Bottom of the Bottle Part 1

Knots Landing

Season 1 Episode 12

Air Date: March 20, 1980

Recap:  Everyone is at the Fairgate’s celebrating Gary’s promotion to vice president of Knots Landing Motors.  Sid thanks Gary for all his work.  Richard pours the champagne and hands out the glasses.  He gives one to Gary, who takes it.  Val is watching him closely as he takes a drink.  When Richard goes to refill Gary’s glass Val goes to him to take it from him, but he won’t let her and makes her go dance with him.  Later on everyone is still dancing, and Gary has been drinking more, Val is really worried about him, when they finally go home, he doesn’t want to go up to bed, and gets angry at her telling her that she is treating him like a child, and that he can handle a few drinks.  He is getting pretty nasty with her and tells her that if she doesn’t like the way he’s acting then it’s just too bad.

   Sylvie calls for Kenny, Ginger tells her that he’s not home, Sylvie tells her that he should be home, since he left her house 30 minutes ago, Ginger gets upset.

   Sid and Karen are still dancing, they talk about how Val and Gary were that night, suddenly they hear them arguing outside, they rush out and see Val trying to stop him from driving away.  After he is gone, tell her that he will come back, but she tells them that he won’t, and tells them that Gary is an alcoholic.

   Gary is at a bar (bartender is deep throat from the x-files), the bartender tells Gary that he’s been where he is, and suggests that he come back the next day, because he is cutting him off.  Gary starts to make a fuss, but a lady comes over and offers him a drink at her place.  Gary goes with her.

   Kenny gets home and when Ginger wakes up she tells him that Sylvie called, she tells him that he’s got  a lot of nerve having his girlfriend call him at home, Kenny tells her that Sylvie is only a client.

   Karen and Sid go over to Val’s, she tells them that Gary hasn’t come home yet, and that alcoholics don’t stop. She says that she is going to go look for him, Sid tells her that he will go with her.  They go to every bar and liquor store, they finally go to the bar that we last saw Gary, the bartender remembers him, but doesn’t know where he went, he calls Sid back and tells him something privately.  Val asks him what he told him, at first Sid doesn’t want to tell her, but he tells her that Gary left with a prostitute.  They go to the motel she works from, they see Gary’s car, and go to her room.  She tells them that Gary left and that he sold her the car.

   At another bar, Gary is starting another country song, which some guys at the bar are getting annoyed with, a fight breaks out.  Sid and Val drive up and see that there is something going on they get out of the car and go see what’s going on and see Gary being handcuffed and put into a police car.

   At the station Karen arrives and Sid tells her what happened, they leave, Val will be taking Gary home once he is released.

   At home, Gary is angry that Val got Sid involved.  He goes upstairs to change for work, Val tells him that he can have the day off, and that no one expects him to go in today.

   The next day at work Gary who seems to be a bit on edge, tells Sid that he’s got a business lunch.  At first Sid tells him that he will go instead, Gary is getting a bet hyper, and agrees, but Sid tells him that it’s ok that he should go. 

   At the lunch Gary is having a hard time concentration, he is looking out the window, hardly listening to the other men at the table, they order another martini, Gary orders a coffee, he watches the bartender making the drinks, then calls the waitress and orders one for himself too.

   Sylvie tells Kenny that she wants them to go away together, she tells him that she is tired of what they’ve got.  He asks her why she called the house.  She tells him she just wanted to talk.  He tells her that he knows that she is lying and that she better not do it again.  She asks when she will see him again.  He tells her to tell him.

   Gary gets back to the dealership, Sid can see that he has been drinking, Sid tells him to go take break in the office, Gary gets upset and wants to know why everyone is on his case.  Gary tells Sid that he can take his job and stuff it, and walks out, he goes to a bar.

   At home Val is helping Karen bring a tree to the backyard.  When Sid gets home he tells Val about Gary drinking, she asks him why he let him go alone.  Sid apologizes, she tells  him that she is sorry too.  Karen tries to encourage her, but Val says that it’s different, because she now sees that Gary doesn’t need a reason to drink, he will drink at anytime. 

   Kenny ask Ginger which picture of Sylvie she like better, Ginger tells him that she doesn’t appreciate him flaunting his affair in her face.  He denies it again.

   Gary goes to the beach, as he walks down the steps of the pier a group of thugs surround him and start hassling him, Gary takes his jacket off to fight them, he deosn’t notice that one of the guys takes him wallet out of his jacket pocket.  Once they have the wallet, they leave him.

   Karen is sitting with Val, she asks her if she wants her to go, and Val says no, she asks what if Gary doesn’t come home.  Karen tells her that since coming to Knots Landing Gary has become a different person, so it’s reasonable that he had a set back, but that he has Val and Karen knows that she will be able to help him.

   Gary goes to a liquor store and wants to buy some whiskey, but he realizes that he doesn’t have his wallet, he throws a bunch of coins on the counter, the clerk tells him that he’s only go enough for the wine.  Gary tries to take the bottle, but the clerk pulls gun on him, they stand there a moment before Gary takes the wine and leaves.  He goes to the beach to drink the wine.

