The events of Sweet Magnolias season 2 episode 4 threaten Cal’s career.
Sweet Magnolias Season 2 Episode 4
“Walk of Faith”
Written by: Caron Tschampion
Directed by: Mykelti Williamson
Erik supports Helen in her healing process while Maddie takes the lead on a mysterious town infrastructure issue. Dana Sue makes a difficult decision after Annie confronts her about fairness.
Kyle finally opens up to his mom and Ty finally schedules a date with Cece. Meanwhile, Cal faces the wrath of the community at a pivotal school board meeting.
Let’s take a closer look at the ups and downs of Sweet Magnolias season 2 episode 4.
No pain, no gain
Helen, Dana Sue, and Maddie finish a challenge workout with Trotter. As they cool down, Maddie notices a work crew outside the spa digging holes. Trotter goes to check it out.
Meanwhile, the ladies catch up on Helen’s recuperation plus the surprising events of the night prior. Jaws drop when Dana Sue talks about her passionate porch kiss with Ronnie. As if that were not enough of a surprise, Maddie drops the news that Noreen was on her porch last night consoling Kyle.
Trotter returns with news about the work crew. The workers are setting up 1-hour parking, presumably with meters. Plus, now it seems they only have 21 days to put a parking solution into action, not just come up with one. Maddie will probe further.
Everyone leaves
Kyle is at the house talking to therapist Ashley. Kyle offers Ashley permission to leave.
When Ashley asks why he would go, Kyle says, “Everyone leaves . . . eventually.”
Ashley offers to discuss this further, but Kyle claims what he has to say would be wrong, or worse, crazy. Ashley reminds Kyle he is there to listen and not pass judgement.
Special delivery
Helen and Cece are talking about work when Cece receives a text from Ty. She says she needs to go take her siblings to their next event and offers to bring lunch back for Helen. But there’s no need as Erik walks in with a meal for Helen.
Helen thanks Erik for the meal and tells him that is all she can give at this time. We assume she means from an emotional perspective. Erik is fine with that and offers to bring dinner, too, if she needs it.
Zoning mysteries
As promised, Maddie goes to the zoning office to inquire about the parking issue. Friendly government worker, Zoila, pulls up the matter on her computer. She confirms that Maddie’s business is responsible for providing parking for her patrons. Otherwise, the spa clients will have to pay via parking meters that can disrupt their spa services.
Maddie probes further because this parking issue was never raised when the ladies first completed their zoning application for the spa. Zoila thinks that is strange as well. Interestingly, Zoila finds that a commercially zoned property sits behind the spa. Maybe Maddie can buy it and build a parking lot.
Maddie is confused because that lot was previously residential, and she had been told things would remain residential in the area. Zoila gives the name of the company who purchased the property, Fast Molasses LLC. Once again, there appears to be more to the story.
School board woes
As baseball camp ends for the day, Harlan asks Cal to write a letter of recommendation for him. Cal is confused. Why would Harlan want to leave the Bulldogs? The assistant coach explains that it’s obvious that someone is getting canned at the school board meeting that night. Harlan assumes it will be him because he does not have professional baseball player on his resume.
Cal still cannot believe that the school board would take such severe action when even making it to State was a feat that had not been accomplished for a long time in Serenity. But Harlan is still convinced that action will be taken because they did not actually win.
Deciding vote
Sure enough, there is a vote on the agenda for dismissing one of the coaches. But it’s not Harlan, it’s Cal. The meeting attendees start to become unruly criticizing Cal and suggesting he favored Ty because of his interest in Maddie.
The vote is tied at 3-3 with only Mary Vaughn left to vote. One might think she would bring down the hammer and vote Cal out. On the contrary, she votes to keep Cal on staff. With his fate in her hands, she will use this vote to keep Cal under her thumb. She can now make whatever demands she pleases, like insisting that Jackson be the pitcher again at State.
Cal in defeat
Even with is job still secure, Cal feels completely defeated by Mary Vaughn’s machinations. Maddie tries to be supportive of Cal. He tells her he needs her to be truthful to which she responds that she always is.
