The season 4 premiere delivered quite a surprise and left fans eagerly waiting for the next installment. The wait was definitely worth it as Hart of Dixie is hitting all the right notes so far this season in what has been named “a season for the fans” by show creator, Leila Gerstein.
A BABY!?!: As was revealed at the end of the premiere, Zoe Hart is pregnant with Wade’s baby. This unexpected life altering news has understandably thrown Zoe for a loop and she has no idea how to handle it. When she freaks out at seeing Shelby’s baby with AB at the practice, AB is able to surmise that the mystery pregnancy test belongs to Zoe. To avoid further discussion with AB on the matter, Zoe rushes out with Rose to give the health seminar to the tween youth group. Ironically, Zoe finds the subject of the health seminar is sex ed where Rose expects her to give the straight scoop and not just the same old boring abstinence only spiel. Zoe loses it when the tweens bombard her with questions and misinformed comments. (It seems that Baby Kinsella is the result of an expired condom if anyone was curious.) After a discussion on whether or not Zoe wants to keep her curling iron with Rose, Zoe comes to the conclusion that she does want to keep her baby because it has the right manufacturer and she loves the manufacturer. She’s just a little overwhelmed at the idea and isn’t sure how to break the news to Wade that his life is about to be turned upside down.
Meanwhile, Wade is confused about why Zoe slammed the door in his face after he told her he loved her and asked her out to dinner. Lemon advises him that Zoe needs more than a symbol from him. Following Lemon’s advice, Wade apologizes to Zoe for telling her that he didn’t trust her and tells her again how he feels about her, Zoe agrees to go out to dinner with him. And just as soon as it appears like they might be getting somewhere, Wade shares his plan to take things slow this time with Zoe which causes her to storm out of the restaurant after declaring that slow just isn’t an option. Of course she neglected to share the fact that it wasn’t an option because she is now pregnant with his baby so once again the poor guy is left confused.
After talking to Wade, AB shares what is going on with Lemon, and they rush over to the carriage house to find Zoe a complete mess eating cookies while sitting in a bathtub. Zoe shares that she fears that she and Wade are never going to be on the same page so she must do this on her own. In a rare show of friendship, Lemon is able to reassure Zoe that she will be a good mother.
Dealing with Zoe literally drives Wade to drink as he seeks out Lavon and George. His vow that he is done this time just elicits a knowing laugh from George and Lavon who have heard it before. On his way back from raiding Lavon’s liquor cabinet, Wade runs into Zoe who is finally ready to clue him in. He laughs after Zoe awkwardly tells him she’s having his baby, but his laughter quickly turns to a loss of words as he realizes that Zoe isn’t joking. Zoe informs him that it is fine and that she is going to do it alone and doesn’t expect anything from him before running off. Wade can barely get the words out as he shares his surprising news with George and Lavon who are equally shocked.
Did anyone really think Zoe was going to take this news well? Zoe likes plans. An unexpected pregnancy when she isn’t even with Wade, who has been skittish about getting involved again, was going to clearly unbalance her when she is already crazy on a normal day. Zoe has a tendency to overthink things and get all up in her head. Normally I have a harder time sympathizing with Zoe yet I think an unplanned pregnancy has made Zoe the most sympathetic she has ever been. I don’t think she handled things perfectly at all, but I think she handled them the best that she could considering that she has only known she is pregnant for 2 days. She has a lot going on in her head at the moment. She can’t worry about how Wade is going to react or if he is going to come around quickly or not to the idea that life is going to change in a big way. So I understand her needing to get to a place where she knows that can do this on her own.
With that said, I do think that Wade was put in an unfair position all episode. I really expected him to withdraw from Zoe this episode after she slammed the door on him. And I really felt bad for him all episode because he was trying so hard, but he had no idea what was going on. Zoe feels that they won’t ever get on the same page. I don’t think that is really the issue at all. Wade has spent the past 2 years imagining life with Zoe Hart. And while he may have been slow to come around, as he told her, he realized it was worth the risk. He has grown from the guy we saw in the first season who wouldn’t even admit how he felt. He spent this whole episode telling anyone who would listen how he felt about Zoe. So I don’t think Wade has any problem getting on the same page as Zoe. I think he is completely ready for it despite his initial reaction to the news. (Remember he was also drunk when she told him.) He just needs to know what book Zoe is reading.
