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Nitpicks [86-87 Season]
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Episode 223-224: Return to Camelot
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 1
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [courtesy of Deranged Clint]
"All my friends would laugh at me." -- Charlie Wade
Hmmmm. Charlie, what friends? You only lived at Southfork for 3 weeks.
- I'll leave the seasonal changes to Jason - except for Pam's new awesome long hair. It's grown six inches. That was some frightening nightmare - not to mention the delayed reaction.
- These two episodes were originally a 90-minute episode, pared down to suit TNN. Consequently, it's so disjointed that nitpicking is difficult. I couldn't find anything at all!
- From Teeffer on the newsgroup: When Pam
opened the shower at the end of last season all the tile was pink.
And now in the first episode of the non-dream Bobby's standing in a white tiled shower.
Did they mess up with the sets?
I'm sure that what we saw today was on a different
set, after the producers decided on what angle they wanted to use.
Dave O sent in the following:
Also in the nit picks of "Return to Camelot" Jake mentions that there was no
scene about Bobby telling Jenna about Pam. I remember this episode very well as I had the
tape until about 1988. That scene did in fact occur as Bobby went home to tell Jenna that
they would break their engagement and that he was marrying Pam. Jenna was as furious as
ever. I think she might have slapped him but I am not sure. Also the scene
occurred outside
near the stables.
Deranged Clint's corner: [on his way to AHNdom]
- Another thing, I realize that Cliff and Jamie were only in love during the dream --
but before Pam fell in her overnight coma, Jamie had been a shy, country girl with short
long hair. Overnight, Jamie gets double long hair and acts like a two-bit hooker. I mean,
come on -- I realize that Jenilee Harrison was stereotyped mostly as showgirls and tramps,
but this character reversal is too much. That
Flashdance outfit was just ridiculous.
- Hmmmm it took 4 episodes to look over the strange loner Ben Stivers. We see Wes Parmalee
do everything Ben did in one episode. Sue Ellen too amazes me. It takes Sue Ellen 15
episodes to get sober while Pam is asleep, but it only takes her 1 now. Wow!
- Pam wakes up and the revolving doors are still in Cliff's office. I guess Cliff thinks
he is the K-Mart of the oil business.
I didn't notice. Thanks.
- Did Bobby switch to decaf before he married Pam the first time, and switched to regular
when he decided to remarry Pam? Bobby is really on a rampage today during the oil
explosion scene. He seems tougher than JR at one point. The original Bobby was meek and
mild (or milder), where this Bobby is arrogant and vicious. 'I AM NOT GOING TO OPEN THE
OIL FIELDS UNTIL I FIND OUT WHO BLEW THEM UP.' He makes this decision all by himself! I
realize that Patrick Duffy came back because they promised him a tougher Bobby and I am
glad Bobby gets a thicker backbone. Bobby was kind-of tough before, now he is real tough. Hey, don't sweat it. It's just the new improved Bobby.
- My oh my. Charlie is a spunky mature 12 year old. Before Pam goes to sleep, Charlie is
about John Ross's size. When Pam is "asleep", Charlie is Jenna's size. When Pam
"wakes up", Charlie is Jenna's size and has a chest. Where is that red dress
now? I guess its still in the stores since Pam dreamed it up. Please find it. PLEASE!
AHN Kyle's corner:
- Today's episode seemed full of sudden jumps from scene to scene. At first I thought
we were witnessing a change in the Dallas filming process. Later, however, I realized that
the season premiere for 86' was a 90 minute episode, so I guess they had to make a lot of
cuts. That said, I thought I read somewhere that TNN decided to cut the episode up into
two (guess not).
I honestly don't know what was going on here. I can
confirm that what we saw today was the remnants of two episodes [223 and 224, which are
supposed to be parts I and II of 'Return to Camelot'.]. That said, the first two episodes
of last season were supposed to be Parts I and II of 'Rock Bottom' and they were shown as
two distinct episodes. I don't get it. It was very jumpy, no question.
- First Instance of Pam's Apparent Clairvoyance: Ray and Clayton's foray into the field of
horse cutting.
Yes. At least they were nice enough to start it
from scratch and it looks like the Ramboski's been left out of it.
- Second Instance of Pam's Apparent Clairvoyance: The oil industry is in serious trouble.
I don't remember hearing anything about OPEC pre-dream. (Although it was nice to see the
inclusion of J.R reading about the problems in the paper as opposed to having him just say
"we're in trouble").
Yup. And don't forget the third instance of PAC:
Wes Parmalee.
- When J.R calls the meeting of all the field managers for 11 AM, it's clearly morning
outside. This means that J.R gives his field managers just a couple of hours to arrive in
Dallas. But wouldn't Ewing Oil have fields clear across Texas? And since Texas is such a
big freakin' state, isn't it illogical to assume that all (or even the majority) of the
managers would arrive in time?
Yes. This is very silly.
- Cliff's whole "that's your brother" thing with Jamie confused me. I'm pretty
sure Cliff's met Jack before. No. Actually not formally...I checked the summaries
and Jack and Cliff never met face to face. Jack came to Cliff's apartment to see Jamie
when the news of Bobby's death was heard - but by that time the dream had already started.
- Why does Cliff look so confused when J.R finally announced that the women he was
referring to was Donna? "She was married to one of the great politicians of our
time... was on the TEC... has a stepson who's a senator..." Gee, who could it be?
Cliff sure would suck at Clue. Agreed. This was
comical.
- Furthermore, when does Donna agree to be the lobbyist? I realize that TNN has to cut
some scenes, but the last time we see Donna she appears to be set against going to
Washington. Kind of takes away from the show's credibility. Yes it does.
AHN Jason's corner:
- First I will just mention the Curse of the New Season Hair Do's is in full effect...
EVEN JR has what looks like less of a frontal toupee. His bangs in front look
like real hair combed from the back, instead of the artificial clump the toupee give the
hair on his forehead. (This natural look was seen at the end of the dream...)
- Dusty was seen at the very end of the 7th Season. but is nowhere to be seen
now that Pam has woken up.. The same with Katherine... (I sent my theories on these
two earlier....) Katherine can be explained, I
suppose, by not showing up at Pam's place, just seething with her tomato juice. Dusty will
take more of an explanation.
- Speaking of old living places... Mandy is not in her 7th season apartment but
rather in the Hot Tub place that JR bought her in the dream.... Also Jenna moves out
of Southfork into a house somewhere- Why doesn't she just move back into her condo..
It looks better than the place she chose... Yeah,
I made of note of looking for this. The only thing that remains in my mind is whether Sue
Ellen has her old wedding ring or the new one.
- Why doesn't Sue Ellen want Pam and Bobby to get back together? Friendship feelings
for Jenna? Hatred of all Ewing men because of what JR has pulled on her? At least
they acknowledged she was drinking again, although her sudden 'I won't drink because I
hate JR" motto was a bit of a stretch... Great campy lingerie scene though..
Like something Alexis would do on Dynasty..... That was an awesome scene. I don't know why Sue
Ellen thinks Bobby is making a mistake... especially after she just had dinner with he and
Pam. This makes little sense.
- Kendall is back and the outer offices of Ewing Oil look lighter and different.. Yes. Different lens filter, I think.
- The same goes for the inside of the bedroom hallway at Southfork... Yup.
- Pam says something about Cliff liking Bobby...since when???? He and Bobby have always been civil...sort of. I know what you mean.
- JR's over at Mandy's place and they discuss the dismal future of the oil industry. JR resolves to do something about it and calls Sly to arrange a meeting of all his field managers for 11 AM that morning. Ok 11:00 am THAT morning. But in the last episode of the previous season... Pam woke up at 11:30 in the morning.. I remember commenting that she sure slept in late....This is a good one.
AHN Jake's corner:
- Ah, the living room is the same as in yesterday's episode, except the chairs have
magically turned red. Really? Didn't notice. The question is whether they
were red in Episode 191.
- I find it very hard to believe that J.R. wouldn't come out to the field if it was on
fire. Maybe there was a cut here. Bobby telling him he's
got it under control.
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 4
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [courtesy of AHN Kyle:]
Sue Ellen: "I've stopped drinking. I've realized what
my problems are...[proceeds to enlist them]."
Ellie: "You can't do that if you're drinking!"
Pay attention, Ellie! She just said she's stopped drinking!
- I don't know if JR was just trying to make a point or something, but he certainly seemed perturbed that Ellie's special dinner was delayed. However, Bobby and Pam walk in about five minutes later and then Teresa comes in and says that dinner is ready. So it wasn't ready at the 'proper' time?
- Speaking of the special dinner: where are John Ross and Christopher? Are you telling me that Pam would come to Southfork to have dinner without her uggie-wuggie snookums?
- When Cliff has his 'problem', he asks Jamie, "Hasn't this happened to you before?" Um, Cliff, hate to break it to you, but your wife is female. It CAN'T have ever happened to her.
- Now here is a true nit. If you have this episode taped, look at the date on Sue Ellen's check. If you look at a calendar, you'll find that this day was a Sunday! How did Sue Ellen happen to get a cashier's check made up on a Sunday? Not only this, the implication is that the she got the Valentine's catalogue, got the check made, and went over to buy the business all on the SAME day. How in the world can this make sense?
- Tory Humphries submitted: Bobby and the Foreman were supposed to be in Midland ....yet while walking downtown they pass by a store front that says COLLIN COUNTY Real Estate. Collin County is just outside Dallas..In the Plano, Richardson area. Thanks for this!
AHN Kyle's corner:
- I must question Sue Ellen's routine. She was lifting at least 30 pounds and was doing
something like 30 plus reps!! That's a workout I'm not familiar with. Also, she was
flailing her arms fairly violently while lifting, that's not very healthy (could tear a
muscle). No..her technique wasn't very good. But I
think you will like the new improved Sue Ellen.
- Bobby says to Wendell that J.R deserves to be at the meeting because he owns half of
Ewing Oil. Actually, no. He owns 3/10's of Ewing Oil (but I think I know what Bobby was
trying to say). Yes, you're right.
- And what of the big "I". Seems as though the word is on the writers taboo list
(along with "abortion"). I'm all for the various euphemisms used to avoid the
actual issue, but come on, lets say it together, Cliff is... SUFFERING FROM PERFORMANCE
ANXIETY! I used the words 'ouble-tray with his
enis-pay'. [A la Al Bundy.]
- Did anyone else think that J.R's car was going to collide with Mandy's? He sure seemed
to be going fast! That would have been wild (and, from my perspective, horrific). Yeah, this was weird. I didn't get it.
- It seems as though the Ewings get there mail fairly early out at Southfork (I usually
get mine early to mid- afternoon, between 12 and 2). Yeah,
Anne commented about this before. Strange.
- All right, say I'm Ray. I've just picked up a whole huge load of horses, so what's my
next logical step? Why, pay a visit to my dear friend Jenna, of course! It makes perfect
sense! No, wait... This was just dumb, dumb, dumb.
