Bobby is trying to recover the devastated Ewing 23 field, but J.R and Jock oppose his plan. Pam believes she has at last found her mother, but things are not as simple as they might seem. Cliff continues to support Dave Culver's career. Lucy proposes marriage to Mitch and J.R. stumbles into a scheme which he intends to use to put Bobby in trouble with Jock.

J.R. is back to normal, sleeping with his secretary behind Sue Ellen's back. Bobby finds himself in a tough position after he enters an oil drilling agreement. Cliff and the Culvers set their argument out against the Takapa project to the Daughters of the Alamo. Mitch's sister, Afton, and their mother arrive for the upcoming wedding. J.R. takes an immediate interest in Afton, which worries Sue Ellen.