It’s hard to believe that summer television programming once wasn’t as compelling as the typical fare that one may find during the regular season. TNT’s Dallas has certainly been making strides in the right direction in regards to keeping these dog days entertaining. Tonight, the show’s brilliant first season concluded with an episode that packed a serious punch. Every single character got something to do and I thought it was nice to see everything come to a head.
Last week, I mentioned that I’d like to see Rebecca off her “pretend brother.” Well, that happened within the first minute of the show when she shot him in self-defense. She tried disposing of the body, but ended up running into a few obstacles. That’s not what I want to talk about though. No, what I want to discuss is the surprise cliffhanger involving Rebecca being the secret daughter of … Cliff Barnes! I damn sure didn’t see that coming.
I’ve got to give the writers their props. That was quite a twist. This will certainly be an intriguing storyline going into season two. Also, it seems that John Ross has had a change of heart … again. He’s back to being evil. Well, I suppose we wouldn’t have a show if he was nice. Still, I liked seeing him and Christopher on good terms. I’m sad that things didn’t work out with John Ross and Elena, but it seemed he had lied one time too many. The final scene of the show ended with ole Johnny boy asking his conniving father to teach him every dirty trick in his arsenal in order to maintain Ewing Energies.
I have to admit that I sighed at that part. Must there continue to be backstabbing and treachery? Can’t we all be friends? Alas, we cannot. Christopher and Elena are back together, and I’m sure that’ll only tick John Ross off even more next season. In other news, did anyone else enjoy Ann tricking her ex-husband as much as I did? That scene was awesome! When she revealed that she was recording his confession, I nearly jumped up and down on my bed. That was nice.
It was also nice to see Bobby back to being healthy. I think we all knew that Bobby wasn’t going to die. It would have been foolish to kill him off … and then bring him back in the shower. Been there, done that. I’m intrigued about what the writers have in store for him next season. Heck, I’m intrigued about what they have in store for everyone next season. Unfortunately, we’ll all have to wait until January … but that’s just around the corner, right?
So, what did you think of TNT’s first season of Dallas? Did it rock your world? Were you surprised by the cliffhanger? Does Rebecca really love Christopher? Is Bobby really cancer free? Will Sue Ellen really become the governor of Texas? Let me know, folks!
Clacked by Jaylen Christie 
on Aug 09, 2012 @ 00:11 EST5EDT
Yeah, I was hoping Christopher and John Ross would make it to at least midway through season two before they turned on each other again, but not knowing if the show would even have a season two when filming, I guess I can see why all of those loose ends of the Southfork ownership story had to be wrapped up. The Rebecca twist was a jaw-dropper! Wonder what her real name is? I don’t think we know anything except Miss Barnes. Loved Ann clocking Ryland and recording him, and I’m glad Sue Ellen is getting a second chance (wonder if the coroner could still rat her out?). But my heart was pounding as she stood on those steps and gave her speech. I thought for sure we’d hear a gunshot and see her drop to the ground. It’s been a great season, and the finale probably wasn’t as grand as it could have been, but under the circumstances (and I wonder if they had alternate endings filmed just in case it was cancelled), it worked well and I can’t wait for January (and as I don’t like the cold weather much, you don’t often hear me say that)!
I knew the name Rebecca from Cliff and Pam’s mother but had forgotten in the movie made a couple years later Afton and Cliff started seeing each other only Afton had a secret. Rebecca. Maybe this will be an opening for Afton to show an appearance. I too wish John Ross and Christopher could work together and build Ewing Energies into a empire but we do love to watch the family feud.
*POST AUTHOR*
Yes, but I feel that the feud could have started up again in the middle of season two. It felt a little rushed in the finale with John Ross getting mad at Christopher all over again. LOL Can’t that boy just stay happy?
I won’t be watching anymore. Even though it isn’t biological, Rebecca and Chris are cousins – too creepy for me.
*POST AUTHOR*
Good point. That is kinda creepy, huh?
I just got to this on my TiVo. I was really impressed at the way they started the episode giving everyone happy endings, and then blew all of them up by the end of the show (except for Sue Ellen, who got her happy ending). I would’ve liked to see more of John Ross and Christopher cooperating, too. The actor playing John Ross is so much more dimensional as a man trying to change and do the right thing than as a snarling villain.
Ann’s scene with Ryland looked like it was going to be so disappointing…and then turned so fantastically! I really enjoyed it. Bobby could’ve never forgiven her if she’d done what it looked like she was going to do.
I also really liked JR’s scene at the beginning of the show, talking to comatose Bobby. It made me remember that JR was never just pure evil–he always cared about family, to some degree.
I’d actually rather see a 2nd season based on the first half of this finale than on where it ends up, re-setting all the fighting again. I know this show has to be soapy, but I’d like it better if for once, it was the Ewings working together against a common enemy like Cliff Barnes than everyone plotting his or her own agenda to “take down” everyone else.
*POST AUTHOR*
I’m glad we see eye to eye on this, Scott. It would be so cool to see the Ewing family team up to take down Cliff. You know what? Maybe, they’ll still do that but have little troubles with one another along the way. I’d love it if they could bring back a few more of the old Dallas stars to pop up from time to time. Overall, season one was fairly solid. I think that Ann’s scene with Raylan was my favorite in the finale.