While Hallmark is a place where almost all of the stories are light-hearted, that doesn’t mean our favorite characters are invincible to hardships. There are times when financial troubles come their way or negativity enters their lives. Perhaps a major disaster happens or a loved one passes away. Despite the occurrence of these incidents, the Hallmark characters that we hold dear to our hearts always find a way to pull through their troubles and come to a better day. Whether they turn to family for support or independently figure out a solution to their problems, these characters provide a positive inspiration that when we, the audience members and fans of Hallmark, put our minds to it, anything is possible. Chesapeake Shores can definitely be included in this conversation. Every member of the O’Brien family, as well as Trace, has dealt with their fair share of struggles and trials. Fortunately, they all have persevered and found a way to reach their dreams and goals. Let’s take a look at the half-way point of Chesapeake Shores’ third season!

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

Season: 3

Episode: 5

Name: Love Eventually

 

Trace’s story: Trace is still on tour with his band. This time, they are in the city of Nashville. The time and distance between him and Abby is starting to make Trace feel sad and lonely. However, he finds meaningful ways to occupy his time, such as having dinner with John (one of his band mates) and his family. Trace also writes a new song for the band as his way of dealing with Abby’s absence. When John and Leigh hear this song, they have differing opinions about it. John likes it and thinks that Trace should perform the song at their next concert. Leigh, however, is upset that Trace created a song on his own instead of coming up with a song together. She expresses her thoughts and feelings about this song to Trace the next day. Trace explains that the song’s inspiration came to him at a moment’s notice and that he couldn’t let that opportunity slip. During his conversation with Leigh, Trace gets a phone call from Abby. She not only apologizes for not answering Trace’s phone call from earlier in the episode, she tells him more pictures for the two of them, plus Abby’s daughters, were found on the internet. Abby shares her concerns and fears with Trace about the situation, while Trace expresses his frustrations about the paparazzi’s actions being beyond his control. After their band’s practice, Trace calls Bree to arrange a surprise visit for Abby. Later that evening, Trace shows up at Abby’s office. Abby is very pleasantly surprised, with Jess and Bree revealing that they were in on the surprise. When Jess and Bree leave, Trace plays his new song for Abby. After Abby shares with Trace that she liked the song, they both talk about everything that has been happening lately. Toward the end of the episode, Trace reminds Abby that she is the most important thing in his life.

 

Abby’s story: While at work, Abby finds more photos, from the paparazzi, of her, Trace, and her daughters on the internet. This concerns Abby, but she tries to take her mind off of the photos by focusing on work and encouraging her sisters that they can overcome their problems. However, the photos still trouble Abby as the episode goes on. One day, she calls Trace to tell him how she feels about the situation. She says that the reason why she moved to Chesapeake Shores was to keep her daughters safe. Recently, because of the paparazzi, Abby feels she is having a hard time keeping that promise. Abby is told by Trace that there is only so much he can do. Later in the episode, Abby receives a visit from Jess and Bree at her office. When Trace suddenly shows up, Jess and Bree reveal that they helped Trace plan this surprise visit. When Jess and Bree leave, Trace plays his new song for Abby. After his short performance, Abby expresses how much she likes the song. Abby and Trace then discuss everything that’s been happening lately. Abby gets a reminder from Trace that she is the most important thing in his life and he tells her that he won’t let anything jeopardize their relationship.

 

Mick’s story: At the beginning of the episode, Mick asks the O’Brien family if anyone would like to help him take down the decorations from the vow renewal ceremony. After almost everyone tells him no, Megan volunteers to help him. While they are removing the decorations from the yard, Mick and Megan talk about how much fun Thomas and Robin must be having on their trip. Mick takes this opportunity to tell Megan about his concerns about Connor. To help take his mind off his worries, Megan suggests that they order margarita pizza at a nearby restaurant. The next day, at Sally’s Café, Mick meets up with Connor to give him a binder relating to the land settlement. After Connor accepts the binder, Mick asks him if he would like to meet him at the docks. Mick is happy when Connor agrees to go to the docks. When Connor shows up at the docks, Mick asks him to help fix the boat. Connor quickly refuses because he feels that Mick is trying to avoid dealing with any conflict between him and Connor. Later in the episode, Mick and Megan go out to dinner to order that margarita pizza they were talking about. Mick expresses his concerns about Connor to Megan. When Megan offers her advice, Mick politely declines to accept it because he feels that Connor needs to figure this problem out himself. The next day, while Mick is making repairs to the boat, Connor shows up, again, to the docks. After Mick calmly explains what needs to be done on the boat, Connor agrees to help him. Mick is pleased that his boat crew is growing, with Thomas and Connor as the newest and, so far, only members.

