The BEST episodes of Dallas season 5

Every episode of Dallas season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Dallas season 5!

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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Goodbye, Cliff Barnes
star
7.83
35 votes

#1 - Goodbye, Cliff Barnes

Season 5 - Episode 26 - Aired 4/9/1982

Miss Ellie has accepted Jock's death. Marilee Stone tells Cliff that J.R. used her to get Sue Ellen back. Bobby tells Pam the truth about Christopher. They fly to Los Angeles and learn that Kristin miscarried J.R.'s baby, that Farraday and Kristin were married, and that Farraday is Christopher father. Clayton comes back from vacation. J.R. and Sue Ellen plan to marry and break the news to the family. Lucy tells Muriel she was raped by Roger. Cliff feels devastated when Sue Ellen tells him she's marrying J.R. He tries to kill himself. Rebecca shows up at Southfork and tells Miss Ellie that the Ewing-Barnes feud will continue. Sue Ellen feels guilty about Cliff's suicide attempt and tells J.R. she may not be able to marry him if Cliff dies.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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Showdown at San Angelo
star
7.76
33 votes

#2 - Showdown at San Angelo

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/23/1981

Miss Ellie comes home but Jock is away on business. Cliff wants to leave Dallas, but Rebecca has a idea. Sue Ellen has misgivings about building a new life with Dusty. Pam becomes desperate, so Bobby investigates adoption. J.R. uses Miss Ellie to gain access to the Southern Cross Ranch and his son.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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The Search
star
7.55
65 votes

#3 - The Search

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/8/1982

J.R, Bobby and Ray fly to South America to join in the investigation of Jock's helicopter accident. They search in the jungle and even reach the crash site where Bobby finds Jock's medallion but nothing else. The Ewing boys return with the terrible news.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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Little Boy Lost
star
7.52
29 votes

#4 - Little Boy Lost

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/30/1981

As they prepare to do battle for temporary custody of John Ross, J.R. concocts a scheme to undermine Sue Ellen's chances. Pam's depression takes a turn for the worse. Ray vows to continue his development projects. Cliff becomes part of Wentworth Tool and Die, and is introduced to his half-sister, Katherine. At the custody hearing evidence is produced that surprises J.R.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
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The Big Shut Down
star
7.43
35 votes

#5 - The Big Shut Down

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/13/1981

J.R. needs a big loan, and Vaughan Leland is the key. Clayton Farlow refuses to give in to J.R.'s demands. Bobby makes arrangements to buy more information regarding the identity of the father of Kristin's baby. Pam continues her psychiatric treatment. Lucy bumps into Mitch at a party. Leland plays his card.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
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Adoption
star
7.35
31 votes

#6 - Adoption

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/19/1982

J.R.'s charm offensive with Sue Ellen continues, whilst carefully manipulating all around him. Donna is angry with the way that Ray is trying to split them up. Roger becomes more obsessed with Lucy. Cliff smells a rat over Wally Hampton's offer. Bobby speaks to Sue Ellen about Christopher.

Directors: Larry Hagman
Writer: Howard Lakin
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Acceptance
star
7.35
34 votes

#7 - Acceptance

Season 5 - Episode 25 - Aired 4/2/1982

Continuing his courtship, J.R. sends roses to Sue Ellen's apartment every day. Rebecca asks Cliff to resign from Wentworth Tool and Die over the recent embezzlement. Bobby helps the police catch Farraday's murderers by arranging a fake cocaine deal. Miss Ellie becomes increasingly withdrawn over Jock. Ray speaks to her and reminds her that Jock was no saint. Punk Anderson wants to establish a memorial scholarship to Jock. Mitch leaves Dallas and Lucy behind and moves to Atlanta. Cliff feels rejected and abandoned by everybody. Afton tries to console him. Miss Ellie gives Donna the go-ahead on her book.

Directors: Michael Preece
Writer: Will Lorin
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Starting Over
star
7.32
63 votes

#8 - Starting Over

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/11/1981

J.R. consults a broker in New York about selling Ewing stock. Dusty competes in a rodeo. Miss Ellie wants to help Ray out of his financial problem and uncovers J.R.'s scheme in the process. Sue Ellen comes to a decision about Dusty. Bobby buys Kristin's baby boy thinking J.R. is the father, and takes him to Southfork.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
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Gone, But Not Forgotten
star
7.31
32 votes

#9 - Gone, But Not Forgotten

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/16/1981

J.R. and Cliff testify at the inquest. Jeremy Wendell isn't happy that J.R. got off scot free over the Asian crisis, and lets Cliff know it. Donna sees Ray changing too much. Pam becomes more distant and obsessed.J.R. makes his plans to recover John Ross, by any means. A grieving Sue Ellen takes action to put an end to her marriage.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
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The Investigation
star
7.29
62 votes

