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“Hart of Dixie” recap (4.4): Red Dye #40

Zoe and Wade have seemingly figured out a way to make their situation work — back together and a baby on the way. Will the smooth sailing last? George has finally found it in himself to let go of Lemon and move on while Lavon’s feelings remain. To further complicate the situation, Annabeth has confessed her love for Lavon while Lemon keeps Lavon’s love for her a secret—at least for now. And at present, Crickett’s love life remains uneventful as the most excitement she seems to have experienced is bonding with her newly adopted cat.

Although Zoe and Wade have reconciled, it appears they wish to keep their reunification a secret from Bluebell. Zoe takes advantage of Bluebellians’ occupation with the local talent show and pays Wade a conjugal visit at the empty Rammer Jammer.

Meanwhile, the rest of Bluebell civilization is in attendance at the talent show as Shelby, a shoo-in for first place, thanks Brick for his surprise gift of chocolates. Brick insists that the chocolates are not from him. Shelby goes on stage and, before she can finish the phrase, “All that jazz,” she experiences an allergy attack effectively ruining her shot at the blue ribbon. Dash states the obvious suspicion that Shelby’s performance has been sabotaged.

Taking us back to events earlier in the day, Wade and Zoe have a post-coital discussion as to whether they should make their romance public. Wade has grown tired of hiding his love for her and is ready to begin a proper relationship of going on dates, kissing beyond closed doors, and showing the world how much he loves Zoe. Zoe disagrees and communicates her love for the “bubble” they’ve created; she enjoys it being just the two of them. She insists that they should wait a few more days before letting Bluebell in on their secret.

Lemon, having been denied capital from her grandmother, prepares to sell Fancie’s. Lavon steps in to offer her a loan to keep Fancie’s open. It is clear that love is the motivator behind his generous offer, however he insists that his desire to fund Fancie’s is purely mayoral. Fancie’s is good for Bluebell tourism and diners need options other than the Rammer Jammer. Lemon seems appreciative of Lavon’s offer, but declines.

George provides legal assistance to Tansy’s redneck brothers. Although nothing of substance has occurred just yet between the two, it seems that a spark may be forming as Tansy communicates her genuine appreciation for George’s kindness despite her brothers’ ridiculous behavior.

Brick shares with Lemon of Shelby’s plans for a romantic weekend visit sans baby Ethel. Although Lemon is happy to see her father in love, she expresses her distrust of Shelby. Crickett seems to have finally cracked the code as to why Jaysene hasn’t called since asking her out — she found out Crickett and Stanley are still married. Crickett resolves to begin divorce proceedings.

Lavon calls a meeting with Bluebell locals to announce a surplus of funds and his plans to put said money toward the talent show. Upon hearing the announcement, Annabeth, Lemon, and Crickett agree to perform their Dreamgirls routine.

Coming back to the present just following Shelby’s less than perfect performance, an out of practice Bluebell police officer attempts to investigate the potential sabotage of Shelby’s jazzy number. Lavon suggests clearing everyone out and meeting at the Rammer Jammer to further investigate the culprit of the crime. Unfortunately for Wade and Zoe, the unannounced Rammer Jammer visitors left no time for an escape. The couple hides behind the bar wrapped up in tablecloths.

Lavon announces that Shelby will be fine, but plans to press charges. Questioning of all involved with the talent show begins. Rose reveals that she saw Wanda, Stanley, Rudy, and Annabeth enter Shelby’s dressing room while she wasn’t there.

Wade and Zoe discuss their next steps as they continue to hide out. Wade suggests they take the opportunity to reveal their secret, but Zoe seems to think it would be much more fun to sit in the back and listen as talent show participants are questioned. As Wanda is interrogated, she asserts her lack of motive.

Once again, we venture back to earlier in the day when Wanda tells Tom how desperate she is to win the talent show.

Crickett and Stanley meet to discuss future plans. Crickett asks for a divorce; Stanley asks Crickett to perform alongside him in the talent show. Each agrees to oblige the other’s request.

