Original subtitles

♪ You don't owe me ♪

♪ One more minute of your wasted time ♪

♪ You act like it's all fine ♪

♪ It isn't hard to leave ♪

♪ Knowing that I'll be getting life On track ♪

♪ I wanted to believe ♪

♪ I've gotta make a destination ♪

♪ Find where I belong ♪

♪ This time I've got no hesitation ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ To where I belong ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ Over the line I've drawn ♪

♪ I'm already gone ♪

This family.

I get why you don't like us keeping secrets, Mom.

Seriously.

You know who his mom is?

That's Isaac's story to tell, and we have to respect that and him.

He'll tell us when he's ready.

But Grandma Bonnie told everyone.

And she shouldn't have.

Not without Isaac's permission.

There has been a lot of big, unexpected news this week.

I just... I'd like to focus on how the three of you are doing.

I'm excited to have a new brother.

One who's always nice to me.

Plus, Isaac loves to dance.

Just like you.

Kyle?

Well, Isaac's great, but

if I'm being totally honest, this is weird.

I mean, we've known him for, like, two years,

and now we find out we're related?

Like, all of a sudden, we're family?

You have every right to be angry,

hurt, confused.

I'm sure Isaac is too.

All of you just...

You need time to process everything.

No one's gonna force you to have a relationship you're not interested in.

Mom, how are you?

Especially with it coming out this way.

Thank you, Ty.

I am fine. We're all gonna be fine because we love each other.

Aw, sweetie.

I didn't lie.

Withholding the truth is a lie.

I wanted to tell you. I... I tried a hundred different times,

but I couldn't find a way.

And you thought living deep in this lie every day would be better?

There isn't exactly a perfect moment to tell your best friend

that the man who wrecked multiple lives in this town, including ours,

was also my biological father.

You should have told me

the moment you found out that you were my child's half-brother.

Period.

Noreen.

- I'm leaving, Isaac. - Noreen, you are my best friend.

And you kept a secret from me. I hate secrets.

I was a secret.

Bex was a secret.

Who my best friend really is shouldn't have been one.

♪ On the day ♪

♪ That you left me ♪

♪ My world crumbled in two ♪

♪ I told... ♪

Don't tell me you found more missing money.

Helen?

Just now, at dinner,

Bonnie Townsend chose to announce that, um...

Isaac is Bill's son.

I think that

we can expect it won't take long for the rumor mill to latch onto this.

And for folks to start wondering who Isaac's mother is.

Thank you for letting me know.

Peggy, I am, um...

I can't imagine

how difficult it has been for you

in this town...

all these years.

- I should call Isaac. - I'm sure he'd appreciate that.

Is there anything I can do for you?

I think you're doing it.

You are a wrecking ball, Bonnie.

You always have been, and you always will be.

Must be good exercise getting up on that high horse every day.

How is everyone so bothered by a misunderstanding?

Misunderstanding?

Why would it even occur to me that it wasn't common knowledge by now?

Because your son left a trail of secrets

wherever he went.

At least he learned to say he was sorry.

It isn't my fault.

Isaac was there.

The mistress was there.

It seemed like some ridiculous

one-big-happy-family concoction of Maddie's.

My daughter has made the best

of your son's bad decisions for decades,

and she has done it with grace.

Now, if only you had taught him to face his bad mistakes

instead of covering them up, everyone would be better off.

So you'd rather I'd let a... a youthful indiscretion

ruin my son's life?

That is exactly the problem.

You are more concerned with coddling Bill than teaching him

how to be a man with... with honesty and integrity.

And that has led to a long line

of people with broken hearts,

including all of your grandchildren.

And in the midst of my grieving,

you call me a bad mother?

Please lower your voices. The kids need their sleep.

I... I'm sorry, darling.

Bonnie, we're gonna find you somewhere else to stay.

I'm sorry, Paula. I'm sorry, Maddie.

We're past that, sadly.

Where am I supposed to go?

Well, this is cold, even for you.

Bonnie,

all I have ever tried to do is make this home a sanctuary

where my children feel safe and protected.

Right now, they need peace, and you are making that very difficult.

Annie, your heart is in the right place, but this is Townsend business.

And like I told you before,

you should give Ty the space to come to you with what he needs.

I need to know he's okay.

