Take 3: Young Washington Review

On July 9, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

2026 marks the 250^th birthday of the United States of America’s founding. Because of this major milestone, MovieRob selected July’s Genre Grandeur theme as “Red, White and Blue Movies”. This means a chosen film has to deal “with The American Revolution, American Patriotism or related to the 4^th itself”. For my selection, Young Washington, I had planned to publish my review on July 4^th. But because of my schedule at the time, I didn’t get the chance to see the 2026 picture as soon as I had hoped. Now that I’ve seen the movie, I can finally post my review for MovieRob’s Genre Grandeur Blogathon! As I already mentioned in this introduction, a chosen film for the event had to deal “with The American Revolution”. When George Washington appears in entertainment media revolving around this period in history, the story itself focuses on what led up to the signing of The Declaration of Independence. In Young Washington, however, the story explores the events that shaped George into the leader history remembers him as today. Reflecting on The American Revolution related pieces of entertainment media I’ve seen, heard, or read, Young Washington’s approach to this specific time period seems to have addressed a creative void.

*Young Washington* poster created by Wonder Project, 2521 Entertainment, Angel, Provident Films, Radar Pictures, Red 56, Ten Ton Studio, and Wild Atlantic Pictures

Things I liked about the film:

Incorporation of the story’s natural landscape: IMDB lists Ireland as Young Washington’s primary filming location. Yet the story is set in Virginia. Since the majority of the movie takes place outdoors, the forest landscape of America’s tenth state was given center-stage through long and medium shots. Clear blue waters, rolling green hills, and what appears to be pine trees literally and figuratively represent the “calm before the storm”, as the Ohio Territories are at the center of a major conflict. This same landscape was also shown at different times of the day as well as in different climates. On a few occasions, snow covered the forest floor and trees. Paired with a gray-blue sky, this landscape visually presented a peaceful environment, despite the uncertainty this type of terrain brings. The incorporation of Young Washington’s natural landscape added natural beauty to the film. This creative decision also reminded me of Europe’s natural landscape receiving importance in I Am David, showing a side of the United States of America that could be easily taken for granted.

The acting: As I just mentioned in this review, the Ohio Territories are at the center of a major conflict in Young Washington. The reason is because the French desire to claim the land as their own. In order to convince the French to leave, George is tasked with persuading a French military officer named Joseph Jumonville. In a scene where George negotiates with Joseph, Joseph, at first, appears very jovial. His huge smile, jolly demeanor, and laughter gives George (and the audience) the impression things will go George’s way. But as soon as George addresses the French residing on the Ohio Territories, Joseph’s attitude immediately changes. His intense stare and sharp tone of voice lets George (as well as the audience) know he means business. Joseph’s change in attitude causes a shift in the scene’s atmosphere, raising the stakes of the situation. Despite having a limited presence in Young Washington, Joseph became such a memorable part of the movie! That’s because the actor who portrayed Joseph, Clement Toyon, gave a performance that was captivating due to his flawless transition between attitudes. With that said, I wish Joseph made a few more appearances in the film.

While George and a surveyor named Christopher are surveying the Ohio Territories, they cross paths with Half-King Tanacharison. Similar to Joseph Jumonville, Half-King Tanacharison appears in Young Washington for a limited period of time. Also similar to Clement Toyon’s portrayal of Joseph, Half-King Tanacharison was so memorable because of Ryan Begay’s performance! Whenever he showed up in the story, Half-King Tanacharison carried himself with a strong confidence, his demeanor letting others know how he should be taken seriously. At the same time, Half-King Tanacharison carried a gentleness which emphasized how he was a leader who sought fairness. These combined characteristics in demeanor allowed Ryan’s performance to contain a commanding presence. Because we’re on the subject of leaders, I must talk about William Franklyn-Miller’s portrayal of George Washington! Like I said about Liev Schreiber’s portrayal of Orson Welles in RKO 281 and Tom Hulce’s portrayal of Amadeus in Amadeus, William brought humanity back to George’s name by finding the heart of the “genius” and putting some genuine emotion behind it. What I also liked about William’s performance is how it possessed a strong sense of realism. This element didn’t show an actor portraying a historical figure, but, instead, a young man becoming the leader he was destined to be. Working in William’s favor as well is his understanding how to utilize emotion and when to increase or decrease the intensity of those emotions.

Historical accuracy: Filmmakers have the ability to create the illusion of immersion. This illusion makes the audience feel immersed in a movie’s world, giving them a reason to stay invested in the story. One way to achieve the illusion of immersion is through historical accuracy. When a film’s creative team adopts that element of storytelling, research and attention to detail must be prioritized in order to effectively bring the chosen time period back to life. While watching Young Washington, the historical accuracy could be seen as well as felt! One of my favorite examples is when George attends a party at the Belvoir plantation. Every room within the plantation is lit by candles. Throughout scenes taking place at the plantation, the lighting was consistently dim. Looking back on the movies I’ve seen (and even reviewed) relying on historical accuracy, I never thought about how a film’s lighting could affect a film’s historical accuracy, let alone illusion of immersion. The example I brought up of the dim lighting in Young Washington allows the audience to grasp how different lighting options were in the 1700s.