In talking with Annabeth, Brick comes up with a plan to encourage the forming of a bond between Shelby and Lemon. He decides he’ll ask Shelby to enter the talent show, so his daughter and girlfriend can find a connection through their shared love of the theatre. Annabeth is distracted at the sight of Stanley and Crickett practicing a routine and attempts to stop Brick from following through with his plan a second too late.

Lemon confronts Lavon regarding his plans for Bluebell’s surplus. She accuses him of conjuring up this plan in an effort to give Lemon the money despite her earlier refusal. Lavon does not deny Lemon’s suggestion. Lemon, although initially scolding Lavon, seems charmed by his determination to keep the doors of her business open. Lavon knows that Fancie’s holds Lemon’s dreams and passions and wants to use the benefits of his position to ensure the woman he loves is able to maintain what she has worked to build.

Tansy invites George to watch her brothers practice their talent show number with ulterior motives. Tansy has assured her brothers that George will serve as their manager. George seems less than enthused at the prospect of managing a group of men singing about moonshine, but is coaxed in to helping — at least for the talent show.

Lemon is quite disappointed to hear two pieces of news that will not bode well for her chances of winning the talent show. Crickett will be partnering with Stanley instead and Shelby plans to compete. Knowing of Shelby’s exceptional abilities in singing and performing, Lemon is none too pleased. Annabeth suggests that Shelby must be out of practice and will not be a threat, but both Annabeth and Lemon seem to doubt the truth in this presumption. During rehearsal, Shelby proves to be as capable as ever as Annabeth and Lemon’s confidence continues to diminish and their frustration rises. Wanda suspiciously sneaks away without revealing her plans to Tom.

Bringing us back to the present, Wanda and Tom are questioned regarding their possible involvement in Shelby’s allergy attack. Tom insists that, although Wanda did not share with him where she snuck off to, he is confident her sudden exit had nothing to do with the mysterious chocolate delivery. Wanda ultimately gives in and confesses that she snuck away to sew Shelby’s costume as her pet goat had eaten it.

Meanwhile in the land where people wear picnic tablecloths in lieu of conventional clothing, Wade and Zoe continue to debate as to how much longer they can remain in hiding and which Bluebell resident is behind the allergy inducing chocolates.

Annabeth suggests that the chocolates may not have been the cause of Shelby’s allergies and Lemon reprimands her for making herself look guilty. Lemon begins to find Annabeth’s behavior suspicious as well and asks if Annabeth is guilty. Annabeth doesn’t answer with her words, but her face suggests she may in fact be at fault.

As Stanley’s potential motives are addressed, we travel back to the talent show rehearsal. Stanley and Crickett look on as Shelby practices her number and Stanley makes no attempt to hide his disdain for Shelby. He vows to do everything in his power to ensure he and Crickett win and walks away. Crickett is left to converse with another talent show participant who shares her belief that Stanley’s determination to win serves as nothing more than a thin veil over his desire to win Crickett back. He believes that, if they win, Crickett will be reminded of what a great team they make. Crickett is left to ponder the news and possibly wonders whether flaking on her friends to partner with Stanley was an appropriate decision.

Coming back to the post-talent show questioning, Crickett asserts her belief that, due to Stanley’s strong feelings for her, she believes he would’ve done anything in his power to secure a talent show win. It is revealed that Stanley disappeared for two hours and, upon his return, was convinced he and Crickett would take first place. Stanley defends himself claiming that, while he was away, he was bedazzling his shoes. The unconvinced officer insists that bedazzling shoes does not take two hours and demands to know why Stanley was in Shelby’s dressing room if not with the intent to inject red dye #40 (the source of Shelby’s allergy) into chocolate. We learn Stanley’s time spent in Shelby’s dressing room was in the company of another woman—Sadie.

Questioning moves along to the Truitt brothers and a mysterious errand is revealed. Before the show, the brothers asserted their confidence in scoring a win at the talent show due to their foolproof plan. Upon this announcement, the Truitt brother disappeared for a significant amount of time which puts them in a position of suspicion. Rose admits to seeing Rudy Truitt deliver a questionable package to Shelby’s dressing room. The Truitts acknowledge the truth in Rose’s statement, but report that they were simply storing the dry ice to be used in their act in Shelby’s refrigerator.