 

Megan’s story: After almost everyone tells Mick that they can’t help him take down the vow renewal decorations, Megan volunteers to help him. While they clean up the decorations from the yard, Mick and Megan talk about how much fun Thomas and Robin must be having on their trip. During their discussion, Mick shares that he is concerned about Connor. To help Mick take his mind off of his worries, Megan suggests that they order some margarita pizza at a local restaurant. Later in the episode, Megan and Mick go to a local restaurant to order that margarita pizza. At dinner, Mick shares that he is still concerned about Connor. However, when Megan tries to give Mick some advice, Mick politely declines. His reason for not accepting Megan’s advice was because he wanted Connor to solve his own problems. The next day, while taking a walk with Kevin, Megan learns about Kevin’s concerns for Sarah. When Kevin says that Sarah’s behaviors and choices remind him of his own past behaviors, Megan tells him that during that time in Kevin’s life, the entire O’Brien family was concerned about Kevin’s well-being. Megan encourages Kevin to tell Sarah how he feels.

Bree’s story: Because her publisher has been asking for a final copy of her manuscript, Bree has been busy editing her story. When Simon comes to Word Play on a surprise visit, he reveals that he was sent by his publisher (who also happens to be Bree’s publisher) to help Bree edit her manuscript. This task becomes more easier said than done. Whenever Simon tries to help Bree edit her manuscript, Bree always finds a reason to not change any aspect of her story. During one of their editing sessions, Simon becomes intrigued by the character of Casey. He finds it interesting that Casey owns a car that doesn’t work. This makes Bree defensive about her writing, causing her to leave the session feeling frustrated. Later in the episode, Bree meets up with Simon at The Bridge. She apologizes to him by explaining that the manuscript is a reflection on her life and experiences. With this new understanding of Bree’s manuscript, Simon forgives her and agrees to continue helping Bree. Toward the end of the episode, Bree helps Trace plan a surprise visit for Abby.

 

Kevin’s story: While reading Bree’s manuscript, Kevin gets a phone call about Sarah getting injured during a firefighting mission. At the hospital, Kevin learns that Sarah’s injuries are minor and he is happy when Sarah is officially released from the hospital. As the days go on, Kevin becomes increasingly concerned about Sarah’s well-being. To him, she appears to be a lot more energetic than normal. This includes Sarah wanting to go dancing shortly after her hospital release and taking long distance jogs. When Sarah shares with Kevin that she wants to go sky-diving, Kevin starts to notice that her behaviors and choices remind him of his own behaviors from when he came home from the military. One day, while taking a walk with Megan, Kevin tells her about his concerns for Sarah. Megan shares with him that when he came home from the military, everyone in the O’Brien family was concerned when his behaviors started to change. Megan advises Kevin to tell Sarah how he feels. The next day, Kevin catches up with Sarah, while she is on her way to go sky-diving. When Kevin reveals to Sarah that he survived a dangerous experience while in the military, he shares that he felt invincible after he realized he survived. Sarah tearfully reveals to Kevin that she has, recently, felt the same way. Toward the end of the episode, Kevin and Sarah tell each other “I Love You” for the first time while on a jog.

 

Jess’ story: For the majority of the episode, Jess stresses out about the future of her relationship with David. However, this doesn’t prevent her from helping out Trace and giving Connor advice. At Sally’s Café, while sharing a whole pie, Connor shares with Jess that he and Mick aren’t getting along. Jess tells Connor to focus on the” here and now”, advice that she herself has taken when dealing with Megan. Jess also teams up with Bree to help Trace plan a surprise visit for Abby. Toward the end of the episode, Jess and Abby plant flowers to enhance the curb appeal for the Inn. During this activity, David comes back to Chesapeake Shores to surprise Jess. He not only returns Jess’ shoe to her, in Cinderella style, he also tells Jess that he wants to resume his position at the Inn.

 

Connor’s story: While Connor is eating his breakfast at Sally’s Café, Mick meets up with him to give him a binder relating to the land settlement. After Connor accepts the binder, Mick asks him if he could meet him at the dock. Connor agrees to go to the docks after work. Later that day, Connor visits Mick at the docks, where he discovers that Mick wants his help with fixing Mick’s boat. Connor senses that Mick is trying to avoid dealing with the conflict between one another and Connor refuses to help. The next day, Connor meets up with Jess at Sally’s Café. While sharing a whole pie, Connor shares with Jess that he and Mick aren’t getting along. Jess tells him to focus on the “here and now”. Later that day, Connor goes back to the docks, where he, once again, finds Mick repairing his boat. This time, Connor agrees to help Mick, taking Jess’ advice to heart.

Some thoughts to consider:

• I thought that Jessica Sipos’ (the actress who portrays Sarah on Chesapeake Shores) performance in this episode was fantastic! The scene where Sarah and Kevin are at the sky-diving station is one of the strongest performances that Jessica has ever given in any Hallmark production she has appeared in!

 

• I just want to say that Jess’ polka-dot outfit that she wore while gardening at the Inn was adorable!

 

• While Simon is helping Bree edit her manuscript, Bree tells him that she spent a college semester studying in Copenhagen. The reason this statement caught my attention is because Emilie Ullerup, the actress who portrays Bree, happens to have been born in Copenhagen. I thought it was a really interesting choice for the show’s screen-writers to incorporate something from the real-life of one of the show’s actors into the overall story.

What are your thoughts on this episode? What do you think of Season 3 so far? Let me know in the comment section!

 

Have fun in Chesapeake Shores!

Sally Silverscreen