7 Questions You Have After 'Sweet Magnolias' Season 3 Finale
The second season of Sweet Magnolias left fans demanding answers: Would Helen accept Ryan’s marriage proposal? Who was the “crazy lady” who slashed Dana Sue’s tires? Was Cal not the man Maddie thought he was? The third installment of the series, now streaming on Netflix, didn’t end with quite as many cliffhangers as its predecessor, but it did raise several burning questions—and without the promise of a Season 4 (at least not yet!), viewers are starting to lose it. So grab an ice-cold margarita, and let’s dive in. But be warned: Spoilers ahead!
1. Is Kathy gone for good?
It turns out the “crazy lady” who slashed Dana Sue’s tires was Ronnie’s sister, Kathy, who believes Sullivan’s should have been her successful restaurant and has been holding a major grudge against her brother and his on-off wife for years.
Her plan upon arriving is to “steal away” Dana Sue’s best chef, Erik, to operate a competing restaurant called Z’s in a nearby town—and for a while, it works. But by the end of the season, Erik returns to Sullivan’s and Kathy is left … dating Bill, with whom she leaves town. Whether they’re gone for good remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: These two deserve each other.
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2. Will Helen and Erik rekindle their romance?
Netflix
Helen accepts Ryan’s marriage proposal, leaving Erik, who’d been her rock in the aftermath of her miscarriage, crushed. But all may not be lost. By the end of the Season 3, Helen and Ryan realize they want different things (she wants to stay in Serenity; he does not), and end their engagement. Cut to Dana Sue's wedding, where Helen catches the bridal bouquet—and exchanges a knowing glance with Erik.
3. Will Maddie and Cal take things to the next level?
Photo credit: Netflix
Maddie learns at the end of Season 2 that Cal isn’t the perfect guy she thought he was (he’s arrested for assaulting someone, albeit in her defense, and loses his beloved job as the Serenity High School baseball coach). But who among us is perfect?
In Season 3, Cal reveals to Maddie, Erik and others that he continues to wrestle with years of anger issues (“his demons”), and that he’s willing to work on himself so that he can be the man Maddie needs him to be. The couple agrees to a “two-week challenge,” in which they are completely in the friend zone, the goal being to bring them closer together. It works, but will Maddie and Cal's love continue to blossom? Are they headed for marriage next?
4. Will Maddie's mom return?
Paula is whisked away from Serenity by her newly divorced longtime friend, Jimmy the art collector, to help him decorate his new house on the coast. Could she be the next woman of Serenity to score an engagement ring? Or will her character be reduced to phone calls and passing mentions?
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5. Will Maddie's son Ty finally make Dana Sue's daughter, Annie, his girlfriend?
Serenity's sweetest teen romance is seeming more likely than ever now that these two have (gasp!) held hands. But it’s not official just yet. Come on, kids (but also, take your time and don’t let anyone peer pressure you)!
6. Will Isaac reveal his big secret?
Isaac found out last season that Bill is his biological father, but has yet to share the news with anyone else in Serenity. Will he finally reveal his truth in a hypothetical Season 4?
7. Will there be a Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias?
Netflix hasn't revealed yet whether the show will get a fourth season. Which means fans are feeling anything but serene. Fingers crossed!