Taking it Back to Dallas

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For the last six weeks, I was back in my hometown. Between Covid, the election, and just life, I was in need of stress relief. My sister and I got talking and remembered the family connection we shared back in the day watching Dallas.

As in the Ewings. Who Shot JR? Lucy and her smart mouth. Ray Krebs keeping all of Southfork running. Bobby and Pam. Cliff. SueEllen sober. SueEllen intoxicated. Miss Ellie. Jock.

We started watching (free on Amazon Prime) and what a time capsule. The hair, clothes, and archaic mindsets. The need for alcohol for nearly every conversation. And the drama. The beautiful, humorous, cheesy drama.

Dallas provided the perfect stress relief and helped me re connect with family. Watching as an adult is certainly different than the first time around, when I wasn’t even a teen. Back then, I didn’t love Pam. I admired Miss Ellie. I thought Bobby was dreamy. This time?

Given the series started in 1978, I am shocked by what a strong character Pam is. She’s written ahead of her time, and I love how she keeps a career and a love for her husband. That she doesn’t flinch standing up to JR or Jock, especially when he calls her “Little lady.”

Miss Ellie doesn’t come off as even for me. She’s got a crook for one son, and the other son is so broken he ran off. Her husband demands respect without often earning it. Anything JR does in business I’m pretty sure he learned from Daddy. And Miss Ellie seems okay with that. As a ranch heiress, she doesn’t strike me as the strong female I thought she was when I was young. I’m only on season 3, but I’m Team Pam.

With the nation in turmoil and my strength zapped, it’s been fun going back to a simpler time when the biggest issue was how was JR going to escape the latest consequences and what new way would the writers find to have Bobby keep his shirt off? There’s an Americana aspect to the show as well, at least for me, something I’m drinking heaps of. Give me the ten gallon hats, the sports cars (minus poor Sue Ellen’s ugly station wagon,) and breakfast at Southfork.

Julie ArDUINI

It’s cheaper than therapy!

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Speaking of family, let me introduce you to the Hart sextuplets. These siblings remain in the spotlight because of tragedy, and as young adults, they are off in search of their own identity and a love like their parents shared. This six-book series, Surrendering Hearts, starts with Anchored Hearts and the oldest sextuplet, Jordyn. You can grab a sneak peek for free by clicking HERE.