’ll leave everything for me — and for you. That’d be fun, huh?

JOHN ROSS: I guess so.

J.R.: No, son. No, that’s one thing you’ve got to be sure of. Ewing Oil and Southfork should be yours. And I’m going to get ’em for you. [Smiles, kisses him on the forehead] Night now.

Daddy wins

In “Check and Mate,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman), Bobby (Patrick Duffy), Punk (Morgan Woodward) and Harv (George O. Petrie) are in Harv’s office, listening as Gerber (John Hostetter), the auditor, announces the results of the Ewing Oil contest.

GERBER: All right, that takes care of the breakdown on a section-by-section basis.

J.R.: Now let’s hear the totals.

GERBER: All right. These totals are accurate to the close of business yesterday. Mr. Bobby Ewing has improved the assets he was initially given by the sum of $24,160,000.

J.R.: Well, that’s a pretty good year’s work, Bobby.

PUNK: And Mr. J.R. Ewing?

GERBER: J.R. Ewing has improved the assets he was given by the sum of $40,220,000.

J.R. chuckles, throws up his hands.

PUNK: Well, now, that’s a fair margin. J.R.’s clearly the winner.

HARV: Yes. Congratulations, J.R.

J.R.: Thank you, Harv. Thank you.

PUNK: Now, boys. What about this letter?

HARV: Well, it pleases me to say that even before they knew about the letter, the boys had already agreed to split the company, no matter who won the contest.

PUNK: That’s what Bobby said, and then J.R. confirmed that yesterday. Right, J.R.?

J.R.: [Rises from his seat, goes to the bar] Well, yes. There’s some truth in the idea that were going to share the company —

PUNK: J.R.!

J.R.: But that was in the aftermath of what happened at Southfork. It was very special circumstances. [Fixing himself a drink] Both Bobby and I were, oh, highly emotional at the time.

HARV: [Answering the buzzing intercom] What is it, Janet? I told you I didn’t want to be interrupted.

JANET: There’s a gentleman out here who says it’s urgent he talk to Bobby Ewing.

BOBBY: Would you ask him to come in, please, Harv? [Rises from his seat, goes to the door]

J.R.: Could that wait, Bob?

BOBBY: No, it can’t, J.R. [Bobby opens the door and shakes the hand of his visitor: Thornton (Kenneth Kimmins).] Thornton.

THORNTON: I got here as fast as I could.

BOBBY: You had me a little worried. Everybody, I’d like you to meet Thornton McLeish. He’s my partner in those Canadian frozen fields that I was involved with. [Punk, Harv, Gerber and Thornton exchange hellos.] I asked Thornton to come down here because I — well, Thornton, why don’t you explain it to them?

THORNTON: When Bobby invested with us, we were sure our fields would come in — and come in big. What we couldn’t tell was when they’d come in. And that was crucial to Bobby because of this contest he had with his brother. Hello, J.R. [J.R. nods] Things looked pretty grim there for awhile, but Bobby not only stuck it out, he was instrumental in persuading another company—Barnes-Wentworth—to provide us with a special drill that would solve some of the problems we had.

J.R.: Well, I assume there’s a point to all this?

THORNTON: Oh, I’m sorry, J.R. I’ll cut it short. I just want to give Bobby his check for $26 million. [Reaches into his jacket pocket, pulls out a check and hands it to Bobby]

PUNK: Twenty-six million!

THORNTON: It’s his share of the profits in the Canadian fields. The drill bit worked. The test well came in gushing and we just sold out to the majors. That was the original deal. [Bobby smiles.]

PUNK: Well, this means that you win the contest, Bobby.

J.R.: The hell it does. The contest is over. The winner’s been declared.

BOBBY: Harv, correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the contest doesn’t officially close until the end of business today.

HARV: [Smiles] That’s right.

BOBBY: So I still have time to enter this check into my books. [Harv nods. Bobby hands the check to Gerber.] Mr. Gerber.

PUNK: Congratulations, Bobby. [They shake hands.]

HARV: Good work, Bobby. Good work.

J.R.: [Chuckling] Well, I’ll be damned. I’ve never been a sore loser. [Slaps Bobby on the back] Congratulations on your win, Bobby. Not that it makes any difference. I mean, we had decided to be partners, right? Huh?

BOBBY: Punk, if you don’t mind, I’d like to keep Daddy’s letter for myself.

PUNK: You betcha. [Hands him the letter]

J.R.: Bob, you’ve never gone back on a deal. We are partners, right? Just the way Daddy wanted it.

PUNK: [To Bobby] Jock would be proud of you.

