As this episode of Sullivan’s Crossing begins, Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan) gets a call from her mother, Phoebe (Lynda Boyd), who wants her to come home for at least a day. Phoebe mentions that she missed her date with Andrew so she hopes she isn’t pushing people away again. Maggie argues Andrew is the one who has been difficult to reach recently. They briefly talk about Maggie’s deposition as Phoebe questions whether she can really count on Sully. After going for a run, Maggie goes to the diner where Sydney says she heard about everything that happened. Maggie asks her to come running with her next time, but Sydney doesn’t run unless she is being chased by someone.

Sydney reveals she isn’t with Rafe anymore because he got too needy. Cal (Chad Michael Murray) says goodbye on his way out. Maggie tells Sydney that he hasn’t been himself since their dinner. She admits that Andrew working makes her a little jealous and that is all he wants to talk about lately. When Maggie asks about the baseball tournament, Sydney tells her that Finn got kicked out. The umpires had to pull Finn off a kid twice his size. Rob (Reid Price) interrupts to tell Maggie that Edna is almost back with Frank. He gives her a bag with his favorite to take to him. Edna (Andrea Menard) reminds Frank (Tom Jackson) that the doctor said he needs to take it easy. Frank is surprised this place got along without him.

Sully (Scott Patterson) jokes it was the most peace and quiet he had in a long time. Edna mentions that Frank needs to eat healthier only for Maggie to arrive with a bag of food from the diner for him. When they’re alone, Frank tells Maggie never got a chance to thank her for saving him. Maggie blames herself because she never told anyone about Chelsea. Frank says there was a deep sadness thinking he’d never see Edna again. That thought got stronger the more he fought it. He embraced the inevitable, closed his eyes, and could see Edna’s face. He was overwhelmed by a great peace. Frank says she won’t get the chance to see where life wants to take her if she spends time trying to control everything.

Sully warns him that they’re not going to let him milk this forever. Frank pretends to be in pain so Sully will get him a feathered pillow. Maggie goes inside and finds Edna crying because the old fridge reminded her of Frank. When they found Sullivan’s Crossing, they knew it was the perfect place to start over again. Edna realized Frank isn’t going to be with her forever when she saw him in the hospital bed. She is going to make the most of the time they have left so she thanks Maggie for giving her that. Cal enters and reminds them that Frank wants hot sauce. When they’re alone, Maggie asks Cal if she said something that upset him the other night. Cal explains there is just a lot on his mind at the moment.

Maggie understands since she feels the same about the deposition. They agree to work on it together. Jackson (T Thomason) stops Sully to tell him there is negative publicity about the shooting and Sullivan’s Crossing. Jackson suspects that explains all the cancelations. Sully knows he was just trying to help so he thanks him for the heads up. Sully decides to go for a walk. Cal explains to Maggie that it is her job to make the opposing attorney work. He walks her through the questions while giving her advice along the way. Cal insists the lawyer is going to try to push her buttons. She needs to learn how to stay calm even if they get to her. Maggie reveals she used to get panic attacks when her parents were getting divorced.

The doctor taught her breathing exercises although she isn’t sure that’ll be quick enough for this situation. Cal teaches her another calming technique instead. Maggie says he’d make a good therapist. Cal admits it is a technique he learned from his wife although Maggie didn’t know he was married. Rob drops by the store where he speaks to Edna about Frank who must’ve been terrified. Maggie enters. Edna finds out that they owe Rob money even though they always pay in full. Rob says Sully usually pays on time so it isn’t a big deal. Then, he tells Maggie that he is taking Finn to the movies to make up for missing the baseball game. She ends up telling him about Finn getting kicked out for fighting only to find that Sydney hadn’t told him yet.

