It has been a long time since we last visited BlueBell. The CW decided to deliver an early Christmas present to Dixie fans and gave us a special sneak peek at season 4’s premiere, “Kablang”. And it certainly delivered quite the bang to start off what might potentially be the final season.
The Zoe-Wade Rollercoaster: The past 3 seasons have seen Zoe and Wade’s relationship through many ups and downs, back and forths, and twists and turns. This episode was much of the same. Zoe finally realized that she loved Wade and he was the one for her last season. This season starts with her sight set firmly on winning Wade over and getting him back. Zoe’s various romantic gestures fail to convince Wade although he was amused by the chase. At the advice of Lavon and George, Zoe next step is to set out to seduce him. She succeeds although Wade insists that it is just sex and won’t lead to anything more. Zoe ignores his warning since in the past sex did lead to them falling in love. After some sage words from Brick and his mother, Zoe confronts Wade and pushes him to admit that he loves her. Despite still loving her, Wade shares that she wrecked his heart when she left and then returned with another boyfriend. And he isn’t sure that he can go there again because he doesn’t trust that she won’t hurt him again. Zoe backs off in the face of what appears to be an insurmountable obstacle.
Eight weeks pass and things are very awkward when Zoe approaches Wade for help and quickly tries to leave. Wade doesn’t enjoy getting the silent treatment from Zoe and questions why they can’t even talk. Zoe reminds him that he doesn’t trust her which is something she can’t overcome. Earl, with the help of his new lady love, intervenes to bring Zoe and Wade together in the hope that they will talk about their issues like adults. Zoe tells Wade there isn’t anything she can do to prove that he can trust her unless he gives her that chance. And as pathetic as it may sound, all she really wants is for him to knock on her door and tell her he is ready to take that chance. Zoe leaves when Wade has nothing to say. Wade gets some much needed words of wisdom from his father who points out that he spent 20 years drunk hiding from his feelings after Wade’s mother passed away. He pleads with Wade to not be like his father and to give love another chance.
Meanwhile, during Lemon’s exam, Zoe shares that she has also been feeling under the weather lately. AB shares with Zoe that she is puzzled that Brick hasn’t been more concerned about Lemon’s symptoms. When she mentions that Lemon could even be pregnant, a light bulb goes off for Zoe who says she needs to run some more tests. The next day when the results come in, she learns that she is pregnant with Wade’s baby.
Earl’s words hit home for Wade, and he goes to knock on Zoe’s door to ask her to dinner. He tells her that he loves her and wants to give them another chance. Finally faced with what she has wanted, Zoe surprisingly tells Wade no and that he was right that it wouldn’t work. She is left alone freaking out about her life changing news.
I loved every moment of Wade and Zoe’s storyline this episode. We got so much more than I ever expected to get. It felt like we got a quick run through of every stage they’ve gone through in the past 3 seasons. The earlier part of the episode was filled with their fun banter while we also got to finally get some true and honest emotion from them. Wade aptly described their relationship as a rollercoaster to Zoe’s mother back in the first season.
I was surprised to see Zoe turn Wade down at the end when he finally came around. And I know some didn’t like that twist after seasons of drama and back and forth between these two. While I can understand that because it certainly is frustrating, I understand why Zoe acted the way she did. I also feel it was very in character for her. Both Zoe and Wade were very much in character in this episode even though it often meant they were pushing the other away. Zoe had just learned the most shocking news she’s probably received in her life. She hadn’t even had time to really process what that means for her let alone for Wade and her relationship with him. And she just couldn’t deal with it in that moment so she pushed him away. And I feel while a reunion would have been nice last night, this will help build the anticipation for that moment when they finally do get things together and make it an even bigger moment.
Elsewhere in BlueBell: George and Lavon are on the outs since they both realized that they want Lemon. They take the competition for her literally during their volunteer firefighter training with each trying to one up the other. Much to their surprise when Lemon returns early from her cruise, she isn’t alone. She introduces everyone to Dr. Henry Dalton, her new boyfriend, much to her grandmother’s delight. To Brick’s horror, his mother decides to stick around in town once she learns Lemon’s news. Brick got a surprise visit from Shelby, and they quickly rekindle their romance although he wants to keep it a secret from his mother. Crickett sets out to embark on her new life as an out of the closet lesbian and is soon asked out on a date by Jaysene, the new coach for the volunteer fire department.
I was disappointed to see Lavon at the dock for Lemon in the season 3 finale. I really thought that would get in the way of my enjoyment of this storyline this season. I’m still not crazy about the whole Lavon-Lemon-George triangle, and I do hope that it is resolved fairly quickly. I found George and Lavon to be funny last night although they do come across as overgrown children who are fighting over a toy. I don’t feel either one deserves to be with Lemon at this time.
In addition to Zoe’s pregnancy, we learned that Lemon’s new relationship is a ruse to convince her grandmother to give her the money for Fancie’s. I imagine that is going to blow up spectacularly in her face once it comes out which it will since Lavon and George are out to find some dirt on their new competition.
I was happy to see the return of Shelby. I enjoyed the Brick and Shelby relationship very much during season 2 and was baffled about why they broke up (aside from the fact that Laura Bell Bundy was cast on another show). Lemon’s secret won’t be the only one that comes out since Brick is intent on hiding his new relationship from his mother.
The season 3 finale threw quite the twist at us when Crickett revealed that she was gay. I was curious to see where they were going to go with this storyline. I’m pleasantly surprised that I found myself really enjoying Crickett in the premiere. I also can’t wait to see her relationship develop with Jaysene because there was a definite spark there.
Final Thoughts: From the second the show opened with “Wake Me Up”, I had a smile on my face. It felt good to be back in BlueBell. When this show is on, it’s great. And last night it was on. There was the perfect mixture of light-hearted laughs and drama to keep things interesting. My only criticism of last night’s episode is the lack of a storyline for Annabeth. Although I’m willing to be patient to see what happens. She deserves so much more. One of my favorite moments of the episode is one that I have been waiting a long time to see—a genuine moment where Earl finally steps up as a father to Wade. How cute were Earl and Mae together? I’m happy that we are finally seeing Earl sober and finding happiness in his life. This episode just offered everything that I love about this show. It also left us with some questions unanswered. While it was nice of the CW to give us an early Christmas present, now it seems cruel that we have to wait a month to see what will happen next. This was certainly a great way to start off the season. Now can January get here quickly? I’m dying to see how Zoe deals with her pregnancy news and how she will tell Wade.
What do you think about Zoe and Wade having a baby? Were you disappointed that there wasn’t a Zoe and Wade reunion? How do you think Zoe is going to tell Wade that he is going to be a father? Who should win Lemon’s heart? Are AB and Lemon going to dig to find out who is really pregnant? Please share your thoughts and comments below.
Hart of Dixie will return on Friday, January 9, 2015 with an encore of the premiere. New episodes will start on Friday, January 16, 2015.
About the Author - Tracie
Tracie is a wife and stay-at-home mom of 2 residing in NJ. She likes to unwind with a good book or in front of the TV. She is an avid reader of romance books. She likes to cook and bake. She loves to exercise and is trying to live a healthier life style. She watches a wide variety of TV shows ranging from reality TV to scripted dramas. Some of her past and current favorite TV shows are Sex and the City, Charmed, The Good Wife, and Hart of Dixie.
