A Look Back in Time

Original Text prepared by: Scott C. Kline

Southfork Ranch

As Bobby Ewing drove his red Mercedes into the drive at Southfork, Pam reached across the seat and kissed him.

“What was that for?” Bobby asked playfully.

“Just for being you…and for being such a great daddy to Gracie,” Pam replied happily.

Bobby smiled over at her. “You know, I'm really looking forward to being a Daddy again. After waiting so long, having Gracie was like a miracle. And this baby was such a surprise.”

He reached over and took her hand. “And of course, it will be nice for Gracie to grow up with a little brother!”

Pam raised her eyebrows. “What makes you so sure that it's going to be a boy?”

“I can just tell this time, Pammy.”

Bobby got out of the car and walked around and opened the passenger side door for Pam. He was careful to put his arm behind her back to support her. As the pregnancy was beginning to show, it was beginning to take its toll on Pam and her back. As they walked toward the house, they heard J.R. laughing on the telephone.

“That's fine, Sly, I'll be checking in when I come into Dallas this afternoon. Just tell the gentleman that I'll see him then.”

As J.R. hung up the phone, he turned to see Pam and Bobby walking toward him.

“Well, Bob, Pam. What did the doctor have to say?”

“She says that the baby is doing just fine.”

“That's wonderful news. We can never have enough Barnes children on this ranch, now can we?”

“J.R., you and I both know that Pam is a Ewing and has been for a long time now.”

“In name only, Bobby, in name only. Anyway, how do we even know this one is half Ewing, you were gone for quite a while right around that time.”

Before Bobby could react Pamela reached forward and smacked him across the face with all her might.

JR's hand instinctively flew to his cheek. He stood there stunned. “Bobby, are you going to let her treat me like that? Your own flesh and blood brother.”

Bobby stepped closer to JR and said in a cold quiet voice. “JR, you should thank Pamela. I was about to knock you into Braddock for that crack. And if you don't keep your nose out of my business, I still might.”

Pamela took Bobby by the arm and said, “Bobby, it's really hot out here, I think I need to go in and lie down for a while.”

Bobby began to lead her into the house, as he went, he growled over his shoulder, “Think about it JR!”

Southfork Ranch

Pam sat up in bed, frightened. She had re-lived her nightmare about J.R. again. Bobby felt her stir beside him and realized that she was awake.

“Pam, what is it?” “I had that dream about J.R. again, Bobby, the one where he yells at me for having another Barnes child.”

“Your dreams have always been vivid, Pam. But you're just worried about being pregnant again, that's all.”

“I wish I believed that Bobby. But sometimes I wonder.”

Bobby put his hand on her shoulder, “About what, sweetheart?”

Pam replied, “Just look at all that's happened to us over the years, especially in the last two. Can we really bring another child into this world?”

“We've conquered battles before, and we'll do it again, Pam. Don't worry.”

“I'm not so sure, Bobby.”

Bobby turned her face toward his and looked directly into her eyes.

“We're together, and we'll get through this pregnancy, just like we've gotten through everything. And when we die and our kids take over Southfork, they'll have plenty of wonderful stories about this ranch. Do you remember when…”

Two years ago, Craig Byrne and Justin Stiles had an idea. They brought the long-suffering Ewing family back to life. It began this way on May 22, 1998 when John Ross called his mother at the most famous ranch in Texas.

"I'm moving back to Southfork and I'm bringing someone with me…someone very special."

"Who?"

"My fiancé Karen."

"Fiancé?" said Sue Ellen in a very surprised and puzzled tone.

J.R. was pleased with this news when Sue Ellen told him. But in typical JR style, he had to have his daughter-in-law to be checked out. What he found didn't make him happy.

"Say, Karen, I don't believe I caught your last name."

"Oh, It's Beam. Karen Nicole Beam."

That set the first of many plans in motion.

“My son thinks he's going to marry Alan Beam's daughter does he? Well, old J.R. couldn't let that happen.”

What would a Ewing wedding have been without a swim in the Southfork pool? That happened too.

