douggyr
Joined Feb 2017
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December 27th 2024 marked the 45th anniversary of the premier of "Knots Landing" on CBS. The show is known as a spin-off of "Dallas", due to the inclusion of black sheep brother Gary Ewing (Ted Shackelford) and his wife, Valene (Joan Van Ark). Though their backstory gives us the connection to "Dallas" (and plenty of reasons for various "Dallas" cast members to cross-over), "Knots" is its own show, with its own identity.
Created in 1977, before "Dallas", "Knots" was conceived as an American version of Ingmar Bergman's 1973 production, "Scenes from a Marriage". But CBS wanted more of a saga, and David Jacobs provided "Dallas". When "Dallas" boomed, CBS asked Jacobs to tie the two shows together. Thus, the "Dallas", Ewing connection.
"Knots" is a completely different show than "Dallas". "Knots" did not begin as a continuing story, though it had slight elements. Each episode was fully contained. Where "Dallas" had all the typical arch types who lived within the plots, "Knots" had characters who at times were uncomfortably real.
Season 1, episodes 3 ("Let Me Count the Ways"), ep 4 ("The Lie") and ep 5 ("Will the Circle Be Unbroken") demonstrate characters we know in our lives dealing with feelings of regret, desperation to be seen, wanting more, feeling of missing out, wanting a fresh start. All played by a brilliant cast, spotlighting the talents of Michelle Lee, Constance McCashin, Joan Van Ark and Julie Harris.
Some reviewers cannot get past that "Knots Landing" is not what they expect from the typical evening soaps like "Dallas", "Dynasty" and "Falcon Crest". "Knots" is a really a prime-time answer to daytime's "Ryan's Hope". Like that beloved show, "Knots" is not worried about plot, but about characters. These characters know themselves and sometimes their actions are to hide who they are. As Richard Avery say's in episode 11 ("Courageous Convictions"), the men of "Knots Landing" are "average" and are content with who they are (except Richard, which drives him to do the dumb things he does).
In season 2, "Knots" takes on a hybrid serial/episodic format where consequences from previous stories flow to other episodes. It also introduces Sid's sister, Abby Cunningham (Donna Mills) a manipulator who quickly begins using others to take care of her children and begins an affair with unemployed, self-pitying Richard Avery (John Pleshette). But as much of a manipulator as she is, Abby has a compassionate side to her. She loves her children and though she is having an affair with Richard, she does not want to publically rub Laura's (the brilliant and underrated Constance McCashin) nose in it. Richard, full of self-loathing and self-pity, wants to blame Laura for his current state and unabashedly in his admiration of Abby, in front of Laura, Abby's brother and sister-in-law, and their friends.
All of this is written, directed and played brilliantly. These are all wounded, imperfect people living life. They have dreams, some of riches, some of contentment. Some move along, knowing the path to have what they want, and surprised when that path turns (Sid and Karen) and others are so scared they will not get what they want, they self-sabotage what they have, not realizing it is their desire (Gary and Kenny Ward (Jim Houghton). Others want the next big shiny thing, knowing they will go after the next bigger thing (Abby and Richard), while others are just trying to do the best they can (Valene and Laura).
The show changes course in Season 4 and becomes somewhat similar to the other prime-time soaps in Season 5, but it still maintains its allegiance to characters. Michelle Lee's Karen finally cracks after being strong when her daughter Diana (Claudia Lonow) not only runs off with her murderous boyfriend, but blames Karen for the situation. Donna Mills's Abby is not fazed by much, but when she realizes the mob connected Wolfbridge Group wants part of coastal development deal and WILL take it, she realizes shes in over her head. We see the same humanness when Abby's daughter Olivia (Tonya Crowe) becomes a drug addict.
For the first nine seasons, "Knots Landing" was outstanding written and acted television. Personally, I lost track after season 9, because I felt it was no longer the show I loved, but will revisit it now that it is steaming. I highly recommend you get to know the folks on Seaview Circle.
