'Dallas' recap: The Long Goodbye

Back at Southfork, Bum said J.R. had gone to do oil business in Abu Dhabi, but he chose that location because for the last several months, he was trying to find Christopher's mother, Pam. He handed Christopher a file and said after Christopher read that, he’d understand why it was important for him to continue the search. Intriguing.

As for why J.R. then went to Mexico, Bum said he was there following a lead on Harris. Remember, J.R. had said he’d help Bobby take Harris down -- that was going to be his masterpiece. He gave Bobby a folder of papers. Bum said J.R. knew what he was investigating was dangerous, and if something happened to him, he wanted them to have these things. So it was Harris who killed J.R., John Ross insisted. Bum said no, it really was a mugger. But he had something for John Ross, too. He gave him a box holding a gun, and a note. The note said if John Ross was reading this, J.R. was dead -- which means Cliff Barnes will come after him (meaning the family, I assume). “You must crush him before he can win,” J.R. had written. He thinks Harris will join forces with Cliff to destroy them. (That'll be fun!!!) “Use what I’ve given you to take from them what they want to take from us. When you’ve done that, Bobby will know what to do... And remember, you’re my son, tip to tail," the letter ended.

While we were processing that, Bum gave Bobby one last envelope. Bobby didn’t tell Christopher and John Ross what it said, he just motioned for Bum to follow him. He told Bum to pay off whoever he had to so everyone still thinks J.R. was killed by a mugger. When the time comes, they’ll take care of this themselves as a family, he said. So who did it?! The mystery continues. Very smart of the producers (who, by the way, promise we'll learn the answer by season's end.)

Bobby went into J.R.'s room and poured himself a drink (or two). He saw J.R.'s hat and sat on the edge of his bed. “I knew you’d have at least one more left up your sleeve, J.R.," he said. "It is a good one. I love you, brother." Then he broke down as he drank his bourbon, and I seriously thought about pouring myself one. The tears in Patrick Duffy's eyes had to gut you. They were real.

Once you dry your eyes, share your theories. Who shot J.R.? Why does Christopher need to find Pam? And what's the next move in the war between the Ewings and Clarris (Cliff and Harris)?

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