A Cliffhanger That Shakes Serenity to Its Core

In the tranquil yet tumultuous town of Timberlake, Nova Scotia, Sullivan’s Crossing has woven a spellbinding tale of love, loss, and second chances that has captivated audiences since its debut on CTV in 2023 and its streaming surge on Netflix. Based on Robyn Carr’s bestselling novels, the romantic drama follows Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan), a Boston neurosurgeon who returns to her hometown after legal troubles, reconnecting with her estranged father, Harry “Sully” Sullivan (Scott Patterson), and sparking a slow-burn romance with Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray), the charming handyman at her dad’s campground. Season 3, which concluded on July 16, 2025, on The CW, delivered a heart-wrenching finale that left fans reeling with a shocking twist: Maggie’s past came crashing back in the form of Liam Davies (Marcus Rosner), who declared himself her husband. As Season 4 looms, confirmed by CTV in June 2025, the burning question on every fan’s mind is: Are Cal and Maggie still together? The Daily Mail dives deep into the Season 3 finale’s explosive ending, analyzing its implications, the emotional stakes, and what lies ahead for this beloved couple in Season 4.

The Season 3 finale, titled “Head to the Heart,” was a masterclass in emotional storytelling, blending tender moments with a gut-punch revelation that upended Maggie and Cal’s hard-won happiness. After three seasons of will-they-won’t-they tension, the couple seemed poised for a fairy-tale ending, only to be blindsided by Liam’s arrival. With filming for Season 4 underway since August 2025, set to wrap in November, fans are clamoring for answers about Maggie’s secret marriage, Cal’s trust, and whether their love can survive this bombshell. This article explores the finale’s key moments, the state of Maggie and Cal’s relationship, and four critical questions that Season 4 must address, offering a detailed analysis of why this cliffhanger has set the stage for the show’s most dramatic chapter yet.

The Season 3 Finale: A Shocking Twist

Season 3 of Sullivan’s Crossing was a rollercoaster of emotions, testing Maggie and Cal’s relationship like never before. The season opened with the fallout from Season 2’s diner fire, which nearly claimed Sully’s life and triggered Maggie’s miscarriage, a loss that haunted her throughout the 10 episodes. Cal, grappling with his own demons—his schizophrenic father Jed’s (John Ralston) terminal cancer diagnosis—supported Maggie as she rebuilt her life in Timberlake. Their romance deepened, with tender moments like Cal introducing Maggie to his parents and Maggie choosing to stay in town, planning to open a general practice to balance her medical passion with her love for Cal.

The finale, however, flipped the script. The episode centered on two major arcs: Edna Cranebear’s (Andrea Menard) life-threatening brain tumor surgery and Rob Shandon’s (Reid Price) restaurant reopening. Maggie, banned from practicing surgery in Nova Scotia due to licensing issues, faced a moral dilemma when Edna insisted she perform the high-risk operation to remove a benign tumor pressing on her carotid artery. Despite a tense moment—a near-fatal tear in the artery—Maggie’s skill saved Edna, restoring her vision and cementing Maggie’s resolve to practice medicine locally. Meanwhile, Rob’s grand opening drew the town together, a joyful celebration of resilience after his diner’s destruction.

As Maggie and Cal left the party, hand-in-hand and planning to move in together, their bliss was shattered. A stranger approached, introducing himself as Liam Davies, Maggie’s “summer fling” from years past. “Is that any way to greet your husband?” he said, dropping a bombshell that left Maggie frozen and Cal stunned. The camera zoomed in on Maggie’s shocked expression, fading to black on one of the show’s most jaw-dropping cliffhangers. “There’s never a dull moment at Sullivan’s Crossing,” showrunner Roma Roth told Collider in July 2025. “We’re going to have a pretty big shoe drop at the end of the season that we’ll get to see play out in Season 4.”

Are Maggie and Cal Still Together?

The immediate answer is yes—Maggie and Cal are technically together at the end of Season 3, having reaffirmed their commitment moments before Liam’s arrival. Maggie’s decision to open a practice in Timberlake and move in with Cal signaled a new chapter, with the couple overcoming past hurdles like her career ambitions and his family trauma. But Liam’s revelation casts a dark shadow. “They’re solid… until Liam shows up,” Morgan Kohan told Swooon in July 2025. “It’s going to be a trust thing to have to build up again because that’s a significant detail to overlook.”

The cliffhanger leaves their future uncertain. Maggie’s shock suggests she may not have known or remembered she was married, possibly due to a fleeting Las Vegas-style wedding she thought was annulled. “It’s possible she didn’t know or remember,” actress Morgan Kohan speculated, noting the twist reframes Maggie’s hesitancy about commitment. Cal’s trust, already tested by a letter Maggie wrote to Liam years ago prioritizing her career, is now at breaking point. “Can you promise me you’ll never regret turning your back on your career?” Cal asked Maggie earlier in the finale, a question she couldn’t answer, highlighting their differing timelines.