"Knots Landing" is available on steaming service PLEX and Discovery+ (with ads) and Amazon Prime (without).
Created in 1977, before "Dallas", "Knots" was conceived as an American version of Ingmar Bergman's 1973 production, "Scenes from a Marriage". But CBS wanted more of a saga, and David Jacobs provided "Dallas". When "Dallas" boomed, CBS asked Jacobs to tie the two shows together. Thus, the "Dallas", Ewing connection.
"Knots" is a completely different show than "Dallas". "Knots" did not begin as a continuing story, though it had slight elements. Each episode was fully contained. Where "Dallas" had all the typical arch types who lived within the plots, "Knots" had characters who at times were uncomfortably real.
Season 1, episodes 3 ("Let Me Count the Ways"), ep 4 ("The Lie") and ep 5 ("Will the Circle Be Unbroken") demonstrate characters we know in our lives dealing with feelings of regret, desperation to be seen, wanting more, feeling of missing out, wanting a fresh start. All played by a brilliant cast, spotlighting the talents of Michelle Lee, Constance McCashin, Joan Van Ark and Julie Harris.
Some reviewers cannot get past that "Knots Landing" is not what they expect from the typical evening soaps like "Dallas", "Dynasty" and "Falcon Crest". "Knots" is a really a prime-time answer to daytime's "Ryan's Hope". Like that beloved show, "Knots" is not worried about plot, but about characters. These characters know themselves and sometimes their actions are to hide who they are. As Richard Avery say's in episode 11 ("Courageous Convictions"), the men of "Knots Landing" are "average" and are content with who they are (except Richard, which drives him to do the dumb things he does).
In season 2, "Knots" takes on a hybrid serial/episodic format where consequences from previous stories flow to other episodes. It also introduces Sid's sister, Abby Cunningham (Donna Mills) a manipulator who quickly begins using others to take care of her children and begins an affair with unemployed, self-pitying Richard Avery (John Pleshette). But as much of a manipulator as she is, Abby has a compassionate side to her. She loves her children and though she is having an affair with Richard, she does not want to publically rub Laura's (the brilliant and underrated Constance McCashin) nose in it. Richard, full of self-loathing and self-pity, wants to blame Laura for his current state and unabashedly in his admiration of Abby, in front of Laura, Abby's brother and sister-in-law, and their friends.
All of this is written, directed and played brilliantly. These are all wounded, imperfect people living life. They have dreams, some of riches, some of contentment. Some move along, knowing the path to have what they want, and surprised when that path turns (Sid and Karen) and others are so scared they will not get what they want, they self-sabotage what they have, not realizing it is their desire (Gary and Kenny Ward (Jim Houghton). Others want the next big shiny thing, knowing they will go after the next bigger thing (Abby and Richard), while others are just trying to do the best they can (Valene and Laura).
The show changes course in Season 4 and becomes somewhat similar to the other prime-time soaps in Season 5, but it still maintains its allegiance to characters. Michelle Lee's Karen finally cracks after being strong when her daughter Diana (Claudia Lonow) not only runs off with her murderous boyfriend, but blames Karen for the situation. Donna Mills's Abby is not fazed by much, but when she realizes the mob connected Wolfbridge Group wants part of coastal development deal and WILL take it, she realizes shes in over her head. We see the same humanness when Abby's daughter Olivia (Tonya Crowe) becomes a drug addict.
For the first nine seasons, "Knots Landing" was outstanding written and acted television. Personally, I lost track after season 9, because I felt it was no longer the show I loved, but will revisit it now that it is steaming. I highly recommend you get to know the folks on Seaview Circle.
"Knots Landing" is available on steaming service PLEX and Discovery+ (with ads) and Amazon Prime (without).
This movie is a sappy romance, heartfelt, whiny, sweet and real. We all wonder about our lives and we all have a insecurity about something.
It is a VERY talky movie. It will feel like very revealing conversations with friends. If you like character films, you will enjoy this.
It is a VERY talky movie. It will feel like very revealing conversations with friends. If you like character films, you will enjoy this.