AHN Jason's corner:
- Angelica Lives!!!! Did anyone catch Sue Ellen's bright clashing dress at the
lingerie shop...yikes...
Other than the dress she looked awesome.
- Why would a reporter call up Donna at Cliff's office? She doesn't work there...
Is there any reason they would assume that she is there? I missed this. You're right.
- What is up with Ray's "You will never like me because I am a loser"
speech to Donna? Just yesterday (episode wise) he was all excited about his
baby and only a few days earlier aka pre dream.. he found out about the baby
and I thought was committed to working it out with Donna. I don't know. Ray is stupid.
- Is it normal to have a telephone on the top floor of a parking garage out in the open,
without a booth to protect from the elements. Seemed kind of far fetched to me.
Yet, Mandy makes a call to JR from one on the top of the parking garage...
The fact that it is boothless is a nit. Good one.
AHN Jake's corner:
- I'm not quite sure, but it sounded like Bobby called the receptionist
"Kenall" instead of "Kendall". I'll
check.
- When Donna says something about "up on the hill", Cliff says, "What
hill?". She responds with "Capitol Hill". I know Cliff's stupid, but
wasn't he a district attorney? He's now become a
total buffoon. This is ridiculous.
- Today at the Oil Baron's Club, Dora Mae says something to Cassie like "wait on that
table." She never said that before, plus, it was the Ewings...Cassie always
waits on them. Agreed. I noticed this too.
- How would Wes know about Gary and his living in California? The only time he could have
been told that was during the dream season when he (actually, Ben) had coffee with Miss
Ellie.
Surprising how much he has learned. I'm not too
sure what to make of this.
- Mandy's choice to phone J.R. from the rooftop was very odd and stupid. If she was scared
and thought someone was trying to kill her, why go to a deserted place? If I were
her, I'd phone him from a restaurant or something.
Good call. I wonder what Kyle thinks about this.
AHN Mike's corner:
- Jamie has to have delivered one of the best unintentional lines in all of
Dallas in this episode. With Cliff unable to raise the oil rig and continue drilling
operations since the honeymoon, Jamie offers him comfort by saying "Don't worry,
Cliff. Everything is going to straighten out." Pure philosophical Viagra!
Yeah, this is a good one! Thanks.
- Ah, the arrival of the suitably sleazy Mr. Valentine. Did you notice he had a big sweat
stain under his armpit and either a sweat or coffee stain on his chest? It looked like
he'd been wearing that shirt all week.
I didn't want to look that close. I was too busy
nitpicking Sue Ellen's check.
-Maybe I've mentioned this before but it looks like Jack Ewing has never taken a comb
to his hair. It is a real rat's nest. Plus it is now two-tone - a light brown on top and
much darker along the sides.
I believe you have mentioned it before but you're
still absolutely right.
AHN Joe S's corner:
- I had this nit before. The opening establishing shot is the same as was used
the last time I pointed out a re-use of establishing shots. You can tell by the
multicolored bus that goes left and the small right truck that says "MANHATTAN"
that goes right.
I'll have to watch for this. Thanks.
- Bobby's office buzzer sounds different...Didn't
notice. Good one.
- Also in the exercise room, Sue Ellen does her weightlifting exercises very quickly, and
is thus doing them improperly. My mother works out every morning at the gym, and I
know through her that fast weightlifting actually does more harm than good.
Yes, Kyle commented on her poor technique in
flailing her arms as she lifts.
- Why does Theresa whisper to Miss Ellie that dinner is ready? She usually announces
it to the entire family. Agreed.
Introducing AHN Clint's corner:
- Does JR's hair color keep constantly changing? In the first scene he seems to have
thick, dark hair. During the Sue Ellen scene at the Oil Barons it seems to be light gray
and not as thick. It changes a lot during these years. Hard to tell
what's going on.
- Ray is a complete idiot! He is tempted by Jenna, yet he begs his wife to come back and
be his wife, after telling her that he no longer wanted her to be the one that loved him.
I used to like Ray, even after you started your half-breed stuff. However, now I am in
agreement. I told you. I told you all. No one
believed me. Not about Clayton. Not about Mandy. But I was right about them all.
- Was it me, or did Patrick Duffy almost burst out laughing during his scene with Pam
in the office, right before the scene ended? Take a look at it. Was he just doing a good
job of being upset, or did that seem more of a smirk at the end?
I'll check. Didn't notice.
- Today and Yesterday: Jack Ewing seems to be the only character that didn't wake up. All
of a sudden this jerk is Cliff Barnes's best friend. Then again, money can talk a good deal.
Yeah, I agree.
- Is Sue Ellen hiring a dumb PI really a nit this time? It seems to be she hired the cheap
PI, so JR would find out his wife was trying to trace his steps. While, JR is focused on
the PI -- Sue Ellen can take over Valentines and Mandy Winger's life. Seems brilliant! You could be right...I'm withholding judgment for now
because I forgot how this plays out. I can't remember how Sue Ellen uses the information,
or whether she even does or not.
- During the end of the Ray/Jenna scene with Charlie running off with the biker dude, you
hear Jenna scream "Charlie" but -- A. Her lips don't move, and B. If they do
move, her facial expressions don't match her tone. I'll
check this.
Episode 226: Once and Future King
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 4
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [courtesy of AHN Kyle:]
Donna to Cliff: "We knew it was going to be expensive;
not cheap".
Yes, it's funny how expensive things tend not to be cheap. A fairly redundant
sentence (hers, not mine).
And courtesy of yours truly:
Jenna to Pam: "I thought you were my daughter."
Would that be Charlie, your only daughter? She's met Pam before. Or is there another
daughter we don't know about?
- As AHN Joe has been pointing out, for the third straight day we've been treated to the same establishing shot as the guest tarts are introduced. That same truck with 'Manhattan' written on the side goes by.
- Oh, no. Oh, no. I thought we left this one behind a long time ago. Did anyone else get the willies when Pam came over to Jenna's house and they started playing that annoying, pathetic music that we heard back in Season 2 every time Pam was sad? I hate that stupid music.
- Maybe it was just me, but I thought that Pam's voice sounded dubbed when she was talking to Jenna.
- Cliff is using a fork to eat Chinese food? For someone who eats it all the time, this seems very odd. Shouldn't he have graduated to chopsticks some time ago?
- It's somewhat more understandable after today's ending, but Wes Parmalee refers to the lady of the ranch as "Miss Ellie." That's a no-no, Wes. She's Mrs. Farlow to you, especially after you just referred to Clayton as "Mr. Farlow". [But maybe not for long...]
- Okay, so Pam convinced Bobby to go to Midland and meet with Mr. Scottfield. Fine. That's just what I'd expect from Pam. But, WHY, OH WHY did Bobby bring Pam with him? Talk about dead weight. What is she going to do? [That question is entirely rhetorical - I know what she's going to do. She's going to stand around and look pretty. Or concerned, as the situation calls for it.]
- JR is rather melodramatic at the end of this episode when he threatens the hapless
private eye. He tells him that if he ever bothers Mandy again, he'll get his 'private
security' to take care of him. What private security would that be, JR? The security that
allowed you to get shot by Kristin? The security that allowed several people to enter your
hospital room while you were recuperating? The force that keeps strangers and intruders
off of Southfork? That prevented Katherine from climbing up the elevator and shooting
Bobby? That kept Angelica Nero from coming to your office on that fateful Sunday in Pam's
dream?
You get the idea. This concept of Ewing personal security is a joke. I can only assume
that JR is just trying to scare the detective because he sure as hell has no personal
security.
- I had to watch this a third time to be sure. Look carefully at the final scene, with Ellie in Wes's room. Ellie picks up the mysterious belt buckle and a bracelet is clearly visible on her right wrist. We then cut to a close-up of the buckle - no bracelet. The rest of the scene, the bracelet is there. Interesting.
AHN Kyle's corner:
- The horribly bad private eye strikes again! First, he places himself, quite
inauspiciously I might add, among the cars at the dealership. Later, he trails about 4
feet J.R and Mandy, way to be secretive! Oh man, this guy is hilarious!! This guy defines incompetence and has inspired a
new tote board category.
- The whole thing with J.R approaching the detective at the dealership was just plain
weird. Mandy points the guy out, and then J.R walks towards him. He walks for at least 15
seconds and it looks as though the detective is about 40 feet away from Mandy. As J.R
talks to the detective, Mandy seems to take two or three steps in their direction. Then,
after the detective leaves, Mandy speaks to J.R as if he was right next to her (which he
clearly isn't or at least shouldn't be). Quite strange.
This was very strange. I have to watch it again.
- What of those masks anyway? Why the hell would you have models covering their faces
during their auditions? This isn't CATS!! Bizarre.
- And if there's a more ridiculous (not to mention paradoxical) catch phrase than
"trash with class", I don't want to know about it. Okay. But the vast majority of us will probably agree that this
describes you-know-who to a T.
AHN Jason's corner:
- It is a long shot, but it looks like there is a swimming pool in the fountain
below the building where the oil meeting occurs.... kind of weird unless they are
homeless people out of work because of the raising cost of oil who need a bath...!!!!!!
I'm not sure if it's a swimming pool or just some
decorative thing. Jason confirms it's a pool because there are actually people swimming in
it.
- Jack walks into Cliff's office with a cup of coffee that presumably Jackie gave him...
OK, fine.. but this suggests that he was waiting outside for a few minutes at
least... so why does Jackie then decide to interrupt Cliff's lunch? Either
announce him earlier or wait until Cliff is done gobbling his Chinese food....
I noticed this too. I wasn't sure how to put into
words, but I definitely was disturbed by Jack holding a coffee cup. Thanks for noticing
too and saving my brain the strain.
- Why would Jenna assume that Charlie would ring the doorbell to her own house? She keeps
calling out for her when Pam comes to visit, assuming that Pam is her.... Good call. You're right.
- Donna and Ray have another of their boring marriage in trouble talks. This one kind of
scared me... She says something to the affect that she won't leave the baby lying
around somewhere in Washington... I assume that she is kidding.... but that
brings up another point.... How long is she going to be gone.. She isn't that
far along in the pregnancy (barely looks it...) but it sounds like she is planning
on going away for months.
I really can't bring myself to be interested. I
don't know what's up with this.
- Why would Wes leave those artifacts lying around his place in plain sight....Even the
desk drawer is open!! you'd think he'd be a bit more discreet....especially since he
was so careful about hiding the things when he was "Ben"
Yes. The belt buckle is one thing but the open
drawer is a bit too much.
- Why is Sue Ellen at the model search? I know she is the 'owner' of Valentine
Lingerie but if Mandy was to be there and saw Sue Ellen, she would know something fishy
was up .... If Sue Ellen knew Mandy wouldn't be there, why bother having the search
to begin with? Simply just tell the guy that she 'found' the perfect girl and wants
to hire her... Why waste everyone's time? Yes, I agree, and everyone else pointed this
out too. I think this was just so she could have a scene where she could call Mandy a slut
in every possible way without using the word. And it allows Linda Gray to say the word
'sex' in every other sentence..