The dialogue: An underrated film-making element is the quality of a script’s dialogue. If the dialogue among a movie’s characters is good, it can become a memorable component of the movie itself. As I watched Young Washington, there was dialogue that stood out to me because of how good it was! When George applies for the British Army, he is ultimately rejected due to his social status. To prove his worth, George presents his collection of quotes he wrote down while being tutored by his half-brother, Lawrence. But George is told how an imitation of great men doesn’t make him one. This quote not only encourages George to forge his own path in life, it also foreshadows George’s future. Earlier in the story, Lawrence teaches George how to play chess. During the lesson, Lawrence says how a pawn can take a king. This quote was, once again, clever foreshadowing, as George’s role in the American Revolution helped the Thirteen Colonies break away from a king ruled government to form the United States of America. The two examples of dialogue I presented in this review show how much thought and effort went into the screenwriting as well as how the dialogue was delivered!

Children holding American flags during a sunset image created by rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/people”>People photo created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Inconsistent incorporation of subtitles: Earlier in this review, I brought up how George and Christopher cross paths with Half-King Tanacharison while surveying the Ohio Territories. Christopher and Half-King Tanacharison share a conversation, despite never meeting before. Half-King Tanacharison and Christopher’s conversation is not in English, yet no subtitles appear on the screen during their conversation. But any other time characters speak to one another in a language that isn’t English, subtitles are present on the screen. This inconsistency became noticeable to me by the third non-English conversation characters shared in Young Washington.

A missing “And then what happened” segment: In movies based on true stories, there is sometimes a segment toward the end of the movie explaining what happened to the story’s key individuals after the events presented in the movie. But Young Washington lacked this kind of segment. Toward the end of the 2026 film, on-screen text reveals a few of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, what happened to key people from Young Washington, like Sally Cary, David Frisk, and even Robert Dinwiddie, was not brought up. This creative decision left me disappointed, as I wanted to know more about the people in the story.

Some underutilized talent: Before watching Young Washington, I knew Kelsey Grammer starred in the movie. From what I remember, he was heavily featured in the movie’s marketing. At the end of the film, Kelsey himself delivered a message on the film’s importance. Yet he appeared in Young Washington in two scenes as Lord Fairfax. One of my family members almost forgot Kelsey was cast in the movie due to his very limited screen-time. While I understand why Kelsey starred in the film for a short period of time, this was one example where, to me, talent was underutilized.

Since colonial style hats were worn throughout *Young Washington*, including a photo of the small colonial style hat from my Oh Lil Christmas Tree collection made sense. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

My overall impression:

The best way I can describe Young Washington is a “hero’s journey” woven into a history lesson. Throughout the 2026 movie, the audience sees George experience both trials and triumphs. What the audience of Young Washington also sees is solid acting performances, immersive historical accuracy, and a beautiful forest landscape. They can hear dialogue that is well written and delivered, as well as good messages and themes. Another strength of Young Washington is the ebb and flow between action-heavy, suspenseful scenes and quieter, slower-paced scenes. This ebb and flow maintained the story’s intrigue, keeping me invested in what was happening on screen. There are flaws within the 2026 picture, like inconsistent incorporation of subtitles and some underutilized talent. But, in my opinion, there’s a lot Young Washington got right when it comes to film-making. Now that we’re at the halfway point of 2026, I can honestly say I’ve seen more movies, so far, I liked than didn’t. Young Washington is one of those films belonging to the first category of movies I liked!

Overall score: 8 out of 10

Have you seen Young Washington? Is there a movie set around the American Revolution you like? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Why ‘Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries’ is One of the Worst TV Shows I’ve Ever Seen

On July 1, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

In March of 2023, I wrote an editorial explaining why the mystery movie, Francesca Quinn, PI, is, in my opinion, the worst Hallmark movie I’ve ever seen. Three years later, that editorial has become my most popular one at over ten thousand views! But I honestly didn’t think I would publish another editorial like my Francesca Quinn, PI editorial. That changed, however, when I saw UP Network’s television series, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries. Before this particular program debuted as a TV show, a preceding movie titled Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise premiered on UP Network. When I reviewed the film last year, I found it to be just ok. However, I saw potential for Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise to lead a series, as UP Network had an opportunity to bring something new to the table of made-for-TV mystery films. When I discovered Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries would become a television series, I believed I would get what I wanted; a continuation of the story that learned from the movie’s flaws while maintaining the strengths the movie put in place. But the longer I watched the show, I saw how I wasn’t getting what I wanted the way I wanted it. Before I explain why Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is, in my opinion, one of the worst TV shows I’ve ever seen, I must make it very clear that everything said in this editorial is not meant to be disrespectful or mean-spirited. The purpose of this editorial is to, simply, express my honest opinion about a television show delivering wasted potential.

*Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries* (2026) poster created by American Cinema Inspires

A Broken Illusion of Immersion

The visual elements of filmmaking, such as costume design, set design, and even establishing shots are woven together to create a specific illusion. This illusion makes a film’s or television show’s audience feel immersed in the story’s world, as if they are alongside the characters as the movie or show progresses. But a mishandled detail can break that illusion, preventing the audience from becoming truly invested in the story’s world. It’s established in the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries TV show, and even in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, that the story takes place in Sugarcreek, Ohio, a state known for possessing the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter). Yet, in the first three episodes of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries, taking place between Thanksgiving and Christmas, every establishing shot of Sugarcreek shows a very green landscape; green leaves on trees, green grass, and even green fields. If there was, for example, a lack of funds to purchase/rent a machine to create fake snow, why didn’t the screenwriters attempt to craft their story around the Spring and Summer time? Then, featuring green landscapes as establishing shots would have built the illusion of a warm climate environment. A consistent part of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is the Swiss Miss, the store the show’s protagonist, Cheryl, works at. The view outside the windows is a large sheet with a picture of buildings surrounding the Swiss Miss printed on it. But this illusion is broken because, in a scene where a character leaves the store, a medium shot reveals edges of a gray wall, the borders of the sheet shown through one of the windows. The broken illusion of immersion found in some moments of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries sometimes took me out of the show.

