Sunset Over Hope Valley: Taking Time for Yourself

On August 28, 2023 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

As I said in this season’s first episode re-cap, I’m always inspired by things said by the characters, an episode’s theme, or an observation I’ve made while watching the show. In this episode of When Calls the Heart, I discovered the overarching theme was the idea of taking time for yourself. It’s surprising how long it took the show’s creative team to incorporate this theme into one of their episodes. However, it’s for the best this theme was featured at all in this particular story. Hope Valley’s residents show viewers there are many ways you can take time for yourself. From simply knowing when to say “no” to stepping away from a daily routine for a little while, the emphasis is to look out for your needs and well-being. In a town where each character has so much to give, it’s important to give yourself a gift every so often. Now, let’s start this re-cap of When Calls the Heart!

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 ten poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 10

Episode: 5

Name: Life is But a Dream

Major stories:

It’s been three weeks since the birth of Lee and Rosemary’s daughter. While adjusting to their new life as parents, they still haven’t come up with a first name for their baby girl. Rosemary and Lee’s friends have been very gracious toward them, delivering food and offering to help in any way they can. Lucas and Elizabeth even encourage the Coulters to go on a date to the saloon, agreeing to babysit baby Coulter. Rosemary appreciates the offer, but insists Elizabeth and Lucas go on a date instead, volunteering to watch Jack Jr. Both the date and the babysitting are a success! Wanting to return the favor, Elizabeth not only does Rosemary and Lee’s laundry, she also babysits their daughter. This is a pleasant surprise for the Coulters, as they were taking a nap while Elizabeth was helping out. Later that day, Elizabeth invites Rosemary for tea. The tea ends up becoming a dinner for both Rosemary and Lee, with Lucas and Elizabeth as their hosts.

Lucas is planning a big surprise for Elizabeth. The surprise in question is a brand-new house. When Lucas shares his plan with Mike and Bill, they don’t think Elizabeth will accept the offer. But Lucas still wants to ask Elizabeth anyways. During their date at the saloon, Lucas shows Elizabeth a picture Jack Jr. drew of a purple castle. That picture segues into Lucas’ surprise for Elizabeth. Lucas encourages Elizabeth to take some time to think things over, which Elizabeth agrees to do. But later in the episode, Elizabeth tells Lucas she’d rather stay in the home she and her son are currently living in. Her main reason is she doesn’t want to leave the community behind, appreciating how the Coulters live right next door. With that reasoning, Lucas agrees not to build a new house for Elizabeth.

Fairytale castle image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/fairy-tale-castle_837803.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.

Minor stories:

Madeleine is still trying to persuade Bill to sell her the town’s land from the previous episode. Bill is still putting his foot down, standing by the fact that land is owned by the town. Though Madeleine is determined to purchase Hope Valley land, she now has a deadline for when she can make a purchase. At the Mercantile, Madeleine receives a phone call from an unknown caller. She tells this caller she needs a little more time, her face telling the viewer she wasn’t given more time. When Madeleine tells Bill she wants a piece of land with a stream, she explains Jamie and his father used to fly-fish. Having a stream on the property would bring back some happier memories. Toward the end of the episode, Madeleine and Jamie plan on leaving Hope Valley, as she couldn’t find a piece of land she liked. Bill offers his land to Madeleine, with Madeleine agreeing to purchase it. Bill tells her he’ll make the sale official with his lawyer in Union City.

Henry has begun to take up woodworking. One day, Elizabeth shares with Henry how her class needs plant boxes to plant their vegetables. Even though Henry agrees to build these boxes, Elizabeth confesses her students will build the boxes alongside Henry. The next day, Elizabeth’s students are eager to learn about woodworking. Henry instructs them how to properly use a hammer, with the students quickly absorbing the lesson. The students also begin planting their vegetables. But because these activities took most of the day, Elizabeth tells her students they’ll have to finish their project another day. But the students want to continue their project, all of them agreeing to meet on a Saturday to finish planting their vegetables. That Saturday, Elizabeth, her students, and Henry work to plant the vegetables. One of Elizabeth’s students, Sarah, is concerned about her pumpkin being lonely. Henry reassures her that pumpkins grow best when they’re together. With that, he and Sarah create a special spot in one of the plant boxes for Sarah’s pumpkin to grow.

