Sullivan’s Crossing Review
Although the series isn’t solely focused on Scott Patterson’s character, Sully, his exit at the end of Season 3 has left some, including me, feeling a bit hurt about where Sally’s character was headed. Patterson’s grumpy charm was, let’s say, hard not to love; he reminded me of Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls. But what really resonated with viewers was the evolving relationship between Sally and Maggie as they bonded as father and daughter—a central theme in the first three seasons. Honestly, what would the show be without that connection?
Opening shot: We see Maggie Sullivan, played by Morgan Cohan, waking up next to her ex-husband, Liam (Marcus Rosner), in a romantic setting. But soon enough, she’s just waking up.
Key points: Maggie is currently with Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray) and has aspirations to start a general practice in Timberlake. However, they face two major dilemmas: Sally (Scott Patterson) is heading to Ireland with Helen Culver (Kate Vernon), and Liam unexpectedly shows up in town.
While running Sullivan’s Crossing, Frank Cranbear (Tom Jackson) assists Maggie as she navigates her situation with her wife, Edna (Andrea Menard), who recently underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. Cal appears to be aware of Liam’s presence and, perhaps out of respect, gives Maggie space to figure things out. She reassures him that her impulsive marriage to Liam was annulled shortly after it happened.
Interestingly, Liam is in town to obtain a document for a visa to the EU, but he’s also curious about Sullivan’s Crossing. As Maggie hunts for the necessary paperwork, Cal tries to keep Liam at bay, which leads to a friendly yet competitive wood-chopping contest among a group of campers.
Meanwhile, Rob Chandon (Reed Pearce) wants his sister Sydney (Rindula) to manage a new diner he has opened on the Sullivan’s Crossing grounds. Their relationship is strained, particularly around the idea of marriage; she’s not convinced it’s essential, while his views lean more traditional.
Which show do you remember? Both Sullivan’s Crossing and Virgin River stem from Robin Carr’s novels and share production teams, creating a certain kinship between the two. Sullivan’s showrunner is Roman Roth.
Our view: With Sully absent, Maggie’s narrative feels like a tired metaphor for her love life. She’s with Cal, but now Liam’s back, complicating things. Judging by her dream at the beginning, it seems she’s not entirely over Liam, who represents a more impulsive time in her past—something she might secretly yearn for. Yet, balancing all of this while staying rooted in Timberlake is tough.
Especially considering some early events, it’s evident that Liam isn’t just passing through; there’s a real potential for conflict in Maggie and Cal’s relationship. So far, this seems to be the primary focus of Season 4, particularly with Edna’s situation and Sydney and Rafe’s likely split.
But, seriously, will this love triangle be compelling enough? I’m not entirely convinced. I really hope other characters from Timberlake step up and contribute interesting storylines, so we’re not left with just this somewhat forced romance drama.
Featured performance: Morgan Cohan continues to bring warmth to Maggie as she navigates constant life changes.
Sex and skin: The first episode had no such content.
Parting shot: Maggie faces surprising news about her engagement being called off.
Sleeper Star: Jonathan Silverman appears as Quincy Carlson, a camp guest who seems a bit out of sync with the relaxed vibe of Sullivan’s Crossing. His role comes off as comic relief, which feels fitting.
The most pilot-like line: “Really? Chopping wood? Do you think that’s safe?” Sydney asks when Maggie explains what Cole and Liam are up to.
Our call: It’s worth a stream. With new characters introduced, the plot surrounding Patterson’s departure and Maggie’s love life feels a bit lackluster.