This establishing shot is from the *Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries* trailer. I included it in my editorial as an example of the type of establishing shot featured within the show’s first three episodes (taking place between Thanksgiving and Christmas). *Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries* establishing shot found on IMDB.

Stripping Away the Movie’s Creative Identity

When I reviewed Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, I praised the movie for pairing Cheryl, an English woman, and Naomi, an Amish woman, together as amateur sleuths. As I said in my review, this pairing was a creative way to avoid some of the tropes and clichés of made-for TV mystery films, such as a story’s female and male protagonist working together to solve the mystery, with these characters eventually forming a romantic relationship. When Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries became a television show, Naomi returned to the story but wasn’t really involved in solving mysteries alongside Cheryl. Instead, her role on the show consisted of sharing tidbits about Amish culture and quoting Scripture. Similar to Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, I liked the incorporation of Amish culture. I also liked the inclusion of Scripture quotes, as it felt reminiscent of Hallmark’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered series. But not allowing Naomi and Cheryl to work together to solve mysteries strips away the movie’s creative identity which lay the blueprint for the television series. Not only does this creative decision do the character of Naomi a disservice, it also does the actress who portrays her, Denise Gossett, a disservice.

*Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise* poster created by American Cinema Inspires

Inconsistent storytelling

The biggest flaw of the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries TV show is the writing. One specific weak spot within the script is the inconsistent storytelling. I remember toward the beginning of the show’s first episode, ‘The buggy before the horse’, Naomi finds a silver necklace on the floor of her family’s barn. This necklace plays no role in the episode, let alone the rest of the series. An important detail about Cheryl that was established on the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries television show and in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise (from what I remember) is how interested she is in the mystery genre. She even listens to a true crime podcast on her way to work. While amateur detectives are likely to make mistakes, the mistakes Cheryl makes don’t add up for someone who seems to consume a lot of mystery genre stories. A glaring example is when Cheryl touches evidence after her office at the Swiss Miss was vandalized, despite Sugarcreek’s police chief’s, Chief Twitchell’s, warning not to do so. When parts of the story don’t match up, it can become a distracting detail. Because the inconsistent storytelling happened on several occasions throughout Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries, I couldn’t stay fully invested in the story.

Detective work image created by Photoroyalty at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/investigation-background-design_1041877.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Photoroyalty – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Lack of urgency

As I shared my overall impression of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, I said if UP Network is serious about creating a series out of this movie, they need to fix the lack of urgency. But when Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries became a TV show, the creative team behind the program doubled down on that lack of urgency, choosing to prioritize the story’s wholesome moments over the mysteries themselves. This imbalance between the mysteries and wholesome moments negatively impacted the story to the point I couldn’t take it seriously. In the show’s fourth episode, ‘Off the Beaten Path’, an FBI agent is desperately trying to find his grandmother, believing she boarded a bus full of tourists that went missing. The FBI agent fears his grandmother may be in danger, acting as if finding her is his top priority. Yet, he can somehow find the time to feed the goats on Naomi’s family’s farm, causing the momentum of the FBI agent’s frantic search to come to an abrupt halt. I recognize the brand of UP Network emphasizes family-friendly content. Even though there is a time and place for family-friendly content, this emphasis overshadowed the mysteries, causing the episodes to receive a slower pace and even feel boring.

Living room interior image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/house-s-living-room-with-flat-design_1195527.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/design”>Design vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Like I said in the introduction of this editorial, I honestly didn’t think I would publish another editorial like the one about Francesca Quinn, PI. This is because I never thought I’d come across another program that was so bad (in my opinion), it warranted its own editorial explanation. As someone who not only wrote about Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, but was also looking forward to the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries TV show, saying the television program was a disappointment is an understatement. To quote Alan from the Youtube channel, Film Threat, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is “profoundly awful”. Besides the flaws I pointed out throughout my editorial, this TV show was plagued by other errors. Some of these errors are repetitive storytelling (Cheryl’s office at the Swiss Miss gets robbed three times over eight episodes), a consistently weak performance from Galadriel Stineman (the actress who portrayed Cheryl), and parts of the story that don’t make sense (a character named Lacey perfectly fits into an outfit designed for Naomi’s daughter, Esther, who is several inches shorter than Lacey). According to Net, from the blog, It’s a Wonderful Movie, the creative team behind Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries has been filming a second season. However, I haven’t heard any official word if the show has indeed been renewed. If Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries does receive a second season, I’d like to see the show’s creative team learn from their mistakes. A few ways to do this are maintaining the illusion of immersion, telling a more consistent story, and incorporating more urgency into the script. At the same time, I would like to see Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries embrace what made Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise unique, like having Naomi become more involved in solving mysteries alongside Cheryl.

Have fun on television!

