The third season explores new dramatic events with more suspicion that Sue Ellen holds John Ross's betrayal to spoil her alliance with her son. On the other hand, Harris Ryland comes back quite abruptly which may cause more anxiety, and Emma tries to ask her grandmother for help. Meanwhile, Bobby and Anne's investigation into Ryland's release from prison appears to lead to a very bad turn or a real shock.
The real pleasures of the new Dallas involve engaging with repetition in all its forms and taking melodrama seriously, for this is a series that pushes at the boundaries of its genre.
This Dallas isn't half as good as the landmark soap whose legacy is tarnished by the cardboard pawns of the next generation, carrying out their sexual mergers and secret agendas with a uniform lack of conviction or dynamism.
The young bloods played by Henderson, Metcalfe and Jordana Brewster (Elena Ramos) kept it interesting. But, ultimately the bother of keeping up with what was happening at such breakneck speed was more trouble than it was worth.
If things feel a little contrived, or a lot contrived, that's hardly a first for the show. They're also tangled and messy and dastardly with a real shot at becoming sordid. That's a good start.