   Sid, Karen and Val are over at Richard’s making a plan to look for Gary, who has been gone for 3 days.  They go to look for him, but Richard stays behind, Laura tells him to go that Gary is his friend.  Richard tells her that Gary doesn’t like him that he tired to be friends.  She gives him a look that makes him leave the house.

   Gary wakes up under the pier, he stumbles to his feet, and moves towards the water, he passes a bum sleeping, with a bottle in his arms.  Gary pulls it out of his hands, waking the man, who cries for him to give it back, but Gary finishes it off.  The man passes out again, and Gary goes off collapsing in the sand, and starts to cry.
Final Thoughts:  I thought this was a great way to end the season, I don't like the Kenny/Ginger/Sylvie storyline, it will be interesting to see where this is going.

Best Outfit:  Wow, this seems really casual to wear when you are having a party with your neighbors, no shoes too.  The muumuu isn't that youthful especially the pattern at the top.

John Ewing III Part 1

Dallas 

Season 1 Episode 28

Air Date:  March 23, 1979

Recap:  Sue Ellen pulls out a flask from her purse and takes a drink before getting out of the car, she puts on her glasses and walks to the building.  

  Lucy is at The Store looking at jewelry, she asks the lady at the counter for the most expensive one and buys it.  Pam comes over and tells her that she’s early, Pam was going to help her look for a prom dress, but Lucy tells her that she forgot and has plans.

  At Sue Ellen’s doctor’s appointment, the doctor tells Sue Ellen that she needs to stop drinking, she’s putting the baby in danger, and herself.  Sue Ellen doesn’t like this one bit, she tells the doctor, to stop talking about her drinking or she’ll find another doctor. 

   Lucy goes into a pawn shop and asks how much he’ll give her for the necklace, she just got, he tell her he’ll give her $50, she doesn’t think it’s enough, but she takes it.  She rushes to school, and runs over to a guy in a car, he takes her money and gives her a some pills, she takes on right away, he invites her to a party, she agrees to go. 

   At the Ewing Oil offices, Pam meets up with Bobby, they are going out to dinner, he’s going over the new O.L.M. guidelines, Bobby says that things will get tougher to get things done.  Pam still isn’t talking to Cliff, she says that she still loves him, but she doesn’t like him anymore, he’s been calling her, but she hasn’t been returning his calls.  Pam asks if Bobby’s noticed if there’s anything wrong with Lucy, he hasn’t, he thinks she’s just still upset about Kit.   Sue Ellen comes in and is looking for JR, Bobby tells her that he’s been in a meeting all day, she goes to his office to wait for him.  She opens the cabinet and pours herself a drink.

   JR is finishing up his meeting with Senator Newton, he’s against the O.L.M and wants them removed too.  He asks JR if he would like to meet with another senator, JR thinks about it for a bit, but agrees.

   Sue Ellen gets another drink, and sits down at JR’s desk, she calls Cliff, he’s with a lady.  She asks if they can meet, he tells her no, she asks if he’s with someone, he tells her that it doesn’t matter and hangs up on her.  She finishes the drink in one go.

   Ray is listening to the radio, but turns it off when a song by Garnet begins to play.  Lucy comes in and tries to kiss him.  He tells her to stop, he asks her if she’s been drinking, she tells him that she’s only drinks milk, she’s clearly really high.  He wants to know what she’s on, she will only tell him that it’s something wonderful, he asks her where the pills are, she will only tell him that she hid them.  He tells her that he’s going to make her coffee.

  Sue Ellen is driving home, she seems to be having a hard time staying awake, she pulls over and passes out.

  Ray pours Lucy another cup of coffee and makes her drink it, he asks her what Miss Ellie would like, she says that she and the rest of the family never notice her, he wants to know how long she’s been doing the pills.

   Bobby is driving home, Pam is following him, when she spots Sue Ellen’s car, he pulls over and checks on her, Pam asks if she’s hurt, Bobby says that she must have pulled over and passed out, he takes her out of the car and puts her into his and drives her home, they will get someone to pick up her car in the morning.

  At Southfork, Bobby carries Sue Ellen up to her room, as they put her to bed Bobby says that he needs to talk to Jock and Miss Ellie about her drinking.  Sue Ellen wakes up and asks Pam why Cliff won’t talk to her, Pam tells her that she needs to rest, Sue Ellen tells her that she loves him.

  Bobby tells Jock and Miss Ellie that they all need to stop pretending not to notice Sue Ellen’s drinking problem, Miss Ellie asks where JR was, Bobby tells her that he never showed up, Jock says that JR is responsible for this.  JR comes home and says that he saw Sue Ellen’s car by the side of the road, Bobby tells him that he brought her home.  Miss Ellie tells him that she passed out drunk.  JR tells them all to stay out of his marriage.  Miss Ellie tells him that she wants to talk to him alone.  She tells him that he is as power hungry as Jock, only Jock has some redeeming qualities, and she doesn’t think that JR has any, then she asks him if he loves anyone, she says that he loves Sue Ellen, Miss Ellie says that he’s neglected her since the day he married her, with his business then with his women, and that he didn’t even try to hide it.  She tells him that his child is in danger and he’s got to do something about it.  He says that it’s too late.  After he leaves the room, she says to herself that she gave him up too soon.  JR goes to his room and looks at Sue Ellen in the bed.

