Wednesday, June 13, 2012

PREVIEW: TNT's DALLAS Hits The Mark; Two-Hour Premiere Tonight!

Photo Credit: Mark Seliger
TNT's new DALLAS premieres tonight with two back-to-back episodes. Having been a huge fan of the original series, and being worried over the years when some ridiculous movie remake ideas were tossed out, I was thrilled to see what Cynthia Cidre created for TNT. The new DALLAS is a mix of old generation and new centered around the rivalry between the ruthless John Ross (Josh Henderson) and his cousin Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe).

Bobby (Patrick Duffy), Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) and J.R. (Larry Hagman) are exactly where you would expect them to be and fans will not be disappointed. Bobby is now married to Ann (Brenda Strong), Sue Ellen is a successful business woman who may run for Governor of Texas, and J.R. quickly becomes his old self again. Even Ray and Lucy appear in the first episode tonight.

The writers have a healthy respect for the history of the show with constant mentions of Miss Ellie, and John Ross reminding Christopher at every turn he's not a "real" Ewing.

The opening of DALLAS uses the same classic theme as the original. While the actor's images aren't used, it's still a throwback in an age where TV openings have gone out of style.

We don't want to give too much away but this is Must See TV! There are some unexpected plot twists and it's great to see the Ewings back together again. By the time J.R. sees Sue Ellen, I was misty-eyed and dying to know what happens next. The primetime soap opera is alive and well in 2012.

Below are summaries of tonight's episodes along with a video preview.

“Pilot: Changing of the Guard” – Wednesday, June 13, 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Two decades since viewers last saw them, the Ewing’s are back. Television's first family of drama, sabotage, secrets and betrayal are gathering at Southfork Ranch for the upcoming wedding of Bobby’s adopted son, Christopher, to Rebecca Sutter. Although the occasion is joyous, an old family rivalry crosses generations after secret oil drilling on Southfork results in a major gusher. Everyone has his or her own agenda when the fight over oil and land threatens to tear the Ewings apart once again.

“Hedging Your Bets” – Wednesday, June 13, 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
The plot to take control of Southfork gets complicated when two-timing affairs and blackmail arise, and J.R. starts to ask one too many questions. Meanwhile, Christopher and Elena bury their feelings in order work together on a business deal. But Christopher’s new bride may be hiding her own secrets.



RELATED:
- YEAR OF THE SOAP: Kevin Mulcahy Jr. Reviews Two-Hour DALLAS Premiere and Critiques the Critic
- TNT to Launch Post-Episode Webshows for DALLAS and FALLING SKIES
- TNT and Jetblue Team Up: Special DALLAS Content On Flights!
- WATCH: New DALLAS Extended Promo
- DALLAS Is Back: A Look At The Characters
- TNT Reveals Cast Behind DALLAS Shower Curtain
- DALLAS Star Charlene Tilton Joins DEVANITY!

6 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Are the the events of the reunion movies still part of continuity, or are they playing it as if those films didn't happen?

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  3. I can't remember any reference to any of that stuff, it just sort of picks up where they would be today. The historical talk is more about original Dallas history (eg Christopher being adopted) or Miss Ellie/Southfork history.

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  4. I am so looking forward to this.

    I still wish they had made JR's son the good guy and Bobby's son the bad guy.

    And, I would love to see Bobby & Betsy Ewing show up for their share of the family fortune.

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  5. Chip, I would love to see Bobby & Betsy again along with Gary and Val. From Joan Van Ark's recent interview it sounded like there was some discussion but Ted Shackelford is tied to Y&R. The motivations behind Christopher and John Ross's actions make sense with them being good and evil, but it would have been interesting the other way as well (David Jacobs agreed with you).

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  6. I dunno... I find myself rooting for John Ross even though he's nominally the "bad one." It may be too early to tell, and you may still have your wish come true, Chip... =)

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