The WORST episodes of Dallas

Every episode of Dallas ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Dallas!

The world's first mega-soap, and one of the most popular ever produced, Dallas had it all. Beautiful women, expensive cars, and men playing Monopoly with real buildings. Famous for one of the best cliffhangers in TV history, as the world asked "Who shot J.R.?" A slow-burner to begin with, Dallas hit its stride in the 2nd season, with long storylines and expert character development. Dallas ruled the airwaves in the 1980's.

Last Updated: 2/26/2024Network: CBSStatus: Ended
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Conundrum (2)
star
6.09
11 votes

#1 - Conundrum (2)

Season 14 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/3/1991

Directors: Leonard Katzman
Charade
star
6.13
15 votes

#2 - Charade

Season 14 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/9/1990

With April still in harms way, Bobby is forced to acquiesce to the kidnapper's demands. Still stuck in the asylum, J.R. faces off with a dangeous foe. James loses more than his shirt in a high stakes poker game. While Cliff seems to be going up in the world, Liz finds herself in deadly danger. Cally finds J.R.s letter and makes a decision. Bobby gets a shock at the police station.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
Writer: Howard Lakin
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Conundrum (1)
star
6.19
16 votes

#3 - Conundrum (1)

Season 14 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/3/1991

In this two-part episode, J.R. is on the brink of despair, holding a gun to his own head, when he's visited by an other-worldly type named Adam. He takes a mystical journey in the "It's a Wonderful Life" slant and finds out what the lives of those around him would have been like had there never been a J.R. Ewing. What he sees is a world where Gary Ewing is a successful lawyer, Cliff Barnes is vice-president of the United States, Cally Harper is a battered wife, Bobby Ewing is a wandering loser, Sue Ellen Shepard is a thriving actress, and the other Ewing son is named Jason -- and is a weasley little user and jerk. Finally, the two-parter -- and the series -- ends with a gunshot.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
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Terminus
star
6.29
14 votes

#4 - Terminus

Season 14 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/23/1990

J.R. calls on Cally to find out where James is. Bobby is furious with Jordan and has to play along with the game. Sly teams up with James to get even. J.R. returns to an empty Southfork and finds out that Sue Ellen has married Don Lockwood, and that Duke Carlisle took James at the poker game. Liz meets with McKay and bumps into Johnny Dancer. Sheila's plan nears its conclusion as the OPEC delegates arrive, but suddenly, there is gunfire....

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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It's Me Again
star
6.33
15 votes

#5 - It's Me Again

Season 11 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/8/1988

Lisa apologizes to Cliff. J.R. demands an "act of faith" from Kimberly before he leaves Sue Ellen. Lisa socializes with Cliff, asks him information about business,and relays it on to J.R. Bobby decides to stop visiting Lucas for Christopher's sake. Pearce withdraws from Sue Ellen's account. J.R. makes a promise to John Ross to get Ewing Oil back. April learns that Pearce may be connected to the mob. J.R. uses the information from Lisa against Cliff. Ray throws Randy out and alienates Charlie. Clayton meets Ellis, the girl from the painting. Wilson Cryder wants to buy Barnes/Wentworth out.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
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Reel Life
star
6.47
17 votes

#6 - Reel Life

Season 12 - Episode 26 - Aired 5/19/1989

After their return to Dallas, April and Bobby try to keep their European romance going. Cliff goes to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and gets duped by Afton's former husband Harrison Van Buren. Sue Ellen agrees to move to England with Don Lockwood but John Ross stays in Dallas. Weststar employees give Carter McKay a big welcome upon his return from Vienna. April gets scary, crank calls and Bobby decides to take her to Southfork. Bobby suspects that Tommy Mckay is making trouble again and he confronts Carter about it. Sue Ellen tells Cally that she'll have to fight for her identity in her marriage. Miss Ellie gets a birthday card addressed to Jock with a mysterious key inside. Sue Ellen gives J.R. a taste of what her ultimate revenge on him could be like-- a movie that will make J.R. "the laughing stock of Texas."

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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Never Say Never
star
6.50
12 votes

#7 - Never Say Never

Season 11 - Episode 25 - Aired 4/1/1988

Bobby, Miss Ellie and Harve Smithfield unite to help Clayton out of his trouble. Casey wants to do business with Cliff. Connie gets turned down by Ray. Sue Ellen tells April that she and Pearce have been close. J.R. lashes out at Miss Ellie for letting Clayton back into the house. Clayton apologizes to the Ewings for his arrest and the embrassment. Laurel tries to explain to Ellie her friendship with Clayton. J.R. uses Harry McSween to pick Laurel up to talk to her. Sue Ellen tries to find out from Nicholas about his family mystery. Kimberly introduces Cliff to her father. J.R. rebuffs Kimberly's offer and vows to take Weststar away from her father.