One day, after school, Nathan tells Elizabeth he and Ally are going camping. Ally asks Nathan if Angela can join their trip, with Nathan agreeing. But Nathan tells Angela she’ll have to get her parents’ permission first. At the café, Angela asks her parents if she can go on the camping trip. Though they have their understandable concerns, Joseph and Minnie give Angela permission, as long as she finishes her homework before the trip and respects Nathan’s rules. At the last minute, though, Joseph joins Nathan, Ally, and Angela on the camping trip. Nathan and Joseph appreciate the time given to spend with their daughters. Meanwhile, Angela and Ally agree to step out of their comfort zones. Angela agrees to sing a song while playing the ukelele, which she performs “This Little Light of Mine” around the campfire. Ally agrees to submit a poem to the upcoming Union City poetry contest. After returning to Hope Valley, Nathan tells Elizabeth about the camping trip. He tells her the experience was beneficial for everyone involved.

Mei, Fiona, and Faith are trying out different mud mask formulas, using Mei’s grandmother’s journal as a guide. When a potential customer comes into the barber shop, she is curious about the mud mask. She asks who created the formula, with Mei taking credit for her grandmother’s ideas. At the café, Fiona asks Mei why she wasn’t honest about the mud mask formulas. Mei confesses how she feels connected to her culture when she reads her grandmother’s journal. However, she doesn’t think tourists would be as understanding. Fiona is supportive of her friend, telling Mei how she should never apologize for who she is. Later, at the ice cream parlor, Mei, Faith, and Fiona agree to sell the mud masks and name their product after Mei’s grandmother.

Illustrated image of Boy Scout troop created by Macrovector at freepik.com. Banner vector created by macrovector – www.freepik.com. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

In my previous re-cap, I stated how I recognized the show’s creative team trying to keep the “Hearties” invested in the story. While I still acknowledge this recognition, I think it’s kind of ridiculous how we still don’t know the first name of Rosemary and Lee’s daughter. They had nine months and three weeks to come up with a name, yet they are still empty-handed. I really hope the baby will finally receive a first name in the next episode, especially since it seems like Rosemary might name her daughter after her mother.
Looking back on the later seasons of When Calls the Heart, Henry’s socialization hasn’t been strong. Sure, he has interacted with the other characters. But these interactions have been brief. Henry’s socialization improved when he reconnected with his son, Christopher. However, that storyline only lasted one season. With all this said, I think it was smart on Elizabeth’s part to have Henry working with her students on their plant box project. Working with others to reach a shared goal is what Henry needs, an opportunity to open up to others and step out of his shell. This is a great step in the right direction for Henry and his story!
Last season, I found Mei’s story to be the most disappointing one, as her story was drawn out for so long. Because of how drawn out her story was, I feel like I, as a viewer, didn’t truly get to know Mei as a character. Therefore, I appreciated seeing Mei receive more character development in this episode! Mei’s desire to connect with her culture, as well as her grandmother, added more depth to Mei’s story. With Mei starting a business with her friends, that will help her story expand in the long run. I hope the viewers get to learn more about Mei as the season continues!

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? What do you think Rosemary and Lee will name their daughter? Tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: You Are Safe

On August 23, 2023 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Hope Valley is one of the safest towns in television history. Yes, there was the tragedy at the mines. However, that event took place prior to the events on the show. Even when Jack Thornton died, his death happened off-screen, away from Hope Valley. In the town itself, none of the characters are ever in danger. While there have been fires, bandits, and suspicious characters, these conflicts have been resolved with little to no damage or trauma. More often than not, the show chronicles Hope Valley’s residents simply going about their day. Hallmark’s little Canadian town has become a place where families have chosen to raise their children. The safety of Hope Valley seems to play a contributing factor. With the arrival of Rosemary and Lee’s child, a gift is in store: the gift of a safe and peaceful upbringing. Now, let’s start this re-cap of When Calls the Heart!

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

Season: 10

Episode: 4

Name: Great Expectations

Major story:

Lee and Rosemary’s baby is a week overdue. Even though the Coulters are worried, Faith reassures them of a complication-free pregnancy. While walking through Hope Valley, Rosemary finally goes into labor. The Coulters’ friends rally around them to help them get home as quickly and safely as possible. At the Coulters’ house, Rosemary is in active labor. But the experience is causing the mother-to-be to feel stressed, making her blood pressure rise. Fearing for Rosemary and the baby, Elizabeth gets Lee, who is staying at her house until the baby’s arrival. Many hours later, Lee and Rosemary welcome a baby girl. When Elizabeth meets the baby, she learns she is not only the girl’s Godmother, the girl’s middle name is ‘Elizabeth’. The Coulters’ have not chosen a first name for their daughter yet.

