Director Amyn Kaderali handled a lot of spinning plates with great skill in this episode, as for the most part did writers Anna Fricke and Edward Hewitt (imdb)
I personally know a lot of people who tuned out after Julia (Anna Enger Rich) was fridged and moreso with the immediate re-insertion of Geri.
I get the hesitation. Honestly I almost skipped too, favorite show or not, so I'll understand if the GA numbers go down.
What a shame, however.
Because while there was no mention of Julia (or remediation/mourning), the writers managed for the most part to keep Geri (Odette Annable) within the lines as new character Sadie's (Saylor Bell) guardian.
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And at least with Geri taking the role of Sadie's guardian/stepmother and August (Kale Culley) showing interest, that wipes out the shipping talk between her and Cordell.
So to me it's awkward but not "terminal" if she stays just a friend as Cordi mourns, making it less a direct fridge/switcheroo of two woc.
I still do have a pet peeve, overall, which is why I say the writers handled it well "for the most part"--Why do people love to question Cordell's competence and growth so much?
Here we saw Geri come in after knowing Cordell almost died, yet instead of continuing on being supportive like the last episode, she turns back into a total nag.
The man is smart enough to have got around to accepting Sadie on his own without the condescending "advice."
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Sadie, meanwhile, was introduced in her first scene as a con artist, yet turned out to be kind of warm hearted and fun,
Yes, it's a retcon of history to give our footloose Hoyt (Matt Barr) a daughter, but the writers skillfully glossed over the main points to make it work.
In my opinion, Sadie herself is an interesting new character for the younger set to watch. Her singing was wonderful in the episode, by the way.
She's just complicated (and on Hoyt's behalf, I'm intrigued enough.)
The addition turned out to be much better than I anticipated, even if I'm not her demo target.
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Meanwhile, Stella (Violet Brinson) is fully integrating into the adult story line and I'm loving it. Her scenes made the horse rescue pipe dream feel better fleshed out.
Brinson has always been skilled when given good scenes. And again, it comes down to how the writers want us to feel about a character.
For a while, Stella was every parent-viewer's aggravation, thanks to the story. Now they've brought her successfully to the "other side."
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Huge shout outs also to the story line between Larry (Coby Bell) and Kelly (Kearran Giovanni)
I'm more into the action side of Walker than any romances, but the Captain finding a work-life balance and getting his family back is thoroughly part of his journey.
And realizing the worth of a highly competent, smart, successful woman like Kelly? Major kudos for this subplot playing out.
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Also huge shout out to the two other already successful couples--Bonham (Mitch Pileggi) and Abeline (Molly Hagan); Liam (Keegan Allen) and Ben (Matt Pascua)
Every time Bonham and Abeline are on my screen, I know we're in great hands. And when they appear together, even in a small moment like dancing, well that's just a "chef's kiss."
Great work to this writing team for giving the "parents" story lines, too, even if the show doesn't focus on them in the main.
Same with Ben and Liam, really. We've seen authentic representation in this subplot.
Seen Liam break up with his fiance, feel his feelings, then manage to find love again.
And done in a way that doesn't twang the antenna of non-romantics like me, who tune in for the Rangers.
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Speaking of Rangers, Cassie (Ashley Reyes) and Trey (Jeff Pierre) continue to kill it.
The Ranger story was the B-plot in this episode, but it still fit with the family story and showed their skill.
Glad to see them beginning to put the last episode's rift behind them and communicate about it, so the audience sees they've done the work to get where we are, story wise.
Absolutely humorous (and awful) accents in the winery. Possible conflict of interest even mentioning they are Rangers when they're sorting out things off the books. And I clapped at the product placement (far smoother than some.)
It all added to the charm.
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Finally, biggest and best kudos this ep belong to someone whose name I don't even know.
Whoever it was that picked the music needs a serious shout out.
Walker is always great with music, but this episode was especially well done with each needle drop adding to the story perfectly.
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Again, shame if people tuned out over worries they'd make hash of Cordell's love life, smashing him with a friend whose romantic chemistry has crossed the bar.
Shame if they didn't watch, fearing another teenager added.
While I understand those concerns, my overall reaction is that this episode walked the line well.