Alan Beam ran up to John Ross and punched him, the crowd gasped and Alan shoved John Ross into the pool. "You bastard!! You low down pile of scum! You're just like your father and I HAVE PROOF that this wedding cannot continue!!!"

The crowd stared as John Ross climbed out of the Southfork pool, dripping wet. Alan Beam stood staring at him, moving his eyes back and forth between J.R. and John Ross. Finally, he fixed his eyes coldly on J.R.. The crowd hushed and there was not a sound to be heard. Finally, J.R. broke the silence. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about Beam, but you've got a lot of nerve barging in here like this and you've got about thirty seconds to get the hell of Southfork," he said, faking anger.

"No J.R. Not until everyone here hears what kind of son you have," said Beam, turning to the crowd, "John Ross, why don't you tell us what happened between you and Pamela...Why don't you tell us how you made her pregnant?"

From the very beginning, Justin and Craig were writing episodes that would make you swear you were watching Dallas on TV. In a recent statement, Justin indicated that he originally only had planned eight episodes, because he was unhappy with the way the second reunion movie ended. If the series would have ended after that point, here's how the end would have been.

"Bobby, I want to tell you this now, in case we don't live through this."

The mountains were coming closer and faster.

"I love you so much."

"Jenna don't-we have to live through this."

"Bobby I've always loved you, I always will. I'll never forget what a kind and caring man you are." Tears started to stream down Jenna's face.

"Jenna," Bobby paused, "I love you too. I'll never forget our relationship." Bobby pulled Jenna toward him and kissed her.

There was no sound except the sound of the flames crackling, no one moved. The night grew silent, all the screams of the little children and adults ceased.

Bobby wasn't the only Ewing in trouble. Another Ewing's life would have been forever held in the balance.

John Ross lost control of the car at the last moment. The car ahead of him swerved to miss him and John Ross slammed on the brakes-nothing happened. He realized with horror that the brakes didn't work and that he probably would never see Karen or Pamela again. The two cars collided sending a loud metallic crash echoing through the night.

And this would have been the last thing RTS readers would have read.

"Oh no, not Bobby," said Gary, getting up. Val sat silently on the couch. She reached out and took Lucy's hand. Sue Ellen stood and embraced JR, tears streaming from her eyes.

"Oh my God," she said, staring at something behind JR. Everyone turned and looked behind them. In the entry hall, Christopher stood next to a woman with reddish-brown hair-- Pamela Barnes Ewing.

"NOOOO!" screamed Pam, "Oh God NO! Not Bobby!" Pam fell to floor, crying uncontrollably; as everyone stared in shock at the woman everyone believed was dead.

But fan demand brought RTS back for a second season on August 8th, 1998. We found out that it was indeed Pam who Christopher had brought back. And when Bobby and Pam finally reunited, it was a moment of RTS history.

"Oh Bobby, how I have longed for this to happen!" Pam exclaimed, embracing him with all her strength, "There were so many times over these years I thought I'd never see you or Christopher again. Then Christopher brings me back here, and we find out you were in a plane crash. I have been so scared these past few days! Thank God you're alive!"

He returned her embrace fully. "Pamela, if only there had been some way for me to have known you were still alive... We have wasted so many years apart," he said, his volatile temper rising again as he thought of what JR had done. "I swear I will make JR pay for what he has done to you if it's the last thing I do. Tonight was only a down payment!"

"Bobby, I really don't want to talk about JR anymore right now. We have so much catching up to do."

"Well, I say we start right now," he said as he gazed down into her face and kissed her passionately. "Pam don't EVER leave me again," he sighed as he broke off the kiss.

"Not even JR could keep me away from you now," she said as she took him by the hand. "Still, I would like to know what your life was like while I was gone. I know about April, and if you would tell me, I would like to know about her. I barely knew her before the accident."

"Honey, they don't really matter now. But if you want to know I will tell you. But for right now I would like to get out of these wet clothes," he said mischievously. "I would like to get a shower and unwind."

"Well, would you like some company?" she asked him devilishly.

"That sounds like an offer I can't possibly refuse," he said, kissing her again and walking arm in arm with her into the big house.

