Sweet Magnolias Season 4, Episode 10 ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ is both an ending and a beginning for a show that leaves things off mostly in a good place for everyone but that also sets up the new challenges—and adventures to come for these characters. There’s no neat bow on Sweet Magnolias that allows us to say, we’re fine if it ends this way. Instead, Sweet Magnolias delivers its best season yet, and then reminds us that the best is still to come. We don’t have to say goodbye to it yet.
Now, of course, we don’t know if Season 5 will be a reality. We’ll have to wait for the numbers for that. But the fact that Virgin River is still around bodes well for Sweet Magnolias, that show’s less outdoorsy and more friendship-centered cousin. And though a possible Season 5 looks like it might take us away from Serenity—at least for a bit—at least we know that the town will always be there to welcome us, and these characters, home.
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CLAIMING WHAT YOU DESERVE
One of the best moments of this finale is the way everyone is a cheerleader for Maddie, the type of character who has sacrificed time and time again for others. And it’s not just her friends, who are of course sad to think she’ll be moving so far away, but generally on her side, always. It’s her family, and most importantly, her new husband Cal. There’s no hesitation in Cal. No, “think about my new business.” Or, what about the kids? No, it will be hard, so you should think twice about it.
No, in fact, it’s Cal who has solutions for everything, Cal who keeps encouraging her to go for it, to try, not just because he believes in her, but because he knows how much she’s sacrificed for others before. And Cal Maddox didn’t sign up to be Bill Townsend 2.0. Instead, he signed up to be Maddie’s true partner, and that means encouraging her to make scary decisions.
“It’s never just the right time,” he tells her. And he’s right. Sometimes you gotta take the leap. Just like Ty did. Just like Anne is going to do. And that can be a lesson for Ronnie and Dana Sue as well as for Helen and Erik’s new life together. Whatever that leap might now look like going forward.
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THE THREE OF US WILL ALWAYS BE STRENGTH
What comes next feels a little bit like Elsa singing “Into the Unknown.” Because Maddie and her family are moving to NY. Ty is going on tour to Europe. Annie is, presumably, going with him for the summer—and then going to school, because despite Ty selfishly asking her to defer, that’s not what Annie wants. And I think deep down, Ty knows it. He just doesn’t want to be with Annie anymore. He loves her and he misses her and that’s understandable. But Annie is right. She cannot put her dreams on hold to pursue his. And he shouldn’t ask her to. That’s not love.
It’s a wrench, of course. But it’s a much better one to throw at them than what happens in their book, so hey, I’ll take it! Distance as an obstacle I can work with. Because distance will be the main obstacle for everyone in Season 5 if we get it. That, and the fact that everyone will be following their own dreams, and sometimes, those dreams might take them away from each other.
But the community and the family they’ve built, that remains. Nothing can change that. Nothing will. And if—when—they need it, it will be there. Just as it always has been. That’s what love means.
See you in Season 5, I hope!
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Sweet Magnolias Season 4, Episode 10 ‘Do Not Be Afraid? Share with us in the comments below!
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 is now available to stream on Netflix.
