Dallas (2012) s01e01 Episode Script

Changing of the Guard

John Ross, wake up.
John Ross! I'm getting a reading, John.
Pull the drill! Pull it! Now! How are we lookin', boys, Let's go! Let's go! Come on.
Come on.
Come on, come on, come on.
Yeah! Let's go! Let's go! Cap it! Cap that thing! She's flowing at Baby.
How you gonna tell Bobby? No one's ever been allowed to drill on Southfork.
I've staked everything on this.
All I've ever wanted.
- Trust me.
- Okay.
Yeah, boys! Here we go, now, That would be great.
Thank you.
Bobby.
It's what we thought.
A gastrointestinal stromal tumor A fairly rare form of cancer.
It's a hell of a piece of news to deliver on a man's birthday.
I'm sorry.
Bill I don't want you to tell anyone.
Okay.
I'll start you on oral chemo.
Happens to be a good one for this type of cancer, but, Bobby, your family has to know.
My son is getting married in a couple of days.
I don't want this on his shoulders.
I don't want this on anybody's shoulders.
The window to beat stromal cancer narrows with every passing day.
Bill.
I've got family business to attend to.
Before anybody knows I'm dying.
Dallas S01 Ep01 - Changing of the Guard Go on.
Touch it.
It's ice.
Flammable ice.
Methane.
Frozen and compressed in hydrate form along the coasts of every continent.
There's more energy in these hydrates than all the world's coal, oil, and conventional gas put together.
The Chinese have been trying to extract methane from the ocean floor for a decade.
Read my patent application.
It's why I came back.
I'm gonna beat the Chinese to the punch.
What about Bobby Ewing funding you? My father's out of the energy business.
He's happy raising cattle on Southfork.
Take it or leave it.
I ain't a virgin.
But I ain't a whore, either.
Son, take it or leave it.
Well, I guess I'll be knocking on a few more doors.
That's funny.
How long has he been your coach? Only about two days.
Really? You are unbelievable.
Christopher Ewing? Is that you behind that wall of lockers? Shoot.
My pants.
Mrs.
Stanfill? Yes, ma'am.
It is.
I hope that's your fianceé in there with you, Christopher.
Yes, ma'am.
It is.
Rebecca Sutter, ma'am.
What must you think of me? His daddy would crow with pride.
Will you be coming to the wedding, Mrs.
Stanfill? I wouldn't miss it, dear.
And may I suggest that you, uh, save something for the honeymoon? Yes.
Should be interesting to see Christopher and John Ross together again.
Has Elena seen Christopher since he's been back? She's knows he's getting married.
She's with John Ross now.
Something happened between those two, Bobby, and whatever it was sent Christopher running off to Asia into Rebecca's arms.
Some arms.
Annie, speaking of Asia, I was thinking maybe we should stop there on our cruise.
What cruise? This cruise.
Didn't you always say that you wanted to spend our golden years abroad? A world cruise? But you hate traveling.
And Robert James Ewing, we are nowhere near our golden years.
Isn't it about time that I did something that my wife wanted to do? All right, all right.
Listen up.
Listen up.
Now they said you've got to be crazy to go drillin' these days.
Crazy, yep.
It was scary at first, and a year ago, my beautiful Elena and I Get over here We hold on, I just want to All right, all right, all right, all right, all right.
We started plotting our venture.
Some of you thought we were crazy.
I can't thank you enough for sticking with me.
Yeah, boss.
So here's the deal I want you to take your wives, your girlfriends, and your families.
You take them away this weekend on me.
'Cause we're in the oil business, boys.
I couldn't have done it without you! Here we go now! That's for not telling my Uncle about drilling on Southfork.
Much obliged.
Well, betting against J.
R.
's son would've been like bettin' against the Dallas cowboys.
Downright unpatriotic.
I'll be right back.
If there's one thing my daddy taught me, it was to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
You stay tuned.
So, how's he doing? In and out, Mr.
Ewing.
Clinical depression is like that.
But he's taking his meds, and we're keeping him comfortable.
All those fights, J.
R.
Over Ewing Oil.
And Southfork.
Those fights changed me.
Changed me in a way I don't like.
I worry about Christopher and John Ross.
I want them to have a chance to be a family.
Without all the bitterness and bad blood you and I had.
I don't want them to be like us.
But All that being said, I do miss you.
Well, I hope you know I always loved you.
Welcome! Happy Birthday, dad.
So, tell me How'd it go? They offered me a 90/10 split.
But before you say anything, I turned them down.
Good.
That's smart.