They made their way up the stairs and to his bedroom. Bobby closed the door and locked it behind them. "I really don't want to be disturbed now, do you?" he said as he took her in his arms once again, and kissed her deeply. Their kisses deepened as their passion for each other was rekindled. "Bobby, I don't think we're going to make it to the shower."

"To hell with the shower," Bobby murmured as he began to undress her and drew her down on the bed.

Also in the second season, a new and powerful rivalry began, one that still exists today.

"Afton, we should talk."

"Lucy, I really have nothing to say to you."

"Why is that?"

"Lucy, I have never liked you! You are the last person on earth, other than my ever loving husband, I want to see today."

"You know, don't you?"

"I know you're a bitch! You always were! People think you have grown up and matured, but you're the same bitch I met almost 15 years ago!"

"You do know, that's why you shot Cliff?"

"I shot Cliff because he was going to kill me!"

"You shot Cliff because you found out about us. You can't keep telling people he tried to kill you, it's not the truth."

Afton stared intently at Lucy for a moment, why in the hell was she, all of a sudden, trying to protect Cliff? The Lucy she knew only cared about herself. Then it hit her; maybe the two had been seeing each other for awhile! Maybe Cliff had fooled her for longer than she had thought. Her rage began to grow; her need for revenge intensified.

"Lucy Ewing, get out of my way!" Afton walked, brushed by Lucy, and started down the sidewalk.

Lucy watched for a moment. The grin returned; she couldn't help it. She used to be the family troublemaker. The last few years, though, she became mature, confident, independent, and therefore non-existent and ignored by her fellow Ewings. She couldn't resist, as Afton walked by Lucy called out, "Afton, your singing sucks! Do the world a favor and stick to singing in the shower, will ya? And, oh, those prison showers-well, you'll be doing more than singing in those."

Afton wished she still had her gun. But this time--this time she took the high road and kept on walking. The last thing she needed today was a second assault charge. There would be time for Lucy Ewing later! Cliff first, Lucy later!

And who can forget that first Oil Baron's Cruise?

Anita Smithfield ran down a long corridor of the ship, aware that Stockton was somewhere behind her, but she was unsure how close he really was. Her only hope was to find JR's room-he would protect her from Stockton. Anita found it, room number thirty-seven. She grabbed the doorknob. Strangely enough, the door was cracked. Anita flung open the door and ran into the room. She was greeted by an intense, searing heat. There was a fire--the room was aglow with the blaze. A smoke detector blared and soon the screeching sound of the ship's fire alarms started. Anita attempted to turn around and leave, but the flames had blocked the door-and Stockton stood in her way. He seemed impervious to the flames.

"JR! Wake up JR!" she screamed. "We've got to get out of here."

"Well, Miss Smithfield, so nice to find you here," said Stockton, laughing a laugh that could only come from the mouth of a deranged man. There was another sound, a crackling sound as a flaming piece of wood fell across Anita's back, knocking her to the ground.

Moments later, the whole room was consumed with blazing orange flames and all hope of anyone surviving went up in smoke.

"I have a warrant for the arrest of Pamela Barnes Ewing for arson and the attempted murder of JR Ewing."

"Oh, Lucy.... I am shaking in my boots. You, as always, will screw up this relationship, just as you have always done.... Let's see... Kit, Alan, Mitch, Mickey, Peter, that Eddie fella, Mitch again, Casey Denault, who am I forgetting? It's a long list of losers who have run, or died, just to rid themselves of you."

Lucy got up and picked up her orange juice. As she walked past her uncle, she dropped the drink into his lap.

"JR, the list of women who regret sleeping with you would be longer than the dictionary!

Karen Beam sat in front of a large, elegantly furnished vanity in Christopher's room. She brushed her hair, only slightly paying attention to what she was doing. Her mind kept wandering to what had happened last night. She tried to tell herself that what she and Christopher had done wasn't wrong-she knew that Pamela Rebecca would never give up John Ross. She knew that she might as well find someone else; last night, that someone else had been Christopher. Still, she felt guilty. After all, John Ross was back in Dallas, in a coma, helpless…Karen turned to see Christopher still asleep. She did love him; it was definitely not a one-night stand-but John Ross was her first love.