BOBBY: [Pauses] Yeah, J.R. It’s going to be just like Daddy wanted.

PUNK: Good boy.

J.R.: [Chuckles, slaps him on the back again] Good, good. That’s just fine. Now, Harv, since there’s no loose threads hanging around, why don’t you draw up some papers, make this legal. We’ll be in tomorrow, to sign them. Get rid of the old business and on with the new. Now, Bob, like I said, just the way Daddy wanted it, you and me together. Brothers.

J.R. puts his arm around Bobby and smiles. Bobby doesn’t.

Goodbye girl

In “Ray’s Trial,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) is seated in a cocktail lounge, drinking alone, when Holly (Lois Chiles) approaches.

HOLLY: [Smiling] J.R.

J.R.: Oh, lord.

HOLLY: I was hoping I’d run into you.

J.R.: Would you please leave, Holly?

HOLLY: I just heard the most astounding news — that you and Bobby are going to run Ewing Oil side by side. [She sits across from him.] Share and share alike.

J.R.: Well, news travels fast in this town.

HOLLY: A good story like that? Hard to keep bottled up.

J.R.: You heard the story and you told me about it. Now, I really want to be alone. [A waitress brings him a fresh drink.]

HOLLY: Looks like the only friend you have left is in that glass. I just think it’s wonderful that despite all your manipulations, despite all your crooked deals, despite your hitting me up for 20 million bucks to get you out of my company — despite all that — you still couldn’t beat Bobby.

J.R.: Holly, I don’t feel that I owe you any kind of an explanation. But since you’re not going to leave my table, maybe I can shut you up by giving you a little inside information: Bobby and I agreed to split up the company long before the accounting.

HOLLY: [Smiling] Maybe you did. But the way I heard it, you were going to double-cross Bobby. It was Bobby that agreed to share Ewing Oil with you, not the other way around.

J.R.: Well, I must compliment you on the quality of your spies.

HOLLY: I still have some people in this town who owe me favors.

J.R.: Well, since I don’t think you slept with Punk or Harv Smithfield, it must have been one of the auditors. Or all of them, as the case may be.

HOLLY: Same old J.R. Losing has done nothing for your soul. But I’m happy that you lost because you cost me the one thing in the whole world that I ever really wanted.

J.R.: Bobby.

HOLLY: [Smiling] Yes.

J.R.: Well, he’s free now, honey. You can go after him — free as a bird.

HOLLY: You made that impossible.

J.R.: I did?

HOLLY: You mean because of that one night I spent in your bed? Oh, my saintly brother. [Holly begins to leave. He stops her.] Darlin’, I’d like to make a little toast: to the fact that you will never, ever be my sister-in-law. And I want to thank you too, for reminding me how ethical my brother is. It’s a flaw in his character that eventually will cause his downfall in the oil industry. I’m not finished yet, honey. Not by a long shot. Thank you. I’m feeling better.

She walks away.

Tables turned

In “The Oil Baron’s Ball,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. and Sue Ellen (Larry Hagman, Linda Gray) are in bed, surrounded by darkness.

J.R.: Where you going?

SUE ELLEN: [Sits up, turns on the lamp] Back to my room.

J.R.: Back to your room? [Rests his head on his hand] After tonight, we’ll be sleeping together.

SUE ELLEN: What makes you think that?

J.R.: [Smiles] The way you came in here. You wanted me as much as I ever wanted you.

SUE ELLEN: Well, that’s only partially true.

J.R.: Well, all our problems are over.

SUE ELLEN: Not quite. You see, J.R., I have no desire to live with you. Now, granted, from time to time, I may need you. And if and when that happens, then I’ll be back. [Smiles] But that’s all. That’s as close to being married as we will ever be. [Pulls her negligee straps onto her shoulders, stands and walks toward the door]

J.R.: I’ll be damned if you can come in here and use me like some kind of stud service.

SUE ELLEN: [Turns to face him] What other possible use would I have for you? Good night. [Pulls the door closed behind her]

What’s not to love?

In “Morning After,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Bobby and Katherine (Patrick Duffy, Morgan Brittany) have a picnic in a park.

BOBBY: Well, this is a first.

KATHERINE: In what way?

BOBBY: I cannot remember, ever in my life, having a picnic in the middle of a working day. [They toast.]

KATHERINE: Well, do you mind?

BOBBY: I think it’s wonderful. I’ve just never done it before. [He pops a grape into his mouth.]

KATHERINE: Bobby, there’s something I should tell you. I was very disappointed that you didn’t ask me to the Oil Baron’s Ball.

BOBBY: Ask you to be my date? Katherine, the thought never occurred to me.