#10 - The Investigation

Season 5 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/26/1982

Police question Bobby about Farraday. The family are worried about Lucy's disappearance. Rebecca learns Cliff has been withdrawing large amounts from Wentworth Tool and Die. Bobby and Pam rescue Lucy from Roger and she is taken to the hospital. Cliff is facing financial ruin and tries to borrow money from Sue Ellen. Mitch visits Lucy at the hospital where they agree to divorce. Miss Ellie is still furious with Donna. Sue Ellen tells Pam about Cliff's situation. Farraday's associates show up at Bobby's office thinking Bobby had drug deals with Farraday. J.R. finalises his plan with Cliff and Sue Ellen.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
Writer: Bruce Shelly
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Blocked
star
7.26
34 votes

#11 - Blocked

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/20/1981

Afton is finding her deal with J.R. to be unbearable. Bobby confronts Jordan Lee over Kristin and meets Jeff Farraday again. J.R.'s plan starts to hurt the Farlows. Mitch takes the job at the hospital. Donna becomes Ray's partner with the housing investment. Clayton and J.R. meet for a showdown.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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The Maelstrom
star
7.26
31 votes

#12 - The Maelstrom

Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/26/1982

Sue Ellen tells Clayton that Kristin and J.R. were lovers. Ray recovers from Jock's death and reconciles with Donna. J.R. learns Bobby paid Sue Ellen a visit and accuses him of poisioning her mind against him. J.R. meets Cliff's half-sister Katherine. Mitch pressures Lucy for divorce. Lucy turns to Roger. Jeff Farraday asks Bobby for a meeting.

Directors: Patrick Duffy
Writer: Will Lorin
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The Split
star
7.20
30 votes

#13 - The Split

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/27/1981

Clayton sticks by Sue Ellen. Afton's deal with J.R. comes to abrupt end. Jock continues on his mission in South America for the State Department. Ray gets some alarming news about his new land. Donna's book is published. Ellie receives a shocking legal document from Jock which affects the future of Ewing Oil. J.R. has a confrontation with Dusty at the Cotton Bowl stadium.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
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The Sweet Smell of Revenge
star
7.15
59 votes

#14 - The Sweet Smell of Revenge

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/6/1981

Sue Ellen and the Farlows are over the moon at the court's decision. Pam finally cracks and needs help. J.R. moves in on Clayton's businesses. Mitch is offered a medical position. Ray and Punk are consider a new investment. Bobby receives a letter about Kristin.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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My Father, My Son
star
7.14
57 votes

#15 - My Father, My Son

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/5/1982

J.R. pressures Donna to talk Ray into giving up his voting shares. J.R. sees Cliff and Sue Ellen together in a restaurant, and hires a detective to keep Sue Ellen's house under surveillance. Donna leaves for Laredo to do research for her book. A lawyer tells Bobby he will have to ask Sue Ellen for permission to adopt Christopher. Lucy learns Mitch is dating Evelyn Michaelson and, feeling abandoned, turns to Roger. J.R., John Ross and Sue Ellen spend time together in a fun park and J.R. invites Sue Ellen to dinner at Southfork. She refuses after some hesitation.

Directors: Larry Hagman
Writer: Will Lorin
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Vengeance
star
7.14
58 votes

#16 - Vengeance

Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/12/1982

J.R. makes moves to set up Cliff. Donna wrestles with her conscience over the damning evidence she has found. Clayton is confronted by J.R. about his feelings for Sue Ellen. Farraday continues to pester Bobby. Cliff is talked into the land deal by Marilee Stone, unaware it's a trap. Lucy tells her agent she can't work with Roger again. Mitch refuses a reconciliation. Cliff proposes to Sue Ellen. Roger abducts Lucy. J.R finally has proof as to who Christopher really is.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
Writer: Howard Lakin
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Anniversary
star
7.13
60 votes

#17 - Anniversary

Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/12/1982

J.R. hatches a plot against Cliff with the help of Wally Hampton, chairman of one of the biggest conglomerates in the South-West. Rebecca is reluctant to see Cliff go but leaves the choice up to him. Evelyn Michaelson confronts Lucy and tells her she wants Mitch. Donna discovers Ray in bed with the girl from the bar, thanks to another plot by J.R. Bobby buys Pam an aerobics business. J.R. tries to win Sue Ellen back. He shows her a video from the late 1960's where Sue Ellen is 20 years old, appearing in the Miss Texas contest.

