Aidan Merwarth played Spencer, who had a disastrous first date with Finn (Faly Rakotahavana) in a 2024 episode of Unprisoned. I've been following him since, looking for more gay or gay-light roles, and I just discovered that he has an ongoing character arc in Season 5 of Sweet Magnolias. Shows set in the South don't usually have gay characters, but this season the high schoolers are staging a play, The Taming of the Shrew. Where there's a drama club, there are gay teens. Let's hope that Aidan is one of them.
For reference, you should know that the Sweet Magnolias are three friends who support each other like the Steel Magnolias that they are named after. From left to right, Dana Sue, who owns the restaurant Sullivan's, Maddie, a writer; and Helen, a lawyer. They co-own a spa/gym.
Scene 1: Night. Everyone is crying and bringing toys and teddy bears out of a building. Dana Sue and her husband, the couple whose house was gutted, learn that the fire started in the garage due to the "usual suspects": faulty wiring, greasy rags, and so on. They divvy up who is going to stay with who. Hey, there are no kids in the house, just Dana Sue, her husband, and their teenage daughter. Surely regular viewers would know that, and be immune to the tearjerking of throwing out teddy bears.
There are different plot arcs involving each character, all interspliced, but I'll cover them separately.
Dana Sue's Story
Dana Sue and her husband (Brandon Quinn, bulge left) are staying with Maddie the Writer and her husband. They drink tea and cry. Later, unable to sleep, they discuss the fire, and how "we can possibly get through this." Don't y'all have insurance?
Husband feels guilty because the fire is his fault; as the man, he should have been taking care of whatever household item caused the fire. Right, God forbid dainty little ladies know anything about home improvement projects.
In the morning, Dana Sue inspects the fire-damaged house. Her Husband gets angry at her for just throwing things into boxes; they have to check what can be salvaged and what can't be. "I'm choosing what's important to me!" she exclaims. "Like this old, singed cooking pot that belonged to my mother!" Or you could look for photos.
He stomps off.
Cut to Dana Sue and her friends going to Flawed But Still Worth, where they have an appointment with Wally himself. To buy used clothes? Wally (Geoffrey D. Williams), a flamboyant middle-aged black man in a pink suit, is a fan favorite for his "powerful and uplifting scenes." He has chosen some outfits to give Dana Sue "a little joy to get through the hard times. It's what makes the darkness bearable." And, by the way, they are on the house.
Cut to Dana Sue going through her new stuff, and complaining that her hair still smells like smoke. Then she goes to her restaurant owns and makes quesadillas for her friends. I'm fast forwarding through the "friends stick together" tearjerking.
In the morning, Dana Sue and her Husband are discussing things, when Fireman Leif shows up (Ben VanderMey, left). The Fire Department has brought an offering for the 4th of July Barbecue.
Isaac's Story
The morning after the fire Isaac (Chris Medlin, left) gets a vistor, Michael (Kyle Findley), who tries to hug him and is rejected. He came a day early so he can help the people displaced by the fire. Hey, they start kissing. They're boyfriends! I guess Isaac rejected the hug because they were still standing in the doorway, and neighbors might see them.
They head to the bedroom.
That night, the guys get a visitor, a blond woman, maybe Noreen, and her young child, with teddy bear. Michael explains that he arrived early, but don't worry, they can babysit together.
Noreen watches until Michael leaves with the girl, and then asks for the dirt. Isaac is hiding it, but extremely upset that Michael came early: "I work so hard to be methodical and organized, and this is how he repays me? By being impulse and unpredictable?" The scoundrel! Dump him for not following the schedule!
Plus he's trying to prepare a surprise anniversary dinner, and how can it be a surprise with Michael by his side every second? I thought he was out helping the displaced family.
"No problem. I'll help you." Don't you have somewhere to be, which is why you needed a babysitter?
The next day, Isaac invites Michael to the coffee shop to explain where they source their beans and how he creates the staff schedules. If I wanted to hear about that, I'd get a job. Let's get back to the kissing. He gives Michael a drink called The Michael: Cold-brew, tonic, and cherry juice. Yuck.
