Dallas (1978 TV series, season 2)

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Season of television series

Dallas

Season 2
Country of origin| United States
No. of episodes| 24
Release
Original network| CBS
Original release| September 23, 1978 (1978-09-23) –
April 6, 1979 (1979-04-06)
Season chronology

← Previous
Season 1

Next →
Season 3

List of episodes

The second season of the television series Dallas aired on CBS during the 1978–79 TV season.

## Cast[edit]

### Starring[edit]

In alphabetical order:

* Barbara Bel Geddes as Miss Ellie Ewing (24 episodes)
* Jim Davis as Jock Ewing (24 episodes)
* Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing (24 episodes)
* Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing (24 episodes)
* Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing (24 episodes)
* Steve Kanaly as Ray Krebbs (14 episodes)
* Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing (24 episodes)
* Charlene Tilton as Lucy Ewing (24 episodes)

### Also starring[edit]

* Ken Kercheval as Cliff Barnes (14 episodes)
* Tina Louise as Julie Grey (2 episodes), billed under "Guest Star" status in her first appearance

### Special guest stars[edit]

* David Wayne as Willard "Digger" Barnes (2 episodes)
* John McIntire as Sam Culver (1 episode)

### Notable guest stars[edit]

Several long running Dallas cast members debut during the second season. Most notably Susan Howard, who became a series regular in Season 5, made her first appearance as Donna Culver. Additionally, Don Starr (Jordan Lee), Fern Fitzgerald (Marielee Stone), Paul Sorensen (Andy Bradley), Robert Ackerman (Wade Luce), Sherril Lynn Rettino (Jackie Dugan), Barbara Babcock (Liz Craig), James Brown (Harry McSween), Karlene Crockett (Muriel Gillis), John Zaremba (Dr. Harlen Danvers), and Meg Gallagher (Louella Caraway Lee) all appeared for the first time. Also, after being played by Donna Bullock in Season 1, and briefly by Ann Ford and Nancy Bleier in Season 2, Jeanna Michaels finally joined the cast as Connie Brasher, Bobby's secretary, during Season 2, thus becoming the final and longest lasting actress in the role, playing her until Season 4.

David Ackroyd and Joan Van Ark appeared as Lucy's parents Gary and Valene Ewing. In 1979, both characters returned in their own series, Dallas spinoff Knots Landing, with Ted Shackelford replacing Ackroyd, and continued to appear in Dallas until the mid 1980s. Both characters returned for the series finale "Conundrum" in 1991. Colleen Camp appeared as Kristin Shepard, a character recast by Mary Crosby the following year, receiving an "also starring" billing. Morgan Fairchild appeared as the first of three actresses to play Jenna Wade, with Jenna later portrayed by Francine Tacker in Season 3, and by series regular Priscilla Presley from Seasons 7–11. Laurie Lynn Myers appeared as Jenna's daughter Charlie, later portrayed by Shalane McCall from Seasons 7–11. Martha Scott appeared in one episode as Patricia Shepard, but returned for recurring episodes during seasons 3 and 9.

## Crew[edit]

Series creator David Jacobs writes the first two episodes of the season, introducing the characters of Gary and Valene, and continues as creative consultant until halfway through the season, when he left Dallas to create Knots Landing. Producer Leonard Katzman writes and direct his first episodes, and replaces Jacobs as showrunner, remaining on the show until its closure in 1991.

Additional writers include the returning Camille Marchetta and Arthur Bernard Lewis, as well as newcomers Darlene Craviotto, Jim Inman, Worley Thorne, Rena Down, D. C. Fontana and Richard Fontana. Lee Rich and Philip Capice continue to serve as executive producers. Katzman serves as producer, and Cliff Fenneman as associate producer. Arthur Bernard Lewis was promoted executive story editor, with Camille Marchetta serving as story editor.

