"Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac" (1997) TV mini-series

Director:

Bill Corcoran

Writers (WGA):

Ann Marcus (written by) &
Lisa Seidman (written by) ...

Release Date:

7 May 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Sequel | Small Town | Family Relationships | Soap | Marriage

Cast

William Devane	...	Gregory 'Greg' Sumner
Kevin Dobson	...	Mack MacKenzie
Michele Lee	...	Karen MacKenzie
Donna Mills	...	Abby Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner
Ted Shackelford	...	Gary Ewing
Joan Van Ark	...	Valene 'Val' Ewing
Michelle Phillips	...	Anne Matheson Sumner
Stacy Galina	...	Kate Whittaker
Brian Austin Green	...	Brian Cunningham
Joseph Cousins	...	Bobby Ewing
Emily Ann Lloyd	...	Betsy Ewing
Francesca Smith	...	Meg MacKenzie
John Laughlin	...	Robert Simons
Michael Woods	...	Clay McKinney
Victoria Ann Lewis	...	Peggy

Runtime:

240 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Simi Valley, California, USA

Company:

MF Productions

Movie Connections:

Follows "Knots Landing" (1979)

Overall a disappointment

I liked seeing the cast return: Michele Lee, Kevin Dobson, Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark, William Devane, Michelle Phillips, Ted Shackelford. What I didn't like was their feeling it necessary to bring back one of the most annoying characters Kate Whitaker (Stacy Galina) and come back with Gary's toddler in tow (apparently she and Gary threw caution to the wind). She was really aggravating and was pushing Gary to be a family with her and little Molly despite having a hunk Brian Austin Green (Brian Cunningham) waiting in the wings, pining for her. The writers should have not had her return at all. If they had to have a grating character and wanted to go all the way, why didn't they have Vanessa Hunt return? The producers should have looked elsewhere notably Doug Sheehan and Lisa Hartman to return (Ben and Cathy could have found each other and returned to the cul de sac a married couple).

Anne Matheson (Michelle Phillips) didn't have much to do and Nicholette Sheridan (Paige) only returned for what amounted to a cameo appearance. Big disappointment--it would have been great to see her married to Greg, settled down and with a couple of children. I was hoping that more airtime would have been given to Tonya Crowe, Abby's daughter. We didn't get any explanation about why her marriage to Harold broke up.

It was good though to see Val, Gary, Mac, Karen and Greg back and Abby was back to her scheming ways. If I had written this I never would have included Kate and given the "old timers" more of an opportunity to shine.