As the curtains rise on another chapter of Sullivan's Crossing, Maggie Sullivan (portrayed by Morgan Kohan) receives a heartfelt plea from her mother, Phoebe (played by Lynda Boyd), urging her to return home, even for just a fleeting day. Phoebe, with a tinge of regret in her voice, mentions missing her scheduled rendezvous with Andrew, fearing that Maggie might once again be shutting people out of her life. Maggie counters, insisting that Andrew has been the elusive one lately. Their conversation briefly veers towards Maggie's deposition, prompting Phoebe to express doubts about Sully's reliability.
After a refreshing jog, Maggie heads to the diner, where Sydney, privy to the recent developments, awaits. Maggie extends an invitation for Sydney to join her on her next run, but Sydney, with a wry smile, admits she only runs when chased. Sydney confides that her relationship with Rafe has ended due to his incessant neediness. Meanwhile, Cal (played by Chad Michael Murray) bids farewell as he exits, his demeanor hinting at something amiss. Maggie confides in Sydney that Cal has been acting uncharacteristically since their dinner. She acknowledges a hint of jealousy over Andrew's work-centric conversations, which seem to dominate their discussions lately.
When Maggie inquiries about the baseball tournament, Sydney informs her that Finn has been ejected, having been physically restrained by the umpires from confronting a much larger opponent. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted by Rob (portrayed by Reid Price), who hands Maggie a bag of Frank's favorites, hinting that Edna is nearly back with him. Edna (played by Andrea Menard), mindful of the doctor's orders, gently reminds Frank (played by Tom Jackson) of the need for rest and better nutrition. Frank, surprised by how seamlessly the place has functioned without him, expresses his astonishment.
Sully (brought to life by Scott Patterson), with a whimsical chuckle, jokes about enjoying the unparalleled tranquility in Frank's absence. Edna underscores the importance of a healthier diet for Frank, just as Maggie arrives with a diner-sourced feast for him. In a private moment, Frank, with a heartfelt gratitude, admits he never thanked Maggie for saving his life. Maggie, shoulders burdened with guilt, laments her silence about Chelsea. Frank shares his profound sorrow, imagining a future devoid of Edna, a fear that intensified as he battled against it. He embraced the inevitable, his eyes closing to envision Edna's visage, finding solace in an overwhelming peace. Frank warns Maggie that she risks missing out on life's journey if she spends her days trying to control every aspect of it.
Sully issued a stern warning, reminding him that they couldn't milk this situation indefinitely. In response, Frank cleverly simulated discomfort, hoping Sully would fetch him a plush, feathered pillow. Meanwhile, Maggie stepped inside and encountered Edna in tears, the old refrigerator stirring poignant memories of Frank. When they discovered Sullivan's Crossing, it felt like the ideal locale to rebuild their lives. Edna faced the harsh reality that Frank wouldn't be with her forever when she gazed at him lying helpless in a hospital bed. Determined to cherish every moment left, she thanked Maggie for offering her that invaluable perspective.
Cal's entrance interrupted their poignant moment, reminding them that Frank was requesting hot sauce. Once they were alone, Maggie tentatively inquired if she had said something to upset Cal the previous night. Cal clarified that his mind was simply overwhelmed with countless concerns. Maggie empathized, sharing her own stress about the deposition. They resolved to tackle it together as a team.
Jackson (T Thomason) approached Sully with grim news: negative publicity surrounding the shooting and Sullivan's Crossing had led to a spike in cancellations. Jackson speculated that this was the culprit behind the surge. Sully acknowledged his good intentions and thanked him for the heads-up. Seeking solitude, Sully decided to take a stroll.
Cal coached Maggie on her role in the deposition, emphasizing the importance of making the opposing attorney do the heavy lifting. He walked her through potential questions, offering invaluable advice along the way. Cal insisted that the lawyer would attempt to provoke her, and she needed to master the art of staying composed, regardless of the provocation. Maggie confessed that she once suffered from panic attacks during her parents' divorce. Though the doctor had taught her breathing exercises, she doubted their efficacy in such a high-pressure scenario. Instead, Cal introduced her to a different calming technique. Maggie remarked that he would make an exceptional therapist. Cal admitted it was a technique he had learned from his wife, a fact Maggie was unaware of.
