Sullivan’s Crossing – Season 1 Episode 8 “Aftershock” Recap & Review

Aftershock

At the beginning of Sullivan’s Crossing episode 8, Phoebe phones Maggie on the morning after the night Andrew broke up with her. She does take his side in the matter, even with the knowledge of how he created a ruckus. But Maggie very well knows she drove Andrew to this point with her distance and indifference. Sydney treats Maggie with her comfort food and the two discuss what lies ahead for the surgeon. Maggie is confused about her feelings and doesn’t think getting back with Andrew is an option.

Edna strictly tells Frank to talk to Sully about their trip. They are leaving soon and Sully must make necessary arrangements – both logistical and emotional – to prepare accordingly. Maggie visits Cal at his cabin. She wants to make sure he is doing fine after last night’s bruising. In a heart-to-heart conversation, Maggie confides in Cal that she feels incapable of making lasting relationships. Whenever someone tries to get close to her, she pushes them away. She remarks that Cal is one of the few people in her life who actually listens to her and understands her inner conflicts.

The trial for her negligence case might take away Maggie’s license. It has made her worry endlessly but Cal tries to ease off some of that pressure. He takes her into the woods and asks her to let out a “primal scream” while recounting a painful memory. Maggie is apprehensive but follows Cal’s suit and breaks down into tears. He brings her back to the cabin, where she opens up about what triggered the scream.

Maggie felt confused and guilty when Phoebe first took her away from Sullivan’s Crossing. She was given no explanation, Sully didn’t come after her, and Maggie was left all alone. Cal confesses that he is not planning to go back to being a lawyer. Even though he spent a lot of money and effort to pass law school, after Lynn’s passing, he realized that life is short. And that he cannot spend any more time on things he doesn’t like doing. 

At the diner, Rob encourages Syd to ask Rafe out on a date. She feels it is the right time and Rafe agrees to go someplace that day for lunch. He picks her up on a bike and they make a trip to the city side. While talking, the subject of New York and Syd’s modelling comes up. But she gets uncomfortable and abrupt talking about it. 

Jackson hangs out with Caleb for a while before their big mountain climbing task. The former mentions how he has always wanted to be an architect but his life came pre-ordained with a few decisions. Caleb encourages him to be frank with Tim and fight for his dream. Right before their climb, Caleb falls to the ground with pain in his stomach. Jackson rushes to Cal’s cabin and Maggie attends to Caleb. Her prognosis reveals a case of vertigo. Maggie promptly administers medical help and Caleb recovers quickly. 

Frank doesn’t tell Sully about the trip. But he soon learns it from Edna, who emphasizes how important it is for Frank’s family. Sully is left with a bitter taste in his mouth. But he understands why the duo needs to make the trip. Cal takes Maggie near a waterfall to do something special for her heroics. They discuss more about Maggie’s family and why Phoebe took her away. Phoebe’s parents had warned her that Sully wasn’t good enough for her…or perhaps well suited is the right characterization. And it turned out to be true. Both are right in their places to expect different things from life.

Seeing other people jump, Cal challenges Maggie to do so. They strip and make the jump right at the moment when Cal tells his full first name to her: California. They come closer to each other in the water and give in to the moment by sharing a passionate kiss. However, Maggie suddenly realizes what she is doing and pulls away. Back at home, she has yet another fight with Sully.

They already weren’t on good terms but things escalate once Sully brings up the time Maggie left the house. She once again confronts him about not coming back for her. But Sully doesn’t tell her that Phoebe had asked him not to contact her to make the transition easier. As he goes up to his room, Maggie sits down on the kitchen table and discovers numerous final notices from banks.

The Episode Review

I cannot stand confused characters who say “I do not know how I feel right now” and then have their tongue deep into another character’s throat in the same episode. Maggie’s double standards are unfortunate. They couldn’t have come at a worse time; right after her break up with Andrew. Sullivan’s Crossing keeps treating its female characters in a perceived empathetic way but ends up vitiating the character lines.

I felt agitated – not for the first time – when Sully continued to lie to Maggie. He has had numerous opportunities to tell her how it was Phoebe who broke up their family. And eventually, his relationship with Maggie. Some might think it is big of him but it only makes him come across as a loser. Perhaps that characterization is harsh but Sully’s kindness and inherent goodness do not deserve this.

Also, I wonder where the sense of community comes in when it comes to helping Sully. He extends a helping hand to everyone else but gets nothing in return. The lopsidedness is hard to reconcile since the campground is shown to be so tight-knit.