Merry Christmas!

“Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; 

that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.”

- G.K Chesterton 

Hart of Dixie - Season 2

     Character development would probably be the most apt description for the second run of Dr. Zoe Hart's chronicles in Bluebell, Alabama. Characters that I initially thought were boring really came into their own, disasters can become life changing miracles, cliche relationships took unexpected turns and unexpected love stories came from absolutely nowhere. Season 2 was exceptionally good and like with season 1, the drama, romance and humor were all equally balanced out. 

Zoe Hart: Zoe's year in Alabama has really brought about a new type of woman. She's no longer the demanding and at times snobbish city doctor she was when she arrived. As typical in shows like this, romance and relationships are at the forefront. At the end of season 1, Zoe finds herself caught between two men. George Tucker, who has literally sacrificed everything for her and Wade Kinsella, whom Zoe has begun to see is more than he initially shows. However, Zoe takes the unexpected path and swears off all dating...while pursuing a very intense Friends with Benefits relationship with Wade. Eventually her and Wade come to a crossroads in their 'casual sex' agreement and both find that true and real love takes great responsibility, of which neither of them have been able to obtain.

Lemon Breeland: Great change takes time and in the case of Lemon Breeland it could have taken 30 years or 5 minutes. When Lemon is left at the alter (actually she was left in the dressing room) she could have just shut down and died. However, she surprises everyone, including herself, when she gets up and forges a new life. A new life meaning, moving out of her father's home, finding a job and trying to understand other people and their problems, not just her own. Not to say that Lemon has changed entirely. She can still be the same sarcastic, catty, headstrong, no bars hold southern belle she was in season 1. Yet, this new Lemon (or Lemon 2.0 as everyone calls her) seems to be making more of a likeable impact on the citizens of Bluebell. 

Wade Kinsella: While Wade may not have advanced in growth like everyone else, the first part of growth is acknowledging the harmful flaws in your life. In Wade's case, it's his recklessness, philandering and drinking. His relationship with Zoe becomes paramount in his character development. Before, no one really cared about what Wade did with his life, including Wade...at least that's the image he projects. However, Zoe Hart has caught glimpses of the struggling and hurting young man, who is desperate for a respectable life. Yet, there is one thing forever standing in Wade's way. His drinking. And his drinking may bring about bi-polar disorder which can probably explain his recklessness and his promiscuous lifestyle. All of these combined in one night damages his and Zoe's blossoming relationship, but also makes Wade look at the true damage he has done to himself.

George Tucker: Good ole' George Tucker. Bluebell's favorite son and golden boy. And I who thought was the most boring character in the whole show. My opinion of George has changed greatly since season 1. After George leaves Lemon for Zoe, only to have Zoe turn him down, George has begun to realize that he has never actually done what he wants to do. Everybody else from his parents to Lemon have planned out George's life. And while his and Lemons love story was real and genuine, the plans you make at 14 years old together, can change overtime when you're adults. George spends season 2 trying to figure himself out. He actually becomes fun and relaxed, not always worrying about Lemon, his parents or even his image. While George isn't necessarily lost, he's finding his way as to the man he's really meant to be. 

Lavon Hayes: Lavon has changed the least. Because when you're as awesome as he is, why fix what's not broken? Like with everyone else, Lavon struggles with love and companionship. When his old childhood sweetheart returns, reigniting his love for her, Lavon becomes the center of a battling conflicts between several woman in Bluebell. It's difficult to see such a wonderful guy like him get heartbroken over and over again. And while he struggles with the matters of love, it does not deter him from his duty as mayor of Bluebell. Whether it's mending broken friendships, giving sound counsel and wisdom or just being an honest and loyal friend. (And he still does speak about himself in the 3rd person, which I will always find hysterical.)

    I loved this season! Everything and everyone was just written perfectly! I especially enjoyed Zoe and Wade's continuing romance. It's not perfect, it's flawed, it's passionate and has been badly damaged, but they move on and become stronger people in spite of it. Wade and Lemon were the absolutely best written characters in the show! Lemon has become quite the heroine in her own right, while Wade just gets better and better as he comes to terms with his own detrimental life mistakes. And Zoe...well Zoe just continues to adjust to the oddities of the town of Bluebell. The ups and downs, the good and the bad, the strange and the even stranger.

Hart of Dixie - Season 1

    If you were to take Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman and mix it up with Sweet Home Alabama, then you would most definitely get this little gem of a show. Of course the storyline is as obvious as a Hallmark Christmas movie.

