I liked Cally and agree that among all the later years new characters, she was probably the best one. I just thought that her and JR together was just gross. Always amused me that for so many fans, Sue Ellen and Peter together was unacceptable, but they had no problem with JR and Cally.
Yes, there was something about the Peter/Sue Ellen relationship that didn't work for me, but I'd like to think it isn't just because I'm a guy reverting to double standards.
I think part of this again goes back to..I was 10 when Cally first appeared on Dallas. By the time I was finally able to see episodes of the 7th season, I was 14, and not just watching Dallas through the eyes of my mom..not that that was ever entirely the case, but hopefully it's understood where I'm coming from with this.
Like some others, I'm less fond of Cally and JR on repeated viewings, but in spite of the age difference, and the disgusting way they began, we were offered another side to JR here. Even after they broke-up/divorced..he was 'relatively' decent to her. I know there's probably a whole slew of examples where that wasn't the case, but I'm thinking of the way he spoke to her when she brought him the release papers at the sanitarium..I'm thinking about how, once he found her and his..daughter? in late season 14, he was gracious enough to just leave her alone.
On the other hand..Peter Richards...Good looking kid..college student..he falls for, yes, a lovely older woman, but.. this is played like the kid has never liked a girl before, and almost has some kind of obsession with her, and she more or less plays into it to stop him from ruining his own life(quitting school, etc, etc)...wtf? The way that Peter seems to feed into this as well..but it's written almost like we are all(including Sue Ellen)supposed to feel sorry for him. Well, then, if that's the case, then explain to me why a good looking, intelligent, guy acts in this manner. Give me a little backstory..is he mentally ill or something? Instead, I don't think there's ever any real explanation given other than he's just that into Sue Ellen. Again, lovely lady, but..it's not so much the age difference for me in this situation, as the awkwardness. Also, the way Christopher played the role..his delivery..something. I'm not saying he's a bad actor because I certainly was convinced he was losing his mind over Sue Ellen, but..he came across as kind of creepy. I do think, that perhaps had another actor played the part, or it wasn't written in quite the way that it was, it could have worked, and on some levels it did..but it's..the combo of this young looking guy, his mannerisms, and then the way he loses his sh!t with Sue Ellen..it just felt off.
). The writers decided to send her away from Dallas, and they needed to keep John Ross on the show, so..I do suppose she seemed a little too nonchalant about it, though..the distance, but for whatever reason it was written that way. Perhaps trying to make it okay to us? but instead it makes her come across as a little cold.
