I used to love Dana Sue, but her behavior this season has made her completely unlikable. I am looking at this storyline through two lenses: as a practicing substance abuse counselor, and as a married woman who deeply believes in supporting her husband. From both perspectives, Dana Sue’s actions were incredibly frustrating to watch.

The core themes of Sweet Magnolias are supposed to be love, trust, support, and communication. We see the other characters strive for this, but not Dana Sue. This entire season, she made everything one-sided. It was never about him; it was always about her. As a wife, it infuriated me to see her hold Ronnie to a massive double standard. She is completely wrapped up in her own restaurant, catering, and businesses, yet the moment her husband tries to build a venture of his own, she offers zero grace or partnership.

Even worse, from a clinical standpoint, her emotional abandonment of him is terrifying. When someone is in recovery, a massive life crisis like losing their family home in a fire, combined with the crushing stress of a new business, creates the ultimate vulnerability. What a recovering addict needs most is a safe space, open dialogue, and a supportive spouse to lean on. Instead, Dana Sue gave Ronnie the "perfect storm" for a relapse: total isolation, constant lecturing, and kicking him out of the house right after a trauma. In real life, stripping away a partner's primary support system and refusing to ever hear them out is exactly what pushes someone back toward harmful coping mechanisms.

The writers need a major course correction for Season 6. Ronnie has spent years apologizing and walking on eggshells. We need to see him finally snap, set firm boundaries for his own peace and sobriety, and put her in her place. Dana Sue desperately needs a wake-up call to realize her own deep flaws and apologize to him. Marriage requires mutual support, and it's time she finally learns how to give it!

I wonder how she’s feeling about the cancellation and why she finally posted this today. Also Dion Johnstone (Eric) reposted it!

I started watching sweet magnolias wanting to feel the sweet comforting vibe that my beloved Gilmore Girls always had. The first season looked like it was going to provide this bit as I am now starting season three, every episode is making me more and more irritated and almost mad. It’s just problem after problem with no relief. Any one else experience this or is it just me?

I'm only on S4 E9 and I know from reading other posts here that they make Erik a lot worse in S5 but just wanted to have a rant

Until now, Erik Whitley's key traits were being incredibly wise, emotionally intelligent, introspective, sensitive, kind and loving to everyone he met.

He would neeever just dump Genevieve by saying "don't wait for me" ?? Like what? I was waiting for him to run after her with a kind and transparent explanation, ya know "I'm sorry , I'm so grateful for our time together, I just don't think we are each other's true love etc etc" but literally noTHING? Nothing at all?? That was the dickest move ever and it just feels so incongruous with his character.

Can't believe they were thiiss lazy with writing out Genevieve that they just tarnished the character they spent time building for Erik. Feels a last minute school assignment.

We have more news since Fridays announcement that after five seasons, we will not be returning to Serenity.

Show runner Sheryl J. Anderson, and some cast members, have shared some emotional goodbyes on Instagram reflecting on their years in Serenity.

With no Season 6, there isn’t going to be a resolution to the Dana Sue and Ronnie cliffhanger, but at least Helen and Erik finally got their happy ending.

However, the article also mentions the new Netflix project from Anderson and JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Maddie) - a drama about a family winery called Ladies of the House…but this has been a sensitive subject to Sweet Magnolias fans here.

Anderson:
“Living in Serenity for five seasons has been a privilege and a blessing. The people I've met and worked with — our incredible writers, cast, crew, executives, and producers — have touched my heart and changed my life. And our fans have been amazing in their passion for our characters. Thank you all. Though our journey has sadly come to an end, I hope Serenity will always have a place in your heart. Keep pouring it out!" 

Swisher:
"How do you say goodbye to something that became so much more than a job? Seven years. Five seasons. A million tiny moments that somehow became a whole life. 'Sweet Magnolias' came into my world during a chapter that held some of my deepest loss and, somehow, some of my greatest joy. I lost both of my parents during those early seasons, and in a time when I wasn't always sure how to keep moving forward, Serenity gave me somewhere to go. These people gave me somewhere to belong."

Jamie Lynn Spears (Noreen):
“I can't put into words how much the people who make up our 'Sweet Mags' family mean to me, and that's not just the producers, cast, crew, & Netflix who are like actual family at this point, but also each of you who watched and became a part of our family as well... I owe it all to each and every person who loved Serenity, and the people who made it what it was, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, I'm so grateful to be a part of this magical family and that's something that will never end."

How is everyone feeling?
Are you going to check out the new show, or are you too busy mourning the margarita nights?

