- As the Ewings prepare to lay Bobby to rest, Dusty tries to get Sue Ellen to stop drinking.
- In the evening immediately following Bobby Ewing's death, the Ewing family returns to Southfork along with Dr. Danvers. Jenna Wade heads to her room to get some sleep, and Miss Ellie sends Ray and Donna Krebbs home, requesting they worry more about Donna's unborn child. She asks J.R. to help her be strong through the coming ordeal. Back at her house, Pam is brought home by Cliff and Jamie. They do their best to console her, but she feels Bobby's death is all her fault, and fears someday Christopher will never forgive her.
Back at Southfork, Sue Ellen arrives in a jovial mood, saying she had the best day while unaware of Bobby's fate. J.R., angered by her good mood, tells her Bobby is dead, which Clayton confirms. As Sue Ellen begins to break down, J.R. dresses her down for not being there in Bobby's final moments, accusing her of either being with "that saddle-tramp" Dusty, or getting drunk by herself. He says she's never around when needed--something he says once almost cost their son, John Ross, his life--and orders her out of his sight. She runs crying to her room. Miss Ellie tells J.R. that he shouldn't blame her for what happened to Bobby, but he responds that Sue Ellen never was, and never will be, a Ewing.
At Ray's house, Donna says she never thought about losing anyone in the family. She says they have been so wrong to each other, but now their problems don't seem to matter as much anymore. Ray agrees; their problems pale in comparison to what Ellie is going through now. Donna and Ray agree to work things out between them. Ray said Donna's love was the one thing he always counted on. At Southfork, J.R. wakes John Ross up in his bedroom. He's already heard about his uncle being dead, and J.R. confirms it. John Ross tells J.R. he still has Uncles Ray and Gary, though J.R. says it's not the same. He then says he could also take Bobby's place at his work. J.R. tells his son he's all he's got, and he agrees to sleep with him that night.
Ellie makes a list of what needs to get done in the wake of Bobby's death late into the night, as Clayton brings her some cocoa. Clayton tries to get her to release her emotions, which she is reluctant to do when her family needs her strength. They then get a phone call; it's Gary Ewing, calling from California. Ellie tells him no one knows how Katherine came back. Gary agrees to return to Southfork as soon as possible for Bobby's funeral, expressing regret that Bobby never knew how much he cared. Ellie asks Clayton to get her a fresh cup of cocoa. While alone, Ellie sees a nearby photo of Bobby, and finally allows herself to break down and cry.
The next morning, Ellie has ridden to a remote corner of the ranch, by a tree house and a lake, where she plants a stick marker. Back at her house, Christopher runs out and up to Pam, saying he's hungry, and she gets set to make him breakfast. Christopher asks if his dad is there for breakfast. Pam takes him aside, and tries her best to explain what happened to Bobby to her son. Not knowing how, she says that Bobby has gone away, and isn't coming back. She promises to explain better when he's older. Clayton finds Ellie at the tree house; he says Ray guessed she'd be there. She explains the tree house, which Jock built for Bobby. He spent his time off from chores here, and often with Gary. She says J.R. was more interested in Jock's work, but adds she thinks deep inside he would've preferred this tree house had been built for him. She says Bobby was Jock's favorite, and that idea hurt J.R. Ellie reveals she plans to bury Bobby by the tree house, where he will always be near his family. Clayton offers his support to make the arrangements.
Jenna goes to the stables, where Charlotte is seeking comfort in the horse Bobby gave her, muttering how it's not fair he's gone. Jenna speaks up, saying life isn't fair. Jenna regrets not marrying Bobby when she had the chance. She suggests Charlotte think of the horse when she's sad, while she remembers the good times she and Bobby had. Dusty Farlow arrives, and is met coldly by J.R., who suggests he not bother coming to pay his respects, suspecting how close he and Sue Ellen are. Dusty says he was with her the day before to try to help her stay sober, though J.R. suggests further she is drinking again. J.R. says the only way Dusty can help is by taking Sue Ellen off Southfork, then drives to work.
Inside, Sue Ellen is trying to compose herself, when she meets Ellie, and begs forgiveness for not being there for Bobby's final moments. Ellie begs her to face her alcoholism, a problem Sue Ellen still denies she has. Ellie says Dusty can't provide the help she really needs. She doesn't want Sue Ellen to end up in the sanitarium again, but she'll help J.R. commit her if it comes down to that. At Ewing Oil, Phyllis breaks down when a package arrives for Bobby. J.R. tells her to leave it on his desk. He then orders her to lock Bobby's office, and take the rest of the day off. He doesn't want anyone to touch his things...or he wants to fool himself into thinking Bobby's there.
Sue Ellen leaves Southfork, and Dusty follows close behind. At the same time, a taxi arrives with Gary, who meets Clayton for the first time. In town, Sue Ellen begins another drinking binge at a bar. Dusty arrives just as she starts. As she quickly orders a second shot of vodka, she asks why he's following a drunk like her. She tries to push him away, saying she's not worth saving. Before she can drink herself into a stupor and forget all her problems, Dusty stops her order for a third drink. Sue Ellen slaps him, and he punches her out, carrying her out of the bar, saying he is not giving up on her.
Back at Southfork, Ellie tells Gary he should return to California after the funeral, and live his own life without feeling he needs to try to take Bobby's place. Although he would be content helping Ellie, she knows he wouldn't be happy there. But she can tell he's far stronger now than when she sent him originally to California, and for a few days she will need his and Clayton's strength. Sue Ellen wakes up in Dusty's house, vaguely remembering being at the bar. He said the best solution was to get her out of there as quietly as possible. He called Clayton and told him where she is, assuring him she'll show up at Bobby's funeral sober. Dusty tells Sue Ellen he loves her despite her issues. She finally accepts his help.
That night, Gary calls Lucy, having to break the news of Bobby's death on her honeymoon. She won't be able to return in time. He thanks Ray for helping raise Lucy, along with Bobby. J.R. arrives, and coolly acknowledges Gary. He says he lost track of time at the office while trying to ponder Ewing Oil's future. Ray offers J.R. some temporary help, since they worked together well on the Cliff Barnes trial. He rebuffs any offer of help from Ray or Gary, bluntly telling them he only regards Bobby as his true brother. Gary remarks when J.R. is gone that nothing ever changes.
The next morning, Ellie goes to visit Pam and Christopher. Pam apologizes for not being able to face returning to Southfork. Ellie officially invites Pam and Christopher to Bobby's funeral, as well as Cliff and Jamie. Pam is unsure if it's wise to bring Cliff, but Ellie says peace has to come between the Ewing and Barnes families somehow. She notes the police told Clayton that Katherine had forged documents to return to the country, but she is unsure why Katherine hated Bobby. Pam says he came by the morning he was killed just to see his son. Ellie takes her leave, and promises to send a car to pick them up for the funeral.
The next day, Bobby is laid to rest on the hill by his tree house. Only close family--Ellie, Pam and Christopher, Gary, Ray and Donna, Jenna and Charlotte, J.R. and John Ross, Sue Ellen, as well as Cliff and Jamie--are in attendance. After the ceremony is finished, J.R. lingers behind with Bobby's casket. With tears forming, he tells Bobby he wishes he had told him how much he meant, and that he loved him. He tells Bobby to tell their dad he misses him, too.
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