Well, I don't think that he is, and that's to be expected.

That family's been through it this week, baby girl.

They need time to work things out with each other first.

What about Isaac? He's my friend. I should check on him.

Give him time to talk to Noreen first.

So... so what?

We just... abandon our friends when they need us most?

We're not abandoning anyone, but we're also not inserting ourselves

into other people's problems when they already got their hands full.

The downside of a generous heart.

Hey, you know,

at least we're not the most screwed-up family in Serenity.

That is an ongoing competition, sir.

Don't get cocky in the moment.

Especially with your sister headed this way.

Yeah, fair enough.

She's texted a few times. Sounds like she's keeping it together.

That would be helpful.

Maddie.

Mmm. Am I detecting a midnight margarita?

A Magnolia in need...

Needs her friend's top speed.

Part of me feels terrible that I let Bonnie get to me,

but the other part of me couldn't take just one more second

of that woman in this house.

Well, if you didn't do it, I was going to.

Nothing wrong with boundaries.

Especially at a tough time.

She's a grieving mother.

I could've... I could've shown her more grace.

And she could have taken more care

despite her pain.

Some honeymoon period, huh?

Thanks for standing with me.

Always.

Things are calmer here than I expected.

Unless they have Bonnie duct-taped in the kitchen.

Ooh.

Bonnie is at the DoubleTree in Castlewood.

- She'll explain. - Cal.

Can you just wait a second?

I... I have something that I wanna tell all three of you.

Um...

I knew about Bill and Isaac.

Since... since when?

Bill told me after Peggy told him.

I promised Isaac that I would keep his secret

until he was ready to share it.

He wasn't ready, but Bonnie didn't care.

You ladies drink responsibly.

Why didn't you tell us?

It's been, what, like, a year?

More.

Maddie!

- You could have told us. - Should have told us.

We're best friends, Maddie.

Friends carry each other and each other's burdens.

Don't deny us that privilege.

If you can't lay it down with us, then... then something's wrong.

Secrets are... are cracks in this foundation.

I know, and I'm so sorry.

I love both of you so much.

Cheers to the things that I could have done differently.

Well, let's... let's not take it that far.

I... I enjoyed a few of those escapades.

Indeed.

Sweet Magnolias don't toast regrets.

We toast hope, love, and occasionally top-tier gossip.

Mmm.

- Pour it out. - Pour it out.

Pour it out.

Mmm. Now, tell us what we can do.

How can we help?

Well,

you didn't get to plan my wedding,

but you wanna help me plan a funeral?

What?

- We're gonna need different dresses. - Yeah.

I finally find my place in Serenity,

and in one night,

poof,

it's all gone.

And now everyone hates me.

No one hates you.

Noreen stormed out with Bex.

Well, she's upset and needs space.

And what about Maddie and her kids?

See Chef's face?

Cal's?

The tempest Bonnie created is on her, not you.

- But I have to live with the consequences. - Isaac.

I didn't want him in my life.

I don't wanna feel this loss.

You're grieving a lot of things right now.

Everyone is, and it pains you, but you can't ignore the pain.

Examine it, respect it, and then you can set it aside.

But know that all of us love you for the man you are,

not whose offspring you are.

I have an assignment for you.

I want you to go out to the county park and hike.

Excuse me?

Find the prettiest, quietest spot you can and sit.

Feel everything you wanna feel, everything you need to feel,

and don't think about anything else.

Are you sure?

I wanna protect you from the world.

Always.

Right now, I just wanna do the right thing...

say the right thing, and mend your heart.

You just did.

- Maddie? - They're here, sweetheart.

Maddie.

I'm so sorry, Kathy.

Me too, Maddie. Me too.

And, Miss Paula, thank you so much for being a part of this.

We really, really appreciate it.

Of course, Kathy.

Tripp.

Paula.

So sorry.

Thank you.

Tripp, I hope the drive wasn't too difficult.

Fine. Just fine.

I hope Katie still likes dinosaurs.

I carved it on the drive.

She'll love it.

Morning, Bonnie.

Maddie.

Pastor June's waiting inside.

This morning,

my dear, sweet Kathy reminded me that grief

drives people to behave poorly.

We should move forward with that in mind.

Yes, ma'am.

I really appreciate you letting us crash with you.

I know it was last minute, and you have so much going on.

