tv_talk | Dallas: A Primer & Homebase!

Dallas: A Primer & Homebase

Isn't that the show from the 80s with the shoulder pads and the who shot J.R.?

Yes. Yes, it is. The same show. Not a remake, but a continuation with many of the same characters and actors. But fear not: you can absolutely watch it and love the crap out of it without having seen any or all of the fourteen seasons that came before. In fact, I'm going to write this assuming you haven't seen the original, but if you're a fan and you want to know how something fits in, I'll be glad to answer questions in the comments.

Dallas is a drama about the Ewing family, who live -- somewhat ironically -- outside Dallas, Texas, on a ranch called Southfork. They're super wealthy and super powerful thanks to the oil company that granddaddy Jock Ewing started back in the 1930s. When a bad guy comes calling, the Ewings will do anything for each other.

And when there's no bad guy knocking at their door, they'll do anything to each other.

This is a family that takes sides, and, conveniently, the promo picture up at the top illustrates the family divide (and if you search out the promo pictures for season two, you'll notice some shifts). Let's break this down.

Team J.R.	Team Bobby
John Ross Ewing II (J.R.) Eldest of three Ewing sons Former oil tycoon, now in a nursing home The bad boy who stops at nothing Wants Southfork and the oil under it LEGEN-- wait for it --DARY	Robert James Ewing (Bobby) Baby of the Ewing family Former oilman, current rancher The good boy with a bad temper Wants some damn peace in the family Has Southfork and the oil under it Also has cancer, so that's a bummer
Sue Ellen Ewing J.R.'s first wife ...and J.R.'s second wife Recovering alcoholic (see previous points) Miss Texas 1967 and she's still got it god damn Powerful businesswoman who learned all of J.R.'s tricks Future Governor of Texas????	Ann Ewing Wife number three Marriage number four (Bobby's, not hers) Her ex hubby is Skinner from The X-Files Sue Ellen's BFF Has A Secret™ ...and a gun
John Ross Ewing III J.R.'s son from tip to tail Overestimates how good he is at being bad Chicks dig him Mama and daddy issues like whoa Wildcatter who is all yay oil, especially Southfork oil because birthright	Christopher Ewing Bobby's adopted son from his first marriage Unhappy with people expecting him to be like The Great Bobby Ewing But totes has his father's temper And his self-righteousness, ngl Scientist/engineer who is all yay methane hydrates, renewable energy is the future
Elena Ramos Daughter of the Ewings' cook, Carmen Grew up with John Ross and Christopher John Ross's girlfriend and Christopher's ex A wildcatter, a scientist/engineer, and a businesswoman!	Rebecca Sutter Christopher's wife Comes with bonus brother, Tommy Pretty clearly Lying About Something™ Anything else is a spoiler, seriously

The central conflict for season one is over who owns Southfork and what they get to do with it. It is, essentially, a fight for control of the family legacy. But what I love about it is how every other story line eventually ties into, unravels because of, or branches off from it: Bobby's cancer, Ann's secret, Sue Ellen's political ambitions, the John Ross-Elena-Christopher love triangle, Rebecca's lie... everything. It's quite the tangle of plot lines, and for that reason, I'd strongly recommend watching the episodes in order. There are twenty-five in total: ten to the first season and fifteen to the second.

The first season is out on DVD; the second season will be out February 11 in the U.S., but it's already available in other regions. If you like your shows in digital format, both seasons are on Amazon Instant Video and iTunes, and they should be on Netflix later this month, if they aren't already.

The actors and official character accounts tend to live tweet episodes, so here is a not-necessarily-exhaustive list of relevant accounts to follow.

Characters

Actors

Season three starts Monday February 24 at 9:00 Eastern on TNT. TNT will be re-running all 25 episodes beginning at 8:00 Eastern on Sunday February 23.

Dallas: A Primer & Homebase!

no subject