TV… Dallas (1978-91), Conundrum, Se14 Ep22 and 23

#1990s #AllPosts

 

Conundrum, the original end to the Ewing saga in Dallas (1991)…

 

A suicidal J.R. Ewing is invited to see what would happen to his family if he hadn’t been born by a mysterious stranger.

 

Joel Grey and Larry Hagman

Linda Gray

DALLAS – Final Episode Teaser / Intro, DALLAS 70 and pHOTOs © Lorimar

 

All good things come to an end, is a well-known phrase. But it’s not for the person experiencing the good thing. For me 1991 was a sad year for my telly viewing, as for the last 12 or so years – more than half of my life until then, I’d avidly sat watching the original TV Series of Dallas (1978-91). I’d cried at the weddings, been shocked at the cliffhangers and been baffled – but pleased – by the reason for Bobby’s return.

I was desolate to know that my favourite series was ending. So believing that this was the last I would see of the Ewings and the Barnes clans, I settled down to watch the final hours. This was for a much hyped up double bill finale. Little did I know then what I know now is that the show would inspire two reunion movies and a sparkling new series in 2012. But then I was heartbroken as the famous credits rolled for the last time.

So the final double bill episode has a complete departure from the then plot. But with enough spoken references to the past episodes, for the hardened fans, it’s more of a stand-alone double bill.  The opening credits had me hooked from the beginning with a few red herring cast members notably Sheree J Wilson (April) and Charlene Tilton (Lucy). Also included were those that I’d remembered being killed off earlier in the series or have left for the Ewing equivalent of Melbourne for Neighbours (1985-) characters.

However, the credits continued, with much to my joy the reappearance of Linda Gray’s Sue Ellen and disbelief at Mary Crosby whose character Kristin – Sue Ellen’s sister – had met an untimely death in the Southfork swimming pool years earlier. There are also a few uncredited but surprising characters – played by the original cast – returning to the show in wee cameos.

After a montage with many of the characters telling J.R. (Larry Hagman), that they want nothing to do with him, the opening scenes centre around the eldest Ewing brother feeling sorry for himself. Bobby owns Southfork and his arch-enemy Cliff Barnes owns Ewing Oil. J.R. drunkenly wanders through Southfork Ranch with a bottle of bourbon in one hand and a gun in the other contemplating suicide feeling alone and unloved.

Dispirited he sits down alone by the pool, where minutes later he is joined by a mysterious man in a white tuxedo who confuses J.R. by appearing on the Southfork balcony. This man Adam – played by Joel Grey – gives J.R. the chance of a lifetime to see how life would have been if J.R. Ewing hadn’t existed. So he takes J.R. on a journey of self-discovery and what would have been, surprisingly knowing about familiar tales from J.R.’s past and stating this is due to his boss keeping tabs on him…

Here we are reintroduced to many familiar faces but with completely new storylines. J.R.’s reaction to these possible happenings tells you more about his true feelings for his family and his adversaries. Even Ewing Oil is no longer, with middle brother Gary, now the eldest bankrupting the company.

This led to J.R.’s father Jock dying from an illness brought on by stress and the subsequent death of a broken heart by his mother, Ellie not long after this. Gary (Ted Shackleford) meanwhile is a successful lawyer, both in the boardroom and bedroom.. and fate intervenes as Valene (Joan Van Ark) makes an appearance. All of this is to J.R.’s annoyance, but that’s not the only thing that vexes him.

Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) is successful – pleasing J.R. – but has a lovely loving husband, which notably upsets J.R. and he is shaken even more – as we are – as he makes his entrance. With a nice wee cameo of someone, Sue Ellen loved and lost.  These scenes show what we’ve always known that Sue Ellen is and always will be the love of J.R.’s life. Other appearances include Calley as a battered wife, and a new Ewing brother, Jason who is just as despicable as J.R. but a less charismatic, charming character.

Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval) – J.R.’s arch enemy for all 357 episodes – has made it big as without his obsession to bring the Ewings down he has the model wife and children and has gone into politics in a big way.  This leads to a prominent political position in the White House, which probably makes J.R. inwardly happy he lived and this didn’t happen, especially as things take a surprising upward turn to Cliff’s obvious happiness.

But what of brother Bobby? J.R. is visibly upset learning little brother Bobby (Patrick Duffy) is a hustler with no money and ex-wife – sadly with a missed opportunity for a Priscilla Presley return as his childhood sweetheart Jenna – and three kids had never met Pamela, with a gambling problem and a new annoying squeaky-voiced wife.  His gambling problem is out of hand with him owing substantial debts to an old Ewing nemesis…

This episode was my favourite, as along with J.R. your feelings about the characters were tugged in every way. It was almost as much of a journey exploring your thoughts about the characters as it was about those of J.R.’s. Like J.R. Cliff’s new storyline was displeasing to me, but then I’ve always been Camp Ewing in their standoffs. Seeing Sue Ellen so happy was lovely, but I felt for J.R. when a husband was revealed despite the fact it was one of her true loves as they always were my favourite couple in the show.

It was great to see this actor again but kinda missed Ian McShane in his role. But that’s probably due to seeing McShane in the likes of the John Wick movies and Cuban Fury (2014). Events around Bobby troubled me as I’d also hoped for a happier outcome for my second favourite Ewing brother, with his tale being swapped with Rays. However, it was good to see the elder Ewing brothers’ feelings and concern for his youngest sibling. But having never been a fan of Ray, the other Ewing brother to another mother, his happy ending did bother me.

It was sad to see that some other characters’ alternate versions were not explored as I had hoped for another Dallas wedding – in the drive of course – with Bobby and Jenna. Personally, I would love to have a few in-jokes in the return of other members such as Pam running a cosmetic company (Victoria Principal sadly turned down a chance to return) or Katherine Wentworth (Morgan Brittany) making it big in Hollywood as in a plethora of Vivien Leigh remakes and sequels.

Morgan Brittany who played this actress in two movies, almost returned in Leigh’s most iconic role as Scarlett O’Hara to Tom Selleck’s Rhett Butler in the 1990s (thanks for sharing this fact personally, Morgan).  And as the final credits came along with my tears – and probably my mother’s relief – J.R. left with a bang. After the final shock of the series and the Executive Producer credits emblazoned on the screen, I feel this episode is best described as It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) but with a Twilight Zone natty wee twist…

 

Weeper Rating: 😦😦 😦 😦 😦😦 😦 /10

Handsqueeze Rating:  🙂 🙂  🙂🙂 🙂 🙂  🙂 🙂🙂 /10

Hulk Rating: ‎   ‎    /10

 

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The Favourite TV Episode Blogathon 2017, No 9

This review on Conundrum, the last episode of Dallas was added to the Favourite TV Episode Blogathon run by Shroud of Thoughts.

• Other reviews with this cast are found under this cast under this Dallas tag here as there are so many to mention!

 

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