On Chesapeake Shores so far, the overall story has been more character-driven than plot-driven. In the show’s first two seasons, there seems to have been a balance within the overall story between being character and plot-driven. In this episode, two interesting plots were introduced to the show. These plots feel like they could be on-going and affect more than one character. It’s too bad they were introduced this late in the season, but I understand that suspense needed to be built up before the airing of this episode. I hope these plots can be explored over the course of several episodes as well as produce a good story. If you want to find out what these two plots are, keep reading this re-cap of Chesapeake Shores!

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

Season: 3

Episode: 7

Name: It’s Just Business

 

Trace’s story: While on a picnic with Abby and her daughters, Trace gets a phone call about The Bridge. He learns that one of his employees has stolen enough money to put the business in financial trouble. Trace does everything in his power to secure the finances to keep The Bridge afloat, even getting the police involved to find the employee that stole The Bridge’s money. Trace discusses the situation with Mick, revealing that he has to go on tour, yet again, for two months. Mick thinks that it would be better if Trace stayed in Chesapeake Shores to oversee The Bridge’s business operations, but Trace disagrees. One day, Trace asks Connor if he could look over the contract that was created between Mick and Trace. After Connor looks over this contract, he comes to The Bridge and tells Trace that there is a loophole where Trace doesn’t have to be present at the business in order to oversee it. Later in the episode, Trace finds out that Mick hired financial advisors, without Trace’s knowledge, to take care of The Bridge’s financial troubles. Upset by what Mick did, Trace tells Mick that he will deal with everything relating to The Bridge after he comes back from his tour. When Trace is not worrying about The Bridge, he reassures Abby that she is already doing a good job when it comes to being a mother and business woman.

 

Abby’s story: Throughout this episode, Abby tries her best to be the “perfect” mom. She tries to do everything from organizing scavenger hunts to taking her daughters on fun field trips. Abby’s ambiguous efforts cause her to feel tired and miss an important deadline at work. Almost everyone in Abby’s life notices how Abby’s plans to be the “perfect” mom have affected her. They give her reassurance that she is already doing a good job at being a mother as well as a business woman. While at the beach with her sisters and Alexandra, Bree shows Abby a note that Caitlyn wrote and placed in a copy of The Grapes of Wrath. In this note, Caitlyn lets Abby know that she loves her, making Abby realize that she doesn’t need to be “perfect” in order to be a good mother. Toward the end of the episode, Abby finds out, at work the next day, that Terri, Wes’ girlfriend, will be her new business client.

 

Mick’s story: Mick is contacted by Trace to help him solve the financial problems of The Bridge. While going over the business options that are available to them, Mick finds out that Trace will be going back on tour, but for two months this time. Mick thinks that Trace should stay in Chesapeake Shores and oversee The Bridge’s business operations, but Trace disagrees. Later in the episode, Mick hires financial advisors, without Trace’s permission, to look over The Bridge’s finances. After Trace tells him that he will deal with The Bridge’s problems after his tour, Mick becomes skeptical of Trace being able to keep his promise. Because of his involvement with The Bridge’s current situation, Mick hasn’t had as much time as usual to deal with other business matters.

 

Megan’s story: While having lunch at Sally’s Café with the Mayor’s assistant, Kate, Megan finds out that the mayor is planning to merge the arts council into a different department and hire a new head of that department. Kate wants Megan to resign as soon as possible, but Megan has no plans to quit her job. When Megan tells Nell about what Kate told her, Nell suspects that this is the Mayor’s way of trying to get back at Nell after her successful efforts to save the Wishing Fountain. The next day, Megan meets up with Kate, again, at Sally’s Café. This time, Nell tries to convince Kate to get the Mayor to change his mind. After this attempt proves to be unsuccessful, Megan tells Kate, toward the end of the episode, that she will not resign from her job. Megan also expresses her feelings about why the arts council is an important component to the community of Chesapeake Shores. When Megan isn’t busy trying to save her job, she is encouraged by Nell to read Bree’s manuscript.

Nell’s story: At the beginning of the episode, Nell receives Bree’s manuscript. However, Nell feels that it’s more important for Megan to read Bree’s manuscript. Nell not only encourages Bree to give the manuscript to her mother, she also encourages Megan to read Bree’s manuscript. When she finds out about Megan possibly losing her job, Nell realizes that this situation is highly likely a result of the Mayor trying to get back at her for successfully saving the Wishing Fountain. Nell helps Megan to convince Kate, the Mayor’s assistant, to change the Mayor’s mind about his decision for the arts council, even though their efforts were unsuccessful.

 

Bree’s story: Bree gives her manuscript to Nell at the beginning of the episode. However, when Nell visits Bree at Word Play one day, Nell suggests that Bree give her manuscript to Megan. After some brief protesting, Bree hesitantly agrees with do so. For most of the episode, Bree continues to work at Word Play and hang out with her sisters. When Jess and Alexandra come to visit Word Play, Alexandra reveals that Simon Atwater is one of her favorite authors. After Alexandra discovers that Bree personally knows Simon, the friendship between Bree and Alexandra becomes stronger. Bree also gives Abby a note that Caitlyn wrote and placed in a copy of The Grapes of Wrath.

 

Kevin: After saving a man’s life at Sally’s Café, Kevin discovers that Sarah applied for and got accepted at a fire station in Philadelphia. Throughout this episode, Kevin tries to deal with the idea of having a long-distance relationship with Sarah. He realizes if he were to move to Philadelphia with her, he couldn’t become a paramedic. Kevin talks to Connor, Trace, and David about the situation as well as almost everyone reminding Kevin about the life he saved toward the beginning of the episode.

 

Jess’ story: While she and David try to figure out how to generate more business for the Inn, Jess is surprised when Alexandra, David’s sister, arrives. At first, Jess is suspicious of Alexandra’s reasons for coming to Chesapeake Shores, but then she learns that Alexandra is overwhelmed at work and needs David’s help. For most of this episode, Jess hung out with her sisters. When Alexandra wishes that she grew up with a sister in her life, Jess gains more respect for her.

 

Connor’s story: Throughout this episode, Connor is working on a legal case. This time, Danielle happens to be working on the opposing side. While he and Danielle are talking during one of their breaks, Connor catches something that Danielle said that he can use in his argument for the case. Later in the episode, Connor uses what Danielle said against her, thus causing him to win the case. Connor also agrees to look at Mick and Trace’s contract, where he finds a loophole that could work in Trace’s favor.

Some thoughts to consider:

• Now that Terri is Abby’s business client, I wonder if Abby and the audience will discover that Terri is not as perfect as she seems? One of the themes that Hallmark has incorporated into their productions is the idea of being ok with not being perfect. I could totally see this theme within the stories of Chesapeake Shores, as this could add more depth to Terri’s character.

 

• Since the story surrounding The Bridge’s financial troubles seems like it will be on-going, I wonder if the employee who stole the money will be found? I’m curious to find out who this character is and their reasons to stealing the money.

What did you think of this episode? Do you think the financial troubles of The Bridge and the fate of Megan’s job could be on-going stories? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

 

Have fun in Chesapeake Shores!

Sally Silverscreen