Lavon suggests that the questioning be put on hold as it is getting late, but the officer insists one more suspect has yet to be interrogated-Annabeth. She confesses to taking chocolates to Shelby’s dressing room, but maintains her innocence. According to Annabeth, the chocolates were nothing more than a peace offering and, prior to the delivery, she checked the ingredients to ensure they did not include red dye #40.

Prior to the talent show, Lemon and Annabeth discuss the destruction of their chances at winning due to Crickett leaving them high and dry and Shelby’s entry. Brick and Shelby stop by to share what they believe to be great news for Lemon and her restaurant. Shelby plans to use her talent show earnings to buy Fancie’s and make Lemon manager. Brick seems giddy at the thought of Shelby and Lemon working together and Shelby remains completely clueless as to why Lemon may be less than thrilled at the prospect of being demoted from owner of Fancie’s to manager. Lemon storms off leaving a let-down Shelby to lament over her inability to earn Lemon’s affection. In an effort to begin a bridging of the gap between Brick’s girls, Annabeth leaves chocolates in Shelby’s dressing room with a “good luck” message and Lemon’s forged signature.

During her questioning, Annabeth maintains that, although she delivered the chocolates, the red dye #40 was not her doing. The officer seems unconvinced reminding Annabeth that no note was found on the box of chocolates. Tom points out that his goat probably ate it. George suggests that the chocolates be tested for red dye #40.

Zoe and Wade remain in hiding, but their secret may be forced out of the closet sooner than Zoe planned as she has to pee.

Brick enters the Rammer Jammer to inform everyone of the chocolate test results. No red dye #40 was found. Suspects of Shelby’s sabotage are relieved as they believe they will be allowed to go home, however, the officer demands that they stay as Shelby’s saboteur remains a mystery. Lemon is next in line to be questioned.

Zoe is determined to avoid the crowd despite nature calling. Her confidence is reaffirmed at the sight of a mop bucket. Zoe’s reasoning for wanting so strongly to keep their relationship a secret remains a mystery to Wade. Her resolve to pee in a mop bucket in order to keep their love a secret seems beyond ridiculous to Wade. He demands she tell the truth as to why it is so important to her to keep their love under wraps. Zoe shares her concerns as to their lack of preparedness for the questions that will inevitably come once their romance is publicized. Things between Zoe and Wade are great as they are and she fears that informing people of Bluebell could sabotage what they have. Wade acknowledges the complications that will come, but assures Zoe that their choices in being together and how they raise their child are solely theirs and the business of no one else.

Lemon acknowledges her dislike for Shelby, but maintains her innocence. Rose tells the officer that she never saw Lemon enter Shelby’s dressing room. Lemon is almost forced to reveal the truth about Lavon’s original plans for the money and his love for her as her whereabouts during the intermission are called into question, when Zoe runs out in a tablecloth dress stating she knows whodunit—Rose. During Rose’s planning and preparation for the talent show, she snacked on cheesy chips that contain red dye #40. The cheesy powder from her fingers came into contact with Shelby’s microphone which set off the allergic reaction.

During Zoe’s sudden declaration, she takes advantage of a captive audience and reveals that she and Wade are pregnant and back together.

Having made a full recovery, Shelby performs her much anticipated number and takes first place in the talent show as originally predicted. Upon receiving the big, fat check, Shelby calls Lemon up to the stage and bequeaths the prize money to the southern restaurateur. Lemon is touched by Shelby’s grand gesture.

As the dust settles, the Truitt brothers—who took second place in the talent show—perform for the town of Bluebell after the talent show. Annabeth and Lemon offer apologies to one another and reconnect. Wade offers an invitation for the Truitt brothers to play at the Rammer Jammer and George gives in to the brothers’ pleas for him to be their manager.

Lavon questions Lemon as to whether she would be open to a relationship with him if there were no Annabeth. Lemon responds that the answer is pointless; Annabeth is her friend which means Lavon and Lemon can never be.

The episode comes to an end as Zoe and Wade have their turn at being questioned. Dash and company interrogate the couple on their plans and Wade demonstrates his ability to care for Zoe and their child by insisting they will be making their own decisions sans the opinions of the people of Bluebell.

Follow Emily on Twitter – @EmilyAMcGaughy

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