That night, Isaac and Noreen set up for the surprise anniversary dinner on the high school stage, having transformed it into an Italian restaurant. Michael arrived; as they get their antipasto, Isaac tells him that he needs to share how he feels: "I love you." The dance. That's it? I thought you were going to propose.
More after the break
Annie's Story
On the night of the fire, Annie, the teenage daughter of the displaced family, stays with Lawyer Helen and her Husband. They come downstairs to find their own daughter in the kitchen, making a sundae. I guess everyone handles grief in their own way. Lawyer Helen goes off to find Annie a spare toothbrush. This upsets her Husband, who excuses himself and stomps off You pro-cavities, buddy?
In the morning, teenager Blake (Austin Woods, butt left) shows up with flowers for Annie. She drops her basket of washed smoke-stained clothes, and is very nervous that no one see a sweater that reads Torsten. I'm guessing that she's cheating on Blake with another guy, and doesn't want him getting suspicious.
Cut to dinner. Everyone is on edge, growling as they pass the bread. Lawyer Helen fills her plate, then takes it to the other room, snarling at her Husband. Annie doesn't know why.
In the morning, Annie goes to work at Isaac's coffee shop. Noah (Aidan Merwarth) comes in. She apologizes because she lost his bandana in the fire, and they gaze at each other for a few long minutes before he orders the drink named after her. Ok, so Aidan's character is straight. At least we have Isaac and Michael. And where are the drama club teens? I thought this episode would be 90% rehearsals.
Later, Lawyer Helen's daughter drops by the coffee shop to see if Annie needs anything, like "time off." She sees her Dad working in the kitchen, looks upset, and tries to run away. He follows to ask what's wrong. "Things need to be smoothed over between you and Miss Helen." I thought they were married, but apparently they're just dating. And Jessica is his niece, not his daughter.
"That is inappropriate!" he snarls. "What goes on between adults is nsot for you to speak of!"
"I came here because I thought you were different, but you're just like my Dad and Grandpa!" She storms out.
Cut to Miss Helen and her Boyfriend arguing. He was clinging to symbols of his parents' marriage, which she disapproved of. They reconcile. I fast-forward past their discussion.
The Baseball Team
An elderly black woman and a child-on-her-lap are talking to a middle aged white guy in a white suit about how his proposed baseball team will affect the community. Wait -- the child-on-the-lap is actually a middle-aged black woman, filmed at a misleading angle. She thinks that the new project is too risky, but she'll let him talk to the Town Council about it. "But be sure you have the dets on lodging, food and beverages, transportation..." Ulp, he didn't think of any of those things!
Back home, Baseball Guy's wife tells him that she is "moving forward in faith" and designing a mission statement for her not-yet-purchased bookshop. These people have a huge number of side hustles.
I think she's Writer Maddie, so Baseball Guy is her Husband Carl Maddox (Justin Breuning). They discuss his meeting with the Town Counceil about starting a baseball team.
Drama Club
The teens rehearsing for their play with a mirror exercise, all boy-girl pairs. One girl gets upset when her partner, Timothy tries to kiss her: "That's not how mirrors work!" Another boy, probably Writer Maddie's son Kyle, tries to intervene, but his partner holds him back. Sleazebag Timothy complains to the director, Max (Nick Hagelin, left), whoo tells them to try a different technique.
In the next scene, Sleazebag Timothy, Kyle (Logan Allen, left), and the girl are all smiles. "It's important to learn various techniques, and try the one tht works for you." He leaves, and Kyle and the Girl smooch.
Beefcake: Helen's boyfriend takes his shirt off.
Heterosexism: Five hetero-romances going on.
Gay Characters: Isaac and Michael, and probably
My grade: I liked the gay couple, but they were overwhelmed by the hetero-romances, and the lengthy conversations about relationship problems and business ventures were boring. And not even a word of Shakespeare? B-
Left: John Rodrigues plays a rival business owner. He's in the episode, but I don't remember him.
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