---> Big town surgeon, Zoe Hart, movies to the obscure little town of Bluebell, Alabama

--->Where she unexpectedly inherits the medical practice

--->In a span of 24 hours...

---> She meets George Tucker, an irresistible (but already taken) lawyer

---> Lemon Breeland, queen bee of Bluebell and Zoe's arch rival

---> The town mayor and former NFL player, Lavon Hayes who becomes her landlord and best friend

---> And finally, the annoying--but insanely hunky--Wade Kinsella who is intent on making Zoe's time in Bluebell a misery.

Totally cliche and predictable right? But absolute comfort and fun. One reviewer said that Hart of Dixie is like one continuous romantic comedy. However, despite the humorous storylines, the characters all have their dark undertones of fear, loss, regret, anger, indecision, past mistakes, and future uncertainties. 

Dr. Zoe Hart: Born and bred New Yorker, Zoe Hart has had her future plans set on becoming a cardiovascular surgeon, just like her father, since she was a child. However, when her surgical future very quickly goes downhill, she does the unthinkable. Dr. Harvey Wilkes of Bluebell, Alabama has offered Zoe a position in his small medical practice for years. Finally Zoe agrees to join Dr. Wilkes' and hops on a bus to Alabama. 

     Zoe is not particular welcomed by Bluebell; however, her sharp and opinionated nature that borders on blunt and rude causes a great deal strife between herself and the town residents. Overtime, Zoe begins to understand the lives of these generous and interesting small town people. While she may feel like a New York duck out of water, Zoe is determined to prove herself to Bluebell and make a difference as a doctor and even more so as a free thinking woman.

Lemon Breeland: If there was anyone who could put the Belle in Southern Belle, then it's certainly Lemon Breeland. Beautiful, charming, intelligent and a downright force of nature, Lemon knows how to go after what she wants and fight to the death to get it. Upon meeting Zoe Hart, Lemon immediately marks her as a threat to her own social standing and her own personal enemy. At first glance, Lemon is a catty and superficial bully that'll run over anyone who stands in her way. As her story progresses, Lemon's true character is that of a woman who is frightened and insecure. She's had to deal with the early loss of her mother, the demands of a family legacy and dark secrets that threaten her future.

Wade Kinsella: Zoe's next door neighbor who has had it in for her from day one. While Wade isn't what you would term a 'bad boy,' his oftentimes mischievous nature, love of fun and merciless teasing of Zoe tends to land him in constant trouble. Zoe and Wade spend most of their time bickering about anything and everything. Yet, like Lemon, Wade hides a great deal of his own personal life. The son of the town drunk, who lives in the shadow of his older brother, Wade has always taken care of himself and will rarely ask for anyone's help. While Wade might have a lot of growing up to do, he has never had a solid figure in his life to look up to and is wandering day by day just trying to figure himself out.

George Tucker: While Zoe may have an immediate distaste for Bluebell, she is instantly smitten with its lawyer, George Tucker. After spending a couple of years in New York, George is the only person who understands Zoe's city girl nature. As a matter of fact, George seems to be the only person who understands Zoe at all. Yet, George for all his charm is a taken by none other than Lemon Breeland, his girlfriend of 15 years and now fiance. Needless to say, this is a punch in the gut to Zoe, but she it doesn't stop her from wanting him any less. George himself is the picture of the perfect southern gentleman whose determined and generous nature has won him the love and admiration of all of Bluebell. It's not a wonder why Zoe falls so hard for him.

Mayor Lavon Hayes: Former NFL player, Lavon Hayes returns to his hometown of Bluebell and subsequently becomes mayor, a job he loves dearly. Forever speaking about himself in 3rd person, Lavon Hayes is the first Bluebell resident who befriends Zoe after she becomes his tenant on his plantation home. Lavon's warm and friendly nature helps Zoe to adjust to small town southern life and his own oddities (such as owning an alligator named, Burt Reynolds) adds to his likable personality. As mayor, Lavon has to deal with issues and drama around every corner, but that doesn't allow him to escape from his own private problems as well. Especially a previous love affair that could damage him and his relationships if found out.

     Quirky and cute, Hart of Dixie has become my go-to feel good TV watch. I certainly wouldn't call this 'family friendly' as Wade and Zoe deal with constant onsets of sexual tension, but for the most part, the show is surprisingly clean. I love the characters, their stories and the whole crazy town of Bluebell. After watching Hostages, I needed some humor, whimsy and romance and I got the whole package here.