The Belle Motto: “I’m a belle, a southern belle, a ‘Bama belle, a Dixie belle! I got secrets, I won’t tell, y’all don’t like it, go to hell! Oh soldier, what’s your pleasure?!”

Y’all have no idea how much it warmed my heart that Hart of Dixie was back. In a week of hiatuses or disappointing episodes, this was a breath of fresh air. It was fun, poignant, and moved the story along. And while it didn’t have much in the way of Wade/Zoe moments, it did help cement Zoe into the town more. That was one of my frustrations before the break that we’d keep on with this Zoe’s going back to New York business and today was incredibly touching.

Now I’m trying a little something different and going with a quick narrative and then sharing quick observations about different moments. If you like this style, please let me know in the comments. Be aware that I will expand on some of the observations if I keep this style of recap.

The episode had two basic storylines, with an underlying theme of family. Well three story lines. Lavon’s was quickest, as he’s trying to date again but no one will date him because he told Dede he wanted to marry her. Once he proved to Dede that he wasn’t crazy, however, she agreed to date him again. Which I sort of think she did a little manipulating of her own but until Lemon sorts herself out, Dede & Lavon seem really fun.

George was trying to keep Crazy Earl (Wade’s dad) from selling his land so that a supermarket can’t be built in Bluebell, though George’s part in the story was fairly minimal. Wade however wanted his dad to sell so he’d quit bothering him for money, until he learned that Earl really does love him, in his own bizarre way. Wilson Bethel makes me all teary-eyed and achy inside when he does his puppy dog eyes.

The main focus though was in Zoe’s desire to get to know her southern family and understand her roots. Turns out her legacy is to be a belle of Bluebell, and so she set out to join the belles through a series of initiations. I found the initiations highly entertaining, especially as they perfectly fit the kinds of things Zoe wouldn’t know how to do. Plus Lemon plotting is one of my favorite things on television. The initiation also gave Lemon and Zoe a chance to have some time together and I have to say, I thought I saw the beginnings of a beautiful friendship. Ultimately, Zoe realized that she could appreciate her family without having to be a belle and Lemon took another step in realizing that she doesn’t have to become her mother.

All in all, I thought it was a good episode. There was character development and I liked that we didn’t jump right back into the love triangle/square of it all. This was refreshing and comforting all at the same time.

Observations:

Have I mentioned how much I love the country music? It makes me happy.

“You sit around here with your cookie dough ice cream, pining over some lost love.”

I have spent entirely too much time trying to figure out how that two person slutty snake tattoo works.

George needs to breathe.

Words cannot express how much I love that Dede wants to blow stuff up. The supporting characters on this show are awesome.

So along with the slutty snake tattoo, I also have images of a life-size nativity Jesus floating along a river and down a waterfall into the ocean.

Maureen’s totally the elderly version of Lemon right? Like, I’m assuming this isn’t up for debate.

Scheming Lemon is the best. THE BEST.

Crazy Earl is back. Which proves yet again that Wade is Pacey. With a southern accent.

They have a town eunuch. Or had a town eunuch. That is hysterical.

I keep watching the Belle slogan moments over and over again. Plus you can totally see where the Rachel Bilson rap inspiration came from.

The whole gypsy thing makes me laugh because I was just talking to friends about how as adults, you have to have costume boxes for theme parties. Mine’s short a gypsy costume though.

Am I the only one who heard Wade say “I don’t give a damn” and immediately wanted a Gone with the Wind-themed episode where Wade is dressed as Rhett Butler? I would give a lot of damns to see that.

“Just a bunch of pretty vampires enjoying a cup of blood  before we all go out on a killing spree!” I adore Lemon. Adore, adore, adore. Also, she wasn’t wearing yellow in every scene.

“Wow. I think I just felt my eggs dry up.” *pause* “Yep.”

Comedies all week and I did not laugh as hard as I did with the paintball attack.

Brick was kind of nice y’all. Like he was teasing Zoe but he was still nice about it. Good to see he’s maturing.

“They weren’t hookers. I don’t think. Maybe they were. I don’t know.”

“Promise not to ask me to marry you?” “I do.” DEAD.

I found it really touching that Lemon was willing to keep the devastating news about her mother finding a new family a secret in order to protect Brick’s heart. Also in this scene, I really like Lemon’s outfit. It should’ve bothered me but something about it totally worked.

Y’all Lemon made me cry so hard in this episode.

The talk between Lemon & Zoe was so wonderful. Those two are going to end up being epic friends. So much epic potential. Speaking of, if guys get bromances, what do girls get? I mean friends just isn’t enough. Girls need a special name.

Y’all Crazy Earl made me cry. He doesn’t spend Wade’s money! He saves it & buries it so Wade will have something when his dad’s gone. That’s so sweet.

Again, a nice moment from Brick when he’s teaching Zoe about her family at the end.

Alright so that’s it. Again, let me know if you like the new style of a quick narrative and then moment by moment observations or if you want the old style back. So did the episode live up to all your hopes & dreams? Who wants to be a belle?