Who Done It

Dallas 

Season 4 Episode 4

Airdate: November 21, 1980

*I watched this episode on the 30^th anniversary of the day it aired

Recap:  Sue Ellen’s mug shot is taken and her fingerprints taken.  A police officer asks her if she has anything to say before her lawyer gets there.  She says that she is sure that she didn’t shoot JR.  He asks her if she is changing her story.  He lawyer gets there and the officer leaves, he tells her that he doesn’t want her to say anything even to him.  He tells her that he will be there in the morning and he tells her that he can’t get her out tonight.  She is put into a cell.

   Cliff is sitting down to breakfast at the café, when he sees the newspaper headline, he gets up and leaves.

Lucy says that it doesn’t seem like Sue Ellen, and JR says that she could have tried it anytime.  Jock tells them that he is refusing to pay for Sue Ellen’s bail; JR wants to know how the lawyer got involved. Bobby tells them that he called him and will pay the bail himself.  Miss Ellie says that it’s too dangerous.  

   Sue Ellen’s lawyer tells her that he will talk to Bobby to get the family to change their minds, he asks her to think of someone who can pay for her bail, she tells him that she doesn’t have anyone.  Cliff comes to see her and she asks him if he came to gloat, he asks her now she is doing.  He tells her that he is on a vacation.  He tells her that he wants to help her.  He asks her what happened, she tells him that she doesn’t remember, she tells him that she had been drinking, she tells him that the Ewing’s won’t pay for her bail he promises to get her out.

   Bobby is talking about buying a refinery, Franklin comes and he asks if he got the approval, he tells Bobby that the Loan Committee sees some problems.  He tells Bobby that he is sorry.

   Sue Ellen’s bail has been paid and she is released.

   Lucy finds Mitch at school she tells him she is sorry for the way she acted, she gives him the books that he wanted, he tells her that he wanted to buy them for himself.  She tells him that she wanted to get them for him.

   Cliff gets a phone call from his work, they tell him that he can come back; he tells them that he will get back to them.  Sue Ellen knocks at his door, she thanks him for getting her out, he tells her that he didn’t do it.  He asks her if she is ok, she tells him that she is fine, but starts to cry.  He tells her to stay, but she says that it will only complicate things, he tells her to stay for awhile, while he is at his appointment.  Cliff meets with Dave Culver, he tells Cliff that they will talk again soon, when Donna comes over and reminds him that they have a plane to catch. 

   Bobby gets home, and JR asks him if he put up the money to get Sue Ellen out of jail.  Miss Ellie says that she is glad that she is out, but that he needs to be more careful.

   When Cliff gets home he finds that Sue Ellen gone and a note.

   Kristin answers the door, Sue Ellen tells her that she has been wandering around for hours, she asks if she can stay with her.

   Sue Ellen stops Bobby outside Ewing Oil, she asks him for his help, she tells him that she needs to see her baby.  She tells him that he’s is all she has to hold on to.  He tells her that he will do what he can.

   Cliff and Donna meet up, she tells him to stay away from her step-son.  He tells her that he can help him become governor.  He tells her that he can get him votes that he couldn’t get on his own.  He suggests that they talk it over a drink.

   Sue Ellen tells Dr. Elby that being in jail was like her nightmare, she tells him that she must have done it since her fingerprints were found on the gun.  He suggests that she go under hypnosis to help her remember what happened that night.

   The doctor’s tells JR that he is doing really well and will be walking before he knows it.  He meets Sue Ellen’s lawyer for lunch, he asks where Sue Ellen is, but he won’t tell him.  JR already knows she is staying with Kristin.  The lawyer tells JR that whatever Sue Ellen said to his is privileged.  JR tells him that the family can always get another lawyer.  He agrees to find another lawyer for Sue Ellen, that doesn’t owe JR a damn thing.

   Bobby tells everyone that he saw Sue Ellen and that she wants to see the baby.  Jock says that it’s too big of a risk, and JR says no.  Bobby tells them that she is lost and lonely; Miss Ellie tells them that she and Pam will take the baby to see her.

   Bobby tells Franklin that he has to pass on the refinery for now, since he knows he is looking for a buyer right away, but if he can wait for some kind of payment plan then he will be in touch.

