J.R. is pressuring Alan Beam to marry Lucy as soon as possible, but she's got a new crush. Cliff feels he is finished professionally but Bobby tries to help him Kristin finds she is being increasingly sidelined. Sue Ellen tries a new strategy in her fight with J.R. Jock frustrates J.R.'s plans for Lucy and Alan by pulling strings to get him a legal partnership in Dallas. Lucy does some hard thinking over her choices.

Cliff is put in charge of the investigation into the possible murder on Southfork and pursues the Ewings. Miss Ellie continues to fight the park development. Digger's back, and drinking again - he's found unconscious at Cliff's. Sue Ellen turns to Bobby as she becomes further embroiled in J.R.s plan. Then she hears some devastating news.