Dallas: Season 8

Although things gradually warm up in this eighth season (actually the seventh, the DVD releases count the 5 part mini-series as season one), it still remains something of a disappointment after the two preceding action-packed seasons. Apart from some eye-popping swimsuits, the first dozen episodes of season eight are particularly weak, with some very ordinary writing, indifferent acting and the usual `Dallas' spark sadly missing.Much of this can be attributed to the absence of Barbara Bel Geddes as Miss Ellie. Donna Reed is undeniably a fine actress, but her genteel portrayal of Miss Ellie lends a sense of phoniness to the family scenes, which were always the backbone of the series. When she removes Jock's portrait from the wall - a hugely symbolic act and something her character has been building up to for years - it carries no resonance, no shock value, and it should.A tangible laziness has crept into the writing, with the pale repetition of many storylines from the past. We have yet another war for Ewing Oil, but it's a battle that lacks the excitement and drama of season six. Sue Ellen retreats predictably to the vodka bottle after being betrayed yet again by J.R. - and the writers even throw in Dusty Farlow for good measure. After bizarrely masquerading as a waitress in a cheap diner, Lucy is fooled by another opportunistic love interest after the Ewing millions. Ray's pride is once again hurt by Donna's success... and on it goes. Even the blackmailing method J.R. uses on the aspiring senator is something he's used before. Ho hum.The changes made to the central character of J.R. are noteworthy. He has always shown flashes of vulnerability, but in this season they are explored in much more depth as he faces the prospect of actually losing to Cliff Barnes and falls deeply in love with Mandy Winger. While this is an interesting concept, the decision of the writers to essentially de-fang the show's anti-hero was a mistake. More than any other, this season cries out for J.R. to be at the very top of his game. Of course, he still has a few sparkling moments (the knockout blow he lands Pam at the Oil Baron's Ball is crushing) but his schemes unfortunately lack the poison and cunning of previous years.Thank God then for the Pam and Bobby love story, which hits something of a new peak in this season. We've seen it before, but somehow the Jenna Wade love triangle has renewed punch and is truly involving. Both Patrick Duffy and Victoria Principal are believable and touching in their eternally star-crossed love and breathy Priscilla Presley looks so 1985 that she still somehow gets away with not being able to act. Without giving too much away, the final episode of season eight is one of the finest in the whole series and time has lost none of its impact. The last five minutes remain devastating.If season eight falls short of other seasons, it is only because that measure is made - fairly or unfairly - against seven years of incredible quality. `Dallas' remains unmatched by anything else in its genre, and even a comparatively weak season is still essential viewing. Yet the continued controversy surrounding the next season - Pam's year-long dream - means, sadly, that we have already seen the best 'Dallas' has to offer.

The '84-'85 season of "Dallas" was a pivotal one in many ways. It saw the show being somewhat overshadowed in the ratings by that ABC upstart "Dynasty"; it was the year that Barbara Bel Geddes was replaced by Oscar/Emmy-winner Donna Reed in the role of the beloved "Miss Ellie"; and it also saw the "departure" of another popular cast member at season's end. Though these developments may have been new and shocking to dedicated fans, there was enough of the old to keep 'em satisfied.J.R. (the superb Larry Hagman) is still up to his same old tricks but fids himself smitten by the new girl in town, Mandy Winger, played by Deborah Shelton. Unlike other of the oilman's conquest, Winger really appeals to J.R., not just sexually but on an "intellectual" level as well. He is determined to get her at all cost, including sending off-and-on spouse Sue Ellen (the magnificent Linda Gray) back to the bottle and the sanitarium.Bobby (Patrick Duffy) and Pam (Victoria Principal) are still in love, although Bobby is going to marry Jenna (Priscilla Presley). Pam goes on a wild-goose chase, spearheaded by you-know-who, to find beau Mark Graison (an unseen John Beck).Katherine Wentworth (Morgan Brittany) is still crazy and Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval) carries on his lifelong mission to bring down Ewing Oil in honor of his "dead daddy."Reed brings a different take on "Miss Ellie," something that didn't quite fair well with fans. However, credit must be given to the actress for stepping into a part that was so engrained in the memory of fans by Bel Geddes. It took a lot of courage for Miss Reed and she should be commended for doing an admirable job.Besides, she did look better in the Travilla clothes.Speaking of the fashion, this was the year that the producers went all out. The men, though adequately dressed, took a backseat to the glamorous attire of the ladies. In appears that every female cast member, be she main, recurrent, or having a one-shot appearance, got to wear "the" dress, one that really turned heads. According to the bonus feature on Travilla, the show was trying to get on the "Dynasty" bandwagon with the clothes. Regardless, the women look "mah-velous," to borrow from Billy Crystal.The season finale, "Swan Song," is, by far, the best of the season, featuring brilliant work from Duffy and Principal and an Emmy-worthy musical score by composer Lance Rubin. The final five minutes are poignant and demonstrate what the show was capable of when the writers really went to work...Now, if they just could've come up with something better for the next season's finale...but that commentary is meant for that compilation upon its release.

The introduction of Mandy Winger, I remembered well. “Passionate and not sweaty”

having watched the previous episodes, on tv, i looked forward to each week watching it, so i decided to get the dvd series, as it is very addictive when you get watching it, and i couldnt wait some weeks to see what happened next. the dvd version is soooo much better for dallas addicts, as there is no ad breaks, and you can watch as many as you want. bliss.season 8 was very good. sue ellen especially was very good in this season as she is finally seeing through JR, and even pam doesnt rate too bad, as she finally realises that bobby is the one for her, but as with all tv series, she realises it all too late. The last episode is actually very sad, when bobby gets killed, and surprising it lasted longer than the rest of the episodes. the only down fall with this season was the new miss ellie, but i have heard the old one is back in the next season. i would recommend this dvd as it is hours of blissful entertainment with no ad breaks, and promises to keep all dallas addicts very happy, lets just hope that the next season is just as good...............................

Had to have this to go with my collection

Love watching again

This product is such good quality, so hubby is really enjoying his binge watching Dallas.