The mid point of the season has been reached with the November 1st airing of Sullivan’s Crossing and does everything that tentpole of an episode should do; secrets and mysteries about our characters were revealed, emotions ran high, and finished with an ending that left the audience in tears and wondering what will happen next.
The previous episodes have been slightly more subtle with their interconnecting themes, while “Pressure Drop” plastered the theme right front and center: Control. Control over situations, people, emotions, all boiling down to trying to control life’s path.
Maggie has been struggling with a lack of control in the events of her life, stemming back to forcefully being taken from her father and her home as a child. I’ve mentioned before her penchant for getting involved and while I do believe that’s a natural part of her, wanting to help others, perhaps that also comes from a need to control everything. Getting involved, whatever the outcome may be, allows her to either feel a sense of accomplishment, or to blame herself. Because even believing that something bad happening is your fault gives you a feeling of control over events that you really have no control over at all.
Maggie’s deposition is another situation that she doesn’t have control over. Yet she does have control over how she acts. Her scene with Cal and the practice deposition was one of the best in the episode. Seeing Cal push her buttons and Maggie bristle, followed by him helping her find her center and safe place. Keeping calm, not letting your emotions overwhelm you and control you, really is the key to getting through most situations in life. Maggie’s safe place where she finds that calm is Sullivan’s Crossing. Yet will she still feel that way after what has happened?
There’s been a tug of war going on in Maggie’s life with her at the center. Her life in Boston, with Andrew, her mother, and Walter, and her life in Sullivan’s Crossing with her friends and Sully. Two opposing sides with everyone telling her who she is, where she’s meant to be, in a battle that has been going on since her childhood.
My theory was correct, that Maggie’s mother, Phoebe, took her away from Sully because he was an alcoholic. We do not know the extent of his problems, yet they were bad enough that they bolted out of there in a taxi. I do not fault Phoebe keeping Sully at bay, even with the reveal that Walter was the one who told her to keep him away. He was trying to have control over a bad situation, to protect
Phoebe and Maggie, and to prevent that cycle from starting over again. The problem is with how they lied to Maggie, controlling her perception of her father and having her think he didn’t want her.
Sully got his second chance when Maggie returned to Sullivan’s Crossing. Yet his penchant of not letting others in, his anger at his lack of financial control and his failing business, all those emotions caused him to lose control of himself and punch Walter. I saw comments from fans that Walter deserved what happened. No. Walter deserved to be banned from Sullivan’s Crossing, not have his nose broken. Controlling your emotions and not letting your emotions control you was exactly the point. Sully lost control and he has lost Maggie. And what’s worse is that, this time, leaving was her choice.
Choice is the thing we can control. Frank and Edna know they can’t control or fight the current of life and have chosen to live their life together to the fullest. Roy teaches Cal to be aware of, and open to, the opportunities and second chances life brings. Sydney chose to keep the secret of her nephew getting in a fight from his father. While we can’t control the current, we can control which way we steer the boat.
Written by John Callaghan and directed by Gail Harvey, the duo, along with the cast and crew, brought the audience what I’m calling the best episode yet. Gail Harvey also directed the second episode, “Homewrecker”, my previous favorite. That episode was also really emotional and I suspect she works well with the actors to bring their best to the screen. Speaking of control, the actors all have that in spades. Scott Patterson excels at bringing such a heaviness to his portrayal, the weight of the world on Sully’s shoulders. Chad Michael Murray has been one of my favorites on the show and that was no different here. How he can hold that shimmer of tears just behind his eyes. The way he eagerly leaned forward as Cal finally got to talk freely about the wife he lost with someone who had gone through the same experience. Andrea Menard nearly brought me to tears with her tears. She doesn’t get many scenes, yet brings such honesty to every moment. Even when she’s not the focus. The scene when Walter first appears, she’s in the background with such a look of trepidation. You really got the tension that Walter’s arrival brought, even before Sully entered the room, from her look alone.
Then there’s Morgan Kohan. She is perfect in the role. I relate to and emote with Maggie so much and Morgan’s stalwart work is a big part of that. She brings so much more than the words of the script, the unspoken layers of her character, the emotional turmoil. Yet all so reserved and, yes, in control. I love the scenes where she lets go of the reigns somewhat as Maggie’s emotional control destabilizes. My favorite scene, however, was with her and Tom Jackson as Frank. The guilt on her face even as he’s thanking her. Their quiet hand hold. Absolutely perfect.
Hands down my favorite episode so far. I laughed, I cried. I was so emotionally connected with the characters and their plights. Everyone and everything was at their best. I give the episode 10 out of 10 heartwrenching exits.
New episodes of Sullivan’s Crossing air Wednesdays on The CW.