Following the huge success of the first two seasons on Canada’s CTV network, the second season of “Sullivan’s Crossing” finally returned on October 2 on the CW network.
The show’s huge success can be attributed to several aspects. The show features an all-star cast, including Chad Michael Murray and Scott Patterson, who are beloved by fans for their iconic roles in One Tree Hill and Gilmore Girls respectively . Canadian sweetheart Morgan Kohan brings a local feel to the film. This beloved trio brings a heartfelt drama to life and is a breath of fresh air in today’s television landscape. “Sullivan’s Crossing” captivated audiences with its in-depth exploration of redemption and reconciliation. It thoughtfully explores the relevant themes of trauma and suffering, guiding its characters and viewers to overcome obstacles, discover the truth, and forge a path toward forgiveness.
Where we left off…
In the first season, Cohan plays neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan, who returns to Sullivan’s Crossing after a malpractice lawsuit. Owned by her father, Sully (played by Patterson), The Crossing is a scenic campsite set in the stunning scenery of Nova Scotia, Canada. Sullivan’s Crossing is steeped in Maggie’s personal history, filled with precious and painful memories. When Maggie was a child, her father’s battle with alcoholism led to his separation from Maggie’s mother, Phoebe (played by Linda Boyd). Maggie’s last memory is of her mother pulling her away from her heartbroken father, and they left Boston to start a new life. Now an adult, Maggie has a successful career and is in a relationship with fellow doctor Andrew, played by Canadian actor Alan Hawco. Maggie’s life in Boston seems perfect, but it soon becomes apparent that she’s not truly happy. Her life is largely determined by her mother and stepfather, and although Andrew is her mother’s ideal partner, Maggie doesn’t really love him.
“Sins of the Father” – “Sullivan’s Crossing”. Andrew Matthews, Peter Outerbridge as Walter Lancaster.
While at Sullivan’s Crossing, Maggie meets Carl Jones (played by the enigmatic Murray). Carl is a charming, empathetic nomad seeking comfort after the death of his wife. Maggie feels an immediate attraction to Carl, sparking an inner conflict in her as she grapples with her feelings for him and her commitment to Andrew. Despite her inner desires, Maggie remains constrained by what she thinks others expect of her and is hesitant to go off track. Communication is a struggle between Maggie and her estranged father Sally, an issue that continues throughout the season. Maggie harbors unresolved feelings of abandonment and resentment toward him, and Sully can never seem to find the words to make up for the fact that he was absent for much of Maggie’s life. To make Maggie even more frustrated, she has to witness the close relationship between Sully and Laura (played by Amalia Williamson) – the kind of relationship Maggie always wanted to have with her father. To make matters worse, Lola seems resentful of Maggie and takes pleasure in flaunting her relationship with Sully in front of Maggie. Meanwhile, Sully was facing a crisis of his own, as financial problems threatened to close Sullivan’s Crossing and, despite several years of sobriety, he fell back into alcoholism.
“Detour” – Sullivan Crossing. Pictured: Morgan Cohan as Maggie Sullivan and Scott Patterson as Sully Sullivan. Photo: Bell Media © 2023. all rights reserved.
As Maggie and Carl’s bond deepens, a hostile visit from Andrew finally forces Maggie’s hand, and she ends her relationship with him. The breakup brought Maggie closer to Carl, and their growing feelings culminated in a kiss. Before the two could discuss it, Maggie returned to Boston for trial, which was ultimately dismissed. Carl leaves the Crossroads to scatter his wife’s ashes and leaves a note for Maggie, which Lola intercepts and misleads Maggie into thinking Carl left without saying goodbye. Emotions came to a head in the season finale when Maggie confronted Sully and accused him of abandoning her. She also found out she was pregnant with Andrew’s child. In a poignant flashback, Sully recalls the day Maggie left for Boston. In his drunken state, he accidentally bumped into Laura, who was riding his bicycle with him, causing her to have a long recovery. The revelation adds a layer of tragic complexity to an already tumultuous relationship.
“Aftershock” – Sullivan’s Crossing. Pictured: Morgan Cohan as Maggie Sullivan and Chad MacMurray as Carl Jones. Photo: Bell Media © 2023. all rights reserved.
Another highlight of the show is the dynamic cast, each with their own unique charm and depth. Frank and Edna, played by Tom Jackson and Andrea Maynard, join Sully in helping manage the intersection. Their beautiful relationship is a pure example of true love and wisdom, and their innate wisdom and kindness provide the perfect balance to keep Sully grounded and help guide Maggie toward true happiness. Rob and Sidney, played by Reed Price and Lindula, embody a supportive and caring brother-sister relationship. Rob is a single parent running a business with little time for his son, while Sydney takes it upon herself to spend time with him while hiding a secret about her own troubled past that, to date, The audience still doesn’t know the secret. By the end of the season, Sidney feels like she might not be welcome anymore, so she moves out of Rob’s house and lives with Firefighter Rafe, played by Dakota Taylor, who has feelings for her but isn’t quite there yet. Let him in.
“Sullivan’s Crossing”: Pictured: Tom Jackson as Frank Cranebear and Andrea Maynard as Edna Cranebear. Photo: Bell Media © 2024. all rights reserved.
What can viewers expect from Season 2?
In a recent interview with Bell Media, showrunner Roman Ross assured fans that the show’s second season will be filled with more emotion, drama, and suspense. The season begins just hours after Maggie discovers her father has suffered a stroke. Maggie feels guilty about their last encounter and decides to stay at the Crossroads to take care of Sully. Concerns deepened when Sully’s doctor suspected his symptoms might be indicative of a more serious condition and ordered additional tests. Meanwhile, Sully has a nagging feeling that he’s forgotten something important – apparently he’s forgotten what he did to Lola, which, funnily enough, in the memory Will he decide to continue hiding the secret after his death, or will he choose to face and accept the consequences of his actions?
Unable to escape to Boston and leave her troubles behind, Maggie is forced to confront her complicated feelings about her father and resolve her growing feelings for Carl. When the season begins, Maggie feels betrayed when Carl suddenly leaves without saying goodbye, prompting her to distance herself. One of the photos from this episode depicts Carl seemingly pleading with Maggie. Hopefully the two can have an honest conversation about what happened and Carr can personally reveal what he wrote in his letter to her. However, the two still face a major obstacle – Maggie’s pregnancy. She initially chose to keep it a secret, planning to return to Boston after her father recovered. How will she break the news to Carl? Will she do what her head tells her is the right thing – get back together with Andrew and raise their child together? Or will she ultimately follow her heart and choose to be with Karl, and should he choose to accept her child?
“Guilt Trip” – Sullivan’s Crossing. Pictured: Morgan Cohan as Maggie Sullivan and Chad MacMurray as Carl Jones. Photo: Bell Media © 2024. all rights reserved.
Finally, Maggie’s plans to return to Boston are postponed when she learns that the Crossroads is about to be auctioned off. She’s determined to help save her father’s legacy, and in doing so, will she start to prioritize what’s truly important to her? Or will she continue to live the life she believes she should live?
