Dallas 2.0: Discussion Thread

I watched a little bit of the mini-series marathon on CMT yesterday even though I've watched those five episode at least a million times, but I gotta say...we need at least one scene of the "young'uns" bumpin' and grindin' in a club to a dubstep version of the Dallas theme.

I don't know whether I could take another variation of this:

Edited June 16, 201213 yr by Khan

Yall need to leave Vagina Lips (her TWoP nickname when she was on Y&R) alone! LOL I think she's a hoot.

She is certainly a hoot. I saw her on The Florence Henderson show a few weeks ago, it was an old ep, but it's always nice to see Joan.

It sure looks like she wanted to part of this show. I am sure she would have done it had it not been for Shakelford.

I know he sucks but what can I do?

LOLOUD

Actually, I was fully expecting them to go all Cutter/Aubrey Wentworth and kiss instead of clink beer bottles. But yeah, I think they are just grifters. A Barnes connection would be interesting though I think they'd be more sympathetic towards Christopher. Maybe they're the kids of the late Hillary Taylor/Sheila Foley.

My theory: Rebecca's "brother" is, in fact, J.R. and Cally's son. He resents his mother, now deceased, never acknowledged that the Ewings were his family, so he has teamed up with his partner-in-crime (Rebecca) in order to infiltrate the clan and get what is rightfully theirs. (Of course, look for him to double-cross Rebecca in a BIG way.)

Jordana Brewster vexes me. I have always thought that she was so pretty since her ATWT days, but I kept going back and forth with her watching tonight. I think she needs to put on a few and always have bangs because she was looking like an alien a little too often. And them faces she be makin. Reminded me of this little one:

My theory: Rebecca's "brother" is, in fact, J.R. and Cally's son. He resents his mother, now deceased, never acknowledged that the Ewings were his family, so he has teamed up with his partner-in-crime (Rebecca) in order to infiltrate the clan and get what is rightfully theirs. (Of course, look for him to double-cross Rebecca in a BIG way.)

Hmmm, innnntristing...

I watched a little bit of the mini-series marathon on CMT yesterday even though I've watched those five episode at least a million times, but I gotta say...we need at least one scene of the "young'uns" bumpin' and grindin' in a club to a dubstep version of the Dallas theme.

The entire series is online and streaming from an unofficial site, shall we say? I have been watching random episodes lately but I may go back and do it sequentially.

And for God's sake, I want MORE Linda Gray! I want her in Southfork bitching it up, and I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I want her boozing it up again too. Linda Gray is the perfect soap alcoholic.

When she stepped out of that white Panamera I got goosebumps.

Ms Ann from the Ultimate Dallas website posted something spot on about the difference between the original 5 episode first season and the new series (so far).

In part I feel they came into the characters too early. In original Dallas the only new dynamic was Pamela. I think the concept of a single character taking the viewers on a journey into the world of the Ewings worked so well. Through Pamela we were introduced to the family at the same time she was. We also had relationships that were not new but in trouble. I miss the idea of a character that is the desperate unhappy housewive and has been for years. Instead we meet the characters where they are ok or starting out relationships. There is little to discover. In the original mini series we were intrigued with Sue Ellen - there were lots of character questions not plot questions.

For example - Why is JR so mean? Why does this woman stay with his bastard? Why is Lucy so out of control? Can Pamela stay strong?

In the new Dallas we ask - who sent the email? What is the obvious mystery storyline with Rebecca? Who will get Southfork?

A very different set of questions. Not that it's bad, just different.

This is exactly what I was getting at. It's so plot driven, but right now so many characters blend together. If we doesn't know them or care about them, why would we care who sent the email or the other predictable plot driven stories? There are no characters.

My theory: Rebecca's "brother" is, in fact, J.R. and Cally's son. He resents his mother, now deceased, never acknowledged that the Ewings were his family, so he has teamed up with his partner-in-crime (Rebecca) in order to infiltrate the clan and get what is rightfully theirs. (Of course, look for him to double-cross Rebecca in a BIG way.)

I thought of that too. The show has so much potential...I mean everyone who was anyone on Dallas had children....they could even bring back Mandy Winger's daughter she had offscreen flirt with John Ross and milk him for his money...with Sue Ellen not having a clue....this could work if done correctly.

Here's what I'd want for the season finale:

* J.R. undergoes whatever transplant Bobby's doctors advise in order to save his brother's life.

* John Ross spots Christopher and Elena kissing at the hospital, then turns up at a bar in town, breaking an earlier promise not to drink anymore.

* Her schemes exposed, and her "brother" lying dead with a gunshot wound, Rebecca attempts a fast getaway. However, Elena stops her, and the two end up falling into the pool at Southfork.

* Cliff Barnes is revealed as the ranch's mysterious new owner.

* Bobby appears to be okay after the surgery. However, at a critical moment, J.R. suddenly goes into cardiac arrest, with Sue Ellen rushing out of his hospital room, yelling for help.

I love all of this, but...I WANT PAM!

I officially declare a moratorium on posting current Joan Van Ark photos. In ALL threads.

Network execs and writers have forgotten that what draws people into shows (and soaps) are the characters and not the plots. You can't ask an audience who is watching for the first time (or catching up after two decades away) to give a crap about whoever sent some damn email. They're still getting their bearings.

Here's another theory (or a twist on my previous one): Rebecca's brother is J.R. and Cally's son...but he doesn't know he's their son...and Rebecca does.

The Family Guy ep where they poke fun at Joan came on again this past Sunday.

Here's another theory (or a twist on my previous one): Rebecca's brother is J.R. and Cally's son...but he doesn't know he's their son...and Rebecca does.

That would be clever. Then John Ross would have an even bigger enemy. Then for season two you can have a JR's new son team up with a recast James Beaumont to try and cut John Ross out, thus cementing John Ross as the new Cliff Barnes.

Network execs and writers have forgotten that what draws people into shows (and soaps) are the characters and not the plots. You can't ask an audience who is watching for the first time (or catching up after two decades away) to give a crap about whoever sent some damn email. They're still getting their bearings.

I thought that was a rather rushed plot point, especially when thrown in on the day of the wedding, all episode ONE. The thing is, you have such a generic set-up with John Ross and Chris that any fan of the original series immediately gets, and that's completely obvious to any new viewer, that you really don't have to give people time to get their bearings. It's all spelled out. Writing richer characters who are multifaceted and not so obvious from the jump is the way to go. One thing I'll give Jordana, she played Elena in such a way that I wasn't sure if she was going to be this show's bitch or not, like if she was coming into her bitchhood or if I was just being seduced by the dark features.