Here are some scenes from the first part of tonight's story:
Wait outside. Please!
- How bad is he? - I wish I could be more reassuring.
We're moving him into Intensive Care.
I must have shot J.R.
Sue Ellen. Don't do anything foolish!
Ewing 4, Ewing 4, please pull over. State police business.
I think I'm gonna get a ticket.
- What's going on? - We were asked to take you to Dallas.
- What? - Mr. J.R. Ewing's been shot.
His blood pressure's falling.
That's what I was afraid of. He must be bleeding again.
It's most likely the spleen. Let's get him to O.R. now.
- Will he live? - Do you really care. Sue Ellen?
Your husband may be dying. You're out gallivanting around someplace.
- Sue Ellen was sick. - Sick.
You mean drunk.
After I left Dr. Elby's office. I went across the street for a drink.
My nerves.
Then I don't remember anything until I woke up at the airport.
J.R. was right.
Elby hadn't done you a bit of good.
You need to be back in that sanitarium.
Tony. Can you get the bullet?
Yes.
Got it!
You just made the police force very happy.
Gary.
Mama? Mama. You still there?
Daddy. Grandma needs you. She really does.
I can get a plane that'll get me there about 6:00 tomorrow morning.
We removed one bullet.
The second bullet appears to be lodged in the spinal canal.
To remove it is very. Very delicate surgery.
Ewing Oil has been my life. Ellie.
And J.R. may be dying because of it.
I don't think the company is worth my family.
I want Bobby home...
no matter what it costs Ewing Oil.
Jock has named you as a prime suspect in J.R.'s shooting.
I certainly had enough motive. And if anybody deserves shooting. It's J.R.
How is he. Mama?
He's very weak.
The doctor said just a few minutes.
Mr. Ewing. We gotta know something.
Who shot you, Mr. Ewing?
Mr. Ewing. Who did it?
It was...
It was too dark.
I went to the door...
of the office.
After that. I couldn't remember anything.
Anything.
You didn't see anyone. Hear anything?
No.
- Are you sure? - Horton. He said he didn't see anybody.
Now. That should do it.
Okay. I'm just trying to wrap things up. That's all.
I think we'd better let him get some sleep now.
Sue Ellen.
I'm sorry. J.R.
I'm so very sorry.
Mama.
I'm so glad you came.
I'm sorry about J.R.
Daddy.
I'm sorry it took something like this to bring you back.
- Welcome home. Boy. - Thanks. Daddy.
- Gary. How are you? - Hi. Bobby.
- Good to see you. - You're just in time for breakfast.
No. Just coffee. Maybe a roll. I had something on the plane.
Honey, if you don't let go, I won't be able to eat.
Oh. Do I have to?
Where's Sue Ellen?
She's upstairs in the nursery. With the baby.
That's right. I've got a nephew I've never seen before.
I think I'll run up and take a look.
Jock.
Bobby. l...
I have a favor to ask of you.
What is it, Daddy?
I want you to run Ewing Oil for a while.
I don't think I should be involved in that.
Bobby. Your daddy's been under too much strain now to go into the office.
Ewing Oil can run itself for the time being.
Bobby. You know that if we don't keep on top of things...
we're gonna run into a ton of trouble in no time.
But if you don't wanna do it. I can understand.
Bobby. Please. It's important for both of us.
Okay. I'll do it.
- But just for the time being. - Thanks.
I got you. I got you. I got you.
I got you. I got you. Yeah.
There you go. Yeah!
Oh. He's a great kid, Sue Ellen.
I know.
He's just my whole life.
You must've really suffered when you realized you'd almost lost him.
- I don't know what you're talking about. - The car accident.
When you'd been drinking.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to dig up old ghosts.
There are no ghosts.
I can understand why you don't wanna talk about it.
I'm an alcoholic...
and I know what that's like.
But you can lick it if you want to.
Gary. I am not an alcoholic.
Well. I'll admit that I take a drink on occasion to steady my nerves...
but I can stop. I have stopped for months at a time.
Yeah. Yeah. So did I. Thought I had it beat.
Then I took a drink. And another...
and pretty soon. I was on a rampage.
