BY ANTHONY MEDINA
**This episode originally aired in May 2012. If you are unfamiliar with the series, be aware this review contains spoilers.**
“Believe me, a storm is coming.” – Lavon Hayes
Well, it was quite the year for Dr. Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson), and the town of Blue Bell. But at long last “The Big Day” is finally here. The town has been transformed and everyone is lining up to watch George Tucker (Scott Porter) and Lemon Breeland (Jamie King) finally tie the knot. But Tom Long’s knee is tingling which can only mean one thing, the storm is coming…
So here’s what you have to know going into the season finale:
Wade loves Zoe, Zoe loves George, George loves Lemon, and Lemon loves Lavon. But Lavon also loves Lemon, and Lemon loves George, and George loves Zoe, and as it turns out Zoe loves Wade too. Oh, what a tangled web we weave. AND this all takes place in Alabama, so I assume season 2 will reveal half these people are related (Zing!).
With this love pentagon in play the question we’re all/none of us are wondering is who Zoe will choose. Will she go with her first choice option A:
“The Golden Boy” George Tucker, town lawyer and overall nice guy (hate this guy)
Or her backup option B:
“The Badboy” Wade Kinsella (Wilson Bethel), town bartender and overall slacker (hate this guy)
The choice is nearly taken from her since George is getting married to another woman. Even with the storm hitting the town, George does everything he can to salvage the wedding by moving it indoors. Unfortunately, he moves everything into an old fire station with a leaky and collapsing roof. Despite his best efforts he knows it’s not going to happen. And the truth is, he really doesn’t want it too. He finds Lemon and calls off the wedding once and for all telling her he’s in love with Zoe Hart. Lemon gives him a well earned punch in the face (which I enjoyed) and off he goes to tell Zoe they can finally be together.
But Zoe has been going through her own little crisis. As the storm hits she gets trapped in a barn with Wade for hours. And as we all know, there’s nothing more erotic then the smell wet goats and farm equipment. So naturally they end up together at her place just in time for George to knock on the door and confess his love for Zoe.
Despite my jaded and cynical view of humanity, I have soft spot in my heart for this little bit of CW fluff. As I’ve said in the past, Rachel Bilson is far too cute to hate. So if you like watching southern folk fight over which pretty gal gets to be with which pretty guy, this show is for you.
Season 1
Thinking Man Rating: 5 Thumbs Up
Finale
Thinking Man Rating: 4 Thumbs Up
**Be aware the Thinking Man rating system is based on awesomeness and should be disregarded if you are not now, or have never been, awesome.**
Thanks for this review, Anthony, but now a few quick questions: What’s the writing like on this show? Does it rise above the triteness the CW is known for? In what ways?
Inquiring writers – new and old alike – really want to know.
Grazi!
Well, unfortunately the writing is pretty much what you would expect, predictable, cliche, corny, and uninspired. However, they do manage to create some fun characters which keeps the show from being completely unwatchable. Although that might be my massive crush on Rachel Bilson talking.