Tag: Diabetes

Sunset Over Hope Valley: If the Time Comes

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

In the finale of When Calls the Heart’s twelfth season, Elizabeth receives a letter from her mother-in-law, Charlotte Thornton. Within the letter, Charlotte encourages Elizabeth and Jack Jr. to move to Cape Fullerton, in order to live closer to Diabetes related medical facilities. Turning to Rosemary for advice, Elizabeth is unsure of what to do. Rosemary reassures her friend how she’ll know what to do if the time comes. As I watched this episode, I considered talking about how When Calls the Heart’s future is unknown, similar to how Elizabeth and Jack Jr.’s future is unknown. But, during the airing of the season finale, an official commercial declared a thirteenth season coming in 2026. So, in a way, the Hearties received closure. However, while we know another chapter is on the horizon, we don’t yet know what will happen in that chapter. So, for now, there is still some uncertainty. Like any season finale, this episode of When Calls the Heart leaves Hearties with a variety of questions. The unknowns of the next season may cause some fans to be concerned over their favorite characters. What we do know is how the show will likely go into production from mid-summer to late autumn, with the season possibly premiering during the first half of 2026. This speculation is based on the schedules of past seasons. We also know we’ll get answers to, at least, some of our questions when the time comes.

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 twelve poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 12

Episode: 12

Name: Must be Gold

Major stories:

The stolen gold coins are still at large. Not wanting to leave a mystery unsolved, Rosemary interviews Edie, hoping she knows something about the treasure. Unfortunately, Edie knows about as much as Rosemary: nothing. But after Rosemary reexamines a map with Bill and Nathan, they figure out the treasure’s likely hiding place; a wishing well. Edie and Lucas also come to this conclusion when they visit Ernie’s ranch. Among a jar of coins, they find a double-headed eagle gold coin, similar to the one found earlier in season twelve. Remembering how Ernie always put coins in the wishing well, Edie leads Lucas there. When all five people discover they’re at the wishing well for the same reason, they work together to dig up a large metal box. Later, at Hope Valley’s Mountie office, it is discovered the box contains the missing gold coins. Edie also discovers Ernie left her a secret message on the back of the map, explaining how he came to possess the treasure. Because there is a reward for the return of the coins, Lucas suggests Edie claim the reward to pay off Ernie’s loan.

As graduation approaches, Minnie is anxious about Angela’s departure to college. Both Elizabeth and Mei have picked up on Minnie’s recent mannerisms. They, along with Mike and Florence, agree to create a surprise for Minnie and her daughter. Throughout the episode, Mei and Mike collect answers to a series of questions about Angela’s favorite things. These answers are used to create a quilt for Angela to bring to college. Minnie is both emotionally moved and appreciative of the gesture. Meanwhile, after graduation, Jack Jr. passes out. This is the result of a recent batch of Insulin not being refrigerated properly. Elizabeth decides to make an emergency trip to Cape Fullerton, in order to help Jack Jr. feel better. Because Nathan is on Mountie rounds, Elizabeth writes a letter explaining what happened. As Elizabeth and Jack Jr. journey to the train station, Allie and Nathan join them on the trip, in support of both Jack Jr. and Elizabeth.

Sewing pattern image created by Nenilkime at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Nenilkime – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/sewing-color-background_1380853.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor story:

Because of Oliver’s progress and his help arresting the Garrisons, Nathan reveals how he’ll help Oliver graduate early. Not only that, Nathan also tells Oliver he’ll be stationed at Fort McNeil. Realizing the possibility of leaving Hope Valley (and Allie) behind, Oliver fails his examinations on purpose. When Elizabeth confronts him about his exam performance, Oliver confesses how living in Hope Valley has made him feel normal, as he never really had a childhood. However, Elizabeth figures out Oliver’s most important reason for staying in town; Allie. Eventually, Nathan realizes Elizabeth is correct in her speculation. In an effort to make a compromise, Nathan offers Oliver a promotion to Mountie Deputy.

Mountie face image created by Bakar015 at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/a-set-of-canada-icons_1050671.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/food”>Food vector created by Bakar015 – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