Directors: Cliff Fenneman
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Shadow Games
star
6.50
22 votes

#8 - Shadow Games

Season 9 - Episode 19 - Aired 1/31/1986

J.R. takes advantage of Pam being away from Ewing Oil. In Colombia, Matt Cantrell nervously awaits the package from J.R. Jenna spends more and more time at Bobby's grave. J.R. warns Grace and Angelica to play fair. Miss Ellie is happy seeing Donna with the disabled children. J.R. confronts Clayton who learns of Ellie's step to help him out of his financial problem. Donna tells Ellie about the lost baby abnormality. J.R. meets Dr. Jerry Kenderson. Clayton and Miss Ellie get his problem out in the open. J.R. questions Sue Ellie about Jerry Kenderson. At the auction for Graison Research, Nicholas arrives with startling news from Athens.

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Mission to Moscow
star
6.53
15 votes

#9 - Mission to Moscow

Season 12 - Episode 25 - Aired 5/12/1989

In Vienna, Cally questions J.R. about Vanessa and she warns him that she'll never share him with another woman. J.R. and Bobby go to Moscow where they are told that Brundin and his cartel are frontmen for OPEC. Back in Dallas, Lucy, Christopher, Sue Ellen,and Miss Ellie try to help Clayton cope with his memory problem. Cliff admires Afton's singing and he wants to make a commitment to her. Sue Ellen finds it painful to relive her life while making her movie. Cliff things that he is Pamela Rebecca's father. Cliff learns that Afton left Dallas. Don Lockwood gets an offer for a movie overseas. In Vienna, Cally meets Vanessa who says goodbye to J.R. Bobby, J.R, Cally and April leave Europe for Dallas.

Directors: Michael Preece
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Crime Story
star
6.54
13 votes

#10 - Crime Story

Season 11 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/4/1988

Lisa comes to Southfork to say goodbye to Christopher. J.R. wants Casey to keep meeting with Kimberly. Miss Ellie goes to Atlanta to visit Lucy. Jenna forbids Charlie to go out with Randy. Bobby's new friend in Washington Kay Lloyd is impressed with his PR skills. Laurel's old boyfriend Brett Lomax wants her to go back to England with him. Nicholas Pearce gets April scared with his mob connections. David Shulton tries to blackmail Clayton. Kimberly asks Sue Ellen when she will divorce J.R. Bobby tells April that they're not right for each other. Pearce tells Sue Ellen he will have to disappear . Ray and Jenna catch Charlie trying to sneak out of the house at night.

Directors: Patrick Duffy
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Fathers and Other Strangers
star
6.56
16 votes

#11 - Fathers and Other Strangers

Season 13 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/3/1989

Vanessa says that she came looking for James, and J.R. and Cally make her feel welcome. James dates Sly Lovegren but she plays hard to get. Bobby and April have another fight with Cliff and Michelle. J.R. and Vanessa reminisce about old times. Miss Ellie and Clayton meet Sarah Ewing and her Jewish family whom Jock saved during World War ll. Bobby takes James around the refineries. Tension between J.R. and Cliff rises and J.R. wants to buy Cliff out. Sarah Ewing gives Ellie a letter from Jock to his son, written 45 years ago. McKay is told that his tanker is in serious trouble. At the Oil Barons, everybody at the table is completely stunned, most of all J.R., as James makes his shocking revelation.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
Writer: Lisa Seidman
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Pillow Talk
star
6.60
15 votes

#12 - Pillow Talk

Season 11 - Episode 28 - Aired 4/29/1988

Ray gets wounded by a psychotic Connie. Sly is upset by the way J.R. fired Casey. Cliff vows revenge on J.R. using Jeremy Wendell. Jenna returns from Paris. Nicholas Pearce supports Sue Ellen in her fight for John Ross. J.R. wins a temporary advantage over Sue Ellen and her court order to get John Ross. April throws a surprise party for Cliff. Bobby gets a conditional right to use the Ewing Oil name again. Kay doesn't want to leave Washington to come to Dallas. J.R. moves out of Southfork after finding out about Clayton's co-ownership of the ranch. Ray tells Jenna about his affair with Connie. Lucy returns to Southfork from Atlanta. April and Cliff sign a partnership with Casey. Lucy complains to Miss Ellie about her marriage to Mitch. J.R. tells John Ross he wants to buy another ranch. J.R. has a surprise for Jeremy Wendell concerning his recently acquired gas field.