"Lucy... your grandmother does know."

Lucy stopped short in her tracks.

Christopher smiled, pulling out a ring. "Karen Nicole Beam, will you marry me?"

JR smiled, feeling almost invincible. "Well Barnes, you can try if you want, but like any other Barnes, you'll still fail and end up making a big fool of yourself."

The second season ended with plenty of mystery on Halloween night.

Monica (Lucy) grabbed at the light, "Give me the damned light. There might be something I can use to get the door opened with, if I could only see." The two women struggled at the top of the staircase, both now with a firm grip on the handle of the flashlight. Monica was a bit stronger, and finally pulled it out of Hillary's (Afton) hands. With the final pull, Hillary lost her balance and began tumbling down the stairs. Monica screamed and dropped the flashlight, watching the rays of light as it too tumbled down the stairs. The light finally landed, sitting next to Hillary Clinton. In the glow from the light, Monica Lewinsky could see the faint red glow as the blood trickled down the forehead of Hillary Clinton, who was lying in a heap at the bottom of the stairs of the Southfork basement.

With Bobby in the lead, Pam and Bobby proceeded into Southfork and into the living room. It was there that he encountered quite a hideous scene as he came around the corner. He tried to stop Pam before she could see what he saw but obviously wasn't successful, as she let out a bloodcurdling scream. Ray came dashing into the kitchen at the sound of her scream. Dangling from the staircase railings by a rope was Jenna. Pam let out another scream as she put her hands to her face and cradled her head against Bobby's chest.

The eleventh strike of the clock…

The mysterious woman reached for her mask and began to remove it.

And the twelfth and final strike, signifying that midnight had arrived. It was the bewitching hour.

She removed the mask, revealing her face.

"Oh my God!" said J.R., in a trembling voice. "It…it can't be. You…you're dead!"

As Season Three began, fallout from the masquerade ball was key.

"Kristin, h…how? You…the balcony…and the pool."

Kristin turned her face away. It was older, but there was no mistaking who it was. It was Kristin Shepperd.

She finally spoke with a dry voice. "Hello J.R., but I'm not Kristin Shepperd."

J.R. stopped. "Well, if you're not Kristin, then who the hell are you?"

"My name is Kaitlin…Kaitlin Ryan."

“My dearest Bobby,

“You should know that I have loved you all my life. These past few months since we survived that plane crash, my feelings for you have just gotten all the stronger. Then that damn Pamela came back into your life again and ruined everything for us!! I thought I was finally going to have you for the rest of my life, but you showed that you still love her and not me.

It wasn't enough that I spent Ray's money to have her kept away from you for those eleven years, with some of Katherine Wentworth's money, too. Then Katherine had an attack of conscience and betrayed me.

Yes, I was the one responsible, not JR. I am only sorry her ADOPTED son found her! She never even gave you what I did, which is a natural son. My hatred for her just kept growing and growing until I devised another scheme that I thought would have gotten her away from you for good, and maybe even to death row in prison if it had worked. I overheard you and Pam talking to that lawyer this evening, and then I knew I had been found out.

Yes, I set that fire on the Oil Baron. It was well known that Pam hated JR and would want him dead, so it seemed easy to set that fire in his state room and then say I had seen her near the room before the fire was discovered. How the hell those two people got in that state room by accident I don't know, but I thought that it was kind of a silver lining, since Pam could be convicted of two murders and not just one.

As you can see, I decided I would rather die than go to prison for that bitch. Please tell Charlie I am sorry, and Ray too. I trust that you will take care of Lucas; having him around may help rub salt in Pam's lack of a natural child wound; it will be my going away present to her. I love you Bobby; I go to my grave loving you.

“Jenna”

Later in the season, two characters who are still a part of RTS were introduced for the first time. Melissa McSween…

"J.R., sorry I'm late." It was McSween. J.R. turned to see him standing with a ravishing woman of about twenty-five. In a way, she reminded him of Jennifer Jantzen. "J.R., meet my niece, Melissa McSween."

…and Todd Foster.

"No, you don't know me. But you knew my mother - April Stevens."

"What?" Bobby Ewing could not believe what he just heard.

