We Asked for Drama, Not a Trainwreck: 5 Moments Sweet Magnolias S3 Failed Miserably

Netflix's Sweet Magnolias, based on Sherryl Wood's novel series of the same name, proved to be a nice, feel-good show for millions of viewers out there, who were eagerly awaiting the new season to premiere in July this year.

However, one of the common complaints about the show — and it only got worse after the third season came out — is that the writers made the narrative seem too fairytale-like and sterile. Viewers were asking for more drama, but instead, Season 3 gave us more cringey scenes that were too cheesy and killed much of the show's original atmosphere.

Here's a list of five moments that completely ruined Sweet Magnolias Season 3. If you're a dedicated fan, we recommend that you watch the episodes first to make your own judgment.

5. Cringey male characters

Almost every line uttered by the male characters is utterly dramatic and makes you cringe. Of course, it's great that Sweet Magnolias shows men bonding over their feelings, as this representation shatters those boring masculine stereotypes. But it looks like the writers tried too hard to emphasize the characters' emotions, as the result feels more like a caricature.

By the way, the 'masculine' moments were even worse in the season. For instance, the scene where Cal punched the obnoxious Stu was completely ridiculous and unwarranted.

4. Representation of the South

Maddie. Walking. In jeans. All the time! Dear writers, in case you didn't know (or most likely, couldn't care less), wearing jeans in the South in summer means certain death — that's just not what people do.

On top of that, the actors' attempts to imitate a Southern accent seems to have gotten even worse in Season 3.

3. Hallmark-style moralizing

No doubt, there are important life lessons in Sweet Magnolias. But instead of showing how the characters learn from their mistakes through the narrative, the rushed script and forced dramatization simply devalue them.

2. Scavenger hunt nonsense

Can we talk about how ridiculous this whole Episode 3 event was?

Even if we disregard the fact that Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue pick up trash in fancy dresses (obviously, women come to community work days just to show off their outfits), it's completely absurd that the residents of Serenity, which is only a small town and people probably attend the scavenger hunt every year, are learning about some of the town's historical sites for the first time. Silly!

1. Acting hasn't improved

Yes, acting has never been a strong point of Sweet Magnolias, but sadly, it only got worse in Season 3. Brooke Elliott's Dana Sue makes you feel uncomfortable, Chris Klein's Bill has a laughable accent, and Noreen's lines… Well, she surely is a complex character, but Jamie Lynn Spears' dull and emotionless acting renders her completely unappealing.