Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing in Dallas, the new series

Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing in Dallas, the new series

Sue Ellen's avoidance of her own baby becomes a source of conflict between her and J.R. and between Bobby and Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing, who have begun to think of the child as their own.
 
Seeing the pain Ellie is going through as workmen prepare to pump oil out of Southfork, Jock decides to sell the Asian oil leases even though it means losing millions. J.R. tries to stop him.

Big oil, big hats, big yee-hawwwww, hot.

This is how you do “Dallas.”

TNT’s “sequel series” — don’t call it a reboot — reunites original stars Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray as those fussin’, feudin’, always entertaining Ewings.

Co-executive producer/ writer Cynthia Cidre’s smart take on the prime-time soap (1978-1991) pays homage to the past while moving the battle to the next generation.

In the new two-hour premiere, those upstart young’uns — J.R. and Sue Ellen’s son John Ross (Josh Henderson) and Bobby’s adopted son Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) square off for the future of Southfork and control of the Ewing fortune.

Violating Miss Ellie’s will, John Ross digs for oil on Ewing property and hits a gusher. Christopher wants to go green but the technology is treacherous.

“I am sick to death of this family devouring itself over money,” Bobby (Duffy) snaps.

He decides to sell the ranch to a land preservation group, rousing J.R. (Hagman) to all sorts of scheming.

Among those caught in the cross fire: Bobby’s wife, Ann (Brenda Strong, “Desperate Housewives”), Christopher’s fiancee Rebecca (Julie Gonzalo), and Elena (Jordana Brewster), John Ross’ girlfriend and Christopher’s ex.

Just about everyone — including white hat Bobby — is hiding something.

At 80, Hagman looks frail, but he chews every scene as if it were prime rib.

“Son, never pass on a good chance to shut up,” he advises his chip off the old scoundrel. Next week, in a moment that tips its Stetson to the infamous 1980 “Who Shot J.R.?” cliffhanger, J.R. is confronted by a rifle-toting relative.

“Bullets don’t seem to have much of an effect on me, darling,” he drawls.

The other Ewings have not been forgotten. Look tonight for cameos from trashy niece Lucy (Charlene Tilton) and half-brother Ray (Steve Kanaly). Next week, that no-good Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval) drops by with a proposition for nephew Christopher. Despite all the references to Bobby’s great love Pam, actress Victoria Principal has not committed to a return.

That’s OK. The new generation seems more than eager to fill some big boots.

J.R. decides that bringing Bobby back into Ewing Oil is the best way to keep Jock out of the office. J.R. also aims to get Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing a promotion to keep Bobby's mind off anything but his troubled marriage.
 
Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing in her sexy black swimsuit is using work to hide from her own unhappiness. Ray seems to have found happiness at last when Donna Culver reenters his life.

Sue Ellen actively sees Dusty. Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing, the swimsuit babe, leaves town. An angry Bobby runs into Jenna, an old girl friend. Ray ponders if he and Donna have anything in common besides their love. J.R. gets angry and jealous of Sue Ellen's unexplained nights out. Kristin tries to take advantage of the situation to permanently enter J.R.'s life.