Stephanie Blackmore

With J.R.'s continued absence from the business and Ray's apathy and negligence toward the running of the ranch, Bobby is both struggling to keep Ewing Oil afloat without the authority to make decisions and trying to keep the operation of Southfork running smoothly. Bobby tries to convince Ellie to let him take over as temporary President of Ewing Oil until J.R. recovers from Jock's death, but Ellie vehemently refuses putting added pressure on Bobby.

Jock's death has a devastating effect on J.R. and Bobby has to cover for himself as well as his brother in running Ewing Oil. J.R. is unable to deal even with the simplest of business demands in his grief. In the meantime, the rest of the family is puzzled at Miss Ellie's calmness in dealing with her husband's death and Bobby realizes that she is refusing to accept its reality. Cliff, ecstatic at his victory over J.R., tries to renew his relationship with Sue Ellen, who is having troubles coping with her new single life. Ray and Donna's marriage begins to fall apart with Donna's continued success as a writer and Ray's increasing depression over being a failure, and a drunken J.R. terrifies Sue Ellen by demanding Jock's only grandson be returned to Southfork.

J.R. and Katherine plot against Pam and Bobby. Sue Ellen is convinced that her and J.R.'s son, John Ross, needs help and she takes him to a psychologist who recommends a day camp where Peter Richards is a counselor. Cliff pushes Pam to form a partnership with him and Mark. Donna is concerned by Ray's obsessive guilt regarding Mickey.

Bobby and Pam end their marriage as J.R. and Katherine cheer from the sidelines. Sue Ellen finds she has an admirer at her son's day camp. J.R.'s plotting against his brother includes cutting him out of Ewing Oil. Pam finally realizes that Cliff is sincerely concerned about her, while turning a deaf ear to Afton's suspicions about Katherine's motives.

Hunter and McCall go after a contract killer who is making hits throughout the city in order to ingratiate himself with a criminal kingpin in order to kill him.