3.3 "The Silent Killer" Trivia Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the opening scene we saw Cliff greet his father Digger soon after Digger had returned to Texas. At the same time, same place we saw J.R. and Sue Ellen as they greeted Patricia and Kristin. Where was the scene of this action?

Answer: An airport

As J.R. and Sue Ellen waited for her mother and sister's plane to arrive, J.R. became extremely discontented when he saw the headlines on the front page (of the local paper) that read, "Civic Group Names Barnes Man of the Year". Of course, Sue Ellen enjoyed every bit of J.R.'s misery. Cliff had invited his father back to Texas to share his "moment of glory" as he basked in the success of his latest award.

2. Earlier in the series actor David Wayne portrayed Digger Barnes. In this episode another actor was seen in that part. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s he would have been more likely to be seen on stage than on television. Who was it?

Answer: Keenan Wynn

Keenan Wynn was a very talented character actor but as the question mentions he was more likely to be seen on the stage than on the small screen. One popular source reported that Keenan Wynn had been a long time friend of David Wayne (who had portrayed Digger earlier in the series) before he was the second actor to portray Digger Barnes. Wayne had previously been written into the role of Dr. Amos Weatherby on the TV show "House Calls" (1979-1982) when "Dallas" needed him to portray Digger.

The story goes then Wayne suggested his friend, Keenan Wynn, for the part. Wynn would go on to appear as Digger for this season and the fourth season, too - many more episodes than Wayne was Digger.

3. As Lucy talked with Ray about Kristin coming to Southfork she made it very clear she did not like Kristin one little bit. Ray perceived Lucy's feelings as jealousy and teased her accordingly. Lucy called Kristin "a witch" and then another (uncomplimentary) name as she saw J.R.'s car had arrived on the ranch. What did Lucy call Kristin?

Answer: Lady Dracula

It was early in the day when Patricia and Kristin arrived in Dallas - obviously - because Pam and Bobby spent some time with "Baby John" (what they were calling Sue Ellen's newborn son) before they went to work. Lucy and Ray chatted about Lucy's horse and what was to happen "later that day".

In what brought a mischievous smile to Ray's face, Lucy called Kristin (first) "a witch", then asked Ray to give Kristin a "bucking bronco" when she (Kristin) asked him to let her go riding and then (Lucy) said, "Ah, here comes Lady Dracula now" when she saw J.R.'s car in the driveway near the house. Little did Lucy know!

4. At the base of the Ewing Oil building, Cliff shared with his father, Digger, that he had begun to make it impossibly difficult for Ewing Oil to maintain their growth and earnings potential. Cliff showed Digger that he had bought a small amount of stock in Ewing Oil that resulted in Digger receiving regular royalty checks from them. What was Digger's reaction?

Answer: Digger told Cliff that was NOT what he had ever wanted

Digger was neither as impressed nor as pleased about Cliff's vendetta as Cliff had thought he might be. Digger told Cliff that he had never intended to ruin the Ewings, or, as he phrased it, "to leave Jock Ewing flat broke". Instead Digger told Cliff all he had ever wanted was "only what was coming to" him.

In his disgust Digger demanded that Cliff just take him back to his apartment. Very soon after Digger and Cliff arrived at Cliff's apartment Digger collapsed onto the floor.

5. While Kristin and Sue Ellen traded catty comments with each other (at Southfork), Pam and Cliff waited to get an update on Digger's condition and prognosis from the doctor who was acquainted with Cliff. In addition to a diagnosis that included "a virus, an over-abused liver ... and [physically] over-worked", what genetic disorder did the doctor mention he found during Digger's examination?

Answer: Neurofibromatosis

The doctor pointedly revealed another drinking binge could, indeed, kill Digger but he really wanted to investigate more fully the effects, if any, neurofibromatosis would have on Digger's descendants - all future generations. The doctor explained most people who do inherit the disease - from those "lucky enough to survive" - often die during infancy. Cliff and Pam were noticeably shaken and they had reason to be. Cliff believed he was the father of Sue Ellen's baby (thus his child would have inherited the disease) and Pam and Bobby had recently decided they would like to try to become parents.