Sally Silverscreen

We Now Conclude Commencements of The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon

On June 14, 2026 By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Hello everyone! Like any graduation ceremony, it’s time to conclude The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon. This year’s event was a success, as it had a similar turn-out to last year’s Food & Film Blogathon. I apologize for not publishing my book review of Stranger Things: Flight of Icarus by Caitlin Schneiderhan. I actually didn’t get to completely read the book, as I had other blogging projects to write and publish around the time of The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon. However, I was able to deliver my Comparing with the Critics reviews of King Kong Lives and The Fly. Those reviews, as well as the event’s other entries, showcased the creative storytelling 1986 had to offer. Through reading these entries, I was introduced to films that are new to me. I also learned something new and discovered interesting points about Eddie Munson I never thought of before. There will be a new blogathon on 18 Cinema Lane in 2027! The event’s details won’t be revealed yet, as I haven’t even chosen a theme. Until then, you can check out my upcoming reviews, editorials, and lists! To everyone who participated in The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon, thank you so much for your contribution.

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

We Now Commemorate 40 Years of “Eddie Munson’s Year” With The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon!

On June 6, 2026June 10, 2026 By 18cinemalane12 Comments

Welcome to my “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon! 1986 is the year when Eddie Munson, from Stranger Things, had planned on graduating from Hawkins High School. This is the reason why Eddie’s fans refer to 1986 as “Eddie’s year”. Because 2026 is the 40^th anniversary of “Eddie’s year”, this blogathon is commemorating the occasion! Participants of The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon wrote movie reviews and articles celebrating this special anniversary. So, without further ado, let the The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon begin!

18 Cinema Lane – Comparing with the Critics – Worst of 1986 – King Kong Lives, Comparing with the Critics – Best of 1986 – The Fly

Silver Screenings — Joyful Anarchy: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

MovieRob –– The Eddie’s Year Blogathon – Clockwise (1986), The Eddie’s Year Blogathon – Beverly Hills Madam (1986), The Eddie’s Year Blogathon – Link (1986), The Eddie’s Year Blogathon – The Whistle Blower (1986)

Moon in Gemini – The Eddie’s Year Blogathon: Ruthless People

The Wonderful World of Cinema – The Many Treasures of ‘True Stories’ (David Byrne, 1986)

Dubsism – Story Time With J-Dub Episode 18: How Some Guy Named Roy Ended Europe’s Longest War

Movies Meet Their Match – Movie Review: Labyrinth (1986)

Taking Up Room – Pretty In Pink

Take 3: Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Review

On May 22, 2026May 24, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Since 2023, when I reviewed Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, I have expressed my frustrations over the re-brand of the Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen series. It got to the point where, by the time I wrote about Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, I wasn’t looking forward to future installments. But that started to change when I saw Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. Even though the movie was just ok, it was slightly better than its predecessor. Then, when I reviewed Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, I found that film ok as well. As I learned about another chapter in the series, Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, I was ready to discuss the film with an open mind! Would that movie be ok like the previous two chapters? Keep reading my review to find out!

*Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery* poster created by Hallmark Media and Hallmark Channel

Things I liked about the film:

Incorporation of Delores’ private investigation business: When I talked about One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery in my list of the worst movies I saw in 2024, I criticized the creative decision of allowing Delores to become a private investigator. At the time, I believed this creative choice went against Delores’ character, especially after spending years objecting to Hannah getting involved in cases. But in Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Delores’ role as a private investigator made sense within the context of the story. One of the plots of this chapter is a court case involving fraudulent coins. Not only did Chad use Delores’ evidence in the case, Delores also testified during the case’s trial. Along with making sense, incorporating Delores’ private investigation business into Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery gave Delores more involvement in, at least, one area of the script.

Michelle’s wardrobe: Since her debut in Sweet Revenge: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Hannah’s younger sister, Michelle, has been known for being a free-spirited and creative woman. These personality traits have been reflected through her wardrobe, with Michelle’s wardrobe in Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery being no exception! When Michelle visits The Cookie Jar (Hannah’s bakery), she wears an outfit consisting of a black shirt, black leather jacket, a short yellow plaid skirt, black tights, and black boots. Michelle even wore a pair of yellow smiley face earrings, providing a nice bridge between the black and yellow hues of the outfit. During another trip to The Cookie Jar, Michelle’s outfit boasts a brown and white color combination. But this time, she wears an ensemble made up of a long brown and white cow print skirt, a white shirt, brown sweater, and brown boots. Earrings were, once again, the statement accessory. However, Michelle’s earrings looked like cowgirl boots. Kelsey Baran, the costume designer of Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, did a great job putting together attire that complements both Michelle and the actress who portrays her, Tess Atkins!

Utilizing Hannah’s “quirk”: I’ve mentioned in the past how detectives in pop culture, especially those that are more well-known, have a “quirk”. This “quirk” helps set fictional detectives apart from other fictional detectives, whether it’s a catchphrase, special interest, or having a signature style. However, a “quirk” isn’t always utilized in solving cases. Hannah has gained a reputation for being a respected baker, as well as the successful proprietor of her bakery, The Cookie Jar, setting the Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen series apart from other Hallmark mystery series. From what I remember, though, I don’t recall Hannah using her baking skills to solve a case. But in Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Hannah was able to use her baking skills in her favor! I can’t say exactly the role Hannah’s skills played in the film’s mystery, as I don’t want to spoil the film. What I will say is the way they were written into the story was not only clever, but also unique for the series. Sometimes, a fictional detective’s “quirk” can contribute to their perspective, especially when approaching a case. Hannah’s baking skills certainly achieved this, as she was able to notice details overlooked by other characters! The utilization of Hannah’s “quirk” was refreshing, especially compared to a movie like One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, where Hannah didn’t even solve the mystery.

