Mr. Misunderstood
In “Legacy of Hate,” an eighth-season “Dallas” episode, Phyllis and Kendall (Deborah Tranelli, Danone Simpson) are in the reception area at Ewing Oil when Pam (Victoria Principal) storms off the elevator.
PHYLLIS: Pam?
PAM: Is J.R. in his office?
KENDALL: Uh, yes, he is but — [Takes a step toward her]
PHYLLIS: No, Kendall.
J.R. (Larry Hagman) is seated, facing the window. Pam enters and slams the door behind her.
PAM: You filthy snake.
J.R.: I take it this is not a social visit?
PAM: Why? Just tell me why. I was out of your life, out of your family’s life, off your precious Southfork. Why would you pull such a ghoulish trick on me? Do you really need to hurt me that much?
J.R.: [Turns to face her] What are you talking about? You’re babbling like a lunatic.
PAM: You know what I’m talking about! The trip to San Serrano! The trip to Jamaica! The trip you manipulated me into taking so that I’d look for Mark Graison.
J.R.: What?
PAM: You know how much he means to me. What kind of sick pleasure did you get out of sending me island-hopping around the Caribbean with Gerald Kane?
J.R.: Who? Who are you talking about?
PAM: [Slams her fist on the desk] You know who, damn it! The pilot that you hired to lead me on that wild goose chase!
J.R.: Now just slow down. Some nut’s been telling you stories about me and you’re believing him.
PAM: He’s not a nut and I believe him.
J.R.: I never liked you a hell of a lot, you know that, Pam? But I never thought you were stupid until now.
PAM: Stupid? [Pause] Maybe. Maybe because in the past when I’ve threatened you, I haven’t followed through. But this time it’s different, J.R. Because this thing with Mark disgusts me more than anything you’ve ever done before.
J.R.: Pam, there’s been a misunderstanding.
PAM: Shut up! Just sit there and listen! [Leans in] Cliff and your cousin Jamie want to split up Ewing Oil. And they asked me to join their fight, but I said I wouldn’t because of Bobby. Well, that won’t stop me anymore. You have no heart. You have no feelings. You can’t be hurt like other people. But you have one soft spot, one weakness — and that’s Ewing Oil, the only thing you’ve ever really loved. Well, I’m going to join Cliff, and I’m going to back him up all the way. And Cliff and Jamie and I are going to take your company away from you. And then I’m going to watch you hurt. [Turns, leaves, slams the door behind her]
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