Ep 1. Digger's Daughter

As a friendly warning, the following episode description contains some plot points.

Dallas season 1 opens with the first episode named “Digger’s Daughter.” This episode serves as an introduction to the Ewing family, one of the most influential oil families of the state of Texas.

The plot begins with Bobby Ewing's (Patrick Duffy) wedding to Pamela Barnes (Victoria Principal), the daughter of Ewing Oil's business rival, Digger Barnes. The Ewings are a clan of business tycoons who are constantly competing with the Barnes family in the highly-competitive oil industry.

The patriarch of the Ewing family is Jock (Jim Davis), who has built his company on the backs of his sons J.R. (Larry Hagman) and Bobby. J.R. is the embodiment of greed, always looking to put his family first before any other consideration. Bobby, on the other hand, is a free spirit who wants to keep things in the family.

The plot intensifies as the wedding ceremony comes to an end, and the audience watches as J.R. meets with his father and others to plan the future of the company. Jock wants to make sure that Ewing Oil stays in the family, and he has crafted a plan to ensure that his sons J.R. and Bobby have control over the company. J.R. does not agree with Bobby's philosophy of keeping the business within the family, and he decides to do whatever it takes to ensure that he is in charge.

In the meantime, we are introduced to Sue Ellen (Linda Gray), J.R.’s wife, who is struggling with her husband's infidelity. It becomes blatant that their relationship is in a rocky state, and the family helps cover up J.R.'s affair with an exotic dancer. Meanwhile, Jock's brother Bobby and his wife Pam are settling into married life. Pamela is excited to be part of such an affluent and reputable family, but she soon finds out that Bobby’s family is not an easy one to please.

The beginning of the series sets up a number of different plot points, most of which are driven by the magnetic and cunning personality of J.R. His interactions with his family and rivals set the stage for the series, which is a rollercoaster ride of power struggles, betrayals, and familial drama. However, the show has a fine balance as the family constantly deals with the modern challenges of a business run world, while also struggling to maintain their Southern values and traditions.

The episode showcases fantastic performances from all of the actors, who embody their respective characters perfectly. Larry Hagman is particularly powerful in his role as J.R., becoming an instant icon of the show. The other characters are no less important and bring an interesting dynamic to the series.

Overall, Dallas season 1 episode 1 is an excellent starting point for the series. The plotline is intriguing, the acting is fantastic, and the setting is glamorous. It effectively sets the stage for the drama that will follow in the subsequent episodes. This episode is a brilliant example of classic American television at its best. It certainly is worth giving a chance, both for today's audiences and those who have fond memories of the original series.