Ewing Business

With Pam's encouragement she convinces Bobby that he needs to become an executive at Ewing Oil. Bobby takes the suggestion to heart and ask Jock and J.R. to let him in on the business decisions. Bobby gets a big introduction to the way J.R. conducts business. Younger brother Gary, the alcoholic shows up determined to sober up and also be a part of Ewing Oil and make his daddy proud.

J.R. has no room or tolerance for Gary so he makes sure that whatever Gary is involved in will fail and applies as much pressure as possible. Gary has no backbone and really isn't cut out to be a Ewing in the real sense of the word and leaves yet again, leaving his wife Valene and daughter Lucy behind. Valene promises she will be back for Lucy, but she must go after Gary. Pamela's brother Cliff, also an oil man is determined to be bigger and better than the Ewing’s just to prove he can. Only one problem, Cliff is an alcoholic and this more often than not ends up causing him alot of humiliation and trouble. Sue Ellen desperately wants to have a baby but is having a hard time spending any time with J.R. It appears he is always away on business.

Misery loves company and Sue Ellen and Cliff Barnes end up having an affair. Sue Ellen later finds out she is pregnant and secretly wonders if maybe Cliff Barnes is the father. She continually throws this at J.R. in revenge for the lack of attention he shows her. Sue Ellen gives birth to little John. Jock and Miss Ellie are ecstatic with the arrival of their new grandson. Sue Ellen on the other hand becomes sullen and withdrawn. She shows no interest in little John and begins engaging a little too much drink. Cliff is convinced that the baby is his while he continues with his vendetta to ruin the Ewing’s and take over Ewing Oil.

The hatred runs deep between Cliff Barnes and J.R. Ewing and everyone knows that sooner than later something will happen. On one of J.R.'s late night office business meetings someone slips into Ewing Oil and shoots J.R. while he sits at his desk. This was the cliffhanger of all times. Who shot J.R.?