Cal seems extra agitated and again says he must have the truth from her because his ex-wife Victoria was not honest. Maddie looks a little taken aback, and Cal apologizes.
Surprise
Earlier in the day, Cece sneaks up behind Ty as he escorts Katie to music camp. Ty is pleasantly surprised, and they plan a time for a date. Ty explains that he had been slow to set up anything, but he calls he felt weird trying to fit into her busy schedule.
Later that evening, Ty and Cece enjoy a walk in the park. Cece tells him how she never expected to be working for Helen, but she loves it. She assumes Ty must always have known his dream of being a baseball player.
Another day at music camp, the group is treated to a sweet duet of “Rainbow Connection” with both Katie and Ty on guitar. Ty plays the chords while Katie strums and they both sing. Cece smiles from across the group and the campers applaud their performance.
Roommate woes
Isaac talks to Erik at the restaurant and describes the latest person interviewing to be his housemate. The fellow not only has a chicken but lets the chicken sleep in his bed. Erik is amused and suggests Airbnb as an option for Isaac renting out the extra room.
Isaac goes to get some eggs and Erik sees Noreen walking up to the kitchen window. He gives her a friendly greeting and asks about her pregnancy. We learn that Noreen has about 3.5 more weeks to go before the baby arrives.
Noreen is there to pick up a chicken pot pie. She believes that will soothe her after a long car ride and bad mattress at the motel.
Fast Molasses LLC
Maddie goes to Helen’s office to inquire about the company who purchased the lot behind the spa. Who is Fast Molasses LLC? Helen is not there, but Cece offers to do a search for Maddie. Unfortunately, the search does not return anything, but Cece says the company may have been established outside of South Carolina.
Cece will continue to look for more information. Maddie appears impressed with Cece’s help and the teenager is pleased.
Another day, Zoila visits Maddie at the spa with some more information. Zoila shares that the lot behind the spa was rezoned as commercial not long before Ms. Frances’ house was rezoned for the spa business. Both ladies agree that the timing of the change is suspect.
Just as Cece had trouble finding information about the company who bought it, Zoila, too, is having trouble finding specifics. She will keep trying, though, and keep her assistance on the downlow.
Awkward
Annie is bussing tables when Ty arrives to pick up parfaits for the spa café. He and Annie share a bit of an awkward exchange asking each other how they are doing. They both admit they are sorry they did not message one another after the night at the hospital, both suggesting they were not sure what to say.
Back in the kitchen farmer Jeremy delivers some tomatoes. He asks Dana Sue out for another date. She hesitates, saying she has a lot of paperwork. He assures her that he can wait for any paperwork that may be related to their business together. She says she will call him. Then she pulls him in for a long kiss.
Annie walks into the kitchen as they are kissing and looks horrified. Jeremy leaves and Annie confronts her mom about what is going on between her and Jeremy. Dana Sue replies that she does not have to share that with Annie. Then Annie points out that it is not fair to anyone if she is not being open about everything with their family and even Jeremy for that matter.
Visibly upset, Annie rushes out of the restaurant and bumps into Jackson on the sidewalk. He asks her what is going but she only shares that “it’s complicated”.
Falling into the truth
Maddie and Cal bring Kyle home from getting his crutches. He is just learning to use them and tries to navigate the steps to their front door. He makes it up the stairs but then falls on the porch. Maddie chuckles not meaning any harm. Kyle does not get up. Instead, she hears him crying.
Kyle explains that physically he is alright, but he pours out his feelings about and apologizes to his mom. He tells her he has felt “angry and invisible and twisted”. Maddie also sheds tears and tells him how much she loves him and who he is. She pledges to make sure he understands how much is loved. He confirms that he does feel loved, and they hug.
Conversations
Howie talks to Helen at her house. He tells her there is no evidence suggesting any problem with her trying to get pregnant. She confirms she wants to proceed and plans to go for an appointment with Howie’s friend in Charleston, Dr. Ringle.
Just as Helen proceeds with the healing process, Erik is doing the same. He has a talk with Vernon who leads the PTSD group at the VFW. They talk about Eric feeling “alive” again even though it makes him feel vulnerable.