"April Stevens. My mother, your deceased wife." Todd Foster strode matter-of-factly over to the seat in front of Bobby's desk, taking a seat as a shocked Bobby's jaw dropped. "I'm sure this is quite shocking to you, but I can assure you, I'm totally legit."

Bobby was trying to comprehend what was going on. Did this guy just say he was April's son? Before he could say anything, Todd produced a document from his bag.

"This is my birth certificate." Todd handed the paper to Bobby.

Bobby quickly scanned the certificate, his eyes fixing upon the name "April Stevens" under "mother."

"Anyone could have produced something like this." Bobby was NOT about to believe this stranger. The whole Wes Parmalee saga of thirteen years earlier flashed into Bobby's head. "I've dealt with too many con-artists in my day to take this as word."

Also in Season Three, RTS made Internet history by posting six episodes in six nights. Here are some highlights from that mini-series.

As John Ross and Melissa made love in the hot tub, Pamela Rebecca watched from the balcony, tears falling from her eyes. "John Ross, how could you do this to me? I thought you loved me."

She turned and ran back to their room, running into Mumarik Akbar. "Well. It looks like I don't even have to go searching. The Ewings will run right to me," he laughed.

"Oh my Gawd. Me? Sleep on that? I bet even Ray hasn't slept on something that uncomfortable!"

"Get used to it. After all, it could be worse. There is always the balcony."

J.R. grumbled and folded out the cot, eyeing it with distrust. "If this thing folds up with me on it…"

"Then the world would have been done a great service," joked Sue Ellen, finishing his sentence.

"What the hell are you going to do with me?" said Pamela Rebecca. She struggled to break free from the ropes that bound her hands and feet.

"My dear, that all depends on the course of action your boyfriend takes. If he delivers the ransom as he's supposed to, then maybe you'll go free. If he tries anything funny, then you are both dead," Akbar said quietly.

Katherine glared at the telephone. "You actually told her everything. She knows that we are married?"

Mark corrected her, "WERE."

He noticed the logo on the door, an elaborate "CG" was stenciled on it. J.R. thought he had seen that logo before, but he wasn't sure.

"Clayton, why didn't you have Dusty flown back to Dallas?"

"Please Ellie, let's just get this over with."

Miss Ellie was worried about her husband. Rarely before had she seem him be so pessimistic. Clayton and Ellie entered the visitation room and walked over to the casket. Ellie heard a sniffle and knew her husband was crying over his lost son. She put her arm around him.

"John Ross, is your father okay?"

"Yeah, he's fine," said John Ross.

Sue Ellen walked to the door, waiting for J.R. to come out.

As usual, the end of the Ewing Barbecue in Episode 50, to end Season Three was full of surprises.

By now Val and Lucy were ganging up on Afton, who was splashing away furiously at them to block their vision. Sue Ellen and Abby were standing up, heads just above water, linked frenetically together in a kicking, screaming, splashing brawl.

Val and Lucy had backed Afton up right into Abby and Sue Ellen. Afton managed to duck as the mother-daughter Ewing women lunged toward her, and instead Val and Lucy ended up crashing into Sue Ellen and Abby. Abby, the last of the four to go under, caught hold of Afton's leg and pulled her down after her.

In the hayloft, the figure pulled the trigger and the gun kicked back, issuing a huge, almost deafening pop.

Cliff Barnes burst through the crowd and almost tumbled into the pool himself. He had heard that Lucy was one of the women in the pool and wanted to get her to safety. Suddenly it hit him. This whole thing had to be a hallucination! He was really back in Hawaii-not Dallas. But this was all too real. The figure was in the hayloft, gun pointed at them all.

"LUCY!" he yelled, but it was suddenly too late.

A bullet whizzed through the air and went into the pool where Sue Ellen, Val, Abby, Lucy, and Afton were still struggling. The red stain of blood seeped through the water, turning it a light shade of pink.