   Sue Ellen thanks Miss Ellie and Pam for bring the baby to see her.  Miss Ellie asks her how she is doing, she tells her that she doesn’t know what she would do if it wasn’t for Kristin.  She tells her that she is sorry for what happened.  Pam asks her if she can remember anything.  Sue Ellen tells her that she can’t remember anything after she went to the bar.  Miss Ellie tells her that she keeps hoping for a miracle.

   Dr. Elby puts Sue Ellen under hypnosis, and he makes her tell him what happened the afternoon JR was shot.  She tells him that she put the gun in her purse and went to her appointment to see him.  She says that after that she went to the bar, she can’t remember how many she had, then she called JR but he wasn’t at his office.  So she went to Kristin’s condo, she gave her a drink and she thought that if only Dusty were alive none of this would have happened.  She tells him that she told Kristin that she was going to kill JR because he was going to put her in that institution again.  She tells him that she left the condo and had more to drink and can’t remember anything else.  Dr. Elby tries to get her to remember more, but she says she can’t.  He brings her out, and she asks him why she can’t remember, he tells her that he doesn’t know, either she just doesn’t want to remember or she just drank too much and blacked out (she knows she blacked out, that’s why she is coming to you to help her).  He asks her about when she woke up at the airport.  She tells him that she had a headache and when she got home she was surprised that no one was home except the servants, then Kristin coming and reminding her about coming to the condo.  He asks her when she put the gun in the closet.  She tells him that she didn’t have the gun anymore; she tells him that after she changed she changed purses and she would have remembered that.

   Sue Ellen goes back to Southfork, JR is alone outside, and she asks him where Kristin is.  JR tells her to get away from him, and that he will call the police if she comes any closer, as he tries to get up.  Kristin comes out and asks what is going on.  Sue Ellen tells her that she knows she was trying to frame her, she tells her that she knew she would put the gun down when she offered her that drink.  Kristin admits to taking the gun and shooting JR and that the next morning she went to the house and put the gun in the closet while Sue Ellen was in the shower.  JR is about to call the police, but Kristin stops him tell him that he wouldn’t want his son born in prison.  Sue Ellen tells JR that she is not going to jail for her.  JR tells Sue Ellen that he will take care of Kristin in his own way. 
Final Thoughts:  I feel kind of let down by the ending, only because it wasn’t a big reveal in front of everyone, but I liked it.  I kind of suspected Kristin more once Jock and Miss Ellie found the gun, it had to be someone with access to the house.  When I realized that the 30^th anniversary of this episode was on Wednesday I couldn’t believe how lucky I got to be able to watch it on the exact date, if I hadn’t stopped watching the shows since the move to the new house then I wouldn’t have gotten to do it.

On Saturday afternoon I was on IMDB looking something up about the Doctor Who episode we were watching, when I saw the news about Larry Hagman’s death.  I was shocked and honestly a little sad to hear the news, especially when I read what Patrick Duffy had to say about him.  I read that he and Linda Gray were both by his side.  It is amazing how close they were, I don’t think it is that common with many actors on TV shows.  I’m so glad that they got to reunite for the new series one last time, and that the original show is still available for us all to enjoy.
Best Outfit:  It's the suspenders again, this wouldn't be as bad, if it wasn't for the pattern on the shirt with the patterned suspenders.

No More Mister Nice Guy Part Two

Dallas

Season 4 Episode 2

Original Airdate:  November 9, 1980

Recap:  The officer asks JR who did it.  JR tells him that it was too dark, he remembers going to the door, but nothing after that.  He asks him if he is sure and Bobby tells him that enough.  They leave JR to rest, Sue Ellen stays behind, and she tells JR who is already passed out that she is sorry.

   Lucy takes Gary to Southfork, Miss Ellie tells him that she is glad that he came, Jock tells him that he is sorry that something like this brought him back.  Gary asks about Sue Ellen, they tell him that she is up with the baby.  He goes up to see her and the baby.

   Jock asks Bobby to run Ewing Oil for awhile, he tells him that Ewing Oil can run its self.  Miss Ellie tells him that it’s important for the both of them.  Bobby agrees telling them that he will but only for the time being.

