Nominated for 18 Emmy Awards and 15 Golden Globes in its thirteen-season run, Dallas is the 1,000-pound gorilla of the prime-time soap/drama genre. Premiering in 1978 as a five-part miniseries, the show combines the classic sex and innuendo of repetitive afternoon soap operas with the unbridled adventure of Texas wildcats and filthy-rich oil capitalist tycoons. The explosive mix of wild love affairs and high-stakes business dealings panned out with both men and women, prompting CBS to make Dallas the hub of its Friday night programming (when people were actually watching the show). Friday night television). As a result, Dallas became one of the most successful television series in history. In fact, the famous episode “Who Shot JR?” (“A House Divided” Air Date: 3-21-1980) still holds its place as the second most-watched TV show ever (MASH’s season finale is No. 1). With arguably the most memorable TV villain ever created, it’s no surprise that Dallas ranked #1 or #2 in the Nielsen ratings for most of the 1980s.
Without a doubt, Dallas’ unrivaled success and popularity was due in large part to Larry Hagman and his portrayal of JR Ewing. Hagman’s real-life Texan roots, his unique charm and his uncompromising commitment to his craft helped create one of the most lovable villains in history, and his betrayal is on full display in the fifth. season. Although JR is a vengeful killer, the audience comes to love his sinister smile after a one-sided business deal and/or a selfish act of calculated revenge. In stark contrast, JR’s brother Bobby (Patrick Duffy) balances Ewing’s karma with his all-American smile and his impeccable character. Patrick Duffy brings his own brand of charm to the small screen and creates an interesting clash of personalities.
The Dallas DVD (Season 5) features some of the best episodes of the series. The opening ones focus on Sue Ellen’s attempt to leave JR once and for all. With Dusty and Clayton Farlow by her side, Sue Ellen (Linda Grey) begins a new life at Southern Cross Ranch in San Angelo. The ensuing war between the two over baby John Ross makes for one of the most enjoyable prime-time dramas ever produced. The onscreen chemistry between Hagman and Gray is simply magical. They manage to portray a believable love-hate relationship between husband and wife, and it’s one of the ongoing conflicts that propelled the show to the top of the Nielsen ratings for nearly fourteen years (making it the longest-running primetime drama in television history). ).
Below is a list of episodes included on the Dallas (Season 5) DVD:
Episode 78 (Lost Heir) Air Date: 1981-09-10
Episode 79 (Gone, But Not Forgotten) Air Date: 10-16-1981
Episode 80 (Showdown in San Angelo) Air Date: 10/23/1981
Episode 81 (Little Boy Lost) Air Date: 10/30/1981
Episode 82 (The Sweet Smell of Vengeance) Air Date: 06-11-1981
Episode 83 (The Big Shut Down) Air Date: 11-13-1981
Episode 84 (Blocked) Air Date: 11-20-1981
Episode 85 (The Separation) Air Date: 11/27/1981
Episode 86 (Five Dollars a Barrel) Air Date: 1981-04-12
Episode 87 (Start Over) Air Date: 11-12-1981
Episode 88 (Waterloo at Southfork) Air Date: 12/18/1981
Episode 89 (BBQ Two) Air Date: 01-01-1982
Episode 90 (The Search) Air Date: 08-01-1982
Episode 91 (Denial) Air Date: 01-15-1982
Episode 92 (Head of the Family) Air Date: 01-22-1982
Episode 93 (The Phoenix) Air Date: 01-29-1982
Episode 94 (My Father, My Son) Air Date: 05-02-1982
Episode 95 (Anniversary) Air Date: 1982-12-02
Episode 96 (Adoption) Air Date: 02-19-1982
Episode 97 (The Maelstrom) Air Date: 02-26-1982
Episode 98 (The Prodigal) Air Date: 03-05-1982
Episode 99 (Revenge) Air Date: 1982-12-03
Episode 100 (Blackmail) Air Date: 03-19-1982
Episode 101 (The Investigation) Air Date: 03-26-1982
Episode 102 (Acceptance) Air Date: 04-02-1982
Episode 103 (Goodbye, Cliff Barnes) Air Date: 04-09-1982