Directors: Joseph Manduke
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Waterloo at Southfork
star
7.11
62 votes

#18 - Waterloo at Southfork

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/18/1981

Pam is taking care of Christopher, delighted with the new baby. Ray is forced to pull out of his development deal. A determined Miss Ellie confronts J.R. about his recent schemes involving Ewing Oil funds. Bobby secretly investigates legal possiblities of adoption. Meanwhile J.R. decides to fight dirty at the final divorce hearing.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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Five Dollars a Barrel
star
7.11
63 votes

#19 - Five Dollars a Barrel

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/4/1981

Gary visits Southfork. J.R. plots to acquire Gary and Ray's voting shares. Cliff sets up a plan to ruin J.R. for good. Dusty is still dwelling on times past. Bobby resigns his position as Senator, and finds out more about Kristin's child. Pam is allowed to leave the hospital for a visit to Southfork. Ray's pride endangers the building project. J.R. is forced to accept Cliff's demands.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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Missing Heir
star
7.11
90 votes

#20 - Missing Heir

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/9/1981

The identity of the dead woman floating in the pool is revealed. J.R. and Cliff accuse each other of murder and both are questioned by the police. Sue Ellen's plan succeeds, leaving J.R. furious. Ray and Donna discuss money. Cliff's actions have cost his career dear. With John Ross away, Pam begins to sink into a depression.

Directors: Irving J. Moore
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Denial
star
7.03
30 votes

#21 - Denial

Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/15/1982

Jock's death devastates J.R., Ray and Lucy the most. J.R. seeks consolation with Serena but feels very depressed and neglects Ewing Oil business. Bobby takes over most of the operations. Miss Ellie is pressured by family lawyer Harv Smithfield and by Bobby but refuses to allow Jock's will to be read and to have Jock declared legally dead. Sue Ellen meets a new man named Tom. Ray refuses to go into another deal with Punk Anderson. Donna and Ray drift apart because of Donna's success. J.R. tells Sue Ellen he will never let her take John Ross away from him, despite the recent divorce.

Directors: Victor French
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Blackmail
star
7.02
61 votes

#22 - Blackmail

Season 5 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/19/1982

Clayton goes overseas on vacation. Bobby finds Farraday murdered. Sue Ellen accuses J.R. of destroying her friendship with Clayton. Donna and Miss Ellie clash over Donna's discovery of Jock's involvement in Jonas Culver's death. Cliff thinks he's on the verge of striking oil and asks Sue Ellen again to marry him. J.R. tells Bobby he's Christopher's father and demands Bobby's loyalty on Ewing Oil business in return for keeping the matter secret. J.R. tells Sue Ellen that Cliff is heading for disaster. Police take Bobby in for questioning about Farraday's murder.

Directors: Michael Preece
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Barbecue Two
star
7.02
61 votes

#23 - Barbecue Two

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/1/1982

After the divorce hearings, Sue Ellen moves into her new apartment with John Ross. Lucy meets a young photographer called Roger. Mitch makes progress in his medical profession, and gets closer to Lucy. A cable from Jock announces his return from South America and Miss Ellie plans a barbecue as a homecoming. Ellie gets a phone call that changes everything forever.

Directors: Leonard Katzman
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The Prodigal
star
6.97
31 votes

#24 - The Prodigal

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/5/1982

Rebecca gives Cliff autonomy in running Wentworth Tool and Die, which upsets Katherine. Donna learns during her book research that the late Sam Culver and Jock had Sam's uncle Jonas Culver committed to a mental institution to get his oil-rich land. J.R. gets Christopher's birth certificate from California. Clayton wants to find out from Afton whether Cliff is worthy of Sue Ellen. Katherine meets with J.R. about how to stop Cliff. J.R. plots to have Cliff buy worthless land. Farraday blackmails Bobby. Roger tells Lucy she can never have pictures with anybody else and threatens her. Pam tells Roger to stay away from Lucy.

Directors: Michael Preece
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The Phoenix
star
6.91
32 votes

#25 - The Phoenix

Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/29/1982

J.R. finally returns to the business and brings John Ross into the office for the first time. Pam is concerned about whether Christopher came from a healthy family and pressures Bobby to tell her about who Christopher parents were. J.R. is afraid the reading of Jock's will is going to divide Ewing Oil shares in a way he won't like. Lucy's photographer friend Roger starts following her. Cliff gets Afton a singing job. Ray has an affair with a girl from the bar. J.R. sleeps with Marilee Stone and convinces her to talk the cartel into doing business with Ewing Oil again. Bobby has a fight with Ray over his negligence in running the ranch.

Directors: Harry Harris
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