TV Review: Dallas 3×14 – “End Game”

Where Were We?

In our last outrageous episode (points to anyone who recognizes that Jem reference), Bobby proposed a deal: he would allow the cartel to use his railroads for transporting drugs in exchange for hostages Ann and Emma. Luis likes the deal, but will only return one woman. Bobby doesn’t hesitate in choosing Emma, knowing that’s what Ann would want.

The U.S. Marshal busts up Nicholas and Elena’s no-longer-romantic getaway. Nicholas shoves Elena in a room with a rifle to protect herself, but gives himself up. Elena runs out and hugs Christopher. I somehow doubt that the U.S. Marshal would just let you leave like that, especially when so much organized crime is involved.

John Ross to the Rescue

Bobby arrives at the rendezvous point to find Ann, not Emma, in the trunk of the car because the cartel is full of bastards. Judith promptly has a nervy b, while John Ross decides it’s his time to be a hero. Bum delivers the decoded flash drive, which provides contact information of Navy SEALs Harris worked with against the cartel. “In the next couple of days, I’m going to get myself in a very bad situation. I’d like you to get me out of it,” John Ross requests from his new friend Walter. His new contact gives him a lighter with a GPS transmitter inside that John Ross needs to light in case of danger.

“I’ve got a plan!” John Ross proudly proclaims. “Sit down, John Ross!” is pretty much everyone’s reaction. Pamela claims that he’s only trying to save Emma to get Ewing Global back. John Ross agrees that he only cares for himself, trying to set the bar even lower either to make his success more impressive or his possible failure less awful.

John Ross approaches Judith before setting his plan into motion. “I know you think I’m an immoral, double-dealing piece of crap,” he says. “On your best day,” Judith drawls. John Ross ignores the assessment of his character and informs Judith of Harris’s work with the CIA. He promises he can get Emma back if she can secure him a meeting with Luis.

Desperate Times at the Cartel’s Headquarters

Emma is helping cartel underling Fernando with his crossword puzzle, using her feminine wiles to distract him from the fact that she’s stealing his pencil. When Luis sends Fernando outside, Emma pockets a page from the crossword puzzle book as well.

Emma continues her seduction of Fernando while she’s downstairs, going as far as telling him, “I will do anything you want; I am a prisoner of your love.” Laying it on a little thick, aren’t we Emma? She asks to use the bathroom, where she attempts to give a note to a kid through the window. Fernando catches her, explaining that he knew she stole his pencil. “I like you and I think you like me too,” he says. The two share a kiss, but are interrupted by Luis. Fernando is thrown out and Luis loses it when he sees the note in Emma’s hand. The last thing we see is him slamming the door to the bathroom, himself and Emma inside. Things aren’t looking good for Emma.

“Dying For Her Doesn’t Make You Heroic, It Makes You Stupid”

Looks like the cartel has itself a new hostage! John Ross is brought in, demanding to exchange his freedom for Emma’s. He begins his pitch: in essence, Nicholas is having trouble selling off the Ewing Global shares—his reputation for running with drug dealers is getting the best of him. John Ross’s flexible morality makes him the perfect alternative! Nicholas is just sitting pretty while Luis does all the dirty work anyway.

John Ross actually does an A+ manipulation job here, as Luis takes the bait. However, when Luis brings the proposed deal to El Pozolero, the boss flips out at him for kidnapping two Americans. Regardless, they have a deal. John Ross demands that they release Emma before he transfers the funds.

John Ross calls Pamela to transfer the money. “Dying for her doesn’t make you heroic, it makes you stupid,” Pamela says, practically rolling her eyes. I love their relationship. John Ross argues that his purpose is only making them the sole owners of Ewing Global.

The CIA Has Assembled a Cracked Team Here

Over at CIA headquarters, Nicholas agrees to assist in the capture of El Pozolero and the rest of the cartel by setting up a meeting. He makes the call, tattling on Luis to El Pozolero for kidnapping American citizens.

Nicholas is meeting El Pozolero in a parking garage as one CIA dude watches from South Fork with the Ewings, the Rylands, and Elena. What kind of CIA operation is this? I doubt the agent can even hear what’s going on over all their comments and questions. The cartel de-phones Nicholas and has twelve decoy cars start driving in circles, so they lose eyes and ears on Nicholas immediately.

It looks like Nicholas and El Pozolero are coming to call on Luis and John Ross! El Pozolero argues that Nicholas’s skill set used to complement their operation, but not so much anymore. However, “murder is a wonderful bonding experience!” To prove his loyalty, Nicholas has to get his hands dirty and kill John Ross. Well.