Dallas

[CRAMBAM]

Anyone a fan of the original show? And anyone catch the TNT version this week?

I am, I did, and I really enjoyed it.

[StarFuryG7]

I never watched the original show, nor this follow-up, but I do know Rush Limbaugh had praise for it yesterday, whereas another guy who works with Laura Ingraham said on her show the same day that it was awful, that the writing was terrible, and that they made the mistake of not consulting with the guy who worked on the original series.

[CRAMBAM]

They actually did offer the creator a chance to help. He turned it down and later changed his mind. But the writing is hardly terrible. The show was actually pretty good--especially if you're a fan of the original.

[captainbasil]

My wife expressed an interest in this so I plopped it on our DVR. We have not watched it yet. I remember the show because my grandmother watched it. I know the characters but never really followed it because I recorded a daytime soap (Guiding Light) for years and I barely had time to follow that. Now there are hardly any soaps left and it is an art form. I am very curious about this and from what I have read they have done a good job.

[CRAMBAM]

Amazingly, this week's episode was actually better than the first two.

[captainbasil]

My wife and I are still 1 episode behind but we liked it too. I think it will be a hit because there aren't many soaps left and I think people are finally sick of "Reality" shows. God, I hope so !

[gavin1701]

I love Dallas. What happened to Miss Ellie, did she die on or off screen? I take it the actress is long dead.

[CRAMBAM]

Go to Facebook, and find Dallas TNT.

It's a facebook page that covers everything from JR's perspective. Miss Ellie the character died about 10 years ago. The actress is dead too, but the death dates don't match.

It's not really like Star Trek, so you can arguably call that facebook page canon.

[CRAMBAM]

Not for nothing, but this show has been awesome. I'm writing this about 20 minutes from the finale. Curious what the cliffhanger will be.

This show is the perfect example of bringing back a series right.

In a way, it parallels Doctor Who in the UK.

Dallas was huge here, but ran its course after many years on the air. It had a couple reunion movies, and then was brought back years later.

And the new show is great.

Hollywood should take notes on what they did. They continued the original show, and got the main actors back, while introducing characters that were kids when the original show was on. It was VERY well done.

[captainbasil]

I couldn't agree more. They did a bang up job of reviving this series and Hollywood should, indeed, take note. Re-booting is seldom the answer. Pick up a series where it left off and take advantage of a show's rich history instead of "re imagining" it.

[CRAMBAM]

So last night, Dallas aired the first 2 episodes of the second season. I only watched the first one.

It's amazing because I would have been SO excited right now but because of Hagman's death, the show is just ruined.

What made it worse was that the first episode last night was awesome. They are doing a great job.

This is a talented cast and a talented writing staff. I'm guessing the show will be ok. But it won't be the same.

JR was only there for a couple scenes. John Ross is stepping up his role, and he's becoming a character I was hoping he'd become.

If they keep going in that direction, he will be his father's son, which is good. There will never be another JR, but I hope they can keep the show going strong.

Looking forward to episode 2.

[CRAMBAM]

And I watched the second episode. I've never had a show make me bummed because it was too good.

The second episode was outstanding.

JR had a few great moments, and of course, patented one liners. What a waste.

[CRAMBAM]

After so many instances where Hollywood writers take an old franchise and butcher it, it's a real pleasure to watch Dallas.

The writers REALLY nailed it.

Intelligence goes a long way, and to see what they are doing, even when thrown a massive curve like Hagman's death, is fun to watch.

Last night was the episode that was filming when Hagman died. He had some meaningless scene filmed and they showed it.

They took that scene, and then through in some off camera emailing with Bobby.

That email/instant message exchange was completely weird and out of character. Seemed stupid.

About 20 minutes later, they turned into a vintage JR Ewing maneuver that was just great writing.

I'm wondering if we will see JR moments like that in the future.

Next week will be the episode where JR dies. What a shame. I'm not sure if they saved some scenes, or they have some quotes in the can, or if we will see Hagman at all, but the writers seemed to tie up most of the storylines so they can focus on JR's death for the remainder of the season.

I would consider JR Ewing to be in my top 5 of favorite fictional characters of all time, maybe higher. There's Kirk, Superman, JR, Fonzie, and a few others in that league.

