The following article contains spoilers for Sweet Magnolias Season 4
From the moment Sweet Magnolias Season 4 opens up, it feels like the beginning of the end. And depending on which angle we look at this from, it’s not exactly a bad thing. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and there’s also the matter that there’s beauty in conclusions. While the show leaves multiple threads loose and dangling, it also signals the fact that we’re maybe headed toward a place where we might not have long in Serenity. (Writer’s Note: I could be very wrong about this—the show might go on for seven to twelve seasons, or it might get canceled prematurely. I don’t actually know anything for certain, but there’s something about the vibes here.)
For what it’s worth, the beginning of the season is wonky, with a questionable time jump that thrusts viewers far from where we left these characters in Season 3, and it also does too much telling and not enough showing. For a split second there, I questioned whether I’d accidentally pressed play on the wrong episode, but much to my surprise, I did not—the time jump feels a lot longer than the wait viewers have had to endure between seasons. Still, Season 4 is simultaneously the show’s most thoughtful and entertaining season to date, with plenty to appreciate in most story arcs.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Is the Most Romantic Arc Yet
The series has always featured romance, but it’s often held a race with drama at the same time. This year, the drama takes a back seat while the relationships shine, and joy surrounds these characters more than heartaches. And while it isn’t without drama, especially where the finale is concerned, because there’s less of it, the romance feels more earned, more delightful, and more sweepingly sweet.
It starts the season with a surprising wedding and seventeen years of pining blooming into a relationship while also giving viewers some deliciously romantic moments in between. For instance, as last season sidelined Helen’s arc, this year, we dive deep into exploring her joy, and it’s beautifully done as she and Erik finally realize how deep their love runs. There’s something incredibly lovely and wholesome about being on the same journey as your best friends, so it’s gorgeous to finally see Helen happily in love just like Maddie and Dana Sue. Every beat we get with her and Erik is hot, vulnerable, and so very earned, making their news in the finale the best one yet.
Speaking of being in love, the most surprising part of the season is the emotional maturity we see between Annie and Ty as they also open their eyes to the person who’s always been standing in front of them. (Ty, mostly, but still.) While I wish we got more of the build up because I’m personally an angst goblin who loves pining, the ease in their transition and the tenderness of their love are reflective of the friendship they’ve built for years. It’s easy to believe every word out of their mouths, understand the novelty of the honeymoon stage, and simultaneously feel the longing when they’re parted of because of Ty’s tour. As one of the loose ends at the end of the season, this is where we know that the show isn’t over yet.
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Apart from the budding relationships, there are also the transitional stages we explore with characters like Maddie and Cal as he steps into the new (more official) role of a stepfather, and the two of them navigate through tragedies as a couple. The series never promises smooth sailing, but what this season unmistakably showcases is that couples are going to communicate. They’re going to be transparent with one another, and even when they fumble, they aren’t going to take long to make changes where they need to. Plus, Jodi Benson’s role as his mom is so wholly comforting!
Tragedies Strike, but Serenity Stays Standing
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 doesn’t just explore one tragedy that changes lives but two. As the hurricane hits and destroys areas, the townsfolk remind viewers that they look out for their own. This series is heavily based on Christianity, but it’s a finely inclusive word that simultaneously reminds us of how Jesus’ teachings are meant to be—welcoming, warm, forgiving, and deeply loving. Unlike how the state of the world seems to be, the characters in this show don’t discriminate against the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community. They reach out a hand to help those who are suffering. Loving your neighbor actually means loving your neighbor. The devotion they express isn’t for show, but it’s real and honest, which makes watching this season that much sweeter. It’s in the title, but it’s never been more true than it is today.
As the season also navigates through grief with Bill’s death and how that impacts every character in different ways, it takes a raw approach to exploring the messy, convoluted, and incredibly sensitive angles of grief. It brings out some great performances from the actors and allows each of them to explore something within their character journey that feels realistic.
There’s a lot that happens in Sweet Magnolias Season 4, and again, while some beats feel rushed while others feel slow, there’s no denying that this is the show’s strongest season yet. It’s warm and inviting, and it’s the exact kind of medicine many of us can use in our fiction today. There’s plenty to appreciate as we step back into Serenity again, with pleasantly surprising moments in most episodes. Whether romantic or platonic, the relationships feel remarkably grounded, making it easy to want more of these characters.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix
First Featured Image Credit: ©Netflix