Sullivan's Crossing
Sullivan’s Crossing Recap Season 4 Premiere Episode 1 – Curveballs
Sullivan’s Crossing Season 4 Episode 1 threw some curveballs at Cal and Maggie, just like the episode title indicated.
It wasn’t enough that her ex-husband returned to the Crossing, causing plenty of friction simply by existing in the same space and competing with Cal any time the opportunity presented itself (though I’m admittedly not mad about the wood chopping competition), but then the other foot dropped as Maggie learned that the annulment was filed incorrectly and they were still technically married.
We all saw the twist coming from a mile away, but it doesn’t make it any less juicy.
Talk about a buzzkill just when things are starting to look up for your new relationship.
Cal was incredibly composed, given the situation, and given that he was forced to spend a whole day with Liam against his wishes, while everyone was bragging about how “unbelievable” he was. That’s just what any man wants to hear about the man swooping into town to reclaim his wife.
Sullivan’s Crossing — “Curveballs” — Image Number: SUL401_JR-158_f — Pictured: Lola introduces Liam (MARCUS ROSNER) and Cal (CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY) to the teens. — Photo: Jessie Redmond/Fremantle — © 2026 Fremantle. All Rights Reserved.
But the worst part about all of it is that Maggie isn’t being honest—not with Cal or herself.
She told everyone that Liam was a “summer fling,” but you don’t get married on a whim to someone you consider a fling, especially as a person who doesn’t have a compulsive bone in her body.
Her connection with Liam ran much deeper, and it seems that he ghosted her, never giving her the proper closure, so she was forced to compartmentalize her feelings and move on, without ever facing the gravity of her feelings or the pain that it caused her.
That’s why she’s so rattled by Liam’s return. She never fully got over him; she just pushed her feelings away and pretended they didn’t exist out of necessity.
And Liam claims he’s sought her out in Sullivan’s Crossing because they need the annulment certificate so they can give him a visa, but it’s clear that he also has some things he wants to get off his chest about how things ended between them.
Sooner or later, Cal is going to put it altogether, despite Maggie’s insistence that this changes nothing between them.
Not only did Maggie have a whole sex dream about Liam mere moments after he walked back into her life, but there’s very clearly intense chemistry and unfinished business between them when she comes to his aid after his foot is caught in the trap.
As someone who is very much team Cal, I’m a little biased in my judgment of Liam. And frankly, quite harsh, but I expected him to handle getting caught in a trap a little better after boasting about being a war correspondent who’s been caught up in many dangerous situations.
Either way, the path forward for everyone is honesty and confronting the truth.
It’s easy for Maggie to fall into what-ifs right now, but they are the most dangerous thing because the grass is always greener, and we always see things through rose-colored glasses.
But the truth is, everything happens for a reason.
And her curiousity on what may have been if Liam didn’t ghost her or disappear from her life or whatever may have happened that led to their breakup might ruin the great life and relationship she’s built up for herself at the Crossing.
On the other hand, one might argue that she’s been settling this whole time because of the lost love, so really, Maggie needs to be honest with herself about what it is that she wants and what this second chance could mean.
Is Liam’s return another shot at a romance, or will he prioritize something else just like last time? If I had to guess, he was pulled away on a job and simply couldn’t tell Maggie about it, which led to the end of the short-lived bliss they found in Spain. It’s easy to fall into a relationship when you’re living in paradise and not confronting real-world situations.
However, Cal is the real deal. He’s done the work on himself following the loss of his wife, which has made him a better partner for Maggie. And he’s broken through plenty of walls that Maggie has put up around herself. He never got the carefree girl that Liam encountered in Spain, which, in my opinion, makes their connection much more powerful.
Aside from the love triangle that’s pulling Maggie in two directions, and forcing Cal to be super understanding when he could just let his insecurities run rogue, Sullivan’s Crossing dealt with another shake-up with Sully’s exit.
It doesn’t feel permanent just yet because Sully is still just on a trip in Ireland with Helen, with the expectation that he’s coming back. No one actually assumes he’ll be gone for good, and when that reality hits, it will have a much greater impact on the characters.
Right now, the series barely skipped a beat in Sully’s absence as everyone is on board to make sure that the Crossing is running as smoothly as ever.
Though Sully didn’t exactly make things easy for everyone who is chipping in to keep the place running, since they don’t even know where the keys to the storage unit are.
However, it’s nothing they can’t handle, as the Crossing is essentially being transferred over to the next generation, who will hopefully infuse it with new life and bring it into the modern age while keeping the nostalgia aspect that’s always been the draw.
I imagine it’ll be a much tougher conversation when Sully is gone for good, and everyone has to give up something to make it work. Maggie is opening up a general practice, so she doesn’t exactly have time to run a campsite, while Edna and Frank are getting older. They can oversee things from time to time, but they deserve to make the most of their free time together. I know they don’t actually want to leave it behind, but sometimes, a little push is necessary to start living. People tend to forget how to do that.
