Few shows have the built in fan base, history, and mythology as "Dallas". From the story lines to the cliff hangers, to the capable performances, "Dallas" delivered every Friday night for over a decade. The disappointing thing about this new series is the producers' lack of this rich history, disregard for the fan base and ignorance of the mythology. Watching this first episode left me cold for a couple of different reasons. John Ross drilling for oil on Southfork; any viewer of the original series knows this has long been against Miss Ellie's wishes. J.R. tried it once before and caught hell for it. How John Ross managed to sneak a drilling crew on the ranch under Bobby's nose defies explanation. John Ross, later in the episode insults Christopher for not being a "real Ewing" and makes some crack about his daddy buying him from some deadbeat.If John Ross is aware of this history, wouldn't he also be equally aware of who Christopher's birth mother is? Why on earth would he bring that up? Another scene left me shaking my head was the dinner scene: Rebecca asked Elena to be her bridesmaid and everyone at the table looked uncomfortable about it, because Christopher and Elena apparently used to be a couple. With the viewer not having seen these relationships unfold and develop, the scene came across as a wasted effort. The first episode of the original "Dallas" is on DVD, I recommend viewers of this new series compare its first episode to the original to see how character and plot development come together.The prior series also did a much better job casting its characters,especially the men.Watching vintage Dallas is almost like watching a western set in the city. These guys had gravitas. J.R. Bobby, Ray,etc. were fully grown,"man's man" type guys. These two new leads look like college boys.Neither of them look like they could head a billion dollar corporation,ride in a rodeo, or make women weak kneed.Casting on this series was a big misfire. Why the producers haven't mined the rich history from Dallas" golden age to script characters for this new series is a mystery. For those who want to say"This is a different show!", think again. The producers took the theme song, the families, the concept, some of the history of the original series. To continue a story, you need continuity. On the whole, my personal opinion is the producers are drawing a check based on little more than the reputation of the series that preceded this one.
Review of Dallas
