What Fools These Mortals Be

**What Fools These Mortals Be** is the eighth episode of the first season of *Sweet Magnolias*.

## Plot

*As Bill makes a series of bad decisions that impact those closest to him, Noreen attends Kyle's play and Maddie takes a big step forward with Cal.*

## Synopsis

Without consulting Maddie, Bill arrives at Ty's baseball game with a brand new car for his eldest son, in front of the whole town. Maddie is angry about it, and Ty, even though he is happy to have a car, can see through the act, and he is still mad at his father because of the way he's been treating his mother.

Things aren't going Bill's way, since Noreen is furious, as he can buy Ty a car but not a car seat for Noreen's baby: he left his wife for Noreen but still can't put her first. Bill goes for a drink with Noreen's brother Garth, where the latter insists that all his family wants is for Noreen and the baby to be happy. Bill claims that he wants the same thing, but is still more interested in only paying attention to work and Ty's baseball games.

Bill later goes to Maddie's house, opens the garage without permission , and searches between his three kids' old toys: having been denied a mortgage by Mary Vaughn and having spent all his money in Ty's car, he doesn't have any left for buying the necessary essentials or the baby. Maddie makes it clear to Bill his is no longer his home and asks him to return the house keys, and even Noreen is fed up: after going to Kyle's play (which Bill fails to go to due to being on call at the hospital), she leaves Serenity and goes back to her family, who appreciate and care her more than Bill does.

Meanwhile, Dana Sue implements family breakfast at her household, but Annie isn't too keen on the idea. Erik comes to the rescue and takes Dana Sue for a walk in the forest. They later go fishing, and Erik teaches her about mindfulness, as well as opening up about his past as an EMT and about his wife, Vera dying pregnant with his child.

Annie is allowed to attend Kyle's play, as Dana Sue considers it educational, and Maddie, who acts as her chaperone, allows Annie to go backstage and take photos with her friend Simon. Noreen gives Kyle a rose to wish him luck and then goes backstage to say goodbye to him before leaving Serenity. Back at Maddie's place, Kyle intends to opens up with Annie about his feelings for her, and when he tries to kiss her she awkwardly turns away.

Lastly, Helen is still busy with the mock trials, and is helping CeCe with the mandated debate attire that she has to wear. She is also busy with the case of some farmland, thanks to which she manages to bring Ryan into town for a while.

## Cast & Characters

### Main

* JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend
* Heather Headley as Helen Decatur
* Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan
* Logan Allen as Kyle Townsend
* Anneliese Judge as Annie Sullivan
* Carson Rowland as Tyler "Ty" Townsend
* Jamie Lynn Spears as Noreen Fitzgibbons
* Justin Bruening as Cal Maddox
* Chris Klein as Bill Townsend

### Recurring

* Harlan Drum as CeCe Matney
* Dion Johnstone as Erik Whitley
* Al-Jaleel Knox as Gabe Weatherspoon
* Connor Hammond as Garth Fitzgibbons
* Bianca Berry Tarantino as Katie Townsend
* Alpha Trivette as Neville Wharton
* Michael Shenefelt as Ryan Wingate
* Michael May as Simon Spry

## Gallery

**What Fools These Mortals Be** has a **photo gallery**.