I never realized I was capable of that kind of violence.
Gary. I want you to stop right now. Stop preaching at me.
I am not an alcoholic. And I am not violent.
Bobby. Pull over there for a minute. Will you?
- Why? What's the matter? - Nothing.
You know. Whenever I think of Southfork...
it's not the fighting or the problems.
This is what I think of.
When I look at it from here. I don't know how I was ever able to leave it.
Oh. I know.
Pam and I were leaving. We were gonna surprise you and Val...
- and drop in on you. - You're kidding. You love Southfork.
- Don't you? - Well. Sure...
but. Well. There's J.R.
- And Daddy. - Well. They got to me too.
Yeah. But you're tougher than I am. And stronger.
And I have the same Achilles' heel. Same weakness you do:
A conscience.
I can't stand to see my family run roughshod over people...
deal from the bottom of the deck and just turn away.
You know. If J.R. hadn't been shot...
you and I might be surfing in the Pacific right now.
Well. One way or another. Our oldest brother seems to control our destinies.
Yeah.
Your mama and daddy will be here in just a little while. J.R.
Yeah. I guess I scared the hell out of everybody. Didn't I?
Don't you worry about that. You just get some rest so you can get better.
How's John Ross?
He's just fine. He misses his daddy. Though.
I wish you could bring him here.
Oh. You'll be back home in just a little while.
I'm not sure about that.
My legs. Sue Ellen.
I can't feel them.
I think I'm paralyzed.
It's the second bullet that's causing the problem.
Is the paralysis gonna be permanent?
I'm not a neurosurgeon. But we know the spinal cord has not been severed.
He still has some motion and sensation.
However. We don't know what damage there is and whether it's permanent.
It could be reversed by surgery. But it's risky.
How risky?
In all surgery. There's a risk.
You mean. It could kill him?
It could cause complete and permanent paralysis or. Yes...
in his present condition. It could kill him.
I want the best neurosurgeon.
I don't care if you have to get him from halfway around the world.
Miss Ellie. I will not allow J.R. to take that chance.
Sue Ellen. We have to have a consultation with an expert.
And you'll talk him into having that operation. And he's gonna die.
- Please. Sue Ellen. - Sue Ellen. We can't leave J.R. like that...
if there's something we can do.
I am not going to allow J.R. to be operated on anymore.
Sue Ellen. It's the best thing for J.R.
What do you know about this. Gary?
In fact. What in the hell do you know about anything?!
Bobby. Leave her alone. Let her work it out herself.
Who is the best man?
Dr. Kyle Roclaire. Right here in Dallas.
But unfortunately he's at a conference in London.
And this surgery...
it shouldn't be delayed for more than a few days.
Well. You can call him. Won't take him long to get here.
All right. I'll try to reach him.
Maybe I shouldn't see J.R. right now.
It won't make him feel better. Knowing I'm here.
Oh. Nonsense. You're brothers.
Gary's right, Ellie.
I wanna see J.R. alone.
Somebody gotta break the news to him.
All right.
Let's all go for a walk for a while.
Why don't you two. I have to go to the office. Okay?
The president has expressed hope for a quick settlement in the costly war.
And now, the local news. We have a late bulletin.
Vaughn Leland, Dallas banker and a leading suspect in the shooting...
of Dallas oilman J.R. Ewing...
has been released by Dallas police.
According to informed sources...
Mr. Leland was in the office of his attorney, Fletcher Belsong...
filing bankruptcy charges.
Mr. Leland has borrowed heavily to invest in Asian oil leases.
I thank you for seeing me on such short notice. Dr. Elby.
I heard about the shooting.
Yeah. Well. I'm afraid.
Afraid of what?
You know. I don't even...
I don't even know that I can talk about it.
About what. Sue Ellen?
The shooting. Dr. Elby.
I think that I might have shot J.R.
I don't understand. Don't you know?
Dr. Elby. I wanted to kill him.
I wanted to kill him. And Lord knows that I had every motive in the world.
Did you know...
the last time I was here. I had a gun in my purse.
Did you know that?
No.
And then...