Silver coin image created by Welcomia at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/american-one-dollar-coin_1180385.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/money”>Money image created by Welcomia – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Lack of urgency: I brought up earlier in this review how one of the plots of Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery is a court case involving fraudulent coins. The other two plots were a murder mystery and a missing person case. While these three plots interconnected with one another, the court case was prioritized in the script. This creative decision caused the story to lack urgency, which seems to be a consistent flaw in the more recent Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen movies. With so much emphasis on the court case, it felt like characters were taking their time solving both the missing person case and the murder mystery. Intrigue was decreased because of the lack of urgency.

Limited number of suspects: Like I just mentioned in my review, the script of Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery emphasized the fraudulent coin court case. Few key characters were involved in the court case, which provided a limited number of suspects. When a mystery story features a collection of suspects, it can add to the fun of trying to figure out “whodunit”, as the audience plays an engaging guessing game. It can also maintain a sense of intrigue to help viewers hold their interest in the film. Sadly, these elements were absent due to how few suspects were in Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. This creative decision made the mystery’s reveal feel a bit predictable as well.

Underutilized part of the story: Toward the beginning of Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Hannah is testing new recipes for an upcoming baking contest. She even offers one of her new pastries to Delores. But other than being brought up in two scenes, this baking contest barely plays a role in the script. In fact, it’s never revealed which pastry Hannah will submit to the contest. I found this underutilized part of the story disappointing because of its wasted potential. I recall the baking contest being international, which could have served either an interesting subplot or main plot. Looking back on Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, as well as the more recent Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen movies, it seems like underutilizing elements of the story is a trend within this series.

Interior image of detective’s office created by Vectorpocket at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/vintage”>Vintage vector created by vectorpocket – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

When I talked about Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery in my list of the best and worst movies I saw in 2025, I said if the Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen series continues in 2026, I’d like to see the quality become more consistent. Reflecting on Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery (as well as Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery and Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery), I would say this consistency was achieved! Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was, in my opinion, just ok. However, this movie improved upon some of the series’ flaws. Not only was Delores’ antics toned down again, her private investigation business was incorporated into the story in a way that made sense. This latest chapter in the Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen series contributed its own set of strengths, such as Hannah’s “quirk” becoming utilized within the script. But there are weaknesses in this series, including in Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, I wish were not consistent, like the lack of urgency and underutilizing parts of the story. According to IMDB, ‘Cooked to Death: A Hannah Swensen Mystery’ is currently in pre-production. There also appears to be an Alison Sweeney and Ashley Williams project in development. Even though no official word has been made about the future of the Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen series, it’ll be interesting to see where this story goes from here.

Overall score: 6-6.1 out of 10

Have you seen Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery? Would you like to see the Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen series continue? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at The Cookie Jar!

Sally Silverscreen

IMDB pages I referenced in this review: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt40629979/?ref_=tt_mlt_t_1, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34094007/?ref_=tt_mlt_t_7

You Still Have Time to Join The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon!

On May 9, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Are you a fan of Eddie Munson from Stranger Things? Would you like to learn more about 1986? Do ’80s movies make you feel nostalgic? Then The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon is the event for you! Because the blogathon is taking place between June 6^th-9^th, you still have time to join! There’s also many topics to choose from, as I tried to make the event’s theme as broad as possible. If you’re interested in participating in The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon, click on the link below to learn more about the blogathon.

Celebrating 40 Years of “Eddie Munson’s Year” With The “Eddie’s Year” Blogathon

Word on the Street: Sailor Moon Comes to Hollywood for Universal Studios’ Fan Fest Nights

On April 26, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

This spring, Sailor Moon will be doing more than just fighting evil by moonlight and winning love by daylight. She’s making her debut at Fan Fest Nights from Universal Studios Hollywood! The California event that “focuses on adventure, fantasy, and sci-fi” will feature “a subtitled version” of Sailor Moon’s “Japanese language CG anime short film” that first premiered during the Cool Japan event at Universal Studios Japan. According to Universal Studios Hollywood’s website, themed dining and merchandise based on Sailor Moon will be offered at Fan Fest Nights as well. Stephen Siercks, who is Universal Studios Hollywood’s Senior Director of Entertainment Production, explained the decision to incorporate Sailor Moon into the park’s second year event, saying “Sailor Moon is such a multi-generational fan favorite anime brand, that it made natural sense”. He also said it “has been really exciting” to see “the support and the energy” for Sailor Moon’s inclusion “since its announcement”. Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is currently running until May 16^th.

Since this Word on the Street story is about Sailor Moon, I thought including a picture of these VHS tapes was appropriate. Screenshots taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

As I already mentioned in this article, the Sailor Moon short film featured during Fan Fest Nights first premiered during Universal Studios Japan’s Cool Japan event. Now, Sailor Moon is making her first appearance at one of Universal Studios’ American parks. With that said, it makes me wonder if Universal Studios is considering creating a theatrically released Sailor Moon movie, similar to when Warner Bros. released their billion-dollar grossing Barbie movie? On paper, it seems like an idea that could work for Universal Studios. Like Stephen Siercks said, Sailor Moon is “a multi-generational fan favorite anime brand”. Plus, Sailor Moon is not only a very marketable IP (intellectual property), there’s also international appeal. However, as of the publication of this Word on the Street story, Universal Studios’ plans for the Sailor Moon IP have primarily been related to the California park’s Fan Fest Nights event. If Sailor Moon’s reception at Universal Studios Hollywood is positive, I wonder if she’ll, someday, come to Universal Orlando Resort?