At the gazebo, Maddie meets with Noreen. She thanks her for caring for Kyle and being available to him when he needed someone to talk to. She does, however, make it clear that Noreen cannot come over unannounced. Noreen apologizes for all the pain she has caused Maddie and praises her children who will be siblings to her own child.
A gift for Erik
Helen stops by the Sullivan’s kitchen to give Erik a gift. Erik is pleased to learn that Helen made her own lunch today, one more step in returning to her routine.
The gift is poetry book that Helen received from her mother when Helen’s father passed away. It was helpful to her healing process then just as Erik has been so helpful to her now. Erik reminds her that she owes him nothing for caring about her.
Isaac thought she might be coming to see him, but she assures him they will talk more. She encourages Isaac saying, “There are more roads than roadblocks.”
Helen tells Erik to “have a lovely day”, to which he responds, “You’ve seen to that, Helen.”
I almost envision heart emojis popping up on the screen at this sweet exchange!
Brotherly yoga
In a scene that rivals the older guys on the basketball court, Ty brings Kyle to a yoga session with Trotter. Trotter believes the yoga will help with pain.
Ty does not plan to stay, but Trotter convinces him otherwise. What ensues is a hilarious exchange of laughter and the brothers teasing one another. Stinky breath, stinky feet, they have it covered! Perhaps the funniest part is when Kyle loses his balance, sitting down, mind you. They both cackle as Ty tells Kyle, “Only you could fall off your own butt!”
Trotter cannot help but smile. This may not be the calming session he planned for, but it certainly did wonders for the brothers. Then again, maybe Trotter had that in mind all along?
Credit: Netflix
Margarita Night
Noreen goes to Sullivan’s for food while the magnolias have Margarita Night at Maddie’s house.
Isaac talks to Noreen when she picks up her food. She tells him how tired she is because the people in the motel room next to hers make a lot of noise. Hmm.
Isaac reaches out in the spirit of community and offers Noreen the empty room at his house while she is there. He points out that she can use the kitchen there and not have to order out every night. She appreciates his offer and will give it some thought.
Meanwhile at Maddie’s house, the three friends share updates, starting with Dana Sue who explains that Annie caught her kissing Jeremy. The friends wonder how this impacts things with Ronnie. Dana Sue admits that she hasn’t talked to Ronnie about their own smooch on the porch.
Maddie shares the progress that Kyle is making and announces that Bill wants to chat with her. She also talks about Cal’s trouble handling Mary Vaughn’s hold over him and his job. All three ladies sound concerned about seeing glimpses of Cal’s temper.
Helen confirms that she is ready to proceed with trying to get pregnant on her own and that includes leaving Ryan behind.
A makeup and a break-up
Well, it’s more of an apology than making up. Cal brings Maddie cookies and says he sorry about having a little bit of a short fuse after the school board meeting. He says whatever happens with his future, he wants her to be part of it.
Things are less happy at the town square. Jeremy meets Dana Sue there. When he leans in for a kiss, she pulls away. He realizes that she is letting him go. Dana Sue feels bad and confirms that she will still be doing business with him. She explains that Ronnie being back in town changes things. Jeremy is visibly disappointed.
An aha moment
Isaac and Helen meet with Pastor June at the church. They look at the Bible passages highlighted by Isaac’s biological mother. One verse in particular, John 8:32, makes Helen think of something. She tells Isaac that she knows where they need to look next.
Serenity Soundbites:
- Describing Mary Vaughn’s history of meddling, Maddie tells Cal, “That woman has been whipping up cream since childhood. Do not mistake yourself for the cow.”
- Jeremy shares advice with Dana Sue after she breaks things off with him. He advises that “grass is always greener where you water it.” He goes on to say, “Choose your pasture, beautiful. I only hope I’m still here if you choose mine.”
Food for thought:
Helen and Erik are both in the process of healing. Helen is recovering from miscarriage and Erik is working through his past with Vernon. Does their own pain help them be a better friend to the other? How do you think that may impact any romantic feelings they may be interested in pursuing?
Stay tuned for our ongoing coverage of Sweet Magnolias with recaps, trivia and interviews!
S2E 1recap S2E2 recap S2E3 recap S2E5 recap S2E6 recap
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