It seemed Digger's prognosis was bad news for both families - the Barnes and the Ewings.

6. After the prognosis from the doctor, Cliff and Pamela argued about how the information should be shared concerning Sue Ellen's baby. What did Pamela promise Cliff she would do for "Baby John"?

Answer: Take him (Baby John) to a doctor for testing

Cliff wanted to tell Sue Ellen immediately - about the possibility (if John Ross was Cliff's child) that their baby could have inherited neurofibromatosis. Pam convinced Cliff that Sue Ellen was (still) emotionally unstable and any more bad news could "put her over the edge", and, she (Pam) would take the baby to doctors and specialists - whoever was necessary to get all the testing the baby would need. Pam promised Cliff she would keep him informed as to what she learned every step of the way. In her words, she "would handle it!"

7. J.R. scolded Sue Ellen because he thought Pam had taken the responsibility for too much of the baby's care. J.R. asked Sue Ellen if she cared for the baby at all. In her caustic response to J.R. what one word did she use to describe her relationship with the baby?

Answer: Punishment

That is right - punishment. Sue Ellen declared to J.R. "the child reminds me that I was used by two cruel men". In the same scene, when J.R. (first) told Sue Ellen it was Pamela who was taking her baby to the doctor, Sue Ellen said, "From a shop girl to a wet nurse. Well, that's a step up". Kudos to the writers; they really gave Sue Ellen some zingers!

8. In his never ending quest to obliterate Cliff Barnes, J.R. added another devious member to his payroll during this episode. Who was the super-slick, young transplanted (from Chicago) attorney ready to work with J.R. while he was a member of the local firm employed by Ewing Oil?

Answer: Alan Beam

The character of Alan Beam had been introduced (briefly) in the first episode of this season. Again in this episode the character was portrayed by Randy Powell. Beam made it clear to J.R. that he had learned a lot about him and was willing to do whatever J.R. wanted - as long as the "tax free money" came often and abundantly. We the viewing audience saw this guy had "SKANK" written all over him! But that was exactly what made "Dallas" so addictive, right?

9. After the entire Ewing family had gone to the theater for the evening, J.R. and Sue Ellen argued (again) in their bedroom. This time it was about Sue Ellen's seeing Cliff at lunch earlier that day. J.R. left their bedroom in a huff and wanted to go for a drive - alone - but someone was waiting on the patio to accompany him. Who was it?

Answer: Kristin

Of course, Kristin had positioned herself to overhear all of J.R. and Sue Ellen's recent conversations (arguments, that is) and she had tried unsuccessfully to get some time (alone) with J.R. This time it worked for her. When J.R. explained that is was too early for him to go to bed, Kristin mirrored his opinion and insisted she should join him for that late night drive.

Their smiles told more than their words.

10. As the episode came to a close Pamela tried (unsuccessfully) to tell Bobby why she did not think they should continue with their efforts to have their own baby. Bobby did not understand her sudden change of heart and was very impatient with her. Pamela left Bobby standing on the patio (of Southfork) and went inside - with tears in her eyes. Who was the first person Pamela sought to console her?

Answer: Baby John

It appeared Pamela wanted to tell Bobby what she had learned about her inherited disease but when she struggled and delayed, Bobby assumed otherwise. He became impatient and accusatory. Pamela ran inside the house and when she walked by the nursery she heard a very fussy John Ross. The episode ended as she cradled the baby in her arms - and, cried.

Source: Author cowboybluedog

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor guitargoddess before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

"Dallas" was in its third season and we the viewing audience had already learned "things" never go well when the Ewing and Barnes clans interact. Digger returns to Texas in this episode. Buckle your seat belts it was not to be a smooth "ride".

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