Recap: The Train Has Left the Station, Y'all! - Season 2 - Episode 1

It’s the day before the Kitchen Clash premiere, and Mae is rallying the Chicken Sisters crew for a watch party.

Amanda, now a local celeb, is soaking up every last moment with her daughter before she leaves town. Meanwhile, Nancy is caring for Gus while privately grappling with a big decision—she suspects her boyfriend’s about to pop the question. She and Gus discuss the idea of her getting married again.

Amanda swings by to bring Sergio coffee, showing their easy friendship. Across town, Jay tells Mae his mom’s excited about the wedding and is curious about Mae’s father. Mae wonders aloud if Farmer Jarvis could be her dad but knows Gus won’t be on board with digging up the past.

Shawna encourages Amanda to date again, teasing that she’s a hot commodity. Amanda brushes it off, saying she likes being alone and will start dating after Frank Jr. finally signs the divorce papers.

Sabrina is back in New York, focused on rebuilding her career.

At the restaurant, Mae stays upbeat despite the nerves. She spins the competition outcome as a win: with Mimi’s and Frannie’s, they’ve got both shops under them. She wants the influx of TV fans to come to them for fried chicken. Amanda sees through the pep talk—Mae’s just as anxious as the rest.

Over at Mr. Chicken’s Cluckery, Frank Jr. is prepping for a possible lunch rush—with frozen chicken and veggies, no less.

Nancy debates letting Frank Jr. come to the premiere, but Amanda stands firm. She reminds Nancy that his betrayal—opening a rival restaurant—was too big to ignore. Still, Nancy misses her son.

Farmer Jarvis stops by the restaurant, and Mae seizes the moment, trying to figure out if he might be her father.

Mae tells Amanda she needs to draw a line with Frank Jr. Amanda agrees—on the condition that Mae stops telling little white lies. Mae admits she just didn’t want anyone to freak out. Amanda playfully introduces a “lie jar,” where Mae has to drop in a coin every time she fibs.

Later, Linzey unexpectedly shows up at Frankie’s door, upset and saying she didn’t know where else to go. She shares that her dad is getting remarried and claimed he finally has a second chance at being a good dad, leaving her feeling cast aside. Frankie comforts her.

Jay asks Nancy how long the railroad arm’s been broken. “Fifteen years,” she shrugs.

Mae tries to make amends with Amanda over how she behaved at her wedding to Frank Jr. She’s afraid she ruined the whole day, but Amanda says the message wasn’t wrong—just mistimed. She was too caught up in being disowned by their mom to take in Mae’s words. Gus overhears this exchange and wrestles with whether to confess her own past mistakes, but she’s not ready.

Amanda gets asked out by Eddie, who reminisces about missing his chance to date her as a kid. She apologizes but says she’s still not ready.

Mae visits Gus to offer help—and asks again about her dad. Gus is amused when Mae insists it’s Jarvis. Turns out, he’s Gus’ second cousin, and definitely not her father. Mae pleads for the truth, but Gus pushes back: Why now? Mae storms off, frustrated.

Frank Jr. shows up at Amanda’s house asking to join the premiere gathering. She agrees—only if he brings the signed divorce papers.

Meanwhile, Sabrina cancels her NYC meetings, citing a "family emergency,” and hops on a flight back to Merinac.

Amanda walks into her house and finds Linzey hiding in the coat closet. No explanation needed—Amanda gets it.

Gus finally puts Mae first. She pulls out Mae’s baby box, filled with keepsakes and photos, including one of Mae’s father. Then, she makes a mysterious phone call.

Frank Jr. lets himself into Amanda’s house, saying he forgot the divorce papers. She calls him out—doesn’t he want a clean break? He dodges the question and leaves.

Premiere day arrives. Jay brings Mae breakfast in bed, tells her she deserves to know the truth about her dad, and reminds her she’s beautiful.

Sabrina shows up at Amanda’s door looking for her daughter. Linzey is relieved at the comforting reunion, and Sabrina agrees to stay in town until the wedding. Both she and Frankie are thrilled.

At the Cluckery, Christian swings by to pump up Frank Jr. for the premiere crowd.

Back at Amanda’s, Linzey tells Sabrina she feels safe here, and Sabrina decides to stick around—for now.

Nancy is a bundle of nerves, both about the premiere and her boyfriend’s upcoming “proposal.” Mae apologizes to Gus for her earlier outburst. Gus understands and says she’s sure Mae’s wedding will still be filled with beautiful little moments.

Dudley arrives and meets Linzey. She quickly sizes him up and asks who he is. Linzey is stunned when he reveals that he’s Frankie’s boyfriend.

Mae invites Sabrina to stay with her and Jay while she’s in town. It’s a small gesture, but a meaningful one.

As everyone gathers at the Chicken Sisters' for the big night, Nancy offers a heartfelt toast—thanking them all and honoring Amanda for making it happen.

Then Sabrina drops a bomb to Mae: the network might be using hidden camera footage for the show.

The premiere kicks off across the town at both the Chicken Sisters and Mr. Chicken’s Cluckery. Hidden camera footage of Amanda and Sergio’s romantic encounter shocks the room full of gasping friends and family.