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Secrets of Sulphur Springs - It's About Time (S2E5)

Secrets of Sulphur Springs – Season 2 - Episode 5 – It's About Time

When Sam can't get his Time Machine to work, Savannah vows to help him! Meanwhile, Griffin tells Daisy that he thinks Topher is hiding something and enlists her to find answers.

Runtime (min)21
TMDB Rating7.0 (1 votes)
Air Date2022-02-04
GenresFamily, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
TV RatingTV-PG
Network(s)Disney Channel

Storyline

Sam's attempts to repair his Time Machine hit a frustrating wall when the device refuses to cooperate, leaving him stuck and uncertain about how to proceed. Savannah steps in with determination, promising to help him troubleshoot the problem and get the machine working again. Their partnership highlights the collaborative spirit that has become central to the group's efforts to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Tremont Hotel.

Meanwhile, Griffin's suspicions about Topher intensify. Convinced that Topher is concealing important information, Griffin recruits Daisy to help him investigate. The two work together to uncover what Topher might be hiding, adding another layer of intrigue to the ongoing mystery. As the kids navigate these dual challenges—Sam and Savannah's technical puzzle and Griffin and Daisy's detective work—the episode weaves together themes of trust, persistence, and the importance of asking questions when something doesn't add up.

What parents say

Parents have praised Secrets of Sulphur Springs for its engaging mystery format that keeps kids invested without relying on scary content or intense supernatural elements. Many appreciate that the show encourages problem-solving and teamwork, with characters who collaborate rather than compete. The time-travel premise is handled in a way that parents find age-appropriate, sparking curiosity about history and cause-and-effect without becoming confusing or dark.

Some parents note that the show's pacing can feel slow for younger viewers who prefer more action-oriented programming, but others see this as a strength, allowing kids to follow complex storylines and character development. Parents have also commented positively on the diverse cast and the respectful way the show portrays friendships across different backgrounds. A few parents mention that the mystery elements might prompt questions from younger children about whether time travel is real, providing opportunities for family discussions about science and fiction.

What kids learn

This episode reinforces the value of persistence when facing technical or intellectual challenges. Sam's struggle with the Time Machine and Savannah's commitment to helping him demonstrate that setbacks are a normal part of problem-solving and that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Children see that collaboration often leads to breakthroughs that individual effort cannot achieve, and that offering support to a friend in need strengthens relationships and builds trust.

Griffin and Daisy's investigation into Topher's behavior introduces lessons about healthy skepticism and the importance of gathering evidence before jumping to conclusions. Kids learn that when something feels off, it's okay to ask questions and seek the truth, but doing so requires careful observation and teamwork. The episode also touches on the complexity of trust—recognizing that people may have reasons for keeping secrets, and that uncovering those reasons requires both courage and sensitivity.

The dual storylines model how different approaches to problem-solving can coexist. Some challenges require technical skill and patience, while others demand investigative thinking and interpersonal awareness. Children learn that both types of intelligence are valuable and that working with others who have complementary strengths leads to better outcomes.

Parents' top 5 questions

QuestionAnswer
Why won't Sam's Time Machine work in this episode?The episode shows Sam struggling with a technical malfunction, but the specific cause isn't immediately clear to him. This frustration is part of the problem-solving process the show depicts. Savannah's offer to help suggests that the solution may require fresh perspective or collaborative troubleshooting. The machine's failure serves as a plot device to emphasize persistence and teamwork rather than instant success.
What does Griffin think Topher is hiding?Griffin has developed suspicions that Topher knows more than he's sharing about the mysteries surrounding the Tremont. The episode doesn't reveal Griffin's specific concerns upfront, instead showing him enlisting Daisy to investigate. This setup encourages viewers to pay attention to clues and character behavior, mirroring the detective work Griffin and Daisy undertake. The mystery unfolds gradually, keeping kids engaged in the investigative process.
Is this episode appropriate for younger elementary-aged children?Yes, the episode maintains the show's family-friendly approach with mystery elements that intrigue rather than frighten. The conflicts center on problem-solving and interpersonal trust rather than scary scenarios. The time-travel concept is handled in a way that's accessible to younger viewers, though some children may need help following the dual storylines. The 21-minute runtime is manageable for most elementary-aged kids' attention spans.
Does Savannah successfully help Sam fix the Time Machine?The episode focuses on Savannah's commitment to helping and the collaborative effort between the two characters. Without revealing specific plot resolutions, the storyline emphasizes the process of working together through technical challenges. The show typically rewards persistence and teamwork, using these moments to develop character relationships and advance the larger mystery arc that spans the season.
How does this episode connect to the larger season storyline?This episode advances two important threads: the ongoing effort to understand and control time travel through Sam's machine, and the interpersonal mysteries among the kids, particularly regarding Topher's knowledge and motivations. Both storylines contribute to the season's overarching mystery about the Tremont Hotel's secrets. The episode builds on previous developments while setting up questions that will be explored in subsequent episodes, maintaining narrative momentum.

Writing

Directing

Season
Season #Episode #Episode Name
11
Griffin Campbell and his family move to a new town and take ownership of an abandoned hotel in hopes of restoring it back to the lively vacation destination it once was.
12
Griffin and Harper realize they've time traveled to before Savannah's disappearance. When they go back again, they think they see Savannah getting taken into the woods.
13
Griffin and Harper learn the camp dance is coming up, and that is the day Savannah went missing! Later, Harper meets Jess, and learns her mom did go to camp and hated Savannah!
14
Harper asks Griffin to meet her at the portal after school, but, when Griffin gets home, he discovers his Grandfather has arrived for a visit.
15
Ben is upset by the flurry of news reports marking the thirtieth anniversary of Savannah's disappearance, while Zoey and Wyatt see it as the perfect opportunity to finally capture her ghost on tape.
16
A 12-year-old boy and a thrill-seeking classmate discover a secret portal that allows them to travel back in time and uncover clues about a mystery involving a girl who disappeared decades ago from a Louisiana town.
17
Griffin and Harper sneak back through the portal to find a search party looking for Savannah.
18
Griffin and Harper realize that Savannah could've traveled back in time.
19
Once Griffin and Harper learn they can’t reopen the hatch to let Savannah in, they quickly go back through the portal.
110
Griffin and Harper successfully travel to the past, where they find Savannah working at The Tremont.
111
Harper travels back in time to the date her father died in hopes of trying to change the outcome.
Season #Episode #Episode Name
21
Griffin, Savannah and Harper find themselves face to face with Harper’s carbon copy, Daisy, and the Tremont ghost sends Harper and Griffin an important message.
22
Harper pretends to be Daisy to learn her family’s secrets, and Topher stumbles upon the hidden bunker.
23
Griffin frantically searches for the missing crystal and helps a panicking Daisy to navigate her modern surroundings; meanwhile, Harper has a cryptic vision at the springs.
24
When Daisy struggles at pretending to be Harper, Griffin searches for the crystal to swap them. After the Twins don't hear from Topher, they try to capture the ghost themselves.
25
When Sam can't get his Time Machine to work, Savannah vows to help him! Meanwhile, Griffin tells Daisy that he thinks Topher is hiding something and enlists her to find answers.
26
The Tremonts were duped by the Judge and have 48 hours to vacate their land. Meanwhile, when Griffin and Daisy rush towards the portal with the crystal, everything goes black!
27
Harper returns home and fills Griffin in on the deed, stolen land, and her visions of a fire. After Sam disappears, Savannah finds a note saying that he’s travelled to the future.
28
The Campbell's and the Dunn's prepare for the Tremont’s Grand Re-opening! Harper and Griffin realize that the crystal is cracking which may prevent the Time Machine from working.
Season #Episode #Episode Name
31
Griffin, stuck in the future, learns the ghost ruins their lives. Harper and Savannah try bringing him back to the present.
32
Harper and Savannah retrieve Griffin from the future. Sam and Griffin face the grimmest truth, Topher is in a coma in 2024. The twins and Topher almost catch Savannah’s “ghost.”
33
The twins arrive in the past and find Savannah. Griffin and Harper realize they need to go back to 1947 just as Ben makes the bunker off-limits.
34
The kids learn the ghost has been listening to them and is changing up his malevolent plans.
35
In 1947, Harper and Griffin meet Ruby. Sarah becomes increasingly freaked out by the ghost.
36
Returning to the past, Griffin and Harper watch a murder unfold. The twins and Topher go to an unknowingly familiar someone for help.
37
It’s time to get rid of the ghost.
38
The ghost will go, but will their future be saved?

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