- Why doesn't Phyllis simply call security when the wife of the bomber comes calling on
Bobby and refuses to leave.....
You are assuming that the Ewing building *HAS*
security. If it does, this would be the first inkling of its presence.
The much anticipated return of AHN Anne's corner:
- First of all, did you notice how Bobby promised Pam the best lunch she had had all
day? What? How many lunches does Pam have in a day? Did
he say that? I totally missed it. I'd guess that Pam probably has one hearty lunch a day -
she's certainly no waif.
- Secondly, when J.R. threatened Sue Ellen's detective: "Then you won't be following
us because your legs won't be working, if you catch my meaning." Whoa, J.R.! That went right over my head! Who could possibly
comprehend that meaning? :)
Good call. Of course, I think JR realizes he has to
dumb it down a bit because this guy is so darn incompetent.
AHN Jake's corner:
- When Pam goes to see Jenna, she says something like "Sorry, I meant to call
first." Then why didn't you, Pam? Oh, I really don't like to complain
about Pam... I know what you mean. Pam just has a
habit of being annoying sometimes.
- I find it hard to believe that Cliff would already have a check made out for Jack when
Jack made it clear he didn't want to sell. Why would Cliff be expecting him?
This whole thing made no sense at all. Cliff
shouldn't be expecting him because he's busy eating lunch.
- Boy, Jenna seems to have got her new house in order...even though she just moved in. Yes, it is surprising.
- That woman who's husband is in jail said to Bobby when he arrived that she sensed his
coming. Then she said that word got around. Well, which one? You're right...I hadn't even thought of that!
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 1
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [courtesy of AHN Anne:]
"I'm so tired I can't even drink the champagne." - another Mandy-ism.
- Mandy says she wants to 'get out' for a change when JR suggests they stay in for the evening. Why? They've been nowhere but out lately. We always see them eating at a restaurant or just leaving one. That's why the Huckstead guy has been able to follow them.
- Bobby asks Sly if JR is in the office. Well, Bobby, rent a clue. JR's door is open. He MUST be in.
- The establishing shot of the photography studio where Mandy's seductive modeling session occurs is recycled from Season 4. It was the same shot used for Roger Larson's studio.
- I'm sure Clint will have more to say about this, but why in the world did the waitress at the tavern give Ray a glass with his beer? This sure doesn't look like the kind of place where the clientele uses glasses to drink. Especially a clod like Macho Man Ray.
- There's a continuity error during the pool scene. Sue Ellen's towel instantaneous goes from drying her hair to resting by her hip.
The Wes Parmalee corner:
- I don't know what to make of Wes Parmalee at this point. Obviously he's doing everything in his power to convince Ellie and now Punk that he's Jock Ewing. But some things he says seem out of place. First, he tells Ellie "All the boys found [in South America] was my medallion." How in the world would he know this if he was the real Jock? Was he watching from the forest as Bobby came out of the lake holding the medallion in his hand?
Anne asked: How did Miss Ellie get all of
Jock's things? She took the letters with her, but not anything else. And footnote: Jock's
belt and her letters were discolored when she showed them to Punk. How did that happen?
We only saw two or three of the letters...this is a
tough call. You're correct about the other items though.
Anne also asked: Like Wes would have the hair
rinse sitting by itself on a table. Shouldn't the writers have had him look for it with
his other things? That was just lame. Heartily agreed. I can't believe I missed this.
Jason asked: It looks like Ellie is going through a sack of stuff that
belonged to Jock that she took from Wes... Where did the sack come from? She
grabbed that stuff with her hands and then left his room...
I'm not sure. I think it was the sack that the
letters were in. I'll look again.
Jake said: Wes is supposed to meet Ray at a
tavern. Yes, Jock might know where the tavern would be, but would Wes? It
doesn't seem like the kind of place he'd be hanging out, anyway.
Yes, but Ray would. And maybe Ray picked a tavern
near Wes's hotel. That would be my guess.
Jake also said: The whole meeting at the
tavern was pointless. If Wes wasn't planning to tell Ray, then why did he meet Ray
just to tell him to ask Miss Ellie. He could have told Ray that over the phone.
Ah, but then we couldn't have seen his thick mane
of white hair. I see your point, but I think he Wes just wants to make a point with Ray.
Clint summarized it as follows: This
episode gives me ammo on both sides of the fence. Is he Jock, or isn't he Jock. Let me
just break down the scenes for today.
1. The opening scene with Ellie and Wes. I felt maybe he could be Jock, but I thought Wes
shouldn't have said that crap about how Ellie and he had a magic between them.
2. The hotel scene with the bottle of shampoo. Why would Wes want to take the dye out of
his hair, unless he wants people to think he is Jock Ewing. I would of thought that Wes
would have left town by now if he really was Jock. Like I said before, the real Ben
Stivers from the dream was silent and proud -- this guy tries to act proud -- but I just
see Wes as a depressed man. Its possible at this point they still could have sold him as
Jock, but this scene makes me think. If he didn't want people to think he was Jock, why
get rid of the dyed hair?
3. The scene with Ray at the bar. Again, why would Wes do this unless he wanted Ray to
think something funny was going on. This was a setup. That belt buckle was too easy to
find, along with the open drawer. No real man trying to hide up his past would do this.
4. The scene with Punk Anderson makes me think -- this man is either Jock, or knew Jock
very well.
AHN Kyle's corner:
- Alright, alright! I think that we've already established that Cliff is very cheap.
That said, the business about him needing 2 million dollars is just silly. Yes, he's
cheap, but I'd like to think he could cough up a measly 2 mil to seal the deal with Jordan
Lee. He says it's just a cash flow thing...tough
call.
- Oh my God, Oh my God! Tell me that modeling scene with Mandy wasn't hot! I dare you.
From a purely physical and sensual standpoint, I
agree. She has great legs. The only thing that kind of turned me off was...Mandy. [Sorry
man, got to be honest.]
- Do lobbyists make a habit of having committee meetings in their hotel bedrooms? That
seems awfully strange, and yet there's Donna, doing just that. This was totally bizarre.
- When Sue Ellen speaks to Pam, she says she's 1) "not with another man" and 2)
"not having an affair". It seems to me that statement 1 would rule out statement
2 (unless they're trying to show that she's not a lesbian).
I think I know what Sue Ellen's trying to say but
it comes out really weird.
- When Mandy makes her big speech about not being a kept woman, I swear she's reading her
lines right off of a cue card. At one point her eyes seem fixated on something just beyond
the camera. Agreed.
- I just love the bar scenes on Dallas. The patented "what'll you have?"
followed quickly by the response of "beer". And the customer (in today's
episode, Ray) always gets their generic bottle of beer. If it were me, I think I'd be
upset about only drinking one brand of beer my entire life! I know there's a conflict with
corporate logos and stuff, but man, can't they just make up a couple of brands?
- Some very poor voice dubbing today. First when John Ross asks when he can see Charlie
again. That entire scene was quite clearly dubbed. Secondly at the very end of today's
episode. Voices seem to be flying from every which way, but not from the actor's mouths.
These disembodied voices are starting to freak me out!
AHN Anne's corner:
- And what was up with Donna's meeting? She comes in the door, tired as all hell, and then
a bunch of people waltz in without knocking or anything. That seemed bizarre, especially
since we couldn't hear them coming.
Lameness in a Donna storyline? You lie! :)
- Mandy's cell phone turned off just by pushing down the antenna. My cell phone requires
the user to press the "off" button. Hence, Mandy's phone is a fake! Actually, it's just a regular cordless phone. I had
one of these a few years ago.
- When Clayton and Ray followed Miss Ellie from the breakfast table, wouldn't you think
that they were going to talk to her a little more about Wes? Instead, Clayton and Ray
asked her separately about what was going on. Sheesh, did they just leave to cool off or
what? This was very strange.
AHN Jason's corner:
- I think this may have been a TNN or other type of cut but Ellie and Ray's scene in the
living room seemed to end abruptly....
Yes. Probably a cut.
- Raoul speaks!!!! It least they call him Raoul... I assume it is...Well, Clayton calls him "Rawl", but you're
right.
- Mandy's phone picks up on one ring as it did in the 7th season.. good continuity
but still makes it hard for her to get a call even if she wanted to... She must have a weird relationship with the phone
company. That's my guess.
- Sue Ellen sure doesn't look too well hidden at the photo shoot. They could have
made her hiding spot more realistic....
I thought so too, but I didn't know what to make of
it.
- My pet peeve struck again.. Jordan maybe took a mililiter of a sip out the the big
glass of water Jackie gave him. Wasteful.
I didn't notice that.
- Jack's new red car is different than his other red cars... It's a
convertible...Good point.
- How long was Jock in South America? Seems like Ellie wrote him a lot of
letters.... Also the return address has no zip code. Jock was in South America from the beginning of the
fourth season [Episode 78] till the news of his death [Episode 89]. It's unclear how much
time passes here. Maybe Southfork has its own zip code, or maybe Ellie figured it wasn't a
big deal to put the zip on a return address. I've heard stories that such mail can be
delivered properly under the right circumstances.
- Donna takes off one of her earrings and places the receiver in that ear when she gets
her messages. When she hears it is Ray that called, she places the receiver in
her other ear but does not take out that earring.... Kinda strange but I guess she
can do it if she wants.... That is strange. Didn't
notice.
AHN Clint's corner:
- I have to admit that Jen Harrison is a beautiful woman, but for God's sake a evening
gown during the afternoon? This isn't the Jamie Ewing we remember (I keep on saying that,
don't I?) from before Bobby's death or the one during the dream, this Jamie Ewing is very
much "trash with class". Was it really an evening gown? Looked like a spiffy
dress, but evening gown is pushing it.
- Let us say I am Ray Krebbs (Oh God!), and I invite my friend Jenna and her daughter over
to my house for dinner. When they show up, I decide to walk over to Miss Ellie's to talk
to her about Wes Parmalee. Of course, I tell Jenna to make her self at home and to answer
all my phone calls. You're right.
- How could John Ross and Charlie get so close in only three weeks at Southfork? Don't know.
AHN Jake's corner:
- When Donna is in her hotel room, the phone rings; it's the front desk to tell her she
has messages. I know it's 1986, but I saw that light on the phone. Usually it
blinks when you have messages. The blinking is
relatively new. I don't know what to make of this.
- If Mandy doesn't have enough energy to drink champagne, then how does she have enough
energy to go out to dinner?
Good point.
- When Miss Ellie goes to meet Punk, he is already sitting at the table. Yet he only
orders his drink when she does. I usually see him and others already with a drink. Maybe he just arrived a minute ago too. It's a good
point.
- Miss Ellie and Punk just got out of there car and went right to Wes's motel room.
How did they know which room?
Probably checked at reception. If it has rooms as
high as 411, it must be a fairly big motel. I'll think about this.