Cal visits Roy so he can get the safety rails installed. Roy thinks Lola (Amalia Williamson) is too young to be spending all her time with him. Walter (Peter Outerbridge) surprises Maggie at Sullivan’s Crossing after Phoebe asked him to come. Sully isn’t happy to see him. Walter explains he is just there to help his daughter. Edna quickly offers to put him in one of the VIP cabins. Rob goes to the diner to confront Sydney for not telling him about Finn. He scolds her for keeping secrets from him before storming out of the diner. Sully thinks Walter is there to rub his nose in it, but Edna asks him to be nice for Maggie. Walter talks to Maggie about divorce and how it is hard for someone as young as her. She remembers the first time he brought her to the hospital so she could watch him work.

Maggie knew she wanted to be a surgeon just like him. Sully meets Mr. Phillips. However, they cannot offer him a line of credit when he has a loan outstanding with another institution. Phillips recommends developing his land, but Sully says that isn’t an option. Cal finishes with the rails and agrees to help Roy move the boxes to the garage. Cal tells him he doesn’t have to rush to get rid of his wife’s things because he still has time. Roy says you think you have all the time in the world when you’re young. Then, you look in the mirror and see a wrinkled face. They talk about playing chess since Roy has a board nearby. Roy reveals he learned to play in prison after getting arrested with a couple of guys he never met since they robbed a gas station.

The judge didn’t believe his story so he got three years although he was out in two. His lawyer ran off when he ran out of money. Then, he met Ruthie who he claims saved him. As for Cal, he was married until his wife passed away a few years ago. Roy reminds him that he still has time to find his second chance. Roy is afraid it is too late for him though. Walter thinks he can get Maggie ready for the deposition. Sully goes into a pub and orders a drink. He remembers meeting Phoebe there years ago. He tells her it has been six months since he had a drop. Sully really wants to see Maggie. Phoebe isn’t there to talk about her because she is engaged. Walter is good for them. Phoebe won’t let him see Maggie because she is confused enough as is.

Phoebe says he would let them go if he loves them like he says he does. She wishes things had worked out differently before leaving. Sully orders a drink. Sydney calls Maggie to complain about her telling Rob about Finn even though she asked her not to. After Maggie apologizes, Sydney reminds her that not everything is about her. Cal offers Maggie a drink since he believes he owes her an explanation. Once he comes in for a drink, Cal says he was married until his wife passed away a few years ago. She had ALS. Cal believes she would’ve loved this place. Sully goes to Walter’s cabin to find out why he really came there. He says Walter may have his daughter fooled, but he knows who he really is. Walter says he should be thanking him. He can’t because he’d have to admit that he screwed up.

They continue arguing as Sully says he wants him to go in the morning. Walter once told Phoebe that Sully was no good. She eventually realized that the last thing she needed in her life was a drunken loser. Sully punches Walter in the nose. Before Cal can leave, Walter barges in to tell Maggie that the lunatic broke his nose. He isn’t going to stay there another minute. Maggie decides to pack and go with him. Cal gives Maggie his number in case she needs to call for advice. Sully apologizes to Maggie, but says she didn’t hear the things he was saying. He offers to make it right by apologizing. When he asks her not to go, Maggie says it is too late for that. She drives away with Walter moments later.

In a flashback, Maggie is taken away from Sullivan’s Crossing by her mother. Sully watches them drive away. He gets another drink before the episode ends.

 

Sullivan’s Crossing Review

The fifth episode of Sullivan’s Crossing really took the drama to a new level by detailing more about Maggie being taken away from Sully when she was younger. Cal also opened up about the passing of his wife while Frank came home to recover at Sullivan’s Crossing. Walter entered the picture to try to help Maggie prepare and poke Sully. The latter turned out to be a mistake although it may end up worse for Sully in the long run.

There are some clichés, especially Sully having money problems with the possibility that he’ll lose the campground. Nevertheless, the story is enjoyable and more authentic than what other shows are offering right now. The performances that matter are also spot on so that hasn’t been a problem. It is easy to cheer for Maggie and Cal since they’re likely going to be pushed together sooner or later.

The episode was good with some humorous scenes, but the bulk of the episode was very dramatic. After watching this one, viewers will likely be eager to find out where the story goes next since it ended on such a drastic note. The episode scores a 7 out of 10. Recaps of Sullivan’s Crossing are available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here.