KATHERINE: Don’t you think it should have?

BOBBY: You are Pam’s sister.

KATHERINE: But you’re not married to Pam anymore.

BOBBY: Well, I realize that, of course —

KATHERINE: Bobby, why did Jenna Wade come back into your life?

BOBBY: What?

KATHERINE: I’d just like to know about her.

BOBBY: All right. Jenna Wade. Jenna is probably the first girl that I ever truly loved.

KATHERINE: Yes, that’s what I’d heard. But what about now? How do you feel about her now?

BOBBY: Katherine, you forgive me if this sounds rude, but I don’t think that’s any of your business.

KATHERINE: But of course it is. Don’t you understand why?

BOBBY: No, I don’t.

KATHERINE: You don’t, do you? Bobby, don’t you realize I’m in love with you? I’ve been in love with you from the first time I ever saw you. I just never said anything because you were married to my sister.

BOBBY: Katherine, I … I don’t know what to say. I didn’t have the slightest idea.

KATHERINE: I thought it was written all over my face.

BOBBY: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

KATHERINE: Hurt me?

BOBBY: I could just never see you and I being together.

KATHERINE: Am I so unattractive?

BOBBY: Oh, no. Of course not. But you’re Pam’s sister. I could never think of you in any other way.

KATHERINE: But you could think of Jenna Wade in another way.

BOBBY: Jenna and I have known each other a long time. And we’ve always had very strong feelings for one another.

KATHERINE: Well, lucky Jenna.

The exterminator

In “The Buck Stops Here,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) is seated in his office at night when Harry (James L. Brown) knocks on the door.

HARRY: Evening, J.R.

J.R.: Come in, Harry.

HARRY: [Enters the room, closes the door behind him] What’s up?

J.R.: Two very important deals were stolen out from under me by Cliff Barnes. They were hush-hush, strictly confidential. Brokers that I’ve known and trusted for years came to me and told me I was the only one they were talking to. But Barnes beat me out. That greedy little cockroach is getting information before I can act. He has a spy working for him.

HARRY: Well, the first thing we have to do is set out a trap.

J.R.: All right. Let’s talk about the bait. I want that little insect to bite — and bite hard.

What he always wanted

In “To Catch a Sly,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) stands in his office doorway as Sly (Debbie Rennard) gets ready to leave for the night.

J.R.: Sly, would you mind hanging around for just a few more minutes? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.

SLY: [Nervous] Uh, yes, sir.

He goes to his bar and opens a wine bottle. She slowly enters the room.

J.R.: Join me?

SLY: No, thank you.

J.R.: You’re not going to let me drink alone. You’re a white-wine lady, aren’t you?

SLY: Mm-hm.

J.R.: You know, you’ve been looking a little peaked lately, Sly. [Pours a glass]

SLY: Well, I’ve just been having some personal problems. It’s nothing serious.

J.R.: [Turns to face her] If it’s the problem I’m thinking of, it’s very serious indeed. [Hands her the glass] You nervous? [Silence] Well, maybe you have your reasons. Sit down, Sly. [She moves to a chair in front his desk. He stands near the desk and retrieves a stack of photographs.] You recognize anybody in these pictures? [He sits next to her and flips through the pictures, which show her with Cliff in various settings.] Hm? Sure, you do. This is you, and this is Cliff Barnes, a man you know feels as kindly towards me as I do to him.

SLY: [Weeping, looking down] I’m sorry, J.R.

J.R.: Sly, why did you betray me to that man?

SLY: He forced me. He found out my brother is in jail and that he’s up for parole soon. And he promised that if I helped him, he’d talk to the right people and get him off. Cliff used to be with the district attorney’s office.

J.R.: Yes, I know. One of the darker periods of our city’s history. Why didn’t you come to me, Sly?

SLY: I couldn’t. I was so scared. Don’t you see? He threatened me. He said if I didn’t help him, he’d make sure my brother served his full sentence. And he had years and years to go. [Faces him] J.R., I love my brother. I couldn’t pass up a chance to help him. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to do it. You have every right to fire me. Even to call the police.

J.R.: I’d never do that. You didn’t try to cover up after I showed you these pictures. That pleases me.

SLY: I didn’t mean to hurt the company, J.R.

J.R.: No, of course you didn’t. As a matter of fact, I’m glad I found out it was you. Not somebody else. Because I can trust you, Sly. And you’ve given me something I’ve always wanted: a way of communicating with Cliff Barnes.

SLY: What do you mean?

J.R.: He doesn’t have to know I found out about you. And you can be very useful in passing on information — information I control.