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 2
- The scene where JR talks to 'Wes Parmalee' was almost certainly shot last season. Steve Forrest definitely looks like Ben Stivers here - the hair is shorter, the beard is more abrupt. I'm convinced.
- Clayton's sweat stains are weird. When he talks to Parmalee, on his back, the spots on his blue shirt are in the shape of a "Y". How did this happen? Mike and Jason both added that when Clayton turns around at the end of this conversation, the stain is in the shape of an "I". I guess he got so hot during his battle with Wes that some of it evaporated.
AHN Kyle's corner:
- By and large, J.R is a brilliant businessman, but he does occasionally have lapses.
Today's episode provides one such example. Does he really think that this mercenary
mission he has set up with B.D Calhoun will be one that is free of consequences? If he
does, then he's being hopelessly naive. This whole thing is most assuredly going to blow
up in his face...
I made a promise to Joe. I cannot comment.
- Last time I checked, duffel bags don't make such a great floatation device. The type of
duffel bag I am familiar with is one that is made of canvas. Not sure what the density of
canvas is, but it's safe to say that it's not the most buoyant substance in the world. The
only way a duffel bag would float is if it contained Jock's water wings. Good call.
- Let's face it, Bobby wussed out on his initial visit to Parmalee's motel room. While his
morals may prevent him from striking an old man, he certainly could have done more than
idly threaten "you'd better leave town".
Yeah, this was a disappointment. At least he could
have threatened to 'tear him apart' or something.
- Again with J.R and the idle, violent threats. This is third time in less than 3 weeks
that we've seen J.R allude to resorting to violence to solve a problem (Kenderson, Private
Eye and Parmalee). Simply put, these threats of violence are not consistent with J.R's
modus operandi (mainly extortion) and are hence not consistent with J.R's character. Shame
on the Dallas writers for this glaring inconsistency of late (just don't sic Steve Kanaly
on me!). You are right. I guess it's all part of a tougher,
meaner Dallas.
- Um, did I miss something? Ewing Oil has begun to buy up some smaller companies, yet as
far as I know, they have not obtained a loan to do so. Maybe these companies were so small they didn't
need it. Or perhaps a TNN cut.
- Now, about the divorce hearings (no doubt a hot nitpicking topic today). I've got a
couple of problems with it. First of all, while it's not unheard of for one party not to
be present during the proceedings (if it's a straightforward divorce, this is not
unlikely) this does not mean that the absentee party is not informed about what transpires
during the hearing. I'd like to beleive that Jack had legal representation for his
divorce. Yet Jack seems to know nothing of the settlement, umm, okay?!? Next, if April was
a money-grubbing woman (which, apparently, she is) Jack probably would NOT have missed the
divorce proceedings (for fear of being somehow rooked). Finally this 5 year, 50% of income
thing is news to me, seems as thought the typical settlement involves a lump sum monthly
payment. Frankly, the entire divorce issue was quite frustrating...
I wish we had a law student or somebody in our AHN
crowd. I never know what to make of these things. I'm sure you're right about all of this,
but it would be good to have an expert opinion.
AHN Jake's corner:
- Why did they check for J.R.'s identification when he was inside the camp? If he had
to take the man's helicopter, they would have checked for identification before he got on
the helicopter.
They probably did. These guys don't seem like the
type to take any chances, so there are probably several security checks.
- Isn't it interesting how Pam doesn't find it weird that the Ben in her dream and the Wes
in real life are exactly alike? I know nothing really happened with Ben in the dream
season, but still, he was a suspicious-acting newly-hired ranch foreman.
She probably doesn't remember that part of her
dream. [Convenient :)] Jason points out that Pam never dreamed herself meeting him,
though.
- Wes says that after his accident, the people in South America didn't care if he was a
Ewing. But if Wes didn't know he was a Ewing, then how did he assume they didn't
care? I'll have to hear his story again. You're
right.
AHN Jason's corner:
- This one goes back to that check that you mentioned earlier....In episode 2 of this
season, Sue Ellen gives the Valentine Guy a check cut in 1986....Wait a minute.. since the
1985-1986 season was dreamed off, shouldn't the date be fall of 85? I
would think this would have been considered in when they dropped a whole season of
plots.....
- This last one is about Jack and April.. First, shouldn't he have been given the
new divorce papers with the judge's hold on his earnings before this point... Even if
they allowed April to get this (sounds pretty illegal) if Jack was not there to hear
this decree, I would have thought the court would send out someone to give him the papers
through registered mail... To have his ex- wife just drop them in his lap is
unlikely and seems like a conflict of interest....
Kyle suggested something like this but Jack
probably had no fixed address...by his own admission, he drifted for quite a while before
settling in Dallas. As long as April shows that she made every reasonable effort to inform
Jack, it would probably hold up in court. [I see your point as well as Kyle's - it seems
too contrived.]
Episode 229: Territorial Imperative
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 2
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [I found this one myself.]
Donna: "Are you
having an affair with Jenna?"
Ray: "You mean, am I sleeping with her?"
'Nuff said.
- Alice Hirson, who plays Mavis Anderson, is listed in the closing credits but does not appear.
- Jamie's an awfully daring girl. She's got something on the stove and goes to answer the door without turning it down. I know she's expecting Jack, but what if it were a pushy salesman or something?
- I want to know where JR gets his gas. The grease monkey who fills up his car and checks his oil does it in about thirty seconds! That's a Mercedes, for gosh sakes! It must have at least a twenty-gallon tank!
- I know I'm going to be sorry for asking this, but why did Ray stop by Jenna's place? She's getting ready to go to work [amazingly!] and take Charlie to school. So it's early in the morning. Shouldn't Ray be doing something like...taking care of the ranch? He just stops by and has a pleasant conversation with Jenna for no reason. Sheesh.
- I'd like to know how Christopher recognized Charlie at the burger place under all of that pathetic make-up. That kid must have eagle eyes.
- So Ray Krebbs took the low road this time, did he? He tells Donna that he 'bought' a house for them to live in. I thought he was going to build their new dream home...at least that's what he said before Pam drifted off to sleep that fateful night...
- Dora Mae needs to know her role. Suddenly, everybody and his brother are eating at the Oil Baron's Club! Don't they have standards? I just shook my head at all these losers that were fawning over Mandy. These guys don't like the types who could afford to eat at such a swanky place. Isn't it Dora Mae's job to keep such people out?
A new submitter, Dave O sent in
the following: you mentioned that Alice Hirson's (Mavis) name was at the
closing credits but she did not appear. I happen to have a tape of that episode When it
aired on CBS in late
October 1986. The scene occurs right after Bobby gets into that fist fight With Charlie's
motorcycle friends. The scene is at the Oil Baron's as Mavis has lunch with Miss Ellie.
Casey asks for something from the bar. Miss Ellie orders a white wine while Mavis orders
an iced tea. When Cassie comes back she gives them both white wines! Really! What a great nit.
- Anyway the conversation is about Wes. When Mavis mentions about Wes Ellie is stunned.
She says "How do you know"? How do you think she knows Ellie. She is married to
Punk. Punk has known for a couple of weeks by then. Did Ellie think Punk would not tell
his own wife.? Jeeze! This is fantastic stuff!
AHN Kyle's corner:
- I really don't understand this J.R and Jack situation. While Jack's 10%
of the company might not mean much now that J.R and Bobby collectively own 60%, but why go
through all the trouble to make him angry? It makes little to no sense. You would think
that J.R would be smart enough to realize that by alienating Jack, he risks losing the 10%
to an outsider (like, say... Cliff Barnes). He's
totally underestimated Jack. I suppose he figures that Jack doesn't have the business
sense to do anything like that. But this is a good point.
- What's the deal with the Valentine ad campaign? At first they were full page, black and
white shots in the newspaper. This I find to be poor P.R work, as lingerie ads shouldn't
really be in the newspapers, but rather in some glossy publication. Now (today's episode),
the ads appear to be full page, colour glossy ads, also in the newspaper. I'm no
journalism major, but the quality of the photo appears to be far too good for a daily
paper. Your point is well taken. Maybe it's a special
addition to the Saturday paper or something.
- When Ellie has her confrontation with Wes Parmalee, she yells out "I don't know
you!" and it sounds as though there's an echo (or at least some form of
reverbaration). I've never noticed this before, but I assume it has something to do with
the Lorimar soundstage. I didn't notice. You're
probably right.
- Of course, during the suntan scene, Cliff makes a complete ass of himself. What the hell
was he talking about? How exactly is he going to buy 10% (alright actually 5% if just
April) of Ewing Oil, if he can't come up with a measly 2 million in cash? I know it was a
cash flow problem, but one would have to assume that any buyout package that Cliff draws
up would have to include a sizeable (if not entire) cash portion to be paid immediately.
Assuming that Ewing Oil is worth approximately $1.5 billion (which Bobby alluded to
earlier in the week), the 10% would cost upwards of $150 million (maybe even $200
million). Keeping in mind these figures, Cliff's claim that he has recently come into a
lot of money (which we have to assume is Marilee's buyout of Cliff $11 million, even
though it wasn't shown, and it's not even CLIFF's MONEY) is utterly laughable! Yes, he
could probably get a loan, although not without putting up a significant portion of his
company as collateral (and he already seems pretty strung out financially, so even that's
not a sure thing). So, what is Cliff talking about? Phew.
This is quite a good analysis. I think Cliff is
probably figuring that April doesn't know enough about business to figure this out on her
own.
- Although it was good to see Bobby kick some ass today, the last guy that he knocks down
seems to fall after a "phantom" kick to his behind from Bobby. [If you slow it
down, it looks as though Bobby misses him].
Yes. I agree. The third one was a very bad sell.
- When Bobby and Pam bring back Charlie after the melee at the hamburger joint, Pam says
to Jenna "we didn't mean to interfere". Well, that's not really true. The two of
you clearly DID mean to interfere of Charlie's behalf. [Perhaps Pam meant that she wished
they "hadn't had to interfere" but, alas, that's not what she said, hence, a
nitpick.] Good one.
- Is Dallas Stadium really the most secluded place that J.R and Calhoun could find for
their "top secret" meeting? Even if it's the off season (for the Cowboys, and I
don't think it is) they would still be using the Stadium for concerts and other functions,
therefore there would likely be numerous staff members on the grounds. You would think
that J.R would show more concern for not being linked to B.D Calhoun. Hmm. I don't know what to make of this, because
you've reminded me of several things. The first piece of evidence we have is Sue Ellen's
check from a few episode ago, which was dated [Sunday -arrgh!], July 13, 1986. But JR had
a conversation with this Gordon fellow about the spread on the Cowboys game being about
seven points - which means that it should be at least September if football season has
started. That said...I don't know if staff members would be there ALL the time. I'm sure
there are some times when the stadium is relatively empty. I'll think about it.
