Sullivan's Crossing

Based books by the same author as Virgin River, this has exactly the same template. Big city girl moves to a small town to escape her problems, drama ensues with some romantic tension between main character and handsome local. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Each episode. If you enjoy that formula, you'll probably really enjoy this show. It's campy and soapy, and generally a cute formulaic romance drama.

A note though, calling this "Canadian" is being generous. It's supposed to be set in a Canadian maritime town, yet most of the characters have obviously very American accents and don't sound like locals in Nova Scotia would sound at all. They also seem to have ignored the fact that culture and laws are markedly different in Canada than in the US, and consistently make references that aren't accurate for Canada. If you want something authentically Canadian, this won't do it for you.

The reason I started watching this is because I saw an article about it saying that this show may be better than Virgin River. I rate THAT show 10/10. But THIS show, the soundtrack is annoying. And the sound increases too many times that I find myself having to adjust the sound. The main character, Maggie is a neurosurgeon. Initially seeing her in action was fine but the way she handles stress and so forth makes me frown. I was a critical care Respiratory Therapist. Now I'm disabled due to an injury with chronic pain. Stuff I've been through in my professional life and in my personal life, my stress relief is screaming in a pillow or back then, working out. I know people react differently but her responses to her problems just seem too cheesy. I just think there was a lot of over acting. I don't remember who wrote the article but, better than Virgin River? Nah ah, no way, no how. I will continue to watch cuz I'm watching it while none of my other shows are on. But, if there is a season two, I'd have no idea if I'd watch it. Right now, it's on while I'm watching it so it doesn't hold my full attention. Oh, I'm going to be a little too immature right now with this next comment. But, the boyfriend of Maggie, Andrew, who is played by Allan Hawco is definitely not who'd I consider a good catch. His beard and mouth, all I see is Homer Simpson. I fast forward or don't look at the TV cuz, eww. Five stars cuz it's something to watch and put on TV to pass the time for me. But I guess I can compare it to a Hallmark movie. So if you like Hallmark, over dramatic and cheesy, you should like this.

Edit: I didn't realize there was a season two when I was writing the first review. I shouldn't have said what I said because I tend to have to finish shows. The only time I don't finish watching, is if it's really boring that I can't stay awake watching. Anyhow, I added an extra star because I think season two is better than the first season. Still can't watch Allan Hawco.

The scenery is a 10/10. This is a beautiful show to watch for the natural scenery.

I like the storyline. Maggie is a very smart and dynamic human. I loved watching her story. Sully is complex and the actor plays the broken soul with a lot of realistic emotion.

Lost one star because sometimes I just enjoy watching a story without the far fetched drama sprinkles tossed in, but I know the drama is needed to keep the audience intrigued.

I really hope a season two comes - I want Maggie and Sully to have an honest conversation, I want Maggie and Cal to have a love story, I really want to see Edna and Frank and their hopeful love story, and honestly I want to know what's going to happen with Lola, Sydney, Rob and Jackson (considering they're the ones all the "extra and out there" drama seems to come from).

If you're a fan of Hallmark series or other Canadian series like Virgin River, Chesapeake Shores and Cedar Cove, you'll definitely enjoy Sullivan's Crossing. As importantly, if you loved Gilmore Girls, this show stars Scott Peterson who played Luke Danes, the owner of Luke's Grill in the fictional town of Stars Hollow. Now, he plays "Sully," short for his surname, Sullivan, owner of a campground-style resort in Nova Scotia called Sullivan's Crossing. His daughter, Maggie, a young neurosurgeon, returns to help him after she was taken away abruptly by her mother when just a child after the marriage fell apart. Her character is the lead and her love interest is none other than Chad Michael Murray, best known for his role as Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill. He plays a lawyer who left his career behind and is staying at Sullivan's Crossing as he seeks a new path forward and a simpler life. He is as hunky and handsome as can be. The series features plenty of drama, ups and downs, and soul searching, but always with a family-friendly tone and sympathetic approach. It can be a bit sappy and hokey, but overall, it's like the comfort food of tv series.

I love the storyline of the show, I think it has great potential to grow and go far without a doubt. The first episode was a little slow (understandable while getting to know the characters), but my advice to anyone watching it is to keep going because there is a LOT of depth and background to all the characters and their storylines! I've been watching it every week as soon as it comes out. It gives me Virgin River vibes with the family history, love story, some suspenseful moments. The cast is great and I LOVE seeing Scott Patterson and Chad Michael Murray back on the screen, they absolutely blow these roles out of the park and I have been a huge fan of them for years! As a newer actress, Morgan does amazing at playing the role of Maggie and ensuring the audience feels and understands what she's feeling. As a Canadian I love that it's filmed in Canada and touches on Canadian history, not many shows have done that and done it so incredibly well. I think this show will be a really big hit with more seasons to come, and I look forward to continuing to watch!