Chad Michael Murray, the star of the CTV/CW series "Sullivan's Crossing," has some interesting thoughts on the show's controversial Season 4 finale. Murray plays Cal Jones, a beloved local handyman and love interest for Maggie Sullivan (played by Morgan Kohan). The season ends with Cal and Maggie being asked to take in Tracy, a foster child, after her parents are unable to care for her. Murray discusses his reaction to the finale, his thoughts on Cal's forgiveness of Maggie, and his hopes for Season 5. He also shares his perspective on the show's narrative choices and the impact of playing Cal on his own life. Murray's insights offer a fascinating look into the making of the show and the creative decisions that shape its story.
A Cliffhanger and a Lesson
"I loved the cliffhanger," Murray says. "There was so much discussion over that, and the last two episodes. I felt like Cal really needed to draw his line in the sand – you can't just lay down and not make decisions for yourself; you have to decide what's best for you. I thought it was a good lesson to learn in general." Murray sees the finale as a powerful moment for Cal, one that emphasizes the importance of personal agency and the need to stand up for oneself. "I love the Tracy of it all," he adds, suggesting that the introduction of Tracy sets the stage for exciting storytelling in Season 5.
Forgiveness and Red Flags
Cal gets upset with Maggie for lying to him about her situation with Liam, but ultimately forgives her when she's willing to lie for Ben. Murray weighs in on this complex dynamic, acknowledging the red flags in Maggie's behavior but also recognizing the dramatic tension it creates. "Are there a zillion red flags? Is this one of those scenarios?" he asks. "In my personal opinion, [Maggie went] a little bit too far [with Liam]. There have been red flags throughout the first three seasons. However, it is a drama, and these types of things happen. We deal with those in real life, and we've got to decide what is too far in our own journeys as human beings." Murray's perspective highlights the fine line between dramatic tension and problematic behavior, and how viewers might interpret these choices.
Proposal and Narrative Choices
The proposal between Cal and Maggie was a highly discussed topic among fans. Murray explains that there was even a world where Maggie proposed to Cal, and that his opinion was considered in the decision. "However, those decisions are above my pay grade; I'm not going to tell anybody how to do their job," he says. "We came to a conclusion that would be best for the fans. And from what I've seen, everyone loves the finale, so we got where we needed to go." Murray's honesty about the creative process behind the proposal adds a layer of transparency to the show's narrative choices, and shows his commitment to the fans' experience.
Scott Patterson's Departure and Maggie's Storyline
Scott Patterson left the series after Season 3, and his character Sully was written off the show. Murray speculates on how Sully's presence might have impacted Maggie's storyline in Season 4. "If you remember, we were on a similar journey with Andrew [Maggie's ex-boyfriend played by Allan Hawco] in Season 1," he says. "There's a loyalty that Maggie has for people in her life, which is a commendable thing about a human. However, we still got to the same conclusion. Do I think that it might have been a smoother transition [with Sully]? Yeah, I think she would have gotten there in a much simpler way." Murray's analysis offers a nuanced perspective on the impact of character departures and how they can shape a show's narrative.
Personal Growth and Playing Cal
Playing Cal has had a subtle impact on Murray's own life. "There's a certain amount of patience and kindness that Cal has – it's more of a reminder than anything, not necessarily a change," he says. "We all go through moments in our life when we have more patience than other times, and when I'm in Cal's clothes, there's a reminder to go take a beat, just pause. Let's just float. We got this." Murray's reflection on his character highlights the transformative power of acting and how it can influence personal growth and perspective.
Hopes for Season 5
Murray is eager to see how Cal navigates fatherhood in Season 5. "I want to see Cal look forward to becoming a father," he says. "He kind of put his foot in the ground [in the past] about not wanting to be a dad because of his relationship with his father, but maybe he gets closure on that and is able to move forward." Murray's enthusiasm for the show's potential future developments shows his commitment to the series and his desire to see it succeed. He also hopes to see Shandon's Diner become a musical hangout, inviting artists to perform and adding a fun, unexpected element to the show.
Musical Guests
Murray dreams of having Brandy, Dan + Shay, and Florida Georgia Line as musical guests at Shandon's Diner. "If we could get Brandy in, I think that that would be rad," he says. "Maybe getting a little Dan + Shay in there, some Florida Georgia Line. Why not?" Murray's playful and imaginative suggestions add a lighthearted touch to the article, and show his enthusiasm for the show's potential musical elements.
In conclusion, Chad Michael Murray's insights into "Sullivan's Crossing" offer a fascinating look into the show's creative process, the impact of its characters, and the personal growth of its actors. His honest and thoughtful commentary adds depth to the article, and shows his commitment to the show and its fans.
