Sweet Magnolias Season 4, Episode 6 ‘Ring That Bell’ is about literally that, going for things. Ringing the bell, and not looking back once it’s rung. That applies to Helen and Erik, who seem to be finally taking that step forward into the relationship they always wanted, but also to Ronnie, who seems to be… eh, let’s say finding his passions. Yes, that’s a nice way to put it.
This hour, however, is also about the ways we help and the toll helping takes on us. When we’re looking out for others, it’s sometimes easy to forget to look out for ourselves. Cal finds himself in that position in this ‘Ring That Bell’, mostly because he is so focused on getting everything perfect that he cannot even think about the fact that he needs to take care of himself too. For Cal, Cal has never been a priority. So he doesn’t know how to make himself one now.
But he’s got a family, and that’s part of the journey now… learning that part of caring about them is caring about yourself because they care about you. Who would have thought?
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A NICE BEGINNING
It was nice to hear Helen and Erik did at least some talking after that kiss at the end of the last episode, because the truth is that the spice Helen was referring to has never been missing from their relationship. Hilariously, at some point, Helen thought the relationship she had with Ryan Wingate was way spicier than the one she had with Erik, but that only proves that Helen isn’t always right, even if she wants to think she is. Because what she had with Ryan Wingate was always more nostalgia than anything. That and Helen’s desire to be right playing against her.
And as Maddie has proven, you can find another—better—love later in life. You don’t have to settle for the one you met young. So, to see Helen embracing not just her feelings for Erik, which were always about safety and companionship and a sense of belonging, but also the passion that the two of them always exuded, is a good thing. It’s proof that this time if the two of them communicate and keep that spark alive, they can make that relationship work. And no, love isn’t a cure-all.
Both Erik and Helen still have the issues they need to work on separately. But love can be both a balm and a motivation to get better, that’s for sure.
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WE CONTINUE TO GROW (EVEN IN THE HARD TIMES)
This hour was also about Serenity, and about how the way this town is and has always been throughout for seasons is so hard to process for people on the outside. And yet, Serenity might be a fictional town, but it’s a lot like a lot of small towns—people really and truly take care of each other. And in this hour, Serenity had in Maddie the perfect town spokeswoman to express that.
She might think putting that into words isn’t important. That talking isn’t a skill. But Maddie could not be further from the truth. So many people have gotten farther than perhaps they should be because they can communicate, and so many people haven’t succeeded in the way they deserve because they don’t. Having the ability to communicate what you’re thinking, feeling, and almost as importantly, what you and the people around you need, is a skill. And Maddie might not be a politician, but she is a skillful communicator. That’s partly what makes her such a good author, too. You gotta know how to get the message across. And it seems like Serenity will need her to get through the hard days ahead. And she, well, she will need her words if she wants to help make this town, and her family, the best version of themselves.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Sweet Magnolias Season 4, Episode 6 ‘Ring That Bell’? Share with us in the comments below!
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 is now available to stream on Netflix.