Gary and Sue Ellen talk, and he tells her he is an alcoholic too so he knows how it is.  Sue Ellen tells him that she does drink every once and awhile, but she can stop anytime.  Gary tells her that he thought the same thing.  But she insists that she doesn’t have a drinking problem.

   Gary tells Bobby that when he thinks of Southfork he doesn’t think of the fighting, he thinks of the ranch.  Bobby tells him that he and Pam were leaving Southfork.  Gary tells him that he isnt’ like him and he couldn’t run away.

   Sue Ellen tells JR to get some rest, he tells her that he wishes that she could bring the baby to see him at the hospital.  She tells him that he will be home soon, he tells her that he doesn’t think so, and tells her that he can’t feel his legs.

   The doctor tells the family that the paralysis could be reversible with surgery.  Sue Ellen asks if it could kill him.  Miss Ellie wants the best doctor to do the surgery, but Sue Ellen says that she doesn’t want JR to be operated on again.  Bobby and Gary tell her that JR can’t go on without the surgery, she leaves, and Miss Ellie tells Bobby to let her be alone for awhile.  She asks the doctor to send for the specialist.

   Pam is watching the news when they report that Vaughn Leland was released from police custody.  They says that he as an alibi for the night, that he was with a bankruptcy attorney.

   Sue Ellen goes to Dr. Elby and tells him that she thinks that she could have killed JR, she tells him about drinking and going to her sister’s looking for JR and blacking out.  He asks her if she is sure that she can’t remember anything.  She tells him that Gary thinks she is an alcoholic and that she knows that she isn’t.  He reminds her that she is blacking out.  She tells him that she doesn’t know her feelings anymore.  She says that she hated JR, but seeing him lying in the hospital bed, she just wants to put her arms around him.  She tells Dr. Elby that she is afraid that if he has the surgery that she will lose him again.

   Gary and Miss Ellie are taking a walk outside the hospital, he is telling her about his relapse, he tells her how the Fairgate’s helped and how strong Val was for him.  She asks him if he ever thinks about coming back home.  He tells her he does, and that maybe someday he will.

   Bobby tells Connie how he feels like he can’t make any decisions for the company, a man comes in to the office and serves him legal papers.  The Ewing’s are being sued by Marilee Stone for ten million dollars.  Bobby calls her but she tells him that she won’t talk to him, she tells him that their lawyers can talk.

   JR wakes up and talks to Bobby and Gary about their past, and when they used to play football.  Bobby tells him that he is taking care of Ewing Oil for awhile, he says that’s good.  When they leave him to rest, he asks Gary if he is going back to California tomorrow, Gary tells him he is.  JR says that if Miss Ellie will let him go, Gary tells him to get better.

   Lucy has some friends over, they are trying to get her to go to a new club with them, she doesn’t really want to but agrees anyway.

   JR is doing business from his hospital bed, Sue Ellen tells him to rest, he asks her what is wrong with her, she tells him that she just wants to be sure that he is being taken care of.  She tells him that she thinks he should reconsider the second surgery.  He asks her why she cares now, she tells him that she doesn’t know, she just wants to be close to him.

   Pam is at Ewing Oil with Bobby who is talking on the phone, she tells him that she was afraid that he angry and frustrated if he came back to Ewing Oil.  He tells her that he feels like he can’t keep putting things on hold till he talks to Jock about a decision.  He tells her that he is going to take care of the law suit, and try to get her to settle out of court.

   Kristin is leaving the hospital when she runs into Alan, he tells her that he wanted to see JR lying in his hospital bed.  She tells him that she heard the police were looking for him, he tells her that they found him and that he has an alibi for the night JR was shot.  He tells her that he thought she did it.  Kristin tells Alan that she wanted to.  He asks her how JR is doing, and when she tells him that he is doing better, he says that it’s too bad, and leaves.

   Bobby goes to Marilee’s house, she tells him that she doesn’t want to talk.  Then she tells him about how the police questioned her, she tells him that she is surprised that JR wasn’t shot before this, and that she knows why Sue Ellen drinks.  Bobby talks to her about the law suit and how he knows that she knows that it’s a long shot, he offers her a half a million dollars and the satisfaction of betting the Ewing’s.  She takes the offer, and tells him that she will call her lawyer.

