Promising surgeon Dr. Zoe Hart's (Rachel Bilson) bedside manner is DOA, so she's forced to trade in the hustle and bustle of New York City for the small town of Bluebell, Alabama on Hart of Dixie (2011-2015). When Zoe arrives, she discovers her recently-deceased biological father, who her mother kept a secret, left her half of his medical practice. Zoe also quickly learns that when it comes to the residents of Bluebell, southern hospitality is in short supply.
This fish out of water figures out life in Bluebell is anything but dull, especially as she deals with love triangles, a cagey town doctor, and a bevy of actual Belles led by one very sour Lemon. Bluebell is inhabited by eccentric locals who are passionate about their quirky traditions, and Zoe may fit in after all. Here are the 10 best episodes of Hart of Dixie (according to IMDb.)
I Fall To Pieces (Season 2, Episode 1) -8.4
On the season 2 premiere, Bluebell is still reeling from the news that George Tucker (Scott Porter) called off his wedding to Lemon Breeland (Jaime King) for none other than the pretty doctor who wears the shorty shorts. Too bad George makes his big romantic gesture after Zoe and Wade Kinsella (Wilson Bethel) act on their simmering season 1 sexual tension.
No good love triangle resolves quickly, which means it's up to Zoe to find a way to stretch out the forming of "Zeorge." Any female fan with eyes is rooting for "Zade" anyway. Meanwhile, Lemon must figure out how to trade in her socialite status and become a member of the working class.
Blue Christmas (Season 2, Episode 10) - 8.4
Zoe has her hands full as she inadvertently sabotages another town event. Lemon continues to spend more time mourning over the demise of her romance with Lavon Hayes (Cress Williams). This is partly due to his involvement with the insufferable Ruby Jeffries (Golden Brooks). The best holiday gift Hart of Dixie gives viewers is sending Ruby far, far away.
Zoe puts her faith in Crazy Earl to save Christmas (Christopher Curry). Wade's vulnerability when it comes to his alcoholic father has Zoe seeing him in a different light. Wade has a long history of cleaning up Crazy Earl's messes, but Zoe believes in both father and son, helping bring them closer than ever. Because Christmas is all about miracles, Zoe gives Wade her heart, and Brick enjoys sex is a very public venue.
End Of Days (Season 4, Episode 9) -8.4
After Anna Beth Nass' (Kaitlyn Black) dreams the end is nigh, Bluebellians begin acting screwier than ever. "End of Days" isn't just the penultimate episode of the season, it's the last stop before the series finale. Season 4 is all about giving these screwy Southerners the happy endings they deserve.
Hart of Dixie never introduces a plotline that runs too deep, so wrapping up all the main characters' stories is as satisfying as a piece of cake from The Butter Stick. There's nothing like an impending apocalypse to spur romantic proposals. Among so many YOLO moments, the standout is George and Zoe's road trip that brings their story full circle, letting fans know these two were always destined to be friends.
The Curling Iron (Season 4, Episode 2) - 8.5
Just when it looks like Wade and Zoe are finally going to get it together, Zoe discovers she's pregnant. It is frustrating to see these two lovebirds face another obstacle, and Wade proves once and for all he's a new man when he refuses to throw in the towel as Zoe goes off the rails. There's no better couple to demonstrate that love isn't always easy than Zoe and Wade.
This twosome works things out, but it wouldn't be authentic if she didn't freak out, and he wasn't completely clueless as to how to deal with the woman that continues to turn his life upside down.
The Very Good Bagel (Season 4, Episode 3) - 8.5
Zoe and Wade finally reunite, but there are more interesting developments on "The Very Good Bagel." First, three former queen bees Lemon, AnnaBeth, and Crickett (Brandi Burkhardt), take a girls' getaway to relive their glory days. Lemon's transformation from a prudish Belle whose fashion sense harkens back to the Jim Crow-era South has been replaced with an upgraded version who knows how to let her hair down and have a good time.
After tons of ups and downs, Lemon and her former fiance finally do an autopsy on their failed love affair, and it's easy to envision them as two wild-at-heart teens. They discuss the bittersweetness of first love and finally close the book on their past.
The Butterstick Tab (Season 4, Episode 7) -8.5
No stone goes unturned when it comes to wrapping up loose ends on the final season of Hart of Dixie. Lemon doesn't get any answers or closure when it comes to her absentee mom, but by now, she no longer needs it. She channels all her anger into something more positive: she and Magnolia (Claudia Lee) welcome their half-sister Scarlett (Talitha Eliana Bateman) into the family. When life hands Lemon Breeland lemons, she makes lemonade.
A more light-hearted subplot involves Wade trying to kick his flirting habit cold turkey. It's great this dog is settling down, but is it really necessary to neuter him?
The Big Day (Season 1, Episode 22) -8.6
All of season 1 builds up to George and Lemon's big day. Despite a huge storm and his feelings for Zoe, George is determined to make it down the aisle. George and Lemon's fate is less interesting than what's happening between Wade and Zoe when they get stuck in an abandoned barn.
These two are sexy enough when they're dry, but slap a white shirt on the good doctor, hose them both down and turn the chemistry up to high, and nobody cares about the S.S. George and Lemon taking on enough water to sink the whole ship.
Second Chance (Season 3, Episode 22) - 8.7
Hart of Dixie season cliffhangers are always of the romantic variety, although they're rarely executed with the intended results. In an unexpected twist, Lemon finds herself unknowingly at the center of a love triangle, leaving her two would-be suitors high and dry.
Instead of Zoe leaving town (only to return during season 3 with the most likable rebound guy ever), it's Wade who is set to put his hometown in his rearview mirror. After an entire season apart, Zoe has an a-ha moment about her feelings for Wade, but it's hard not to root for her and Joel (Josh Cooke) to reconnect when he makes a brief return.
Kablang (Season 4, Episode 1) - 8.8
It's long overdue for Zoe to woo Wade, and she pulls out the big guns, her breasts. "Kablang" has very one bosomy and wet Dr. Hart, emerging from the lake in an effort to seduce her ex. It's all very Coyote Ugly minus the bar and the booze. She also comes up with the Bluebell equivalent of Lloyd Dobler and the famous BoomBox scene but ends up serenading the wrong guy. It's in these moments we can appreciate that even the most beautiful woman can be an awkward, embarrassing mess when it comes to getting the guy.
Less appealing is George and Lavon's alpha, aggro male tug of war over Lemon. It's a little too old school, treating a woman like an object and all, but at least it leads to the Three Stooges-like demise of the would-be Bluebelle fire department.
Bluebell (Season 4, Episode 10) - 9.2
"Bluebell" crams everything that makes Hart of Dixie a great show into one hour. There are nods to season 1, including the arrival of a new town lawyer played by Autumn Reeser (The O.C.), a New York girl reminiscent of one-time big city snob, Zoe. There's scheming gone awry, couples' love put to the test, and a sweet moment when Zoe thanks Harley for giving her a home.
The series ends on its most whimsical note; an actual song and dance number. It's hard to remember a time when shows about small-town life weren't dark and subversive, filled with disturbing secrets and dysfunctional relationships. Hart of Dixie's four-season run and toe-tapping finale are welcome reminders.