Sullivan’s Crossing Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Homewrecker

Sullivan’s Crossing Season 1 Episode 2, “Homewrecker,” provides some deeper character development and sets up several intriguing storylines, as it starts to overcome some of its campiness.

It follows Maggie Sullivan after she decides to lay low in Sullivan’s Crossing as a negligence case is being built against her.

During her stay, she further acquaints herself with the people of her hometown, and her connection with Cal Jones seems to hint at a love triangle down the road.

As established in the first episode, Sullivan’s Crossing has a bit of a Hallmark movie feel. There’s more emphasis on finding that feel-good factor than on quality.

However, knowing what to expect makes its second outing more enjoyable. Viewers know they’re getting light entertainment with beautiful scenery and music, making it quite the comfort show.

Things are also easier to follow as viewers aren’t being bombarded with new character intros and get a better chance to learn who these characters are.

This episode also does a better job of showing rather than telling and even manages to drop an unexpected bombshell at the end, proving it’s not as predictable as it may seem on the surface.

Morgan Kohan is still showing a solid performance as Maggie, especially in allowing Maggie to show a looser and more vulnerable side.

Meanwhile, Chad Michael Murray ups his performance as Cal. His character slowly starts breaking away from small-town boy stereotypes and shows that he has his own story apart from Sullivan’s Crossing.

Viewers just don’t know quite what it is yet. With his kind personality and how he looks after the community’s elderly, it’s a little hard to believe he’s hiding some secrets.

However, the pensive expression that often crosses his face tells viewers there’s much more to Cal than meets the eye, and his true story may be worth a slow build-up.

As in the first episode, the Cranebears are a delight. Not much is known about them, but they’re the kind of characters that work well, even if they’re a little flat.

Viewers will get the feeling that there isn’t supposed to be much more to the Cranebears other than that they’re a kind and hospital couple who are there to remind everyone of the sweetness of growing old with one’s partner and remaining loyal and devoted to one’s community.

Other mysteries are building up in Sullivan’s Crossing, too, including whether Maggie was negligent and what happened between her and Sully.

The cherry on top is having Maggie’s boyfriend, Andrew, abruptly show up at the end. With Maggie and Cal seemingly getting over their initial annoyance with one another, Andrew couldn’t have returned at a worse time.

There is bound to be some rivalry and mixed feelings as Andrew and Cal cross paths. It’s interesting how Maggie and Andrew are from a whole different world than the residents of Sullivan’s Crossing.

Even if there isn’t a love triangle, there is room for more clashing of ideas and personalities. Each character from each background has something valuable to show or teach the other.

This merging of those from the city and those from a rural small town is intriguing and ties back to the show’s significant themes about the benefits of finding solace and comfort in the environment and one’s roots.

Additionally, there are lots more beautiful sights and sounds in this episode. With the story slowly unfolding and a strong setting and soundtrack, Sullivan’s Crossing shows its worth, even if it’s a little campy.

What did you think of this episode of Sullivan’s Crossing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Sullivan’s Crossing airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

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