Dallas: The Complete First and Second Seasons

...says Victoria Principal's character Pam in a 1979 episode. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth because these first two seasons of "Dallas" take their time introducing the main players at Southfork and the cast did not become huge and sprawling until the '80s were well underway.

The first season of "Dallas" originally aired as a CBS mini-series in the spring of 1978 and was so successful that the network picked up the show as a weekly series for the 1978-79 TV Season. The episodes that composed both that "trial-run" and first full season are contained here. The suprising thing about these early "Dallas" offerings is that, while many plot threads are stretched throughout the season, each episode is also suprisingly self-contained so that anyone stumbling across one of these randomly will still be able to follow the action. Speaking of action, it's amusing to see how many outlandish events occur in this first box set alone: two kidnappings, a hostage crisis, a plane crash and a heart attack all within the first 20 episodes. There are some missteps as when the writers throw these outsider plots into the mix, such as random characters holding the Ewing women hostage, or kidnapping Bobby. The show works best when it sticks to the back-stabbing within the world of the Ewings and the high-powered oil industry.

The acting is top-notch all around. Larry Hagman has already captured the evil but amusing essence of J.R. Ewing. Charlene Tilton gets some juicy material in the first episodes, but isn't given as many interesting things to do as the season progresses. Ken Kercheval is a delight as the impish and devious Cliff Barnes, especially during his fling with Sue-Ellen when he knows how badly it would get under J.R.'s skin. Linda Gray is most interesting as Sue-Ellen when she's standing up to J.R. and throwing out ultimatums. Patrick Duffy and Victoria Principal are adorable as the beautiful newlyweds with the world in their hands, and each of them parade around in swimsuits in nearly every other episode, filling the cheesecake/beefcake quota more than adequately. Victoria looks gorgeous whether she's sporting long, lustrous locks or the sassier, choppier hairstyle she adopts late in Season 2. Tina Louise shows up as J.R.'s secretary/lover and looks the same as she did 15 years earlier as Ginger on "Gilligan's Island" except for the feathered Farrah 'do. Her performances are more interesting when she returns late in Season 2, though her Southern accent comes and goes within any given appearance.

There are some dated and wince-inducing bits such as a few disco scenes and Sue-Ellen being forced to sing "People" at gunpoint in her Miss Texas sash and swimsuit, but for the most part "Dallas" is still fun and entertaining over 30 years later. I am enjoying every minute of it and I was not a big fan of prime-time soaps back in their heyday. I am glad for the chance to revisit them on DVD and see what I missed the first time 'round.

The picture quality varies from episode to episode, with some scenes looking bright, colorful and clear while others are washed out and show dirt and specks and are overall grainy. There are various cast commentaries from the likes of Hagman and Tilton, but I didn't find them that interesting, so will just enjoy the episodes themselves.

Love it! Just like my comments for season 1. Can't get enough. Love the style, the fashion. I love it all!

The plots are very interesting, and I like the consistency and specific references to incidents that have happened, making the continuity flow.

Very pleased and would recommend that anyone who watches today's Dallas watch the original shows, for better understanding of the feuds.

-sf

Got the product extremely quickly.. it was a good price.. and in excellent shape considering it was supposed to have been used. I'm a very satisfied customer. Also - Dallas is a great TV show.. but not suitable for kids in my opinion.