Abhiroop Das
While the third season of ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ continues the journey of Maggie Sullivan and Harry “Sully” Sullivan in the eponymous campground, it also introduces a new set of characters into the equation who all contribute to the assortment of drama, romance, and the subsequent friction. One of the prominent additions in that regard is Jacob Cranebear, who arrives in the town as a stranger to its intricacies but quickly finds his footing. Jacob’s ambitions and interests are deeply in tune with nature, and his exploration leads him to develop a bond with Lola Gunderson. In light of this, he plays an increasingly vital role in the season, adding another dimension to the cast while also diversifying the different narratives at play. However, he eventually gets caught up in a difficult choice, owing to the differing desires and character trajectories, and the result he arrives at leaves its mark on the story. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Jacob Visits Timberlake to Study Lichens, But Leaves as One of the Town’s Own
Jacob Cranebear is introduced to ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ in the third season as Frank Cranebear’s nephew and a budding mycologist. We learn that he is a student in Alberta, but is currently in Timberlake to research his thesis project, studying how Lichen can be used as a natural air filtration system. Alongside this, he also takes part in the day-to-day lives of Edna and Frank, helping them manage the Crossing. While Jacob gets to know and interact with many characters over the course of the story, he finds his deepest connection with Lola Gunderson, who has briefly returned to the Crossing following an internship. While the two have a rough meeting, with Lola accidentally ruining his shirt with alcohol, they quickly move past it. Together, they explore the various nooks and crannies of the town in search of lichen habitats and find companionship amongst each other.
One of Jacob and Lola’s excursions leads them to a mining site. Here, Jacob asks Lola if she has given any thought to moving out of Timberlake, and she explains how she cannot bring herself to do it, but this might change in the near future. By this point, their chemistry is palpable, and Lola decides to seal the deal with a kiss. Jacob reciprocates, but in the process, they end up bumping into one of the walls, causing the mine to collapse. With this, their pseudo date turns into a search and rescue mission, which is further complicated by the discovery that Jacob has diabetes and regularly requires injections to regulate his body function. With the help of Maggie and Cal, the pair is ultimately rescued, and Jacob gets the treatment he needs. The accident also has a silver lining, as this close call only brings him and Lola closer.
Before long, Jacob and Lola enter a grey zone between a strong friendship and a committed relationship, which has its ups and downs. He is forced to choose between continuing his research at the university and spending more time with Lola, and this begins to negatively affect their relationship. When he rushes into the idea of putting his degree on hold, Lola gives him a reality check, which finally leads him to find a middle ground in this tug of war. During the opening party for Shandon’s Diner, he expresses his desire to pursue his research and keep in touch with Lola, and she agrees. This decision also takes into account how his study of Lichens directly impacts the town’s health, by bringing to light an arsenic poisoning crisis. Thus, Jacob’s decision balances both his feelings for the town and for his own education.
Jacob is Portrayed by Up-and-Coming Actor Joel Oulette
Jacob’s transformative arc has multiple twists and turns, and Joel Oulette exhibits the character’s defining characteristics in a charming and relatable manner. Despite being quite young, Oulette is no stranger to the industry. His career began with a minor appearance in the TV series ‘Two Sentence Horror Stories’ before continuing with increasingly significant roles in ‘Nancy Drew’ and ‘Chateau Laurier.’ Some of his popular roles include Ben Taggart in the series ‘Ruby and the Well,’ Jesse in ‘Cascade,’ and Jay in ‘My Life With the Walter Boys.’ His breakthrough performance is in the live-action adaptation of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ where he steps into the role of Hahn. Oulettte is also known for playing Daniel in ‘Can I Get a Witness,’ Jared in ‘Trickster,’ and Robbie Hood in ‘Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.’
In addition to acting in movies and TV series, Joel Oulette has also performed in the music video for Kylie Cantrall’s “See You Tonight.” This diverse range helps Oulette seamlessly fit into the mold of Jacob Cranebear, bringing both sides of his character into the open, be it his relentless passion about biology and nature, or his more emotional side. The former detail is of particular importance to the actor, and in a quiz conducted by his co-star, Amalia Williamson, who plays Lola, he correctly answers several biology trivia questions, showcasing how much work he put into an accurate portrayal. Oulette’s native descent also comes into play in the show, as there are scenes where his character recalls couplets and phrases in his native tongue. As such, the actor brings all his experience and skills to the forefront and does the role justice.
Read More: Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3 Ending Explained: Who is Liam?