Minor stories:

A mysterious young man has come to Hope Valley. Whenever Bill or Nathan is present, the young man tries to stay out of their way. But in doing so, he trips on the steps of the mercantile. As Faith notices the young man’s hand is injured, Scout starts barking at him. This causes Nathan to become suspicious of the young man. At the infirmary, Faith discovers she ran out of gauze to dress the young man’s injury. So, she fetches more gauze, leaving the young man alone in the infirmary. Instead of staying put, the young man tries to run away. He is stopped by Nathan, who discovers the young man has stolen two cans of lard from the mercantile. After the young man is arrested and placed in jail, Nathan and Faith learn the young man is the bandit they encountered in this season’s second episode. They also learn his family has a farm that recently experienced a bad crop. Though Nathan is still suspicious of the young man, he makes the young man apologize to Florence and Ned. The Yosts make the young man work in the mercantile in order to pay for the cans he stole.

Henry is trying to make sense of everything that has recently happened to him. He even confesses to Joseph how he feels tired. Joseph is able to read between the lines and sense how troubled Henry is. During a conversation with Bill, Joseph confesses how guilty Henry still seems, telling Bill how Henry probably still thinks about all the lives the mines took. In an effort to help Henry, Joseph and Bill come up with a lie; that the judge changed his mind about dropping the charges. They tell Henry the judge is requiring him to do community service. Henry says he can tell they are lying, but agrees to Bill and Joseph’s plan.

Madeleine is planning to tour Hope Valley. She recruits Mike to show her around town. On the tour, they drive through a field with a lake. Madeleine immediately adores this piece of land and would like to buy it. Mike tries to burst her bubble by confessing how the land is owned by the town, meaning it’s not for sale. Unshaken by this news, Madeleine goes to Bill and asks him about the land. Bill tells Madeleine the same thing Mike told her. But she is still determined to persuade Bill.

Pink themed image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/mockup”>Mockup psd created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

I’m torn about this episode; on the one hand, I recognize the show’s creative team is trying to keep the “Hearties” invested in the story. Hence the reason why Rosemary and Lee’s daughter’s first name was not revealed in this episode. But on the other hand, there are parts of the story that could have been given. While touring Hope Valley, Madeleine could have revealed a little bit of her backstory. This is the tenth season’s fourth episode and the viewers still know barely any information about her. Besides the birth of Lee and Rosemary’s daughter, this was a borderline “filler” episode.
In this episode, I was not expecting Jack Thornton to be brought up as many times as he was, especially by his son. It does make me wonder if When Calls the Heart’s creative team might try to bring Jack back, with his absence excused by memory loss or him being in a coma. Jack’s return would be a very surprising plot twist, as well as a memorable way to end season ten. But since we’re not halfway through the season yet, only time will tell.
I am so curious about the young bandit! His arrival brings up so many questions, such as
What is his name?
Why does Scout become attached to the bandit once he’s in jail?
Is he telling the truth about his backstory?
Does he work with a group of bandits or does he work by himself?

I haven’t asked this many questions about a character since Tom Thornton showed up back in season two. I’m glad the young bandit is staying in town for a while, so “Hearties” can learn more about him!

What are your thoughts on this episode? Do you have any questions about the young bandit? Please tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: It Starts with a Question

On August 19, 2023 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

“Will Rosemary and Lee’s child be a boy or girl”? “How much longer do we have to wait for Elizabeth and Lucas’ wedding”? Did they really have swim goggles in the 1920s”? These are questions some Hearties might be asking themselves while watching this episode of When Calls the Heart. During the third episode of the tenth season, I even found myself asking questions about the story, such as why Henry is so reluctant to accept redemption. Asking questions is a necessary component to good story-telling. It can help resolve conflicts, like how Hope Valley will acquire financial stability. Questions can build anticipation to upcoming events, from the arrival of Lee and Rosemary’s baby to Elizabeth getting re-married. The direction a story goes can also be determined by asking questions. If a viewer can ask questions, that shows they are invested in the story. And if a show’s creative team can continue asking questions, their story has material to keep moving forward.