  Ray asks Lucy if she’s feeling better, and he tells her to stay put, while he goes to get Bobby.  The minute he leaves she gets up, when Ray and Bobby get back they find her and her car gone.  He tells Bobby that she’s been taking pills, Bobby is going to call the sheriff to bring her home, but then Ray says that she might have gone to her friend Annie’s house, they decided to go over and check it out, Bobby tells Ray that he’s going to tell Pam so she can cover for them if she has to.  They drive over to Annie’s and find a party going on.  They go inside and find Lucy hanging all over a guy, when Bobby tells her it’s time to go, she says she doesn’t want to and the guy she was with says to listen to her, buy Ray tells him to stay out of it.  Ray takes her outside, and Bobby asks Annie where her parents are, she tell him that they are out of town, and asks if he’s got to tell them, he says that he doesn’t have a choice.   Bobby finds the pills in Lucy’s purse and asks her how long she’s been taking them, but she’s too out of it to answer.  When they get back to the ranch he tells her to act like nothing is wrong when she gets inside.  Bobby gives Ray her car keys and tells her that she can’t go anywhere without someone taking her, and she can’t have her car back till she’s ready.  He covers for Lucy when Miss Ellie says she doesn’t look good,

  JR drops a bottle onto the floor waking Sue Ellen, he tells her that he has to talk to her.  He tells her that everyone saw her, and she’s an embarrassment to him.  She says that the last thing she remembers is waiting for him at the office, he tells her he was working, and then says that it won’t happen again.  He tells her that he’s removing all the bottles from the bedroom, and will have all the liquor cabinet’s locked and the servants won’t open them for her.  Once he leaves she gets up and goes to the closet and takes out a bottle from a shoe box.

  The next morning Bobby asks JR how Sue Ellen is, he doesn’t give him a answer, he asks if their parents left already, and Bobby reminds him that they went to Jock’s doctor’s appointment.  After he leaves, Pam tells Bobby she doesn’t like leaving Sue Ellen and Lucy home alone, he tells her that Ray will check in on them.  Bobby finds Lucy and tells her that he wants to talk to her once he gets home.  After he leaves she pulls out another packet of the pills and takes one. 

  Lucy is wandering around the house and giggling, she sees Sue Ellen coming down the stairs with a suitcase she asks her where she’s going.  Sue Ellen falls down the stairs, and Lucy sit by her side and is giggling when Ray comes in and finds them now this isn’t supposed to be funny, but it’s some of the funniest stuff on the show so far, Lucy is kind of poking at Sue Ellen laughing, and Ray is trying to get her to leave Sue Ellen alone, who’s moaning about the baby.  Ray calls an ambulance.

  In Bobby’s office he’s going over some plans, and tells the man he’s with that the O.L,M won’t approve them, even if Cliff Barnes is his brother-in-law.  Ray calls Bobby and tells him about Sue Ellen and that Lucy got into more pills, he tells him he’ll be home soon.  Bobby goes to tell JR about Sue Ellen.

  At the hospital, the doctor is looking over the print outs, Sue Ellen asks her if the baby is okay, she tells her that the baby will be fine.  The doctor leaves her and goes to talk to JR, she tells him that Sue Ellen was lucky this time, and that she told Sue Ellen that she needed to stop drinking, and tells him that he needs to take Sue Ellen to a clinic, but he tells her that the Ewing’s take care of their own, she says that they haven’t done a very good job so far.   Miss Ellie goes to see Sue Ellen, Jock stays behind to talk to JR, he tells him that he’s going to be watching him more closely to be sure he is doing what he should be doing.

  Bobby gets home and asks where Lucy is, and Ray tells him that he got the rest of her pills.  Lucy tells him she’s sorry and doesn’t know how she could just sat there when Sue Ellen needed her help.  He asks how she would have felt if Sue Ellen died, he asks her why she’s taking the pills, she tells him to take the pain away.  He tells her that once she stops taking the pill she will feel better , she just needs to give it some time, but the pills arent’ the answer.

  Sue Ellen tells Miss Ellie she needs to be more careful walking around in high heel shoes.  JR announces that Sue Ellen won’t be coming home right away, he’s going to send her to a clinic, she tries to protest, but Miss Ellie and Jock tell her that it’s what she needs.  Sue Ellen is in denial, she can’t imagine why she would need to go to the clinic.

  JR drives her there, she begs him not to leave her there, he tells her it will just be till the baby is born,and the orderlies drag her into the building as she screams at JR. 

Final Thoughts:  I thought Sue Ellen looked like Bella from Breaking Dawn during the scene when JR talks to her in bed, when I get the movie I want to make a video using the dialogue from Breaking Dawn with the video from this episode.

Best Outfit:  This shirt is weird it's got that illusion fabric that they use in ice skating costumes, and that look on Lucy's face is hilarious.

Fight Count:  0