A House Divided (Dallas) A House Divided (Dallas) "A House Divided" is the 25th and final episode of the third season (1979–80 season) and 54th overall of the American television series "Dallas". It is the episode known for spawning the eight-month "Who shot J.R.?" hysteria. The episode ended with the mysterious shooting of J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) in his office by an assailant that would not be revealed until the following season. The episode served as both an introduction to the now common practice of season-ending cliffhangers and the beginning of an eight-month international media frenzy. The mystery was resolved in the fourth episode
Dallas (1978 TV series) during season 5. Actor Jim Davis, who played Jock, had died just after production had completed on season 4 in 1981. Bobby Ewing's death in the season 8 finale, alongside his subsequent absence during the following season, was explained away at the beginning of season 10 as a dream of Pamela Barnes Ewing, thus effectively erasing everything that had happened during season 9. Actor Patrick Duffy had left the series to pursue other opportunities, but due to declining ratings, he was convinced to return to the series by production company Lorimar as well as series star Larry Hagman. Jack Ewing