Yeah, you really have to twist my arm

to let me have my two favorite girls overnight.

How hard do I have to twist your arm to stay another night?

How hard to just move in?

Don't get me wrong. I'd love y'all to move in, but...

I want it to be in love.

Not in anger.

In love, then.

Someday, later.

Blue thistles will be on the altar, just as Bill requested,

and we have an additional bouquet that will go next to Bill's portrait

in the narthex as people enter.

Two on the altar, please.

Lovely idea.

And Ty, Kyle, and Katie are comfortable with their readings?

Kyle's already coaching the other two.

Mmm.

I assume you will be reading the 23rd Psalm.

So I will read Psalm 46.

While I appreciate that, Mrs. Townsend, as I'm sure we all do,

your son left specific instructions for the entire service.

Only Ty, Kyle, and Katie will be reading.

That's absurd.

Are you telling me I can't participate in my son's funeral?

We need to respect Bill's wishes.

If all the people who loved Bill spoke, we'd be here for a week.

But I am his mot...

I'm not... I'm not speaking, and neither is Maddie.

Bill wanted it this way, Mama B. He did.

That brings us to the music.

Bill made wonderful selections.

My only question is about "His Eye Is on the Sparrow"

and "How Great Thou Art."

Oh.

Both can be played on the organ.

And I'll do a solo.

No.

Thank you.

Bill's letter says, "Simple, elegant, and heartfelt."

And you think I'm not capable of...

Kathy, speak up, dear.

I agree with Maddie.

- I do. - Kathy, I am his...

Bonnie Beth Townsend.

Our boy's gone.

Least we can do is give Bill what he asked for.

One last time.

- Thank you for helping me, Aunt Helen. - Don't thank me yet.

We haven't decided.

- No, no, no. - Mm-mm.

It's less pressure with you.

Than with Grandma Bonnie, you mean?

Mm-hmm.

- No. - No.

Grandma Bonnie's being weird. Everything is such a big decision.

Well, she's sad, honey.

Being sad does funny things.

Like... turn everything into a big deal.

Is that why she keeps asking me how I feel?

So I'll say I'm sad too?

Because I'm not weird sad, like she is.

I'm normal sad.

I'm sad Daddy's not here anymore, but I know about Jesus and the dinosaurs.

Jesus and the dinosaurs?

You know about Jesus, right, Aunt Helen?

And how Daddy's with him now?

And you know about the dinosaurs and how they're still around?

Um... uh, no.

People think all dinosaurs are extinct. And most of them are.

But some survived and evolved into chickens.

- Oh. - Chickens are dinosaurs. Get it?

I'm Daddy's chicken,

just like Ty and Kyle and Bex and Isaac.

Just because Daddy's gone

doesn't mean there aren't people still here who can remind us of him.

I get it now.

Jesus.

And the dinosaurs.

And the chickens.

Special delivery for the reception.

Bill loved pickled okra from Julie's Joint in Castlewood,

so Dana Sue wanted to add this to the menu in his honor.

Not sure I'd call okra an honor.

But if Dana Sue insists, we'll be happy to oblige.

Thank you.

I sure hope Bill isn't the only okra lover in Serenity.

Don't worry, Chef. I'd be happy to eat any leftovers.

Haven't had good okra since my grandma passed.

- There you go. - Thank you.

I've known Bill most of my life.

Never thought I'd eulogize him with okra.

I hope y'all remember me as more than just a great carpenter.

How about an okay carpenter?

Well, I definitely don't want my eulogy to be all about me being a ballplayer.

And I'd rather be remembered as marrying the most beautiful woman in Serenity.

Sorry, buddy. That title's already taken.

What about you, Chef?

I agree.

You both have the most incredible wives.

Ah, come on. Don't dodge.

I'm a good man.

A great friend.

And a passionate potter.

Did you know he was a potter?

Well, he's a man of many talents. We shouldn't be surprised.

I want people to remember who I am,

how I make 'em feel,

what I'm passionate about.

Not just my job.

We're not just building businesses

or even lives.

We're building legacies.

You asked the question.

Aren't these beautiful?

They're from Trotter and Ashley and the children.

And Dr. Ashley emailed me to make sure I was doing okay.

I told him my new therapist is almost as wonderful as he is.

