In a television moment that forever altered the landscape of soap operas, Bobby Ewing made a shocking return from the dead on May 16th, 1986, in the season finale of Dallas’ ninth season. The previous season had concluded with Bobby, a beloved character played by Patrick Duffy, being killed in a hit-and-run accident. Audiences were left to mourn his loss. However, the ambiguity surrounding the circumstances of his death fuelled speculation about a potential return. The show’s creators capitalized on this by crafting a now-legendary scene where Bobby’s widow, Pamela, wakes up to find him alive and well in the shower. This audacious twist later revealed to be a dream Pamela had been having, became a pop culture phenomenon and sparked debates about storytelling techniques in television.
