Dallas had now reached it's third decade, but it was to be short lived, season 14 would be it's last! However, it had done well, out of all the other glam soaps that had been inspired by Dallas in the 1980's they had all been canceled except for network spin off KNOTS LANDING which was left to bring up the rear an run for another couple of years. So after 14 seasons and with only three of the original cast members surviving it was the end of the road for Dallas. Miss Elie and Lucy finally ditched in season 13, although the characters would still technically remain in the series on an extended holidays, they would never appear again. Miss Elie who was integral to the character set up being the matriarchal figure would be particularly missed, Southfork seemed empty without her. Also, season 14 would also be the only one where there was no updated outdoor scenes of Southfork.
Often in Dallas stories would carry over as a cliff hanger into the next and true to form JR was stranded in a puzzle-house after one of his devious schemes backfired. After about 14#.3 he was able to get out. This season was one of the poorest and if it wasn't for the story surrounding Bobby and the events in Paris, Dallas would have resembled being a pantomime. The rest of the stories were not very convincing, they seemed aimless and had no real purpose. Just off the top of my head I think that after Bobby sold Ewing oil it changed hands about 5 times, in fact I'm still not sure who owns it? In addition characters seemed to come and go, they turned up from no where and then disappeared. Also there seemed to be numerous marriages followed by annulments. Some engagements were on off and on again old wives turned up with their infants and there was an appearance by Larry Hagmans co-star from the 60's comedy I dream of Jeanie Barbara Eden playing an oil tycoon that had a longstanding grudge against JR. All in all a comical merry go round that was hard to keep up with!
In the very first episode of this season April disappeared in Paris while Bobby went for a drink with now retired wildcatter Jordan Lee. He discovered that a woman Sheila Foley who they had befriended while in France was behind the disappearance. She wanted to impersonate April Stevens-Ewing so she get close enough to whack some top OPEC dignitaries at a major oil gathering. By driving down prices OPEC rained havoc on the US oil industry forcing many of the smaller independents into bankruptcy. Not only did they want revenge they also wanted to send a message that they resented dancing to OPEC's tune (something we are still doing bye the way!). Despite masquerading as April Ewing at the conference, the assassination was foiled and in the ensuing chaos April and a number of Foleys goons were killed. Up until the end of this season the major story revolved around Bobby seeking revenge on Sheila Foley and his bitterness towards the oil business.
This was a bold move and took Dallas into international intrigue involving terrorists. The way the story concluded in Paris might have disappointed Dallas fans but the scenario itself was interesting because it only served to reinforce the view and fear that Americans have for Europe. They see Europe as a hothouse full of radical political organizations and corrupt police forces, with the French in particular being the worst. Apart from being rude, they display a general dislike of the English speaking world with Americans in particular being at the top of the list. This story was similar to the 1987 movie called FRANTIC which saw an American couple in Paris caught up in a kidnapping which involved international terrorists. Never the less it all seemed too late for Dallas despite the high intensity of the story, it ended in a depressing way and Dallas never got it's spark back!
So there it is the last season in a long run, it could have continued on for a couple of more seasons but I suppose after 14 seasons it was time to stop drilling! I got the feeling that Bobbys loss of interest n the oil business perhaps reflected Patrick Duffys loss of interest in the series. Larry Hagmans health was no doubt becoming an issue and Ken Kercheval aged very badly during the 14 seasons. Without any of these characters Dallas it never could have continued. Many thought that the ending was a bit corny The last two episodes revolved around a bizarre story of JR being visited by an Angel (Like Frank Capras movie IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE ) showing what the world would have been like without JR Ewing. It was OK, I just wished that they had finished on a high rather than a downer, then again the viewer was left with the impression that JR had taken his own life, perhaps appropriate after the torment he had rained down on everybody else!!
Often in Dallas stories would carry over as a cliff hanger into the next and true to form JR was stranded in a puzzle-house after one of his devious schemes backfired. After about 14#.3 he was able to get out. This season was one of the poorest and if it wasn't for the story surrounding Bobby and the events in Paris, Dallas would have resembled being a pantomime. The rest of the stories were not very convincing, they seemed aimless and had no real purpose. Just off the top of my head I think that after Bobby sold Ewing oil it changed hands about 5 times, in fact I'm still not sure who owns it? In addition characters seemed to come and go, they turned up from no where and then disappeared. Also there seemed to be numerous marriages followed by annulments. Some engagements were on off and on again old wives turned up with their infants and there was an appearance by Larry Hagmans co-star from the 60's comedy I dream of Jeanie Barbara Eden playing an oil tycoon that had a longstanding grudge against JR. All in all a comical merry go round that was hard to keep up with!
In the very first episode of this season April disappeared in Paris while Bobby went for a drink with now retired wildcatter Jordan Lee. He discovered that a woman Sheila Foley who they had befriended while in France was behind the disappearance. She wanted to impersonate April Stevens-Ewing so she get close enough to whack some top OPEC dignitaries at a major oil gathering. By driving down prices OPEC rained havoc on the US oil industry forcing many of the smaller independents into bankruptcy. Not only did they want revenge they also wanted to send a message that they resented dancing to OPEC's tune (something we are still doing bye the way!). Despite masquerading as April Ewing at the conference, the assassination was foiled and in the ensuing chaos April and a number of Foleys goons were killed. Up until the end of this season the major story revolved around Bobby seeking revenge on Sheila Foley and his bitterness towards the oil business.
This was a bold move and took Dallas into international intrigue involving terrorists. The way the story concluded in Paris might have disappointed Dallas fans but the scenario itself was interesting because it only served to reinforce the view and fear that Americans have for Europe. They see Europe as a hothouse full of radical political organizations and corrupt police forces, with the French in particular being the worst. Apart from being rude, they display a general dislike of the English speaking world with Americans in particular being at the top of the list. This story was similar to the 1987 movie called FRANTIC which saw an American couple in Paris caught up in a kidnapping which involved international terrorists. Never the less it all seemed too late for Dallas despite the high intensity of the story, it ended in a depressing way and Dallas never got it's spark back!
So there it is the last season in a long run, it could have continued on for a couple of more seasons but I suppose after 14 seasons it was time to stop drilling! I got the feeling that Bobbys loss of interest n the oil business perhaps reflected Patrick Duffys loss of interest in the series. Larry Hagmans health was no doubt becoming an issue and Ken Kercheval aged very badly during the 14 seasons. Without any of these characters Dallas it never could have continued. Many thought that the ending was a bit corny The last two episodes revolved around a bizarre story of JR being visited by an Angel (Like Frank Capras movie IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE ) showing what the world would have been like without JR Ewing. It was OK, I just wished that they had finished on a high rather than a downer, then again the viewer was left with the impression that JR had taken his own life, perhaps appropriate after the torment he had rained down on everybody else!!