What's next? Well, it seems I have only two roads open to me, dad.
You know, accepting government subsidies or bending over for the venture capitalists.
Is it really so difficult for you to ask me for money? Yeah.
Yeah, it is.
It's good to have you home, Christopher.
Carmen! I missed your cooking.
We'll talk.
Okay.
This beautiful girl you're going to marry - Does she cook? - She wants to learn.
She'll never make molé like Elena, but maybe I could teach her to fry a tortilla.
You'll like her once you get to know her, Carmen.
You and my daughter made such a beautiful couple.
See what you did? Look at you.
Here I thought my cousin was marrying a mad scientist with a mustache.
You must be John Ross.
I've been looking forward to meeting you.
Watch out.
Worst hound dog West of the Mississippi.
Been back for three weeks, and you haven't come see me? Been busy.
- Welcome home.
- Thanks.
- Good to see you.
- You, too.
- Been a long time.
- It has.
And you look, uh, different.
- Yeah, I changed my hair.
- Your clothes? Opened an office in Dallas tracking oil leases.
Got to dress the part.
You must be Elena.
- Rebecca.
- Yes.
- So nice to meet you.
- So nice to meet you, too.
- That's mother.
I'll go get her.
- So, you grew up with these two.
Yeah, regrettably.
I can't wait to hear all about them.
If it isn't the next governor.
Sorry I'm late.
Mother, it's so nice to see you.
You got to tell Bobby.
Just give me a minute.
I was just telling Sue Ellen that my one and only bridesmaid had a family emergency and won't be able to make the wedding.
Rebecca's parents They, uh, they died in a plane crash.
She's got a brother, but not much by the way of family.
Shouldn't Tommy be here by now? Yeah.
I'm a little worried about him.
I have an idea.
Elena could be your bridesmaid.
Sorry? I think it's a great idea.
Really? I I would not be a good bridesmaid.
I I'd love it, Elena.
I mean, you're like Chris' sister.
I'm I'm so flattered, really, but it it must be way too late to get a dress made.
I'm sure the dressmaker can probably just alter the dress we'not using.
It would be an honor to have you as my bridesmaid.
I'm sorry I didn't think of it first.
Okay.
Well, it's settled, then.
Have you seen J.
R.
, Bobby? Yes, as a matter of fact.
I saw him this afternoon.
John Ross.
You should go see your father before it's too late.
I got nothing to say to my father.
You will regret time you don't spend with your family, son.
So, I hear you've come home with some kind of alternative energy scheme to save the world.
Here I was hoping to tempt you into wildcatting with me.
Oil's the past, John Ross.
Alternatives are the future.
I couldn't disagree more.
Well, this country's quickly running out of resources.
With all due respect, cousin, that's a load.
With all due respect, you have no idea what you're talking about.
All right, all right, listen, I have been thinking all evening about how to best say this, and there really is no best way other than to just come out with it.
But there is no doubt in my mind it's the right thing to do.
I've decided the time has come to sell Southfork.
Better get your truck, then.
Come with me.
What the hell are you doing? No more than Jock did Drilling for oil on Southfork.
Miss Ellie threw Jock's rig off the ranch.
Christopher! You have no right to drill on this land.
I'm a Ewing.
I have every right.
We only confirmed the find this morning, Bobby.
John was gonna tell you tonight.
You're a part of this? I spotted the reserve on a seismic survey.
If I'm right, you are sitting on a couple of billion barrels of light, sweet crude The most sought-after crude oil in the world.
This will make us richer than we ever imagined, Uncle Bobby.
It'll change everything! I am sick to death of this family devouring itself over money! This is exactly what I didn't want to happen.
John knew it would be hard to convince you.
All he's asking is that you think about this.
Think about what?! A pay formation this thick's got to be two miles deep.
It'll have to be fracked.
You don't know what you're talking about.
It's the end of the ranch, Elena! Oil's in your blood! When did you turn your back on it? When I got away from everything that was toxic around these parts.
I promised to mama there would be no drilling on Southfork.
You don't think we're long past caring about miss Ellie's precious little wishes? John Ross.
Don't you ever speak my mama's name in my presence again.
You dishonor her.
We're done talking, son.
Southfork is for sale.
No drilling.
Oil alternatives are the future.
- Keep me out of it, dad! - Bobby's not your dad.
Everybody knows your dad sold you when you were a little baby.
You'll never be a Ewing, Christopher! Stop it.
That's enough.
Come on, guys.
John Ross! Christopher! - That is enough! - Get off! That's enough.
It's over! You listen to me, boy.
There is no drilling on my ranch.
