Credit: Netflix

Sweet Magnolias returned to Netflix with its fifth season, bringing wedding bells on its toes. While the Magnolias keep chasing their respective dreams, finding themselves in unexpected places, Helen’s wedding preparation with Erik takes up a whole lot of the instalment.

As the series creator, Sheryl J Anderson puts it, “We like having the three ladies in different places every season. In season five, Helen and Erik get their dream. Maddie and her husband, Cal, touch their dreams – but are they going to be able to hold onto them? And Dana Sue’s dream is just like, ‘Nope!’”

While that might clarify the burning question about whether Helen and Erik get married, it barely captures the struggles they confront in getting their ducks in a row for the long-awaited wedding. Although viewers literally get to live the warm-up phase to the big day throughout the series, starting with Helen’s bachelorette party, to deciding on the wedding dress.

But before they can walk down the aisle, Helen can hardly make out the “Whitley way” of Erik’s family. So, do they ultimately exchange vows?

Do Helen and Erik get married in Sweet Magnolias season 5?

For those scratching their heads over the “Whitley way” in Sweet Magnolias season five, well, the terminology is actually born out of the extremely reserved way of Erik’s family’s approach. Rather than owning up to their shared vision, Erik constantly behaves like a people-pleaser when it comes to his family, prompting Helen to make concessions to appease them as well. According to Anderson, Erik’s parents are of “a higher socioeconomic status than a lot of people in Serenity.”

As a result, they are far more worried about their public image. But when the wedding preparations reach a peak, it dawns upon Erik that he and his brother Victor have been brought up in a family that’s way more reserved than what possibly suits him now. That, however, doesn’t make it any easier for him to free up.

But credit should go where it’s due, and it goes to Jessica, his niece. When she arrives to surprise the family, Erik finally starts questioning his old habits. He realises that his former lifestyle no longer serves a purpose and all he truly wants is to live the life he has been building so far with Helen. What helps him ultimately overcome the “Whitley way” is watching Jessica defy the family restrictions.

So, when they finally walk down the aisle to exchange vows, Erik does promise to learn from Helen all his life, putting a fairytale end to the fifth chapter.