Sweet Magnolias – Season 2 Episode 3 “The More Things Change” Recap & Review

The More Things Change

Episode 3 of Sweet Magnolias Season 2 begins with the State championship team returning from State. It’s the first time the Bulldogs have made it this far but they’ve come up short. Cal blames himself. When Maddie notices him having a tantrum, he eventually apologizes for his attitude.

Ty returns home after the tournament and he’s not happy either. He takes out the loss on Kyle, claiming it’s his fault he messed up his elbow, given he was protecting him at the hospital. I mean, let’s be honest, it’s partly Ty’s fault for not drinking more milk. The way he went down to Jackson’s push, that’s quite the worrying fracture.

Anyway, I digress. The argument is uncomfortable, especially for Maddie as she’s awkwardly stuck in the middle.

Maddie manages to gain a favour from Trotter at the spa, given his husband Ashley is actually a therapist. He agrees to head over and talk to Kyle for their first session.

With Ronnie now living with Dana again, things take an awkward turn when he sees Dana and Jeremy kissing in the kitchen. While their romance is fine, does anyone else think it’s a little unprofessional to do this while serving food?

Elsewhere, Helen comes out the bathroom sobbing, and awkwardly walking across the floor. Erik notices and carefully picks her up to take her to the hospital. Unfortunately, Helen has lost her baby. It’s an absolutely heartbreaking moment and in fact, it’s telling that Eric starts to sob on his own outside the view of Helen, who’s surrounded by her friends.

It’s a powerful image, and even more so when you notice two mirrors in front of Erik too. It’s a really beautiful scene and easily the standout of the whole season so far.

There’s rumblings during the town hall meeting though when Mayor Lewis proposes new parking restrictions for businesses – including the spa. Maddie speaks her piece but she’s got 21 days to try and come up with a solution.

At the Summer Market, all the usual suspects show up and enjoy themselves. Of course, there’s the usual tension between Ronnie and Jeremy while Dana watches Annie as she grows closer to Jackson. The hostilities between Jeremy and Ronnie is certainly the talk among the women though, who question Dana over how she feels now that Ronnie is back.

One person who’s understandably not there is Helen, who enjoys strawberry pancakes at home. Remember what I said about not watching this show hungry? Those pancakes look absolutely delicious.

In secret, Helen sobs over the loss of her baby. It’s a really heartbreaking moment but one that’s soured a little as we skip across to Dana where she kisses Ronnie outside. That’s not the only betrayal we end the season on; Noreen is back and as she holds Kyle, Maddie sees.

The Episode Review

There are several big developments this episode but that scene involving Helen losing her baby and Eric sobbing too is just so powerful on a visual level and easily the best moment of the whole season thus far. It’s beautifully orchestrated from start to finish, and it’s a shame that the rest of the episode just sorta drifts through the usual soapy drama without hitting those same highs.

Quite what Dana is going to do now that she’s essentially playing both Ronnie and Jeremy is anyone’s guess but that’s a dangerous game and honestly, I hope she gets called out for it. Make a choice, woman!

Maddie meanwhile is left in the dark with Kyle’s progress and with Noreen back that’s only going to exacerbate the issues. Either way though, this is a much better episode.