3.1 "Whatever Happened to Baby John?, Part 1" Quiz

Answer: Ken Kercheval (who played Cliff Barnes)

It was Ken Kercheval, the actor who had played Cliff Barnes. Cliff was the brother of Bobby Ewing's wife, Pamela, and he was the possible father of Sue Ellen's newly born baby boy. Also, Cliff was the arch enemy of J.R. Ewing as the two of them continued the Ewing-Barnes feud into its second generation. Kercheval had been seen in many of the episodes of the previous two seasons but he had been more of a peripheral player; this "upgrade" should indicate we would see even more of Ken Kercheval/Cliff Barnes in the upcoming season/episodes. Maybe he really was Baby John's father!

Answer: Willie Joe Garr and Jeb Ames had been paroled from prison.

We saw Sue Ellen as she stared - without expression - at her son who was still resting in an incubator in the neonatal unit of the hospital. J.R. had discussed her discharge (from the hospital) with the attending physician and was ready for the two of them to go to Southfork when he noticed the newspaper headlines.

He quickly asked the patient if he could take a closer look at the story. Sure enough, Willie Joe and Jeb had been released from prison. J.R. must have known this was not good news for him.

Answer: Screwworm

Not just "made for TV", screwworm is a very serious threat to livestock in warmer, more humid climates. It is caused when a female blowfly lays her eggs in a wound of the host (i.e., a cow) and those eggs develop into hundreds of larva known as screwworms.

In the Dallas, Texas area screwworm could devastate an entire herd if not prevented/stopped. Jock, Bobby and Ray knew that this must be their top priority and they realized they had much work ahead of them to get this infestation cleared.

Answer: A musical figurine

Sue Ellen had ignored J.R.'s "loving" overtures. Sue Ellen had ignored the calls (from the adjacent fields) of Jock, Bobby and Ray as she arrived at Southfork. Sue Ellen had ignored the greetings from Lucy and her friends. Sue Ellen had ignored Pam's warm welcome.

Then when Bobby interrupted what appeared to be a pensive moment for Sue Ellen as she was alone in the room that would be the baby's nursery, she rebuffed all of his comments and concerns. She punctuated her ambivalence by dropping the musical figurine (a caricature done in baby motif) to the floor.

She showed no emotion as it crashed and broke into pieces. Bobby was understandably disturbed.

Answer: Alan Beam

It was Alan Beam; this was the first episode that we the viewing audience would see the actor Randolph Powell portray the smooth talking, very handsome, suave and debonair attorney. Beam was convinced he could be an asset to Ewing Oil in their struggles with Cliff Barnes and, thus, the OLM. What was Beam willing to do to convince J.R. just how much of an asset he could be? Who would get in his way as he did that persuading?

Answer: "You bought me once, J.R., I am no longer for sale".

J.R. was soft spoken and fondling around Sue Ellen. He opened doors for her and carried packages for her. He fawned over her as she made it clear to him that she was ignoring him. J.R. offered Sue Ellen the ring as read her magazine by the family pool.

She clamped the jewelry box closed and said, "You bought me once, J.R., I am no longer for sale", just before she arose and stomped into the house. Frankly, the syrupy-sweet, "do whatever it takes", anything for love J.R. was just about nauseating! We the viewing audience would only wonder if "this" J.R. would last. Surely, he could not!

Answer: Willie Joe and Jeb

J.R. had shunned his former friends with each recent communication they had made to him. In a phrase, "he was too busy to take their calls" but Willie Joe and Jeb were not to be ignored. They needed money and they needed money immediately. And, they felt they had paid a price that J.R. should have owed. J.R. managed to convince the two parolees to leave his office but not before they told him "he was be real sorry" for denying them.

He had no idea at the time just what they had in store for him.

Answer: Cliff Barnes

Bobby did have another one-on-one with Cliff but this one stopped short of Bobby punching Cliff. Instead Cliff vehemently insisted (to Bobby) that he knew the baby was his, he knew he was in love with Sue Ellen and he knew that he "would have them both" - one way or the other. Bobby reiterated his warning to stay away from Sue Ellen, stay away from her baby and - especially - stay away from J.R. Cliff went to his car and sped away from the hospital but it was unlikely he was adhere to Bobby's warning.

Answer: She was sunbathing by the pool.

Sue Ellen had apparently been by the pool most of the day. She firmly told J.R. she was NOT going to the hospital. He dragged clothes out of her closet and told her either she would dress herself or he would dress her but she was going with him to the hospital.

After a few terse words, Sue Ellen hissed the words, "I'll get dressed" at J.R. The next scene showed the two of them leaving Southfork in J.R.'s car.

Answer: Their baby had been kidnapped.

As the man who identified himself as the police chief escorted Sue Ellen to a more private area, J.R. asked to use a phone to call "his family" and tell them his baby was missing. When J.R. told Miss Ellie about the baby he also offered her a warning that whoever was responsible for taking his baby may try to harm other members of the family. J.R. must have been a bit "out of his mind"; he agreed with Miss Ellie that is was a good idea to get Pam and Lucy to the safety of the ranch as soon as possible.

The scene ended as Miss Ellie tearfully clutched the telephone.