The finale brings the season-long tension between Zoe, George, and Wade to the forefront:
The title "The Big Day" is ironic, as the day is transformative not because of the expected marriage, but because of its dissolution and the subsequent shift in the show's romantic dynamics.
Critics often highlight "The Big Day" for its effective use of "will-they-won-t-they" tropes and the classic TV finale device of a natural disaster to force character revelations. The episode is praised for its balance of Southern charm and soap-opera drama, characteristic of The CW network's style during that era.