   At the club Lucy is doing nothing but drinking, while her other friends are dancing.  They tell her that they want to go to another club since there are no interesting guys there, she complains that all they talk about is men, she is off them for awhile since she found out that her latest was married.  They see some guys that just arrive and go off, she tells them that she is going home.  When she goes out to the valet, she can’t open her purse, he calls over a cab and pay him to take her home.

   The police come to Cliff’s house, they tell him that they want to question him at the station then they show him the search warrant for his gun, he tells them were it is.

   The doctor introduces the specialist to the family, he tells them that if they don’t remove the bullet it could do more damage.  He says that they will have wait and see if JR will be able to walk again.  Sue Ellen goes into see him, he tells her not to worry that the doctor is supposed to be the best, and that no one beats JR.

Bobby tells Pam that he is going to the hospital, the phone rings and it’s for her.  Cliff tells her that the police have kept him over night while they test his gun.  She tells him that she will be right over.

   The valet from the club is studying when there is a knock at the door.  He answers it, it’s Lucy she gives him the money back for the cab.  He thanks her and she asks him if he always does that, he tells her no, she was the first one.  She asks him about school, and asks if he’s got any free time, he tells her that he likes to be the one to ask a person out.  She leaves and he goes back to his books.

   At the station Cliff is playing cards with one of the officers, while they are waiting for the results.  Pam arrives and he tells her that he is sure that JR is behind him being kept at the police station all night.  She tells him that it’s not him this time, she tells him that JR is in surgery.  The test results come back and his gun doesn’t match, they let him go but tell him not to leave town.

   In the surgery, the bullet hasn’t severed any nerves, but they say that JR isn’t as stable as they thought. 

Jock asks Bobby what’s wrong, Bobby tells him that he can’t keep stalling everyone, he tells him that he needs complete control of Ewing Oil and he wants it in writing.  Jock says he’s got it and in writing.  Sue Ellen looks on as they shake on it.

   The specialist comes out and tells the family that JR is in recovery now.  Jock asks if he will walk, and he tells them that it’s too soon to tell.  Sue Ellen goes to sit by his side.

Final Thoughts:  Okay my updated list of suspects

1.  Cliff Barnes- I still don’t think I can take him off the list even if his gun doesn’t match, he could have gotten a different gun and gotten rid of it.  Why was he at Ewing Oil that night?
2. Sue Ellen Ewing- She can’t remember that night, she is still a suspect
3. Vaughn Leland- He’s got an alibi
4.  Marilee Stone- I think she has an alibi, but from her conversation with Bobby I don’t think she is a suspect anymore
5. Kristin Shepard- She doesn’t seem to have an alibi, and she just told Alan that she wanted to do it.

Best Outfit:  There were some shots of this outfit that were so scary and up close.  This is just gross.

No More Mister Nice Guy Part One

Dallas

Season 4 Episode 1

Original Airdate:  November 7, 1980  

Recap:  A cleaning lady finds JR.  Cliff is in the crowd when the police and the EMT’s are bring JR to the ambulance.

   Miss Ellie is home alone at the dinner table.  Ray comes in and asks her if Jock is around, she tells him that he went to Fort Worth.  The phone rings and Ray answers it, it’s the police and they tell him about the shooting.  He asks how bad it is, they tell him they can’t say, they tell Ray where JR was taken.  Miss Ellie comes over to Ray and asks him where JR is and asks him to get one of the ranch hands to take her to the hospital.  She asks him to call Jock in Fort Worth and tell him to meet her at the hospital and try to find Lucy, Sue Ellen, Pam and Bobby.

   JR is taken into the emergency room, where the doctors check on his vitals and start trying to stabilize him.  The doctor calls for an x-ray to find where the bullets are.  The nurse tells the doctor that Jock and Ellie are in the waiting room.  When he goes out to them they are talking to the detective.  He tells them there is some internal bleeding and that he was shot two times, he hasn’t regained consciouses.  Miss Ellie asks if they can see him, but he tells her not yet, they are moving him into intensive care. 

