'Hart of Dixie' Creator on Zoe's Romantic Prospects, Father Issues and a Big Season Finale (Q&A)|| PART I 

The see-sawing between Wade and George for Zoe’s heart continues on the CW’s Southern drama Hart of Dixie — but as creator/showrunner Leila Gerstein tells it, it won’t be a two-person battle.

With the good-natured doctor Judson seemingly out in front with the Bluebell transplant, another potential love interest will be coming in at the worst possible time for everyone involved. Add to that the arrival of Zoe’s father, played by guest star Gary Cole, and potential troubles between Lemon and George, things won’t be staying quiet for long.

Gerstein chatted with The Hollywood Reporter about Zoe’s rocky love life, issues with her father (who turns out not to be), upcoming episodes and guest stars, a dramatic season finale and just where Zoe’s head is at this point in the season.

The Hollywood Reporter: Zoe is settling into life in Bluebell, thought it’s been rocky at times. Where is her head at right now and if she had the perfect opportunity, would she go back to New York?

Leila Gerstein: Yes, where she is right now is she’s trying to make the best of Bluebell, but she is still here just for the year. Her intention is to go back and get that fellowship.

THR: Will something present itself that might make that decision more difficult?

Gerstein: If it does present itself perhaps she’ll make that decision ahead of schedule. We are faced with the question of going back and fulfilling her dreams or staying in Bluebell.

THR: It’ll be connected to her father (guest star Gary Cole)?

Gerstein: Yes. Her father is coming. He’s coming to town and he’ll be in two episodes. She calls him to Bluebell because she needs a savior and then she has to deal with her unresolved issues about her father which are still kind of hanging over her head. In the pilot, she found out that the man she thought was her father is not her biological father and so she still has a lot of anger and emotional resentment that she needs to clear up with him. When he first comes back it is a really emotional episode so she still has that to deal with.