Rob paid a visit to the store, engaging Edna in conversation about Frank, who must have been petrified. Maggie joined them, and Edna was startled to learn they owed Rob money despite always paying in full. Rob assured them that Sully usually paid on time, so it wasn't a major issue. He then informed Maggie that he was taking Finn to the movies to compensate for missing the baseball game. To her surprise, she discovered that Sydney hadn't yet told Rob about Finn being expelled for fighting.
Cal pays Roy a visit to ensure the safety rails are expertly installed. Roy harbors reservations about Lola (Amalia Williamson)'s constant companionship, believing her to be too young for such close proximity. Meanwhile, Walter (Peter Outerbridge), at Phoebe's behest, unexpectedly arrives at Sullivan's Crossing, catching Maggie by surprise. Sully, visibly displeased by his presence, greets him with a frosty demeanor. Walter clarifies that his intentions are purely to lend support to his daughter. Edna, ever the hospitable soul, swiftly offers him a luxurious VIP cabin as refuge.
Rob storms into the diner, intent on confronting Sydney for withholding information about Finn. His anger escalates as he reprimands her for keeping secrets, ultimately storming out in a huff. Sully suspects Walter's motive is to flaunt his return, but Edna urges him to extend kindness for Maggie's sake. In a heartfelt conversation, Walter opens up to Maggie about the complexities of divorce, emphasizing how challenging it is for someone her age. Recalling the time her father first took her to the hospital, Maggie shares how that moment solidified her aspiration to become a surgeon, just like him.
Elsewhere, Sully encounters Mr. Phillips, but their discussion about securing a line of credit stalls due to Phillips' existing loan with another institution. Phillips suggests developing his land as a solution, but Sully dismisses it as unviable. Cal concludes his work on the safety rails and offers to assist Roy in relocating boxes to the garage. Amidst their efforts, Cal assures Roy there's no rush to dispose of his late wife's belongings, reassuring him that time is still on his side. Roy, however, reflects wistfully on how time slips away unnoticed, sharing his prison experience where he learned chess – a result of a misjudged companionship that landed him a three-year sentence, reduced to two due to good behavior. Abandoned by his lawyer over unpaid fees, Roy credits his transformation to Ruthie, his savior. Cal, sharing his own loss – his wife passing years ago – reminds Roy that second chances still await him. Roy, however, fears it may already be too late for his own redemption.
Walter believes he can prepare Maggie for her upcoming deposition. Sully, seeking solace in a local pub, orders a drink, recalling how he met Phoebe here many years ago.
Phoebe declares that if Sully's love for them matched his words, he would set them free. She harbors a longing wish that circumstances had unfolded differently before her departure. Meanwhile, Sully orders a refreshing beverage to drown his thoughts. Sydney dials Maggie's number, voice tinged with的不满, to confront her for spilling the beans about Finn to Rob despite her explicit request to keep it a secret. Maggie, after offering a heartfelt apology, is reminded by Sydney that the world doesn't revolve solely around her. Cal, sensing a debt of explanation owed to Maggie, extends an invitation for a drink. As they settle in, Cal reveals his past—he was married until his wife succumbed to ALS a few years prior. He believes she would have cherished this very spot.
Sully ventures to Walter's cabin, seeking clarity on his true intentions. He accuses Walter of deceiving everyone, especially his daughter, while claiming to see through Walter's facade. Walter responds by suggesting Sully should be grateful, though he can't admit it without acknowledging his own failures. Their conversation escalates into a heated dispute, culminating in Sully insisting that Walter leave first thing in the morning. Recalling a past incident, Walter reveals he once told Phoebe that Sully was no good, leading her to eventually realize that a drunken loser was the last thing she needed in her life. Enraged, Sully lands a punch on Walter's nose.
Just as Cal prepares to depart, Walter bursts in, complaining to Maggie about his broken nose at the hands of a madman and announcing his immediate departure. Maggie decides to pack her bags and leave with Walter. Cal offers her his number, should she ever need advice. Sully apologizes to Maggie, acknowledging she might not have heard his words amidst the chaos, and vows to make amends. When he pleads with her not to go, Maggie replies that it's too late for such sentiments. Soon after, she drives away with Walter.
Flashing back, we see Maggie being whisked away from Sullivan's Crossing by her mother, while Sully watches their departure with a heavy heart. He reaches for another drink, as the episode draws to a close, leaving a bittersweet aftertaste.
