For several years now, Hallmark has gained a reputation for providing light-hearted entertainment to their audience. They have created a place where joy is shared, laughter is found, and happily ever afters are common. If you think about it, Hallmark movies and television shows, to a certain extent, are modern day fairytales. Whenever our favorite characters face a conflict or difficult situation, it usually gets solved within a relatively short amount of time. Like most fairytales, Hallmark movies and shows almost always has a happy ending. This is especially the case for Chesapeake Shores. Keep reading to learn more about what happens in this episode from Season 3!

Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of Chesapeake Shores, there may be spoilers within this re-cap.

Season: 3

Episode: 4

Name: Once Upon Ever After

 

Trace’s story: Trace returns to his band for the continuation of their tour. While in Dallas, Abby joins him to cheer him on from backstage and provide moral support. Despite having a busy schedule, Trace still finds a way to spend quality time with Abby, such as organizing an after-hours dinner date at an art gallery. Shortly after a meet-and-greet, Trace hangs out with Donovan. Donovan not only shares a part of his past with Trace, he also warns Trace about fame interfering with Trace’s relationship. During one of Trace’s breaks, he and Abby meet a fan who wants to take a picture with him. This same fan also asks Abby if she wants to be included in the picture. Both Abby and Trace are caught off guard by this fan’s knowledge of who Abby is. When Trace asks this fan how she knows Abby, the fan shows him and Abby an article on her phone that mentioned both of them and Abby’s daughters. Before heading onstage, Trace and Abby have a brief discussion about the article. Trace tells Abby that the article came from a small website that isn’t a trustworthy source. Abby, however, is still worried that the attention from the paparazzi could negatively affect her family. Trace reassures Abby that everything will be fine. Before Abby leaves for Chesapeake Shores, Trace continues to reassure Abby that everything will work out for the better. While Abby gets into a taxi, paparazzi take pictures of Trace and Abby without either of them realizing it.

 

Abby’s story: While Carrie and Caitlyn spend a week with their father, Abby uses this opportunity to travel to Dallas to watch Trace perform with his band. Whenever Trace is busy, Abby takes advantage of that time to either make business calls or call her daughters. But, Abby and Trace do find a way to spend quality time together, such as going on an after-hours dinner date to an art gallery. While Abby and Trace are taking a walk around Dallas, they meet a fan who wants to take a picture with Trace. When this fan asks Abby if she wants to have her picture taken, Abby becomes concerned about how this fan knows who she is. When Trace asks this fan how she knows who Abby is, the fan shows them an article on her phone that features a photo of Trace, Abby, and Abby’s daughters. Before one of Trace’s concerts, Abby and Trace talk about the article. Abby learns from Trace that the article was published on a small website that was not from a trusted source. Abby is concerned about the well-being of her family, but Trace reassures her that everything will be fine. Toward the end of the episode, Abby leaves Dallas to return home. Before she leaves, Abby is, once again, reassured by Trace that everything will work out.

 

Mick’s story: Toward the beginning of the episode, Megan comes to Mick and asks if he could build an archway for Thomas and Robin’s vow renewal ceremony. At first, he tries to refuse, but after hearing that Megan is using this opportunity to give Robin the wedding ceremony of her dreams, Mick agrees to build the archway. Mick also helps set up the lights for the ceremony. While unpacking the lights at The Bridge, he talks with Connor about a time when Mick stood up for his brother in high school. Mick tells Connor this story as a way to encourage Connor to make up with Kevin. The day before the vow renewal ceremony, Thomas meets up with Mick at his boat. While they reflect on their past, Thomas gives Mick a coin that used to belong to their father’s boat. This memory brings the brothers closer together and Mick invites Thomas to be a member of his boat crew. Throughout this episode, Mick and Megan look back on their wedding and how things turned out.

 

Megan’s story: Megan volunteers to coordinate Robin and Thomas’ vow renewal ceremony. She approaches Mick and asks him to build an archway for the ceremony. After he refuses, Megan explains that she wasn’t able to take part in Robin and Thomas’ wedding due to being on bed-rest with Bree. She tells Mick that this is her second chance to participate in the wedding-themed festivities. This explanation persuades Mick to build the archway. One day, while she and Robin pick up flowers for the ceremony, Megan expresses how grateful she is to assist Robin in planning the ceremony. Toward the end of and throughout the episode, Megan and Mick reflect on their wedding and how everything turned out.

