The producers and cast of TNT’s updated Dallas faced great challenges for the second season of the updated show, as the center of the show — Larry Hagman, the only actor to appear in every episode of the series since 1978 — passed away midway through the season. That season hits DVD tomorrow (February 11) in a high quality set from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment that includes many extras that fans of the show (like me!) will love.
Here are some thoughts:
The Episodes: I don’t think it’s considered a spoiler to say that this is the season where J.R. Ewing finally gets what some might have argued was coming to him for any years. The episode dealing with his death, “J.R.’s Masterpiece,” is one of the best hours of television from last year and it’s a shame Linda Gray in particular did not get award recognition for her performance as Sue Ellen, dealing with the loss of the [dysfuctional] love of her life. The episode even has a special, somber version of the opening titles replacing the usual Dallas fanfare. It’s good.
Really, everything from “J.R.’s Masterpiece” on is fun to watch. Sadly, TNT doubled up on the schedule a few weeks so the episodes kind of came and went when they were televised, but they’re certainly worth seeing. The first half of the season, admittedly, is not as strong. Ann (Brenda Strong) does something that I think damaged her character for a bit, and although I adore Judith Light, the notion that she could be old enough to be Mitch Pileggi’s mother borders on ridiculous for me. (Never mind that Barbara Bel Geddes was only a few years older than Larry Hagman on the original show). The show does introduce some new characters, like Emma Bell’s Emma who really comes into her own in the second half of the season; and Kuno Becker as Elena’s brother Drew.
Old faces also return, but for way too short of times, in many cases. Ken Kercheval is put to great use though as Cliff Barnes, J.R.’s longtime nemesis, and it is nice to see Gary Ewing for a few weeks, at least. I’m still going to wonder, though, why none of J.R.’s other kids – legitimate (Cally’s baby) and not (James Beaumont) – didn’t try to come to town to claim some of their now deceased father’s holdings.
There is also a really interesting storyline for Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) that drives a lot of his later Season 2 storyline. In many ways, I wish it ended differently, but I do appreciate that it made sense. That’s all I’ll say so I don’t ruin it for someone who hasn’t seen it. And John Ross (Josh Henderson) is becoming so much like his “daddy” – I’m so glad that the show was able to have scenes with him and J.R. before his passing. Finally, there are some great moments for J.R. and Sue Ellen together early in the season that I think people will like.
The Extras: Some DVD sets these days are bare-bones when it comes to extras – not this one. The press release touts “over 3.5 hours of extras.” Those extras include an extended version of “J.R.’s Masterpiece” with cut scenes that unfortunately don’t involve longer takes of any returning classic actors like Deborah Shelton and Cathy Podewell. There’s even an optional producers’ commentary on the episode. There’s “one last conversation with Larry Hagman” that must’ve come from the promotional vaults, and a cast and crew memorial tribute where people talk about working with the TV legend. In addition to more featurettes on top of those, we get the Paley Festival Dallas panel moderated by William Keck, which shows how well this cast works together and has some hilarious script readings that you’ll have to see for yourself.
Graphics & Sound: The set looks and sounds great.
The Packaging: I do like the packaging. The disc art doesn’t do much for me, but the booklet that comes with the set makes it very clear what is where. I can’t ask for much more.
Is It Worth It? YES! But to be fair, I love Dallas, so I’m biased.
Dallas: The Complete Second Season hits DVD this Tuesday, February 11. Order yours from Amazon.com and support this site!