  • Is it just me or did this episode, kind of, feel like a series finale? As I mentioned in this re-cap’s introduction, When Calls the Heart will receive a thirteenth season. But the scene showing Elizabeth turning off the light in her house, her letter to Nathan, and Elizabeth’s last line about finding a way to come back to Hope Valley gave an unintended sense of finality to the episode. Now that we know another season is on the horizon, this episode leaves a lot of questions. Will Elizabeth and Jack Jr. permanently move to Cape Fullerton? If so, will season thirteen take place in more than one location, similar to season two? Will Charlotte Thornton return to When Calls the Heart?
  • During Elizabeth’s graduation speech, she says she remembers the little faces of the graduates; Angela, Timothy, and Emily, on her first day of teaching in Hope Valley. However, this information is incorrect. While Timothy and Emily have been Elizabeth’s students since the earliest days of Elizabeth’s time in Hope Valley, Angela made her debut on When Calls the Heart in season eight. I know television shows have their continuity errors from time to time. But I was surprised no one from the show’s creative team caught this error.
  • Like I said in this re-cap, Angela receives a quilt, with each square representing her favorite things. The name of the town, ‘Hope Valley’, is embroidered in braille and the images on the quilt are sewn with a raised material, so Angela can feel their shapes. But this is not the only thoughtful present on this episode of When Calls the Heart. At the graduation party, Elizabeth thanks Mike and Mei for sacrificing their second honeymoon to help Jack Jr. Elizabeth, along with some of Hope Valley’s residents, pay for Mei and Mike’s third honeymoon to Miami.
  • When season twelve started, I had my concerns that the national park project wasn’t going to get completed. Now that the season is over, my concerns were proven correct. I’m aware large projects, like creating a national park, take time to come to fruition. But after the short-lived hotel project from season eleven, I am becoming tired of major plans on When Calls the Heart being left unfinished. Perhaps the national park will make its debut in season thirteen. But, at this point, only time will tell.
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What are your thoughts on this season finale? Where do you think Elizabeth and Jack Jr.’s journey will take them? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Hope Valley’s Strongest Warriors

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

I’ve heard a quote about God giving His toughest battles to His strongest warriors. What reminded me of that quote is Faith and Mei telling Elizabeth how strong Jack Jr. is. This exchange between Elizabeth, Mei, and Faith also caused me to think about how strong the other characters on When Calls the Heart are. With Hope Valley’s residents possessing their own perspectives, dreams, and lives, strength is going to look different for each character. Last season, Toby’s strength was overcoming his struggles in math. Earlier in season twelve, Jack Jr. helped Lily find her strength on their first day of school. Dottie even had the strength to start her own business within When Calls the Heart’s first few years. Since the start of the show, there have always been tough battles woven into each story. But because of how strong the characters are, battles have been both fought and won.

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

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

Season: 12

Episode: 11

Name: Having Faith

Major story

Since Jack Jr.’s Diabetes diagnosis, he has become weaker and more tired. Hope Valley’s residents do whatever they can to help Elizabeth, from Bill tracking down Pal (who became lost, but was found toward the end of the episode) to Rosemary delivering food to the family. During this period, Mei finds an article about a study in Toronto using a new treatment called Insulin. Hoping to get Jack Jr. included in the study, Mei and Faith encourage Elizabeth to write a letter advocating for her son. Volunteering to raise awareness for Jack Jr.’s health, Mike and Mei travel to Toronto on Elizabeth’s behalf. Unfortunately, Jack Jr. can’t be included in the study because he’s a young child. The Insulin also can’t be easily transferred due to the medicine needing to be refrigerated shortly after it is manufactured. However, Faith and Mei are encouraged to start their own clinic, if they can find ten Diabetes patients. Ten patients are eventually found before the end of the episode. Despite a railroad delay, Mei and Mike bring the Insulin back to Hope Valley. After receiving the medicine, Jack Jr. experiences positive results. Hope has, once again, saved the day!

Heartbeat image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/medical-logo_763775.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/logo”>Logo vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

Due to this episode revolving around Jack Jr. and his health, there were no minor stories in this episode.

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Some thoughts to consider:

  • Because of Jack Jr. becoming too sick to play baseball, some of Elizabeth’s students organize a radio broadcast of a local baseball game. Toby and Cooper are the sportscasters, while Oliver and Allie deliver what’s happening on the field for the radio program. Watching this scene reminded me of when Hallmark Channel would organize the Kitten Bowl and the Kitten Summer Games. For readers who are unfamiliar with these events, the Kitten Bowl and Kitten Summer Games were television specials featuring kittens playing sports themed games, in an effort to raise awareness for pet adoption. Looking back on these programs, I wish some of the stars of When Calls the Heart had become sportscasters for the Kitten Bowl and Summer Games. Perhaps the kittens could have been named after some of the show’s characters.
  • Before Mei and Mike left for Toronto, Joseph conducted a prayer with some of Hope Valley’s other residents. He also hosted a small service where the town’s animals were blessed. Hearing prayer and seeing church services incorporated into the script was a breath of fresh air. This is because these elements are infrequently found on the show. If When Calls the Heart receives a thirteenth season, I hope Joseph uses faith more often.
  • During a conversation at the Queen of Hearts saloon, Lucas makes a comment about how he will likely lose his re-election. If his statement is true, I wonder if this is the creative team’s way of keeping Lucas in Hope Valley? I also wonder what Lucas will do if he’s no longer Governor? From what I remember, he sold the saloon/hotel to Lee either during season ten or shortly before that season.
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 your thoughts on this episode? Which stories do you think will be wrapped up in the season finale? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen