[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Chesapeake Shores Season 5 Episode 7, “What’s New?”]

In possibly the most entertaining episode of Chesapeake Ribs Season 5 (and possibly the series) so far, Evan (Robert Buckley) throws his back (a chronic illness, from an unspecified accident) and becomes a temporary guest at the O’Brien house simply because he can’t move without significant pain. Most of the time everyone is amused. Abby (Meghan Ory) is, of course, less charmed (at least outwardly) than the others. (Who can blame her? He just told her he was pulling out of construction after the Smithsonian ordered all work stopped while they discovered an old ship.)

Abby even called Mandrake (Wesley Salter), who basically takes care of everything for him. (“You know a lot of famous people,” she comments of her contact list. “They can’t help me now,” he says.) Abby’s grandmother, Nell (Diane Ladd) insists that Evan get back on their couch. But how long does it take exactly in general? A few hours to “no longer be welcome in Croatia”, says Mandrake.

Evan keeps working from the couch and helps Abby’s daughter, Caitlyn, as she struggles to find her present by showing her that she can make her own video game. Mandrake says it’s because he’s “a declining teenager.” He also shares with Abby that his name isn’t actually Mandrake and wonders if Evan could ever share with Abby how he injured his back. He seems to join Jay (Greyston Holt) thinking that Evan likes Abby.

But speaking of Jay, who also clearly loves Abby (and she may feel the same), he gives Caitlyn a guitar lesson and finds out that Evan is staying on the couch. Abby does the (awkward) introductions, Evan asks Jay for guitar lessons, and Jay says that’s not what he does. It’s a relief to everyone in the room when Jay and Abby step out (where he’s playing something for her on his guitar).

Soon after, Evan is healed enough to go for a walk. “These were really the best days of my life,” he told Abby. As for the very generous agreement he drafted to dissolve their partnership, forget that. He tears it apart, explaining that he now sees the ship as an opportunity: move the hotel to the next lot (which he bought this morning) and use the old lot as a museum housing the ship and other artifacts he found. .

In other O’Brien news:

• As Kevin (Brendan Penny) and Sarah (Jessica Sipos) try to have a baby, she finds out that she is running for promotion to lieutenant. She doesn’t know if she’s ready to stop running into the fires and take on more of a supervisory role… or have kids right away, which would mean doing it. But then she falls off a ladder while hanging a banner and is taken to the hospital. The doctor has happy news for the couple: Sarah is pregnant!
• Bree (Emilie Ullerup) may have accidentally ended up inviting Jerry (Matthew Kevin Anderson) to be her plus one at Jess (Laci J. Mailey) wedding, but she isn’t exactly torn between him and Luke (Stephen Huszar ). She knows she has to let Jerry down, but he seems okay to stay professional when they talk.

• Speaking of Luke, he turns to Connor (Andrew Francis) for advice while helping the O’Brien’s work on his new office in Chesapeake Shores. Luke’s parole officer is tough on him and he hopes to get a new one.

Chesapeake Ribs, Sunday, 8 / 7c, Hallmark Channel