Summary
Sweet Magnolias Season 5 delivers the moving, joyful milestones for Helen and Eric that fans have been waiting for. However, a frustrating new direction for Dana Sue prevents this otherwise beautifully comforting season from being absolutely perfect.
I had the pleasure of reviewing the fourth season of Sweet Magnolias. I noted, “It feels like a lifetime waiting for this new season,” and that same feeling remains true. At the end of Season 4, we were met with Maddie being offered a shiny new job in Manhattan, which left me a little baffled as to how the fifth season would work. To my delight, I was pleasantly surprised. The season opener was a beautiful episode to experience. It was nice to enjoy the Serenity girls in a new location full of shopping, support, and margaritas! So, what did I think of Season 5? It was happy, yet mixed.
From the beginning of Season 1, there have been plotlines here, there, and everywhere. However, I think we can all agree that the most important and exciting storyline is the love, journey, and wedding of Helen and Eric. Therefore, this is the season we’ve all been waiting for, and it was unbelievably enjoyable and moving.
I can confidently say that one of the most amazing elements of Sweet Magnolias is Helen Decatur. Both the character and the actress continue to shine magnificently; it is a delight to watch her performance in every single season. I pray we get more seasons, if only for her and her future with Eric, and I also pray that their storyline continues forward untainted. This may not always be how TV shows work, but when it comes to a series like this, why can’t it be? Just pure, straightforward, continuous joy.
And can we just take a moment (and its own single line) to compliment the chemistry between Helen and Eric? You could definitely convince me that they are a couple in real life, or that they have fallen in love with each other on set.
While I loved my time with Helen and Eric this season, it leads me to admit that I do have one major bone to pick with Sweet Magnolias Season 5: Dana Sue’s plotline. No spoilers here, but if you want to see me deep-dive into the details, check out my Season 5 ending explanation!
Admittedly, I wish wholeheartedly that the writers hadn’t taken the route they did. It feels like we are heading in a new direction, and not in a good way. One of the most beautiful elements of Sweet Magnolias is the kindness, grace, and values injected into the series – and removing any of these risks changing the energy and atmosphere of the show entirely. The show feels like it is moving into a new, modern era of broken relationships and egotism, as opposed to the genuine, cozy community that had us falling in love with Serenity in the first place.
And let’s briefly touch on the third Magnolia, Maddie. As is to be expected, Maddie’s story is also blossoming beautifully. Her life is heading in sweet and wholesome directions, her kids are as adorable as ever, and her confidence only grows! There really isn’t much to add regarding her arc, considering it is blatant that the previous seasons were mainly focused on her. But she, alongside Helen and Dana Sue together, will always be the focal point.
I can still happily give Season 5 solid praise. I loved my time in Serenity – probably a little too much, because this time, I actually went back to the very start and rewatched the whole series from the beginning. Then, I felt completely lost when it ended. Let’s just say, if you’re looking for a series to become completely attached to (which, yes, is unhealthy), Sweet Magnolias will continue to provide just that, with Season 5 offering no help in getting unattached. I’m now excited for Season 6, and I’m also excited to read the books – just to dive even deeper into my obsession with Serenity.
I know Sweet Magnolias will be on my repeat watch list for years to come, and for that, I must apologize to my husband, who will have to suffer walking in on the cheesy, gooey lines of the series for the rest of our marriage.
