At the end of the previous episode, there was still snow on the sidewalks in the town square...and then, suddenly, it's a month or so later and it's spring! The opening montage of stock footage with narration from Matthew Swain helps smooth it over, and helps give the show the appropriate "Our Town" flavor of the changing seasons. (But, in doing so, the series actually does catch up with real time--it was May 1965 and Peyton Place was still in winter!)
Not only that, but Constance and Elliot have gone from finally touching each other's hand in his hospital room while he's recovering from heart surgery in the last episode to the two of them getting dressed for their wedding! In general, it very much feels like the show's creators have finished a particular narrative throughline, and are starting up a new bunch of stories--and a bunch of new characters: a new pastor, a new family moving into the Harrington mansion.
Not only that, but Constance and Elliot have gone from finally touching each other's hand in his hospital room while he's recovering from heart surgery in the last episode to the two of them getting dressed for their wedding! In general, it very much feels like the show's creators have finished a particular narrative throughline, and are starting up a new bunch of stories--and a bunch of new characters: a new pastor, a new family moving into the Harrington mansion.