   Ray calls Muriel’s house and asks her if she has seen Lucy, she tells that Lucy left with some friends, he tells her that if she sees her to have her call home.

   Jock and Miss Ellie go in to see JR, Ray tells Jock that the police haven’t found come up with anything yet (I don’t know if he is talking about JR’s shooting or if he means about finding the rest of the family).  Muriel calls and asks Ray if Lucy is home, he asks her if there is something he should know, she tells him Lucy went to a seminar, he asks where he can find the professor of the class.  Muriel tells him his address.

   The doctor tells them that JR has become more responsive, but hasn’t awaken yet.  Kristin comes over to them and tells them that she just heard the news, she asks where Sue Ellen is, and wants to know is there is anything she can do.  Miss Ellie tells her to go back to Southfork and wait for Sue Ellen and tell her what happened.

   Sue Ellen wakes up in her car at the airport, she looks at the bottle that was in her lap, she pulls out the of the parking spot and drives away.

   Ray pulls up to a house and knocks at the door, he asks the lady who answers it if Professor Forrester is there and tells her that he is looking for Lucy Ewing, she tells him that the professor is holding his seminar at the Sundowner Motel.

   When Sue Ellen gets back to Southfork she looks around for everyone, Kristin comes out and finds her in the entry way, and asks her where she’s been, and says that she can’t believe she would come back after what happened.  Sue Ellen tells her that she doesn’t know what she is talking about.  Kristin asks her if she remembers what happened last night.  Sue Ellen tells her no, and Kristin tells her that JR was shot.

   Ray goes to the motel and knocks at the door.  When the door is open he tells the professor to get lost, and tells Lucy to get dressed, that JR’s been shot.  He tells her that he thought she had more sense then getting involved with a married man.  Lucy is surprised by this.

   Kristin tells Sue Ellen that they have to talk, she tells her that she will stand by her no matter what happens.  Sue Ellen tells her that she doesn’t know what she is talking about.  Kristin asks her if she remembers anything about last night.  Sue Ellen tells her that after she left Dr. Elby’s office she went to get a drink, but after that she can’t remember anything.  She asks her if JR is alive, and Kristin tells her that he is but it’s very serious.  She asks Sue Ellen if she remembers going to the condo.  Kristin tells her that she was packing  when Sue Ellen came asking where JR is, she was waving a gun around.  Kristin tells her that he isn’t there, Sue Ellen looks around the condo as Kristin pours her a drink, she tells her to put the gun away.   Sue Ellen says that she is going to find JR and kill him, she won’t let him put her in that sanitarium again.    Kristin tells her that she was going to call the police, but she couldn’t do it.  Sue Ellen asks her if she is telling the truth, Kristin nods, and Sue Ellen says that she must have shot JR.  She goes to change and tells Kristin that they have to go to the hospital.

   Cliff gets home and turns on the news, they are talking about JR’s shooting, and he sees himself in the news footage, he gets up and turns the tv off.

   A helicopter flies over Pam and Bobby and call for them to pull over.  Bobby gets out and asks what is going on, the officer tells him that his family wants him home, that JR was shot.  Bobby and Pam get in to the helicopter and go back to Dallas.

   The doctor is talking to Jock and Miss Ellie when the nurse calls him, JR’s not doing well, they take him into the ER to operate.  Sue Ellen joins Jock and Ellie, they tells her that they were worried about her.  Miss Ellie tells her about JR.  Jock asks her if she even cares about him.   Sue Ellen says that it doesn’t matter now, Kristin tells them that Sue Ellen was sick.  Jock says that she was drunk, and Sue Ellen says that she was.  The nurse comes over and tells them that the doctor will be right with them.  Miss Ellie tells Sue Ellen that she doesn’t need to run away, she’ll help her figure something out.  Ray and Lucy arrive at the hospital, and a candy striper tells Miss Ellie she has a phone call, Lucy goes with her.  Gary is calling, he tells Miss Ellie that Val heard the news on the radio.  Miss Ellie gets upset and Lucy takes the phone she tells him about Pam and Bobby leaving.  She tells him that Miss Ellie needs him.  He tells her that he will come on the next flight.  After he hangs up he tells Val about Bobby and Pam leaving, she says that JR finally drove them off too, she tells him that if JR dies she won’t be able to mourn him.  Gary tells her that it’s his family and that they need him.

