Goodbye J.R.: Thoughts On DALLAS

Photo: Zade Rosenthal / TNT

The Ewing family, friends, a few enemies, and fans old and new said goodbye to J.R. last night in a poignant episode of DALLAS on TNT. The script, written by Cynthia Cidre, was excellent and you could feel the history without any flashbacks being used. I will probably watch the entire episode again at some point and notice many things I didn't pick up on at first viewing, but here are some things I really enjoyed most.

The special opening sequence created for Larry Hagman was perfect.

Ken Kercheval (Cliff), Steve Kanaly (Ray), Deborah Shelton (Mandy), Cathy Podewell (Cally), Charlene Tilton (Lucy) and Ted Shackelford (Gary) guest-starred and each one had some type of "moment" in the show, a big improvement over the blink-and-you-miss-it cameos by Ray and Lucy in Season 1. Gary and Ray were naturally conflicted over how to feel about their brother's death. Lucy was reflective and seemed to have at least some appreciation for her Uncle J.R.'s dirty dealings at this point in her live. Mandy and Cally reminded us of what a playboy J.R. was and that he was hard to get over. Surprisingly, the least satisfying of all these appearances was Cliff barging in. For some reason, Cliff had continued to be written as a one-note villain on the new DALLAS.

PREVIEW: J.R.'s Funeral On DALLAS

Photo: Skip Bolen / TNT

In a heartrending farewell episode on March 11 at 9 p.m. ET, TNT's DALLAS says goodbye to the legendary J.R. Ewing, who, after a lifetime of scheming and dealing, has finally met his end.

Ken Kercheval, Steve Kanaly, Deborah Shelton, Cathy Podewell, Charlene Tilton and Ted Shackelford guest star.  Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban also make appearances.

In "J.R.'s Masterpiece," 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.

DALLAS will air a special opening sequence in the episode as a tribute to Larry Hagman.

Check out more photos and watch a sneak peek video below:

Cathy Podewell & Deborah Shelton Returning To DALLAS

Deborah Shelton and Cathy Podewell are returning to DALLAS for the funeral of J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman), according to TV Guide Magazine.

Shelton, who from 1984-1987 played J.R.'s mistress Mandy Winger, has accepted an invitation from TNT's DALLAS to say a few words at the memorial service Bobby (Patrick Duffy) and Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) will throw for the departed Ewing patriarch.

J.R.'s young, country-hick wife Cally Harper Ewing, played by Podewell from 1988-1991, will also be on hand.