Sullivan’s Crossing — “Curveballs” — Image Number: SUL401_JR-2_f — Pictured: Chad Michael Murray as Cal. — Photo: Jessie Redmond/Fremantle — © 2026 Fremantle. All Rights Reserved.
Realistically, Cal is the only one who has the capacity to take this on. At this rate, he’s already hiring help at the Crossing, so he may just take over the ownership.
Rob’s kitchen is a great addition to the Crossing, making it a destination for the culinary experience and attracting a new clientele that maybe loves themselves a good brunch, though that man cannot catch a break.
He’s once again backed into a corner, trying to juggle being a single dad with chasing his dreams.
Just as Shandon’s was making a name for itself, his son was offered a scholarship that would force him to relocate out of town. It doesn’t seem like an option if he wants to establish the restaurant as a destination, but prioritizing his son’s future is equally important.
Sydney suggested hiring someone, but that wasn’t exactly a solution that Rob took to well.
As for her character, she constantly seems so out of place for me. It’s almost like the writers just don’t know what to do with her and try to inject her into every scene without it ever feeling organic.
The worst was her dead-end relationship with Rafe. They kept pushing this storyline with Rafe, but the build-up never really went anywhere, with Rafe simply dodging any discussions and making the decision to request a transfer to a different fire station, blindsiding Sydney. While I definitely feel bad for her for being excluded from any decision-making regarding her future, the truth is that the storyline dragged on way longer than it needed to. There was literally not a flicker of chemistry between her and Rafe, so there wasn’t much to salvage. Half the time, they barely acted like they liked each other if I’m being honest, so pulling the plug on this was probably the smartest thing the series did.
If we’re shaking up romances and the cast, let’s please shake up Sydney’s storyline and give her literally anything to work with.
What did you think of the premiere? Let us know in the comments!
Fans have been wondering whether Sullivan’s Crossing Season 5 would make its way to The CW.
While the series already scored a season 5 renewal on CTV, the Canadian television network where it airs originally, in the U.S., fans were left in limbo while negotiations took place.
And thankfully, we now know the fate of the upcoming fifth season, as Sullivan’s Crossing S5 was renewed at The CW.
The green light was given on Thursday, July 16, for the Morgan Kohan and Chad Michael Murray-led romantic drama.
As previously revealed, the 10-episode season will begin production in Nova Scotia later this season.
The upcoming season of the series, basd on the bestselling book series by Robyn Carr, is getting a bit of a shakeup, as series creator Roma Roth has stepped down as head writer and showrunner. Canadian writer-producer Floyd Kane is stepping into the role.
Season 5 is expected to hit The CW in early 2027, per Deadline.
“I could not be more excited that Sullivan’s Crossing will be returning for its fifth season,” Roth said. “From the beginning, my goal was to create a long-running series that would resonate deeply with a global audience, and I’m thrilled that our fans have supported us every step of the way. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished alongside our valued partners, crew, and cast and remain committed to guiding the series as we continue to build on our success with Season 5. I’m also delighted to welcome head writer Floyd Kane, whose talented storytelling will help shape the next chapter of Sullivan’s Crossing, as I continue to expand my brand and bring another beloved Robyn Carr book series to life.”
Sullivan's Crossing
‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ Gets Another Big Shake-Up Ahead of Season 5 as Fate at The CW Remains Uncertain
Sullivan’s Crossing has just as much off-screen drama as it does on-screen.
After Scott Patterson’s unexpected exit from the series ahead of the fourth season, another shake-up is coming to the Canadian-produced drama ahead of its fifth season.
Deadline announced that series creator Roma Roth has stepped down as head writer and showrunner. Canadian writer-producer Floyd Kane is stepping into the role for the upcoming season.
Roth won’t be out of the picture entirely, however, as she will stay on as executive producer.
A reason behind the decision was not provided, though the outlet revealed that she will be putting more of a focus on her newly announced series Thunder Point.
Sullivan’s Crossing scored a season 5 renewal at CTV, where it airs originally, but its fate at The CW, where it comes to the U.S. audience, remains uncertain.
The outlet noted that sources said a season 5 pickup is still being finalized—and it would be a huge bummer if The CW didn’t give it the greelight considering the season 4 finale ended with plenty of cliffhangers.
“It depends on when we film our second season. don’t know. I would love to go back. I love my Sullivan’s Crossing family. I miss them,” she expressed.
Since the series hasn’t been renewed at The CW yet, no premiere date has been announced, but it typically airs episodes a few weeks after they’ve aired in Canada.
As for Sullivan’s Crossing Season 5, it will hopefully pick up where things left off in the season 4 finale, as Cal and Maggie finally rekindled their relationship after things went south upon Liam’s return. In fact, Cal decided to propose to Maggie moments before the social worker came to inform them that Ben’s younger sister, Tracy, who was struggling with her new foster family, was going to live with them. In the blink of an eye, Maggie and Cal’s entire world changed, but it’s nothing these two can’t handle.