It's over.
Get in the truck.
He wants money and power.
Hell, he doesn't even know the first thing about oil.
Elena found the reserve.
You knew this could happen.
He's just using her.
Just like when we were kids.
Let's cut our losses and move on.
Is Elena what this is all about, Chris? No.
This is about me and John Ross.
You don't think I should fight him with every fiber of my being? It's not worth going to war over.
Don't let John Ross get in your head.
It'll tear your family apart.
You're better than that.
You're right.
I'd hoped my Uncle would listen to reason.
But he's forcing my hand.
Hearst ranch is the largest working ranch in California, Mitch.
The American Land Conservancy provided permanent public access and eliminated all future development All future development.
Now that's our model.
Southfork is nearly twice the size of hearst.
- Now, I'm gonna have to get creative.
- All right.
Excuse me, Mr.
Bobby.
Yes, Carmen.
What is it? The sheriff is here to see you.
Derek.
Come on in.
I'm sorry Mr.
Ewing.
Just doing my job.
It's all right.
John Ross has filed an injunction against the sale of Southfork.
You got to be kidding me.
He's petitioning to have the terms of mama's will overturned on grounds of mental incompetence.
That's a lie.
- Maybe I should hold off.
- No! You start looking for a conservancy with deep pockets, Mitch.
John Ross wants to turn Southfork into a battlefield, I'll give the I will give him the fight of his life.
Looking good over here.
We got company.
It's a court order, Mr.
Ewing.
Staying you from further drilling.
I've filed with the court to overturn the terms of my grandmother's will.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Ewing.
That came straight from a district judge.
I know times are rough out there, boys.
But this ranch has been in my mama's family 150 years, and I promised her no one would ever drill on it.
I'm sorry about your jobs.
All right, that's it.
No, don't stop! You all keep working.
I ain't tangling with Bobby Ewing.
It's his ranch.
Thank you, Robert.
You said there's plenty of oil out there.
Go someplace else and find it.
We're not done here Uncle.
Could you give us a few minutes? Thank you.
You look beautiful.
Thank you.
Would you look at these? Aren't these beautiful? But yours is perfect.
- Really? - Yeah.
Thank you.
How old were you when your parents died? Sorry.
You know, every Wednesday night, my daddy would take me to his regular poker game.
The most valuable thing he ever taught me was that everyone has a tell.
I knew Chris had a broken heart the moment we met.
Did he ever tell you how we met? Well, I was taking a break after passing the bar.
I was on a train coming back from the Hong Kong airport, and and Chris was a boy running away from home.
I think you wish the best for Chris.
I know I'm gonna try my damndest to make him happy.
Southfork's John Ross' home.
Bobby can't turn it into a museum.
I'd stay out of it if I were you, Sue Ellen.
Well, it is not your son being robbed.
My Lord.
Darlin', look at you.
You look gorgeous.
It's the perfect dress.
- Thank you.
- Really? - You look so beautiful.
- Thank you.
Look at the beading.
Dude You want the usual? Yeah.
Thanks, Eric.
Yeah.
Ken.
What's going on? Something bad happened, man.
We tapped a cache of methane lying close to the surface of the seabed.
I I think we triggered an earthquake.
What? Dr.
Wong is shutting us down until he figures out what to do.
There might be a link between harvesting methane and earthquakes.
I know you've been working with hydrate cores.
It's not safe, Chris.
I gotta go.
Dad It's me John Ross.
Can you hear me? Dad? Bobby's selling Southfork to a conservancy, dad.
He's turning Southfork into a park.
I, uh, I filed an injunction to overturn the terms of my grandmother's will.
But he's kicked me off the ranch.
I sank a test well on section 18, on that stretch of land that everybody's ignored for 50 years.
I hit a 2 billion-barrel reserve.
But Bobby won't hear of drilling.
I present him with a 2 billion-barrel reserve, and he says he has to honor miss Ellie's wishes by by By conserving the land.
It's bullshit! Bobby's selling Southfork because Christopher came home from China with some alternative-energy scheme, and he can't get funding.
Bobby's giving him the money! Bobby was always a fool.
Stubborn as a mule.
And particularly harebrained about that foundling, Christopher.
Not even a Ewing.
On what grounds are you contesting my mama's will? Mental incompetence.
The fried chicken ain't bad here.
And get me some of that red jello.
We got some catching up to do, son.
By the way I forgive you for not visitin'.
Tell me what to do, dad.
I know that I can win this in court.
But I can't afford the lawyers.
Bobby's cut me off.
Son The courts are for amateurs and the faint of heart.