On the dance floor, Donna screamed at the sound of the firing. Christopher grabbed Karen, Eric slammed his body against Christopher, Bobby moved his head in a frantic search for Pam. Eric, Christopher, Karen, Bobby, Ray, and Donna all unconsciously moved a little closer together. Suddenly, two more shots were fired at the dance floor. The sound of a bullet entering a body echoed through the crowd and a light cry sounded out from the victim. As the world was engulfed in screams, a body fell to the ground, unmoving…

As the series moved into its fourth season, it was continuing to gain in popularity. Readers found out that Afton and Eric Stone were the victims of gunshots.

Season Four encompassed 33 episodes, all very full. Highlights included a blessed event on the Oil Baron…

"Okay, Mrs. Ewing... this is it… one more time... push!!" The cry of a newborn baby soon filled the air. "Mr. and Mrs. Ewing, congratulations!! You have a beautiful baby girl."

…the bizarre death of Katherine Wentworth, one of Dallas' best villains…

“You wouldn't do it,” said Katherine, blood dribbling from the corner of her mouth. “You don't have the guts.”

“Try me,” sobbed Pam. “I don't have anything else to lose.”

Katherine smiled and a hateful look overtook her china doll face. She stood up, then jumped forward. A million thoughts flashed through Pam's mind prior to her pulling the trigger. She saw baby Grace's face, Bobby's, Christopher, Miss Ellie, Digger, her mother-she saw the truck that had crossed the road in front of her-felt the fire from the explosion-saw Bobby in the hospital bed after being shot. She was doing this so she could be with her family…and to insure that she never had to go through that kind of hell again. The bullet struck Katherine in the shoulder, but she didn't stop. Katherine was only a few feet away from Pam when Pam pulled the trigger two more times. Her eyes were slanted and blurred with tears-she wasn't sure where she was aiming at, but she had to stop this.

“Oh God…Momma…please forgive me,” she muttered in a strained voice.

When Katherine was at point blank range, Pam pulled the trigger a final time. Katherine came to an abrupt stop and collapsed to the floor of the jet in a bloody, crumpled heap.

…a new proposal for Lucy…

"Well, I still love Kimberly, there's no doubt about that. But this new woman…she's unlike anyone I've ever met."

"Who is she?"

Neil smiled, the moonlight shining on his face. "I think you know her Lucy. It's you."

Lucy was speechless. She didn't think he had felt the same way about her. "Neil…I…"

"God Lucy, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you that, but I couldn't help it. I've loved you since the moment I first laid eyes on you."

"…feel the same way about you."

"What?"

"I feel the same way about you Neil. I tried to fight the feelings, after my last relationship went bad, but I just couldn't do it anymore."

"I can't believe this," he said. "I never imagined."

The moonlight shone on Lucy's blonde hair and Neil noticed how beautiful she was. No longer able to help himself, he took her in his arms and kissed her.

…a wedding that wasn't…

Sue Ellen stared at Cliff for a second, but to Cliff, it seemed like an eternity. “Of course I do, or else I wouldn't be standing up here today.”

Pamela Rebecca glanced around and then looked at her watch. “You're making a mistake.”

“No I'm not,” said Cliff. “Pamela Rebecca, please, sit down.”

She stood for a second longer, then took a seat. “What now?”

The minister pushed his glasses up on his nose and continued. “Then if no one else objects to this union-”

Once again, the minister was cut off. “If you think no one else is gonna object to this union, then you're dead wrong.”

…a new job for Donna Krebbs Dowling…

“….and in a remarkably strong victory, Donna Dowling is officially the new mayor of Dallas…” the rest of the words were lost to Donna. The sea of screams and her own lightheadedness took over.

“AAAAAAAAAAAH!!!” Margaret screamed like a giddy schoolgirl and hugged her mother tightly.

Donna was so overwhelmed. Everyone was coming up to her, patting her back, kissing her on the cheek…. Clayton… Bobby… Sue Ellen... Lucy. Cliff came over, and Donna could clearly see him through her tears. They were of joy and sorrow. She had gone through SO much to get here, and she had.

“Congratulations!” Cliff said, hugging her.

“Cliff, thank you. Thank you so much….” Donna muttered, trying to collect herself. Miss Ellie came over, her smile warm, and gave Donna a huge hug and kiss on the cheek.