AHN Anne's corner:
- Other weird things include the elevator at Ewing Oil. When J.R. is
talking to April, you can see a down arrow, but that goes away when they approach it. Then
the elevator's back at their floor in seconds. Wow! I was going to point out that the down arrow
shouldn't be visible if the elevator door isn't open but this is better. Thanks.
- Also, why did Sly make such an enthusiastic point of saying good-bye to her boss? Maybe
she was really shaken up when he threatened to fire her yesterday unless she found the
owner of Valentine's Lingerie. Given the fate of other secretaries who haven't
followed JR's strict orders, I'd say that's very smart.
- Secondly, Miss Ellie should have detected that Parmalee isn't Jock just by the fact that
he said their second honeymoon was at Punk's cabin. If my memory serves me well, their
second honeymoon was in France at the end of the third season. Maybe they're talking about their 'real' second
honeymoon. I'll have to review the summaries...give me a minute...oh yeah! Episode 75...they left for
their second honeymoon. Unless Punk's cabin was near a Paris lake, then this is a nit. The
only possibility is that they went to Punk's cabin for a day or two before going to
France. Who knows?
Episode 230: The Second Time Around
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 2
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [courtesy of Rob Frazier]
"...just because your sister and I are splitting up
doesn't mean we have to kill our deal..."
- Cliff to Jack after having been busted in a clinch with April.
HELLO, CLIFF!!! That's EXACTLY why he'll probably kill the deal, you moron!!! Cliff
attempts to cheat on his wife (albeit POORLY I might add), and he doesn't expect her
BROTHER to be even a LITTLE ticked?!
- Some things about Parmalee and John Ross's conversation bother me. First of all, does
anyone believe that in Parmalee's three episode tenure at Southfork, he actually met John
Ross? This is really a stretch. Do all of the ranch hands, or for that matter even the
senior ranch hands, get introduced to the entire family?
- And someone better tell me how Parmalee could possibly know where John Ross's school is. This is a strike against you in your quest to be Jock, Wes. I knew Jock Ewing, and this kind of underhanded detective work is very un-Jock-like.
- I'll try to bear in mind Bobby's noble statement that one should be 'considerate' of pregnant women - but isn't Donna running up a huge long distance bill at Southfork? She's on the phone to Washington all the time! Did she get another line put in, perhaps? Seems kind of odd.
- Here's a non-nit if you think about it. It appears to be the middle of a weekday when Bobby goes over to Jenna's place. After all, she has a doctor's appointment [which normally occur on weekdays] and Charlie says she has homework. So why would Bobby go to Jenna's house instead of the boutique? Because Bobby's a smart guy and knows that the boutique is the LAST place in the world Jenna would probably be.
- Here's one more strike against Wes Parmalee's claim to be Jock. When he's asked to submit to medical tests, he calmly tells the Ewing boys and Harve to 'name their doctor'. If he really is Jock, shouldn't he name a specific doctor...for instance, Dr. Danvers? Or is he too afraid that Harlan will just ignore his claim and give him a sedative to calm him down? [This is just one strike...so far Wes has hit a home run with this as far as I'm concerned.]
- This gives away a trivia answer, but I wonder why Johnson's is catering the wedding? Why not Deltham Catering, which has faithfully catered the Ewing barbecue ever since I can remember?
- Some new maid named Carla comes over to tell Ellie that Clayton is looking for her. Carla? Who's Carla? Was she just recently hired? Or if she's just a temporary maid who's come to help out during the wedding, would Ellie know her name? And would a temp call her 'Miss Ellie' instead of 'Mrs. Farlow'? Maybe if she comes from the same agency Theresa does.
- And I would be remiss if I didn't point out that the piano player at the wedding was playing that annoying 'Pam's theme' music. I hate that music.
- And you can't have a good episode go by without a Pam nit. I graciously grant that the writers needed to have Pam overhear that neanderthal Ray tell the whole world about Bobby's love child. But why do it with Pam standing in the doorway as if she's been listening to the entire conversation? Wouldn't it would be more realistic if she was sort of 'walking by' and turned to look in the door so we could see the expression on her face?
- I wanted
to mention this some time ago, but I was waiting for input [and didn't get it]. So let's
talk about Jenna's pregnancy. She's roughly as far along as Donna, right? At least they go
into labor only a few episodes apart. Donna found out she was pregnant in Episode
188 - three before the dream began. Jenna found out she was pregnant in the
previous episode,
ten episodes later. So when exactly would this miracle child have been conceived? After
Jenna was let out of prison, right? And how many nights were there between this and the
night Bobby proposed to Pam? One.
I hope you all see the point, but for those who don't, let me spell it out: Bobby
must have slept with Jenna the night of the Ewing party celebrating the victory in court;
and then the next night he rolled over and pledged his love to Pam. Am I the
only one who finds this very un-Bobby-like?
Rob Frazier mentioned: The street outside
Pam's bridal shower. Bobby and Pam pull up that bright red convertible known as
Ewing 4. Bobby turns to the Love of His Life and says something along the lines of
"O.K., Pammykins...have fun at your shower..." I wouldn't have had a
problem with this had I not asked myself: Why is Bobby driving Pam to her shower in
the first place? The woman is worth, what?, $50 million? Shouldn't she have
her OWN damned car? The one she nearly drove under a fuel truck during that dream season
perhaps? You're right. It's just so they can talk about
Jenna and Pam can look concerned.
Also from Rob: Question: If Calhoun really
wanted J.R. to fly to wherever this "fireworks display" was, why did he wait
until his crew was just about ready to make things go boom before he called for him?
He then tried to make it look like they werene't
ready by acting surprised when it was. But you're right. Awfully convenient.
AHN Jason's corner:
- Why does JR's detective bother to take so many pictures of Wes in the dark entering
his room? One or two I could understand but he has a stack of them and they look pretty
much the same...
I agree. I don't understand this at all.
- JR's hair goes through some weird changes in this episode.. In one scene, he
clearly has a toupee (his bangs are too even.-this occurs in his office...) In
another scene he seems to have his own hair combed in front again... (Towards the end of
the episode) Didn't notice. Good call.
- While we are on the subject of JR-- Why does BD bother him just to let him hear
the sound of him blowing up a fake oil rig... Big deal.. If he has to prove
that he can, JR has hired the wrong man..... And why waste his time to go out there to see
it? This man should be a professional weapons man. JR knows he can do his
job...
Can you spell BILC? Because it looks cool.
- Why would John Ross suddenly leave his game to go talk to a virtual stranger? Even
if he saw Wes around Southfork before, is that a good enough reason to suddenly drop his
game with his freinds to have a conversation with this guy..... It was a rather
abrupt transition.... (And surely the security conscious Ewings would have given
John Ross a good talk about the dangers of strangers.... It's got to be a good two
or three episodes since someone has entered the Ewing office or Southfork unannounced!!!)
Oops!! take that back... Wes shows up at the Wedding , somehow avoiding the tight
security of Southfork.
- How come no one mentions Lucy or Gary at the wedding? You'd think in real life
they would be mentioned.. (I know Gary can't show up because he is mad that Dallas
messed up his show with their stupid dream plot but what of sweet Lucy?)
Good points. I'd completely forgotten about them.
- Charlie seems to have the ears of a cat... She can hear Jenna's and Ray's soft
spoken conversation around the corner of his house.. I was impressed... So was I.
- Jamie should have known that something was up with Cliff.. He was willing to pay
to take her and Jackie out to dinner and it didn't involve coupons or meal deals.. I
hope she maxes out his credit card in revenge...
I didn't clue into this. You're absolutely right!
- She can start by getting a new purse. I noticed that she leaves her's on Jackie's
desk when she leaves after seeing him with April... I
didn't ! Thanks.
- Why did Jackie have to come all the way up stairs with Jamie? Isn't Jamie able to
carry two glasses and a champaigne bottle by herself.. And why the glasses?
She knows boozy Cliff has plenty of them in his office.
Did Jackie come up too? I must have been asleep
during this.
- Another time note... April says it has been 4 years since Jock died.. I believe he
died in fall/winter 81 and 4 years later would be 1985.. This would be
consistent if
they were to drop the dream season. good..... So why did Sue Ellen have a check a
few episodes back that said 1986? Make up your mind!!!
Perhaps she means 'since he was legally declared
dead'. This is a great point!
- Bobby sure didn't wait too long to see if anyone was home at Jennas..Ring Ring
oops gotta go......
Yeah. A word to the wise, I guess. I wouldn't want
to hang around too long either and get my head bit off.
- Ray is downing a beer at the wedding then orders whiskey... Doesn't that make you
sick? I remeber a rhyme someone once told me... Liquor then beer, in the
clear.. Beer then liquor, never sicker...
I wouldn't know. I'll take your word for it.
AHN Jason's corner:
- Why is Pam coming into Bobby's room before the wedding? Isn't it bad luck? To go along with this... at the end of Monday night's episode, she appears right outside the door way to his room with Jamie, in Tuesday's she and Jamie are noticeably further back down the hall, staring at the men in the room. I seriously doubt that she took three big steps back when Ray dropped the bomb... I didn't notice the second point. I'll have another look. And I honestly can't make any sense of Pam's presence in the doorway.
Episode 231: Bells are Ringing
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 2
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [I found this one myself.]
Clayton: "How the hell did he [Parmalee] get through security?"
Hate to break it to you, Clayton, since you
should know after living at Southfork for a few years. THERE IS NO SECURITY! NONE AT ALL!
YOU PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SPELL SECURITY IF I SPOTTED YOU THE FIRST SEVEN LETTERS!
[There, now I feel better.]
- More continuity problems. Near the beginning of the episode, Donna reaches out to grab Ray's arm while wondering who the father of Jenna's baby is. Then suddenly her hand is holding her hat, as if the wind were about to blow it away.
- Before Pam comes out for the wedding, the band tunes their instruments. Since there's been a long delay and the band has presumably been playing the whole time, shouldn't they be excessively tuned at this point? Perhaps not. Anyone with more musical instrument knowledge please tell me.
- An unavoidable nit under the circumstances: in Pam and Bobby's flashback, their recollection of their hairstyles is very poor. Pam's hair was short, perfectly straight, kind of stringy...and her face was much less full than she recalls. Bobby's hair was also VERY different back then - more of a mop-top look. [Of course, the real reason was that they shot this footage with the episode instead of going back into the archives.]
- Angelica Nero lives on! What is with Sue Ellen's gaudy purple hat?
- I'll wait for Valerie Martin to confirm this [since she seems to be QUITE interested] but it looks like Jack's stuffing his speedos again.
- Every day that goes by with this Wes Parmalee storyline, I become more and more convinced that he could be Jock. But every day he seems to do one thing that makes me question him. Today's was a difficult one to catch...but think back to Episode 46. Parmalee tells Sue Ellen that JR doubted whether John Ross was his son, just as he doubts whether Wes is his father. Parmalee mentions Cliff's paternity suit and all the other things that happened. This is all well and good...except that Jock and Ellie didn't know about Sue Ellen's affair with Cliff! JR certainly did. Pam and Bobby certainly did. But no one told Jock or Ellie! They were completely convinced that Cliff's paternity suit was frivolous. So if Parmalee is really Jock [and I still think he is making a really good case] he should make up a story about overhearing some of the other family members talking about it.