No.
This is personal.
I want to ask you something.
You and Christopher used to study rocks together.
Now, there's nobody out there that knows what he's up to more than you do.
Will you go see him? You want me to spy on him? I want to know if what he's working on is real or a fantasy.
Maybe I can get enough time to make my Uncle see reason.
There's got to be another way.
Look at us.
Outside the gates, looking in.
You and I are black sheep, Elena.
I'll always be J.
R.
's son to them, no matter what.
And no matter how smart or educated you are, you are always gonna be the cook's daughter.
Someone Christopher can just use and throw away.
I'll get you some coffee.
Do you remember how hard it was to get you out of bed calfing time? I would get up two hours before dawn, make coffee.
Pamela would always catch me.
I'd say it was for my mom.
She didn't buy it.
Let me get away with it, though.
I miss her.
I miss her, too.
What happened? The, uh, team that I was working with in China They triggered an underwater earthquake while extracting methane from the ocean floor.
It's a complete disaster.
I can't continue.
Can't risk hurting people.
Be unthinkable.
I'm so sorry, Christopher.
I know how hard you worked on this.
Why are you here, Elena? Are you happy, Christopher? Rebecca's the best person I know.
But you didn't answer my question.
Why are you here? I wanted to give this back to you.
I want you to be happy.
So sorry about your work.
Well? What did he say? He didn't want to talk about it.
W-what do you mean? Y-you guys didn't exchange any of that geeky tech talk? Very funny.
No.
What did you talk about? Southfork.
The injunction.
The wedding.
We're still going, right? I wouldn't miss it.
What's wrong? My stomach.
I'll get you something.
I don't miss, mister.
Not at any range.
Next time, Ms.
Ewing, shoot him.
I will.
Good night.
Good night.
Thank you.
How's your stomach? I'm fine.
Fine.
Why don't we try and get some sleep, Got a big day tomorrow.
Okay.
Come on.
I'll be right up.
I'll get the lights.
Okay.
Come here.
Come on, man.
Where's the money? Well, Bobby, there she is.
Have you ever met this woman? I only met her on the phone, but her father's big in the land-conservancy business.
Well, let's go say hello.
Mr.
Ewing? I'm Marta Del Sol from the Del Sol Conservancy.
My father sent me.
Mind if we go up and take a look? Over the last three decades, the Del Sol Conservancy has acquired over a million acres around the world, Mr.
Ewing.
For my father, there's no higher calling than conserving land.
Here's what we can guarantee if this project moves forward.
Golf courses, equestrian resorts, massive hotel developments will never be built.
Vast, exquisite scenic views will be protected forever.
We know your nephew is contesting the terms of your mother's will, Mr.
Ewing.
He wants you removed as a trustee so he can drill for oil.
We would hate to see this project go forward only to see it encounter delays in court.
My mother's will is inalterable on the issue of trustees.
And I assure you, miss Del Sol, no lady was ever more competent than my mama.
My nephew's injunction will be thrown out of court.
Then I see no reason why this project can't move forward.
Good.
The sooner, the better.
Uncle cliff's not gonna be able to make it.
J.
R.
's not doing so well, either.
Count your blessings, Christopher.
Those two old geezers would still find a reason to fight.
The Barnes and the ewings never did get along.
Right, Ray? Is that so? Then what about Pam and me, Lucy? Uncle Bobby! Guess you had to be the exception.
Hello, Ray.
You look good, Bob.
So do you.
Son, everybody, I'd like you to meet miss Marta Del Sol.
- Hi.
Nice to meet you.
- Hello.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you.
We have been discussing my selling Southfork to her father's conservancy.
Dad.
Can we talk? Excuse me one moment.
Excuse us.
Look, there's something I got to tell you before you close this deal, all right Christopher! Tommy.
- How are you? - I'm good.
I'm good.
Dad, this is Tommy, Rebecca's brother.
- Welcome to Southfork, Tommy.
- Thank you.
Where you been? You have no idea how long I was detained at the border.
Right.
You have someplace I can get washed up? Yeah.
Of course.
right over here.
Dad.
Don't do anything until we talk, okay? Okay.
Surely we can put our differences aside for family.
You say one word, make a scene I will not let you ruin my son's wedding.
Is that understood? Sure.
Bobby.
Jeffrey.
Good to see you.
Thank you.
The Del Sol Land Conservancy is the largest private conservator of public land in the world.
She and Bobby just got back from touring the ranch.
He's treating her like the deal is done, John Ross.
My father's the firstborn son.
I'm the firstborn grandson.
