Was Mandy responsible for SE's transformation and her own demise?

[RachelBixby]

Mandy had gotten too far on the cocky side at that point taking the fact she was J.R.'s eye candy and bed meat for granted.
Too bad one of Sue Ellen's greatest lines was dreamed away.
"Isn’t it strange how the mistress always thinks she’s smarter than the wife? If she’s so smart, why is she the mistress"?

Agree! I always loved that line. And Linda Gray's delivery.

@Sarah Danner called Mandy 'cocky.' What she didn't understand was that JR was a lech, a chronic adulterer and womanizer. It wasn't that he was so crazy about her specifically, it was just pure lust. And she would eventually be replaced which Sue Ellen understood. Mandy was foolish and she went too far. I have never had a substance abuse problem but I've had epiphany moments where everything changed and made sense and I adjusted my behavior accordingly. So I can see that happening to Sue Ellen. While the show went on way too long, her evolution and growth was one of the best stories in the series. I think this is part of the dream season but it's very true to JR: When Mandy insults Sue Ellen, JR swiftly corrects her and tells her that's his wife she's talking about/warning her not to do that again. JR was obviously a terrible husband and no one should want that kind of marriage. But in his own way, if he ever loved any woman, it was Sue Ellen. Again not a healthy love. But as much as JR can love any woman, that would be Sue Ellen. And even with her youth, Mandy could never rival that 'love' JR had for SE.