Dallas: Season 5
Season 5 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 4.
- 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 5 Progress Shield
Missing Heir
Oct 9, 1981 · 45 min
The body found in the pool on Southfork is finally identified, which prompts J.R. and Cliff to accuse each other of the murder.
Gone, But Not Forgotten
Oct 16, 1981 · 45 min
Cliff and J.R. continue to clash -- J.R. hatches a plot to get John Ross back, but Cliff decides to leave Dallas. Meanwhile, Lucy tries to repair her marriage.
Showdown at San Angelo
Oct 23, 1981 · 45 min
With the help of Miss Ellie, J.R. is able to see John Ross while he is at Clayton Farlow's ranch. Meanwhile, Ray goes into business.
Little Boy Lost
Oct 30, 1981 · 45 min
J.R. gets ready for a custody battle while Bobby begins the search for a child to adopt. Meanwhile, Cliff meets Katherine, his half-sister.
The Sweet Smell of Revenge
Nov 6, 1981 · 45 min
J.R. confronts the Farlows about John Ross. Meanwhile, Pam is sent to the hospital following a breakdown.
The Big Shut Down
Nov 13, 1981 · 45 min
J.R. tries to seek revenge on the Farlow's by drying up their oil supply. Meanwhile, Bobby is able to buy information about Kristin's baby.
Blocked
Nov 20, 1981 · 45 min
J.R.'s plot to dry up the Farlows' oil backfires. Meanwhile, Pam continues to withdraw from the family.
The Split
Nov 27, 1981 · 45 min
Jock unveils the new plan for Ewing Oil. Meanwhile, Ray's development runs into problems and Donna's book is published.
Five Dollars a Barrel
Dec 4, 1981 · 45 min
Cliff confronts J.R. about the note he is holding for the Ewings and threatens foreclosure. Meanwhile, Bobby uncovers a link between Kristin and J.R.
Starting Over
Dec 11, 1981 · 45 min
Miss Ellie discovers J.R.'s true motives as J.R. heads to a broker to look into selling Ewing stock. Meanwhile, Bobby uncovers the truth about Kristin's baby.
Waterloo at Southfork
Dec 18, 1981 · 45 min
Miss Ellie turns on J.R. as J.R. tries to get Sue Ellen declared an unfit mother. Meanwhile, Ray pulls out of his development deal.
Barbecue Two
Jan 1, 1982 · 45 min
Miss Ellie puts together a homecoming barbecue when she learns that Jock is coming home from South Africa. However, the plans are put on hold when the family receives a devistatin
The Search
Jan 8, 1982 · 45 min
In shock over Jock's disappearance, J.R., Bobby and Ray head to South America to help the crash investigation.
Denial
Jan 15, 1982 · 45 min
The reality of Jock's death hits J.R. hard. Meanwhile, Miss Ellie stops Jock's will from being read and Ray and Donna's relationship begins to fall apart.
Head of the Family
Jan 22, 1982 · 45 min
While J.R. recovers from the devistation of Jock's death, Bobby takes over Ewing Oil. Meanwhile, Bobby lies to Pam about where the baby come from.
The Phoenix
Jan 29, 1982 · 45 min
As J.R. makes his return to Ewing Oil, Ray faces conflict with Bobby and Donna. Meanwhile, Lucy is stalked by her photographer friend.
My Father, My Son
Feb 5, 1982 · 45 min
J.R. wants Ray's Ewing Oil voting shares and to ruin Sue Ellen and Cliff's friendship. Bobby manages to make some inroads into adopting Christopher. Donna begins to work on her nex
Anniversary
Feb 12, 1982 · 45 min
J.R. arranges a job opportunity so that Cliff will be out of Dallas. He then attempts to reunite with Sue Ellen. Donna finds Ray with another woman. Bobby buys a business for Pam t
Adoption
Feb 19, 1982 · 45 min
Bobby wants Sue Ellen's approval to allow him to adopt Christopher. J.R. attempts to get Ray's voting shares once and for all. Roger's obsession with Lucy gets out of control. Clif
The Maelstrom
Feb 26, 1982 · 45 min
Not knowing how Christopher really is, J.R. attempts to find out what happened to Kristin's son. Ray starts to put his life back together. Mitch wants Lucy to agree to a divorce. J
The Prodigal
Mar 5, 1982 · 45 min
Katherine need help from J.R. after Cliff is given power at Wentworth Tool and Die. Donna discovers a dreadful secret from the Ewing and Culver family pasts. J.R. manages to get hi
Vengeance
Mar 12, 1982 · 45 min
Cliff ends up falling for the fake land deal. J.R.'s belief that's he's Christopher's father ends up leading to a blackmail plot. Lucy's request for a different photographer annoys
Blackmail
Mar 19, 1982 · 45 min
Bobby finds himself being questioned about Farraday's murder. The rest of the family await word about Lucy's kidnapping. Donna reveals what she found out about Jock and Sam's schem
The Investigation
Mar 26, 1982 · 45 min
Cliff attempts to get money from Sue Ellen. Bobby and Pam attempt to find Lucy. Bobby receives a visit from Farraday's associates.
Acceptance
Apr 2, 1982 · 45 min
Miss Ellie decides to accept that Jock is dead and comes to a decision on Donna's book. Bobby tries to help the police set up a sting to catch Farraday's killers. Cliff ends up be
Goodbye, Cliff Barnes
Apr 9, 1982 · 45 min
Cliff is really upset by Sue Ellen's return to J.R.. Bobby ends up revealing the truth about Christopher's parentage to Pam. Clayton returns to town. Lucy ends up admitting a terri