What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Would you like to see Universal Studios create a theatrically released Sailor Moon movie? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

References:

https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us/things-to-do/entertainment/ffn-sailor-moon

https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/new-events-universal-studios-hollywood-fan-fest-nights-2026

Need to Know: A Guide to Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 at Universal Studios Hollywood

Take 3: Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder Review

On March 27, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Compared to the previous decade, Hallmark hasn’t prioritized the mystery genre. While the network has released new titles, the overall quality has greatly fluctuated. Some pictures, like Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major and Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans, were solid projects that brought uniqueness to Hallmark’s table. But other pictures, like Mystery Island and Francesca Quinn, PI, left audiences desiring more. Hallmark also seems to be more selective about which titles receive a sequel. One of those titles is Nelly Knows Mysteries. I reviewed Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement in 2024. Though I thought the movie was just ok, there were aspects that I believed could have provided multiple chapters to the story. So, when I discovered Nelly Knows Mysteries would receive a sequel, Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder, I wanted to check the film out (and review it) with an open mind. Is the second Nelly Knows Mysteries chapter better or worse than the first one? In order to solve this mystery, you’ll have to read this review!

*Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder* poster created by Muse Entertainment, Hallmark Channel, and Hallmark Mystery

Things I liked about the film:

The set design: The majority of Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder takes place at Palmer Arlott’s house. Because the Arlott family is one of the more affluent families in Nelly’s neighborhood, the set design throughout Palmer’s home perfectly reflects this aspect of her life. One notable example is Palmer’s dining room. In the dining room, black walls surround the space, including a black wood wall over the fireplace. Gold frames around paintings nicely contrast with the dark hue of the walls. A detailed maroon rug is placed over the cherry wood floor. The cherry wood dining room set and the antique gold and crystal chandelier help balance the darker and lighter colors of the room. Even the fireplace boasted stone carvings. All of these details created a dining room that exuded elegance!

How the mystery affects the protagonist: Murder mystery stories will often place so much emphasis on the protagonist solving the case, the case’s effect on the protagonist is rarely brought up. In Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder, Nelly shares her feelings about the murder to Michael. After the murder victim is discovered, Nelly feels guilty about the crime that took place. She believes if the dinner party the murder victim attended (and was hosted based on advice her advice column provided) hadn’t happened, no one would have been murdered. Not only does Nelly honestly express these feelings with Michael, Michael reassures Nelly what happened was beyond her control. Similar to Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement adding realism by addressing one of Nelly’s flaws, acknowledging Nelly’s feelings about the murder mystery brought realism to Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder, as well as added a different story element to the realm of Hallmark mysteries.

The costume design: When I reviewed Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement, I praised Nelly’s wardrobe because it not only complimented Pascale herself, it was also stylishly presented on screen. This strength continues in Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder! Once again, Nelly incorporates pink into her attire, wearing a pink tweed jacket in one outfit. But the rest of the outfit was built around the jacket, with simple gold jewelry, black shoes, and black pants coordinating nicely with the jacket’s black and gold buttons. Green provides a bridge between the darker and lighter hues of the outfit, with Nelly wearing a green shirt and a green crossbody purse. While watching Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder, I noticed how the wardrobe of the other characters stood out! One great example is what Palmer wore when she was first introduced in the film. Similar to Nelly’s aforementioned outfit, Palmer wore a grayish blue tweed jacket, with the rest of the outfit built around the jacket. A white blouse, faded powder blue pants, and black shoes give a nice blend to the outfit’s varying colors. Palmer’s simple silver belt adds elegance to the outfit!

Magnifying glass and fingerprint image created by Alvaro_Cabrera at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/loupe-over-a-fingerprint_853908.htm’>Designed by alvaro_cabrera</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/glass”>Glass vector created by Alvaro_cabrera – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What I didn’t like about the film:

Lack of urgency: In my review of Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, I criticized the film’s lack of urgency. That flaw caused the movie’s pace to slow down and it drew the story out a bit. Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder also lacked urgency. More often than not, Nelly and Michael are shown sharing conversations between each other and other characters than actively solving the case. This made it seem like the protagonists took their time catching the culprit. Like Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, the pace of Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder was slowed down and the story felt drawn out due to the amount of urgency in the movie.

Prioritizing the family drama: Prior to the murder taking place, Palmer invited her family over to her house to discuss who would receive her inheritance. Her decision causes drama among the Arlott family, every member having their reason for disagreeing with Palmer’s choice. But the script placed so much emphasis on the family drama, it ended up overshadowing the mystery. In fact, Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder felt less like a mystery story and more like an extended episode of a soap opera. If the script had found a balance between the family drama and the mystery, more intrigue would have been added to the film.

Underutilizing Eli Flint: When Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder was announced back in January, it was revealed Eli Flint (from True Justice: Family Ties) would appear in the movie. I was looking forward to his inclusion in the story, especially since I believe this is the first cross-over between two Hallmark mystery titles. But when I saw Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder, Eli only appeared in two scenes. Not only that, his role in the mystery was minimal. Because Eli now has experience solving a mystery, it would make sense for him to play a larger role in the story. Underutilizing Eli’s skills and perspective was, in my opinion, a missed opportunity. For Hallmark’s first mystery cross-over, it was disappointing.