I guess these will go in the living room.

The flowers from Skeeter and Mr. Littlefield are already in there.

Or the family room.

Next to the ones from Mayor Peggy or Lily's parents?

There.

Any luck with the pictures?

Yeah. They're baffling, actually.

How'd you have all three of us and not age a day?

You beautiful liar. Thank you.

Remember this?

Hmm.

Your middle school graduation?

Your dad did always look best in blue.

- Could we include it in the bulletin? - It's perfect.

The four of you.

He was so proud to be your dad.

I'll...

I'll scan these and email the bulletin to Pastor June.

Your dad would be so pleased at how you've taken charge of this, sweetheart.

I just... I want everything to go smoothly.

You know? But I know I'm supposed to read.

You don't have to.

No, I... I want to. I... I need to. It's just...

Ty and Katie are reading scripture,

even though Katie really wants to talk about dinosaurs.

Dinosaurs?

Ask her if you dare.

But instead of scripture, I'd like to read a poem,

even though I don't think everyone will get it.

Well, what's important is that you get it.

And you think your dad would.

I do.

It's, uh, about Lou Gehrig.

Written by a man named Felix Stefanile.

The end is the best part.

"We read about Herakles

and the hairy Samson and fake Olympic games."

"The whole world boos,

but here’s Big Lou, whom Death bowled over

as the sun rose,

a lazy foul ball,

and a whole generation of the running boys pull up

and cry loud at what Death caught."

What's going on?

You all right?

No.

I can't do this alone.

Do what?

Pick out Bill's casket.

This is not my place, Kathy.

Why are you doing it?

Shouldn't Tripp and Bonnie choose?

Bonnie asked me to take care of it, and I said of course I would.

But I'm... I'm so worried that I'm gonna make the wrong choice,

like I always used to do, and I just...

I truly am trying to be better.

Okay.

But I don't understand how I can help.

Just be my brother, Ronnie.

The big brother who said that we would grow up and learn to fly.

Who learned to grow and change.

Who showed me that hope makes a difference.

Because... I just lost the only man

I... I ever truly loved.

I just need you to tell me that tomorrow is still gonna come.

Believe it, Kathy.

Bill, he always says...

said,

"It's easy to break things. It's harder to fix what you broke."

And I have been working so hard to fix it all.

And as long as you see that...

I'll survive.

I see it.

Almost there.

Almost there.

What?

Almost there. Almost. Almost.

Almost. Almost.

Whoa, whoa! Stop!

Ta-da.

Oh my word.

How did you have time to do all this?

Well, I may or may not have elves.

You're Santa.

I knew it.

- Mmm. - Mmm.

And you're sharing all of this with me?

Ho, ho, ho.

Yeah, it's tempting, but, uh,

no.

You have been doing so much for everyone else.

It's time for a little self-care.

Wine, Erik's cinnamon ice cream,

chocolate walnut brownies, candy, and a novel

I was promised

is just a little naughty.

Okay.

Why are you so perfect?

Mmm.

Far from it.

But I am actively trying to keep my vow.

Romance and joy.

Join me.

Mmm.

But then, who would guard the door from intruders?

Reception. Check. Outfits for the kids. Check.

Altar flowers will be delivered to the church in the morning.

I think that covers everything.

Nope. I have one more thing.

Make sure Helen's okay.

I'm tired.

But, uh,

there's no rest for the weary or the wicked.

You and Peggy inherited a real mess from Trent.

I can see that's taken its toll on you.

And I'm truly sorry I made things worse by getting riled up over that lawn fiasco.

Oh, don't worry about that.

Being "Temporary Whatever" to the mayor

is not for the faint of heart or for the love of sleep.

Promise me you'll take some time for yourself.

Or take some time for yourself and Alexander.

Girl, please.

I appreciate your love and reminder.

And I will schedule some R&R soon.

I promise.

Excellent.

Hey.

I hope you're doing the same.

I am.

Though, right now, I could use a little squeeze to tide me over.

Me too.

Who's mad at us this time?

No one.

At least not yet.

I brought y'all some valentines.

Valentines?

That's what Trent's daddy called agreements he made with his friends.

These are all sweetheart deals?

Oh, this is just the first batch.

There are three generations' worth of files just sitting in storage.

Oh! Do they all smell this bad?

