Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias premiered on Netflix this February, and it did not let up on the quality of life lessons it offers to adults and kids of all ages. If you haven’t been around for the first three seasons, you’ll want to start from the beginning to see the progression of the plot, growth of the characters, and to make sure you don’t miss some of the key events that make this show so relatable to families of all types.
Sweet Magnolias, based on the book series by Sherryl Woods, is a tale of southern grace, centered around a strong devotion to family and friends. Although the series takes place in a small, often gossip-hungry town in South Carolina, the story truly represents a variety of family dynamics and issues. The show co-stars three women- Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue- whose moral compasses, strength amid adversity, and vulnerability to each other make them relatable characters and role models in their town.
Throughout the series, we see their friendship endure messy relationships, grief, loss, and even moments of redemption. Viewers learn that even the closest of friends cannot always carry your burdens, but they can walk through those difficult times with you. The saying “it takes a village” really rings through with Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue because when one friend is enduring difficult times, the others are there to lift her up, provide guidance and encouragement, and to hold her accountable to make informed decisions.
Sweet Magnolias doesn’t shy away from showing how the decisions of adults affect their children. It shows the perspective of children and teens, who try to follow the lead of some very imperfect adults, and who learn the power of open communication. The children in the series also witness first-hand that although some broken relationships can be repaired, reconciliation is not always feasible or healthy. Most importantly, the children in the show learn the important lesson of giving back to their community and uniting to find solutions to problems or injustices.
What to expect from Sweet Magnolias' TV-14 rating
Sweet Magnolias season 4 has a TV-14 rating for one category: sex. Seasons 1-2 have similar ratings for both language and sex, and season 3 only has a PG rating. Does season 4 earn the TV-14 rating?
Sex and nudity: Characters in the series barely even say the word ‘sex’ or refer to it directly, although it is implied in various episodes. Adults and mature teens will catch on to the hints, but you don’t have to worry about your younger children being able to understand what is happening. There is quite a bit of kissing among the couples in the show, but the scenes are always pretty short, and there are no sex scenes or nudity in season 4. Season 2 had a brief scene to watch out for, but no full nudity.
Violence & Fore: There really isn't any major violence featured within the season. There are some scenes in which characters get into verbal fights, but even these fights are pretty mild. There's also no gore in the show which makes sense given the show is a romantic drama.
Language: The show already used profanity mildly in past seasons, but season 3 toned things down even more with show avoiding the use of any profanity in the new season.
Drinking and drugs: From the start, Margarita Nights have been a mainstay on the show as Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue get together often throughout the season to pour it out over drinks. As such, we do see characters drinking alcholic beverages in moderation across the season.
Overall verdict: Sweet Magnolias is a perfect family drama
While watching Sweet Magnolias and trying to think of a similar show in the teen world, Riverdale came to mind, and it has the same TV-14 rating. To compare the two, Riverdale includes much more language, sex, and overall drama, earning its TV-14 rating. Sweet Magnolias, however, is more suitable for families and younger children, with parental guidance, of course.
As a mom of young children, I would be comfortable allowing them to watch Sweet Magnolias with me, and on occasion, skip past scenes that might seem inappropriate for their age. Watching this show as a family can lead to important conversations on grace, purpose, making mistakes, and developing empathy.