Then when I left your office...
I totally lost all my courage. I went across the street to have a drink.
And then...
And then I don't remember anything else until I woke up at the airport this morning.
Kristin said that I went to her place.
I went looking for J.R. I want... I wanted to kill him.
But. He wasn't there, so l...
So I just left.
Dr. Elby. You don't think that I could've shot J.R.. do you?
- Do you? - I think it's pointless to speculate.
Don't you remember anything?
Nothing. Nothing. I've tried. And there's nothing.
Gary.
My brother-in-law. Gary.
He flew in to see J.R. at the hospital.
He doesn't even like J.R.. Yet he came in to see him.
And he said... He said that I was an alcoholic.
He is. I'm not. You know that.
You've been drinking enough to black out. Sue Ellen.
That's very serious.
See. Now I am...
totally confused.
Dr. Elby. I don't even know my own feelings anymore.
I hated J.R. so much...
yet when I saw him there in the hospital. Just lying there so helpless...
oh. I wanted to put my arms around him...
and just hold him like a little baby.
Now. They're talking about...
They're talking about a second surgery. And l...
And I'm so afraid.
I'm afraid that if they operate again. That I'll lose him.
Well. Sid and Karen Fairgate were very helpful. But Valene was strong.
Strong enough to cut me loose if I didn't stop drinking.
Gary. What an ordeal.
Yep. I really hit bottom.
This time. I didn't have J.R. and Daddy to blame it on. It was all my responsibility.
Do you ever think about coming back to Dallas?
Yeah. I think about home a lot. About you and Bobby.
And about J.R. and Daddy.
Daddy's so tough. Yet he seems so broken up over J.R.
Your daddy loves all his sons.
- Maybe he does. But not equally. - That's not true.
We love all three of you just the same.
It would be wonderful if you and Valene could come back again...
settle down somewhere nearby.
Lucy would like that.
Well. Maybe someday. Things change.
I don't think I could ever go near Ewing Oil...
but I do long for Southfork at times.
Well. I'll try and hold that thought.
Billy John. I know if we don't drill by tomorrow. We lose that lease to Hobson.
Yes. I'll check with Daddy and I'll get back to you.
Connie. What am I doing here?
I'm a caretaker. I can't even make a decision on my own.
Bobby. You could.
You are a Ewing.
I appreciate the confidence. And the loyalty.
Unfortunately. The chairman of the board...
and the president of Ewing Oil do not share your feelings.
See. I can tell Billy John to drill. But Daddy or J.R. could stop it just like that.
Wanna try and answer some more correspondence?
Not really.
- Bobby. I'm sorry. - It's all right.
What do you want?
- Mr. Bobby Ewing? - Yes.
I'm a process server. And you've been legally served.
Well.
We are being sued for $10 million...
by Marilee Stone...
claiming fraud and wrongful death of her husband. Seth.
Connie. Get her on the phone for me.
J.R.. you'd love it.
Being sued for $10 million.
You'd better be around for this.
So don't go and die on me.
Mrs. Stone? Please hold on for Bobby Ewing.
Marilee. This is Bobby. I want to talk to you.
Your lawyer can talk to my lawyer. Lam no longer talking to Ewings.
Marilee. Come on now. Your family and mine go back a long ways.
You can give me five minutes.
I have nothing more to say.
Well. You two had a chance to talk yet?
No. He's been asleep.
I was planning on going back tomorrow.
I was hoping I could talk to him before then.
Gary.
J.R. Just telling Bobby I hoped you'd wake up soon.
Don't tell me you're gonna fly off to California already.
Gotta get back to my job.
Yeah.
I guess I'd rush home too if I was living next door...
to a pretty little bundle like Karen Fairgate.
You're beginning to sound like the J.R. I used to know.
Well. When they take out these tubes...
I might take you two boys on in a little touch football. What do you say?
Yeah. We did have some great games.
Yeah. Old Bobby was the powerhouse.
If he couldn't outrun you. He'd try to bite you on the knee.
Well. You had the best hidden ball trick in Dallas.
Yeah. That's what made me so successful. Bob.
