I don’t think I’ve been as vocal on the blog about just how much I love the Hallmark Channel, but it’s true! I love watching their marathons of “The Golden Girls”, adore their easy-going original movies (I have actually started working on a script to pitch their way), and mark my calendar when they strike up a new original series.
So, I will proudly admit that I’ve been counting down the days to the premier of “Chesapeake Shores” for MONTHS. Here’s the scoop from the Hallmark website:
The multi-generational family drama of “Chesapeake Shores” follows Abby O’Brien (Meghan Ory), a high-powered career woman, divorcee and mother to twin daughters, who makes a trip from New York City to her hometown of Chesapeake Shores. Her visit home brings Abby face to face with her past, including her high school sweetheart Trace (Jesse Metcalfe), her uncompromising father Mick (Treat Williams) and her esteemed grandmother Nell (Diane Ladd). Abby realizes the toll her career has taken on her ability to be a hands-on mother to her daughters, and considers a permanent move to Chesapeake Shores.
Before we go any further here, let’s start with these two words: Jesse Metcalfe. Hottie, hot, hotterson. You may recognize him for his role in “Desperate Housewives”, as well as in “John Tucker Must Die”. And he looks so good – I have a feeling you’re going to be hearing that a lot over the course of this season.
The “Chesapeake Shores” TV series is based off the book series (there are 13 books in total!) written by Sherryl Woods.
The premier episode opened with Abby running on the treadmill in her home, and we are immediately aware that she’s got it good. Her New York apartment is quite stunning, and she’s the person we pretty much all want to be: a fit, cool mom who’s organized and looks like Anne Hathaway.
At the office, we learn that Abby is successful, and extremely poised considering her coworker is dating her ex-husband. And that’s when things start getting interesting! Mid-meeting, Abby gets a call from her sister, begging her to come home for an “emergency” in Chesapeake Shores.
Abby goes home, possibly trying to avoid the news that her ex is getting remarried, okay and also to have an excuse to stop drinking kale-lemon shakes. Her family’s home is pretty much what dreams are made of: waterfront, sturdy cottage, with those heavy doors we all know from homes we felt safe in.
The emergency is, her sister, Jess, needs help at the bank after falling behind on a loan she took to fix up a house in order to run her own bed and breakfast. Though it takes some convincing, Abby heads to the bank the next morning to see how she can help.
To her surprise, her ex-fiance Trace (Metcalfe) is there, and immediately confronts her about why she walked out on him for New York. Which, I have to admit, I don’t think anyone in their right mind would leave a man looking like Jesse Metcalfe behind. Sorry, New York.
The small town embraces Abby’s return, though she says it’s just for a weekend… despite the fact that she gets news her daughters’ nanny just quit. It’s also apparent to Abby’s family just how busy she is with work, so busy, in fact, that she can’t keep track of her calendar or keep up with her daughters’ schedules, which results in a difficult, late-night conversation with her father.
During her regular morning jog on the beach, Trace catches up with her and tells her he bought the “beach shack” – a landmark they apparently enjoyed as teenagers. He says it reminds him of some of the best times in his life.
Later, Abby catches up with Trace and apologizes for leaving unexpectedly years earlier. She explains herself, and just as it seems like things are growing soft between them, some gorgeous girl appears in the mix to see Trace. Ughhh.
On Abby’s jog back to the family home, she spots an ambulance in front of the house. Abby heads to the hospital and makes plans to stay in town longer. In the midst of all this, her ex continuously calls her, because he wants custody of their two daughters.
A dramatic episode this one – slow clap for the Hallmark Channel!
Just when you thought all was lost, Trace rides up to the family home on a moped, looking cute, and offering to take Abby on a walk. He assures her that he doesn’t have a girlfriend, but he appreciated seeing her hint of jealousy.
So, off they go, and Trace ends up shirtless (DEAR GOD), and they go for a swim in the lake – I’m pleasantly shocked at how far Hallmark let this go. Sure, they only kissed, but, you know.
He admits to Abby that he went looking for her in New York, but didn’t have the courage to actually make it to her door… and then Abby confesses she paid attention to his country music career over the course of all these years… and now, they’re both back in town – though Trace has yet to admit why he’s back.
Amidst all the drama, Abby gets a job offer in Baltimore, and is feeling pretty confused about the state of her life. Don’t worry, the premier episode ended with fireworks. Literally. And the season preview looks quite fantastic. I can’t wait!
I hope you will continue to join me for my weekly recaps of “Chesapeake Shore”!
The Bitter Lemon 