The gripping two-part finale of “Sullivan’s Crossing” delivers an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. Viewers experienced a range of feelings, from sadness and elation to excitement and utter shock. True to form, the queen of suspense, showrunner Roman Roth, delivers fans a shocking and devastating ending that’s sure to leave them reeling during the hiatus.
The tension started right from the start. Sally, filled with guilt and worry for Lola, desperately tried to contact her, but only received her voicemail. Maggie senses something is wrong with her father, but Sully is too ashamed to reveal the truth about his role in Lola’s accident. He fears losing Maggie again as soon as he brings her back.
Sully confides in Frank during a walk, sharing his fears about confessing to Maggie. Frank wisely advises that making amends is about taking responsibility, not about forgiveness. Sally’s realization that he must face the consequences of his actions head-on is an important step in his personal growth, especially as he resists the urge to run away from his alcohol problem.
Meanwhile, Maggie checks in on Carl and his sister. Carl invites Maggie to stay for breakfast, where she reveals her breakup with Andrew, much to Carl’s apparent relief. He told her that now that his Canadian residency had been approved, he planned to volunteer with the search and rescue team, marking a new beginning for him. Carl’s motivation to help others is contagious and even inspires Connie to pursue her own happiness. Jackson’s return adds a delightful twist. His unique personality brings energy and hopefully viewers will see more of him next season. When Carl talks to Connie about joining Search and Rescue, Connie confesses to him her initial doubts about her mother’s identity, but it was definitely worth it, making him think he might be a better match for his father than he realized.
“Remorse” – Sullivan’s Crossing. Pictured: Morgan Cogan as Maggie Sullivan and Chad MacMurray as Carl Jones. Photo: Bell Media © 2024. all rights reserved.
In another subplot, Jane offers support to Rob at a restaurant. She provides the companionship and help he desperately needs. Life is hard to get through alone, and Jane is what Rob needs to finally be happy. Rob was deeply touched by Jane’s empathy and shared experiences of life after divorce. Sydney returns home and decides to put New York in her rearview mirror, signaling a new beginning and a potential future with Rafe, despite his initial reluctance due to past heartbreak.
The climax of the episode centers on Sully’s heartfelt confession to Maggie about his responsibility for Lola’s accident. Scott Patterson’s portrayal of Sully’s vulnerability is top-notch as he expresses his fear and regret at the toll this revelation could take on him. Despite Maggie’s shock, she expressed her love and pride for him and said she admired his courage to tell the truth. Maggie confronts a resentful Laura, who unreasonably blames Maggie for everything. Maggie tries to make Laura understand Sully’s true intentions, but Laura’s selfish resentment clouds her judgment.
Determined to face reality, Sally insists on turning himself in, but Maggie convinces him to let Carl handle the legal issues. Carr’s suggestion that Lora prosecute provided a glimmer of hope. The incident takes a dramatic turn when Lola revisits the scene of the accident and realizes that it wasn’t Sully who hit her after all. Sully was instantly shocked and relieved as he realized that the guilt he had carried for so long was now behind him and he could finally be free. Laura’s realization also led her to apologize to Maggie for the way she treated her, and she eventually gave Maggie the intercepted note from Carl. As Maggie reads the note aloud, she realizes that Carl is back at Crossroads because of her.
“Remorse” – Sullivan’s Crossing. Pictured: Morgan Cohan as Maggie Sullivan and Scott Patterson as Sully Sullivan. Photo: Bell Media © 2024. all rights reserved.
Another major plot point of the finale was the sale of the Crossroads auction. As the auction approaches, the community unites to try to save the intersection from the greedy Glenn, who cancels the deal with Sally at the last minute because he knows Sally won’t be able to come up with the cash needed for the purchase. It was too late to rely on himself. The auction itself was very intense. Maggie is shocked by the number of people who show up, and Carl is, as always, her rock, keeping her calm. Sully goes to collect a donation from his old friend and neighbor Mary (played by Jayne Eastwood). He needed her donation for a chance to win the auction, but she was having a great time, making him late to the auction.
