Sue Ellen suffers post-partum depression and becomes disinterested in her newborn child. Meanwhile, Cliff claims that John Ross is his son.

When it is uncovered that Digger has a fatal genetic disorder, Cliff worries that he may have passed on the faulty gene to John Ross if indeed he is the father.

As Pam decides to not tell Bobby she's pregnant due to the family's genetic disorder, Val tries to convince Bobby to have Lucy meet with her.

Kristin begins to pursue J.R. romantically after he gives her a summer job in his office. Meanwhile, Bobby learns the truth that Pam is pregnant before she makes a decision about having an abortion due to the risk of genetic defect.

At the annual Ewing rodeo, Sue Ellen develops a crush on Dusty Farlow, a cowboy, and Digger uses the event to find time to see John Ross.

Miss Ellie worries that her marriage will fall apart when she believes she has breast cancer. Meanwhile, Sue Ellen has a fling with Dusty, the cowboy; and Alan furthers J.R.'s plan.

Lucy pursues Alan Beam. Pam confronts Bobby about trying to ruin Cliff and as she does so she inadvertently learns about J.R.'s oil deal in Asia.

J.R. must admit that Southfork may be threatened when Asian oil drilling is delayed by storms and his loan on the property is due.

Sue Ellen's continuing post-partum depression and avoidance of John Ross begins to create conflict among the family. Meanwhile, Jock must sell the Asian oil leases in order to keep Southfork.

Much to Kristin's surprise, J.R. convinces Alan to marry Lucy.

Digger admits to a reporter that Cliff is the father of John Ross. After the news breaks, a series of custody suits lead to a blood test that determines the paternity of John Ross once and for all.

Sue Ellen receives pressure from Dusty to leave J.R., which ultimately leads Sue Ellen to ask for a divorce. Meanwhile, Bobby and Pam's marriage is also on shaky ground due to Jenna's return.

J.R. tries to convince Alan and Lucy to relocate to Chicago, but Jock works to find Alan a law partnership in Dallas.

When J.R. learns that Sue Ellen is having him followed, he strikes back by stopping her from taking John Ross away from him by proving she is drinking again.

J.R. continues to try to strike a deal for his Asian oil and Pam sets out to find information on her mother who is believed to be dead.

Bobby and Pam leave Southfork. Meanwhile, J.R. is shot following the nationalization of the Asian oil wells which ends up ruining competing oil wells.

J.R., paralyzed after the shooting, undergoes further surgery to help save his life. While J.R. is in the hospital, Bobby takes over Ewing Oil for the time being. Meanwhile, Sue Ellen worries that she was the shooter as the police identify more suspects in the shooting.