With the help of Miss Ellie, J.R. gains entry to the ranch domain of Clayton Farlow. In order to see John Ross, J.R. cons his mother into letting him accompany her to the Southern Cross and then tries to use her as a shield to snatch his son and return to Southfork. Back in Dallas, Afton helps her brother, Mitch, celebrate his graduation from medical school while Lucy struggles desperately to find ways of salvaging her marriage to him.