Dallas (TV Series)

Mama Dearest (1982)

Victoria Principal: Pamela Barnes Ewing

Quotes 

• Pamela Barnes Ewing : [to Sue Ellen]  You know, I've had it up to here with Ewing Oil and the problems it's caused. I think I know how Miss Ellie feels.

• Pamela Barnes Ewing : [as he closes their bedroom door behind him]  I've been worried about you. It's really late.

  Bobby Ewing : Well, I... had a lot on my mind.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : You wanna talk about it now, Bobby?

  Bobby Ewing : [sighs]  Yes. Yes, I do.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : Okay.

  [closes book she was reading] 

  Bobby Ewing : Pamela, it bothers me... It bothers me a lot you siding with Mama on this business about overturning Daddy's will.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : Well, I won't let her go through this fight by herself thinking the whole family is against her.

  Bobby Ewing : Pam, she doesn't *have* to go through with it at all. She can leave it alone. And maybe she will if you don't give her your support.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : Well, I can't turn against her, Bobby. I've never been enthusiastic about this fight for Ewing Oil anyway, you know that. But seeing the way it's affecting Miss Ellie... She's such a strong woman... but for her to challenge Jock's wishes... it's the *most* difficult decision she's ever made.

  Bobby Ewing : Pam... I appreciate the fact that you sympathize with Mama... but you don't understand what this competition between J.R. and me is all about!

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : Yes, I do.

  [gets up from the bed] 

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : But how much power do you or J.R. have to have? As far as I'm concerned, you

  [shakes her head] 

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : don't have to be president of Ewing Oil. We have more money than we can ever *spend*. You can be president of *any* company.

  Bobby Ewing : That's not it. That's not it at all.

  [sighs] 

  Bobby Ewing : Pam, you don't understand what *drove* Jock Ewing. And I don't think you really understand what drives me either. When I was at the university, making the football team just wasn't enough. I had to be varsity. I had to be captain. I had to make All-Southwest Conference. And I did. I did all of that. When you and I met, I wasn't just a road man for Ewing Oil. I was the best road man for any oil company. Because that's what Daddy expected. And that's what I expect from myself. And J.R. and I are a lot alike, because he's not gonna take second-best either. You see, that's why Daddy turned away from Gary. The Ewings must succeed. And Gary didn't care about that. But, Pam, J.R. and I do! Now, Daddy chose... that the future of Ewing Oil is gonna be

  [balls fist] 

  Bobby Ewing : in the hands of the son strong enough! And that's the way it's gonna be!

  [Pam looks on aghast] 

• Pamela Barnes Ewing : [went to fetch him at his office, leaned over him, kissed him]  Mm. Ready for dinner?

  [he exhales] 

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : Well, should I go out and come back in? I remember when one of my kisses used to get your little engine running.

  Bobby Ewing : Harv Smithfield said you were with Mama when she went to see him.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : Is that why you're sitting here like some kind of ice sculpture?

  Bobby Ewing : [gets up]  Damn it, Pam. It's not a joke!

  [pours himself a glass of water] 

  Bobby Ewing : Why are you taking Mama's side against me?

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : I'm not against anything. I'm for what I believe is right. Miss Ellie is right.

  Bobby Ewing : [slams down the glass]  Pamela, you don't understand.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : Bobby, we don't need all of this. Let Miss Ellie sell Ewing Oil. Spend some time with your family. Let Christopher get to know his daddy.

  Bobby Ewing : Why are you doing this when I need you beside me the most? Sue Ellen's not fighting J.R.!

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : Sue Ellen and I get along fine now, but I'm not Sue Ellen. Power, money and wealth, they don't mean that much to me. I want a nice, ordinary life with my husband. I love you. I love you so much.

  Bobby Ewing : I hope so. Because I love you too and I want you beside me... but I'm gonna do everything I can to stop Mama. And then I'm gonna beat J.R.! And then I'm gonna run Ewing Oil permanently!

  [Pamela stares at him, worried] 

• Pamela Barnes Ewing : She can't stand the fact that you and most of her friends have been driven away.

  Rebecca Barnes Wentworth : It must be very difficult for Ellie. She worshipped that man. How could she question his judgment?

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : She doesn't have any choice.

  Rebecca Barnes Wentworth : I know J.R. will fight. What about Bobby?

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : He's with J.R.

  Rebecca Barnes Wentworth : What about you?

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : I think Miss Ellie's right.

  Rebecca Barnes Wentworth : That puts you and Bobby on opposite sides. Think your marriage will stand It?

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : I don't know. But I know it couldn't go on this way much longer. Mother, please don't put any more pressure on the Ewings right now, all right?

  Rebecca Barnes Wentworth : All right. Do you think Ellie would see me if I come to Southfork?

• JR Ewing : Morning, Pam. Hey, you're kinda late, aren't ya? Shouldn't you be out meddling in somebody's life?

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : I don't meddle in people's lives, J.R. That's your specialty.

  JR Ewing : Well, you're meddling in my life, carrying on with Mama the way you are. I've been meaning to talk to you about Bobby too. You know, you're helping Mama is pretty rough on that boy. He's so concerned, he can't, uh... can't keep his mind on his business.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : [with coldest irony]  It must bother you deeply.

  [gets up, walks away] 

  JR Ewing : And another thing... he's gonna need all the spunk he can get in this contest. I'll win, of course. Everybody knows that. But you gotta give him a sporting chance.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : You know, J.R., I think Bobby could beat you. I think he could wipe you right out of Ewing Oil, but to do that, he'd have to become like you, and I don't want that.

  JR Ewing : Your concern is very touching, my dear.

  Pamela Barnes Ewing : I'm gonna side with Miss Ellie, and I'm gonna fight you and Bobby every step of the way.