The worst episodes of Dallas
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
On the heels of Bobby's appointment as Railroad Commissioner, John Ross scrambles to find the funds to keep the Arctic lease deal alive, even if it means betraying those who love him most. Sensing an opportunity, Elena and Nicolas get Pamela and John Ross out of the office to divide and conquer. Meanwhile, things get complicated for Christopher and Heather and Ryland's plot to keep Emma and John Ross apart takes an unexpected turn.
- 02
Just as John Ross sets out to claim his birthright and make his father proud, J.R. decides to move back to Southfork, much to Ann's dismay. Bitter Ewing family enemy Cliff Barnes returns and tries to reconnect with his nephew, Christopher. A startling family announcement offers an opportunity to heal old wounds.
- 03
The plot to take control of Southfork gets complicated when two-timing affairs and blackmail arise, and J.R. starts to ask one too many questions. Meanwhile, Christopher and Elena bury their feelings in order work together on a business deal. But Christopher's new bride may be hiding her own secrets.
- 04
With tension mounting between the newly married Christopher and Rebecca, family ties begin to unravel when the deed to Southfork is revealed. In order to thwart J.R.'s schemes, Ann seeks help from someone in her past, and Christopher decides it is time to fight dirty.
- 05
John Ross is bothered by the weight of having to do his father's dirty work and decides to move into Southfork. Strife continues to grow between Ann and Bobby when it is revealed she went to her ex for help with a family problem. Rebecca approaches Bobby and Christopher with information that she believes might help save the ranch.
- 06
Rebecca reveals a life-changing secret to Elena. Still riling from his interaction with Bobby, Ann's ex-husband demands an apology. Meanwhile, John Ross is under pressure from his allies and tries to turn one family member against another. And a family associate is murdered, leaving everyone to wonder about the culprit.
- 07
When murder hangs over the Ewing household, the family is forced to make decisions for the good of family. Christopher moves closer to his dream when a large oil company approaches him about rights to new methane technology. And the Ewings fight to protect Southfork from outsiders.
- 08
In the dramatic season finale, family bonds bring the Ewing's together as a loved one faces a medical crisis. Christopher and Elena begin to learn that not everyone is who they appear to be, including the people closest to them. Long buried secrets are revealed as the past rears its ugly head.
- 09
With Christopher and Bobby at the helm of Ewing Energies, and Elena working to gain a stronger foothold within the company, J.R. and John Ross strike a deal to wrestle control of Ewing Energies away from them. Meanwhile, Pamela Rebecca Barnes schemes with John Ross to take half of Christopher's shares in Ewing Energies to fulfill her father's desire for revenge against the Ewings. And Ryland's mother, Judith, proves to be just as evil as her son.
- 10
When new evidence mysteriously surfaces pointing to foul play in Tommy's disappearance, Christopher aims to connect Pamela to the crime. J.R. and John Ross maneuver on two fronts to reclaim their birthright, including poisoning one family member against another. Pamela continues to push her father's agenda to gain control of Ewing Energies. As a new member of the family arrives at Southfork, Ann is pushed to the brink by Ryland's sadistic games and finally takes action.
- 11
With the future of Ewing Energies in jeopardy, Christopher does everything possible to keep a key deal alive. J.R. works to undermine Pamela, forcing John Ross to choose between a Ewing and a Barnes. Cliff Barnes returns to meet with an unlikely visitor.
- 12
Ryland continues his onslaught of Ann, exposing secrets from her past that threaten to destroy her. Meanwhile, John Ross' plot to take over Ewing Energies solidifies; Christopher changes tactics with Pamela Barnes; and an enemy from the Ewings' past resurfaces.
- 13
John Ross continues to persuade Sue Ellen to help him take control of Ewing Energies. Christopher and Pamela Rebecca work with their lawyers to settle their divorce. With Drew's help, Christopher makes a startling revelation that could change the fate of Ewing Energies. And the whole family comes together when an outsider tries to undermine them all.
- 14
In a heartrending farewell episode, Dallas says goodbye to the legendary J.R. Ewing, who, after a lifetime of scheming and dealing, has finally met his end. The Ewing family reels at hearing the news about J.R.'s death and is even more shocked to learn the cause. Striving to set aside their differences, J.R.'s family comes together to mourn his passing, accompanied by many characters from his past. But their tears are soon overpowered by a shocking revelation worthy of one of televisions most iconic characters. In life - and now in death - nothing is ever as it seems when it comes to J.R. Ewing.
