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‘Sweet Magnolias’ Season 2 Is Netflix’s New #1 Show Just Days After Premiering

*Warning: Minor spoilers ahead*

It’s been almost two years since Sweet Magnolias first graced our TV screens. And after months of teasers, season two is finally streaming on Netflix.

In honor of the highly anticipated premiere, we watched the first episode of Sweet Magnolias season two to determine whether it’s worth your time. And by the looks of it, it seems Sweet Magnolias is following in the footsteps of Virgin River in becoming one of Netflix’s most binge-worthy shows. Don't believe us? The series has already hit #1 on Netflix's list of most-watched shows in just a matter of days.

Here’s an honest review of Sweet Magnolias season 2.

sweet magnolias season 2
Courtesy of Netflix

The first episode picks up right where we left off in season one, with Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Helen (Heather Headley) and Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) arriving at the hospital. They’re waiting to hear news about Maddie’s son Kyle (Logan Allen), who crashed his brother’s car with an unknown person in the passenger seat. It doesn’t take long for the doctors to confirm that it was—drumroll, please—Kyle’s friend Nellie (Simone Lockhart).

Luckily, both Kyle and Nellie are OK. Phew! While they both have bumps and bruises, Kyle is the only one who is kept overnight out of precaution.

The focus immediately turns to Ty (Carson Rowland) and Annie (Anneliese Judge), who were with Kyle before the accident. When the parents ask them why Kyle got behind the wheel, they act suspicious, offering side glances and vague explanations about how it never should have happened. When Ty points his finger at Nellie’s brother Jackson (Sam Ashby), they get into an altercation that results in Jackson pushing Ty to the ground, breaking his arm. So long, baseball!

Dana Sue is trying to navigate her co-parenting relationship with Ronnie (Brandon Quinn). But their focus is on Annie, who feels guilty for allowing Kyle to get behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, Helen acts suspicious the entire episode, attending secret doctor appointments and randomly breaking into song. At the end of the first episode, she drops a bombshell that could change everything: she’s pregnant.

sweet magnolias season 2 review
Courtesy of Netflix

Without giving too much away, Sweet Magnolias season two is 100 percent worth the watch. The show is filled with life lessons that apply to everyone in the family, whether you’re tiptoeing around sensitive topics or harboring unnecessary guilt. Not only did the first episode answer several burning questions (instead of dragging them out), but it also set the stage for more drama to come in season two.

Perhaps it’s been too long since season one premiered, but the first installment seemed much cheesier. Season two is far more real in terms of how the characters handle difficult situations. (For example, Kyle’s car crash.) It resembled the feel-good nature of Virgin River, versus the predictable plot of Gilmore Girls.

Since the show takes place in a fictional town, it’s easy for the writers to blur the line between reality and fantasy, creating scenarios that would never actually happen in the real world. But Sweet Magnolias didn’t fall victim to that trap. In fact, it actually shows potential to become a long-running drama series—well, if it continues to charm Netflix viewers.

Purewow Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Not every show needs a second installment, but Sweet Magnolias season two doesn’t disappoint. The show has everything you’d want in a romantic drama series: a loveable cast, diverse story lines and answers to that dreaded cliffhanger.

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greta

Senior Editor

Greta Heggeness is a California-based editor at PureWow and has been writing about entertainment since 2015. She covers everything from awards shows to exclusive celebrity...