Dallas: The Complete First Season

Daytime soap operas are an endangered species, but the nighttime variety is enjoying a resurgence—witness this TNT reboot of the CBS hit series Dallas (an international craze that ran for 14 seasons before expiring in 1991). The new series introduces a fresh generation of Southfork Ranch Ewings—J.R.'s bad-boy son, John Ross (Josh Henderson), and Bobby's goody two-shoes adopted son, Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe), who spar over the ranch, the family business, and Elena (Jordana Brewster), the woman they both love. But the real lure is the return of stars from the original—Patrick Duffy as Bobby, Linda Gray as Sue Ellen, and especially Larry Hagman as that ultimate villain, J.R., the scheming, Stetson-wearing oil man who returns from a hospital stay determined to get back what he believes is his rightful inheritance, and willing to manipulate even his own offspring in order to achieve his ends (of course, John Ross proves to be as duplicitous as his old man, although not as adept). Even with Hagman on board, the new Dallas doesn't carry the same wacky fascination of its predecessor, and his death after filming the first half of the second season casts doubt over the series' future. But as the swan song of an engaging ham in his iconic role, this is a guilty pleasure. Compiling all 10 episodes from the 2012 first season, DVD extras include audio commentary on the pilot, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and deleted scenes. Recommended. (F. Swietek)