[captainbasil]

I think the writers have done a great job and it looks like they have taken Hagman's death in stride. I have to hand it to TNT. Most networks think the soap opera is dead. Shows like Dallas and some web shows like Venice, Empire and The Grove have proved them all wrong. I'm an episode behind on my DVR but I'm enjoying it so much, I almost don't want to catch up.

[CRAMBAM]

It's nice to see good writing these days. It's rare.

And I love that they are staying true to the characters. But holy crap Hagman's death sucks. Even in a smaller role, he was so good.

[CRAMBAM]

Amazing the differences in feeling with the death of JR v. the death of Kirk.

While JR is on a close level of importance to me as a fictional character, unlike Kirk, I get the decision.

The show was on, and they couldn't just cancel it.

They couldn't simply have JR disappear.

They clearly know the franchise, the show, the characters, the actors, and cared a LOT about Larry Hagman.

It never would have happened if Hagman lived.

So different from Kirk, where Shatner made a mistake agreeing to it, and did everything possible to come back. Meanwhile, writers and those in charge couldn't care less about the original series, the actors, the fans, or anything.

JR's death was an unfortunate necessity. The funeral and resulting plot lines will be very interesting to watch.

[captainbasil]

I agree that they have really handled this well. I can't wait for the fireworks. A good Soap Opera is story driven and this show really has the Right Stuff. J. R. will be missed but his influence will be felt for a long time.

[CRAMBAM]

Today is supposed to be remembering JR day.

This episode is probably going to be off the hook.

Hopefully there will be a new portrait to parallel the painting of Jock.

And I'm expecting some big things coming from his death.

Some thoughts--

It seemed pretty clear that he knew it was coming, which could mean he will get the last laugh on both Ryland AND Cliff Barnes.

SOMETHING MUST happen with Cliff Barnes.

These writers, unlike Trek writers, are good. I know they will do it right.

[captainbasil]

There's a nice write up in today's Boston Herald about tonight's show. It's supposed to be a crackerjack episode. And the Herald TV guy hates everything. ;D

[CRAMBAM]

It was a good episode, and they used it to set up some good new things.

It's a testament to Hagman's acting that his character was a villain, and was so well loved.

If you think about it, Cliff Barnes was not the villain in this feud, but we always root for JR, even in the end.

[captainbasil]

I totally agree. It was a whiz bang episode and classic soap opera. They took lemons and made lemonade. The best soaps have dealt with a casting blow ( an actor's departure or death ) and used it to build the overall story and deepen the mystique of a lost character. Bravo !

[CRAMBAM]

No doubt. The big issue here is that JR Ewing is the most iconic night time soap character ever. This isn't a mere blow, it's a major blow. When it first happened, my interest in the show dropped to near zero. And I'm a HUGE Dallas fan.

But these writers are so good, which is so rare.

They aren't Ron Moore, who takes someone else's idea and tries to make changes to modernize it.

These writers embraced the original show and have managed to keep the original actors and the new actors together brilliantly. Had the show continued on all this time with quality, I could totally see this being Season 35 or whatever it would be. The original show set this up by having kids on it that are adults today and they cast and wrote the parts of Christopher very well.

I enjoy that they took those characters but did not forget the originals and made their roles meaningful.

It doesn't hurt that Linda Gray seems to have a great doctor to keep her looking the same.

Hagman was brilliant to the end and the writers wrote the part right.

It kills me to wonder where the show would have gone if Hagman had another 5 years of great health.

I hate that JR is gone, but the show is one of the better ones on TV. I recognize the effort of this writing staff and odds are I will likely at least be interested in anything Cynthia Cidre does from this point out.

[Mel]

My family and I watched JR's Masterpiece. I was distracted by things not mentioned here, but the writing drew me in. Those last few minutes, when Bum comes in with the messages from JR, were great. My family and I wanted to see more. We were hooked.

JR's funeral was the first episode I saw. I was greatly distracted by the sets. Someone starting out in life would aspire to JR's bedroom, but not someone who's made it, and then some. I can't believe it was JR's room.

It's small with standard blue paint. The built-in bookcases look fake. The table and chairs are cheap; they're from Target, one of the sponsors. The bed and bedding are cheap looking, too. The safe behind the picture looks like *I* could rip it out of the wall.

I was surprised at the lack people at JR's wake and funeral. My father was a big man in his industry. Thousands showed up for his funeral. I would think JR's funeral would have the same level of interest. I didn't expect them to hire thousands of extras, but making the event bigger with more people would have been more realistic.

