Dallas was a great show to watch. Unfortunately, it went downhill the last few years. This episode is a prime example.
JR Ewing meets a spirit being named Adam, who takes him on a journey to show him what life would be like if he were never born. This was to resemble "It's a Wonderful Life," except that JR Ewing is no George Bailey. George Bailey was beloved by his family and friends, while JR wrecked lives and left people with a lot of animosity.
Without JR, Gary would be the oldest son, Bobby the middle child, and there would be another son named Jason. Gary runs Ewing Oil into the ground causing Jock to commit suicide and Miss Ellie dies of a broken heart two years later. Gary does become a hot shot divorce lawyer in Beverly Hills. Bobby is a compulsive gambler and deeply in debt. Carter McKay is a casino boss to whom Bobby is indebted. Jason is a shady real estate developer who makes his first fortune by leveling Southfork.
Sue Ellen is a successful actress married Nicholas Pierce, who does not die because there was no JR to push him off the balcony. Kristin, Sue Ellen's sister, is a con artist targeting people in power.
Cally never leaves Hayleyville and is married to an abusive redneck. One night, he comes home drunk and frustrated. He snaps at Cally when she suggests taking the kids to the doctor. When the kids are crying, he grabs his belt to give them a thrashing. Cally grabs a shotgun to scare her husband Eb. Thinking she is bluffing, he walks toward her and is determined to beat her to death. As he approaches her, she shoots him and he literally flies across the room. Any court in the land would recognize this as justifiable homicide, except for the so called Hayleyville "justice system." Cally would be convicted of first degree murder and would be sent to prison for life.
Cliff Barnes did not have JR around as a nemesis and may not have wanted anything to do with the oil business seeing what it did to his father Digger. Cliff got his law degree, had a successful law practice, went into politics, and is the Vice President of the United States. He later becomes President when the sitting President falls ill. He also has a beautiful and supportive wife along with two beautiful children.
Ray Krebbs never learns that he is a Ewing as a result of Jock dying before he could find out. Ray loses his job when Southfork is pummeled and tries the rodeo circuit. He injured his back and has to make ends meet by working odd jobs and has a job at a local bar. Ray is as poor as a church mouse, but has a family who loves him unconditionally. He even has a son named Jock. He is the only one of the brothers who is truly happy, despite never learning about his relation to the Ewings.
JR thinks that Adam is an Angel, but in the end he learns that he is really a demon in disguise. He encourages JR to kill himself. We hear a shot ring out, but it doesn't resolve itself until the movie "JR Returns."
I think a better finale would have been to show what the people's reaction could be if JR really did kill himself. JR would see glimpses of his enemies such as McKay, Cliff Barnes, and Michelle celebrating his death. This would set JR off and at the end of the dream, Adam would bring JR to a crossroads where he has to make a choice to kill himself or make changes. Fast forward to a month later and JR walks into his new office at his new company JR Ewing & Associates. Sly is working for JR again and all is forgiven. It turns out that Sly's fiancé's job offer fell through and they decided to call of the engagement, although the continue to see each other. JR then calls Sly into his office where he tells her of his plans for those who tried to bring him down and that it will be his ultimate revenge.
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