The episode began on a tense note, as viewers learned that Sully had sustained a head injury, but was going to be okay. Lola confronted Maggie about keeping Sully's potential Alzheimer’s diagnosis from her, pushing Maggie to disclose the troubling possibility to Sully. His reaction—shaped by the painful memory of his father's struggle with the same disease—added a poignant layer to the narrative, shattering Maggie’s hopes that the prognosis could be a mistake.
"A Storm is Brewing” - SULLIVAN’S CROSSING. Pictured: Scott Patterson as Sully Sullivan. Photo: Bell Media ©2024. All Rights Reserved.
Frank and Edna grappled with the gravity of Sully's potential Alzheimer's diagnosis. Amidst this, Frank attempted to smudge Sully's hospital room, an act rooted in his Indigenous culture, which led to conflict when a nurse threatened to remove him for not adhering to hospital rules. The writer’s have always excelled with highlighting the ongoing societal challenges and narrow-minded attitudes towards Indigenous practices, and this episode really captured how much work still needs to be done towards reconciliation. Meanwhile, Frank shared with Edna that Sully's condition worsened after Maggie's return, and he suspected that Sully was drinking again.
Maggie spent the hour caught between going back to Boston to start her job, and wanting to be there for her father. After requesting additional time from her boss, who reluctantly agreed to give her a week before considering other options, Maggie faced persuasive arguments from Andrew, who encouraged her return to Boston.This dilemma was further echoed through an encounter with a pregnant woman at the Crossing, who shared her own struggles balancing career and motherhood, causing Maggie to reflect on the challenges that she has yet to face, challenges that she has not been able to think about because she has been so wrapped up in caring for Sully.
“A Storm is Brewing” - SULLIVAN’S CROSSING. Pictured: Morgan Kohan as Maggie Sullivan and Chad Michael Murray as Cal Jones. Photo: Bell Media ©2024. All Rights Reserved.
A poignant moment unfolded when Maggie discovered a box of memorabilia in Sully’s closet, including her baby photos and clippings of her career achievements, revealing that she was wrong in thinking that he didn’t care about her all these years. Maggie also uncovered Sully’s AA chips, realizing that her father was an alcoholic. She picked up the phone and questioned her mother, upset about why she kept this from her for all these years. The psychological damage done by her mother and step-father, to keep her away from her father and the Crossing, is slowly coming to light. The question remains, how much more will need to be uncovered before Maggie realizes the truth?
After Cal rescued Maggie from a tense situation with a camper, she confided in Cal about Sully's Alzheimer's diagnosis, and he assured her of the community’s support for Sully. Cal committed to staying at the Crossing to care for Sully, in an attempt to make things easier for Maggie, by giving her peace of mind about her impending return to Boston. This episode expertly intertwined Maggie's personal revelations with her father's hidden past, culminating in a realization triggered by a flashback of Sydney giving the pregnant camper vitamins. This, paired with the discovery of Sully’s alcoholism, allowed Maggie to come to a conclusion about what is really going on with Sully. As she raced to the hospital with Cal, Frank covertly helped Sully escape by setting off the smoke alarm.
“A Storm is Brewing” - SULLIVAN’S CROSSING. Pictured: Morgan Kohan as Maggie Sullivan and Chad Michael Murray as Cal Jones. Photo: Bell Media ©2024. All Rights Reserved.
Scott Patterson delivered a stellar performance in this episode, masterfully capturing the complex emotions of a man grappling with fear, frustration, and terror about his uncertain future. The poignant scene where his hospital roommate suffered a fatal cardiac arrest, showcased Patterson's ability to convey Sully’s heart wrenching distress. His portrayal deeply resonated with the viewers, allowing them to truly feel and empathize with his character’s ordeal.
The Shandon’s were also prominent in the episode. A mother from Finn’s baseball team shows an interest in Rob, prompting Cal to suggest he consider dating her. However, Rob hesitates, concerned that Finn might not be ready, leading Cal to question whether it is truly Finn who isn’t ready, or if it is Rob himself that isn’t. Rob confides in Cal about his past relationship with his wife and questions Cal’s long-term intentions at the Crossing. As Finn becomes increasingly frustrated with Rob’s work schedule, he lashes out. Rob, in response, asks his ineffective manager, Clover, for help with Finn. The situation escalates when Finn locks himself in the washroom at the diner, prompting Clover to call Sydney, who advises Rob to be more open and attentive to Finn’s needs. She tells him that he is failing to prioritize his relationship with his son, and that needs to change. Meanwhile, Sydney continued to give Rafe mixed signals. Rafe told Sydney that he wants to move beyond friendship, but she once again tells him that she is not ready, leaving Rafe feeling rejected and frustrated. At the end of the episode, Sydney appeared to make a choice about her future as she contacted an old modelling agent, asking to go back to work.
“A Storm is Brewing” - SULLIVAN’S CROSSING. Pictured: Lindura as Sydney Shandon, Zayn Maloney as Finn Shandon and Reid Price as Rob Shandon. Photo: Bell Media ©2024. All Rights Reserved.
Finally, Lola was at Roy's house, sorting through his belongings, when she discovered a safe containing various documents. Inside, she discovered an envelope addressed to her that held photos of the accident where she was struck by a car while biking. Disturbed by the discovery, Lola takes the envelope to Cal's house, seeking his assistance to track down the person responsible for the hit-and-run to ensure they are held accountable.
This episode was yet another compelling instalment that tugged at the heartstrings while challenging viewers to think critically about cultural sensitivity and the meaning of family and the complexities that come with relationships. Over to you, Sullivan’s Crossing fans! What did you think of the episode? What do you think Maggie’s revelation about Sully’s diagnosis is? Will Cal discover that Sully was the one that hit Lola? Share your thoughts below and engage with me on X at @middleofcanada.