SLY: You’re going to set him up?

J.R.: Mm-mm. He set himself up. What I’m going to do is bring him down — and bring him down very, very hard.

Perfect host

In “Barbecue Four,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman), Sue Ellen (Linda Gray), Bobby (Patrick Duffy), Jenna (Priscilla Beaulieu Presley), Ray (Steve Kanaly) and Donna (Susan Howard) gather around the Southfork dining room table.

J.R.: [Pulls out Sue Ellen’s chair] Darlin’, why don’t you sit in your regular place here? And that’s right, Jenna, you sit in Pam’s old chair. And Donna, why don’t you sit in Lucy’s chair, since we don’t have a regular place for you. [Pulls out the chair]

DONNA: [Sits] Thank you.

J.R.: And that’s right, Ray. You sit where Gary used to. You two have so much in common. Well, I think that’s about it now. I’d like to propose a toast. [Raises a glass] To Ewing traditions.

Miss Ellie and Clayton (Barbara Bel Geddes, Howard Keel) appear in the doorway.

ELLIE: May we join you in that toast?

J.R.: [Sets down his glass] Mama, well! How good to have you home. [He approaches and hugs kisses her, followed by everyone but Jenna, who remains seated.]

BOBBY: Why didn’t you tell us? We’d have picked you up at the airport.

RAY: Welcome home, Miss Ellie.

ELLIE: Oh, Ray.

SUE ELLEN: Oh, Miss Ellie.

BOBBY: [Shaking Clayton’s hand] Clayton, thank you for bringing her back to us.

CLAYTON: She wouldn’t stay away from Southfork another day.

BOBBY: Well, I know how that is.

ELLIE: I’ve been away too long. [Approaches Jenna, touches her shoulder] Oh, Jenna. Bobby told me that he was seeing you. It’s nice you’re here.

JENNA: Thank you, Miss Ellie.

J.R.: [Pulls out her chair] Here you go, Mama.

ELLIE: Thank you, J.R. [She sits.] Oh, I’m so glad to be back.

SUE ELLEN: You know how we feel.

ELLIE: Ray, I’m sorry about what you went through.

RAY: Well, that’s all behind us now, Miss Ellie.

ELLIE: Yes, but not the memories. I know how strong memories can be.

J.R.: Oh, you look wonderful. I mean, really wonderful.

ELLIE: Well, I did nothing but loaf and rest.

BOBBY: Well, it’s been good to you. You look terrific.

ELLIE: I’m sorry about the divorce.

BOBBY: I know, Mama.

ELLIE: Jenna, I hope I’m not embarrassing you, but I’d grown very fond of Pam.

JENNA: I understand.

ELLIE: Well, I may have been in Jamaica for a while, but I still know what time it is in Dallas and we should all be eating dinner by now. [They all laugh.] Clayton, please sit down. [Clayton sits in Jock’s old chair. J.R., Bobby and Ray each look bothered.] After all those restaurants we’ve been eating in, I’m really hungry for good old Southfork cooking. I mean, no matter how good the restaurant is, there’s nothing as good as eating at home. J.R., why don’t you take some of that food and pass it around before it gets stone cold?

J.R.: Oh, I’m really not hungry, Mama.

ELLIE: [Chuckles] You? Not hungry?

J.R.: I suppose it’s the excitement of you being home … with Clayton.

He smiles faintly and then looks at Clayton. The smile fades.

Who shoved J.R.?

In “Past Imperfect,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. and Sly (Larry Hagman, Debbie Rennard) stand in the Ewing Oil reception area, reviewing papers.

J.R.: All right, Sly. I’ll check these out. You can work on them tomorrow. Good night.

SLY: Thank you, J.R.

She grabs her purses and approaches the elevator as the doors open. Clayton (Howard Keel) steps out and brushes past her.

CLAYTON: Where’s J.R.? Is he still here? [Heads toward J.R.’s office]

SLY: Uh, I don’t know. Mr. Farlow, you can’t go in there.

CLAYTON: The hell I can’t.

J.R.: [Begins to exit his office] What’s going on our here anyhow?

CLAYTON: I’m going to see you. [He smacks the papers in J.R.’s hand, sending them flying and marches into the office, forcing J.R. to walk backwards.] Now what the hell do you mean, poking around in my life?

J.R.: What are you talking about?

CLAYTON: Sending people to San Angelo to investigate me.

J.R.: I didn’t send anybody anywhere.

CLAYTON: You are a liar. [Grabs J.R.’s jacket lapels] Now I got a call from the sheriff that somebody’s been snooping around in my affairs. And the only person that could be is you.

