Dallas 2.0: Discussion Thread

[Khan]

Is it true that Alexis was slated to become Queen of Moldavia? If so, then it's easy to see how her contentious contract renegotiations with TPTB ruined those plans.

[Khan]

I'll be (somewhat) more generous and say I enjoyed DALLAS up until the end of the Ewings' range war with Carter McKay, if only because of Ray's brief return. But those last two seasons or so? They weren't just bad, they were "In the Heat of the Night" bad.

[KMan101]

I enjoyed most all of the entire original Dallas. The last few seasons though were just different without a lot of the main characters. I think the last few seasons were far weaker, though not downright terrible.

And on the Dynasty front ... I liked The Colby's first season (which makes sense as all the good Dynasty writers moved over to that). I wasn't really fond of it's last season. And Dynasty overall was just pure camp. I much prefer the feel of the very beginning of the series, but loved it all the way through. I loved Stephanie Beacham's addition.

[KMan101]

Last night's episode was pretty good, I think. I loved everyone once again double crossing and blackmailing each other.

I laughed so hard at Jesse Metcalfe trying to play a drunk Christopher. Sitting there with a bottle and trying to look upset. SO SO SO BAD. Which sucks, because that should have been a really strong, impressionable scene that makes the actor show us the character's grief. Instead, he just looked constipated. I did like Elena's reaction to Christopher's drunkeness. I bought that he reeked of alcohol. I'm still not that fond of Jordana Brewster but she's growing on me as Elena. I really like her and John Ross together. I don't want Elena and Christopher together at ALL. Yuck.

Loving Julie Gonzalo as Rebecca. I think she's overdoing it a TAD, but she's really surprising me. I am really rooting for her character. Color me surprised. And I like Tommy, too. He should have been Christopher. John Ross NO. I think Josh Henderson is perfect, honestly, and I like that Elena brings out John Ross's good guy side, even though it's shaded in all kinds of grey. I actually felt for John Ross this week. Again. Color me surprised.

I liked they gave Brenda Strong more to do. I really like her as Ann. I know most don't like her, but I do. I think this is the perfect role for her and she's easing into the strong, matriarch figure the show needs. I really want to see more of Ann and her ex-husband. Mitch Pileggi was great in his brief scene. Looks like Bobby whoops his ass next week!

And JR isn't off the show. I think they cut back on Larry's workload because of his health issues around the time of filming. I loved JR's one liner to Ann about getting a better imagination. LOVE this man and character. Dallas would have to end if Larry retired or couldn't act anymore. No offense to Patrick Duffy who is doing some great work as Bobby. Anyway, JR was in previews next week so he's not off, probably just less airtime. Looks like Linda Gray is back next week. FINALLY. I get she's not part of the main action which makes sense for her lack of airtime, but STILL. I also am pissed we didn't see Cliff and Sue Ellen at lunch together.

I mean, there are some quibbles I have, such as the Miss Ellie bashing. And Carl, reading an interview with I think David Jacobs, he never wanted the Dallas women to be strong. He viewed them all as weak, specifically calling out Ellie and Sue Ellen. Of course, I disagree and as time went on they became much stronger. They were supposed to be complacent to their men. However, I think it was because they had such damn strong actresses that they had no choice but to make the characters stronger. I still hate Miss Ellie being bashed though I am kinda getting annoying about hearing Bobby go on and on about what Mama wanted. I'm ready to make it a drinking game, LOL.

I did love how JR mentioned "Ewing Oil's back" ... now lets see some offices!

[DRW50]

If characters are weak but played by strong actresses, then it can work. You see a talented actor bringing a damaged person to life. When you have a weak character played by a weak actress (like every woman cast on this Dallas), it's a disaster. You could replace every woman on this show with a cardboard cutout.

[KMan101]

LOL. True. I see your point for sure.

The characters have potential but the younger actors (most notably Metcalfe and Brewster) aren't bringing it and doing the characters justice. Though Brewster went up a bit this week for me while Metcalfe went to the bottom. God he's so terrible.

[SFK]

Stephanie Beacham makes everything better.

A YouTuber has compiled all of the Sable and Connie confrontation scenes and they are great. Beacham and Stanwyck were wonderful together.

[JaneAusten]

I think the entire younger cast is so so bland. I do think the actor who plays Tommy has some promise but that's about it. The main triangle in the younger group on this show, John Ross, Christopher, Elena are all dull and lack charisma.

[SFK]

That crap was painful to watch. He needed a coach. He could have at least helped himself with some fake perspiration, irritated eyes, and peanut butter in his mouth.

[DRW50]

I'll always have fond memories of the scene where Fallon and Sammy Jo were fighting in the mud, and then stopped, and said, basically, "Are we really fighting over HIM (Jeff)?", then started laughing and playfully throwing mud at each other. It was such a nice capper to some of the increasingly forced catfights they'd had in the last seasons.

He should have just watched a tape of himself...

[Roman]

It's true. Alexis was supposed to be the leader of Moldavia but with Collins' contract fight and the true rage that fans showed towards the season premiere (Fans were livid they waited the entire summer to find out every main character survived) the EPs dropped the whole SL. When Alexis came back home with the rest of the family, it wasn't really mentioned again until she went undercover as a nun and went back to Moldavia, trying to rescue the King who had been disposed and injured during the wedding. At the end of the season, both the King and Prince were gone, the show re-casted (God awfully) the role of the youngest daughter who got married to the prince, she last a half a season (She was "discovered" working at a McDonald's rumors have it) and after that, it was dead and buried. They never came close to trying anything like that again. And that was THE Jump The Shark moment for the show.

By the very slight chance they would bring back Angelica, I wonder would they make Marta out to be her crazy daughter?

[Khan]

Angelica? Who's Angelica?

Thanks, Roman, for the explanation re: DYNASTY's "Moldavian Blunder."

[Soapsuds]

[Roman]

My pleasure. Amazing I can't use this info on Jeopardy!

[SFK]

I'm glad Alexis didn't become Queen of Moldavia. As much as I think Joan would have enjoyed playing a queen, I think that all would have been too OTT, even for Dynasty. Geesh, and can you imagine Joan's, "Well, ahftuh awl, I *am* playing a queen now..." wardrobe budget for Alexis? I'm sure that s/l would have lasted but a season, but even so. And maybe it's just me, but I am not a fan of fictional principalities, they always come across as really corny to me. Soaps loved doing these in the late '80s/early '90s.