- 15
As Bobby, Christopher and John Ross get to work on J.R.'s masterpiece, J.R.'s will has lasting ramifications for the family legacy and Southfork. Pamela proves her loyalty to John Ross by giving him information against her father, and Christopher's relationship with Elena is tested when Christopher resorts to a tactic worthy of J.R. Meanwhile, Drew is forced to betray the Ewings when a family member is threatened, and Sue Ellen uses her wits to get Gary out of Dallas.
- 16
Peace among the Ewings is threatened when catastrophe strikes and Christopher's technology is believed to be the cause. As Bobby struggles to keep the family together, Sue Ellen reaches out to an old friend for help. Meanwhile, Pamela's mother, Afton Cooper, returns to Dallas to take care of her daughter. And Emma is put in the middle of her father and grandmother's relationship, pushing her closer to Drew, who's wrestling with a dark secret.
- 17
Conspiracy emerges intent on keeping Christopher to blame for recent events and to cripple Ewing Energies. The Ewings' investigation into this conspiracy brings revelations in line with J.R.'s masterpiece and introduces a new adversary into the mix. John Ross and Pamela bond as he helps her comes to terms with a personal issue just as Christopher and Elena's relationship takes a turn. Meanwhile, Ryland makes a move against Drew to protect Emma.
- 18
With the clock ticking in the wake of Cliff and Ryland putting Ewing Energies on the verge of collapse, the Ewings battle back with J.R.'s master plan to guide them. Christopher and John Ross attempt to bring Pamela into the fold by turning her against her father, but at the risk of alienating her completely. Meanwhile, Bobby is on the brink of exposing Ryland's crimes as Emma and Drew's relationship continues to fracture, and Christopher closes in on finding his mother.
- 19
After Pamela proves her loyalty to John Ross, he goes out on a limb to let her in on J.R.'s master plan. But when Christopher's suspicions about her seem to be right, John Ross begins to question if his trust was misplaced, leading Pamela to show her mettle in game-changing fashion. Meanwhile, Drew confides in Elena about a dark secret that leaves her forced to choose between her family and her love for Christopher. And Bobby continues his fight to keep Ewing Energies out of Cliff Barnes' hands.
- 20
In the electrifying second season finale, the Ewings unite to execute J.R.'s master plan. Twists and turns abound as each family member tries to ensure its success in ways that would make even a scoundrel like J.R. Ewing proud. When the shocking answer to the question "Who killed J.R.?" is finally revealed, the stage is deliciously set for new alliances and new battles to begin.
- 21
Two decades since viewers last saw them, the Ewing's are back. Television's first family of drama, sabotage, secrets and betrayal are gathering at Southfork Ranch for the upcoming wedding of Bobby's adopted son, Christopher, to Rebecca Sutter. Although the occasion is joyous, an old family rivalry crosses generations after secret oil drilling on Southfork results in a major gusher. Everyone has his or her own agenda when the fight over oil and land threatens to tear the Ewings apart once again.
- 22
John Ross learns the value of family when he must choose between blood and oil. Sue Ellen and Rebecca both find themselves victims of men who could destroy their lives. And the Ewing's must once again rally around one another when a medical crisis strikes.
- 23
In the aftermath of John Ross and Sue Ellen's coup to take over Ewing Energies, Bobby retaliates with his brother's help, Gary, leaving the family in a Mexican standoff. Meanwhile, Pamela is caught between Christopher and John Ross, as the cousins clash, with it all culminating in a winner-take-all car race.
- 24
When John Ross and Pamela make a shocking discovery about an enemy's whereabouts the night J.R. was killed, Bobby is compelled to reveal more of J.R.'s master plan to them and ask for their help in a surprising way. Meanwhile, Christopher heads out to search for his mother, but as an unexpected secret comes to light, a rift drives Christopher and Elena apart. At the same time, Sue Ellen makes an impassioned plea to convince Ken Richards to do the right thing, even though it may have dire consequences for him.
- 25
John Ross seeks to gain an upper hand on a family member and resorts to blackmail, but J.R. decides to handle the situation his own way. Meanwhile, Christopher opens up to Bobby about his difficulty in choosing between the two women he loves.
Shows like Dallas
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
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Shameless is a fiercely engaging and fearlessly twisted series. - 02Drama·FamilyThe worst episodes of Heartland2007–present·CBC GemLife is hard on the Flemings' ranch in the Alberta foothills where abused or neglected horses find refuge with a kind, hard-working family.
- 03Drama·Family·FantasyThe worst episodes of The Way Home2023–2026·Hallmark ChannelThe Way Home follows the lives of three generations of women within the Landry family that spans the years through a time travel twist.
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