Dallas: Season 3
Season 3 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Picks up essential narrative continuity directly following the events of Dallas Season 2.
- Character alliances, factions, and personal loyalties undergo significant shifts under escalating stakes.
- Addresses unresolved cliffhangers and thematic mysteries introduced during previous seasons.
- Establishes the primary seasonal conflict that drives serialized character arcs toward the finale.
Episode Guide
Season 3 Progress Shield
Whatever Happened to Baby John? (1)
Sep 21, 1979 · 45 min
Sue Ellen suffers post-partum depression and becomes disinterested in her newborn child. Meanwhile, Cliff claims that John Ross is his son.
Whatever Happened to Baby John? (2)
Sep 28, 1979 · 45 min
Bobby suspects that Cliff is to blame when John Ross goes missing. Meanwhile, J.R. receives a 1 million dollar ransom demand.
The Silent Killer
Oct 5, 1979 · 45 min
When it is uncovered that Digger has a fatal genetic disorder, Cliff worries that he may have passed on the faulty gene to John Ross if indeed he is the father.
Secrets
Oct 12, 1979 · 45 min
As Pam decides to not tell Bobby she's pregnant due to the family's genetic disorder, Val tries to convince Bobby to have Lucy meet with her.
The Kristin Affair
Oct 19, 1979 · 45 min
Kristin begins to pursue J.R. romantically after he gives her a summer job in his office. Meanwhile, Bobby learns the truth that Pam is pregnant before she makes a decision about
The Dove Hunt
Oct 26, 1979 · 45 min
J.R. and Jock are both shot by a sniper when a man seeks revenge on the Ewing family during a hunting trip in Louisiana.
The Lost Child
Nov 2, 1979 · 45 min
As Bobby bonds with the ranch hand's son, Pam informs him that their unborn child may have a fatal genetic defect. Meanwhile, J.R. hires a man to tail Sue Ellen.
Rodeo
Nov 9, 1979 · 45 min
At the annual Ewing rodeo, Sue Ellen develops a crush on Dusty Farlow, a cowboy, and Digger uses the event to find time to see John Ross.
Mastectomy (1)
Nov 16, 1979 · 45 min
Miss Ellie worries that her marriage will fall apart when she believes she has breast cancer. Meanwhile, Sue Ellen has a fling with Dusty, the cowboy; and Alan furthers J.R.'s pla
Mastectomy (2)
Nov 16, 1979 · 45 min
Miss Ellie must cope with Jock and Lucy's poor reaction to her mastectomy. Meanwhile, Sue Ellen meets up with Dusty at a hotel.
The Heiress
Nov 23, 1979 · 45 min
Lucy pursues Alan Beam. Pam confronts Bobby about trying to ruin Cliff and as she does so she inadvertently learns about J.R.'s oil deal in Asia.
Ellie Saves the Day
Nov 30, 1979 · 45 min
J.R. must admit that Southfork may be threatened when Asian oil drilling is delayed by storms and his loan on the property is due.
Mother of the Year
Dec 14, 1979 · 45 min
Sue Ellen's continuing post-partum depression and avoidance of John Ross begins to create conflict among the family. Meanwhile, Jock must sell the Asian oil leases in order to kee
Return Engagements
Dec 20, 1979 · 45 min
Miss Ellie's sadness over Gary's birthday is short-lived when she learns the he and Val plan to marry in Dallas.
Love and Marriage
Dec 21, 1979 · 45 min
J.R. works to get Bobby back in the office so that Jock will be forced to say home. Pam surrounds herself with her work after losing her baby.
Power Play
Jan 4, 1980 · 45 min
Much to Kristin's surprise, J.R. convinces Alan to marry Lucy.
Paternity Suit
Jan 11, 1980 · 45 min
Digger admits to a reporter that Cliff is the father of John Ross. After the news breaks, a series of custody suits lead to a blood test that determines the paternity of John Ross
Jenna's Return
Jan 18, 1980 · 45 min
As Sue Ellen continues to see Dusty, Bobby meets up with Jenna when Pam leaves town. Meanwhile, Ray and Donna second guess their relationship.
Sue Ellen's Choice
Feb 1, 1980 · 45 min
Sue Ellen receives pressure from Dusty to leave J.R., which ultimately leads Sue Ellen to ask for a divorce. Meanwhile, Bobby and Pam's marriage is also on shaky ground due to Jen
Second Thoughts
Feb 8, 1980 · 45 min
J.R. tries to convince Alan and Lucy to relocate to Chicago, but Jock works to find Alan a law partnership in Dallas.
Divorce - Ewing Style
Feb 15, 1980 · 45 min
When J.R. learns that Sue Ellen is having him followed, he strikes back by stopping her from taking John Ross away from him by proving she is drinking again.
Jock's Trial (1)
Feb 22, 1980 · 45 min
Cliff investigation of the body found on Southfork leads him to suspect that Jock is to blame.
Jock's Trial (2)
Feb 29, 1980 · 45 min
Jock goes on trial for murder. Sue Ellen begins drinking heavily to deal with Dusty's death.
The Wheeler Dealer
Mar 14, 1980 · 45 min
J.R. continues to try to strike a deal for his Asian oil and Pam sets out to find information on her mother who is believed to be dead.
A House Divided
Mar 21, 1980 · 45 min
Bobby and Pam leave Southfork. Meanwhile, J.R. is shot following the nationalization of the Asian oil wells which ends up ruining competing oil wells.