After a calm episode, Sweet Magnolias 2×09 “Dear Heart” delivers the biggest blow in Season 2, as it confirms that Isaac’s father is none other than a Bill Townsend that, at this point, feels like the father of half the town. This, ironically, also leaves Bill the clear winner in the fight for worst-male character in this show, and there was a moment there when we thought he might have some competition.
From Ronnie, who cheated, to Ryan, who strung Helen along for a long, long time, to Trent, who is a bad Mayor and a bad father, there’s no doubt that Bill had competition. But there he is, always winning the hard contests by being absolutely the worst, every single time.
It’s even more glaring as the episode examines how much better everyone is without him. So, in the spirit of a life without Bill, let’s discuss the worst father in Serenity and why Helen is more than her hypothetical child as we discuss Sweet Magnolias 2×09 “Dear Heart”:
THE ACTUAL WORST

We haven’t spend much time this season talking about how Bill is the actual worst. This episode, despite the big reveal, didn’t have to be a list of reasons why he is. He, after all, didn’t know about Isaac, so he isn’t to blame for the decisions made in his stead. He should be judged, however, for the way he reacted afterwards, particularly the way he tried to dismiss Peggy.
But then again, that is Bill Townsend to a core. That’s who he’s proven to be. He might be interested in getting to know Isaac, just as he’s interested in being a part of Rebecca’s life, and he will probably be interested in his next kid, or the one after that, because at this point no one can convince me he isn’t just going for the baseball team. But he’s the kind of father that’s only there when it’s convenient for him.
He’s proven it with Ty, Kyle and Katie. He’s proven it with Rebecca. And I have no doubt he will prove it again with Isaac, because nothing about Bill has fundamentally changed. His kids are all out there, good people in spite of him, not because of him. And they’re getting the love and support they need and deserve from other people, all while he’s giving everyone “space” because that’s what easiest for him.
Everyone else is trying. And though I’ve made it very clear I’m not fan of Ronnie, in this one, I’ll take his side. There’s no one worse than Bill Townsend, and it’s not even close.
YOU ARE ENOUGH

As Helen’s efforts to have a baby have been centered, there’s one particular thing that has bothered me, something the show is smart enough to address in this episode. Helen’s single-minded commitment to getting what she wants is commendable, and I truly hope she gets to be a mother, because that’s the thing that would give her joy, but Helen’s journey is not every woman’s journey, and more importantly, it doesn’t have to be.
Helen isn’t valuable just because she might become a mother, because women are more than incubators. And whether things work out for Helen or not, it’s good that the show to make clear that her value lies in more than that possibility. Her friends haver her back, and they will support her in her journey. But they won’t let her reduce everything she is to whether she ends up having a kid or not.
Which, again, doesn’t mean Helen doesn’t get to make her own choices. To hell with that, and to hell with Ryan Wingate trying to come back after he decided to remove himself from her life. Helen Decatur will make her own choices, for herself, and whatever those choices are, they will be enough. Period.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Sweet Magnolias 2×09 “Dear Heart”? Share with us in the comments below!
Sweet Magnolias Season 2 is available to stream on Netflix.