`BACK' TO ALL THE CAPTIVATING MURDER, DECEIT, SEX OF `KNOTS'.

After 14 years and more than 100 cast members, it's a wonder there are any tales left to tell about the yuppies on Seaview Circle in quiet little Knots Landing, Calif.

But that's not the case at all. There's plenty to fill a four-hour miniseries (9 p.m. today and Friday, KCBS). Actually, it seems as if at least half a season of murder, deceit and sex is jammed into the two-day affair officially known as ``Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac.''

People didn't change much in this little enclave, with the exception that time has been kind to them, and, amazingly, they look better. Gregory Sumner (William Devane) is still Teflon. He is into all sorts of dirty business, yet nothing sticks to him.

There are many in-jokes sprinkled throughout the show, which will be lost on those of you who missed out on the ``Knots'' era, which ran from 1979 until 1993. This is not a catch-up session for first-time viewers.

They, too, can enjoy the show, but will be on a totally different plane.

Everyone, however, will like the opening montage. It will bring back memories of a show to its fans and to a time gone by (fashions, hairstyles, etc.) to others.

Many suburban woes crop up. Mack (Kevin Dobson) and Karen (Michele Lee) are having marital problems, and there's the burden of telling their daughter that her real father is the evil Sumner. Mack and Sumner go head-to-head over the closing of a factory that will put tons of Knots citizens out of work. That story line ends in murder during a botched robbery.

Val (Joan Van Ark) and Gary (Ted Shackelford) have some issues as well. Gary meets his illegitimate daughter, and Val gets caught up with an alcoholic, lecherous screenwriting partner. Val neglects her family while working on a script, based on her previous kidnapping, and ends up pushing her partner to his death.

The stories wrap up neatly and nicely. Not to ruin the ending, but two of the main characters will be grandmothers by the next sequel, and by the closing credits, nothing happens that would prevent another happy reunion.

That, of course, is a good thing.

The show: ``Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac.''

The stars: Kevin Dobson, Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark, Ted Shackelford, William Devane.

When: 9 p.m. today and Friday.

The channel: KCBS (Channel 2).

Our grade: B.

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4 Photos

Photo: (1--4) Time has been kind to ``Knots Landing's'' Kevin Dobson and Michele Lee, top, before and after, and Ted Shackelford and Joan Van Ark, above, before and after. Amazingly, they all look better today.