Sweet Magnolias season 3 episode 8 opens with the aftermath of the vandalism at Sullivan’s.
Get the latest news for Sweet Magnolias with SERENITY SCOOP Volume S3E8 ‘Beat Me at My Own Game’.
Ronnie and the kitchen staff gather to help Dana Sue clean up Sullivan’s and resume operations before the town finds out. Ronnie points out that the destruction was planned. The cameras were off and there was no forced entry noted. Ronnie and Dana Sue believe it must be Kathy. Kathy was probably quite angry when she received Erik’s note about leaving Z’s.
Helen and CeCe return from their individual trips. Helen sees the note from Maddie. They begin texting again with each other and Dana Sue. They plan for Margarita Night at Maddie’s house. Finally!
Ronnie talks to Kathy and makes a bold choice so she will agree to leave town. The kids’ playground renewal project gets additional volunteers. Kyle meets with Nellie and receives disappointing news. Erik receives some shocking news from “loose lips” Jeremy.
Read on for more scoop on Sweet Magnolias season 3 episode 8.
Town Council Notes
The young people move forward with their plan to refurbish the Ashford Grove playground. It looks like CeCe, Annie and Ty are all on board to help, too. And they plan to come up with a theme for the playground. I’m intrigued! We’ve come a long way when you compare these three volunteering together versus the awkwardness of mock trial in season 1.
Pastor June gives Maddie feedback about the foundation’s proposal planned for the interfaith council about assisting with food insecurity in Serenity.
Small Town Life
The Bixby’s home renovation is wrapping up in preparation for Mr. Bixby’s return home. He will be using a wheelchair so the ramp, bathroom changes and other features will be very helpful. It’s nice to see results for the foundation’s first beneficiary.
Jeremy and his jams are back at the outdoor market. First, we see him talking to Helen about ways he can help with the foundation’s food insecurity relief effort. Jeremy is anxious to help and excited for leftover produce go to good use. After all, even the produce that’s not so pretty is still very nutritious.
Well, it is a small town, so it’s no surprise that Helen and Erik bump into each other at the market. It’s awkward, but they say it’s good to see each other. Erik then makes his way over to Jeremy’s booth. Jeremy congratulates Erik on ending his working relationship with Kathy. Jeremy believes she is bad news and then mentions her being Ronnie’s sister, Dana Sue’s sister-in-law. Erik is stunned. He had no idea.
It’s all “relative”
Ronnie and Kathy meet at the park. Ronnie approaches Kathy about the vandalism. She will not confess to doing it, but it is pretty clear since they used a code word “Trish” for “Patricia” growing up. The destruction at Sullivan’s was marked with the name “Trish” on a door.
Kathy talks more about being the rightful owner of Sullivan’s. We learn that Miss Frances suggested to the lender that Kathy was not very responsible financially. Kathy blames Miss Frances for not being able to purchase the restaurant all those years ago. She condemns Ronnie and says he does not act how he was taught in their family. He tells her that he made changes for the better when he married Dana Sue and started his family.
It looks like they will continue to be at odds. But Kathy says she will leave town under certain conditions. Yep, she wants money, and Ronnie gives her money from Miss Frances’ estate.
Trotter meets with Maddie about some life-changing news. His college mentor has fallen very ill, probably terminally, and he needs someone he trusts to care for his grandchildren whom he has been raising on his own. Trotter and Ashley will leave and care for the kids and perhaps even become their legal guardians. Trotter confides in Maddie about this being an unexpected development with his and Ashley’s adoption plans. But they will go where needed. Maddie pledges her prayers and support.
Margarita Chatter
Margarita Night is back, baby! I’m not sure how much more my heart could take.
The Sweet Magnolias gather at Maddie’s house for Margarita Night. Each one talks about how they could have handled things differently. They are learning and growing stronger as best friends. It is not long before they are all sitting on the same couch holding hands. Dana Sue even breaks down in tears at one point because she is so thankful that they are together again.
They share updates with each other. Helen tells them she does not plan to reach out to Erik anytime soon. She does not feel it is fair to assume he will want to pick up where things left off. Maddie is trying so hard to not try to fix things that Helen has to tell her to stop “tiptoeing”. It’s pretty funny. Dana Sue talks about her renewal ceremony and how her and Ronnie’s ideas keep getting bigger and more costly. They decide to plan a dress shopping trip to Charleston.
Counseling Corner
When Ty talks about his difficulty with statistics class, brother Kyle tells him how helpful his study group is. This gives Ty an idea. Ty finds Olivia at the coffee shop and asks her to be his tutor. She obliges for the price of coffee and a snack. Olivia also gives Ty a hard time about always talking flirtatiously. She suggests he may need a tutor to help him talk to girls as friends. Olivia wants to be friends with him.
Isaac asks Noreen about any contractual arrangements she has with Bill about Rebecca. Noreen says they do not have a formal agreement, but Bill has pledged financial support. Isaac is concerned for Noreen and Bex’s well-being. Noreen is thankful for his friendship.
Dana Sue returns home so happy from Margarita Night with her friends. She talks to Ronnie on the porch and learns that he gave Kathy money from the inheritance so she would leave town. Dana Sue does not like this, but they talk openly, and Dana Sue recognizes that Ronnie is trying to help his family by sacrificing the funds. It looks like all that counseling with Pastor June is paying off.
Isaac talks to Annie about being grounded. He shares his experience about being grounded for sneaking out of his house when he was a freshman in high school. He learned that his parents were trying to take care of him by helping him learn from his mistakes. Annie understands what he is saying, but it still feels like forever before she will get her phone and privileges back.
Romance Review
Ronnie, Cal and Skeeter surprise Dana Sue at work wearing tuxedos they are considering for the renewal ceremony. Dana Sue is unable to share in their excitement because she realizes that giving money to Kathy will negatively impact their ability to plan all they want for their renewal ceremony.
Cal and Maddie are feeling “spicy” about taking a tango class together.
Erik and Genevieve continue to spend time together. They are playing pool when Erik wants to understand if they are on a date. Genevieve teases him about needing to qualify their relationship, but he just wants to ask her on a date if this is not one.
While Ty and Annie are not romantically linked (I’m still hopeful!), they share a strong history of friendship. Ty stops by her house while she is grounded since she cannot use her phone. He pulls out 2 plastic cups with string like they used as kids to talk on the “phone” and they share some laughs. He is happy that Annie smiles.
Kyle is not happy after meeting with Nellie. He believes the flowers left at his door were from her. She says they are not. Also, she has not received the letters he has written to her. They are both confused. Nellie thinks they broke up the night they kissed by the kissing tree. She even has a boyfriend. Kyle thinks they have been pining for each other all along. Kyle looks so sad.
Bill and Kathy come to a crossroads when she tells him she is leaving town with a recent windfall of cash. She wants them to make a “fresh start”. Bill does not accept her request for him to join her. He speaks of his comittment to his kids and helping their moms support them. He is trying to make changes for the better.
Mystery Musings
Will Kathy be gone for good?
What is the status of Erik and Genevieve’s relationship? Could he get really serious with someone else knowing that Helen is no longer with Ryan? Genevieve seems cool, but you will never be able to wrench that #TeamErikHelen t-shirt from my hands.
Will Ronnie and Dana Sue be able to have the renewal ceremony they long for now that funds have decreased?
As always, so many questions in Sweet Magnolias!
Watch for our next edition of ‘Serenity Scoop’ for S3E9.
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