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

Season: 10

Episode: 3

Name: Oh, Baby

Major stories:

Rosemary is excited and nervous for her upcoming baby shower. She’s looking forward to how much fun she and her guests will have, but worries about the party planning process. Little does Rosemary know, Elizabeth is planning a surprise baby shower for her friend. Recruiting other women from Hope Valley, like Mei, Florence, and Fiona, they work together to create a baby shower fit for Rosemary. On the day of the shower, Elizabeth distracts Rosemary by taking Rosemary to the barber shop for a spa day. Coming closer to the time of the event, Elizabeth lies by telling Rosemary her guests will be playing a game called “Don’t Say Baby”. Unhappy with this news, Rosemary rushes to the café in order to voice her concerns. When she gets there, Rosemary is surprised and pleased with the baby shower’s reveal. All of the guests are supportive of Rosemary’s journey into motherhood. Minnie even introduces a tradition of lighting a candle to mark the baby’s arrival. After the shower, Lee surprises Rosemary with a basinet and matching rocking chair.

For a class assignment, Ally, Toby, and Cooper have teamed up to learn more about the creation of the hot springs. Since the assignment requires an expert on the chosen subject, the children have recruited Bill for their project. As the group is about to embark on their way to the springs, Bill brings Jamie St. John along. Jamie and his mother, Madeleine, are guests of Hope Valley, with the springs being the reason for their arrival. While studying the hot springs, Jamie speculates a crack in the earth could be the reason for the hot springs’ creation. After their trip to the springs, Cooper, Ally, and Toby discover Jamie’s speculation was correct. They also learn the hot springs were born due to Henry’s destruction of the mines. When Ally tells Henry the good news, he’s pleased, but not excited by this revelation.

Minor stories:

Jerome is still in town for Henry’s pre-trial. In an attempt to help Henry, Lucas shares with Jerome how there was a safety report written about the mines. This safety report could be used as evidence in the pre-trial. But Jerome claims that report was retracted before its author passed away. Finding a trick up his sleeve, Lucas reveals he has a signed testimony from the safety report’s author, given to Lucas by the author’s widow. Lucas tells Jerome if he doesn’t drop the charges against Henry, he will hand over the testimony to the judge. After Jerome agrees with this plan, Mike discovers the testimony doesn’t exist. When Henry learns of the charges being dropped, he feels Lucas shouldn’t have gotten involved. Henry also seems hesitant to ask for help.

Faith still feels she does not need Nathan to protect her while she makes her medical rounds. With the bandits still at large, Nathan believes it’s necessary to protect Faith. One day, during Faith’s medical rounds, Nathan tags along, bringing Scout on the trip. While on their way, Scout runs after what Nathan thinks is a bandit. However, it turns out Scout was chasing a squirrel. With the bandits still on the loose and patients to take care of, Faith, Nathan, and Scout continue on their journey.

String lights with hearts created by Freepik at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/valentine-s-day-background-with-string-lights_1476879.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

Some thoughts to consider:

While clearing out a room for their baby’s nursery, Lee discovers a chest. After Lee asks about the chest, Rosemary says something along the lines of “it’s in the past”. In the previous episode, Rosemary shares how her mother left her family when she was younger. Perhaps the chest is connected to Rosemary’s mom? Maybe Rosemary’s mom will visit her daughter in Hope Valley in an effort to receive forgiveness?
In this episode of When Calls the Heart, Nathan claims the bandits are still at large. However, in the previous episode, there was a headline in a newspaper claiming the aforementioned bandits were “busted in Jamison”. Now, I’m confused; were the bandits captured or not? I really hope this part of the story is clarified in an upcoming episode.
There have been a few occasions on When Calls the Heart where Lucas has talked about his childhood. From what I remember, he mentioned traveling the world and spending time with his mom. With the arrival of Jamie and Madeleine, I am reminded of Lucas’ recollection of his past, as Jamie’s statements in this episode sounded so similar to what Lucas has said. Because of their similar upbringings, I hope Jamie sees Lucas as a role model and someone to aspire to be someday.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? How do you feel about the St. Johns coming to Hope Valley? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Awaiting My Upcoming Blogathon; Familyathon!