As Maggie and Carl waited anxiously, Maggie stood up and made an impassioned final plea to those who wanted to bid on the intersection. She shared the importance of this land to her family and emphasized that it is more than just a campground, it is a home and safe haven for the community. Her heartfelt speech resonated with the auction attendees, who began giving money from the sale to Maggie as donations and recounting the times Sully was by their side. However, Glenn remains steadfast in his pursuit of winning the auction, embodying the greedy corporate character who only cares about profit. Despite their efforts, the auction began without Sully and significant donations. Before Sally arrived, Glenn outbid them by $200,000. However, he lacked the cash needed to make a deposit and sent his colleagues to the bank to withdraw the money.
Maggie fails and calls Frank and Edna, urging Frank to go to the bank. Sally is disheartened, recalling how he once rejected his father’s desire to take over the Crossroads, only to later realize the value of building a legacy. Frank and Edna adopted a clever delaying tactic, carrying Finn’s jar of change, and stood in line in front of the man who went to the bank to withdraw Glenn’s money, successfully delaying his time. This prevented Glenn from providing the deposit, making Sully the winner of the auction. When Sully realized he hadn’t lost his home, he was overcome with emotion and a heavy burden was finally lifted from his shoulders. He makes the victory even sweeter by inviting Frank and Edna to become official Crossroads partners.
As Sully, Carl, Maggie, Laura, Frank and Edna prepare for the auction, a poignant moment occurs. Frank and Edna lead a smudging ceremony, an indigenous tradition designed to cleanse the mind and soul by removing negative energy. The show does an excellent job of incorporating an Aboriginal perspective, reflecting the rich cultural fabric that is deeply woven into the very fabric of Canada.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” – Sullivan’s Crossing. Pictured: Chad MacMurray as Carl Jones, Morgan Cohan as Maggie Sullivan, Scott Patterson as Sully Sullivan, and Andrea Maynard as Edna Cramble. Photo: Bell Media © 2024. all rights reserved.
Rob and Sidney’s subplot provides a heartwarming respite as they deal with relationship challenges, with Sidney urging Rob to take a chance on being with Jane. Sidney eventually confides in Rafe about what happened with David in New York, opening the door for the two to rekindle their relationship.
One of the best moments for the audience is a long-awaited scene. Maggie arrives at Carl’s cabin, dressed up for a celebratory party, and Carl tells her she looks beautiful. As they were leaving, Sedona called to say her minor surgery was going well, much to my relief. Maggie took a deep breath and told Carl she was ready for the adventure. She admitted that she wanted to stay at Crossroads with him, and more importantly, that she loved him. Carl replied that he had been in love with her from the moment they met. Their passionate kiss has fans eagerly awaiting it. It’s everything the audience hoped for and more, showing the deep connection and happiness the two of them deserve. Carl helps Maggie see the bright side of life, encouraging her to take risks and strive for her own happiness. Their long-awaited confession is likely to be met with collective cheers from viewers across the country. The chemistry between them is palpable. Few TV couples have so much organic chemistry, and these two certainly do. It will be exciting to see what happens with them as they embark on this new chapter together.
But if viewers thought the episode was going to end on a happy note, they must not know Roman Ross, who loves to add shocking twists and turns that will shock viewers. The episode delivered a shocking cliffhanger that undoubtedly left fans stunned. Shanton’s restaurant is on fire and Finn and Clover are inside. As flames engulfed the building, viewers were on the edge of their seats as Sally and Carl rushed in to save Finn, with Sally still trapped inside. Maggie’s desperate cries end the episode as the restaurant explodes, leaving Sully’s fate in question. Maggie’s scream is heartbreaking and the moment is like a knife to the heart, especially after Sally finally unburdens herself and makes amends with her daughter. This can’t be the end for Sully, can it?
Thankfully, the show was renewed for a third season this week, ensuring viewers get the conclusion they deserve. While the hiatus will leave fans in suspense, hopefully this won’t be the last we see of Sully. This finale caps off an incredible season filled with everything viewers love about the show: drama, real emotion, and relatable challenges that connect fans on a deeper level. “Sullivan’s Crossing” is both special and comforting, a rarity in today’s television landscape. We definitely need more shows like this. Until season three, Sullivan’s Crossing fans, I throw it at you one last time. What did you think of the ending? What was going through your head when Carl and Maggie finally got together? Do you think this is the end for Sully? Please share your thoughts in the comments below, and as always, you can interact with me on Twitter/X @middleofcanada.