Enjoy.

Thank you.

I know these are not on your reception menu,

but Katie requested, and Neville obliged.

Yeah. It's fine, Chef. I'll handle it.

Erik.

Hey. You okay?

Just a little behind schedule. Told Isaac he could come in late.

How is he doing? I left a message. Haven't heard back. Must be overwhelmed.

Yeah. Well, we'll see him through.

- Well, I can pitch in here. - No, ma'am.

Oh!

You and Helen have your hands full and then some.

Catch your breath while you can.

You make sure you do the same.

Don't need you falling out before you finally open this place.

If we ever open.

Bite your tongue.

She asked Ronnie to help pick out a casket and headstone.

And Ronnie's taking that as a sign that she's changed?

He seems persuaded.

Mmm.

These miracles need to stop occurring around Bill's death,

or Bonnie will nominate him for sainthood.

How many so far?

Well, Bonnie accepted that she will not be a part of Bill's service.

Ah. Two.

I feel sorry for her.

Three.

I have set aside my pain

and come to understand that Tripp and Bonnie are

hurting in a way that I cannot or never want to understand.

Looking back at old pictures of Bill, I remember that I loved him once,

but they lost their little boy.

I wouldn't survive if Annie...

- Mmm. - Dana Sue, don't even think about it.

None of that.

Ronnie was going on and on about legacy last night.

Bill was Bonnie's, wasn't he?

Mm-hmm.

And we are all Bill's chickens.

Excuse me?

Katie dropped some doe-eyed wisdom about life and death

and Jesus and the dinosaurs,

and concluded with "the kids are all Bill's chickens."

Mmm.

It was her way of saying that

Bill may be gone, but little traces of him will remain.

So sweet.

My little paleontologist philosopher.

She's precious.

I have a fashion question.

Ronnie thinks he should wear a hat to the funeral. Is Cal wearing one?

No, he's not. He will not.

Is Alexander?

Uh...

He's not coming.

We broke up.

- What? Are you okay? - Why? When?

I'm fine. I'm fine.

I broke up with him.

You... you... you don't say?

It was before Bonnie set off her explosion,

and I didn't think it was appropriate to mention afterwards.

What happened?

Mmm. Forgive me, Maddie, but

events like Bill's passing remind us

that... time is not within our control.

Alexander and I had fun, but

I don't know, we're... we're not a... not a forever match.

What a loss...

for those of us who liked watching him walk away.

D!

It's gonna take more than just a good walk to win my heart.

Okay.

So I am happy to stay fabulous and single

until my forever love comes along.

Well, may he show up quick, fast, and in a hurry.

That's right.

Hey.

I wasn't sure you'd be here.

I'm not sure I can stay.

Sit with us. You shouldn't be alone.

I did the hike you suggested.

I hope it helped.

All I could think about was losing my mom

and missing my dad.

My real parents.

I need to go see my dad.

Travel safely.

I'm so sorry.

Isaac?

See you soon.

Should we go after him?

Not all the way to Ohio.

He needs to be with his father.

Funerals make me wanna be near my loved ones too.

I should

go sit down.

"See the birds of the sky that they don't sow."

"Neither do they reap

nor gather in the barns."

"Your heavenly father feeds them."

"And aren't you much more valued than they?"

"Which...

which of you, by being anxious, can add...

one moment to his lifespan?"

"Why?"

"Why are you..."

♪ And why should my heart feel lonely ♪

♪ And long for heaven and home ♪

♪ When Jesus is my portion? ♪

♪ A constant friend is he ♪

♪ His eye is on the sparrow ♪

♪ And I know he watches ♪

♪ Me ♪

It is the unfortunate expectation

of a funeral homily

that it will offer words of comfort

to broken hearts that won't mend for a while yet.

To offer an immediate balm

for a lifelong wound.

And Bill Townsend knew,

as a doctor, a husband and father,

a man of faith,

about the power of hope.

Most of all,

the hope of transformation.

Not just in the next life.

That this life can change.

Patients can be healed,

hearts can be mended,

dreams can come true.

Bill stood on that hope.

When he and Kathy went to Texas,

he started a clinic for the underserved in that community

because Bill framed his hope in practical terms.

He once told me the lesson he leaned on most in life

was something his dad, Tripp, taught him when Bill was in Scouts.

