As the curtain rises on another chapter of Sullivan’s Crossing, Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan) ventures to a cozy restaurant to rendezvous with her mother, Phoebe Lancaster (Lynda Boyd). Their conversation briefly touches upon the recent fracas involving Walter and Sully, only to be interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Andrew (Allan Hawco), who catches Maggie off guard. Phoebe, eager to toast their family bond, suggests celebrating at home. Andrew then drops a bombshell, revealing his acceptance of a job in Boston. Phoebe beams with delight, envisioning a future where they share the same cityscape.
Meanwhile, Edna (Andrea Menard) pounds on the door, rousing a groggy Sully (Scott Patterson) from his slumber on the couch, a victim of one too many drinks. She reminds him, somewhat exasperated, that he was supposed to be at the store half an hour ago to assist her in taking Frank to the doctor. Before departing, Edna gives Sully a stern warning about the need for a plausible explanation regarding his treatment of Walter.
At the store, Edna fills Frank (Tom Jackson) in on Sully's oversleeping while they await his arrival, lamenting that just as they had Maggie back in their lives, Sully seems intent on pushing her away once more. Frank disagrees, arguing that Maggie will undoubtedly return. Jackson (T. Thomason) confidently steps in, offering to manage the store so they can attend to their task. Their guest for the follow-up lesson arrives, but their departure is delayed pending Sully's appearance. The guest, intrigued by Jackson's artwork, receives a curt reply from the latter, who prefers drawing as a solitary pastime.
Upon Sully's eventual arrival, he grants Jackson a well-deserved day off, urging him to enjoy the fine weather. Sully collects his belongings left by Edna and hangs a picture of Maggie on the wall, a silent testament to his feelings. Phoebe and Maggie delve into a heartfelt discussion about Maggie's panic attacks, which is abruptly cut short when Maggie spots Maryam (Martha Irving) from work. She approaches Maryam, only to be brusquely dismissed as Maryam whispers behind her back. Maggie, hurt and embarrassed, bolts from the restaurant.
Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray) drops by the store to stock up for his camping trip, suggesting they start work on one of their projects. But Sully, uninterested, diverts his attention to suggesting a visit to Roy instead. Andrew, sensing Maggie's distress, tries to soothe her, reassuring her that their love transcends all else and offering to arrange a soothing massage. Maggie, however, craves the simplicity of going home for a run.
Cal pays a visit to Roy (Richard Donat), who agrees to a game of chess. Roy, noting Cal's absence from Maggie's side, playfully suggests they'd make a charming couple. After defeating Roy in the game, the latter reveals that Lola (Amalia Williamson) is also skilled in chess, a game he taught her as a child to bring a smile to her face after her mother's passing. Roy confides that Lola, diagnosed with lung cancer at 16, kept her illness a secret out of a desire not to burden those she loved.
This episode weaves a tapestry of emotions, intertwining the lives of the characters in Sullivan’s Crossing with threads of love, loss, and the unwavering search for peace and connection.
Lola endured immeasurable hardships in the wake of the accident. At the tender age of seven, she was struck by a hit-and-run driver while joyfully pedaling her bike. Upon her eventual reunion with friends, she warmly extends an invitation to Cal for dinner, leaving no room for refusal. Meanwhile, Frank and Edna make their way back to Sullivan's Crossing, only to discover the shop's doors firmly shuttered. Edna entrusts Frank with a task while she grapples with Sully, who defiantly claims that Walter had it coming. Despite Sully's nonchalance, Edna fears a possible assault charge from Walter. Sully reluctantly admits his blunder, while Edna suggests seeking Maggie's counsel, which Sully dismissively brushes aside, insisting Maggie belongs in Boston.
Walter (played by Peter Outerbridge) arrives to assist Maggie in preparing for her deposition, reassuring her with a casual demeanor that he doesn't deem it significant. However, Maggie stresses that her career hangs in the balance. Walter reassures her not to take the matter personally, contending that the mother involved is seeking scapegoats due to her inability to accept her own potential culpability.
Later, Maggie joins Andrew in celebrating his new job over dinner. After the meal, Lola confides in Cal about Roy's fondness for him, revealing the emptiness of his home without anyone to prepare meals. Cal admires Lola's close bond with her grandfather and they share poignant memories of Lola's mother's passing and its associated struggles. Lola expresses gratitude towards Sully for offering them shelter during her mother's treatments.
Maggie momentarily steps away from the dinner table, prompting Lola to bid Cal farewell before his departure. Cal, checking his texts in vain for a message from Maggie, sends one only for Andrew to intercept it, having found Maggie's phone left behind. Andrew deletes the message discreetly before returning the phone. Upon her return, Maggie apologizes for spoiling the dinner and expresses a renewed sense of well-being. When she attempts to retrieve her phone, Andrew gently discourages her, offering to help her unwind instead. As they kiss passionately on the bed, Andrew declares his fear of losing her.
The following day, Maggie is startled when Bob (Bob Mann) approaches her seeking forgiveness for his past actions. He hesitates to impart something crucial, but Maggie firmly declines any further communication.
She confides in him, her voice laden with regret, that she wishes they had never crossed paths before bidding farewell. As Maggie prepares to face a pivotal deposition, she dials Cal's number, seeking solace in a familiar, friendly voice before plunging into the unknown. He confesses his anxiety when she failed to reply to his texts, unaware that Maggie's phone never buzzed with his messages. Meanwhile, Sully inquiries Frank if Edna had mentioned anything pertaining to the Rainbow Club's cancellation of their annual booking.
The deposition kicks off with Maggie being grilled about the day Kevin Markiff was admitted to the hospital. Claire Markiff, Kevin's distraught mother (Shelley Thompson), listens intently to Maggie's responses. Maggie is startled to learn that Maryam Roberts has sworn in a statement that she did not check for a pupillary response. She is then grilled on whether she checked Kevin's pupillary response before examining his leg.
Questions fly about Maggie's decision to order an X-ray instead of a CT scan. Claire, her emotions raw, accuses Maggie of being the one who took her son's life. The room agrees to a much-needed ten-minute recess. Maggie escapes outdoors, seeking fresh air to clear her troubled mind. Upon returning, Claire confronts her once more, insisting that her son's life could have been spared if only someone had intervened. Maggie stands her ground, asserting that she did everything within her capacity given the circumstances, her frustration evident.
Sully, on the other hand, struggles to rally support for the campground, his phone calls falling on deaf ears. He receives a call from Maggie, updating him on Edna and the deposition's outcome. Maggie reveals they are headed to trial and accuses Sully of siding with Claire before abruptly hanging up. Sully fears his daughter may never return home. Seeking solace, he pours himself another drink, his mind drifting back to a younger Maggie who vowed never to leave Sullivan's Crossing. As he drinks, he covers the mural in Maggie's bedroom, a poignant reminder of her childhood dreams.
Andrew leads Maggie to a house he's been considering, proposing to her amidst the tour. He urges her to take her time considering his proposal, but her phone interrupts their intimate moment. Despite his plea to ignore it, Maggie answers, her voice tinged with urgency. She informs him that she must return to Sullivan's Crossing; something critical has arisen.
