Although Sullivan’s Crossing season 3 has divided viewers, it is not hard to work out what changed in the small-town drama. Starring Chad Michael Murray, Scott Patterson, and Morgan Kohan as the titular Maggie Sullivan, Sullivan’s Crossing is a small-town drama show based on the romance novel series of the same name by author Robyn Carr. Robyn Carr’s books provided the basis for earlier hits like Virgin River, while Patterson and Murray are veterans of the small-town drama genre thanks to Gilmore Girls and One Tree Hill.
The Central Romantic Tension Of Maggie & Cal Is Resolved (& Chemistry Arguably Waning)
Maggie and Cal’s Shared Romance Grounded Sullivan’s Crossing Seasons 1 and 2
The biggest change in Sullivan’s Crossing season 3 is that Maggie and Cal’s romantic tension is finally resolved, which can always prove to be a kiss of death for a TV series with a slow-burn romance at its core. It might feel like all viewers wanted was for Murray and Kohan’s characters to finally be happy together, but conflict is the heart of drama, and it is simply less interesting to follow a happy couple than one that is in turmoil.
Sullivan’s Crossing season 3 setting up a breakup shouldn’t really come as a shock to viewers, since the couple can’t simply stay in stasis forever.
Of course, the opposite problem can also plague long-running shows, regardless of their genre. Sitcoms like The Mindy Project and New Girl were criticized for losing their spark once the central couple finally hooked up, but soapier shows like True Blood lost viewers by constantly coming up with new, increasingly convoluted ways to keep the main characters apart. Thus, Sullivan’s Crossing season 3 setting up a breakup shouldn’t really come as a shock to viewers, since the couple can’t simply stay in stasis forever.
Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3’s Villains Are A Little Cartoonish
The Show’s Antagonists Weren’t As Over The Top In Earlier Outings
As Sullivan’s Crossing season 3 starts focusing on other storylines and romances now that viewers aren’t as deeply invested in Maggie and Cal, the show is running afoul of another related issue. While the first two seasons didn’t really have “villains,” per se, they did have compelling characters whose conflicting motivations organically caused trouble for the heroes of Sullivan’s Crossing.
Season 3, in contrast, boasts Glenn, the cartoonishly evil land developer, and the new fire captain, Cooper, who is a jarringly uncomplicated, unlikable jerk. This marks a major change from the flawed but nuanced characters of the past, and it doesn’t help that Sullivan’s Crossing season 3 lost its best antagonist early on.
The Personalities Of Other Characters Have Changed Overnight
Lola and Rage’s New Personalities Jar With Earlier Depictions
On the topic of character growth and changing dynamics, it is important to note that some of Sullivan’s Crossing season 3’s changing characters aren’t landing well with audiences. Lola grew up and matured into a less petty person, which is good for her but not necessarily what is best for the show. Her tension-filled dynamic with Maggie was a great part of the first two seasons, and nothing has replaced it.
| Actor | Sullivan’s Crossing Role |
|---|---|
| Morgan Kohan | Maggie Sullivan |
| Scott Patterson | Harry “Sully” Sullivan |
| Chad Michael Murray | Cal Jones |
| Tom Jackson | Frank Cranebear |
| Andrea Menard | Edna Cranebear |
| Amalia Williamson | Lola Gunderson |
| Lindura | Sydney Shandon |
| Dakota Taylor | Rafe |
| Reid Price | Rob Shandon |
| Steve Lund | Chief Cooper |
| Kate Vernon | Helen Culver |
| Joel Oulette | Jacob Cranebear |
| Torri Higginson | Marissa Jones |
| John Ralston | Jed Jones |
Arguably, Rafe’s miserable new attitude makes him a fitting replacement for Lola, but this is hardly a welcome change. Watching him pick fights with Sydney is unpleasant and jars with the depiction of his personality in the first two seasons, making season 3 a slog for longtime viewers of the series. While Sullivan’s Crossing season 4 may still happen, these structural issues are tough for viewers of the series to ignore and could cost Sullivan’s Crossing some of its fandom unless the show can turn this plot around fast.