Directors: Dwight Adair
Writer: Leah Markus
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Win Some, Lose Some
star
6.62
16 votes

#13 - Win Some, Lose Some

Season 14 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/1/1991

J.R. purchases an oil company from Liz Adams and extracts revenge on LeeAnn De La Vega. James learns the oil business form the master himself. Cliff is appointed Energy Czar, but spilts with Liz when he finds out J.R. bought her company. Michelle's attempts to seduce J.R. prove unsuccessful. Jory is kidnapped and Bobby must choose between saving her or bringing Hillary Taylor to justice.

Directors: Patrick Duffy
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Twenty-Four Hours
star
6.63
19 votes

#14 - Twenty-Four Hours

Season 9 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/10/1986

Jamie is seriously injured and in hospital but needs a rare blood transfusion from Jack. Angelica moves her plans forward. J.R. puts up a reward for Jack on TV. Jenna feels guilty for Jack's disappearance. Mark gets Dr Kenderson to help seek a donor for Jamie. J.R. opposes Pam's emerald mine financing.

Directors: Robert Becker
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Mummy's Revenge
star
6.65
20 votes

#15 - Mummy's Revenge

Season 11 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/6/1987

Clayton's heart problem leads to an operation. J.R. seeks information on Kimberly Cryder. Charlie is upset that her mother is not ready to marry Ray. Clayton's operation is a complete success. Sue Ellen wonders what Nicholas Pearce is up to. Casey is tired with providing "services" to Marilee Stone. April seeks Bobby's advice on how to spend her money. Sue Ellen is worried over Nicholas Pearce's strange behavior. Ray asks Jenna to be honest about the real reason behind dragging her feet about marriage. Jenna consults Miss Ellie about Ray's proposal. Bobby and Christopher spend time with Lisa. Pam files for divorce from Bobby.

Directors: Michael Preece
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Dire Straits
star
6.67
21 votes

#16 - Dire Straits

Season 9 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/14/1986

Pam is held by the kidnappers. Fights between Mark and Matt continue. Sue Ellen misses Pam. The Ewings decide to get psychiatric help for Jenna. Jack and J.R. get ready for the conference to him in Martinique. J.R. is generous with Mandy after she confesses to him a major breach of trust. Donna makes friends with one of the disabled children. Jenna resists psychiatric help. J.R. gets jealous of Sue Ellen seeing Jerry Kenderson, and he questions her about it. In Colombia, Mark gets impatient with the search for Pam. Jack questions Angelica and J.R. about the Martinique conference. Charlie overhears a conversation about possible drastic steps to get medical help for her mother. Pam is released. Jerry confesses to Sue Ellen his attraction to her. J.R. investigates Marinos Shipping. In Colombia, Mark has a surprise plan for Pam after her release.

Directors: Bruce Bilson
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Return to Camelot (2)
star
6.67
18 votes

#17 - Return to Camelot (2)

Season 10 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/26/1986

J.R. tries to talk Donna into taking up a lobbying position in Washington, and he endorses her at a public meeting. Ewing 12 is on fire after an explosion. Ray and Clayton hire Wes Parmalee. Mandy has another confrontation with Sue Ellen over J.R. Jenna moves out of Southfork and has to face a disobedient Charlie. Sue Ellen hires a detective to spy on J.R and Mandy.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
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Fathers and Sons and Fathers and Sons
star
6.67
15 votes

#18 - Fathers and Sons and Fathers and Sons

Season 14 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/8/1991

Bobby returns home to Southfork. McKay learns who really killed Johnny Dancer, and plots revenge in retaliation of his own downfall. Cliff teams up with Michelle in order to go after J.R. once more. The Ewing boys go on a cattle drive. Bobby announces his retirement from the oil business. A skeleton from James' closet appears in the shape of ex love Deborah Lynn and his son Jimmy.

Directors: Larry Hagman
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Tough Love
star
6.70
20 votes

#19 - Tough Love

Season 11 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/23/1987

Bobby gets depressed over Pam's disappearance. J.R. and Ray unite to help Bobby. Wilson Cryder tries to intimidate J.R. April consoles Cliff. Bobby explains to Christopher about Pam's leaving. Jenna offers Bobby her friendship. J.R. uses Serena to find out information on Wilson Cryder. The Ewings learn to live with what Pam asked for in her last letter. Dandy tells Cliff he found oil. Nicholas Pearce tries to get Sue Ellen and April to work together.