What you been doing since you been here. Gary?
- Waiting to see you. - Mama try to talk you into staying?
Sure.
That figures.
And Bobby...
I thought you was leaving.
Well. Daddy asked me to look after the company for a while.
That's fine.
That's just fine.
We won't tire you out. J.R.
- Yeah, I'm a little groggy, all right. - Yeah, we'll be going.
Gary.
- You going back to California tomorrow? - Yeah. Tomorrow.
If Mama lets you.
Yeah.
Get well.
- Is your daddy still here? - No. He left a few days ago.
Hey. Lucy. Have you been to da Vinci's yet?
- No. I haven't. - Oh. It's the greatest.
Susan and I went last Saturday. We thought we might all go tonight.
I'm not interested in picking up men. I'm off of them for a while.
So one guy gave you a bad time.
That doesn't mean you have to lock yourself away forever.
You don't have to dance or anything. Just keep us company.
Yeah. Besides. Somebody has to sit with Paula.
- Cut it out. You two. - I'll think about it.
Billy John. Are you trying to tell me you let the lease lapse on that property? What?
What are you doing? What are you doing?
- Well. I'm just fixing the pillow. Darling. - Would you stop it?
Listen. Billy John. There's no big loss. No. It's not a big loss.
Well. The geological reports on that property was kind of iffy anyhow. so...
No. Don't you call Bobby. He's just there to answer the phones.
You have any real problems. You call me. Hear?
Damn fool.
- Do you want a sip of water? - No. I don't. Give me that...
Give me that phone book over there.
Why don't you just stop that fussing with business and get off that phone?
Sue Ellen. Are you all right?
I'm fine. Why?
Since the surgery. You've been here every day...
all day and into the night. What's wrong?
Well. I just wanna make sure that you're properly taken care of.
J.R.
J.R.. I want you to reconsider that second surgery.
Listen. If there's any chance of me walking again...
I'm gonna take it.
But are you aware that...?
That it could kill you?
Sue Ellen...
are you trying to prove what a loving woman you are?
Then later on you divorce me and take my boy away from me?
You tried that little act once before. Remember.
No.
I think you really mean that.
Oh. I do.
We've been at each other's throats for years.
Why. All of a sudden. The attention?
J.R.. all I know is that...
That you're my husband...
and you've been hurt...
and all I want to do right now is...
just be so close to you.
Yeah. Freddy. It looks like a real good deal.
Look. I'll tell you what...
I'll talk it over with Daddy. And then...
I'll call you back. All right?
No. I can't give you an answer right now. Goodbye.
Thank you.
I was afraid. Once the family talked you into coming back into the office...
you'd end up angry and frustrated.
Well. Maybe it's my own fault, Pam.
But. Damn it. I refuse to make another decision like I did on Ewing 23...
just to have Daddy or J.R. overrule me.
Can you keep putting things off while J.R.'s in the hospital...
without blowing up? You're used to making decisions.
Well. There's one thing I can't put off.
That's the Marilee Stone lawsuit.
I'm gonna ask Daddy to give me a free hand in settling it any way I can out of court.
It's time to find out if he's ready to trust me or not.
Come on. Let's go to lunch.
Alan.
- What are you doing here? - I'm here to see the great J.R. Ewing...
- flat on his back. - I wouldn't go in there. If I were you.
He's heavily guarded. And his family's always there.
I heard the police were looking for you.
They found me too. In my Chicago hotel room.
It didn't take a lot of tricky detective work.
- Did they really think you shot J.R.? - Who knows what they thought.
Besides the fact that everybody knew I had plenty of reason.
And they had the power to bring you back to Dallas.
Well. There's all kinds of power.
The Ewings have plenty of clout. I'm surprised you're still here.
Me too .
But I guess J.R. didn't have time to give his goons the order before he was shot.
- Are you still a suspect? - No.
I was checking into a motel room in Missouri about the time J.R. was shot.
So I've got an iron-clad alibi.
Besides. Kristin. I figured you did it.
I wanted to.
He was so horrible to me.
Any idea who shot him?
No.
Well. I guess it's time to say goodbye.