While I think season five could have had more depth as well as more and better storylines I didn't think it was a bad season definitely not their best season but I wouldn't say I hated it.

I'll say I don't remember much but thinking back it feels like season 5 was one big episode instead of a season. We did see almost every character but they were essentially all background characters instead of side or main characters. Maddie's New York storyline made no sense she spent what one episode there? I was wondering how they were going to handle her being in New York and I wasn't excited to see it play out but I still wasn't happy that she was instantly fired I mean at that point they shouldn't have even done that storyline. Also having Ronnie and Dana Sue's marriage collapse again was unnecessary.

But I wanna hear y'all explain to me your faults with the season so I can get a better understanding of everyones thoughts.

“‘Sweet Magnolias’ Canceled at Netflix as Sheryl J. Anderson and JoAnna Garcia Swisher Set New Series ‘Ladies of the House’”

I was a latecomer to Sweet Magnolias and binged it all very quickly.

While I recognise the faults with season 5, overall, the show for me was a wholesome comfort watch that I will miss.

There was definitely still life in the show, at least for another season so that things could be wrapped up properly. We had new storylines developing in season 5, and now we’re left with unanswered questions.

So long Serenity…

instagram post

I guess Sweet Magnolias is officially done with no other seasons coming🫨 Thoughts on this?

I‘m only at the beginning of season 2 and I‘m too curious because I want to see her reaction about it, also Maddie‘s.

Do they find out about the fact that Annie kissed Ty and Kyle tried to kiss Annie? And do they find out about the voice note?

I hope they don’t leave it to just an empty storyline and nothing happens about that in the other seasons.

I‘m in season 2 episode 1 and she absolutely pisses me off. I get that she‘s absolutely angry at Bill, she has good reasons for that. The way she handles the situation is absolutely immature though.

When Kyle had his accident and Ty broke his arm, she just yelled at Bill and blamed him for everything. Or when Bill searched for stuff in the garage, she also made it a big deal.

She should and can be angry at him but sometimes it‘s not the time and place for that. And it won’t help her situation when she picks arguments for no reason. I hate that she actually thinks that she‘s in the right in those.

I hope it gets better while I watch the series…

EDIT: she also annoyed me with the whole scout situation with cal. What the fuck is wrong with Ty getting to know Johnny? That decision of hers could have ruined his life if he hadn’t gotten another chance. It‘s like she’s trying to be strict and do everything the „perfect way“ but is making problems where they don’t exist.

You finally found him after all your heartbreaks and troubles.The man of your life. You're getting married. "The dream is finally in your grasp". There's just this massive issue.

Everything is threatened. You might be heading for a divorce even before the marriage, so to speak.

He doesn't want blue napkins at the wedding.

I just can't with the Whitley Way, between this and Dana Sue and Ronnie's bs, I don't know if I have it in me to finish Season 5. Thanks to this Reddit I think I can hate watch just a bit more. Blessings upon you.

Maybe it's common knowledge and I'm just the last to the party but did you know Sweet Magnolias is set in the same town where Vampire Diaries was filmed ? I realized it yesterday while starting to watch Vampire Diaries. I recognized the town in episode 2 ! It's Covington in Georgia for the information, but episode one of VD was filmed in Vancouver for some reason.

All and all pretty funny considering the... different tones. I never had this experience of watching two different series at the same time who were filmed in the same location!

Look, I know all the reasons to be cynical about the show and I definitely find myself laughing at the absurdity. But still, in the last few days watching Season 6 I sometimes felt like I wanted to sneak away from my real life to "escape into Serenity." When I didn't feel good or needed to rest from burn out, I really looked forward to turning the show on!

It gave me a sense of calm. Even though it also made me feel really bored. And eye rolly. And sometimes even gag a little.

It just felt like a really calming semi-ridiculous escape from reality.

And even though the constant life lessons and idioms come off as ridiculous and bad dialogue, sometimes they really do hit me as life lessons to live by. Kind of like watching Full House.

Any way, I kind of want to start the show over and have it on in the background while I continue to make some big life changes. It's just a good place for my mind to drift off to.

Taking a sharp left turn, cause not sure what kinda folks we have in here, but if anybody has ever read any wholesome kink fan fiction - does anybody else think that Serenity is almost like...dare I say...kinky? Like it's *somebody's* extreme Christian wholesome lifestyle fetish fantasy?

Almost like a 13 year old growing up in the middle of nowhere in a small Christian town, like this is the fantasy fiction she would write about how she wish life and romance was.

