HART OF DIXIE Has Heart and Charm, But No Features

Article first published as DVD Review: 'Hart of Dixie - The Complete Second Season' on Blogcritics.

The CW’s Hart of Dixie is a charming, fluffy drama about a big city doctor who moves to a small town. Infused with quirky townspeople and traditions, sort of like Gilmore Girls, season two finds the good doc finally fitting into her surroundings and peers in the South. Personal relationships flare and falter, romance is rocky, and the recurring cast swells.

As season two begins, Dr. Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) is sleeping with Wade Kinsella (Wilson Bethel), having turned down George Tucker’s (Scott Porter) offer of a relationship until George can get over Lemon Breeland (Jaime King). George soon moves on with Wade’s ex, Tansy Truitt (Mircea Monroe, Episodes), after a brief fling with Shelby (Laura Bell Bundy, How I Met Your Mother), who then begins dating Lemon’s father, Brick (Tim Matheson). Lemon’s ex, Lavon Hayes (Cress Williams), begins seeing his former beau, Ruby Jeffries (Golden Brooks, Girlfriends), though Lemon’s best friend, Annabeth Nass (Kaitlyn Black) has a crush on Lavon. So, basically, everyone eventually dates everyone else.

As with many dramas, the main character, Zoe, has a basic choice between two men, Wade and George, and that is the primary romance that most viewers care about. George is the more sensible choice, but Hart of Dixie decides to try out Zoe with the bad boy first, saving George for another season, though most will assume that George and Zoe will be together eventually, if not in the end.

Wade is more than a scoundrel, of course. He is a womanizer at the start, but actually really likes Zoe, and tries to change his ways for her, which he is at least partially successful in doing. Zoe doesn’t see that at first, though, and one of her faults is how she can be judgmental. It takes her a long time to realize that she’s mistreating Wade and start to give him a real chance.

Besides the main characters listed above, there are many memorable citizens in the town of Bluebell, who occasionally have their own plots that intersect with the larger story, which helps round out the world. Dorky Tom Long (Ross Philips) and hyper waitress Wanda Lewis (Mallory Moye) find true love early in the show’s run, and have quite the visually exciting wedding. Dash (Reginald VelJohnson) is often seen running the local events, and Lemon’s materialistic sister, Magnolia (Claudia Lee), causes trouble.

Most of the acting is campy, but that’s in keeping with the light-hearted tone of the series. Bilson is goofy, in a good way, fully committing to the part, and the supporting cast is fun. Hart of Dixie won’t make many’s “must-see” list, but it’s an enjoyable way to pass the time.

And occasionally, it does delve into some more serious fare. There’s a really moving bit with Wade’s father, Crazy Earl (Christopher Curry), in the Christmas episode, which rises above the typical quality of the drama. Lemon also shows real growth over the course of the season, slowly becoming less annoying and more of a strong, self-sufficient character. These elements are why I continue to watch Hart of Dixie, because if it ever realizes its full potential, and moves past the constantly fluctuating pairings, it could really be something. Even if it doesn’t mature, though, it’s not a bad program.


As one might expect, the season finale drops some big stuff, changing the landscape for season three, though surely everything will return to normal not too far into the junior year. Since the show came back on the air a week ago, watching the DVD now will allow you to jump right in, without the long wait to see what happens next.

The Complete Second Season does have all twenty-two episode from last year on five discs, but sports not a single special feature. That’s the sort of release some old shows without a ton of anticipation may do, but it’s baffling that a currently-running series would dare not offer any extras for their fans. Weirder still, the cast has released some very humorous stuff online, proving they are worthy of featurettes and shorts, but none of which is included here. Combined with a very simplistic menu system, that looks old and boring, it’s not a strong DVD contender.

Hart of Dixie The Complete Second Season will be released this Tuesday, October 15th.

Hart of Dixie falls to pieces

The CW's Hart of Dixie ended its freshman run last spring with Dr. Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) in bed with Wade (Wilson Bethal), whom she finds annoying, but who has harbored a crush on her for some time. Then George (Scott Porter) cancels his wedding to be with Zoe, leaving the good doctor in quite the pickle.

Season two picks up the next morning with "I Fall to Pieces." George is disappointed to hear that Zoe needs some time to think, as she does admit to having certain feelings for Wade, too. Wade, for his part, falls back into his immature ways, pretending Zoe is just a one-night stand for him and insulting her, and professing not to care if she dates George. Zoe is torn, knowing Wade is just covering for insecurity, but also not sure George is ready to jump into another relationship so soon after his long-term one ends.

Hart of Dixie solves this problem much as many shows before it have. Zoe chooses no one. She wants George to heal and Wade to grown up before getting seriously involved with either one. The thing is, though, no one is perfect, and many men have trouble articulating, or even knowing, their feelings. While both could definitely be in better positions than they are, Zoe may be waiting for something that will never happen.

It's also a cop out. It leaves the series room to try each of the three characters with more people before settling back into its love triangle. Television dramas must keep the drama going, and hooking up the main character with one of two love interests so early in the show's run kind of shoots itself in the foot in terms of keeping tension alive. So instead, the writers frustrate fans all over by providing no resolution.

Now, both Wade and George would make decent partners for Zoe. But until she figures out which one she wants, she can't commit to either. So Zoe's lack of choice is as much about her as it is either of the guys.

Interesting, Zoe's flirtations with Wade continue post-announcement. Wade may just be happy to still be in the game, assuming he had lost to George before even getting started. But knowing Wade plays the casual hand well, picking neither may open Zoe up to more casual sex with Wade.

Meanwhile, for Lemon (Jaime King), being dumped by George may be the best thing that has ever happened to her. She is a strong woman, and she discovered that while George was away. When he returned to Bluebell, she lost some of that, and by marrying George without ever leaving her father's (Tim Matheson) house, she risks any chance of true independence. So Lemon is sure to have a great year post-George, figuring out for herself what she is capable of.

The fact that Zoe is the one who helps set Lemon on this path is nice because there should be a warming up between the two of them. They are very different people, and probably won't ever be besties, but they have enough in common that they should be able to make peace. I look forward to it.

Also, Lavon (Cress Williams) is surprised by the arrival of his ex, Ruby (Golden Brooks, Girlfriends), back to town. Ruby intends to stay, throwing Lavon for a loop, and dredging up old feelings. This should keep Lavon away from Lemon for awhile, thus negating any interference he might have with her plot.

The only thing that rings weird in "I Fall to Pieces" is why Ruby becomes friendly so quickly with Zoe. Zoe is clearly self-centered and using Ruby to bounce rambling off of. Sure, Ruby might welcome the chance to stop by Lavon's house, but even setting that aside, it's like Hart of Dixie is forcing an instant friendship between Ruby and Zoe. For what purpose? Why not just let a friendship develop naturally?

Hart of Dixie airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

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