On August 9, 2023November 14, 2023 By 18cinemalane38 Comments

As I was coming up with a theme for my next blogathon, I first reflected on late Autumn to early Winter, the time when the event will take place. Several holidays where family gathers together take place during this time of year. This common theme inspired my new blogathon, which is called “Familyathon”! November 16^th to 20^th is when the event will take place. Since the subject of ‘family’ is so broad, I’ll list some ideas on potential topics:

Themes relating to the subject of ‘family’ (ex: how of the theme of ‘family’ is woven into the Fast & Furious franchise)
Stories revolving around a family (ex: I Remember Mama, The Middle, etc.)
Characters joining a family (ex: birth, marriage, adoption, etc.)
Characters departing from a family (ex: someone going to college, someone moving out of the neighborhood, etc.)
Families losing a family member (ex: a family member passing away, a family member going missing, etc.)
Stories about siblings (ex: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, etc.)
Stories of “found family” (a group of unrelated people forming their own family)
The subject of ‘family’ from a pet’s perspective (ex: Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, etc.)

Familyathon blogathon banner created by Sally Silverscreen of 18 Cinema Lane

If you’re interested in joining Familyathon and have an idea in mind, here are the official rules every participant must follow:

Please be respectful toward other participants and the subject(s) you’re writing about

Please let me know in advance if you plan on publishing your post(s) earlier or later than the allotted time-frame (November 16^th to 20^th).
Only new posts will be eligible for the event.
Duplicate entries will not be allowed, as the subject of ‘family’ is broad.
Each participant can only submit a total of three entries.
All entries must be original work.
Subjects from any genre, year, or country are allowed.
If you’re interested in participating, please share your idea(s) in the comment section below.
Choose one of the four banners and let others know about Familyathon!

Participants of Familyathon

Sally from 18 Cinema Lane – Review of …and Your Name Is Jonah (1979)

Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews — A list article of the theme of family from the Fast and Furious franchise

Rebecca from Taking Up Room — Review for Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941)

Hamlette from Hamlette’s Soliloquy — Review of Mr. Mom (1983)

Ruth from Silver Screenings — Review of Old Yeller (1957)

Quiggy from Midnite Drive-In — Review of The Godfather (1972)

Erica from Poppity Talks Classic Film — Review of Sabrina (1954)

Grace Avender — A list of Grace’s top five favorite families

Katherine — An article about Katherine’s three favorite film families

Have fun at the blogathon!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: A Magical Place

On August 7, 2023August 19, 2023 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

While visiting Elizabeth in Hope Valley, Julie tells Aunt Agatha how the town is “a magical place”. Meanwhile, as she’s talking to Bill about the medical benefits of the newly found hot springs, Faith cautions claiming the springs contain “magical powers”. Until seeing this episode of When Calls the Heart, I didn’t realize just how magical Hope Valley was. Yes, I’ve been watching the show since the very beginning. However, this particular chapter of this season showcased how the idea of “magic” can come in different forms. In the case of When Calls the Heart, “magic” means finding a solution to complicated, drawn-out problems, receiving second chances, and carving out new paths. It can be found in the little things that might be taken for granted. Every smile and every greeting includes a hint of “magic”. This “magic” is what keeps Hope Valley surviving and thriving. Now, let’s start this re-cap of When Calls the Heart!

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

Season: 10

Episode: 2

Name: Hope Springs

Major stories:

Aunt Agatha and Julie pay Elizabeth, Jack Jr., and Lucas a visit in Hope Valley. During this visit, Julie and Aunt Agatha provide their input on Elizabeth and Luca’s upcoming wedding, promoting wedding dress sketches fit for a princess. As Elizabeth looks flustered over these ideas, Rosemary saves the day by sharing Elizabeth’s vision of a rustic, other worldly ceremony. The wedding plans are not the only way Elizabeth’s family tries to intervene. Julie confesses to Elizabeth how their father hopes Lucas will take a job in Hamilton, in order for Lucas, Jack Jr., and Elizabeth to move to the city. Aunt Agatha even brings up this idea while she and Lucas play poker at the saloon. Elizabeth is upset over this discovery, as she’s concerned Lucas might be persuaded by her family’s offer. But when she tries talking to Lucas about this idea, they are interrupted by a saloon related matter. While discussing the farewell luncheon for Aunt Agatha and Julie with Rosemary, Elizabeth comes up with the idea of hosting a community wide picnic near the hot springs. At the picnic, Aunt Agatha and Julie learn about the community dinners the town frequently hosts. This is one way Aunt Agatha realizes the Thatcher family’s efforts are fruitless. Lucas also reveals to both Elizabeth and Aunt Agatha how he’d love to visit Hamilton in the near future, but has no plans to move there.

