Dallas delivers a dream revival
Blood may be thicker than water, but oil is thicker than both.” I previously wrote about the classic 70s/80s soap opera Dallas. I wanted to express the opinion of a 90s baby that was catching up with the infamous Ewing family as a result of hearing about the revival. Basically, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
I may not have seen Dallas when it was originally on air, but after ploughing through all 357 episodes, I think that I have come to understand the sense of nostalgia and excitement many of my mum’s generation hold for the show. Let’s put aside the immense frustration that in America and seemingly all other nations in the world the new series premiered way back in June and therefore has long since been completed. Here in the UK, an agonising three months later, we are finally two episodes in it was definitely worth the wait.
My family and I all sit down to watch the opening episode – Dallas is already in the record books as one of the very few shows that the entire family will happily watch together! The opening titles run and even before the first scene starts it is clear that this is not a revival or a remake; it’s a sequel. The original theme tune erupts alongside broad, sweeping helicopter shots of modern day Dallas as cast names ‘starring in alphabetical order’ mark the fact that while Dallas still retains many of the old themes, characters and style, this new series is modernised and primarily centres on a new generation of Ewings. The title of episode one, ‘The Changing of the Guard’ feels very apt indeed.
Okay, anyone need a quick recap of what’s going on? There is a powerful oil and cattle ranching family in Dallas, Texas, called the Ewings, headed by Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) and his third wife Ann. Bobby’s older brother (and former president/co-owner of Ewing Oil), the dastardly and ruthless J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman), is fighting to stop Bobby selling the family home, Southfork Ranch. Meanwhile, Bobby’s adopted son Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe), and J.R.’s son John Ross Ewing III (Josh Henderson), are now all grown-up and have started their own power battle over the family name and business. Alongside this of course, there are the many on-going love affairs and triangles – Christopher’s new wife, the suspicious Rebecca Sutter (Julie Gonzalo), tussles with Christopher’s ex-fiancé Elena Ramos (Jordana Brewster), who despite being still in love with Christopher is currently in a relationship with John Ross. Actually, J.R.’s son seems to have grown up to be an exact copy of his father in every sense and is even indulging in his own affairs as well as struggling with a frosty relationship with his mother, Sue Ellen Ewing (Linda Gray). Sue has become extremely influential and successful in the world of politics, and is running in an upcoming election for governor. Got all of that? That’s just episode one.
The makers seem to have realised what made the original series so successful. People loved the backstabbing, deceit, corruption, money and passion. Viewers need not be concerned that for the first 30 minutes the once cunning and deliciously deviant J.R. Ewing is reduced to a depression-induced silence in the lonely room of a nursing home, because by the end of the episode, the old J.R. is revived. He may be 20 years older and in the body of an 80 year old gentleman, but still has a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous spring in his cowboy-booted step as he tips his legendary Stetson hat: “Bobby’s not stupid. But I’m a hell of a lot smarter.”
It was a tough challenge and I initially had my reservations, but I think this year’s Dallas is a success so far. In short, it’s pure guilty pleasure television and looks set to be my next obsession. The series is building momentum nicely, and while we’re drawn in by the promise of further cameos from the original cast members, the new young generation of characters are talented, beautiful and perfect enough to carry on the torch for maybe another 14 years of Ewing madness to come.
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