Another Breeland Scandal…or Two: Brick and Lemon are both hoping that the secret about their relationships can last just one more day until Grandma Breeland embarks on a 5-month cruise. Crickett’s big mouth alerts Granny to the fact that Lemon’s relationship may just be a little too convenient. AB becomes the keeper of everyone’s secrets after she walks in on Brick and Shelby kissing at the practice. Knowing that something is off, Granny notices that AB knows something so she plies her with alcohol hoping to find out what is going on with her family. When AB threatens to blow the lid off of everyone’s secrets, Brick confesses that he has been seeing Shelby behind everyone’s back. Granny determines that she must meet Shelby.
Unbeknownst to Lemon, George and Lavon have teamed up to prove that Henry isn’t as perfect as he may seem. The trail leads them to learn that Henry has been sending red roses to a maid in Mobile who turns out to be his girlfriend whom he has been promising to marry once he gets his trust fund from his grandmother. After deliberating for a couple of minutes, they leak the news to the Blawker.
To Brick and Lemon’s horror, Granny and Shelby love one another. With her son and granddaughter finally settled, Granny is ready to set off for the continent when Sheriff Bill arrives to arrest Henry for fraud after reading the Blawker. Lemon is finally forced to admit that she and Henry were in on it together because she wanted the money for Fancie’s while he was trying to convince his family he had moved on from the girl they found unsuitable. Lemon will have to find the money for Fancie’s somewhere else because Grandma Bettie tore up the check before leaving.
I can officially say that now I really don’t care who Lemon winds up choosing. The friendships on this show are golden. I don’t want to see Lemon/AB or George/Lavon ruined because of a man or woman. At the end of last season, I really wanted George and Lemon to get together this season. In the past 2 episodes, I haven’t seen any evidence to show me that Lemon is it for George or Lavon. I have seen their friendship build on what we saw last season. Lemon and AB’s friendship has been one of my favorite parts of this show since season 1. AB really is one of the best friends anyone could ask for. My one complaint about the premiere was the lack of AB. This episode more than made up for that and AB shined. Now can we finally get her a man worthy of her?
I’ve always loved Granny Breeland despite her being a mean old bat at times. We are starting to see her soften in this episode. The first moment was when she told Crickett that her big reveal was proof that she has always had fortitude. It really shouldn’t have come as a surprise that she ended up loving Shelby. She really just wants her family to be happy.
Final Thoughts: There were less “extra” characters in this episode which forced the main cast to interact with one another more. AB tied the main storylines together in a way that worked rather well. It also gave us some really great scenes that showcased the strength of this show which are the endearing relationships and friendships and not just the romantic entanglements. One moment that really stood out for me was Brick sacrificing himself instead of letting Lemon’s secret come out because he knew how important it was for her to get Fancie’s again without having a man attached to it. Lemon has fought hard to be independent and find who she is after being left at the altar. I can’t say enough how much I loved having a scene with the ladies and the guys just being there for each other. I really hope we have many more of those types of scenes to look forward to this season.
The curling iron conversation with Rose was hilarious and had me laughing out loud. Who knew that a curling iron could be used to talk about a baby? It is also always great to see Rose and her friendship with Zoe.
If there is anyone who is still doubting that Wade has truly paid enough for having hurting Zoe by cheating on her, just imagine, he now has to deal with a pregnant Zoe Hart for the next 9 ½ months. If he thought she was crazy before, he has only got a small taste of what pregnancy hormones are going to do to her. Karma? And a special notice about how amazing Wilson Bethel is at changing his facial expression as he conveys the various emotions Wade is going through. One thing I’m truly thankful to this show for is introducing me to the talent that is Wilson Bethel.
It seemed like someone got a little tired of playing the hide-the-bump game this week since Rachel Bilson’s very obvious pregnant belly was spotted quite a few times in this episode.
What do you think about this season so far? Are you ready to scream because Zoe and Wade seem so close but aren’t quite there, yet? How is Lemon going to get the money for Fancie’s now? Is there any man in BlueBell worthy of AB? Which is your favorite friendship?
Remember to tune in next week at 8PM EST/7PM CST. Wade goes to New York while Lemon, AB, and Crickett crash George’s parents’ lake house.
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.