J.R.: Now, Clayton, please. Let me explain.

CLAYTON: I was a fool to fall for that line of yours at lunch yesterday. You’re just as devious as you ever were. [Pushes J.R. onto his couch]

J.R.: Just give me a chance to explain, would you please? You would’ve done the same thing under the circumstances. I told you at lunch I love my mama and I’d do anything in the world to see that she’s safe.

CLAYTON: And you don’t think that she’d be safe with me, huh?

J.R.: Look, Clayton, you’ve been around the family a long time. But we really don’t know that much about you. The only reason I was having you checked out was to make sure that Mama didn’t have any surprises after she married you. That’s all.

CLAYTON: [Leans forward] When are you going to get it through that thick skull of yours that I love your mother and all I want is a chance to make her happy? And I’m going to have that chance, whether you like it or not.

He turns and leaves, walking past Sly, who stands in the doorway.

SLY: J.R., are you all right?

J.R.: I’m fine.

SLY: That is a very angry man.

J.R.: He sure is. And a man who gets that angry over a little snooping around must have something interesting to hide. [Chuckles] I wonder what that is?

Work it out, Mama

In “Peter’s Principles,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Donna (Susan Howard) sits on a weight bench and does leg lifts in the Southfork fitness room while Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) peddles on the exercise bike.

DONNA: I knew there was something missing.

ELLIE: What’s that?

DONNA: [Chuckles] Your engagement ring. You’re not wearing it.

ELLIE: Well, I thought I was going to do some gardening later, so I left it upstairs.

DONNA: Shoot, I don’t know. I think I’d rather give up gardening than take a rock like that off my finger.

ELLIE: [Chuckles] It is beautiful, isn’t it?

DONNA: Yes, it is. You know what? I am so excited about the prospects of you and Clayton getting married. You know, you really make a gorgeous couple.

ELLIE: [Sighs, stops peddling] Donna, I keep thinking I’m rushing things.

DONNA: Well, I don’t know how you figure that. I mean, you’ve been seeing each other for over a year and you have been together constantly for the past couple of months.

ELLIE: I know.

DONNA: And you obviously get along very well.

ELLIE: Clayton’s a wonderful man.

DONNA: What’s the matter, Miss Ellie?

ELLIE: I’m not sure. The problems we left behind when we went on our trip are very near now.

DONNA: Well, I can’t imagine there being a problem in the whole wide world that you and Clayton couldn’t work out together.

ELLIE: Well, there’s the problem of where we live. And, when Clayton and I marry, he doesn’t just get me, he gets the whole family.

DONNA: You mean your sons — J.R. in particular. [She lies on her belly and begins doing leg lifts]

ELLIE: [Smiles] Yes.

DONNA: Well, I have to tell you, if there’s anybody that can handle J.R., it’s Clayton Farlow.

ELLIE: Maybe.

DONNA: [Stops exercising] Miss Ellie, is there something else that you’re not telling me?

ELLIE: [Glances down] Not really. It’s just that when Clayton and I were away, even though we saw each other every day, we never had any real physical contact. You know, beyond a kiss and a hug.

DONNA: Yes, ma’am. I understand.

ELLIE: There’s been no one since Jock.

DONNA: [Nods] Miss Ellie, Clayton is a very understanding man. And whatever it is, I know you can work it out.

… And stay out!

In “Offshore Crude,” a seventh-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) stands and looks out her bedroom window as J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters the room.

J.R.: Sue Ellen? Well, I expected to see you lying down with an ice pack on your head.

SUE ELLEN: [Turns to face him] What are you doing in my room?

J.R.: [Steps forward] Oh, well. They told me downstairs that you weren’t feeling well. [Slides his hands in his pockets]

SUE ELLEN: Are you suddenly concerned about my health?

J.R.: Well, of course I’m concerned, honey. I came up here to make sure you were resting comfortably and you’re not resting at all, are you?

SUE ELLEN: I will when you leave.

J.R.: Well, why aren’t you downstairs entertaining your young admirer? Acne’s not contagious, is it?

SUE ELLEN: You are really revolting. What do I have to do, put a lock on my door to keep you out of my room? [Turns toward the window]

J.R.: [Chuckles] It was just a joke.

SUE ELLEN: [Faces him] Well, your jokes aren’t funny. They are disgusting and boring.

J.R.: Well, I get the distinct impression I’m not wanted. Not even you can get me down, Sue Ellen. My life’s moving on just the way I like it to. [Walks toward the door]

SUE ELLEN: I’m very happy for you. Now get out.

He shakes his head as he exits, closing the door behind him.