- I don't recall Wes Parmalee ever arranging a time to meet with Ellie at the museum. How did they hook up? I seriously doubt Ellie called him to make arrangements, so did he call the ranch? This doesn't seem right.
- And we know the real reason, but why is Clayton so worried about Ellie that he has to dash off right away to find her? He's barely out of his car Raoul tells him that Ellie went to the museum and then he hops right back in!
AHN Mike submitted: Also, the other night when Bobby went to Jenna's and only Charlie was home, Bobby parked on the wrong side of the street for the direction he was facing. Today though he parked on the same side but facing in the right direction.
AHN Joe O submitted: I
think today's episode was the first one in which it was implied that Miss Ellie actually
drove herself somewhere. I always got the impression she didn't know how to drive
which made sense she is an old-time southern belle type. Look for yourself I don't
think you are going to find another episode in which she has driven anywhere.
You may be right, Joe, but I seem to recall one or
two other times when Ellie actually turned her own key. I'll check.
AHN Kyle's corner:
- What is up with the priests on Dallas? First, the one at Pam-Mark's wedding
(non-wedding) was all strange, and now the one at Bobby-Pam's is, too. He asks if anyone
has any objections, but then stops for only a millisecond (if at all) before going into
the ceremony. Also, what was with him saying that it was their "second time
around"? That may be true, but it sure wasn't very nice. I found that odd, too. As for the objections part of it...well, after
everything that's happened we probably don't want to waste any MORE time.
- Did I miss something? The whole Jordan/Andy/Bobby scene made it seem as though Ewing Oil
wasn't part of the lobby (either that or Jordan and Andy aren't, but I'm pretty sure they
are...). The thing is, I don't remember when Bobby and J.R balked at the idea. I know
J.R's got that militia thing going on, but I thought that was on the side. Maybe I misread
(or misVIEWED) the scene. I think we're suffering from some cuts. It's
possible that Jordan and Andy are just angry that Bobby pushed Donna into the spotlight
instead of leaving it to the cartel folks. I'm not too sure.
- When Sue Ellen said to Wes Parmalee that "it looks like your life's coming
together", I just shook my head. Why's that Sue Ellen? Because he got some crappy job
as a labourer. Big deal. Or is it because everyone and their brother (get it?) is trying
to run him out of Dallas? Oh, yeah, his life sure is coming together...
This was a very strange comment.
- BTW, I haven't heard Wes Parmalee say "Damn it, Ellie!" once, not even once!
If that's not the best test available, I don't what is. He can't be Jock! I know! That would be a true mark-out moment! Either that
or "I am Takapa!" or a tirade laced with 'hell's and 'damn's.
- This bank loan issue is driving me batty! First of all, I consider it an affront to all
the loyal Dallas viewers that the granting of the half a billion dollar line of credit was
never shown onscreen! This seems like a fairly important point. Also with regard to the
bank credit issue, I am having a hard time with the Ewing's line being frozen. I know that
Franklin Horner's a prick (and let's be honest, that's exactly what he is) but if he's
going to make his case on a legal platform, he's going to lose. According to the courts,
Jock is legally dead. So why in hell is he cutting of Ewing Oil because of a couple of
rumours? Is he going to give it up every time some claims to be Jock. What if the Big Dumb
Ox steps forward and says he's actually Jock? Uh oh, goodnight Ewing Oil. Well, as we Canucks know, the banks can do whatever they
jolly well please. I'm not certain if they really should be able to stop an existing line
of credit, though; it's possible that they could refuse to extend MORE credit, but this
seems like a bit of a reach.
AHN Jason's corner:
- Sue Ellen's wedding outfit looked really tacky... Donna's was no prize either... Who
is these women's designer?
Angelica Nero, of course!
- I see Sly, Jackie, and Phyllis but where is the AWOLl Kendall.. also why isn't
Christopher up front in the wedding party like he was in the dream...
I forgot about Kendall! You're right. I didn't see
Christopher but I was furiously making notes while they were flashing shots of the crowd
so I didn't notice that.
- Speaking of the dream, the minister did it again.. This one calls Pam Pamela
Barnes Ewing.... Why not Pamela Jean Barnes? Espically if she is
remarrying MR Ewing? I didn't notice if he called Bobby --Bobby James Ewing...
Well, the answer to your first question is that Pam
still calls herself Pamela Barnes Ewing, despite the divorce. You'll recall that when she
dreamed of marrying Mark, she was referred to as Pamela Barnes Ewing. Why the middle name
is left out this time is very strange. And he did not use Bobby's middle name either,
which is why I didn't call it a nit.
- Donna sure looks un-pregnant- very slim considering she is what 4 months along --this
time last year she got hit by the bull and she was really big then.... That was the ninth episode of the season. So was
this, so you're right.
- Not a nit but incorrect English.. Ray says to Donna about the baby "It
is Bobby, are you satisfied?' Actually correctly it should be Bobby's.. but
this is Ray for you... Yup.
- Why would Ellie even tell Raoul where she is going? Because he never usually
speaks so he can (usually) keep a good secret..? Hmm. That's a good point. He doesn't need to
know...except to tell Clayton, of course. Classic plot trick.
- Sly announces that she is leaving and JR grabs his breifcase to go immediately, then
Horner comes in his office door. Sly must have seen him on the way out.. You'd think
she could have buzzed JR. It is a bit soon for Franklin to be able to slip in
unannounced.
AHN Jake's corner:
- The priest marrying Bobby and Pam kept saying "lawful" instead of
"lawfully".
- Why does Bobby suggest that Pam come along when he goes to see Jenna? Yeah, I'd like her
to go because I want to look at her, but Bobby should know that it would cause a lot of
trouble. Maybe he can't get enough of Pam either :-)
This was really dumb. I agree.
- When Pam and Bobby are having dinner with Miss Ellie and Clayton, the Farlows excuse
themselves, saying they want to spend some time at home together. A few seconds
later, Pam says, "Oh, don't let us keep you." You're not, Pam, that's why
they're leaving. Bonehead dialogue. That's great.
- At Pam and Bobby's wedding, April's hair was reddish, but at the poolside, it was blond.
It is most definitely blond. Maybe the shadows
playing tricks. I'll look again.
Episode 232: Who's Who at the Oil Baron's Ball
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 3
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [I found this one myself.]
"I wouldn't miss it for a free trip to China." - April talking about the Oil Baron's Ball. HUH?
- I know Bobby's smitten with his new bride - I would be too - but I don't see any reason for him to coddle to her. Bobby tells Pam that "Usually when you have a problem you attack it head on." Is that right, Bobby? In spite of the fact that it took her a whole season to tell you that she might be carrying a hereditary disease? Or that it took her half a season to come to grips with Mark Graison's illness? I could go on, but you get the point.
- Not a nit, just a comment: Pam and April are actually introduced at the Oil Baron's Ball. This is interesting in light of what occurs in later seasons.
- When Sue Ellen is drinking with Bruce Harvey, they both seem to drink the same brownish liquid. Doesn't Sue Ellen usually have club soda? And certainly no alcohol...right?
- Here's a tote category in the making. Jackie's incompetence yet again! When Cliff gets a call from April, instead of pressing a 'hold' button, Jackie just puts her hand on the receiver. Give me a break.
- Pregnant Jenna is rollerskating. In a long dress. Does this seem right? What if that half-breed Ray let her go and she fell?
- Jack looked like he was going to burst out laughing before going off to dance with Sue Ellen. Something hilarious must have been cut.
Bruce Sinclair pointed out: I may be
the only one on earth who noticed it, but I am a Texan: The flag behind the stage at the
Oil Baron's Ball yesterday was not hung correctly!! (The Red part, signifying the blood of
the Alamo, by the way, should be to the left and not the right...) I can't imagine that
Larry Hagman, who was the only certified Texan in the cast and proud of it, did not
notice!! This is a damn OUTRAGE!! This is a fantastic nit! None of the AHNs are from
Texas, so we wouldn't know. Thank you so much for this!
AHN Clint pointed out: Clayton utters
something dumb about the picture of Jock didn't really bother him, but Wes Parmalee does.
Wait a minute, wasn't Clayton really disturbed about Jock's picture that he couldn't
sleep. Dumb ox.
AHN Jason's corner:
- April has these huge earrings when she comes out of the swimming pool. Very
impractical
for swimming.
- Watch April's hair during her talk with JR on top of the building. It suddenly
blows up abruptly. Bad continuity...(this happens right after they walk to a side of
the balcony...)
- After Jack and Cliff have their tiff at the restaurant, Jamie seems to just stare into
space.. Kinda weird... I think she's thinking
about her failed relationship with Cliff. I guess.
- JR tells Jack to sell before April gets her hands on his shares. Would selling them to
JR really help Jack's situation? He still has to split the profits with April.... They could probably do something underhanded...I don't
know. Perhaps JR could buy them really cheap to get April out of town and then they could
do a side deal.
- The Angelica Nero award of the day.... Mandy.. and why is a lingerie model not wearing a
bra with her gown.. I know... BILC. We'll
let Kyle answer this.
- Pam mentions to Bobby something about a shortened honeymoon.. They don't seem to
have gone away at all...
No, they didn't. Probably down to Houston and back
or something.
- JR tells Sly to go home for the night after she ushers in the guy whose business he was
going to buy... Normally this would be plausible but I checked. This episode
aired in Nov 86 At that point in the year, the sun sets usually by 5.. The sun
is clearly up when this scene starts so what time is it suppose to be? (We are
treated to a nice sunny day outside the window....) JR giving her an early Xmas holiday?
This was very strange.
AHN Kyle's corner:
- I'm pretty sure that Mr. Valentine (Andy Andy) did it intentionally, but all the
same, saying "N, period, O" makes absolutely no sense at all. I didn't notice this. Thanks.
- I think maybe the cast of Dallas should make a video entitled "How Not to Lift
Weights". First Sue Ellen swinging her arms all over the place and now Bobby is
risking severe injury to his back. When you do curls, you're not supposed to lean forward
as you lift the weight (ie. as you bring it from your waist to your shoulders). Ideally,
the back is kept perfectly straight so as to prevent any undo strain on the back muscles.
Jason pointed out that it looked weird, but
couldn't give me details. Thanks.
- When Sue Ellen makes her snide (daily) comment about Mandy at the Oil Baron's Ball, Jack
and Jamie give this knowing smile. But why, exactly, do they do that? I'm not sure either
of them know much at all about J.R and Mandy (although Jamie might, but I could be
confusing the seasons). No, I think Jamie saw JR
with Serena a few seasons ago. neither should know Mandy. This was very odd. It looked
like Jack was going to burst out laughing.