Fans who weren’t able to watch Sullivan’s Crossing when it aired on The CW will be able to catch up when the season arrives on Netflix.
Sullivan's Crossing
Sullivan’s Crossing: What Maggie’s Kiss With Liam Means for Her Relationship With Cal
It’s not looking good for Cal and Maggie on Sullivan’s Crossing, especially after he overheard about the kiss from Liam and Maggie’s conversation on Sullivan’s Crossing Season 4 Episode 7 titled, “Face the Music.”
And that’s what everyone has to do to move forward.
You would think direct from the source is best, but in this case, it was like pouring alcohol on an open wound–it stung. And the fact that it came right after Maggie confidently told Liam that she and Cal don’t keep secrets from each other, while keeping the biggest one of all from him, was the biggest slap in the face.
Cal’s reaction was completely justified because it’s the betrayal of it all. This is someone he trusted to be honest with him—and when he had his moments of jealousy, he quickly apologized for them because he thought he was being out of line.
While this whole time, Maggie was just keeping the truth from him. Sure, it was unintentional, as she was trying to spare them both the pain of what happened, but it made Cal look like an idiot by apologizing to Liam and even extending an invitation to the dinner.
Maggie was scared to tell Cal, scared to disappoint him, because she assumed she’d lose him. And that’s understandable, considering Cal seemingly has a no-cheating policy.
But he’s also the kind of man you can rationalize with. Despite his anti-cheating stance, when Sedona told him her husband cheated, he immediately softened up and changed his outlook, realizing that she was right—people are human, and they make mistakes in moments of weakness.
That’s the most important piece that Maggie should’ve known—what matters is that you own up to the mistakes when you make them. Cal would’ve been disappointed, yes, but she knows his character better than anyone else; he would’ve forgiven her, pending confirmation that she didn’t have any lingering feelings for Liam.
After everything, Cal at least deserved that.
And since Maggie didn’t want to face the facts, she ignored all the signs telling her to come clean, and used every push back from Cal—him saying he “couldn’t handle any more bad news” and “talk later”—to push it to the back burner. He didn’t make it easier for her to tell the truth, but it shouldn’t have been her easy way out either.
The result? Cal finding out in the worst possible way—from someone else, while already having his suspicions after Syd almost said too much. At this point, he already knew Maggie wasn’t being completely honest with him, so he was already on alert.
The love triangle is definitely pulling at the heartstrings for fans, while Maggie is also finding herself conflicted over the man she once loved (and completely misjudged) and the man she loves now.
It came at the expense of the trust she’d built up with Cal. Maggie puts up walls and runs away from feelings; she always has, but Cal has pushed past all of that. But the situation has become so heavy and complicated that it pulled her down into a place of uncertainty again.
We saw her get vulnerable with Liam, when she broke down with him right before the kiss in the basement, but now she needs to be honest with herself about what she wants out of life and her future.
And the truth is, Maggie doesn’t know if the kiss was a mistake, which is why telling Cal was even more difficult. A part of her really wanted it, felt it and missed Liam.
Maybe there’s a reason she and Liam didn’t work out. Maybe removing all the past baggage would reveal that these two aren’t compatible together after all, especially as the people they are now.
Maybe she has to ruin things with Cal to see that for herself.
Maybe they have to burn it all to the ground to rebuild again.
There’s always a path forward—maybe not the easiest one—but it’s really all up to Maggie. The only way she’ll know is to be honest with herself and her loved one, and make the space to process all these feelings.
It starts by being truthful with Cal about where she’s at. No one expects this to be easy for her, considering everything she knew about the man she loved and the man who abandoned her has been a lie, but no one has the answers for her either.
There’s no moving forward for any of them if she doesn’t confront these feelings and do some soul-searching.
Will they break up? Will she fight for him? What do you think will happen? Cal and Maggie are Sullivan’s Crossing, so I guess that they will come out on top at the end, stronger than ever before, after weathering this storm together.
Liam’s only still in town because Maggie hasn’t given him a clear answer, so he’s holding onto hope. If she firmly shut down any chance of a future with him, he’d already be gone—and Cal knows it. That’s why he keeps questioning Liam’s return; it’s obvious there’s been no real goodbye. Maggie’s leaving the door slightly open, but sooner or later, she’s going to have to choose.
And Cal is dealing with all of this while trying to help Ben and Tracy in a situation that’s mirroring his own upbringing and childhood, striking a nerve over the guilt and trauma he’s silently carried for years.
There’s a part of me that feels for Cal right now as he carries the weight of everything while still genuinely trying to be a good guy. And I’ve got to give it up to the series for giving us a compelling love triangle (we know Chad Michael Murray excels at love triangles), even convincing the girl who never even saw Liam as a viable option!
What did you think of the episode?
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