“I knew you could do it,” she said.

And then Ray came up to her. He gave her a large hug, and she accepted it. She couldn't NOT accept it. She couldn't even think!

While they were locked in embrace, and Donna's eyes darted around in amazement and confusion, Ray whispered in her ear: “I love you. Cowboy's honor.”

He pulled away from her, and disappeared into the crowd of people that overwhelmed Donna.

…another child that belongs to J.R. …

“Oh my God,” J.R. gasped. “Mandy…why…after all these years?”

“J.R…l…love her f…for me…take care of h…her…always...”

The shrill beep of the flat lining monitor jolted everyone in the room. Kate blotted away her tears with a tissue. Jillian sobbed and turned to J.R., who eventually loosely embraced her-his daughter. As the two embraced, a nurse came in and shut off the monitor. The room was filled with the silence of death and death's shadow lurked over all of them.

…a shocking secret that threatened to tear Bobby and Pam apart…

“Donna, who was it?” Ray asked, his curiosity taking over.

A tear fell down Donna's face. “Bobby. Bobby was the father.”

As Ray's jaw dropped and Donna's tears fell, a voice boomed from the doorway. “What?”

It was Bobby.

…and the introduction of the evil Rex Wentworth.

Rex Wentworth sat behind his desk with his hands clasped behind his head. He thought back to the night before, when his private investigator had finally given him more information on the Texas Wentworths…

“Mr. Wentworth, I've found some very interesting information. Pam has a brother by the name of Cliff Barnes. But, that's not the thing. They are both the children of Rebecca Wentworth.”

Rex wasn't surprised. “I figured as much.” His voice took on a solemn tone. “That woman drove my mother over the edge.”

“How so?”

“My father, Herbert Wentworth, was married to Rebecca, as I'm sure you know. My mother was devastated when Father told her he couldn't be with her because he was married to Rebecca. Mother loved my father, but couldn't have him. Because of Rebecca, she committed suicide…”

“Oh my God, I had no idea.”

“Rebecca is dead. She died before I learned that she was responsible. I was never able to avenge Mother's death…until now. I couldn't have done anything to Katherine. She was so kind and sweet. She was my sister. But, Rebecca has two more offspring in Dallas-Pam and Cliff. That Pam killed my sister. Their mother killed my mother. Now, they'll both pay.”

RTS didn't stop there. They made another bit of Internet history by sending Karen and Eric Stone on the run from the law. And they ran them right into the fictional town of Mystique Point.

“Because we'll be arrested for kidnapping…” Karen said, matter-of-factly.

The small-blanketed form on the back seat suddenly sat up. It was Austin. “Where am I?”

Eric's heart almost stopped and his face froze in horror. The sirens wailed louder and the lights reflected in his face. Without even thinking, Eric slammed his foot on the accelerator.

When the fourth season drew to a close, it looked as if history had repeated itself.

J.R. entered the kitchen, his head down as he rubbed his eyes. He didn't even bother turning the light on. He knew exactly where the refrigerator was.

He walked over to the refrigerator, bending slightly to peruse the contents.

The figure entered the kitchen, quietly, gripping the gun. The gun was raised. J.R. bent down again to grab the milk. A shot was fired from a silencer-equipped gun.

The impact of bullet and body made a large “thug” sound, but the sounds of the shooter running away were barely perceptible over the body's tumult to the ground. He lay sprawled across the kitchen floor and blood trickled from the chest-wound, staining the black and white tile floor…

The house began to spin but soon his vision grew so blurred that he no longer recognized Southfork. A calm feeling crept over his body and he only wanted to sleep…

But when Season Five began earlier this year, RTS readers were shocked when they read this.

"Clayton…you just hang on. I don't know what Momma would do if she lost you…"

But then, the shrill beep of the heart monitor filled the air causing her to freeze...

"Oh...Clayton...no."

And then she screamed.

The funeral at Southfork provided heart-wrenching moments.

“I met Clayton almost twenty years ago,” Sue Ellen began. “I'll never forget that day. He was sitting in the living room of his son Dusty's home in Dallas. I remember being in awe of the power that Clayton had. His stature was impressive. He was just so big, and so imposing. But there was gentleness about him too. I could see it when he looked at Dusty. He was the most gentle man I have ever known.”