- Mavis to Pam: "I'm so sorry we missed the wedding...". Well that's all well
and good, but most of the time, when one is apologizing, one gives a reason for why they
could not attend. I guess the Anderson's aren't most people.
Excellent point. Thanks.
- I found it preposterous that when the whole Parmalee thing was going down at the Oil
Baron's Ball, Bobby saw fit to launch his tirade WHILE SEATED IN HIS CHAIR! If he were
truly agitated, he would probably have jumped up (and would likely have had to been
restrained). Having Bobby remain seated just sort gave off an artificial feeling to the
whole scene.
Was he sitting down? I honestly didn't notice. What
a great scene, otherwise, though.
- Where exactly do Punk and Ellie get off (specifically Punk) telling Bobby to, for all
intents and purposes, shut up? He's Bobby Ewing, and that guy on stage MAY BE Jock Ewing,
but MIGHT NOT be him. So what gives? (I, myself, was out outraged). I agree totally. Punk needs to know his role.
- Clayton's scene at the end with Parmalee was flat out terrific. I usually think of
Clayton as the Big Dumb Ox, but on occasion (true, a fairly rare occasion) he truly
shines. I think it's because he literally commands a presence during his big scenes. And
when Clayton threatens someone, I actually believe him (unlike J.R). Clayton has one thing
going for him: plausibility. Absolutely. I totally agree. I wish they would
actually do more with him than just have him sit around and be a dumb ox.
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 3
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [courtesy of AHN Jason]
JR's continuous rant about the lack of security at the Oil Baron's ball.
- There seems to be a lot of debate over how much Ewing Oil is really worth. Yesterday, Jack intimated the whole company is worth $ 2 billion, because his 10% share was 200 million, but he was willing to let it go for 125. Today, Cliff tells April that her 5% is worth $ 50 million, which would mean that the company is worth about 1 billion dollars. Of course, last week Bobby told Franklin Horner that the company was worth at least 1.5 billion. I figure it's somewhere in between, and people are changing it to suit their needs, but it might be nice to get an exact number at some point.
- During the scene where Ellie tries to convince Clayton not to leave the ranch, her hands are on Clayton's shoulders when the camera is facing her. But when the camera cuts to let us see Clayton, her hands seem to be on his upper arms.
- I actually have something good to say about Mandy. Her acting in the 'movie' is certainly better than Deborah Shelton's acting on the show. Too bad the plot of her film truly sucks! If this isn't a porn movie of some kind, this makes no sense.
- Jackie did it again! When she gets in touch with the official that Cliff wants to talk to, she just puts her hand over the receiver! Isn't there a hold button on her phone? Or does she just not know how to use it?
- Everyone knows that I [like a lot of other males who watch the show] am a Victoria Principal 'mark'. She is absolutely, unquestionably, the most beautiful woman on the show in my mind. But today, I say that Pam Ewing deserves to be bitch-slapped into the ground for even thinking about asking Jenna to allow Bobby and herself to adopt Jenna's child. I daresay that not even JR would stoop so low.
- When Harve comes to Ewing Oil, why are Sly and Phyllis still around? It seems to be rather late. Workaholics in these tough economic times?
- And this brings up another point. If the secretaries are there, how is it that they just allow Wes Parmalee to walk into JR's office? Or were they, like the rest of Dallas, just awed by his presence?
- And this brings to by "Wes is not Jock" nit of the day. After everything he goes through in this episode, Wes makes one fatal mistake in my mind. Does anyone believe that there is a chance in hell that the real Jock Ewing would sell Ewing Oil to anyone at any time for any price?
- To prove I give credit where credit is due, I must point out something that I hope most people will enjoy as much as I did. Eric Newman wondered why the polygraph guy didn't ask Wes Parmalee, "Are you Takapa?"
- AHN Joe S pointed out when Wes is taking the polygraph test, as he is answering questions, the shot cuts to the polygraph reader scribbling furiously. However, the same shot for Wes telling the truth is used on each shot. In other words, they don't show the machine just continuing, but show the same recorded shot of he machine each time.
- Dave O submitted: The set
used for Mandy's movie sure looked like Karen and Mack's kitchen from Knots Landing. I
guess since they they are not sharing storylines they agreed to share sets instead.
Someone pointed this out on the newsgroup, too.
Thanks.
AHN Kyle's corner:
- Ummm, do Bobby and J.R understand the concept of a lie detector test? It seems to me as
though they think it's a foolproof device. Well that's not really true. The reason it is
not admissible in court is that the lie detector isn't so much a test of whether or not
someone's telling the truth, but rather a test of whether or not a person can keep their
emotions under control. The problem with lie detector's is that sometimes people get so
worked up while taking the test (and who wouldn't, with wires attached all over your body)
that it seems as though they are lying when they're actually telling the truth. Something
like blood work and skeletal examination is much more conclusive than something subjective
like a lie detector test.
But they've already been through the blood work and
what not, right? They need something...anything...to show that Wes is a liar.
- And what about the blood work? Yes, Jock and Wes Parmalee have the same blood type, but
I'm pretty sure they could test for antigens and various other specific characteristics to
distinguish between the two. Why wouldn't Dr. Danvers test for this. I agree with you except it's unlikely that during
Jock's lifetime such technology existed. Antigen testing and what not is fairly new.
Nowadays, it would be relatively simple if you had enough money, and it may have been
possible in 1986, but where would you get a Jock Ewing antigen scan?
- I think I have finally found my Dallas pet peeve (aside from the whole Mandy thing,
which is clearly ending). It's the use of "me" in place of "I".
Examples: Bobby and Me, Cliff and me, [anybody's name] and me. Everytime I hear someone
using it as the pronoun instead of "I" it's like someone running their nails
along a chalkboard. It's maddening!
AHN Joe O's corner:
- I thought it was odd that Bobby and J.R. had to recommend how to go about getting a
person to perform the lie detector test. Harve is the lawyer after all. He should
have known. Agreed. Can you smell the cabbage?
- I thought the whole scene with Mandy at the screening was odd. I just don't think
that is how it is done and from her acting on this cheesy movie they were screening I
don't understand the raves they give her. Now if it were a porno that would be a
different story all together. :) You know, I
thought Mandy was a better actor in the 'movie' than on the show! You're right about the
plot being totally lame...maybe it is a porn movie.
AHN Jason's corner:
- The Sales guy and the hotel that Wes uses really are taking a gamble by allowing a man
with no true collateral to get their services for free. They assume he is Jock but I doubt
in real life they would allow him to sponge off of them without a back up... I agree totally. This is ridiculous.
-Attention- Hell really Froze over!!!!! JR wants Clayton at Southfork...
I could just see him say "Come home Daddy!!!!
Very bizarre. Only for his own ends, but still
weird.
- Mandy's Miami Vice screen test was interesting.... It was supposed to be a movie I
gather... but did you notice that they don't show the actor's face... usually the
camera goes back and forth between actors in a scene... (I know the real life
reason... They wanted us to believe that it was Don Johnson's character..)
I guess. Or the focus was supposed to be on Mandy.
- Note Cliff's office now says MR Barnes Not PRIVATE anymore.. Didn't notice. Thanks.
- This one you have to watch closely... As Jenna is working in her boutique you can
see red lettering out of the window.. It looks like V E S What
does that spell... What is the name of her boutique anyways?
I'll take a closer look.
AHN Clint's corner:
-I guess Donna has visited Ray at the new house, with those trees, and that is why Miss
Ellie would find out from Donna how beautiful the house is. I guess so too.
AHN Jake's corner:
- J.R. says that Bobby was the first to see Wes go up on stage and should have done
something. I don't remember that. J.R. was the first to say something. Correct.
- It is night, and J.R. says he is going to call Harve right now. But then a scene
or two later, J.R. is talking to Harve, it's day, and it seems like it's the first Harve's
heard about it.
Maybe Harve was out and he had to leave a message.
- When Sue Ellen is showing Pam the lingerie, Pam says she doesn't want any. Then when Sue
Ellen says she owns the shop, Pam says that she does want some. I know she would get a
discount, but it wouldn't matter if she still didn't want them.
This was weird. But aren't you glad she bought
some?
- When J.R. was trying out the lie detector, why didn't the guy ask J.R. really hard
questions, questions that only J.R. would know whether or not to answer yes or no to?
That way J.R. could be assured of how good of a machine it was.
I think the demonstration was sufficient, but I see
what you mean. Of course, there's always the chance JR could be embarrassed by this.
- Instead of answering "yes" or "no" on the lie detector like
instructed, Wes keeps answering "Yeah."
I noticed this too. But the polygraph guy let it
go, so I figured it was okay.
Episode 234: Something Old, Something New
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 0 [A crying shame]
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [courtesy of AHN Jake]
- Miss Ellie: "If this man really is Jock, and he's not
missing...and he's not dead..."
Well, Ellie, if this man is Jock, then of course he isn't missing or
dead.
- Maybe it's just me, but I really don't think it's very smart for Jenna to wear such a long, loose skirt on such a windy day when she takes Charlie to the stables. Just seems odd.
- Theresa should take something for her multiple personality. When she asks Ellie if she should serve dinner, she calls her "Mrs. Farlow." She normally does not call her this unless they are in a more formal setting with people around. Anne noticed this too.
Dave O wondered why Sue Ellen's T.V. is so
close to the floor.? I have noticed this with most of the T.V.'s on Southfork. And
shouldn't she have a much bigger one. That T.V. looks so middle class. I guess they are
not big on home entertainment at Southfork. Interesting. I hadn't thought of
that. Good one.
AHN Anne's corner:
- Ellie didn't buckle up when she drove off; very un-Miss Ellie. One more thing--don't
Volkswagens need a stick shift? Miss Ellie's car didn't have that feature. Though most VWs do have a manual transmission, there are
some without. The high-end ones, such as the Ewings would buy.
- Finally, how did Parmalee pay for that buggy ride? He doesn't have any money. Or is he
having his date pay for the whole thing? Along those lines, wouldn't the driver get a
little miffed at having to wait around while Wes and Miss Ellie make out? I would! And one
other thing (and this is my last), why did Wes kiss Ellie that first time? I mean he
barely kissed her at all. Was he waiting to see if she'd smack him before going on?
This was a bizarre scene! All of your points are
valid.
AHN Kyle's corner:
- As much as I think that Bobby is Batman (more so in the earlier seasons, when Ray
played the part of Robin) it seems pretty silly to send him to South America to look for
evidence that a qualified ex-CIA man couldn't find. Agreed.
- And what's the deal with labeling the city skyline with the tag 'South America'? That's
a whole freaking continent!! It would've been nice to have seen a little more specificity. I know. This was pretty stupid.
- Bobby tells Jenna that the boutique was a gift to her. Actually, it wasn't. Remember way
back when Jenna had a spaz about not being a kept woman? They made a huge deal about Jenna
paying back the loan on the cost of the boutique. Bobby should no better (he's lucky he
didn't get his eyes scratched out, that cat had claws!).