## DVD release[edit]

The second season was released, alongside season one, by Warner Home Video on a Region 1 DVD box set on August 24, 2004. The box includes five double-sided DVDs, and, alongside the two seasons' 29 episodes, it also include a SOAPnet’s Soap Talk Dallas reunion featurette, and three commentary tracks, by actors Larry Hagman and Charlene Tilton, and series creator David Jacobs.[1]

## Episodes[edit]

See also: List of Dallas (1978 TV series) episodes

No.
overall| No. in
season| Title| Directed by| Written by| Original U.S. air date| Original U.K. air date| Rating/share
(households)

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

6| 1| "Reunion – Part 1"| Irving J. Moore| David Jacobs| September 23, 1978 (1978-09-23)| October 3, 1978| 12.5/23[2][3]
Bobby talks Gary into returning to Southfork after a long absence. Jimmy takes Lucy to the diner in Fort Worth where her mother Valene is working.
7| 2| "Reunion – Part 2"| Irving J. Moore| David Jacobs| September 30, 1978 (1978-09-30)| October 10, 1978| 12.8/25[4]
J.R pretends to help his younger brother by including him in some Ewing Oil business with a company that is expected to fail. Gary succumbs to the pressure and leaves Southfork. J.R. blackmails Valene into leaving by paying her off.
8| 3| "Old Acquaintance"| Alex March| Camille Marchetta| October 7, 1978 (1978-10-07)| October 17, 1978| 12.9/22[5]
Bobby's first love, Jenna Wade, re-enters his life needing his help after being exposed as the mistress of businessman Maynard Anderson. Bobby believes her daughter Charlie might be his, but Jenna will not confirm.
9| 4| "Bypass"| Corey Allen| Arthur Bernard Lewis| October 14, 1978 (1978-10-14)| October 24, 1978| 14.3/26[6]
Bobby doesn't like the way J.R. does business and questions his own role at Ewing Oil. Jock confronts J.R. leading to a heart attack. Bobby deals with his father's illness by joining Ray at Southfork. Jock knows J.R. is not telling him everything, and wants Bobby back at Ewing Oil. The operation goes fine, and Jock wonders about Bobby's role in the company. Bobby continues working at Southfork leaving Ewing Oil solely in J.R.'s hands.
10| 5| "Black Market Baby"| Lawrence Dobkin| Darlene Craviotto| October 15, 1978 (1978-10-15)| October 31, 1978| 16.1/23[6]

Sue Ellen is worried Pam will produce the next Ewing heir before her, so decides to adopt. Sue Ellen finds a young women named Rita who is willing to give up her baby and she unexpectedly forms a maternal relationship with her. J.R. finds out about the plan and has Rita transported out of state. He wants an heir as much as Sue Ellen, but tells her it has to be "our child, not somebody else's".