Despite placing a “no swimming” sign near the hot springs, Bill makes frequent swimming trips there. Yet, he’s keeping his trips a secret. Mei, Faith, and Fiona discover Bill’s secret during their picnic to the springs. Faith is quick to note how the springs seem to be helping Bill’s medical ailments. After their picnic, Faith and Mei do some research about the medical benefits hot springs have to offer. Fiona suggests turning the hot springs into a tourist destination, recognizing how the hot springs could help other people. But when he overhears this suggestion, Bill is hesitant about the idea. At the farewell luncheon picnic for Aunt Agatha and Julie, Rosemary and Lee discover Fiona’s idea for the hot springs. They feel it’s a great idea, as the tourists could bring in more income. Plus, Cooper comes up with an official name for the springs; Hope Springs.

Lee has an upcoming meeting with a potential client; Laurence Barnaby. He is a big project in mind, so Lee is hoping Laurence accepts his lumbermill for the job. On the day of the meeting, Lee confesses to Rosemary how he’s unsure how the meeting will go, as he discovered how much the competition was offering Laurence. Unknown to Lee, Rosemary decides to eavesdrop on this meeting, taking Elizabeth with her. During the meeting, Laurence shares with Lee how he’s paying for his project with his own money. After turning down Lee’s lumbermill, Rosemary crashes the meeting, remembering Laurence from a convention several years ago. Her friendly encounter seems to have done the trick, as Laurence ends up giving Lee and his lumbermill a two-year contract. Toward the end of the episode, Rosemary tells Elizabeth about her concerns relating to motherhood. Rosemary’s mother left the family when she was a little girl. However, Rosemary claims her father was an excellent parent. Despite these aforementioned concerns, Elizabeth reassures Rosemary she’ll make a great mother.

Poker neon sign image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/poker-neon-lights-background_1137542.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

Nathan visits the pharmacy for a refill on his painkiller prescription. He explains to Mei how he received the prescription from a doctor in Benson Hills. Mei thinks it is odd how Nathan didn’t get a prescription from Faith in Hope Valley, also thinking he is intentionally avoiding Faith. Meanwhile, Faith is making medical rounds to Jamison and Rock City, as those towns don’t have a doctor. Mike is concerned for Faith’s safety, as there has been bandits on the loose. During her trip, Faith is stopped by one of these bandits. However, she doesn’t seem afraid, as she tries to persuade the bandit to turn himself in. Nathan confronts both Faith and the bandit, as he’s making safety rounds in Hope Valley’s surrounding area. But just as everything seems to be under control, Faith starts her wagon, causing the bandit to fall off and run away. Nathan catches Faith as she’s about to fall out of her wagon. After returning to Hope Valley, things seem awkward between Faith and Nathan. Nathan wants to talk about everything that’s happened between them so far. Faith, however, thinks there’s not much to talk about. At the farewell luncheon picnic, Mike mentions the aforementioned bandits, emphasizing how Faith shouldn’t travel alone. Ned and Florence agree with Mike’s sentiment, but they believe Faith should travel with Nathan.

Bill informs Henry how his pre-trial hearing is the next day. The purpose of the hearing is to determine if Henry’s charges are legitimate. Henry feels the whole situation is out of his hands, accepting whatever fate he receives. At a meeting for the pre-trial hearing, Bill is frustrated because Henry is late. He later finds Henry mucking out the stalls at Hope Valley’s stables. When confronted about his tardiness, Henry confesses he isn’t enthusiastic about reliving some of the worst moments of his life. The next day, at the pre-trial hearing, Jerome shows up with his lawyer. When the judge asks Henry how he’ll plead, Henry declares “guilty”. Shocked by his answer, Bill explains to the judge how Henry isn’t in the right headspace. So, the judge gives Henry a week to make up his mind. At the saloon, Lucas begs Jerome to have mercy on Henry. But Jerome digs his heels into Hope Valley’s dirt, believing Henry deserves to be behind bars.

