"Trial and Error" started off showing us Ann Ewing's strong side, but will she be able to maintain that bravado when she's behind prison bars?

Not much was better than watching Annie walked determinedly into the police station with socked feet, slam her blood-splattered boots on the counter and tell the officer, "My name is Ann Ewing and I shot Harris Ryland."

We finally learned a lot about Ann's past and how she ended up with someone as vile as Ryland. Poor Ann was a shy, awkward girl whose mother actually brought her to a doctor to ask them to make her stop growing because she considered her too tall. That would mess with anyone's body image and self esteem.

So when Ryland came along and saw something special she fell head over heels. If only his crazy momma hadn't shown up. Judith Ryland was quite a piece of work as she spewed venom in this Dallas quote…

Some people shouldn't have goldfish, let alone children. | permalink

If only she had taken her own advice. Perhaps we've seen some clues as to why Harris' father committed suicide.  

Speaking of Harris, if the bullet had been just one centimeter closer to his heart, it would have killed him. If only Annie had emptied the clip instead of taking just one shot.

I loved that they didn't drag the trial out the way they would have in the old days. Soap trials bore me. This one was fast paced and revealed everything we needed to know inside of one episode. Well done.

J.R. and John Ross were once again on the outs, as Cliff gleefully told J.R. that his son had ratted out his alliance with Frank. Like J.R. told Sue Ellen…

For the life of me I can't think of one sensible reason for our boy to go and seek favor from that bitter old bastard. | permalink

Perhaps it was his growing feelings for Pamela? Thankfully, J.R. and John Ross have Sue Ellen around to referee their fights. For all of the Ewing treachery, they really do have a heart warming family dynamic.

J.R. wasn't kidding about Cliff being a bitter old bastard. Despite J.R.'s scheming and manipulations, I always feel that he truly loves his son. I don't feel that from Cliff at all.  

When he told Pamela "perhaps I should have paid more attention to you over the years because now you're desperately looking for love from men who can only use you," all I could think was: Perhaps?!? He practically ignored his daughter all of these years and now he only seems to acknowledge her because she's his best way to screw over J.R. and the Ewings. 

Cliff's heart was always two sizes too small but it may be disappearing all together as he ages.

A few side notes…

• Hallelujah! Pamela is finally showing. It's certainly about time.
• Judith Light is so creepy as the grandma with the iron fist.  Maybe Ann should have shot her?
• Christopher seemed so sure that the jury would acquit Ann. He really is naive.
• First Elena, now Pamela. John Ross keeps getting rejected by the women he cares about. That's got to hurt.
• Was anyone else bored by Drew's story. I'm hoping they send him on his way after he makes his trouble for Elena.

With Ann on her way to jail and Vincente on his way out, what Hell awaits the Ewings on the next Dallas.

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.