Dallas - The Complete Sixth Season (1978)

Television was Never Better

"Dallas", in my opinion is the best television show of all time, and this season illustrates why it is so. The stories revolve around universal and timeless themes such as the love-hate relationships among family members; the internal and external battle over the use of power for good or evil; the struggle to restore trust to tattered relationships; coming to terms with the death of a loved-one; and the hurt, fear and healing subsequent to sexual abuse. "Dallas" was never better than it was this season, aside from season 10 (which I hope will soon be released) this was the last truly great season. There has never been, and there never will be a show as thoroughly entertaining as "Dallas". Much of the success of this season can be attributed to the performances of the cast. Was there ever any other performer who possessed a character the way Larry Hagman did J.R.? Was there ever a character you loved to hate as much as you did J.R. (and at times still found yourself rooting for him)? How Larry Hagman never won an Emmy is simply beyond comprehension. Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing was nothing short of brilliant, and Barbara Bel Geddes (the only cast member to win an Emmy for her work on the show) repeatedly gave reserved, but incredibly powerful performances. Great stories and exceptional performances make "Dallas" as entertaining today as it was twenty-five years ago. July 5, 2008

fun city

The on-going tales of the guy (JR) you love to hate. It's fun reliving the Dallas series. The plots and counterplots are just as true today as they were 20-30 years ago. February 8, 2008

Great TV. Poor DVD set. Only portuguese subtitles.

The series it's great. The presentation and quality of this set are disappointing. And it's getting worst, this season only have portuguese subtitles. Anyhow DALLAS it's a must. December 25, 2007

Sixth Season -- Magic's Over

It's been great watching Dallas again after all these years, but just like back in the 70s/80s, the quality of the writing took a nosedive after Jim Davis' death altered the existing dynamic of the series.

With Jock Ewing gone and Bobby and J.R. fighting for control of Ewing Oil most scenes are as boring as sitting in an actual board meeting (read that as BORED meeting), though, of course, the business in the series is incredibly dumbed down for non-business viewers from anything that goes on in real life.

Even worse, Audrey Landers never could sing, and apparently it was in her contract that she could sing every few episodes she appeared in. More dead air.

I believe in later seasons Dallas gets back on track somewhat, but never again will it match the quality of seasons 1-5.

The sets are also INCREDIBLY cheap looking (and were even back then), and the women's costumes and hairstyles haven't held up as well as they have on rival series Dynasty and Falcon Crest. (The Mercedes and Porsche cars used on the series, however, are just as nice looking today as they were then, and better looking than a lot of the "aerodynamic" design cars manufactured today.)

Overall this is a season only the Dallas completist need bother with. It's a chore to watch much of the time rather than a pleasure, and breaking up Bobby and Pam was a huge mistake that went on for years to follow. It's also hard to watch Susan Howard as Donna Krebs knowing today she's affiliated with the NRA and the Republican party. Lois Chiles as Holly Harwood, on the other hand, is a real treat -- especially in the scene where she pulls the gun on J.R. in bed. December 3, 2007

War of the Ewings

The year-long war between JR and Bobby to see who can produce the biggest profits to win Ewing Oil is fantastic drama and an ingenius and brilliant story-line in this season 6 DVD.

Larry Hagman is perfect in his portrayal as the evil brother JR and is really the best TV villian ever! In this season 6 DVD, JR has just about everyone in Dallas against him, including his own mother who he fights in court over the terms of Jock's will.

Almost every scene in every episode is related to the Ewing brothers' war which affects everyone else. The plots and story-lines are all interwoven and have a domino effect from the first episode all the way to the 'Southfork fire' end-of-season cliffhanger (one of the series' best).

I'm really looking forward to the Dallas seasons 7 & 8 DVDs as "Dallas" just gets better and better! There's so much more great drama and fantastic story-lines to come in forthcoming seasons. This is one of the best seasons of "Dallas" and DVD Seasons 3, 7 & 10 are also one of the best seasons of this world-famous and timeless soap opera.

I hope Warner releases all the 14 seasons onto DVD as I even like the final few seasons of the series.

November 9, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...