This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, Sweet Magnolias wouldn’t exist. We stand with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
Sweet Magnolias 3×08 “Somebody I’m Longing to See” is an episode of coming back and rebuilding foundations, for the older generation and the younger one. The Magnolias finally come back together, just the way we wanted them to, and many apologies are exchanged, just the way it should be – there is balance in Serenity once more! – but they are not the only ones finding their groove once again. The younger generation is also rebuilding their foundation, finding where they stand, and, perhaps, even realizing that the places they stood before can be firmer …if they move a little one to the side.
You don’t have to remain static, and this is true when you’re young, and even when you’re a bit older. Change can be a good thing. It’s never too late to learn and to get better, and in Serenity, it’s never too learn to find the people who can help you become the best version of yourself. Let us talk about that as we discuss Sweet Magnolias 3×08 “Somebody I’m Longing to See”:
YOUR CONCERNS WERE VALID
The Magnolias make us and it all starts with Helen saying the thing she had to say, which is that her friends were right. Their concerns were valid, and she was too stubborn to hear them. She wanted to hang onto the fantasy because facing reality was too hard. But Sweet Magnolias 3×08 “Somebody I’m Longing to See” gives us back the Helen Decatur we all know and love, and boy, have we missed her. There’s even a different air around her as she walks around Serenity, as she hugs her friends, as she runs into Erik. All that wasted time on that boy that was never gonna do her right.
But it’s not just Helen that learned a lesson, it’s Maddie and Dana Sue too. Even though, again, I don’t think Maddie was truly in the wrong here, she learned that she can’t fix other people in her time, and Dana Sue learned that she can’t demand peace without putting in the work first. Those are all good lessons that won’t just make her better friends with each other, but will make her a better person in general, and will serve them well in every one of their other relationships.
CHANGE CAN BE GOOD
This episode was also a good example of how the Magnolias, for better or worse, impact the younger generation. We’ve seen who CeCe is now, and a lot of that has to d with Helen. And we’ve seen who Annie is, and a lot of that is Dana Sue. And Ty is so much Maddie. And those are the kids going out there, setting an example, becoming friends, the ones who will carry on the legacy of what Serenity is now and what it can become for a new generation.
And Annie and Ty, well …seeing them smiling at each other, re-establishing the boundaries of their friendship, is perfection because that’s what Annie needs now. A friend. And seeing CeCe discover that she can actually be friends with Annie, despite what she thought, that’s amazing too. We are often so caught up in this idea of what we think other people are that we can’t see past that and let ourselves discover what they actually are outside of preconceptions. And hey, maybe Annie can find the friends her mom did – the sisters she wanted.
Things I think I think:
- Of course it was Kathy. Of course.
- Why are you leaving, Trotter? I can’t imagine Serenity without you, Trotter.
- Helen had to take the first step.
- Cal and Ronnie kinda works too.
- You should be the sorriest of all, Helen.
- Everyone should be taking responsibility here, yes.
- You could have picked up the phone, Dana Sue. You could have.
- At least Helen is being respectful of Erik’s feelings.
- I mean, I get Ronnie, but also …eh, Kathy can go to hell.
- THE CHEMISTRY between Helen and Erik. All the wasted time on Ryan, I’m so mad.
- I cannot believe it took until episode eight for someone to tell Erik about Kathy.
- Ty and Annie have had the sweetest moments his season, I swear.
- Okay, tango. I dig it.
- I mean, Ronnie, you clearly should have known. Also, that white suit is horrible.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Sweet Magnolias 3×08 “Somebody I’m Longing to See”? Share with us in the comments below!
Sweet Magnolias Season 3 is now available to stream on Netflix.