When I saw the Ewing family graveside, I flashed back to fake indoor scenes from Bonanza. The area was much too small. The fencing was cheap, and accordingly, useless. I thought it might be touching to see Miss Ellie's and Jock's headstones but we weren't given a good look because they couldn't take examination. Even at a distance, the headstones looked like a breeze would knock them over.

While watching JR's Masterpiece, I didn't expect to want to see more. But the script is better than the sets. My family and I are curious to see where things going. We enjoyed the latest episode, and are shocked at how heartless Cliff Barnes can be! (The oil offices looked cheap, but they looked cheap on the original Dallas, too.)

And wow! Linda Gray looks *amazing* for 73 years of age! "She's so fine, there's no telling where the money went." With everyone else from the original show (and Knots Landing), the money -- and multiple efforts -- show.

[CRAMBAM]

You have to remember that JR had spent decades away from Southfork. He was actually in a home for awhile before his son came back into his life. Miss Ellie left the entire Southfork estate to Bobby and cut JR out completely--something JR never got over.

He was staying there at that point because Bobby let him.

So yeah, he had a simple room.

Funerals and wakes are different things. And different families deal with things differently. JR wasn't buried in a cemetary. He was buried on Southfork, next to his parents. The Ewings aren't Jewish, but I know in the Jewish religions, funerals themselves are really very small, and usually just involve family and the closest of friends.

The Ewings probably went for small and classy for the ceremony/burial.

However, if you notice, his wake WAS very well attended, and that included the mayor of Dallas, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and the owner of the Dallas Mavericks (ALL were played by themselves in cameos).

I keep saying it, but the writers ARE missing one opportunity here to introduce a new Ewing. JR had 2 other sons. One of them was older than John Ross, and he was on the show for about a season or two toward the end of the run. But the other was an infant when he left the show with his mother. His mother was at JR's funeral. But the son was not. This third son doesn't even have a name. But at this point, here's a chance to introduce a new Ewing male, who would be in his early 20s.

If you think Cliff Barnes is heartless, wait until you see the next episode.

And I agree about Linda Gray. She's among a list of 70 something celebrities that are still really hot. Not a chance that wasn't helped by a surgeon, but so what?

[Mel]

However, if you notice, his wake WAS very well attended, and that included the mayor of Dallas, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and the owner of the Dallas Mavericks (ALL were played by themselves in cameos) ... If you think Cliff Barnes is heartless, wait until you see the next episode.

Thanks for the info on JR coming back to Southfork. I didn't know the back story. I also didn't recognize that real Dallas bigwigs were shown at JR's wake. That's a nice touch. Still, IMO, the wake wasn't small and classy; it was small and inexpensive. We know JR isn't Jewish, so that hardly applies.

As for Cliff Barnes being heartless, I was referring to the latest episode. Trying not to give spoilers here.

I wasn't complaining that Linda Gray had work done. Not at all. I am in *awe* of how amazing she looks. It's the others I feel for. They've put a lot of time and money into it, but it looks so obvious, it's distracting. Linda Gray looks natural, and that's truly amazing.

[CRAMBAM]

True, but that doesn't mean the funeral itself wouldn't be private, especially on a private grave site like Southfork.

Ok, so you've seen the episode AFTER JR's Masterpiece.

Whoever worked on Linda Gray is a hell of a doctor. But I'm guessing she exercises too. A good doctor can only do so much.

Jane Seymour is like that too.

[Mel]

Whoever worked on Linda Gray is a hell of a doctor. But I'm guessing she exercises too. A good doctor can only do so much. Jane Seymour is like that too.

Jane Seymour is 13 years younger than Linda Gray. I'll be more amazed when she's Linda's age. Despite all the money and effort that's spent on aging well in Hollywood, the results are so random, maybe it really comes down to genes. Perhaps that's what Linda and Jane have going for them.

[captainbasil]

Double Header 2 Episode Season Finale Tonight. I'm going to double check my trusty DVR.

[CRAMBAM]

It was outstanding.

They resolved the Who Killed JR thing as well as possible.

They really deserve a third season.

[captainbasil]

We finally watched the final episode (my wife was savoring each installment). I agree, they did a great job and created tons of story fodder for next season.