Sweet Magnolias 2×04 “Walk of Faith” is about coming out at the end of a dark road and finding there’s still a chance. There’s still hope. After a really, really hard episode, Sweet Magnolias delivers the kind of soothing hour that can almost be forgiven for doing very little to advance the general plot of the season because character wise, it does so much, sets up so much.
From Annie and Ty finally talking to each other, to our main three continuing to be the rock that makes this show work, without forgetting the Kyle breakthrough we were starting to believe would never come. And it all feels good, feels organic, and most importantly, feels like what this show has always been – comforting.
So let’s talk about Kyle and the benefits of therapy – and people – Helen and what the show is setting up with Erik, and both Dana Sue and Maddie making some decisions that have to do with the men in their lives, as we discuss Sweet Magnolias 2×04 “Walk of Faith”:
A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE GOES A LONG WAY
Kyle has a breakthrough this episode, a real one, and it feels so good to see that, just like Maddie and Ty do, it’s easy to put aside the fact that, up to this point, Kyle had been anything but likable. Because he’s a kid, and he’s been feeling alone. No, he’s been feeling abandoned. Like he didn’t matter. LIke people always left him, so perhaps it was best he pushed them away first.
And it took some therapy, and yes, Noreen showing up, but Kyle finally managed to push through the fog. That’s nothing but a good thing. We didn’t want to see Kyle suffering, and we didn’t want to see the people around him suffering. And as hard as it is to like Noreen at times, considering our allegiance is to Maddie, a part of us was even glad she was there this hour. Doesn’t mean we – or Maddie – can or should forgive her. But it does mean that we can acknowledge that people, at the end of the day, aren’t black and white. They’re shades of gray.
Perhaps that’s how we have to see these people’s relationships going forward, too. Ty and Annie, for one, find some middle ground in this episode, but that doesn’t mean they’re back to where they were. It’s gonna take a while. But a first step is better than nothing, and Ty took that this episode. Annie reciprocated. The rest …well, it’s bound to be better than what we’ve seen so far.
RIGHT NOW ALL I CAN EXPRESS IS GRATITUDE
Erik has never been exactly subtle in his interest, so it’s a good thing to see Helen both pick up on it this episode, and comment on it. That her comment is something along the lines of she isn’t ready right now isn’t a problem. Of course she isn’t. No one expects her to be, much less Erik. He’s just being a kind, caring person. They have time for more.
And boy, I hope they get everything Helen couldn’t get with Ryan, everything Ryan didn’t want. Helen has always deserved better than a man who wouldn’t show up for her, a man who would never make her a priority. And right now, what she needs is time, the loving embrace of her friends and the patience of a man who can absolutely be her future.
We knew this is where the show was going from Season 1, but I’m glad they’ve made it crystal clear in Sweet Magnolias 2×04 “Walk of Faith” that we don’t need to even think about Ryan anymore. We’ll take awkward conversations with Erik for a while. We can enjoy the slow-burn too.
ROMANTIC ISSUES
Maddie and Cal have run into some “issues” in Sweet Magnolias 2×04 “Walk of Faith,” and I hesitate to call them issues because they’re just things that happen as you get to know someone better. So, Cal has lost his temper a bit. He hasn’t really done anything that’s crossed a line for me, but it’s understandable that Maddie would be concerned. Even as a viewer, we’re all a little concerned. But storytelling wise, that’s a good thing.
Because it means we’re seeing more of Cal. He’s not just a one-dimensional love interest anymore. He’s getting flaws, and he’s working through them, and he’s apologizing, and we’re seeing him as more than just Maddie’s boyfriend. That will only strengthen their relationship in the long run, and it’s honestly what we should be seeing with Ronnie if he’s supposed to be the one for Dana Sue. And, considering how things sort of ended with Jeremy, I assume he is.
Look, Annie’s outburst aside – and honestly, she and her mom need a good long talk – I’m not at all sold on Ronnie. I’m not sure I would be more sold if I learned the full story, but I know there’s absolutely no way I will be if the man doesn’t get any backstory. Cheating storylines are never it for me, but this is the worst kind of cheating storyline, as they still haven’t explained the reasons why he cheated, the reasons that he left, or the reasons why he came back.
Without those, I can’t root for Ronnie. Without those, Jeremy looked like a much better choice, one Dana Sue just pushed away so she could be messy with Ronnie. And I don’t get it. I really don’t.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Sweet Magnolias 2×04 “Walk of Faith”? Share with us in the comments below.
Sweet Magnolias season 2 is available to stream on Netflix.