Picnic basket in Autumn image created by Stockgiu at freepik.com. Picnic basket vector created by stockgiu – www.freepik.com

Some thoughts to consider:

Toward the end of this episode, Bill is seen reading a newspaper at the saloon. One of the headlines on the front page read “Bandits Busted in Jamison”. I was disappointed this conflict was not only resolved, but also resolved in such an unceremonious way. That conflict could have served as an over-arching story for this season. But since season ten just started, I’m guessing the show’s creative team has a different idea for an over-arching story.
In this episode, it was revealed that Julie is currently attending art school in London. But her father wants her to become a lawyer, as he claims she has “a mind for strategy”. With that said, why didn’t Julie consider becoming a lawyer for the art world? If the movie, Woman in Gold, has taught me anything, it’s that artists, museum directors, and collectors need lawyers to help them navigate art related legalities. Were Julie to choose this career path, she would be making herself and her father happy.
I know it’s only the beginning of season ten. However, I really hope Henry’s “redemption arc” is coming to an end. He has been on a quest for redemption since either season three or four. At this point, Henry should be moving forward with his life and finding peace with himself. In season eight, when he reconnected with his son, Christopher, I thought Henry had taken a step in a better direction. But in season nine, his story was, primarily, a repeat of past seasons. Henry has come such a long way since When Calls the Heart began. I just wish his story was a better reflection of that.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? What do you think Henry Gowan’s fate with be? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: The Good Lord Will Provide

On July 31, 2023 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

After over a year of waiting, When Calls the Heart is back! With that, comes the return of my Sunset Over Hope Valley re-cap posts! For my article titles and introductions, I’m always inspired by things said by the characters, an episode’s theme, or an observation I’ve made while watching the show. In the case of the season ten premiere, I was inspired by Lee reminding Joseph how “the good Lord will provide”. This season starts with Hope Valley lacking money. Yet, none of the characters seem that concerned with their current circumstance. Maybe it’s because of Lee’s quote that helps Hope Valley’s residents get through their situation in stride. If that’s the case, it would explain how Hope Valley has been able to endure so much over the course of this show. Now, let’s start season ten’s Sunset Over Hope Valley re-caps!

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

Season: 10

Episode: 1

Name: Carpe Diem

Major stories:

Due to the destruction of the coal mine and the foundry going out of business, Hope Valley is strapped for cash. In response, a community swap has been organized, providing supplies to residents in need. This inspires Elizabeth to donate her maternity clothes to Rosemary, after learning Rosemary’s clothes order never arrived. Though gracious to accept Elizabeth’s offer, Rosemary isn’t thrilled by the styles of the maternity dresses. So, she makes the dresses her own, such as dying a “dusty pink” dress purple. Meanwhile, Lucas receives an excess order of beets. To put these beets to good use, he comes up with a surprise. Because the surprise is big, Lucas recruits other residents, such as Minnie. Throughout the episode, Lucas doesn’t reveal much information about his plan. But toward the end of the episode, he invites everyone to a community wide dinner. The surprise is a success; an evening of good food, laughter, and joy shared by friends and family.

With the foundry going under, Lee hires many of the men who were laid off. A potential new client could allow Lee to hire more employees. One of the men who lost their job was Richard, Robert’s father. He considers selling the family’s farm and moving out of Hope Valley, in an effort to seek employment. Richard was offered a job by Lee, but turned it down, as he doesn’t want to receive “hand-outs”. Later in the episode, Lee asks Richard again if he’d like to work at the saw mill. Again, Richard politely refuses the offer. At the community wide dinner, hosted by Lucas, Joseph reminds the guests how everyone should be humble. This message resonates with Richard. During the event, Richard apologizes to Lee for his stubbornness. He also accepts Lee’s job offer.

One day, Cooper and his friend, Todd, show up to class in wet clothes. Elizabeth doesn’t think much of this occurrence. The next school day, more students, including Ally, arrive in wet clothes. Now, Elizabeth becomes suspicious. After class, Ally asks Elizabeth if she could proofread her poem. Elizabeth promises to read the poem if Ally confesses why her clothes are wet. Ally shares she, as well as other students, found a watering hole. Curious by this discovery, Elizabeth recruits Bill to inspect this new location. When they arrive, they learn the “watering hole” is a hot spring. While Elizabeth is open-minded about Hope Valley having its own hot spring, Bill is more reluctant about it. However, Bill falls in the hot spring at the end of episode, due to Elizabeth’s insistence to “seize the day”.

