Timing, because the title suggests, is the invisible hand stirring rigidity all through this emotionally layered and quietly explosive episode of Sullivan’s Crossing. “Bad Timing” is much less about catastrophic occasions, till the very finish in fact, and extra in regards to the delicate methods by which folks miss one another, misinterpret indicators, or maintain again when it issues most.
From the soar, Maggie is able to speak. After days of silence and awkward distance, she lastly needs to have the dialog Cal’s been ready for, the one about why she turned down his supply to maneuver in. However in a pointy position reversal, it’s Cal who’s now not within the temper to speak. He retains it well mannered, however his emotional partitions are up, and his focus is squarely on Rob’s restaurant renovation. Maggie’s makes an attempt to breach the topic get deflected time and again. That sluggish emotional unraveling is masterfully performed by Morgan Kohan and Chad Michael Murray. It’s not about shouting or grand gestures, however a rising, wordless discomfort between two individuals who clearly love one another, however can’t appear to satisfy within the center.
That theme, emotional timing, ripples throughout the episode. Rob’s mission is in critical jeopardy after Jacob discovers moist rot. Regardless of everybody’s greatest efforts, no contractors can be found, and the percentages of getting the restaurant as much as code earlier than the looming inspection really feel unimaginable. For a second, it appears to be like like defeat is inevitable, till Rafe and the fireplace crew roll in like true hometown heroes. It’s a phenomenal second that captures the spirit of Sullivan’s Crossing at its greatest: when the stakes are excessive and hope is slipping, the group steps up. Even Cooper, as soon as icy and unreadable, begins to thaw, giving Rafe extra accountability and exhibiting a aspect of himself that’s rather less rulebook, somewhat extra actual.
“Bad Timing” – SULLIVAN’S CROSSING. Pictured: Andrea Menard as Edna and Morgan Kohan as Maggie. Photo: Bell Media ©2025. All Rights Reserved. |
Elsewhere, Jacob and Lola’s budding connection takes a more adventurous and ultimately dangerous turn. Their flirtation leads them into an abandoned mine in search of lichen samples, but it’s clear their real mission is each other. Their chemistry is palpable, and when Lola finally leans in and kisses him, it feels earned and sweet, until their moment turns chaotic when a misstep causes the mine to partially collapse. It’s the classic Sullivan’s Crossing twist: just when you’re relaxing into a romantic beat, the earth quite literally shifts beneath them. And with no one knowing where they are, the tension going into the next episode is immense.
Rob continues to navigate the being ready to move forward with Jane, especially when Jane throws a wrench into things by revealing she recently went on a date with another man. Their dynamic is filled with hesitation and mixed signals, but it’s clear that underneath it all, Rob is struggling with loneliness and grief, trying to make sense of what he wants now that a second chance might actually be possible. When Jane reveals she only went on the date because Rob had pulled back, he exhales a sigh of relief. This could be his second chance at it finally seems like he is ready to take it.
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“Bad Timing” – SULLIVAN’S CROSSING. Pictured: Chad Michael Murray as Cal Jones and Reid Price as Rob. Photo: Bell Media ©2025. All Rights Reserved. |
But it’s Maggie’s confrontation with Walter that leads to the emotional climax. A call from her stepfather reopens old wounds and confirms what Maggie already suspects- she hasn’t just been afraid to move forward with Cal, she’s still carrying unresolved pain from Boston. Her argument with Walter is raw and cathartic, and it sets the stage for the beautifully intimate scene that follows, when Maggie finds Cal and admits the truth: she’s scared. He meets her honesty with his own, telling her he loves her and asking her to take the leap. They make love with a tenderness and vulnerability that feels completely earned — a high point for the series and a testament to both actors’ chemistry and restraint.
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“Bad Timing” – SULLIVAN’S CROSSING. Pictured: Chad Michael Murray as Cal Jones. Photo: Bell Media ©2025. All Rights Reserved. |
“Bad Timing” isn’t about explosive drama, till the ultimate scene, however in regards to the quieter storms between folks. Miscommunication, concern, and unresolved emotions drive the emotional undercurrent, all whereas the group’s bodily and emotional basis is being rebuilt. It’s a fantastically balanced episode: deeply character-driven, quietly romantic, and ending with a puff. This was a standout episode crammed with emotional weight, romantic payoff, and a literal cliffhanger that lands completely. Sullivan’s Crossing continues to show that small-town tales can hit onerous.