As the curtain rises on another chapter of Sullivan’s Crossing, Maggie Sullivan (portrayed by Morgan Kohan) and Cal Jones (played by Chad Michael Murray) find themselves in solitude within the confines of their home. The narrative shifts after the captivating intro, drawing us to the café where Maggie seeks out Sydney to unburden her heart about her impromptu kiss with Cal. She vehemently denies harboring any romantic sentiments towards him, asserting her desire to forge her own path, unshackled from the footsteps of her mother.
Sydney, upon inquiry about her outing with Rafe, confides that her romantic endeavors have been less than stellar, making her hesitant to jeopardize her cherished friendship with him should their relationship falter. With a resolve to focus on her work, Sydney is interrupted by Rob (Reid Price), who enters in search of Finn’s elusive baseball glove. Agreeing to lend a helping hand, she clarifies that any expenses incurred will be his responsibility. Rob, in turn, informs Maggie of Sully’s pending debt, leaving an unresolved matter hanging in the air.
Elsewhere, Lola Gunderson (Amalia Williamson) encounters a flustered Sully (Scott Patterson), frantically searching for the missing cash register tape. She suggests calling Edna for guidance, but his pride balks at the notion of admitting defeat. Lola insists on returning her check, prompting a back-and-forth exchange before she generously offers to assist around the campground. Sully accepts, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen their bond.
Meanwhile, Jackson Canaday (T Thomason) and Kaleb (Calem MacDonald) gear up for their ascent, with Jackson exuding confidence in Kaleb’s abilities. They snap a quick selfie, a token for Kaleb’s friends, signifying his long-awaited adventure. Jackson cautions that connectivity is scarce, delaying their social media update until their return to the Outpost. Cal arrives at the store, where Lola’s assisting, and she expresses gratitude once more for steering her towards a competent lawyer.
Concurrently, Connie and Rafe oversee a local training initiative, interrupted by a call from Tom, querying Connie about her supposed intervention in Jackson’s living arrangements. Connie reminds Tom of Jackson’s autonomy, urging a direct conversation instead. Maggie, running into Lola at the shop, concedes that she owes her an apology. Years of misunderstanding led Maggie to believe Sully was romantically involved with Lola’s mother, unaware of his benevolent assistance during their tumultuous times. Lola grasps the misunderstanding, realizing Maggie felt supplanted. They vow to let bygones be bygones.
Suddenly, Rafe and Connie are summoned away by a 911 call. At the peak, Kaleb sheds his gear for a selfie, only for Jackson to reveal a heart-to-heart. Just as they almost share a kiss, disaster strikes; Jackson loses his footing, plummeting from the cliff and sustaining grievous injuries. Kaleb, in a panic, rushes to seek help. Bob phones the shop, seeking Maggie, but she shuts him out, unwilling to hear his words.
In a rush, Kaleb bursts in to recount the harrowing events, prompting Maggie to swiftly dial for a Search and Rescue team and an ambulance, urgent in their dispatch. She's informed they'll arrive in sixty minutes, a timeframe that seems like an eternity in their present urgency.
As the journey to the accident site unfolds, Maggie dials Tom, her voice trembling as she relates Jackson's mishap. Tom, in turn, tries reaching Connie but only gets her voicemail. Meanwhile, Finn strolls into the restaurant, enveloping Sydney in a warm hug before asking her to join him at the park for a game of catch later. Rob chimes in, frustrated, sharing how Finn had refused to learn the knuckleball, instead throwing a tantrum. He laments feeling shut out by Finn lately. Sydney suggests he lighten up a bit, advising him to spend less time at the diner and more quality moments with his son.
Kaleb guides Sully and Maggie to Jackson's location. Maggie, without hesitation, scrambles down to assist Jackson, instructing Sully to escort Kaleb back up the path and keep a lookout for others. Additionally, she requests a cordless drill. Kaleb, guilt-ridden since he had suggested Jackson take the fateful picture, informs Cal of their whereabouts.
Cal arrives with the drill as Maggie prepares for a sternum rub to confirm Jackson's unconsciousness. She diagnoses an epidural hematoma, explaining that to save him, she must alleviate pressure on his brain. Maggie asks Cal to stabilize Jackson's head while she drills three burr holes into his skull—a makeshift surgery under dire circumstances. Tom seeks more details from Sully, who urges him to trust Maggie's expertise.
Sully offers comfort to Tom as his emotions begin to overflow, while Maggie and Cal prepare for the critical procedure. Maggie's resolve wavers slightly due to Mrs. Markiff's earlier words, but Cal lends her the encouragement she needs. As she completes the task, the distant wail of an ambulance pierces the air.
Tom and Kaleb relay the sequence of events to Connie, who proceeds to meet Maggie. Maggie informs Connie of her emergency measures, emphasizing the necessity for a CT scan at a hospital. They hastily prepare for Jackson's transport. Sully requests Cal to accompany Maggie to the hospital, entrusting him to inform Kaleb's father of the incident.
Upon arrival, Maggie expresses her desire to confer with the surgeon and assist in any way possible. The scene is tense yet filled with a desperate hope for Jackson's recovery.
When Maggie is denied the chance to assist, she eagerly awaits an update, inquiring the moment any news is available. Sydney returns to the diner, only to discover that Rob is in the process of hiring an assistant manager. Sydney asserts her confidence in tackling the role, yet Rob contends that this arrangement would prove beneficial for both parties. Meanwhile, Cal endeavors to soothe Maggie's frayed nerves as they impatiently await word on Jackson's condition. He urges her to place her trust in the professionals, but Maggie, who has faced disappointment throughout her life, confesses her sense of helplessness. The doctor informs them that Jackson's prognosis remains uncertain due to the possibility of another clot, necessitating a craniotomy. They await further updates upon its completion.
Amidst their anxious wait, Tom acknowledges his anger had obscured his priorities, while Connie reflects on her own delay in expressing her feelings. Jackson emerges from surgery and is moved to the ICU, where he rests peacefully and stable. At home, Sydney reads to Finn before tucking him in for the night. Cal and Maggie discuss the events, with Maggie revealing that this is her first time operating on someone she knows personally. She empathizes deeply with Mrs. Markiff's loss, having now experienced a fraction of her pain. Cal extols Maggie's actions as nothing short of miraculous. When Maggie attempts to recount the lake incident, Cal gently halts her, assuring he understands.
After Cal departs, Sully commends Maggie for a side of her he has never witnessed, expressing his pride before embracing her. Maggie comes to terms with Sully's earlier advice about not blaming Mrs. Markiff. As Sully experiences a headache and seeks aspirin, he promises to see Maggie at home. He leaves a message for Phoebe, detailing Maggie's heroic act and acknowledging the pivotal role Phoebe and Walter played in shaping her future. Sully is resolute in his belief that Maggie belongs in Boston, helping people, and urges Walter to do whatever necessary to secure her license. Cal marks another day off his calendar, signaling his impending departure draws nearer.
Maggie receives a call from Scott, informing her that the court date has been accelerated. The judge assigned to the case has a reputation for ruling against doctors, leading Scott to anticipate a challenging battle ahead. Meanwhile, Sully opens an envelope to find notice of a foreclosure sale for Sullivan's Crossing, with a payment deadline looming in 37 days.
