Saying goodbye brings self-reflection on the season finale of Sweet Magnolias season 2.
Sweet Magnolias Season 2 Episode 10 ‘If Thou Wilt, Remember’
Written by Sheryl J. Anderson
Directed by Mary Lou Belli
The season finale of Sweet Magnolias season 2 raises new questions while bringing resolution to others. Let us take a closer look at how things panned out in episode 10.
Apology accepted
Ty sits in the coffee shop with the book that he and Cal are both reading this summer. Jackson arrives to place coffee orders for Annie and himself. Ty hears the order and knows the coffee is for Annie. Jackson sits down next to Ty while he waits for the order. He notices that Ty’s cast has been removed and apologizes for causing the injury.
Ty assures Jackson that it was an accident. They talk about baseball and how Ty may pursue other things. The coffee order is ready and Jackson says goodbye.
Ronnie and Dana Sue
Dana Sue officially welcomes Ronnie back into their home. She brings out his old truck and has it washed as a sign of her intentions. She wants him to have room to enjoy things that are important to him, like working on the truck. We also learn that woodworking is something Ronnie wants to pursue again. He has been working out of Skeeter’s workshop and reminisces with Ty about memories from when Ty and Annie were little kids.
Annie is clearly emotional about her parents’ reunion. She is happy but has reservations about what to expect as she explains to Jackson on a clandestine chat in the park. It is heartwarming to see Ronnie, Dana Sue and Annie hug as a family before leaving for Miss Frances’ funeral.
Surprises
The executor of Miss Frances’ will arrives at the spa and asks to speak with Dana Sue privately. Dana Sue receives a very large check from the estate. She is grateful but cannot make sense of why she is the recipient.
Noreen, Isaac and baby Rebecca visit with Collins at his home. He reveals that he was in love with Miss Frances but it was not reciprocated. They were, however, longtime friends. Collins speaks fondly of Miss Frances and we wonder what else we do not know about her.
Annie is accosted on the sidewalk by an unknown blonde woman. She asks if Annie is Dana Sue’s daughter and then makes a disparaging remark about both Annie and her mom. Later that evening, Ty shows Maddie the latest entry on the “serenity_secrets415” Instagram account. It shows the same mystery blonde woman puncturing the tire on the Sullivan’s delivery van. Maddie exclaims, “She’s back.”
Ty is surprised to learn that Trotter likes comics. They have something new in common. Husband Ashley tells Trotter that he is going to be a wonderful father.
Maddie is shocked when she learns that Bill is Isaac’s father. He insists it was before he and Maddie “got serious”, but what does that mean exactly? Were he and Maddie dating at all at the time? There seems to be a lot of debate among viewers about whether or not Bill was cheating on Maddie with Peggy. Either way, Maddie chooses to forgive Bill but tells him he is now on his own. Later at the reception, Maddie commends Peggy for being strong.
Friends again
Annie and Kyle watch as Ty tells his dad that he is no longer trying to play baseball in college. Bill is surprised but lends his support. Annie and Kyle gather around Ty. Ty expresses his gratitude for both Annie and his brother. Annie jokes that Ty and Kyle are “the brothers [she] never wanted”. The gang is back together, but will Ty and Annie forever just be friends?
If newcomer Lily has it her way, Ty will be interested in her. She offers her listening ear to Ty at the reception.
Mary Vaughn’s order
Mary Vaughn demands that both her children, Jackson and Nellie, stay away from the Townsend kids as well as Annie. She does not want them associating with anyone related to Dana Sue, Maddie and Helen, who championed the recall effort.
This puts quite a wrinkle in Jackson’s and Nellie’s romantic interests. Jackson and Annie have been getting to know each other all season and finally enjoyed their first official date. Jackson meets with Annie at the park after the memorial reception. He confirms that he has no intention of abiding by his mother’s order. Annie wants to continue seeing Jackson as well. We are left wondering how they will keep their relationship from Mary Vaughn.
Nellie and Kyle have just agreed that they like each other, but Mary Vaughn’s demand keeps them from even going on a first date. Nellie asks Kyle to meet her at “the kissing tree” and gives him the bad news that she will have to stay away from him. But she has something to give him before they part, their first kiss!
Mary Vaughn orchestrates some more bad news when she tells the school board about Cal’s assault and battery arrest from years ago. The school board takes a vote and Cal is fired.
Maddie and Cal
Maddie tries very hard to figure out what Mary Vaughn is threatening in regard to Cal. When she comes up with nothing of significance, her friends assume her motivation is all about Jackson’s role on the baseball team. But Maddie is not so sure. She probes further with Cal asking if there is something Mary Vaughn knows.
Cal finally shares his past struggles with anger management but insists that it is no longer a problem. He even admits that he participated in rehabilitation for the issue. So, Maddie feels betrayed when she learns of the assault and battery charge that gets Cal fired. She is hurt that Cal did not reveal the whole story to her himself.
Helen offers her legal assistance to Cal in regard to his firing. Cal is grateful. Maddie also continues to stand by Cal. She ends up getting another bad surprise at Sullivan’s after the reception, however.
The enthusiastic fan named Stu from the fundraiser in Charleston arrives at Sullivan’s. He charges into the kitchen insisting that he help Cal fight the termination by the school board. Cal politely but firmly tells Stu to stay out of it. Stu will not back down. Dana Sue calls the sheriff, angering Stu. Stu charges at Dana Sue, so Cal grabs him and drags him toward the front door. Stu still won’t let up. He calls upon Maddie to change Cal’s mind. When Stu approaches Maddie, Cal slugs him. The sheriff’s deputies arrive and pull Cal off of Stu, pulling him outside.
Maddie says someone needs to call Helen. Erik makes the call.
Helen and Erik? Helen and Ryan?
Of course, his aunt’s passing brings Ryan back to Serenity. Helen is trying to dodge any topics with him outside of preparations for the service. But Ryan won’t give up. He wants to talk relationship stuff with his ex. Ryan explains he has had some sort of epiphany and now does want to have children. You can see the heartache on Helen’s face when she hears these words. After Ryan leaves, she angrily shoves paperwork off the desk. Ryan’s timing is terrible, not to mention the fact that Helen just loss their child.
Helen remains steady with Erik, holding his hand as Ryan reads Miss Frances’ favorite poem at reception. She seems to be “with” Erik. Erik leaves to tend to the restaurant and Helen stays to lock up at the spa. As Helen closes the spa’s front door, she sees an incoming call from Erik, which we know is the call about Cal punching Stu.
Ryan walks up as Helen looks at her phone. He wants to speak with her insisting it will only take a moment, so Helen does not answer the phone. Ryan gets down on one knee and proposes to Helen. Helen is completely blindsided. The credits begin to roll.
The season finale of Sweet Magnolias season 2 was chock-full of romance, drama, intrigue and surprises. Hopefully, we will get a third season of the show to answer the many questions that remain!
What are your predictions about Ryan’s proposal? Will Cal be arrested? How does Ty really feel about Annie? Who is the mystery woman wreaking havoc for Dana Sue?
Thank you, Netflix, for allowing us to spend a fabulous second season in Serenity!
Stay tuned for our ongoing coverage of Sweet Magnolias with recaps, trivia and interviews!
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