An age old feud between the Ewings and the Barnes starts up again when Bobby Ewing and Pamela Barnes reveal the shocking news to their families they have married. J.R. Ewing, Bobby's older brother, seeks to break the newlyweds up by using ranch hand Ray Krebbs, who once dated Pamela.

Seeking acceptance into the Ewing family, Pamela does her best to befriend Lucy despite the situation being not as easy as it would seem.

When information from sensitive paperwork for the family business ends up with Cliff Barnes, J.R. accuses his new sister-in-law, Pamela, of leaking Ewing Oil information in front of the entire family. Pamela denies everything but her and Bobby end up leaving the ranch to spend a night in a hotel.

Texas is being threatened by a powerful storm. As the hurricane approaches two men arrive at Southfork and take hostages. One of the men is out for revenge on J.R. for having an affair with his wife.

The annual Ewing barbecue is a source of tension between the Ewing and Barnes families when Pam's pregnancy is announced. The news, among other things, sends Sue Ellen to the bottle which brings about other problems at Southfork.

Bobby surprises Pam by asking her join him on a business trip to Las Vegas. During the trip they are shocked to find brother Gary working at the hotel they are staying at. Lucy has been busy as well. While at a cattle auction with Jock and Ray, she ditches out with Pam's cousin Jimmy, Ray is not pleased. It turns out Jimmy is just her drive, he takes her to the diner her mother is working at. Lucy has been secretly visiting Valene. As Lucy and Val catch up, Bobby talks a reluctant Gary into returning to Southfork for a visit. Pam understands his reasons not too, but Gary eventually agrees. When Bobby calls Ellie with the news, she gives a stern warning to both Jock and J.R. Jock is not pleased and J.R begins to plot Gary's downfall even before he returns.