After a long awaited year of filming, season four of the Netflix original series “Sweet Magnolias” was finally released on Feb. 6. This series has every part of a classic Hallmark movie from the small town romances to the small town life that will transport you into the show.
If you have not been following the series, this show is based on the “Sweet Magnolias” novels by Sherryl Woods. These books have been transformed into a teen/young adult/adult series that will fulfill every book lover’s dream of their favorite book coming to screen. This show is every bit full of romance, family, small town vibes and drama that will have you watching the series to the very end.
This show takes place in the small town of Serenity, S.C. and follows three friends Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Helen (Heather Headley) and Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott). The three have lived in Serenity their whole lives and are now raising their families there, making the most of small town life.
On a spur of the moment decision they decide to change up their lives and open a day spa in town. None of them have experience in spas and especially not while juggling every other little thing in their lives. The friends must work together and help each other out amongst the chaos of family, work, relationships and starting a new business.
Each season, the friends and their relationships grow closer and the town brings more chaos into their lives, becoming that much more unpredictable. Who knew small town life could be that much trouble? But through it all, Maddie, Helen and Dana Sue have each other and have their special margarita nights to take a second and just be there with each other.
At the beginning of season four, audiences are left in an air of confusion due to the time jump in the series. It is hinted through the first couple minutes of the season that there has been six months to a year of time in between the last season but nothing is clearly stated. The cast is older, the storyline has progressed with relationships that were not previously on screen or were just hinted at and major plot points are just dropped suddenly. Despite the initial confusion, the jump and plot lines get explained more.
With surprise weddings, new relationships, family coming together over a death, old flames coming back into view and the town being in jeopardy, this season will surely be the one that packs a lot of drama. Introducing new characters as well as bringing more of fan favorites onto the screen this season will be sure to keep you entertained in the world of Serenity.
What I liked about this season is that it felt like they had finally come to a place in their town where they were able to just live their lives and enjoy each other. In other seasons, it felt like so much was going on that they did not have time for themselves and to foster their new relationships. While this is a fiction television show and in no means represents real relationships, it felt important to see their relationship grow whether it was platonic or romantic.
I will honestly love anything that has anything to do with romance and small towns and this show is not an exception. I have loved this series since it has come onto Netflix and is something that I will continue to follow and rewatch in the future.
At the moment, there is no season five being talked about or in the works. But there are a few plot points that can be explored further. Whether they decide to or not, this series will stay as a comfort of mine and be something that will always bring a sense of joy.
If you are looking for a television series about a small town full of romance, drama, gossip and, of course, family, then this series is for you. Get ready to sit down with your friends and enjoy the sweet world of Serenity.
4/5 stars
rbleich@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @sweetmagnoliasnetflix, Instagram