NOTE: Due to low viewer ratings, with this episode, the series moves from Saturday night airings back to Sundays in the United States.
11| 6| "Double Wedding"| Paul Stanley| Jim Inman and Arthur Bernard Lewis| October 21, 1978 (1978-10-21)| November 7, 1978| 15.1/30[7]
Pam's ex-husband, Ed Haynes, shows up in Dallas causing conflict in Bobby and Pam's marriage. Ed was away in Vietnam when Pam got the divorce and claims he never got the papers. This would mean that he and Pam are still married. Bobby unravels the scheme by tracking down Haynes' partner and locating a copy of the annulment papers.
12| 7| "Runaway"| Barry Crane| Worley Thorne| October 29, 1978 (1978-10-29)| November 14, 1978| 17.4/30[7]
Lucy wants to invite her mother to her birthday party. Jock does not want Valene on the ranch so Lucy tries to explain that J.R. lied and her mother never took the bribe, but Jock stands firm. Lucy leaves and is picked up by a con man, Willie Guest, who initially includes Lucy in some of his schemes but Lucy does not cooperate and he kidnaps her. Bobby and the police track them down and Lucy returns safely.
13| 8| "Election"| Barry Crane| Rena Down| November 5, 1978 (1978-11-05)| November 21, 1978| 15.5/26[8]
Pam works on Cliff's campaign to run for state senator while Jock orders Bobby to work on Cliff's opponent's campaign. J.R. tricks Pam into revealing damaging information from Cliff's past that leads to a political scandal and defeat for Cliff. A furious Pam confronts Jock and J.R. and vows to make them pay for hurting her brother.
14| 9| "Survival"| Irving J. Moore| D. C. Fontana, Richard Fontana| November 12, 1978 (1978-11-12)| November 28, 1978| 21.0/38[9]
During a storm, J.R. and Bobby's plane crashes. The news gets to Ellie first, and worried about Jock's heart condition, she insists the news be kept from him. As J.R. and Bobby fight for survival, the Ewing women contemplate life without them in it. Miss Ellie confronts a reporter who comes to Southfork, Jock overhears the conversation and is furious that the news has been kept from him.
15| 10| "Act of Love"| Corey Allen| Leonard Katzman| November 19, 1978 (1978-11-19)| December 12, 1978| 16.2/25[10]
J.R. goes to Washington, D.C. for lobbying and extra curricular activities. Jock, recuperating, takes on temporary leadership duties at Ewing Oil. Sue Ellen spends more time with Cliff Barnes, then receives an important call from her doctor. Offered a promotion at the store, Pam debates between a Paris shopping trip and Bobby's party.
16| 11| "Triangle"| Vincent McEveety| Camille Marchetta| November 26, 1978 (1978-11-26)| December 19, 1978| 17.7/28[10]
Ray has become serious about country singer Garnet McGee. When Jock leaves Ray some land at Southfork, he pops the question to Garnet. Garnet wants more than Ray can offer and hooks up with J.R., who negotiates a music contract for her. Ray is furious and heads for Garnet’s. He finds J.R. with her and a fight begins.
17| 12| "Fallen Idol"| Vincent McEveety| Arthur Bernard Lewis| December 3, 1978 (1978-12-03)| December 5, 1978| 21.9/35[11]

Bobby's old friend Guzzler Bennett returns to Dallas wanting Bobby to join him in a construction venture. The plan is to build a shopping mall on Southfork. Ellie wants no part of a shopping mall and J.R. has other plans for the land.

NOTE: This episode aired in the UK before the episodes "Act of Love" and "Triangle".
18| 13| "Kidnapped"| Lawrence Dobkin| Camille Marchetta| December 17, 1978 (1978-12-17)| January 9, 1979| 22.1/38[12]
Kidnappers going after J.R. end up taking Bobby instead. The kidnappers want to use Cliff Barnes as the go-between, but J.R. cannot stay out of it. J.R. overhears Cliff setting up a time to do the switch and he and Ray try to save Bobby.
19| 14| "Home Again"| Don McDougall| Arthur Bernard Lewis| January 7, 1979 (1979-01-07)| January 16, 1979| 25.7/39[13]
Ellie's brother Garrison, presumed dead, shows up at Southfork. Ellie, knowing the ranch was supposed to be his, tells the family she will be giving Southfork to Garrison. The family is not happy.
20| 15| "For Love or Money"| Irving J. Moore| Leonard Katzman| January 14, 1979 (1979-01-14)| January 23, 1979| 19.6/30[14]
Sue Ellen's mother and sister arrive in Dallas. Sue Ellen catches J.R. with another woman, so she moves in with her family. J.R. is not happy, but finally decides he wants his wife home, even if the baby she is carrying is not his.
21| 16| "Julie's Return"| Leslie H. Martinson| Rena Down| January 26, 1979 (1979-01-26)| January 30, 1979| 19.9/35[15]

Julie Grey, Jock's former secretary, arrives back in Dallas, and Jock is thrilled to spend time with her and they renew their relationship. Fearing Jock is having an affair with Julie, J.R. tells his mother. Ellie tries to stop what is going on, but Jock leaves to see Julie. Once Jock leaves, J.R. shows up at Julie's door. Julie promises to keep causing trouble for J.R., but he tells her not to count on it.

