El Pozolero tests his rivaling lieutenants' loyalty after Luis accuses Nicolas of being a softy and claims to be the better businessman due to ruthlessness, demanding he executes the Ewing hostage, but the arrival of Mexican troops ends the deadly stalemate. John Ross returns home the hero, yet finds Pamela in bed with Nasir and in cahoots to steal Ewing Oil without him, only to be overruled by the US Treasury in favor in Bobby and Sue Ellen, who also exclude him. So he forges a vindictive alliance with Judith Ryland, against whom he has brothel blackmail material, getting her the railroad Commissioner post to sabotage the Ewing usurpers, and orders Bum to seek a mystery relative revealed by grateful Emma. Nicolas completely loses Elena, probably to Christopher, after the sheriff reports Drew was murdered by cartel men, yet trusts a delayed ace while he moves to Mexico to bloodily take over the partially jailed cartel.
—KGF Vissers