38 - boxed in

My post on the Ultimate Dallas Forum from October 3, 2014 (episode aired on September 15, 2014):

The Great:

- The drug cartel story is great because it allowed Antonio Jaramillo to steal the show from everybody else. He´s the center of the plot and he delivers a long series of superb lines. Probably the best casting since Juan Pablo (even better I´d say). A lot of tense moments and interaction bewteen the hostages and the kidnappers.

- The scene staging and on-location shooting: It became the plot and actually provided a sense of big budget and luxury that the first episodes of the seasons lack of (except Season 1). The kidnappers place stank from my TV set and it was quite realistic.

- Bringing back minor characters: I really loved Lucía Treviño, who should´ve been more present in the rest of the season, and the Nassir boy. Nice continuity touches at least with their own (recent) past history. The business meeting with the "Barnes couple" was delighful (not "delicious") and even Chris was nice when visited that Carmen woman.

The Good:

- Feuding families sticking together when there´s trouble from outsiders: the Ewings and the Rylands. Seeing a vulnerable, messy Judithbitch was good too. I wish this had started earlier in the show (both things).

- Juan Pablo di Pace´s acting: He probably didn´t know a thing about where his character would go because I doubt he had accepted the role. Nicolás seems to have a one-way ticket to hell and this always means he´ll be killed sooner or later. But here´s terrific trying to make believe his wife he´s not with Elena and also his confession to Elena.

- Julie Gonzalo shines again: This is good but not great because she´s gonna overshadow Henderson if they keep her going that strong (they really should make John Ross stronger his own way). Too bad she´s poisoned with revenge like his daddy. And Kenny gave, as usual, an impeccable one-scene performance. I even seemed to hear the inner voice of that Cliffie we knew and loved (and I´m sure it was all Kenny´s work).

The Ridiculous:

- A gang of mafiosos watching "telenovelas"? How sissy is that? How-how!! Luis´s "dinner with Ann" was a black humor joke with the "pozolé" allusion and Emma´s scary looks made me realize, once again, that Lucy had done that TOO, decades before, like pill-popping, bed-hopping, cowboy-screwing, and mother-hating. Emma is Lucy for 21st Century. Lucky she´s a good actress but all has been done already.

- Sue Ellen´s become the porcelain dog: Again, since her falling-off-the wagon, Sue Ellen is just a supporting character and she doesn´t even think of drinking. Oh and how stupid from Bobby was walking up and down in front of her with a glass of bourbon in his hand while talking on the phone? The Ewings are lucky to be alive, most of them would be alcoholic too in real life. Sue, we love ya but your Miss Texas days are way gone and we NEED to see ya in action and kicking ass (Judith´s if possible).

- Bobby going drugdealer: How silly is this plot? I know where this will go to but I´m sure it could´ve been done much, much better. He manages to stop the trains for 3 hours so he can send the kidnappers a big cargo of coke? Ahemmm. The best of this eppi was, probably, what could be read up there over the door of the meeting room Bobby came out from: "Victoria something..." (How mighty is VP´s shadow?)