Pop Cult
Thoughts, ideas and videos from the world of movies, music, TV and everything else pop culture.
'Dallas' premiere recap: The Ewings are comic gold
Photo credit: TNT
On the prime-time soaps episode of PBS' “Pioneers of Television” series, Larry Hagman notes that he approached “Dallas” as a cartoon. The man did — and does, in the current season — play his J.R. as much for laughs as to move the plot. Hagman never takes himself too seriously, which allows the show to reflect societal flaws without being preachy. I find this more truthful than the more melancholic...
Read more »'Dallas' recap: season one finale promises more evil from J.R.
Photo credit: TNT
With the majority of soaps, the viewer can see what's coming. And there's a comfort in that, like walking into a Target and knowing where the paper towels and toothpaste live. “Dallas” is certainly not exempt from this, but the first season concentrates more on established tropes than predictable story lines. We know the paper towels are there, but have no idea where they're stashed.
Rebecca...
Read more »'Dallas' recap: Johnny Cash and 'The Man' come around
Photo credit: TNT
Death took many forms during the episode before the season finale, “Family Business,” from laugh-out-loud funny to metaphorical.
Tommy Sutter was responsible for the former, threatening his fake sister Rebecca with a bullet while twisting the head of a stuffed monkey she'd just gotten for her unborn twins. Whether that came from a moment of improvised genius or a scriptwriter with a good sense...
Read more »'Dallas' recap: as timeless as blackmail
Photo credit: TNT
Just when I think "Dallas" exists in its own time and place, Sue Ellen goes and references Michael Jackson. This would have been disconcerting if it hadn't occurred during a blackmail attempt. Because while the show certainly bears markers of 2012, such indicators tend to serve more as dressing than anything else. Ann carries designer handbags, John Ross drives a new Corvette, et cetera,...
Read more »'Dallas' recap: Sue Ellen Ewing for vice president!
Photo credit: TNT
As the soap opera of election season swells, I have a suggestion for Mitt Romney: Hire Sue Ellen Ewing as your running mate. Seriously, the woman is a master of manipulative diplomacy.
For example: Sue Ellen wants her son's girlfriend Elena to give John Ross oil. Elena demurs, opting to keep herself free of Ewing family politics. So Sue Ellen takes a two-pronged approach over lunch, first...
Read more »'Dallas' recap: a new villain in town
Photo credit: TNT
As evil as J.R. Ewing is, sometimes you're just left wanting more. He can't, after all, be in every scene. So the clever writers behind “Dallas" -- seriously, a cowboy hat off to them — have given us a gift: another villain.
This can be a risky business, introducing yet another character into an ensemble cast that crosses generations and so frequently nods to the original show, but we...
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