Knots Landing

[Khan]

Of course, I'm only speculating, but I suspect the original plan was for Teri Austin to return as a Jill lookalike, much like when Lisa Hartman returned as Cathy after being killed off as Ciji.  Why else shroud "Sally's Friend" in so much mystery at the beginning?

But, either Austin and Ted Shackelford were breaking up IRL, or the producers decided that since they'd told that story already with Ciji/Cathy, they didn't want to repeat themselves.

Edited August 24, 2024 by Khan

[titan1978]

It has been kind of jarring to watch the show in fits and starts. Especially once I got to season’s 10-12. The style of the show was much more about twists and quick cut editing between sets of characters. Those earlier episodes where people literally had no lines but filled the scenes with information and depth through their acting are long gone. Nobody has time to think on this version of Knots. 

Danny is when Val’s brain was stolen by the showrunnners. The show also feels more disjointed. I watched three episodes in a row with Karen being stalked and Michael was in the episodes but had nothing to do with her story.

Also, Karen, in the midst of hallucinating being killed left and right just picks up a wrapped package and opens it without any hesitation. Several times, culminating in the box full of snakes. Val isn’t the only one that doesn’t have a brain anymore.

Frank, Julie, and especially Pat deserved better.

Edited August 24, 2024 by titan1978

[All My Shadows]

I've only been watching here and there over the last few days, and obviously, much has changed, but it is truly upsetting that they decided to have Val go nuts so late in the game. I know that Karen/Mack were supposed to be the one solid couple, but by the 90s, if they wanted Gary and Val to be the end game, then they needed to be a solid couple, too, if for nothing else but the fact that they were in their late 40s and had kids.

If they wanted a reset for the 90s, then refocusing on the cul-de-sac with Gary/Val and Karen/Mack as the veteran couples along with 2-3 more families (including the Williamses) was the perfect way to do it. I feel like the original premise of just couples/families in a cul-de-sac going through human drama was finally back in vogue, so all of the convoluted crimes and mysteries and what-not were no longer needed.

[SoapDope]

They also brought on Melinda Culea who I thought was pointless. 

Speaking of Judith Light's husband joining the cast, I always wanted to see Judith herself on the show and have scenes with Joan Van Ark. 

 

[All My Shadows]

I'm imagining the closing credits running over the chewed-up remains of set pieces, which I say with love and reverence.

[SoapDope]

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[Khan]

I think I've said this before, but in the series finale, I wanted Claudia to meet on her flight to Paris (or whatever) a handsome stranger played by Kathleen Noone's former AMC co-star, Mark LaMura (ex-Mark).

If I were to reboot/revive KL today, I think I would start fresh, with 3-4 new families living on Seaview Circle that reflected more of America in 2024.  There might be shout-outs to the old show and cast, but, otherwise, it'd be its' own animal.

[SoapDope]

Maybe one of Val & Gary's twins, lets say Bobby is living in their old house with a family of his own. In a one episode a real estate agent stops by to try to talk them into selling and gets turned away with a door (those familiar doors of the Ewing home) slam by Bobby. One of the kids is listening and asks their Dad about it and what's the big deal. Bobby then tells them the story of the house and how it was a gift from their great grandmother (Miss Ellie) to their grandparents (Gary & Val) and how he and his sister grew up there. Now they are another generation of Ewing's growing up there. He also mentions it was the first real home that his Mom (Val) had ever had.

[Franko]

As Bobby's talking, we slowly pan over to family photos and mementos, things like a portrait of Gary & Val, one of Lillimae, a framed dust jacket of Capricorn Crude, a photo of Betsy, and most significantly, photos of Bobby taking his kids on their first walks into the ocean.

I originally imagined this being how the first episode would end, but that would signify that the new show wouldn't be allowed to exist on its own, that it would always come back to the old show.

Edited August 25, 2024 by Franko

[SoapDope]

The show could exist on it's own with good writing, but parts of the old show here and there would be nice to give it a foundation to build from.

Most of the actors from the original are getting up there in years, so time is running out for them to be involved with guest appearances if someone wanted to do a new series.

[kalbir]

William Devane (85 in September), Donna Mills (84 in December), Michele Lee (82), Joan Van Ark (81), Ted Shackelford (78). That's just the surviving long-time main cast members whose characters were in the final episode of the original series.

[te.]

Teri Austin didn't play Sally's Friend - Lar Park Lincoln did.

Lar Park Lincoln also had credit for "body" in 10x23. I don't remember what happens exactly in that episode, but I guess they just liked Lar Park enough to throw her a bone? Penny Peyser is credited as Amanda in 10x23, so Lar Park Lincoln only played Sally's friend for one episode. 

Edited August 25, 2024 by te.

[Maxim]

It seems on the channel program they are returning back to Falcon Crest... which means, Yes, very soon we'll have a re-start of Knots! 

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[titan1978]

My update is a hybrid. Karen is the anchor between the old and the new. Mack has recently died, Karen is really suffering, and Diana and her two children are staying with her. She and Meg are having a rough time because before Mack died Meg had accepted a job offer from Greg at Sumner, who is nearing retirement.

Two new families on the Cul-de-Sac and new characters at Sumner fill out the rest. Karen’s neighbors are an ultra conservative young family, and the husband is a little too interested in Diana’s son, who is gay. He is ultimately more like Karen was, community minded and emotional. And his sister is like Diana’s aunt- Abby, willing to do whatever it takes to meet her goals. They also favor their father, who was a Black artist Diana couldn’t make things work with.

By the end of the two-hour premier, Karen’s grandchildren decide to stay to help her and to experience new opportunity in California, Val has stopped by and she and Karen walk on the beach, talking about how often their lives have involved starting over. And that second focus family is moving into Val’s old house. The episode ends on Meg finding Greg dead, having been shot.

Karen and eventually Abby would be the only original cast that regularly appear. Val’s twins could someday play a part, but I think it’s important to set up new characters living and working there before more returning characters as regulars.
 

Karen just feels like the natural anchor to me. Michele Lee was in every episode, and she has natural ties between the neighborhood and Sumner. 

Edited August 25, 2024 by titan1978

[titan1978]

It was apparently not shown, these are the syndicated shows. But it was posted on Twitter.

https://x.com/cbsKnotsLanding/status/1827518100566118894/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1827518100566118894&currentTweetUser=cbsKnotsLanding