NOTE: With this episode, the series moves from Sunday night airings to Fridays in the United States. Dallas will remain a Friday night fixture on the CBS Television Network for the remainder of its original run.
22| 17| "The Red File – Part 1"| Leonard Katzman| Arthur Bernard Lewis| February 2, 1979 (1979-02-02)| February 13, 1979| 18.6/32[16]
J.R. is not happy that Cliff is back in public office. He attempts to use Julie to get information about Cliff. She is tired of J.R. and decides she will help Cliff instead, offering him all the Ewing secrets. Cliff heads to Julie's, but does not find her. After a run in with Ames and Garr from the cartel, Julie ends up dead, having fallen from the roof of her building. J.R. uses his influence to have Cliff booked for her murder.
23| 18| "The Red File – Part 2"| Leonard Katzman| Arthur Bernard Lewis| February 9, 1979 (1979-02-09)| February 20, 1979| 21.7/38[16]
After the shock death of Julie Grey, Pam is sure that J.R. is framing Cliff so she leaves Bobby and Southfork. Bobby is determined to save his marriage and starts investigating to help Cliff.
24| 19| "Sue Ellen's Sister"| Irving J. Moore| Camille Marchetta| February 16, 1979 (1979-02-16)| February 27, 1979| 21.1/36[17]
Cliff gets Ewing Oil information out of Sue Ellen then uses Pam in the Barnes-Ewing feud. Meanwhile, Sue Ellen's sister Kristin visits Southfork and with Pam away she makes a play for Bobby. Lucy and J.R. both see through Kristin, Lucy discourages Kristin but J.R. encourages her.
25| 20| "Call Girl"| Leslie H. Martinson| Rena Down| February 23, 1979 (1979-02-23)| March 13, 1979| 17.1/29[17]
While still separated from Bobby, Pam makes friends with a model, Leanne Rees. Leanne happens to be a former prostitute and an old acquaintance of J.R., who creates a photo opportunity in which Pam looks like she too is into the world's oldest profession. Bobby finds out about J.R.'s scheme and brings Pam back to Southfork.
26| 21| "Royal Marriage"| Gunnar Hellström| Camille Marchetta| March 9, 1979 (1979-03-09)| March 20, 1979| 21.2/37[18]
When Lucy gets engaged to Kit Mainwaring J.R. is thrilled, the potential business merger with Mainwaring Oil could be beneficial for Ewing Oil. Unfortunately, Kit Mainwaring is gay. He eventually confesses this to Bobby and then to Lucy. Lucy is heartbroken, but stands by Kit and keeps the secret. Only she and Bobby know the truth. But, of course, J.R. knew all along.
27| 22| "The Outsiders"| Dennis Donnelly| Leonard Katzman| March 16, 1979 (1979-03-16)| March 27, 1979| 19.2/35[19]
Ray meets Donna Culver in a bar and begins an affair unaware that she is married to Jock's old friend Sam Culver, a powerful former politician, that Jock and J.R. enlist in their struggle against Cliff Barnes' vendetta against Ewing Oil. After her break up from Kit Lucy turns to drugs.
28| 23| "John Ewing III – Part 1"| Leonard Katzman| Camille Marchetta| March 23, 1979 (1979-03-23)| April 10, 1979| 23.5/43[20]
Sue Ellen's battle with the bottle continues, despite her pregnancy. When Lucy and Sue Ellen are alone at Southfork, they have a meeting in which Sue Ellen ends up falling down the stairs. Lucy seems to have learned her lesson, but J.R. decides to put Sue Ellen, against her wishes, in a sanitarium.
29| 24| "John Ewing III – Part 2"| Leonard Katzman| Arthur Bernard Lewis| April 6, 1979 (1979-04-06)[21]| April 17, 1979| 23.9/42[22][23]
Sue Ellen is not happy in the sanitarium. Bobby visits her and thinks that Cliff is the father of the baby. She bribes a nurse for alcohol and leaves the sanitarium, and is involved in a car accident. She ends up in the hospital with the baby's life in danger. Cliff, thinking he is the father, rushes to the hospital.