   Bobby and Pam get to the hospital, Jock is talking to Detective Horton, he wants a list of any of JR’s enemies.  Bobby says he will help him anyway he can.  They tells him about Vaughn Leland, the detective says that he is going to be talking to Seth Stone’s wife, and Jock tells him that he should talk to Cliff Barnes.   Pam leaves the hospital and Bobby goes after her, he tells her that Cliff would be a suspect even if Jock hadn’t given his name.  She tells Bobby that she is going to talk to Cliff to get his side of the story.

   The doctor tells them that JR made it through the surgery, and they were able to remove one of the bullets, but they had to remove his spleen.  He tells them that the other bullet is lodged in the spinal canal, and they don’t know yet what kind of damage it’s done.  Bobby tells Jock that he should take Miss Ellie back home to get some rest, but Miss Ellie doesn’t want to be that far from JR, so they go to a hotel.  Sue Ellen tells them that she is going to stay at the hospital.  On the way to the hotel, Miss Ellie tells Jock that now that Bobby is back he has to find away to keep him there.  She tells him that Ewing Oil isn’t worth her family, and she wants him back home.

   Pam finds Cliff at a restaurant, she asks why he is drinking in the afternoon, and if it has to do with JR.  He tells her that it seems like everything in his life has to do with JR.  She tells him that she and Bobby were going to California because Bobby couldn’t take JR’s lies and deceit anymore.  She tells him that Jock named him as a suspect.  He tells her that he told his boss the same thing.  He asks her if she thinks he is a killer.

   Bobby goes into JR’s room and asks Miss Ellie how he is doing.  Miss Ellie talks to JR, who opens his eyes.  The detective asks JR if he saw who shot him.  Bobby says that he thinks it can wait, but the detective wants to know and asks JR again.  JR looks from the detective to Bobby to his mother and finally at Sue Ellen.

Final Thoughts:  I thought since this was a whodunit in a way I would play detective and go through the list of suspects.

Miss Ellie- I can’t imagine her doing it, even if she was upset with JR for all that he has done, from driving Bobby away to almost losing Southfork.  She loves him too much to do it.

Jock- According to Miss Ellie he was in Fort Worth, but was he?  He could have only told her that and went into Dallas, thinking he was doing it for her, but I don’t think he is a likely suspect either, as much as he might not like what JR does, he loves him.

Bobby/Pam- He was leaving Dallas, I’m not sure how far he was away when the police picked them up to tell them about the shooting, but from the way they reacted when they got the news I don’t think either of them is a suspect.

Cliff- Finally a person with a motive, he has always hated JR and now that his father is dead, and JR just closed the oil field that was partly his, he wants revenge.

Lucy- She has always seemed to hate JR, but right now she has no motive to kill him.

Alan- JR took everything from him, and he swore revenge.

Ray- JR has done a lot to Ray, the latest is breaking him and Donna up. 

Donna- She told JR she was going to get him, but she was talking about politically.  I don’t think she would have shot him.

Sue Ellen- She has a motive, he was threatening to put her back into the sanitarium, and made everyone think she was drinking again.  She blacked out and can’t remember anything.  It is possible that she did do it.

Vaughn Leland- JR cheated him, and he has been missing for awhile, he could have come back and got him when JR was alone.

Seth Stone’s wife- Her husband was cheated by JR and killed himself, and the police seem think that she might have done it.  We haven’t seen her in awhile so I don’t know if she could really be a suspect.

Kristin- She hates JR right now, he made it clear he doesn’t want her around anymore, and she knows too much about what he was doing all this time.  She said to Alan that she was going to kill him and he told her to get in line.

My list of likely suspects

1. Cliff Barnes
2. Sue Ellen Ewing
3. Vaughn Leland
4. Seth Stone’s widow
5. Kristin Shepard 

Guest Star: Peter Donat- He played Mulder's father in The X-Files, so now we've had parents of Mulder and Scully on Dallas.

Best Outfit:  There is nothing wrong with the dress or the boots for that matter, but the two of them together is just wrong.