The ending of Sweet Magnolias season 4 brought a rollercoaster of emotions for Maddie, Helen and Dana Sue, all for disparate reasons, setting up a very different future for the titular Sweet Magnolias in a potential season 5. Beginning in the aftermath of Serenity’s mayor’s resignation, Sweet Magnolias season 4 showcased a new normal for the residents of the South Carolina town, of which Helen, Dana Sue and Maddie’s personal and professional lives were massively part. Their work at the foundation continued to keep the town rallying together in happy and difficult times, as the storm’s aftermath reconstruction efforts proved.

Sweet Magnolias season 4’s ending was the culmination of the season’s various dramas, starting with Bill’s shocking death and how his funeral impacted all those in Serenity throughout season 4, especially through his mother Bonnie, who caused her share of trouble. With the storm coming right after and finally reuniting Helen and Erik, Serenity didn’t have a moment of calm in Sweet Magnolias season 4. However, the biggest developments centered on the paths bringing Maddie, Dana Sue and Helen in opposite directions, challenging their friendship in new ways despite their bond being stronger than ever in Sweet Magnolias season 4.

Why Maddie Accepts The Job Offer Away From Serenity

It’s Maddie’s Dream Job & Everyone Is Happy For Her Career

The biggest threat to Maddie, Dana Sue and Helen’s happy life in Serenity is Maddie’s new marketing job in Manhattan with an indie publishing firm. Maddie studying marketing but being unable to use her degree has been a key story in Sweet Magnolias since season 1, as Maddie put her career on hold to be a homemaker. This made the publishing firm’s proposal very difficult to turn down, especially after Maddie herself admitted that the best part of becoming an author had been marketing her book.

Maddie was reluctant to accept the job offer because it would bring her away from Serenity, but aside from bringing her out of her comfort zone, it would make her finally happy professionally. Embracing change has been at Sweet Magnolias season 4’s center, with Dana Sue having to accept Annie’s dreams taking her away from Serenity and Helen and Erik’s relationship being solid enough they were willing to weather whatever storm might come their way. This makes Maddie accepting the job offer the only possible choice because it would make her dream come true, something the Magnolias would never oppose.

Helen & Erik’s Romance Finally Looks Like It’ll Last After Sweet Magnolias Season 4

Erik & Helen Finally Get Engaged In Sweet Magnolias Season 4’s Ending

Helen’s love life has gone through major upheaval since Sweet Magnolias season 1, but her chemistry with Erik was always undeniable. The two had originally tried to explore their romantic feelings for one another, but between Erik’s problems with moving on after his wife’s death and Helen’s first love Ryan returning to Serenity, Helen and Erik could never fully give their hearts to one another. Even Sweet Magnolias season 4’s beginning seemed to push them apart, with Helen dating Alexander and Erik still being with Genevieve, but the season’s ending finally let their love blossom.

The relationship [Helen and Erik] built was open and supportive at last, with the two acknowledging the issues they had to go through and how that made them better partners for one another.

Realizing their respective relationships weren’t the sweeping romances they wanted from their lives convinced Helen and Erik to break them off, despite not knowing they both planned to do so. However, it was Helen risking her life driving in the storm that effectively reunited Helen and Erik, as he saved her from a felled tree. The relationship they built was open and supportive at last, with the two acknowledging the issues they had to go through and how that made them better partners for one another, with season 4’s finale cementing their bond with Erik asking Helen to marry him.

Why Annie Rejects Tyler’s Offer To Go On Tour

Tyler Showcased Lack Of Support When He Asked Annie To Join Him On Tour

Sweet Magnolias season 4 also saw another fan-favorite couple finally get together after years, with Ty mustering the courage to admit his feelings for Annie at Halloween. While their getting together had been long-awaited for entire seasons, it happened at a particularly tricky time for both, as Annie was juggling college applications and Ty’s band was about to leave for their tour. This essentially made Ty and Annie spend the first months dating apart and after a fair share of dramatic developments, as before leaving Ty had to go through his father dying and learning Isaac was secretly his brother.

Returning to Serenity for Christmas gave Ty clarity on what he wanted his future to look like, being hopeful and happy about his tour in Europe opening for a band they met on their US tour. However, asking Annie to put her photography dreams aside to follow him to Europe was completely unfair and something Ty should have expected Annie to refuse, knowing her enthusiasm for her dream school accepting her application. Ty being away from Annie most of the time they’ve been together makes his request understandable, but it could have ultimately destroyed their relationship had Annie said yes.

How Dana Sue & Ronnie Finally Solve Their Issues & What It Means For Season 5

Their First Impulse Is To Solve Their Problems Together

Ronnie and Dana Sue’s relationship had all but ended at Sweet Magnolias’ beginning, as the two were separated, but they slowly regained each other’s trust and got back together, with Sweet Magnolias season 3 letting them celebrate how far they’d come through their wedding vows renewal. Bill’s surprising death nonetheless left Ronnie grappling with what his legacy would be after his death, leading to the impromptu purchase of a motorcycle that reminded Dana Sue of the times she couldn’t depend on Ronnie, which led her to run him out of Serenity.

Ronnie wasn’t introduced until season 1’s finale in Sweet Magnolias, with his surprise appearance underscoring how bad his and Dana Sue’s situation was that she barely mentioned him before then.

Working through their issues in Sweet Magnolias season 3 gave Dana Sue and Ronnie’s relationship a fighting chance, but Ronnie’s spontaneous purchase made Dana Sue fearful of the return of his worst impulses in Sweet Magnolias season 4. Their first reaction to go willingly to therapy with Pastor June proved how much Dana Sue and Ronnie’s relationship had improved, as they didn’t have to go through too many trials and tribulations before deciding to understand the root cause of Ronnie’s actions, proving the major issues that loomed over them were finally solved.

How Sweet Magnolias Season 4’s Ending Sets Up Season 5

Sweet Magnolias Season 4’s Ending Sets Up Unlikely Storylines For Season 5

While Sweet Magnolias season 5 has yet to be confirmed, season 4’s ending set it up to be extremely different from any season that came before. Indeed, with Maddie choosing to accept a job offer bringing her out of Serenity, Sweet Magnolias season 5 could include the first time the titular Magnolias live apart from one another and not all in Serenity. Maddie’s job bringing her to Manhattan would also mean all the Townsends bar Ty would move with her, along with Cal, hinting at an unexpected future for many of Sweet Magnolias’ central characters.

Sweet Magnolias season 4’s ending also included the heartbreaking separation of Ty and Annie after he pushed her to join him on his tour instead of going to her dream college, souring their relationship and hinting at their immediate future in season 5 being spent apart. At the same time, Helen and Erik’s engagement in Sweet Magnolias season 4’s finale also indicates Serenity will see another wedding soon, making the lives of Helen and Dana Sue particularly busy in their hometown, as they will likely both be involved in planning Helen and Erik’s ceremony.

Sweet Magnolias season 4 is now playing in its entirety on Netflix.