## References[edit]

1. ^ Lambert, David (May 10, 2004). "'Dallas' DVD news: Video Business reports DVD date and content". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
2. ^ Bruce B. Morris, Prime Time Network Serials: Episode Guides, Casts and Credits for 37 Continuing Television Dramas, 1964-1993, McFarland and Company, 1997.
3. ^ National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (September 18–October 1, 1978) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
4. ^ "ABC consolidates ratings strength by winning five nights". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 253, no. 29\. October 4, 1978. p. 19\. ProQuest 2598191410.
5. ^ "ABC leads season- to-date; O.K. desnite week's snorts". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 253, no. 34\. October 11, 1978. p. 10\. ProQuest 2598212654.
6. ^ a b National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (October 2–15, 1978) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
7. ^ a b National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (October 16–29, 1978) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
8. ^ National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (October 30–November 12, 1978) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
9. ^ "Pallid Tuesday Dulls Ratings, But ABC Wins". Variety. Vol. 293, no. 2\. November 15, 1978. p. 56\. ProQuest 1401337608.
10. ^ a b National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (November 13–26, 1978) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
11. ^ National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (November 27–December 10, 1978) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
12. ^ "CBS wins ratings on series strength; NBC in trouble". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 254, no. 33\. December 20, 1978. p. 24\. ProQuest 2598176718.
13. ^ "CBS Firstruns Outscore Rivals, Capture Week". Variety. Vol. 293, no. 10\. January 10, 1979. p. 86\. ProQuest 1401342692.
14. ^ National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (January 1–14, 1979) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
15. ^ National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (January 15–28, 1979) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
16. ^ a b National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (January 29–February 11, 1979) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
17. ^ a b National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (February 12–25, 1979) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
18. ^ National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (February 26–March 11, 1979) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
19. ^ National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (March 12–25, 1979) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.
20. ^ "Weekly Ratings In Hold Pattern". Variety. Vol. 294, no. 8\. March 28, 1979. p. 50\. ProQuest 1401353339.
21. ^ "TV Listings for April 6, 1979". TV Tango. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
22. ^ "TV Ratings (April 2–8)". The New York Times. April 11, 1979. p. C25. ProQuest 120899216.
23. ^ National Nielsen TV Audience Estimates (March 26–April 8, 1979) (Report). Nielsen Media Research.

## External links[edit]

* List of Dallas season 2 episodes at the Internet Movie Database

* v
* t
* e

Dallas

* Original series (1978–1991)
* Revival series (2012–2014)

Characters|

| Original series|

* Liz Adams
* Cliff Barnes
* Pam Ewing
* James Beaumont
* Donna Culver Krebbs
* Bobby Ewing
* Miss Ellie Farlow
* Jack Ewing
* Jock Ewing
* J. R. Ewing
* Lucy Ewing
* Sue Ellen Ewing
* Clayton Farlow
* Cally Harper Ewing
* Ray Krebbs
* Carter McKay
* April Stevens Ewing
* Michelle Stevens
* Jenna Wade Krebbs

|

Revival series|

* Pamela Rebecca Barnes
* Ann Ewing
* Christopher Ewing
* John Ross Ewing
* Elena Ramos
* Harris Ryland
* Nicolas Treviño

Supporting|

* Digger Barnes
* Afton Cooper
* Marta Del Sol
* Gary Ewing
* Valene Ewing
* Kristin Shepard

Families|

* Ewing family

Episodes|

| Original series|

| Seasons|

* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 10
* 11
* 12
* 13
* 14

|

Major episodes|

* "A House Divided"
* "Who Done It"
* "Conundrum"

TV movies|

* Dallas: The Early Years (1986)
* Dallas: J.R. Returns (1996)
* Dallas: War of the Ewings (1998)
* Dallas Reunion: The Return to Southfork (2004)

Revival series|

* "Blame Game"
* "The Furious and the Fast"
* "J.R.'s Masterpiece"
* "Legacies"

Related articles|

* Crew members
* Cloyce Box Ranch
* Southfork Ranch
* Popular culture
* Who shot J.R.?
* "Time" (The Young Ones)
* The Dallas Quest
* Knots Landing

* Category

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