Opinion: What I’d Like To See From Dallas Season 2 And Beyond

The second season of TNT’s Dallas begins on Monday, January 28, and as to be expected, I’m very excited. I’ve long said that a generational continuation of the Ewing story was perfect for a new TV series and I am so glad it actually happened. I am even more thankful that it happened while Larry “J.R. Ewing” Hagman was still among the living, because you couldn’t start a new show without J.R.. (Trivia: Larry Hagman was the only actor to appear in every episode of the original Dallas as well as the 2 TV-movies and prequel miniseries)

I’ve seen the first two episodes of the new season, so I have a little idea of what we might get, but even so, I figured I’d make a wishlist of 15 things I’d like to see from Dallas Season 2. (And why 15? One for each complete season of the show so far…)

1. Bring back the triple-split-screen credits!

The version of the Dallas opening that was on the screener was the exact same as Season One — but after the fact, I realized: what of new regular cast members like Mitch Pileggi? He’s not in there! So, I’m hoping the three-way split-screen credits are coming back. I doubt they will, but it would be nice, and it’d get me more pumped whenever Dallas begins. At least they’ve kept the iconic theme song, and to be fair, what we did get for opening titles was very well done.

2. Pamela. No, not Cliff’s daughter… the OTHER Pam.

It seems as though we’ll probably never see Victoria Principal on new Dallas, and since Larry Hagman has passed, our hopes for a reunion of the show’s Big Four — J.R., Sue Ellen, Bobby, and Pam — are now squashed. But hey: She’s Bobby’s ex, and the adoptive mother of Christopher, so she’d have plenty to do. The only thing I’d have against this? It’d cause drama for Bobby and Ann, who have been a bit of a solid rock for the series. An advantage? I’d cause drama for Bobby and Ann, which would mean more juicy material and scenes for Patrick Duffy and Brenda Strong.

3. Make J.R. go out with a bang.

It sounds like Team Dallas is doing just that — they’re not going to let J.R. just die in his sleep. J.R.’s death will be a big occasion, and the character deserves nothing less on his way out.

4. More headaches from the past.

Dallas has done a good job of not often relying too much on past Dallas continuity. I mean, yes, we did get Pamela Rebecca, in a story that ended up negating the existence of “J.R. Returns,” but it’s also not as though Random Kid Of This Character From Original Season 2 has come in to cause trouble. I do know Mandy Winger and J.R.’s other wife, Cally, are expected for the funeral… but more than them, I’m wondering, what of J.R.’s other children? Might they contest the will? James Beaumont wasn’t legitimate, so I’d understand him not showing up (though seeing him reunited with his uncle Frank Lambert Bobby would be fun); but what about J.R.’s child with Cally? Wouldn’t he be around 22 now?

(I still think it was a missed opportunity that Ann wasn’t the hookup Cliff Barnes had 24 years ago who looked conspicuously like Brenda Strong.)

5. More Southfork scenes.

My only complaint about the first two episodes of the new season is that there doesn’t seem to be a lot of action at Southfork itself. The way the new show has filmed Southfork has looked so beautiful that every time I see it, I smile. I’d love to visit someday. Either way, I hope I see more.

6. More shocking cliffhangers.

When John Ross was implicated in the murder of Marta Del Sol last year, I was at the edge of my seat. I hope we get more cliffhangers like that as we go into the new season. It’s very Dallas.

7. Assistants that we get to know.

Again, we get a little bit of that in the series premiere, but now that Ewing Energies is up and running, let’s get to know their right-hand people. Where would J.R. have been without Sly?

8. More meaty material for Sue Ellen (Linda Gray).

Thankfully, it looks like we’ll get that too, especially with J.R.’s passing. Ms. Gray has always been a backbone to Dallas, as important to the myth as Larry and Patrick. She’s there, so use her.

9. Let’s see John Ross living up to his name.

J.R. is and was a scoundrel, and John Ross is a chip off the old block. Again, with these writers and the talent of Josh Henderson in the role, I’m confident I’ll get that wish as well.

10. A trip to the cul-de-sac.

Ted Shackleford’s Gary Ewing is said to be showing up in Season 2; how about we follow him home sometime? At the very least, can we see Abby Cunningham somewhere?

11. Moments of humanity for Pamela Rebecca.

Now that “Rebecca Sutter” has been revealed as Ultimate Badass “Pamela Rebecca Barnes,” Julie Gonzalo’s character is suddenly manipulative, bad, and stone-faced. But to be fair… the best Rebecca moments in Season 1 were when she seemed fragile. She loved Christopher. I understand having a tough exterior but I do hope we get to see some of her more private moments so we can continue to root for her somewhat.

12. Explain to me how Judith Light can be playing that person’s mother.

I don’t want to spoil the character Judith Light will be playing, but I will say she plays a character who is the mother of someone who is around 50. Now, maybe she’s on the Gloria Vanderbilt aging plan, or, hey… Dallas did it before, with Barbara Bel Geddes being only 9 years older than Larry Hagman, but either way, it just comes off as strange to me and takes me out of the moment. On the bright side, it’s nice to see Judith Light on any TV show, especially showing off her powerful drama chops. My generation may have grown up with her as Angela Bower, but her body of work has shown so much more.

13. Please don’t waste time with characters who aren’t interesting.

And if they do get annoying, throw them out a window. You did that last year. Really, though, two episodes in and there’s already a character I want trampled by a horse, and another I already want put into witness protection.

14. Let’s see the Ewings win.

And by this, I mean both John Ross and Christopher. I hope Ewing Energies has success. I’d make ol’ J.R. proud.

15. Give us more.

Cable TV is limited with how many episodes we get per season, but 15 is just not enough. I guess it is better than last year, though. I’m just greedy.

What would you like to see? Leave your comments below and don’t miss the two-hour return of Dallas Monday, January 28 on TNT!