Pancakes and Syrup image created by vextok at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/banner”>Banner vector created by vextok – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

I recently said Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was an ok film not only because of the movie’s lack of urgency, but also because Hannah’s sister, Michelle, was underutilized in the story. I feel similarly about Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder. Like the latest Hannah Swensen Mystery chapter, the newest Nelly Knows Mysteries film lacked urgency, making it seem like the protagonists took their time catching the culprit. Eli Flint, from True Justice: Family Ties, was underutilized, despite his inclusion providing the first cross-over in Hallmark mystery movie history. But, like Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder possessed elements I liked. The story, once again, welcomed realism by acknowledging Nelly’s feelings about the murder mystery. Another consistent strength was the costume design, perfectly suiting Nelly as well as the rest of the characters. The set design in the Nelly Knows Mysteries sequel was visually appealing and perfectly represented the affluence in Palmer’s life. But with me finding both Nelly Knows Mysteries titles just ok, I wonder what the future of this series is?

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder? Would you like to see Hallmark cross over more of their mystery films? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: A Community That Doesn’t Dissolve

On March 24, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

The residents of Benson Hills will move back home after the Harvest Festival. But in this season’s finale of When Calls the Heart, some of Elizabeth’s students from Benson Hills are hesitant to return home. This is because they’ll miss the friends they’ve made in Hope Valley. Elizabeth reassures these students they are always welcome to return to Hope Valley, saying, “A community doesn’t dissolve just because we don’t see each other every day”. Her quote is the perfect way to describe When Calls the Heart. Hope Valley and its residents haven’t dissolved because the show airs for a certain period of time. The creative team thinks of new ways to continue to story. Filming and editing are completed in between seasons. In the context of the story itself, Hope Valley’s residents are living their lives to their fullest. With a fourteenth season on the way, the world of When Calls the Heart will continue to stay.

Just a reminder: If you did not see the season finale of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

*When Calls the Heart* season thirteen poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 13

Episode: 12

Name: Harvest Moon

LJ is still disappointed he isn’t allowed to travel to Parson’s Peak. Nathan creates an alternative by giving LJ an opportunity to climb to the top of Hope Valley’s water tower. Not only does Nathan’s plan work, other children want to climb the water tower too. Meanwhile, Nathan tries to find the perfect time to propose to Elizabeth. But Bill advises Nathan to propose when the moment feels right. Nathan lets Allie know this is how his proposal will go. While the Harvest Festival is going on, Nathan takes Elizabeth to the top of Hope Valley’s water tower and finally proposes to her. Elizabeth accepts this proposal, meaning a wedding is in her future.

On her last day of school before going home to Benson Hills, Gwen wears the dress Rosemary made for her toward the beginning of the season. But the dress becomes dirty and ripped during a baseball game. Gwen is upset by the destruction of the dress, believing she ruins everything. But Rosemary insists Gwen has brought so much joy to the lives of the Coulter family. Before going back to Benson Hills, Gwen gives each member of the Coulter family a gift. Lee receives a fishing hook, Rosemary gets a hand-carved picture frame, and Goldie is given a pair of dolls.

Fancy jewelry image created by Freepic.diller at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/wedding”>Wedding photo created by freepic.diller – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Edie returns to Hope Valley to help collect insurance claims for the rest of Benson Hills’ residents. Lucas sees this as a second chance to share his feelings for Edie. At the Harvest Festival, Lucas announces he’ll be stepping down as Governor. However, he will give his support to Maisie’s campaign. Maisie is unsure whether she should run for Governor in the upcoming election. But Mike gives her encouragement, which helps Maisie accept Lucas’ nomination. Meanwhile, at the Queen of Hearts, Lucas and Edie have a heart-to-heart conversation about their relationship. Not only do Edie and Lucas share a kiss, Lucas also agrees to go to New York with Edie, where she’ll be going to help the Franklin And Sons Foundation.

Angela surprises her family by coming back home to Hope Valley. The Canfield family surprises Angela not only with the café’s new name, Minnie’s Café, but also an official café sign in Braille. During her visit to Hope Valley, Angela reconnects with Allie. At the Harvest Festival, Angela senses Allie and Oliver like each other. Allie claims she and Oliver are just friends. But Angela respectfully disagrees, believing there’s something more to Oliver and Allie’s relationship.

Some thoughts to consider:

Last December, Hallmark confirmed Lori Loughlin would return to When Calls the Heart in six of season fourteen’s episodes. These creative decisions were divisive due to Hallmark’s response to Lori’s involvement in 2019’s college admissions scandal. What’s even more divisive is making Lori’s return to the show the “cliffhanger”/major selling point for season fourteen. While some Hearties are supportive of Lori’s return, other Hearties will not agree with this decision. Therefore, I think the aforementioned creative choices could divide When Calls the Heart’s fanbase more than the love triangle between Elizabeth, Lucas, and Nathan did. I also believe Lori’s return could cause When Calls the Heart to lose instead of gain viewership.
When I’ve talked about When Calls the Heart, I sometimes brought up the creative team’s habit of making promises to their audience they knew they couldn’t keep. Rosemary’s Playhouse is the most recent example. As I said in the introduction of season thirteen’s premiere re-cap post, I have been waiting for Rosemary’s dream of opening a theater to come true for over ten years. It was bad enough taking the Playhouse away from Rosemary before it was shown on screen. But what’s even worse was the script spending more time reminding the audience of the Playhouse’s destruction than trying to restore Rosemary’s dream. As a long-time fan of When Calls the Heart, I find these creative decisions cruel and unnecessary.
The best aspect of season thirteen, in my opinion, was the introduction of Fernando. In my re-cap post for this season’s sixth episode, I said I really hope Fernando becomes a series regular on When Calls the Heart. But throughout season thirteen, he only appeared in three episodes. Plus, within the context of the show’s story, Fernando wasn’t given much to do. With all this said, I wonder what the intended purpose was for his incorporation in season thirteen? Plus, if When Calls the Heart’s creative team always planned on having Edie and Lucas develop a romantic relationship, why would Fernando be included in that dynamic between himself, Edie, and Lucas?
Now that season thirteen has concluded, I can express my honest opinion on the season as a whole. Personally, I think it’s a mixed bag. Episodes one through six were strong because they prioritized the mystery surrounding the fire. When I watched those episodes, I honestly thought season thirteen would be one of the best seasons of When Calls the Heart. But from episode seven to the season finale, the priority shifted toward stories with lower stakes. The suspenseful and intriguing momentum built up within the first six episodes stalled in favor of stories like Rosemary’s silent movie and LJ’s memory scavenger hunt. Because of this, season thirteen felt like it ended on a whimper.

Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What are thoughts on When Calls the Heart’s season thirteen finale? Do you think Lori Loughlin should return to the show? Let me know in the comment section.

Have fun in Hope Valley.

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Heroes in Disguise

On March 17, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

The trial over the fire investigation has finally taken place. But as the trial goes on, hope seems to be slipping away from Hearties’ favorite characters. Until a hero in disguise swoops in to save the day. Throughout the lifespan of When Calls the Heart, heroes have come and went in Hope Valley. Sometimes, their actions have been grand, attracting the attention of everyone affected. But other times, these heroic actions have been quieter, causing a ripple effect that is felt by the other characters. What the heroes of Hope Valley have in common is how they are disguised as neighbors, friends, and family. They are ordinary residents who go the extra mile for the people around them. When the heroism of Hope Valley’s heroes is recognized, they don’t allow the attention to get to their head. Instead, they remain humble and continue to be their genuine selves.

Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

Season: 13

Episode: 11

Name: Trials and Trails and Tribulations

Major story:

Because Benson Hills’ courthouse is still under construction, the fire investigation’s trial is taking place in Hope Valley. The judge overseeing the trial is Judge Wakefield. When both sides are questioned, they recall information that was discovered in this season’s previous episodes. However, Judge Wakefield won’t allow the information discovered from the “drip test” to be used in court, as he feels it is entrapment. As a final effort to find Christopher, Elizabeth suggests having Henry contact his son through Rosemary’s radio show. This plan ends up working, as Christopher shows up to court with the buried transformer. His confession helps Judge Wakefield declare National Insurance and Pioneer Electric guilty of starting the fire.

Courtroom image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/isometric”>Isometric vector created by macrovector – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

Nathan prepares to propose to Elizabeth. But, as he tells Allie, he wants the proposal to take place after the trial. When the trial eventually concludes, Nathan decides to propose to Elizabeth during dinner. As he’s about to ask Elizabeth the long-awaited question, the dinner is interrupted by Allie. According to Allie, LJ climbed up a tree but had difficulty climbing down. When Elizabeth and Nathan rescue LJ, LJ expresses his frustrations over not being allowed to travel to Parson’s Peak. Elizabeth worries about LJ missing out on adventures. However, Nathan reassures Elizabeth how she’ll know when it’s the right time to let LJ spread his wings and fly.

Lucas works on preparations for his re-election campaign. One of those preparations is practicing for an upcoming debate. As Lucas makes his case for why he deserves to be re-elected, Maisie acts as his debate opponent. When Lucas expresses his frustrations over how little he believes he accomplished, Maisie encourages him to love the game or find a new one. Meanwhile, Joseph is hesitant to forgive Christopher for not coming forward with the truth about the fire sooner. Cooper, on the other hand, is willing to forgive Christopher, even pointing out how Joseph’s recent sermon was about forgiveness. Joseph explains to his son how he isn’t ready to forgive yet.

Small, western town image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

While I’m glad the fire investigation and its trial was resolved, the resolution was, in my opinion, a bit predictable. In season thirteen, episodes one through six prioritized the mystery surrounding the fire. But since episode seven, the priority shifted toward stories with lower stakes, such as Rosemary’s silent movie. Even in this episode, it almost feels like When Calls the Heart’s creative team wanted to complete this story just so they could move on to something else. I wish the resolution to the fire investigation and its trial had included a plot twist to add some excitement to that story.
According to the commercial for the season finale (as well as fan responses on social media), a lot of people expect Elizabeth and Nathan to become engaged at the end of season thirteen. But I think Nathan’s proposal will become interrupted (again), with the cause of the interruption dealt with toward the beginning of season fourteen. One possible interruption could be Toby, Cooper, and Rupert experiencing an emergency on Parson’s Peak. I did notice how these three students were not featured in the season finale commercial.
After Christopher shows up at the trial and comes forward with his confession, Henry lets his son know how he’ll support him any way he can. Reflecting on how Henry’s and Christopher’s story turned out, I noticed how they have paralleled one another. Both Christopher’s and Henry’s redemption arc started with a trial, with their actions and choices impacting multiple lives. Though Christopher’s redemption arc just begun, he is seeking forgiveness, similar to how Henry has sought forgiveness in seasons’ past. Henry’s redemption arc led him to become Hope Valley’s “Voice of Reason”. So, it’ll be interesting to see who Christopher becomes as his redemption arc continues.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? Do you think Nathan’s proposal will become interrupted again? Please tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen