Archive

“Hart of Dixie” recap (4.10): Bluebell

Season 4 of Hart of Dixie is coming to a close. I can’t speak for all lesbian fans of the show but, in my eyes, there have been moments to celebrate and also those of disappointment. To see a lesbian couple in a show set in a small town in a state with such deep roots in conservatism and Southern values is quite significant.

As a teenager, seeing a mainstream television show like Hart of Dixie would’ve made a great difference in my life. One of our readers has referred to the Crickett and Jaysene storyline as a “missed opportunity” and, although my commentary may seem optimistic, I tend to agree. Am I thankful to have seen Crickett come out and begin a relationship with Jaysene? Of course. But, I believe had Crickett been allowed the screen time she deserved—to take us along for the ride as she navigates her life as a newly out lesbian— Hart of Dixie would’ve been greatly enriched. Alas, when it comes to season 4, we were given breadcrumbs. I think we enjoyed the breadcrumbs, but they failed to satisfy our appetites.

Last episode, the world did not end, but life as Bluebell had previously knew it did—as George Tucker left for new career opportunities in Nashville. Wade and Zoe did not get engaged, but Lemon and Lavon did. Will Zoe make another proposal attempt? How will Annabeth fare in a long distance relationship? Will Lavon fess up to the fact that what Lemon perceived to be a romantic proposal was nothing more than the couple being at the right place at the right time (or the wrong place at the wrong time, depending on how you look at it)? And as for the couple we really care about: Will Jaysene and Crickett get more than 15 minutes of screen time?

The season finale opens with Zoe attempting (and failing) to clarify with Wade how she quickly evolved from never wanting to get married to wanting to get married to planning a proposal, which was mistakenly hijacked by Lavon and Lemon. Although Zoe is ready to marry Wade, she feels strongly that it should be put on hold in an effort to avoid stealing Lemon’s thunder. Given Zoe’s rocky history with Lemon, Zoe would prefer to avoid any further dissension. Zoe wants to allow Lemon her time to enjoy being engaged and in the Bluebell spotlight. Wade is not quite convinced as to what bearing Lemon and Lavon’s relationship should have on his and Zoe’s.

Lemon and Lavon gush over breakfast pastries about how happy and content they are together. Zoe and Wade interrupt the exchange of sweet talk. Zoe continues to keep up the charade, but Wade seems annoyed at the thought of having to put off his future plans in the name of keeping the peace. In an extremely heartwarming gesture, Lemon requests that Zoe be her bridesmaid. Zoe is expectedly shocked at Lemon’s kind offer. Lemon insists that their past is “water under the bridge” and Zoe accepts. The girls leave and Wade scolds Lavon for the considerable inconvenience he’s caused. Lavon tells Wade that, although, he had no concrete plans to propose, he truly wanted to marry Lemon and that the events of their engagement were nothing short of “fate intervening.”

There’s a new girl in town that has a history much like that of Zoe’s. Zoe meets with Olivia, an attorney from New York who has relocated to Alabama. Olivia, much like Zoe, is hysterical over the transition because “snakes” and “everything’s fried.” As the original Zoe gets acquainted with the new Zoe, the original Zoe is surprised to learn that Brick plans to hire a new associate at their medical practice.

If you didn’t read my recap from last week’s episode, ya need to immediately, if not sooner: If for no other reason than to join me in a collective pat on the back for yours truly. I offered that Jaysene and Crickett deserve a U-haul moment. They’ve been dating almost all season, worked through silly, little fights, all the while seeming to remain close and connected. Well, ladies, turns out the Universe was listening and my request was granted. Crickett and Jaysene meet with Annabeth to share their happy news. They are moving in together and their excitement is nothing short of contagious. Remember when you moved in with your first girlfriend and how ecstatic you felt at the prospect of sharing a tiny apartment with that special girl you just couldn’t stand to be away from? This moment—although brief—will take you right back. While Annabeth struggles to mask her sadness over missing George, it is clear that she is thrilled for her friends as they move along in their relationship.

George makes a concerted effort to play referee as the Truitt brothers and Meatball argue over who gets what. Oh how quickly the small town, good ol’ boys have turned into high maintenance divas.

Zoe pays a visit to the clinic hoping to get the deets on the new doctor in town—only to find that Dr. Halston has taken over her office and Brick is nowhere to be found. The new doctor shows his true misogynistic colors when he condescendingly presumes Zoe must be a nurse. Zoe is finally able to confront Brick face to face with regard to Caveman Halston and what she assumes is her imminent termination. Brick corrects her assumptions and explains that he hired Halston in an effort to relieve himself and Zoe, so they can be free to spend more time with baby Ethel and baby Hart-Kinsella. In a touching moment, Brick reveals the new clinic sign, which states “Breeland & Hart” and expresses how proud he believes Zoe’s father would be of her accomplishments.

Dr. Halston interrupts Brick as he is working to plan Lemon and Lavon’s engagement party to be held at Fancie’s. Dr. Halston has treated a group of patients with food poisoning due to the consumption of some bad cheese—all of whom are part of the wait staff at Fancie’s. Magnolia offers that they should inform Lemon of the bad news, but Brick insists that they can find replacements for the wait staff on their own and Lemon need not be made aware. Brick meets with Bluebellians to request their assistance without much success. Having realized that finding capable people to fill in may be quite a task, he asks Wade to keep Lemon occupied.

In a heartwarming exchange, Rose shares the happy news of her plans to attend Columbia with Zoe. Rose communicates her admiration and gratitude to Zoe. Zoe has been Rose’s glimpse of the world outside Bluebell and given her a strong woman to look up to.

George arrives in Bluebell for a visit and some quality time with his long distance love. While we may have been skeptical of how Annabeth and George would fare as a couple living in different cities, their greeting tells us that the spark between them has survived—at least for now.

Demonstrating his incapability to effectively occupy Lemon without her catching on to the charade, Wade enlists her assistance in a Rammer Jammer beer run. Considering that Lemon made it past third grade, she sees through Wade’s poor attempt at keeping her occupied and demands that he tell her the truth. So, he does.

Feeling all the feelings after being made partner and a moving conversation with Rose, Zoe visits her father’s grave. She updates her late father on all the goings on in her life — love with Wade, a baby on the way, and finding a place to call home. Although Zoe’s father was far from perfect, it was him that brought her to Bluebell, for which she is grateful. Zoe begins to feel contractions, which she convinces herself are nothing more than Braxton Hicks.

Lavon and Lemon’s engagement party is off to a mediocre start with the second string wait staff. And Zoe is still not feeling quite right. Lemon has yet to arrive to her own party as her arranged ride failed to show. Lemon and Wade wait for the Blueber to pick them up and Wade asks Lemon how she would feel about having her thunder stolen aka Wade proposing to Zoe. Lemon expresses her support.

As the party continues, guests demand that Lavon tell the proposal story one more time. Placing great emphasis on the planning and implementation of the engagement, Bluebellians compliment Lavon on the flawless preparation of the proposal. Lavon is expectedly uncomfortable knowing that all praise is really owed to Zoe as she is the one that devised the grand proposal plan.

Crickett and Jaysene (looking extra cute in trendy braids) approach Annabeth to inquire about how things are going with George’s visit. The couple asks if they have had a chance to discuss their future and whether there are plans to soon live in the same city. Annabeth communicates that, although she didn’t have a formal sit down with George concerning their relationship, he did tell her that the separation is only temporary. She had previously assumed that this meant that George planned to move back to Bluebell at some point. However, Jaysene points out to Annabeth that George may have meant he’d like for Annabeth to move to Nashville.

Lemon finally arrives at her engagement party not one bit concerned about the questionable choice in flowers or the less than capable wait staff. Her concern lies only with Lavon as she rushes to embrace her fiancĂ©. Zoe’s “Braxton Hicks” continue as she insists that she is absolutely not going into labor. Wade helps her outside to get some fresh air.

Fresh off her new realization thanks to Jaysene, Annabeth approaches George to confront him about what he sees in their future. Annabeth walks up to George raving about life in Nashville and how much he is enjoying it, which only fuels Annabeth’s disappointment. Annabeth asks George to clarify what he meant when he stated that they wouldn’t be long distance forever. Jaysene’s concerns are proven a possibility when George communicates his thoughts that Annabeth may move to Nashville to attend nursing school at some point.

Having had enough of what feels like deception, Lavon tells Lemon the truth about their engagement. The conversation goes about as swimmingly as one would expect and Lemon leaves.

Wade asks Zoe how sure she is that this is nothing more than Braxton Hicks. Zoe finally confesses that she suspects it could be real labor, but insists that leaving the party to have the baby would only serve to take the attention off of Lemon, which she is determined not to do. Lemon approaches the parents-to-be and shares that she knows what actually happened the night she and Lavon got engaged. Lemon encourages Wade and Zoe to enjoy the party as it should have been theirs in the first place. Suddenly, Zoe’s water breaks.