Directors: Michael Preece
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Counter Attack
star
6.71
17 votes

#20 - Counter Attack

Season 12 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/13/1989

J.R. has nightmares about Haleyville and he seeks psychological help. April tests Casey to see if he's got money. Cliff meets Tammy Miller and takes her to lunch. Christopher gets hurt in the range war with McKay, and Bobby lashes out at J.R. for bringing the boys back to the ranch. McKay questions his daughter Tracey about her and Bobby. Sue Ellen fears she lost John Ross to J.R. Wendell and Sue Ellen have a major fight. McKay says good-bye to his companion Rose. Bobby goes on a secret counterattack at the McKay ranch.

Directors: Michael Preece
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Tunnel of Love
star
6.71
14 votes

#21 - Tunnel of Love

Season 14 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/30/1990

In the aftermath of Sheila's plot, she has disappeared, and both Jordan and April are dead. Still under pressure from Control, Liz turns down Cliff's proposal. James tries to make a deal with J.R. but his attention is rejected. He gets the same short shrift from Cliff. J.R. Tries to get the Carter via Rose. Bobby sees April buried in Paris, and leaves for Dallas. When he gets back, he puts an entire detective company out to find Sheila Foley, and makes some determined action.

Directors: Michael Preece
Writer: Howard Lakin
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Trompe L'Oeil
star
6.73
22 votes

#22 - Trompe L'Oeil

Season 10 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/24/1986

Punk Anderson is confused about whether Wes Parmalee could be Jock. J.R. meets C.D Calhoun and explains his plan to him. Ellie tells Wes Parmalee's story to the family and begins to be confused herself. Bobby threatens Parmalee and J.R. tries to buy him off. J.R. has a fight with Mandy over her picture in a newspapers. Bobby tries to assure Ellie that Parmalee is a fraud. J.R. wants to find out who owns Valentine Lingerie. Jack's ex-wife April Stevens arrives, with some bad news for Jack's finances. Parmalee visit Ewing Oil and leaves J.R. and Bobby puzzled.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
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One Last Kiss
star
6.73
15 votes

#23 - One Last Kiss

Season 14 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/16/1990

J.R.s doctor prescribes him with heavy drugs. Sly makes a plea for Cally to contact her. Bobby makes a daring attempt to rescue April. Cally visits J.R., delivers his release papers, and says a tearful farewell. As he leaves, he has some surprises for his fellow inmates. Sheila makes her final moves with Bobby, with the help of Jordan Lee. As J.R. gets back to work, he starts his plan of revenge, starting with Sly.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
Writer: Lisa Seidman
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The Way We Were
star
6.75
12 votes

#24 - The Way We Were

Season 12 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/3/1989

Cally wants to make sure that J.R. is not mad at her for tricking him into marriage. Bobby confronts J.R. about his faliure to consult one another about business deals. J.R. tells Cally that he may use her "deviousness" in his future plans. Sue Ellen gets impatient with Don Lockwood for constantly turning her down. Sue Ellen is pressured by Bruce Harvey to start casting sessions for her movie. Cally wants Bobby and J.R. to get alone but she encounters Bobby's resistance. Tommy McKay has cocaine smuggled in from South America and manages to fool both Carter and Tracey. Cliff questions April about her and Tommy. Tracey wants Carter and Tommy to get along. Don Lockwood tells Sue Ellen a little about his life. J.R. manages to make Bobby look bad in front of the family like he doesn't want agreement with him. Tommy tells J.R. that his dad is responsible for his mother's death. Sue Ellen reminisces about Holly Harwood and the car in which Mickey Trotter got injured.

Directors: Patrick Duffy
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He-e-ere's Papa!
star
6.75
16 votes

#25 - He-e-ere's Papa!

Season 12 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/10/1989

Cally insists on a second honeymoon at Southfork. J.R. questions Sue Ellen about Nicholas Pearce's mob connections. Cliff tells Bobby that he broke up with Tammy Miller. Bobby wants Christopher to be friends with Tracey. Sue Ellen buys a movie studio. Joseph Lombardi's men snatch J.R. on the streets and Lombardi interrogates him. J.R. tries to blame Sue Ellen for his death. John Ross continues to resent Cally. Sue Ellen tells John Ross that she will never return to J.R. Tracey and Cally socialize. Cliff goes to Washington on business. Tracey starts her job at Weststar. McKay wants to be friends with Sue Ellen. Bobby questions April about her and J.R. Sue Ellen saves J.R.'s life by telling Joseph Lombardi that his son's death was an accident.

Directors: Patrick Duffy
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