Season 4, set to air on CTV and The CW in 2026 before streaming on Netflix, will dive into this fallout. The 10-episode season, currently filming in Nova Scotia, promises to explore Maggie’s past with Liam, who remains a mysterious figure. Was their marriage a youthful mistake, or does it hold deeper secrets? The show’s history of love triangles—Maggie’s brief engagement to Andrew in Season 2—suggests a turbulent path, but Kohan’s optimism about Maggie and Cal’s “grounded” bond offers hope. “They’ve proven themselves to each other,” she said, hinting at a fight to stay together.

Four Burning Questions for Season 4

1. Why Did Maggie Hide Her Marriage to Liam?

The biggest mystery is why Maggie never mentioned Liam’s status as her husband. She referred to him as a “summer fling” in Season 2, suggesting a brief, inconsequential romance. Yet his claim—“I’m your husband”—implies a legal bond she either forgot or concealed. “Maggie seemed just as shocked as Cal,” Kohan noted, suggesting possibilities like a drunken Vegas wedding or an annulment she assumed was finalized. The lack of awareness from Sully or others in Timberlake raises further questions. Did Maggie suppress the memory due to trauma, or is there a darker secret, like a deliberate cover-up? Season 4 must reveal the marriage’s backstory—when, where, and why it happened—and whether Sully or others knew, reshaping Maggie’s relationships.

2. Will Cal Forgive Maggie’s Secret?

Cal’s trust in Maggie is the heart of their romance, making Liam’s arrival a devastating blow. The letter Cal found, where Maggie vowed never to prioritize a relationship over her career, already strained their bond. “It’s going to be a trust thing,” Kohan said, emphasizing the conversations needed to rebuild. Cal’s own growth—reconciling with his dying father—shows his capacity for forgiveness, but Maggie’s omission could push him away. Season 4 may see Cal return to New York, as he planned in the finale, giving Maggie space to resolve her past. A breakup seems unlikely given their chemistry, but a love triangle with Liam could test Cal’s patience, mirroring Virgin River’s Jack-Mel-Charmaine drama.

3. How Will Liam’s Return Shape Maggie’s Future?

Liam Davies, played by Marcus Rosner, is a wildcard. Described as a “summer fling,” his claim as Maggie’s husband suggests a deeper history. Was he a college sweetheart, a rebound, or something more sinister? The finale’s lack of context fuels speculation—some fans on X theorize he’s a con artist, others a regretful ex seeking reconciliation. Season 4 must flesh out Liam’s character, exploring his motives and impact on Maggie’s decision to stay in Timberlake. “I’m excited to hear more about her college era,” Kohan told Swooon, hinting at flashbacks revealing Maggie’s past self—perhaps a less guarded, more impulsive version. Liam’s presence could also affect her career plans, especially with a Chicago neurosurgery offer looming, tempting her back to city life.

4. What Role Will Sully’s Absence Play?

Sully’s decision to join Helen Culver (Kate Vernon) in Ireland for an extended trip leaves Maggie and Cal in charge of Sullivan’s Crossing. “Sully’s absence is a big shift,” Roma Roth told Chemical City Paper. His departure, a sign of growth after years tethered to the campground, raises questions about how Maggie and Cal will manage without him, especially amid their personal drama. Will Sully’s trip be a temporary arc, or could Season 4 feature a time jump, as Us Weekly speculated? His absence could force Maggie to confront her responsibilities as a daughter and leader, while Cal’s role as campground manager might strain their relationship further. Sully’s return, promised by his assurance to Maggie, will likely tie into the season’s resolution.

Why Season 4 Is a Must-Watch

Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3, with its 9.0/10 rating on Screen Rant, solidified its place as a romantic drama powerhouse, blending Virgin River’s heart with Gilmore Girls’ charm. The finale’s cliffhanger—Liam’s bombshell—has fans buzzing on X, with #MaggieAndCal trending weekly. “I’m gutted—how could Maggie not tell him?” one user posted, while another predicted, “Season 4’s gonna be a war for Cal’s heart!” The show’s 1.2 million average viewers per episode on The CW and Netflix streaming surge (Season 3 hit 1.5 million hours in 10 days) signal strong demand.

Season 4, filming through November 2025, promises to resolve these questions with 10 episodes of high-stakes drama. The return of key cast members—Kohan, Murray, Patterson, Menard, Jackson—ensures continuity, while Rosner’s Liam adds fresh tension. Directors like Chris Grismer and writers like Roma Roth will likely amplify the emotional stakes, with flashbacks and confrontations unpacking Maggie’s past. “It’s about choosing your path,” Kohan said, suggesting Season 4 will explore Maggie’s identity as a doctor, lover, and daughter.

The Bigger Picture

Maggie and Cal’s fate hinges on trust and truth. While together at Season 3’s end, Liam’s arrival threatens their bond, but their history—surviving fires, losses, and doubts—suggests resilience. Season 4 will test their love, with Maggie’s past forcing her to confront who she was and who she wants to be. For fans of heartfelt dramas, this is a journey worth taking. As Timberlake braces for more storms, Sullivan’s Crossing Season 4 promises to answer whether love can conquer all—or if Maggie’s secrets will tear them apart.