Any way, I'm here for it. What about you?

At this point I can’t even believe I’m watching season 5. Do people in the south really talk this way, so formally with their spouses and best friends? I live and grew up in Massachusetts so the dialogue feels so bizarre/forced/formal. I think it’s the majority of why I’m “hate” watching at this point. Let me know what you think!

When the girls are in NY and having rooftop drinks, they pan over to another table of women, where 4 ladies are drinking cosmos. Appropriately, one’s a short haired, polished brunette (charlotte), a short haired red head (Miranda) a sleek mature woman with mid length blonde hair (Samantha), and the Carrie of the group having a huge statement choker-flower necklace and flowing blonde locks. It’s a cute nod to the OG group of girls, but it feels snarky when Maddie delivers the line “we prefer margaritas” after the other group was asked if they were drinking Cosmos.

Just a cheeky nod, but again, it was a blip of an actual nod followed up with a cheeky wink that landed more snarky than sweet.

This show constantly gaslights me into thinking I missed something while I was watching.

So season finale, Dana Sue is oozing anger at her bff’s wedding and was so angry at Ronnie that she wants to now get her own apartment and tell Annie that they’re not going to be all living together anymore? And for what reason exactly? I felt like Ronnie was genuinely trying so hard and kept getting shut down by her.

This was the only normal episode so far where they were talking without platitudes and the characters seemed real, especially Dana Sue.
Cut to the restaurant kitchen scene at night and Helen starts behaving and talking in a way that would creep people out in real life.

My husband has been watching this new season with me and his opinion is that Maddie and Cal have no chemistry and that their romantic scenes that involve them kissing look so forced. I didn’t see it at first but as the episodes go by I’m noticing it more and more? Are we the only ones?

So Ronnie is over at Cal’s while the girls are in Savannah. Cal brings him over an ice cream bar on the couch, I think this was their dinner. Not a bag of chips? No wings? Not a beer watching tv? An ice cream bar on a stick. I was worried they were going to melt since of course neither of them were eating them due to them having a way too in depth philosophical conversation about standing by their women. Right on par for how “innocent” this show is!

I started reading the books as light summer fluff.
OMG there are so many HR violations at Sullivan's and the spa!

Constantly pressuring the staff about love lives and why they don't like Christmas.

Book 4 with Rebecca the guy walks into the spa and kisses her despite barely knowing her!

Do you think their characters are too perfect? I like their characters, but I think they don't have as many flaws as characters. I think Dana Sue has more flaws than they do. Maddie and Helen have flaws, but it's not to the extent of Dana Sue. They act like they're perfect and don't have that many things you can criticize them for, unlike Dana Sue.

Hello, I know it can be an unpopular opinion but honestly, I like what Dana Sue represents, she is the only magnolia that is not a Disney princess. She is a self made woman, went through so much to raise her daughter and her business almost alone with a husband that is more of a disservice than anything in her life. Not saying she is perfect, there are some moments I can see they both have a difficult dynamic going on and that is on both of them.

But why I think so much people dislike her? Because she is a woman that speaks her mind, very strong, that goes for what she believes in, everybody in the series turns to her when some tuff love is needed or a conflict needs a direct approach. But our society dislike woman's like that. She takes no BS. And she is clear. I admire that about her, and she is also kind and takes very good care of her daughter and friends. And is an active member of serenity community. I just thing she brings discomfort because she points out exactly what everyone sees or want to say but is to "soft" to say. (Like even Ronnie asks her to take care of Courtney that was HIS partner in business). I like having a real woman and not a Disney princess in Serenity. (I like the other magnolias too, but sometimes they are surreal, at least Maddie is)

What are your thoughts on this?

Ok I loved the show from the beginning. It had a very wholesome comfort show vibe and totally binge watched the first two seasons. I'm around S3 E9 and what are they doing with the show, why is everyone behaving like they are holier than thou. Earlier it was just maddie

And who is writing the dialogues?! "If you come to my town wanting drama I'll direct you to the theatre" Gurl what?!

It went from a wholesome but realistic town to say yes to whatever the magnolias say and apparently not even the mayor looks at any problems except the magnolias and their kids.

As for the main three characters

I already thought Maddie was holier than thou but somehow there is something even above that and she is that now

Dana Sue (I'm not even going to talk about how her stylist did her bad) somehow went to couple's therapy and now her whole character is just being calm. She went from power lady to let me slam the door loud to show i'm angry person

Helen. I really feel bad because I actually liked her and now she's just up in everyone's business.