Television and Dallas were at the height of their powers during this time. What a superb episode. Great tension as two iconic figures went head to head, Jock and Miss Ellie. Bobbie achieved a great compromise but there was a deeper issue. A touching moment towards the end. Fantastic writing, performances and story line. 9/10
2 Reviews
A Very Touching Episode
barlowralph9 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This review DOES contain spoilers!
I've been watching DVD's of the original DALLAS for a while now, right from the beginning up through Season Four. Of course, the series went on for many more seasons, but if it were going to end early, this would have been a great way to end it.
In the preceding episodes of this season, Jock and Ellie have been driven apart by (apparently) the argument over the Takapa land deal. Also, it has been discovered that Ray Krebbs is really Jock's son. Things come to a head in "Ewing vs. Ewing" when Donna and Ray bring Jock and Ellie together, and Ray sets everything straight.
Barbara Bel Geddes was an amazing actress! Ellie's beautiful and heart-wrenching scene at the end actually brought tears to my eyes! She recognizes that Gary is not ever coming back to Southfork, she accepts Ray fully into the family, and begs Jock's forgiveness for her misunderstanding. Jock, in his last real scene of the series, smiles and tells Ellie "there's nothing to forgive." It is a beautifully acted and directed scene, made even more poignant by the fact that we see very little more of Jim Davis, who was also a wonderful actor.
(As an aside, I strongly feel that Ralph Waite would have been an excellent choice to step into the role of Jock. Some readers may think of him only as mild-mannered John Walton (The Waltons) but trust me: he knew how to be just as gruff and domineering as Jim Davis was. Oh, well )
I almost think I could stop watching at this point, because so many things are resolved here. But what's going to happen with J.R.'s plan to sell Ewing Oil? What about Cliff and Pam's mother? And what mischief will Afton bring into the mix? Time to move on
I've been watching DVD's of the original DALLAS for a while now, right from the beginning up through Season Four. Of course, the series went on for many more seasons, but if it were going to end early, this would have been a great way to end it.
In the preceding episodes of this season, Jock and Ellie have been driven apart by (apparently) the argument over the Takapa land deal. Also, it has been discovered that Ray Krebbs is really Jock's son. Things come to a head in "Ewing vs. Ewing" when Donna and Ray bring Jock and Ellie together, and Ray sets everything straight.
Barbara Bel Geddes was an amazing actress! Ellie's beautiful and heart-wrenching scene at the end actually brought tears to my eyes! She recognizes that Gary is not ever coming back to Southfork, she accepts Ray fully into the family, and begs Jock's forgiveness for her misunderstanding. Jock, in his last real scene of the series, smiles and tells Ellie "there's nothing to forgive." It is a beautifully acted and directed scene, made even more poignant by the fact that we see very little more of Jim Davis, who was also a wonderful actor.
(As an aside, I strongly feel that Ralph Waite would have been an excellent choice to step into the role of Jock. Some readers may think of him only as mild-mannered John Walton (The Waltons) but trust me: he knew how to be just as gruff and domineering as Jim Davis was. Oh, well )
I almost think I could stop watching at this point, because so many things are resolved here. But what's going to happen with J.R.'s plan to sell Ewing Oil? What about Cliff and Pam's mother? And what mischief will Afton bring into the mix? Time to move on
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