Zoe and Wade arrive at the hospital. She is only dilated 2 centimeters, so she urges Wade to make himself comfortable as they will most likely be there a while.

Brick scolds Lavon for telling Lemon the truth. Lavon resolves to give Lemon the engagement she deserves.

Zoe and Wade reminisce about the past and reflect on how far they’ve come. Just as things are getting sentimental, they are interrupted by Bluebellians who just couldn’t stay away.

Lavon enlists the help of George, Brick, Tom, Magnolia, and Betty in prepping the perfect proposal. Betty gives Lavon a ring that has been in the family. Lavon asks George to request Annabeth send Lemon as they are having drinks together at the Rammer Jammer. George responds that this may not be possible as Annabeth is none too happy with him for suggesting she move to Nashville.

Lemon, Annabeth, Crickett, Jaysene, along with several other lady Bluebellians engage in a little cocktailing and discussing of men behaving badly. George interrupts girl talk and asks to speak with Annabeth. Annabeth is still displeased with George and initially rejects him, but eventually agrees to talk. George communicates to Annabeth that he needs her to help him get Lemon to the site of the proposal and also takes the opportunity to confront her about why she is upset with him. Annabeth expresses her disappointment at his suggestion that she move to Nashville. George asks if she feels he should move back; Annabeth says they should maybe break up. Meanwhile the ladies accept an invitation to visit Zoe and Wade at the hospital effectively impeding on George’s plan to send Lemon to Lavon. George shares the news with Lavon and they elect to move the proposal to the hospital.

Too many Bluebellians to count gather in Zoe and Wade’s hospital room. Lavon asks to speak with Lemon privately, but she remains angry at him. Zoe is feeling the love and declares that she wants to marry Wade.

With Zoe’s recent declaration in mind, Wade enlists the help of Bluebellians to gather necessary wedding items. As fate (or the writers) would have it, Lemon and Lavon and Annabeth and Wade are forced to run their errands together, respectively. Zoe video chats with her mother as preparations are made for the wedding. Although her mother would’ve preferred a more appropriate venue, she offers her support for Zoe and Wade’s hospital nuptials.

George takes the opportunity to talk with Annabeth further as they run their Hart-Kinsella wedding errands. Annabeth agrees that she cares for George, but sees no option other than breaking up as George is happy in Nashville and her life is in Bluebell. George insists that they can work it out and says “I love you” for the first time. He believes that they’ll regret nothing when they make decisions based on their love for one another. For Annabeth, this changes everything and she returns George’s “I love you” in kind. They proceed to make out in the car like teenagers.

Lemon and Lavon venture out to take care of their wedding assignments. As we’d expect, Lavon takes advantage of the car ride and explains to her his proposal plans for tonight. Lemon laughs it off and tells Lavon that she doesn’t need the perfect proposal. Lemon knows that their life together will be perfect, so a perfect proposal is unnecessary. Lavon pulls over and asks Lemon to marry him. Lemon lovingly accepts.

Wade manages to locate a rabbi in the hospital to ensure that Zoe’s half-Jewishness is honored in their ceremony. Just as everything is set and ready for the Hart-Kinsella marriage, Zoe’s doctor declares that it’s time to push. Zoe insists that the doctor allow her five minutes to engage in the most procrastinated shotgun wedding imaginable. The doctor declines and insists that they must move to labor and delivery immediately. Zoe demands the ceremony be performed on the way. The rabbi and priest lead as Zoe and Wade voice their heartfelt, comical, and brief vows. An offbeat and questionably legal ceremony is performed just in time as Zoe is wheeled to the delivery room to give birth to their Alabama boy.

Season 4 of Hart of Dixie closes with an endearing, yet a bit out of place song and dance that takes us from the hospital through various memorable Bluebell spots including the gazebo and the Rammer Jammer. As Bluebellians sing a song about “the heart” and “the soul that knows what it wants”, we see Lemon and Lavon finally exchange vows in a ceremony slightly more traditional than Wade and Zoe’s. Wade and Zoe look on as new Bluebellians engage in what appears to be a love triangle quite similar to what they shared. And everything changes and everything stays the same.

In reading various blogs, it appears that fans of Hart of Dixie are viewing this season as an attempt on the writers’ part to quickly tie up all loose ends and ensure a happy ending is had. What are your thoughts on Season 4?

Lesbian Apparel and Accessories Gay All Day sweatshirt -- AE exclusive

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button