Summary
“What Fools These Mortals Be” sees some pretty major life decisions being made as we approach the finale.
This recap of Sweet Magnolias season 1, episode 8, “What Fools These Mortals Be”, contains spoilers. You can check out our thoughts on the previous episode by clicking these words.
Check out our spoiler-free season review.
We’re close to the end now, folks, and “What Fools These Mortals Be” feels like one of those episodes that show up at the tail end of a season, as various subplots start to reach a turning point and major decisions get made. Let’s see what everyone was up to.
Maddie
A lesson in co-parenting: Don’t turn up in front of half the town to give your son a car you’ve bought him. That’s according to Maddie, anyway, who’s fuming with Bill about it, and Ty is smart enough to see right through the gesture. (He’s also still pretty frosty with Kyle.)
Bill’s getting it from all angles in Sweet Magnolias episode 8 since Noreen is furious that he can pony up money for a car but not for a decent car seat. He left his wife for Noreen but still can’t put her first. He goes for a drink with Garth, who insists that all his family wants is for Noreen and the baby to be happy, but you get the sense that, even if he says so, Bill isn’t exactly down for that.
He isn’t down for letting Maddie know when he’s coming over to steal toys from the garage, either. Really, there’s no wonder Noreen confides in Kyle more than anyone else. And there’s no wonder that she finally leaves Bill to return to the family who appreciate her. Go, girl.
Dana Sue
A new routine has been implemented in the Sullivan household: family breakfast. But Annie’s not keen. That throws Dana Sue for a loop, and who comes to the rescue but Erik, who has some mindfulness lessons to impart. That apparently means fishing, which is always a contemplative experience. Erik opens up about his wife dying, and Dana Sue is able to take some ideas about inner peace home with her.
Since it’s ostensibly educational, Annie is allowed to attend Kyle’s rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Maddie, her chaperone, even lets her go backstage to take photos with Simon. The play’s a hit and it’s attended by everyone except, predictably, Bill, but Noreen makes up for his absence by being really sweet to Kyle and telling him that, while she’s “going away”, her baby is still very lucky to have him as a big brother.
All is well for Kyle, then. That is until he goes to kiss Annie and she turns away. Awkward.
Helen
The mock trials continue, and now with mandated office attire. That might be a problem for CeCe, who is becoming an unlikely teacher’s pet. But in the meantime, Helen has the case of some farmland to handle, and it’s just as well Ryan knows a guy since it gives us an excuse to remember he exists. As it turns out, he’s the guy. Aww.
