2.8 "Election" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gun control

The American state of Texas has been described an a conservation state - politically - even years beyond when "Dallas" (1978) originally aired. Gun control was a very current and contested issue at that time. As with many soap operas, there was a fine line between appearing fresh and up to date and NOT alienating ANY potential viewers.

In this scene, it was quickly mentioned and positively acknowledged the candidate of choice "just came out against gun control" then that candidate's family endeavors and social status were evaluated in more detail.

Answer: A fashion show

Cliff had just rejected a generous campaign contribution from a big oil company by reminding their representative that his platform included a "strong ecological plank" that supports stopping "wasteful oil drilling, no matter who is responsible". But Cliff knows that it is going to take money - a lot of money - to run a successful campaign. Pam does agree to coordinate a fashion show for his campaign's benefit.

Answer: State Senate

Cliff was campaigning for a seat in the Texas senate. There was close-up shots of many of his campaign materials that were very obvious even if the dialog failed to be specific. The seat had been vacated by long-time Ewing ally, Senator Orloff.

Answer: Daughters of the Alamo

Sue Ellen's involvement in the Daughters of the Alamo was mentioned throughout the series. This is a fictitious organization, by the way. We would assume it was based on the actual organization Daughters of the Republic of Texas. In this episode, banners were shown to indicate sponsorship of the debate. Sue Ellen uses the opportunity to continue her flirtatious banter with Cliff Barnes.

Their interest in each other did NOT go unnoticed.

Answer: Alright, if I can't find it, I'll put it there.

Jock initially suggested that the Ewing candidate, Martin Cole, hire a new speech writer, "one with some guts" and update his wardrobe and buy more television time. When Cole left their meeting, Jock began to pressure J.R. to "dig something up" on Cliff. Jock reminded J.R. no one succeeded in politics and "stayed clean".

It was Jock who said he believed Cliff had "just been careful". True to form, J.R. had already begun to look for ways to discredit Cliff - to no avail. J.R. was almost whining when he told Jock "he's clean, there must be something wrong with the man."

Answer: J.R. implied Cliff was gay

When J.R. turned the conversation toward Cliff's relationship with his college roommate, Peter Lawrence, things became very intense at the dinner table. Peter was then a well paid and well respected media specialist who lived in New York. To defend her brother, Pam may have inadvertently given J.R. just the information he needed to find "something" in Cliff's past. Within minutes J.R. had a private investigator on his way to New York. Very soon J.R. was able to tell his dad that Cliff had indeed broken the cardinal rule of politics. That being, "never be caught in bed with a live man or dead woman", to quote J.R.

Answer: Sue Ellen

Sue Ellen was waiting for Cliff with a sympathetic smile and words of encouragement. Cliff knew J.R. must have been the one who learned his (then) fiancée died as a result of an illegal abortion. Cliff told Sue Ellen he knew it was Cliff but did not know how J.R. learned about it. Sue Ellen's silence told Cliff that she may know more about it than she would say.

After Sue Ellen's show of sincere concern for Cliff's dilemma, she and Cliff shared a tender moment as they held hands.

Answer: Sue Ellen

Sue Ellen sat with Pam in the Southfork sitting room as the final election returns were announced on the television. Pam told Sue Ellen there was no need to sit with her if she (Sue Ellen) was going to gloat. Sue Ellen told Pam that she was not going to gloat and that she was sorry "that the best man lost". Sue Ellen further surprised Pam by saying that it would have been "nice" if "J.R. did not get what he wanted for once".

This would have been rather peculiar had it not been for the overtures Sue Ellen had recently made toward Cliff.

Answer: Telephoned Peter and instructed him get the big oil company to back his next election

Pam and Cliff hugged and agreed they should forgive each other and that they loved each other as sister and brother. As Bobby and Pam left Cliff office Bobby breathed a sigh of relief that it "was all over"; Pam was intuitive when she responded, "if I know my brother it's just beginning".

As soon as Bobby and Pam left, Cliff phoned Peter and told him to ask the representative from the oil company if "they had enough money to buy the next state senate seat". Apparently, Cliff had seen an epiphany.

Answer: Ken Kercheval

Ken Kercheval was perfect as he played the "everyman" role of Cliff Barnes. With this episode we saw his character develop into a more complex individual. With this development we were lead to believe we would see even more of Cliff as he not only continued his father's vendetta against the Ewings but because he now bore personal scars from their self-serving acrimony. Kercheval had appeared in many of the previous episodes of the series and his character is Pamela's brother yet his name was still shown among the list of guest stars.