Coming Home – As the first episode of Sullivan’s Crossing begins, Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan) learns about a motor vehicle crash involving a teen who drove his parents’ vehicle into a telephone pole. A toxicology test has been ordered for 18-year-old Jamal Patterson. He did not have his seatbelt on, but the driver, Kevin Markiff, did. Maggie goes to work on Jamal before Kevin begins screaming. She checks on Kevin who asks if Jamal is okay. After she reassures him, Kevin asks when he can play again since he just got bumped to right tackle. Jamal’s condition worsens rapidly so Maggie has his rushed to the operating room. Claire Markiff (Shelley Thompson) interrupts her because she wants to check on her son.

Maggie has someone deal with her before rushing off to the operating room. Later that night, Maggie sits outside to collect herself. She is approached by Andrew Mathews (Allan Hawco) who says her mother called in a panic because she was afraid she was going to miss it. Andrew drove to her place, picked up all her things, and rent them a limo. They get into the limo and prepare to meet the others. Andrew says Boston Commonwealth called about the job he applied for and it is his if he wants it. He knows they said they’d take things slow when they started dating, but it has been like two years and his divorce has been finalized. Andrew suggests moving in together. Maggie doesn’t give him an answer.

Once they arrive, Maggie’s mother quickly spots them. Mr. Greenspan is introduced to Maggie. Lewis mentions he has been trying to get her to work at the hospital full time, but Maggie loves private practice and he couldn’t afford her anyway. Her mother comes over to tell her the reporter from The Post has been waiting for 20 minutes. Phoebe (Lynda Boyd) tells the reporter about her husband Walter who was one of the top surgeons in the country before he retired. He is also the reason Maggie became a surgeon in the first place. The ceremony begins and Maggie receives the first award of the night. Walter talks about Maggie and how she is helping Dr. Bob Hollis build his new practice.

Maggie joins him on the stage to receive the Rising Neurosurgeon award. She speaks briefly until members of the FBI enter to arrest Bob Hollis (Bob Mann) and Maggie. After a time jump, Maggie drives to Timberlake and reaches Sullivan’s Crossing. She is greeted by Frank (Tom Jackson) and Edna Cranebear (Andrea Menard). Frank tells her that Sully Sullivan (Scott Patterson) is in the back by the fire pit. When she speaks to Sully, she admits she isn’t sure how long she is going to stay. Sully says they have more RV spots and a boat launch for larger crafts. Maggie decides to stay in her old room instead of getting one of the cabins. Sully helps her get settled in. In a flashback, Maggie’s father tells her she can paint whatever she wants.

When he mentions moving on, Maggie says she wants to stay in Sullivan’s Crossing with him. Sully interrupts when he brings her bags up. Maggie gets a call from her mother who says she and Walter are very worried about her. Maggie explains why she decided to move and says this is her life so she wants to do things her way. Maggie goes outside to relax until she is approached by Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray) who offers to show her around. She says no since she thinks he is hitting on her. Cal laughs and says she must have him all figured out. He leaves after saying he’ll let Sully know where she is. Terry drops off Sydney Shandon moments later. Sydney tells Maggie that she moved to New York, but came back to help Rob with the diner and Finn.

Maggie was sorry to hear what happened to his wife. Sydney suggests Maggie can fill her in about why she is back at the bonfire tonight. Her dad is about as predictable as they come. Sydney says she can finally meet Finn if she comes. Once they split, Maggie finds an older man yelling for his wife Ruthie. He can’t remember his name, the date, or anything. Cal rushes over to try to help, but Maggie insists she has it under control. The others come out and say it is just Roy. Edna tells Maggie that he just gets confused now that his wife has passed. Andrew calls because he can’t believe she just left after they dropped all the charges. Maggie says Bob took the blame, but he ruined her reputation.

The hospital is refusing to renew her privileges. She believes they can maintain their long-distance relationship. Andrew says the hospital revoked the offer because he was guilty by association. He suggests she should’ve been keeping a closer eye on what Bob was up to. He also thinks she might be making a mistake. Moments later, Frank tries to find out why Maggie came back. Maggie says she thinks she lost herself because she was so focused on her career. She also worries it might’ve been a mistake to come back. Frank thinks you have to sit long enough to reflect on what has changed around you. Cal says goodbye when he drops Sully off. Sully says they got Roy back home, but Maggie wonders if that was a good idea.

She is adamant that he needs to be assessed to see if he should be moved into a facility. Sully explains that they treat everyone like family in Sullivan’s Crossing. Maggie helps Edna with the stove. She admits Edna was like a second mother to her so she doesn’t know what she would’ve done without her back then. Frank wonders if this is hard on Sully. Sully says he hasn’t been her father in a long time and there is no guarantee that Maggie is going to stay. They talk about what happened last time. Before the bonfire, Maggie says hello to Rob (Reid Price). Maggie says she is sorry to hear about Sarah. Rob says it was a tough time for him and Finn, but they’re doing better now. Finn comes over and gets introduced to Maggie.

Sydney comes back and introduces Maggie to Connie Boyle who runs the local fire department. She is also introduced to Jackson and Rafe. Jackson climbs while Rafe volunteers for the search and rescue. Once they find out she is a doctor, Connie recommends volunteering. Then, Maggie and Sydney talk about the mural in her bedroom. They drink into the night. Cal approaches Sully to ask him what Maggie’s problem is. Cal says she seems full of herself and she had to make it a point to say she was a doctor. He is surprised when he learns that Maggie is Sully’s daughter. Lola comes over to speak to Cal. She thanks him for helping Sully get Roy home today.

Lola tells Sully she can’t get over to Roy’s house as much as she’d like because of work and school. When Maggie says life isn’t exactly perfect at the moment, Sydney tells her that nobody’s life is perfect. She says not everyone had a rich stepfather to pay for their college before quickly apologizing. Cal approaches Maggie to apologize because he thinks they got off on the wrong foot. He reveals he has been helping Sully around the campground and he is a really great guy. Cal says she is lucky to have Sully as her father. Maggie tells him she’d prefer to be alone. Maggie decides to leave. As she walks away, she tells Sydney that she just isn’t feeling it. She is going to head home in the morning because her mother was right.

Sydney accuses her of running away again, but Maggie claims she’ll keep in touch this time. Sydney doesn’t believe her. As Maggie packs her stuff, she calls Scott back. He tells her that the teen she treated in ER died a few days ago. Kevin had an aneurysm. His mother is suing her and the hospital for negligence. Scott recommends keeping a low profile because Claire wants to come after her license.

 

Sullivan’s Crossing Review

The opening episode of Sullivan’s Crossing showed a lot of promise with gorgeous scenery and solid performances. Morgan Kohan is good as the troubled Maggie Sullivan. It is too early to say much about the story, but the first episode did a good job of setting it up. It could get very interesting in the future as Maggie tries to settle into Sullivan’s Crossing and confronts everything that has happened.

There is a bit of mystery because viewers don’t actually know what went down between Maggie and Bob. Plus, there is a looming claim of negligence hanging over Maggie’s head and the possibility that her license will be revoked. The soundtrack was pretty good since it fit the scenes and the mood exceptionally well.

Overall, the first episode of Sullivan’s Crossing was enjoyable and there is a possibility that it’ll get even better in future episodes. It’ll be worth it to follow up with a few more episodes to see how things go. The opening episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Recaps of Sullivan’s Crossing can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent website at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here.