Agreed as well. Bobby just trying to say, 'down,
girl!' but I see your point.
- I found it odd that Ray and Jenna are standing about 7 feet or so (definitely within
earshot) of Charlie, and yet they're speaking of her in the third person. Sure, they don't
say anything bad about her, but nevertheless, she CAN hear them talking about her. If I'm Charlie, I'm used to this at this point.
- Why does Miss Ellie find Bobby's going to South America so utterly contemptible? She
says she wants the truth, but not a witch hunt. What? It's not like Bobby's going to be
burning people at the stake for answers (is he?). How does Miss Ellie think they should go
about seeking the truth? Sit around and wait for Parmalee to crack?
Ellie is being stupid here. I second your
nomination. I guess she figures that if Wes is lying, he'll tell them eventually. Yikes.
- At the end of Calhoun's conversation with J.R, B.D seems to have an excessively long
pause. It doesn't really seem like he's forgotten his line though. It's more like he's
waiting for his cue to go ahead (like maybe he thinks J.R still talking). Did you notice
this? Maybe it's just poor editing (not by TNN, but by CBS).
I actually didn't notice but I'll look again.
AHN NIS's corner:
- Mandy is not at least wondering what Sue Ellen is doing at her contract signing? She
doesn't say anything until Sue Ellen tells her. She's
not the swiftest girl, is she?
- JR opens a beer and doesn't drink it. Just sets it down.
Yes, I thought so, but I looked away to make some
notes so I wasn't sure. Thanks.
- Miss Ellie says that she and Wes have to talk. They just went on a 'long' carriage ride
which I think would have been the perfect time but I guess not. Yes...what did they do during this ride?
- 8:30pm in Dallas is 5:30am in Saudi Arabia. Not sure what time it was in Dallas but It
seemed awful light outside Calhoun's window when he and JR were talking. I assume this is
summer so I guess this could pass.
BD says it's bedtime in Dallas, so it's got to be
later than 8:30 pm.
AHN Jake's corner:
- I don't think Sue Ellen and Mandy ever met before. Then how would Mandy know Sue
Ellen when she saw her? Come to think of it, they did meet -- in the dream season,
but then Mandy still wouldn't know what Sue Ellen looked like.
Mandy saw Sue Ellen at a restaurant when she was
having lunch with Jamie in Episode 168. You are right that they never met but I'm sure Sue
Ellen found out enough about her.
AHN Jake and Tom
Blackburn also remind us that they met
briefly at a restaurant in Episode 223 where Sue Ellen referred to her as 'the Winger
tramp'.
- Mandy says to Sue Ellen "Did you know that?" about J.R. telling her that if
it was going to be anyone, it would have been her. Now how would Sue Ellen know
that? Like J.R. would tell her that. Good
point.
- Jamie makes it seem like she's been away or hasn't talked to Cliff for weeks.
Maybe she hasn't 'really' talked to Cliff for weeks
except for their shouting matches. This was weird.
- It took Jenna this long to go to Bobby's office and yell at him for what Pam did?
If it was in the heat of the moment, she would have gone sooner.
- And it took this long for J.R. to want out of the Saudi Arabia thing? He met the CIA
officer two episodes ago; you think he would have tried to reach B.D. Calhoun before now.
Maybe he has been trying and failing. Or else he
got another visit from the Man in Black which was cut.
- When Jenna and Ray are talking, I can see Charlie in the backround. It seems to
take her forever to get her horse together. That's probably because she was never
really going to get on... Yup.
- When Cliff is at his office talking (or rather, arguing) with Jamie, he points one of
his fingers up while he drinks. I've never seen Cliff do this before. Most men
don't. I didn't notice.
AOL Jake replies: If you think
about it, it fits his misfit image. Cliff wants to exude class and taste (!), but
he's hopelessly nouveau-riche. His apartment is hideously decorated; and his clothes
are loud--how many other Texas oil men on the show wear silk pocket squares in colors to
match their ties, and hanging so far out of the pocket that they look like corsages?
Yesterday he also had a flower in the buttonhole. So, the affected pinky in
the air while drinking is just part of the hopelessly gauche Cliff we all love--at least I
think it makes him more fun anyway!
- When Sue Ellen is showing J.R. the tape, I can see her sitting in the background
before she is announced. J.R. should have seen it too. Maybe, but he wouldn't understand the significance until she's announced
as head of Valentine's..
- Cliff seems surprised that Pam refuses to be is bank anymore (unless of course, he gives
her 25% Barnes-Wentworth). She has told him this before. I know. I think the writers just thought we might have forgot.
- Wendell says to J.R. at the Oil Baron's something like, "Oh, you're not here with
your wife." Well, he rarely is, Wendell. Everytime he eats lunch with a
woman it's usually not Sue Ellen. Yes, I think he's
just trying to make a point to JR's latest lady friend.
- The shot they used of the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. was obviously a still shot
-- nothing moved in the picture and it was a bit fuzzy and static-y. Yes.
AHN Clint's corner:
- Clayton calls Ellie, or mutters to Ellie "Ellen". I don't know
if Ellen can be used as a nickname for Eleanor or not. Maybe that dumb ox forgot his own
wife's name. I missed this. When did it happen?
- Clayton is really a dumb ox. His conversation where he says -- "Your family accepts
me!" -- I was laughing when I heard this. JR may prefer Clayton over Wes Parmalee,
but JR can't even accept his wife defeating him. Good
point.
- The scene with JR and Miss Ellie in the kitchen was supposed to be late night, but the
window seemed to bright. I have to ask you a question was Dallas shot in a real house or
on sets? I have to say a set, because it just looked too white outside.
In later years, it was definitely on a set. I think
you're right.
AHN Jason's corner:
- Does Mandy only have to sign one page of that big contract? Seems
like she would have to initial or sign more than once...
Good point.
- Why does Ray come the SF breakfast table? He sits down and just hops back up a few
minutes later.. He does this a lot. I don't get it.
- BD tells JR that "there will be no roads leading back to him (JR)"
in this episode but a few back he said to JR that there will be no guarantee that
his involvement won't be found out. Huh? I'm
not sure.
The Jack Ewing stupid laugh meter: 2
Bonehead dialogue of the day: [courtesy of AHN Jason]
- Miss Ellie: "If this man really is Jock, and he's not
missing...and he's not dead..."
Well, Ellie, if this man is Jock, then of course he isn't missing or
dead.
- I'd like to know why JR is staring at the inside of his office door when Bobby calls. Surely he must have something better to do.
- Not a nit, just a comment: I thought Jamie was leaving Dallas? This has been going on for four episodes now.
- JR's TV in the office is weird. Either that or it's the severe angle. The newscaster looks like Jay Leno's big headed guy - a huge head that takes up the whole screen and no neck.
- Bruce Sinclair mentioned:
Senator Dowling: Dude, a man's shirt cuffs are to show about 1/2 of an inch not 5 INCHES,
for God's sake! What's up with his wardrobe? Also; US Senators do not dress like Vegas Pit
Bosses in double breasted designer suits! Guess he was a minor enough character that
nobody cared but, not very good presentation, I'd say.
I didn't notice. Good call.
- Bruce also mentioned: BBQ
scene: Everybody goes running in to see Ellie and Wes and she says he left. Outside,
someone says he went to his car (Wes has a car?) Ray says we'll never catch him now.....
Well, I've been to Southfork many times and there is NO way out of that house that
couldn't be seen, unless you went out the front door and jumped the fence and headed for
the road; which would be easily seen and take a couple of minutes. Assuming his car was by
the driveway, everyone would have seen him pass by on the way out. Also, there is not a
damned thing around the ranch so it would be easy, Ray, to go after him: there are only
two ways to go, North or South and it's a way's to much of anything from there. I guess he
high tailed it to the new mall in Plano or is actually hiding out at Troy Aikman's spread
nearby.
I agree. This was SO lame. I'm trying to pinpoint
one thing about the payoff here that is the lamest thing, and the next thing you know
someone points out something lamer.
AHN Joe O mentioned:You notice the lack of any photos of Ray or Gary on the mantel piece in today's episode? Now Ray I can understand but Gary? I guess the people from "Knots" were serious when they severed all ties with "Dallas" after the dream season.
AHN Clint's corner:
- I have said this 100 times, but I want to correct myself. Jamie Ewing
used to dress so plain. The old Jamie Ewing did, and the dream creation did as well. However, this Jamie is always wearing flashy dresses or
flashdance outfits. I can only presume that her bitterness towards Cliff has made her a
different woman. I still prefer Jenilee Harrison to Sheree Wilson -- well at least today
during the Barbie-Q. That leather outfit April wore was hot, but she seemed a little
"tiny" in it.
April did look very strange. I agree with you about
Jamie's transformation.
AHN Kyle's corner:
- I don't actually recall Jamie telling Cliff about what's wrong with Gold Canyon 340. I
do recall Cliff slamming the door in her face and basically tell her that she didn't know
jack because she was a women. It seems to me that TNN is increasingly editing out scenes
that are vital to the show. I agree.
- I know J.R's just trying to cover his ass when he says that Americans "never stoop
to that [Calhoun's mercenary tactics] level of violence", but come on J.R, Americans
ALWAYS STOOP to that level of violence. It's their strong manifest destiny that allows
them to rationalize acts of agression against nations who they perceive to be impeding US
progress. Let's face, the "global police" do pretty much whatever they want to
(example US missile attack less than a month ago). I like Americans, I
really do (in fact I think it's ironic that Canadians are always bashing our southern
neighbours, while all the while trying to be more like them in every way) but J.R's line
made me laugh. [Sorry, sometimes I get a little political].
You're a real hoser, eh? :) I like this.
- How about that annual Ewing BBQ! It seems as though it takes less and less time to
prepare for each year (in fact, I think it will soon disappear entirely). Why this year,
it seems as though there was no preparation at all! They could at least shown Miss Ellie
make her little "it's going to be the biggest Ewing BBQ ever!" speech, instead
of just tossing it in near the end of the episode.
I agree. This was kind of surprising. I wouldn't have known if I hadn't read the title.
AHN Jason's corner:
- Clayton has a lasso on his saddle as he rides around Ray's front lawn.
Huh? (I think I may have set myself up for an OX joke....) Thank you for playing straight man! Maybe he wants to russle up an
oxling from the herd.
- Just a note.. Linda Gray is a beautiful woman but her teeth have been looking discolored
in the last few episodes..
Didn't notice because of her terrible depush.
- How could Valentine NOT know that Sue Ellen wasn't Mrs. Ewing? He signed a
contract with her. Her last name MUST have been on it. Maybe she made a dummy corporation a la JR.
- Senator Dowling notes Donna's condition (aka pregnancy) I still think
that she BARELY shows...
Not at all! Where's John Rettino and some pillows?
- Continuity error. As Donna leaves his office in the last scene, you see a purse
strap fall off her shoulder but in the next frame it is back up there. Didn't notice. Thanks.
- Wes and April order refills on their drinks and don't touch them.