That when you leave a campsite or any place where you've made a mark,

leave it better than you found it.

Put the fires out.

Erase your footprints as best you can.

Plant something that will benefit the next camper.

And I reminded Bill that Jesus

makes the same recommendation.

That we love each other,

forgive each other

so that we can lift each other up and make each other better.

But both Bill and Jesus will also have us know,

do it now.

Don't wait for the perfect words that may not come,

the apology, or the tomorrow that may not come.

Speak today.

Act today.

Love today.

Tomorrow isn't promised.

So be willing to grow and forgive and love now.

Be the blessing you were called to be today.

Erik.

- Please, go back inside. - Not without you.

Genevieve, please.

Let me help you.

- Tell me what's going on so we can fix it. - I don't know that it can be fixed.

Of course it can. Just... just talk to me.

I don't have time.

For what?

To build my legacy.

To heal.

To find transcendent love. What if time runs out?

Funerals are triggering for a lot of us. Erik, please, just let me help you.

You... You can't.

Okay, you're right.

I can only help you if... if you let me.

I'm gonna go back in and wait for you to decide if you will.

Please don't wait for me.

Oh.

Not how I thought we would end.

Noreen, Isaac brought by this note and made me swear on Erik's brownies

I would give it to you when I saw you and that I wouldn't get horseradish on it.

He's not here?

Something came up during the funeral, and he had to run home to Ohio.

And I surely hope I haven't spoiled what he wrote by saying so.

Bailey.

Did he seem okay?

Okay as anyone seems today. You good?

Tripp, so sorry for your loss.

And your song, Bonnie. Beautiful.

Well, the Spirit moved me.

And those grandkids of yours. They sure must've made you proud.

Couldn't have been more proud of my whole family today.

I haven't quite mastered

the "my wife is wonderful, but I can help too" part of this,

but if there's anything, Maddie, for any of you...

Thank you, David.

Okay.

Somebody didn't eat breakfast, so you must eat this.

I even got you a chicken tender before Katie inhales them all.

Bless you.

She's not being obnoxious, is she?

Mmm. I'd call it "making her desires clear."

Look, Bex, Katie likes chicken tenders just like you do.

Nope. That's enough, Katie.

Don't take advantage of Helen and Erik's love for you.

Hey.

Are you okay?

I will be.

Thank you.

This thing is larger than my head.

Blame Katie. She made me promise to give her brothers the biggest brownies.

Make sure you had something sweet to think about.

She said all that?

I may have embellished a smidge.

Such a meaningful poem, honey.

Dad loved sports. I love the arts. It felt like a middle ground.

He would've been so proud. He always was.

You know that, right?

I think I'm starting to understand.

Noreen, may I borrow Kyle for a minute?

Some old friends of his dad wanna compliment him.

Of course.

Would you be offended if I left?

Especially if I assure you it has nothing to do with you or Bill.

Genevieve, what happened?

I will not speak ill of the dead, but I could spill on the living.

Let's go for a walk.

Mmm. I'm not usually an okra person,

but this baby said otherwise today.

- Herring and peanut butter. - Oh!

When cravings call, we answer.

Amen.

So you are abandoning your family when they need you most?

No, ma'am. I just...

Your father had the same ridiculous dreams about music.

You know what his father and I did?

We taught him to be responsible.

To have noble goals.

To be a Townsend man.

And that's what you need to do now, step up and take his place.

What's going on here?

And what if I don't wanna be a Townsend man, Grandma?

What if I don't want anyone to think of me as Bill Townsend's son?

Today... today of all days. This is the day you dishonor your father?

Bonnie, that's enough.

Me? Dishonor him?

How do you not understand how much pain he's caused?

What's the problem here?

You have a disrespectful son.

No.

He has a cruel grandmother.

Bonnie,

you knew a different Bill than we did.

So you have a right to your grief

just as we have a right to our feelings.

And we get to decide how we process this loss.

I loved your son the best I could.

Even when he made it difficult.

And I am trying my best to love you,

even while you are making it impossible.

But there is no one I love more

on God's green earth than my children.

And I don't care who you think you are

or who you think you're trying to defend,

but you will never speak to a child of mine like that again.

You are being selfish and vain and short-sighted and...

and it's time to take her home, Tripp.