Bobby's not stealing our birthright.
You know, if you hadn't hidden me away in boarding school all those years, my father would have taught me the oil business, as he assured me he would.
And I would be running Ewing Oil today instead of that idiot Cliff Barnes having stolen it from us.
John Ross.
I know I have made mistakes.
I shouldn't have used you against J.
R.
But for what it's worth, I have changed.
Listen to me carefully, son.
I know you are disdainful of my connections.
But they are powerful.
Think of me as an ally.
I can help.
You have a call, Mr.
Ewing.
Here's what you wanted, John Ross.
Got a little something you might want to hear.
Excuse me.
All right.
What's this about? You failed to mention that your alternative gas is unstable, as a greenhouse gas than a carbon, that an accidental release could risk massive underwater landslides.
We wouldn't want that, would we? Your team in China just caused an earthquake.
How do you know this? What do you think your dad would say if he knew that your little experiment would cause the deaths of thousands of people? Listen up.
Unless you tell your father that you've changed your mind, that Southfork is your home and you can't bear to lose it, unless you convince your father to take Southfork off the market, I will expose you for the fraud that you are, Christopher.
Got it.
Excuse me.
We need to talk.
Excuse me.
Sorry.
What? talking about? You crazy? You couldn't wait to tell him.
What?! About the methane? The earthquake? Everything I told you in confidence, you told John Ross! - I don't know what you're talking - Don't lie to me! - Let go of me! - Don't lie to me! I have no idea what you're talking about.
John Ross tried to blackmail me.
He said he was gonna tell my father everything.
I didn't tell him anything.
And what you did What you did was for nothing.
Because he doesn't love you.
He uses people.
And you want to know what's really sick? I trusted you again.
John Ross doesn't love anyone but himself? You look in the mirror, Christopher.
You listen to your own words.
"I will always love you.
"But we are two different people "from two different circumstances.
I hope you understand.
" Was I really so wrong for you? I have no idea what you're talking about.
The e-mail you sent me.
The day we were supposed to get married.
I never sent you any e-mail! I waited for you! For six hours! I thought you were dead, Elena.
I was calling hospitals! I called Southfork! And when I finally got together with my father, he said you were in Mexico.
And the next time I saw you, you had hooked up with John Ross! So what was I supposed to think? You sent me an e-mail saying that we were a mistake.
What?! I only went to Mexico because I couldn't stand to be here! John Ross found me.
I thought I wasn't good enough.
No.
No.
Don't ever say that.
I know it was you.
Yes, it was.
Yes.
Methane is dangerous.
But John Ross has it wrong.
Look, I was gonna tell you about the earthquake before you finalized the deal, dad.
I'm not moving forward.
Not until I can develop safe technology.
Do you think, in time, that methane can safely be extracted from the seabed? All my life, I've been trying to put the Ewing name back on top.
And this may be hard for you to understand, but I've always felt like I needed to earn my way into this family.
Now, don't say anything.
Just listen, dad.
I know I can do it.
I know that I can make Ewing Alternative Energies the next EXXON.
Miss Del Sol Marta Obviously, a lot of details will have to be worked out.
But here in Texas, we do things with a handshake.
Mr.
Ewing Bobby Moving forward with this project will be a pleasure.
I now pronounce you husband and wife.
So, I said to him, "hell, that's the "That's the oil business.
That's all there is to it.
" Hello, son.
There's somebody I want you to meet.
Listen, son, take it from me.
No point in drowning your sorrows.
It'll all still be here tomorrow when you come to.
Now, I don't know if you met Marta earlier, but, Marta Del Sol, this is my son, John Ross.
Hi.
Well, why don't you take a load off, son? You look a little queasy.
You two know each other? I've known Marta since she was knee-high.
Her daddy and I go way back.
She's been working for you this whole time? And you didn't tell me? This is for all the marbles, son.
You didn't think I put all my oil in one barrel, did you? Well, what the hell happens when Bobby finds out he's been set up? Listen here, John Ross.
I'm the successor trustee to my mama's will.
I'm the one who belongs on Southfork.
It's mine and only mine.
You got that? Oil is my birthright.
Come on.
Give me some credit.
Bobby may not be stupid, but I'm a hell of a lot smarter.
Here you go, darling.
So, I was saying blood may be thicker than water, but oil is thicker than both.
Your ambition could fill this building, John Ross.
You want it all, don't you? Marta, you have no idea.
You were right not to trust J.
R.
I hope you know what you're doing.
Trust me.
Southfork will be mine, and only mine.
Fun is just beggining.

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