And I'm sorry the two of us were on opposite sides for so long.
- We could've made a good team. - Thanks.
- Listen. If you're ever in Chicago... - I will.
Oh. I forgot. Kristin...
- I forgot to ask. How's J.R.? - He's doing pretty well.
Oh. That's too bad.
Marilee.
- I don't wanna talk to you. - Marilee. I just need a few minutes.
- Marilee... - Do you know...
what the police were doing here?
- I have a pretty good idea, yeah. - They were questioning me...
about J.R.'s shooting. He needed shooting. All right.
I'm surprised somebody didn't do it a long time ago.
If they had. Maybe Seth would still be alive.
No wonder Sue Ellen became a drunk. Who could live with that vulture?
Marilee. I understand how you feel.
I miss Seth. Bobby.
I know.
But I also know who is the real power in your company.
You made Seth president. But everybody knows it was your daddy first...
and then you who built that company and amassed the fortune.
- What are you getting at? - You didn't get where you are...
by taking long shots. And that a sure thing is always a better deal.
And this lawsuit of yours. Marilee. It's a long shot.
I don't wanna talk to you about it. Now. My lawyer will...
Your lawyers will do exactly what you tell them.
Now. If J.R. survives. This will be a long and very costly fight.
And J.R. fights just for the fun of it.
Your lawyers are going to get rich.
And you're gonna walk out of there with maybe $500,000. and that's peanuts.
Now. Why don't you take a half a million dollars now...
and the satisfaction that you beat the Ewings?
Doesn't make up for the loneliness.
All I'm prepared to offer is a half million dollars.
Maybe someday we can strike a different bargain.
You're very persuasive. Bobby.
I'll tell my lawyer to settle.
Shall we drink on it?
I'll take a rain check.
Do that.
Let's go someplace else. The guys here tonight are nothing.
Oh. Bev. You're always looking for men. Men and more men.
- Well. What else is there? - Lots of things.
Lucy. You've had a lot to drink.
Well. I've had lots of reasons.
Come on. I'm with Bev. Let's go someplace else.
Hey. Wait a minute. This club may not be so bad after all.
If that's all you guys can think about. I'm going home.
Finish my drink. Paula.
Hey. Mister. Over here. I've got a ticket for you here someplace to get my car.
- Wait. Wait. Now. Where'd that zipper go? - Just wait here.
- I know the purse had one when I bought it. - I'm sure it did.
Can you get this? These darn things. They never open.
It'll be all right. Oh. Your car's here. Look.
Just step right in there. Watch your head. Now. When you get in.
- Oh. A cab. I don't need a cab. - Of course you don't.
I've got a perfectly good car waiting for me over there.
Here's 10 bucks. Take her home.
- Good night. - Good night.
- Cliff Barnes? - Yeah?
I'm Lieutenant Horton. This is Sergeant Crabbe. Dallas P.D.
We'd like to talk to you in connection with the shooting of J.R. Ewing.
Come on in.
We'd like to talk to you down at headquarters. If we could. Sir.
You were seen on the TV news at the Ewing Building.
So does this mean I'm under arrest?
No. But we also have a search warrant.
To search the premises for a .38-caliber weapon.
Oh. Well. I can save you that trouble. It's right here in the middle drawer.
Please. Please.
I'll get it.
- Mr. Barnes. - Yeah. Right.
- Dr. Roclaire. These are J.R.'s parents. - Doctor.
And his wife.
You'll take good care of him. Won't you?
Yes. I'll do my best.
What are his chances that he'll walk again?
All I can tell you is he must have the operation.
The way that bullet is positioned. It could be only a matter of days...
before it causes more damage.
As far as his ever walking again...
we'll just have to wait and see.
Can I see him. Please?
Of course. But he's been heavily sedated.
I'll talk to you after the surgery.
Jock. Miss Ellie.
May I see him alone for a few minutes?
You go ahead. Sue Ellen.
Thank you.
J. FL.
Hi. Sugar.
Hi.
You been crying?
No.
Roclaire's supposed to be the best in the business.
I know.
Mrs. Ewing?
Sue Ellen...
nobody ever beats old J.R.
