Like the rest of the world, Dallas became an all-consuming obsession for the female contingency of the Wilcock household. Some of my very first crushes emerged from the earlier episodes, arguably influencing my penchant for bad boys when I eventually entered secondary school: There was Bobby in his snug swimwear, hunky Ray Krebbs who liked to get his hands dirty and, who can forget, Dr Mitch Cooper - Lucy’s first husband, who my Mum described as ‘dishy’?
The only dark days of the 80s were during the summer months when, following an episode featuring an unseen character called Cliff Hanger, Dallas mysteriously went off air until it was time to go back to school. In the meantime, I could play with my goldfish named JR.
Sadly, Dallas fizzled out in the early 90s, as, 14 seasons down the line, viewers finally started doubting its credibility (nobody batted an eyelid when Bobby came back from the dead five seasons earlier). There may be American series coming out of my ears these days, but nothing will ever fill the void in my life that appeared when my beloved Ewings disappeared off the television.
But now, it's back!!!
After more than ten painstaking years, everything is just how it should be. It isn't a remake, it's a continuation. Initially, I was somewhat sceptical; would it be possible to create a modern day version of Dallas with everything in place that made it so fabulous in the first place? But after viewing it last night, I can safely say that it is a resounding success. Why? Well, all the essential ingredients were in place...
Dallas: The Essential Ingredients
1. The Theme Tune
If they had changed the theme tune, I would have switched off immediately. End of.
2. The Cast
Miraculously, the casting director has managed to get some of the best loved original actors and characters back on our screen, including brothers JR (Larry Hagman) and Bobby (Patrick Duffy). Looking slightly more piggy-eyed and thick-necked than a decade ago, Steve Kanaly also put in a brief appearance as Ray Krebbs. Elsewhere, with Charlene Tilton clearly focussing on a blossoming Hollywood career, it was nice to see Vanessa Feltz cast in the role of petite and saucy (I'm quoting Wikipedia) Lucy Ewing. And finally, we come to Sue Ellen. Nobody else could portray everyone's favourite woman scorned as well as Linda Gray. Disappointingly, Sue Ellen is sober in this pilot episode (although she does look a bit rough, but I'm guessing that's probably down to one Botox shot too many).
3. Continuity
Bobby is married to some woman called ‘Ann’ and poor Pam is not mentioned once during the entire episode. Maybe she was just in a dream I had. Otherwise the continuity is completely flawless, even to the point that there is still the same photo of John Ross as a boy in powder blue pyjamas on JR’s desk as in the original series, which the camera pans in on at least three times. Nice touch.
4. The slur on the memory of a dead Ewing
On this occasion, the deceased Miss Elly is disrespected when John Ross goes against her wishes and drills for oil on Southfork Ranch, quite rightly resulting in his ejection from the Ewing household.
5. Oil field brawl
Usually between any two (possibly three) of the brothers and broken up by one of the elderly Ewing statesmen. On this occasion John Ross and Christopher hammer it out following the oil drilling incident (see 4).
6. The sheriff visits Southfork Ranch
Often with news of a Ewing altercation, DUI incident or to serve papers. No matter how hostile, the sheriff is always greeted jovially and served a Scotch on the rocks (although all-day drinking seemed a bit thin on the ground in the all-new Dallas).
7. Ewing wedding/BBQ/Oil Baron's Ball
The party of the year that, without fail, comes to a sticky end following some manner of fisty cuffs.
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| It was me! |
1 comment:
Could not have put it better myself. Wish you were here to share the choccie raisins. x
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