Kevin’s story: Nell forces Kevin and Connor to work out their differences while setting up the lights for the vow renewal ceremony. Unfortunately, Nell’s good intentions lead to no results. Kevin tries to talk to Connor, but Connor refuses to talk to Kevin. This causes the brothers to work separately. During the preparation for the ceremony, Kevin teams up with Thomas to set up the lights. Thomas shares with Kevin that he has always wanted to be like Mick. Thomas tells Kevin this to remind him how being an older brother is a very important role. Later in the episode, Kevin is surprised when Connor meets up with him at Sally’s Café. Connor tells Kevin about when, years ago, he took Kevin’s toy soldiers without his permission. Kevin then receives a brand-new box of toy soldiers from Connor as well as an apology. After this heartfelt moment, the brothers forgive one another and continue to get along.

 

Bree’s story: Bree is still in Maine, spending her days at the Peck residence with Jess. During her time there, Bree tries to convince Jess that David’s parents are not on Jess’ side. But, Bree is still met with Jess’ optimism. Bree also becomes friends with Alexandra and learns more about David’s family. What Alexandra tells Bree makes Bree’s suspicions about David’s parents grow even more. After Bree and Jess are given dresses by David’s mother, Bree and Jess consult one another about Jess’ future with David. As Jess contemplates her possibilities, Bree provides moral support to her sister. Later in the episode, Alexandra gives Bree a folder of personal files relating to Jess. When Bree discovers that David’s parents were compiling a background search on Jess, her suspicions end up coming true. Bree tells Jess about the folder, which causes Jess to be upset. Bree then helps Jess in her plan to leave the Peck residence. She packs both her and Jess’ bags and waits for Jess’ at the front of the house. On their way to the taxi, Bree reveals to Jess that she didn’t tell David that they were leaving.

 

Jess’ story: Jess is still in Maine, spending her time at the Peck residence with Bree. Even though David is busy working on family business related projects, Jess still finds a way to spend time with David. This includes dancing together before a fancy event and having a heartfelt conversation outdoors. Jess also spends time with David’s mother. During their conversation, David’s mother reveals the possibility of Jess moving to Maine and starting a B&B away from Chesapeake Shores. When Jess tells David’s mother that she’ll think about this newly presented option, David’s mother gives Jess and her sister two beautiful dresses to wear to an upcoming event. Later in the episode, Jess tells Bree what David’s mother told Jess. While Jess considers a future with David, Bree provides Jess with moral support. The next day, Bree reveals to Jess that David’s parents have been secretly compiling a background search on Jess. Because of how upset this makes her, Jess decides to leave the Peck residence as soon as possible. While Bree packs her and Jess’ bags, Jess finds David’s parents and confronts them about their attitudes and opinions toward Jess. Jess honestly expresses her feelings for David and about how proud she is of herself and her family. After this situation, Jess quickly leaves the Peck residence with Bree. On their way to the taxi, Jess asks Bree if she told David they were leaving. Bree tells Jess that she didn’t tell David where they were going. As their taxi drives away, David, unsuccessfully, tries to chase after the taxi. He ends up finding one of Jess’ shoes as he wonders where Jess went.

 

Connor’s story: Because Kevin and Connor still aren’t getting along, Nell decides to force Kevin and Connor to work through the differences as they help prepare for the vow renewal ceremony. While setting up the lights, Kevin and Connor continue to argue. This causes the brothers to work separately. Connor and Mick help each other out by untangling the string lights at The Bridge. During this task, Connor hears about Mick standing up for his brother in high school. Mick tells Connor this story as a way to warn him about how grudges never solve problems. Later in the episode, Connor approaches Kevin at Sally’s Café. Connor reveals that, years ago, he took Kevin’s toy soldiers without his permission in order to make a video. Connor not only gives Kevin an apology, he also gives Kevin a box of brand-new toy soldiers. The brothers forgive one another and continue to get along.

Some thoughts to consider:

• Ever since last week’s episode, I feel like the screenwriters for Chesapeake Shores have tried to include as many pop cultural references as possible within Season 3. So far, the movies that have been referenced are Sixteen Candles, Dirty Dancing, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella. When Jess and Bree leave the Peck residence, even the taxi was orange, just like Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage. I wonder what other pop cultural references will be made this season?

 

• For the first three episodes, Connor (my favorite character on this show) has become somewhat unlikable. In this episode, when Kevin calls Connor out on his immaturity, I felt like Kevin was being the voice of reason on Chesapeake Shores. In fact, Kevin has slowly but surely become one of my new favorite characters this season!

What did you think about this episode? Which pop cultural references would you wish were mentioned on Chesapeake Shores? Let me know in the comment section!

 

Have fun in Chesapeake Shores!

Sally Silverscreen