Sue Ellen took a deep breath. “Clayton was the closest thing to a father---and a best friend-that I've ever had. He stood by me in some of the toughest periods of my life. When I would struggle with something, he would support me. When I would fall, he picked me up. I never thanked him for that,” she said, more addressing herself. Her voice seemed like it was lost to Jack. Her hurt was evident. You could read it all over her face.

“Most of y'all are probably wondering what I'm doing up here. It wasn't a secret that Clayton and I never got along very well. Being here today….” J.R. hesitated, but finally spoke. “Makes me realize that I made a mistake.” The crowd's silence was palpable, a mixture of shock and awe.

“Oh he heard you,” Sue Ellen said, not taking her eyes off of him. “I know it.”

She looked at him for another minute and walked off, but not before touching his arm. It was a move not unnoticed by Jack or Iris, who were standing a few feet away. J.R. didn't want to admit it, but he felt a little giddy. And Sue Ellen didn't want to admit that she saw, for a moment there, the person that she fell in love with.

And in the most recent episodes, Miss Ellie has tried to pull her life together by taking control at Southfork again.

“And any of you who share this man's mindset can shape up or ship out. I know you've become accustomed to an easier day since my husband passed away, but from now on, things will be different here. There'll be no more of this lounging around and drinking. From now on, if I catch any of you with alcohol during the day, you'll be fired. Now, I want all of you out of here and back to work.”

And, last time on “Return to Southfork”

Karen didn't know Adam was going to ask that question, but she didn't need to think about the answer. She looked Adam squarely in the eyes. "Yes, I would. I would do anything within my power to keep my son safe." As the tears streamed down her face, she added, "I love him." The answer was not defiant; it was sincere and heart felt. Adam had just given the jury the key to setting Karen free; he hoped they would use it.

“Don't listen to her Christopher…”

Christopher stood up. “You are a sorry excuse for a mother…and a human being. Megan deserved to know who her father was…I deserved to know that she was my daughter and now look at how much of her life I've missed out on…ALL BECAUSE OF YOU AND YOUR SELFISH MOTIVES!”

Christopher went silent to regain himself and he wiped away a tear that trickled down his cheek.

“Losing Megan was one of the big things that drove me to alcohol…and now I know that was your fault. You are scum Pamela Rebecca. Scum. You don't care who you hurt or whose lives you destroy, as long as you get your way.”

"Are you getting jealous?" There was a hint of flirtation in J.R.'s voice.

"She seems to be on your mind a lot."

"She's the cause of a lot of headaches."

"That are seemingly ever present, then. You live together, work together. What next? Investing in stock together?"

"Green isn't your color, Iris."

"That was me. Anyway, Neil was stalling, so I decided to just do the job myself. So, there you go. Your husband's secret past. He never loved you Lucy. He married you to protect himself."

What she didn't realize was that Rex was awake, and that he had seen the whole thing. A man of his caliber kept state of the art security in his home, so when he heard the banging, he immediately turned the monitors in the room to the hall camera. He could hear Afton and Neil's shouting through the audio system that he had patched in. He saw everything; their fight, and Neil holding the statue over Afton's head. Rex smiled as an idea formulated in his head.

Southfork Ranch

“Bobby, all those memories prove is that the last two years have hardly been picture perfect.”

“I know that, Pam. But wherever we've gone in the past, we've gotten through it. And we'll get through it again. After all, don't you remember what Mamma told that Oil Cartel years ago?”

“I'm afraid I missed that one,” Pam countered.

“We're Ewings, and that's what makes us unbeatable.”

“I hope you're right, Bobby.”

“Aren't I always,” he teased.

“Oh, Bobby.”

Pam kissed him passionately, and he wasn't about to not return the kiss. He responded with even more passion.

We've been through more than two years of continuing stories with the Ewings now. Justin has had a variety of writers over the years that have made these characters their own, and have kept them alive in the hearts and minds of devout Dallas fans. Join us now as the Ewing saga continues tonight, in Episode 100.