You know that.
- Hi. - Hi.
I'm on my way to the hospital.
Will you call me when J.R. gets out of surgery?
Yeah.
Bye-bye.
- Hello? - Bobby?
- Is Pam there, please? - Yeah. She's right here. It's Cliff.
- Hello? - Hi. I am at the central police station.
Police station? Have you been arrested?
No. No. They've just persuaded me to stick around...
until they complete the ballistics check on my gun.
How long have you been there?
I have been here most of the night.
I'll be right there, Cliff.
I'm sorry. Bobby. I've gotta go.
Hi.
Don't you remember me?
Oh. Yeah. The girl from last night. Hi.
Yeah.
I came to return your $10.
Thanks. Listen. I'd ask you in. But I've been studying.
Oh. That's all right.
Well. I didn't think you'd be in any condition last night to remember the money.
You pay cab fare for everyone who comes out of that place drunk?
No. I couldn't afford to do that.
Then why me?
I don't know. Just an impulse.
You may have saved my life.
Listen...?
- Lucy. - Lucy. Right.
I've gotta get back to studying. But thanks for returning the money.
Sure.
I'm at SMU.
Where do you go to school?
I'm in med school. Second year. It's a real grind.
Do you have any time for a social life?
Very little.
Well. In that case. You don't wanna waste it.
Are you asking me for a date?
Not exactly.
Good. When I want a date. I like to do the asking.
Looks like you're gonna have to beat a great big full house there.
All right. Shouldn't try to bluff, Barnes.
You just don't have the poker face for it. I'm afraid.
How long does it take him to run a lousy ballistics check?
You know those boys in the lab. They do have their own sense of urgency.
My goodness. Will you look at what just walked in here?
- That's my sister. - I spent the night with the wrong Barnes.
Cliff. Why are they still holding you?
They're not holding me. They're only suggesting that I stay.
See. I think that J.R. is calling the shots from the hospital.
Not this time. He's in surgery right now.
Mr. Barnes. You're free to go.
What were the results of the all-night ballistics test?
Bullets didn't match.
Yeah? Could've told you that.
Come on. I'll buy you some breakfast.
Mr. Barnes. I'd like you to know that we still consider you to be a suspect.
Please stay in Dallas where we can find you.
I knew you were gonna say that.
Maybe you better pray real hard that Mr. Ewing's operation is a success.
Give me the fine pickup.
I can see the bullet now.
Right next to the dura.
We may be getting lucky.
- The nerve doesn't seem to be severed. - His pressure's dropping.
- Are you losing much blood? - No.
He's not as stable as we thought.
Hi. Any word yet?
No. It's taking forever. Bobby.
It just seems that way. Daddy. That's all.
- Mr. Ewing. You're wanted on the phone. - Which Mr. Ewing?
- They didn't say. - You take it. Bobby.
- I don't wanna talk to anybody. - Sure.
- Right over there. Mr. Ewing. It's line two. - Thank you.
Hello. This is Bobby Ewing.
Freddy.
Look. I told you. I can't give you an answer right now.
Yes. He is...
Look. I'll be getting back to you. All right?
Who was it?
It was Freddy Hopper.
What did he want?
Just business, Daddy. It'll keep.
What's the matter with you?
Look. We'll discuss it when J.R.'s out of surgery. All right?
- No. Let's discuss it now. - Jock. Maybe Bobby's right.
Well. If we got a problem. Let's get it out in the open.
All right. I can't keep stalling people...
and come running to you for an okay on every deal I make.
Then don't. Make any decision you have to.
- I can't do that. - Why in the hell not?
I don't wanna be second-guessed and reversed...
like I was when I made a decision on Ewing 23.
Daddy. You want me to run Ewing Oil...
then you've gotta give me complete control. In writing.
Okay. You got it.
I'll back any decision you make.
You've got total control of Ewing Oil Company.
And in writing.
Mr. and Mrs. Ewing.
J.R. is in the recovery room. He should be there for several hours.
He handled the operation well. We got the bullet out.
Will he be able to walk?
I can't say either way.
It's too soon to tell.