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Minor stories:

Nathan receives a dog from the Canadian Mounted Police. Because the dog, Scout, failed his Mountie training, he had nowhere else to go. Nathan reluctantly accepts Scout, but plans on finding someone to adopt him. The dog seems to have a mind of his own, staying put in the jail whenever Nathan calls his name. But when Ally and Elizabeth pay Nathan a visit, Scout comes to them. Both Elizabeth and Ally adore Scout, even reminding Elizabeth of Jack’s dog, Rip. Despite the newfound adoration, Nathan is still not impressed with the dog.

Bill was able to arrange a trial for Henry, which is in two weeks. Henry is happy about this news. Meanwhile, Bill is still dealing with his medical issues from season nine. When he comes back from Union City, Faith finds out Bill didn’t show up to his doctor’s appointment. She confronts Bill about this, but Bill tells Faith how none of the doctors know what’s wrong with him. He even shares this frustration with Elizabeth, claiming there’s something wrong with his lungs. On the night of the community wide dinner, Bill and Henry discuss the meaning of “carpe diem”. Henry encourages Bill to take Elizabeth’s advice to “seize the day”, as he claims Elizabeth is “a smart lady”.

Heart image created by Dashu83 at freepik.com <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Dashu83 – Freepik.com</a> <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/happy-valentines-day-and-heart-card-with-happy-valentines-day-and-heart_1747001.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

Some thoughts to consider:

In all my years of watching and re-capping When Calls the Heart, I’d say season ten’s premiere is one of the show’s strongest! While there was an abundance of stories in this episode, it never felt like there was too much going on. Plus, the episode was funnier than I expected. “Carpe Diem” definitely did a good job laying the foundation for the rest of the season!
In the past, I’ve stated how I didn’t like Elizabeth’s self-centered personality. On my wish-list of the top ten things I wanted to see in season nine, one of my requests was an attitude change for Elizabeth. The previous season showed Elizabeth becoming less self-centered. But in season ten’s premiere, Elizabeth was more selfless than she’s been in a while! This is not the only pleasant surprise I discovered in this episode. Henry appeared happier than he was last season! These are changes I can definitely get used it!
During the community wide dinner, Lucas mentions how times like this one should be a time to give thanks. His statement made me think about Thanksgiving. For Americans, Thanksgiving takes place in November, while Canadians celebrate the holiday in October. But shouldn’t we celebrate thanks every day of the year? I know the significance of the Thanksgiving holiday. However, I never would have gained this new perspective if it wasn’t for Lucas.
Last season, it seemed like When Calls the Heart’s creative team was considering adding another love triangle to the show. In season ten’s premiere, however, that speculation was denied. Nathan admitted he worked things out with Mei, with Mei claiming she and Nathan are just friends. Meanwhile, Faith is still thinking about Carson. Based on this episode, I’m wondering if Fiona and Nathan will end up becoming a couple?

What are your thoughts on season ten’s premiere of When Calls the Heart? What stories are you excited about? Let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Last Child Review

On April 28, 2023December 29, 2023 By 18cinemalane18 Comments

When the future is depicted in made-for-TV movies, that production is typically presented with a distinct, futuristic aesthetic. This creative choice makes that movie’s world look and feel different from the one the audience is living in. But when I came across the 1971 film, The Last Child, I took note of how the story adopted a “contemporary” appearance. That is the reason why I’m writing about this movie for the Futurethon event! Instead of putting on a futuristic appearance, The Last Child introduces their version of the future in more subtle ways. The dialogue among the characters is how the film’s creative team brings this idea to the screen. Sometimes, futuristic stories will feature a conflict that strikes fear into the story’s characters as well as the audience. The world in The Last Child discusses the subject of population control, which presents a dire circumstance for the protagonists.

*The Last Child* poster created by Aaron Spelling Productions and American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Things I liked about the film:

Stand-out performances: When I watch a movie, sometimes an actor or actress will give a performance that stands out among the movie’s cast, leaving a memorable impression on me. In The Last Child, there were three actors who gave stand-out performances! I’ve seen some of Ed Asner’s films prior to watching The Last Child. In these films, Ed’s character has typically been presented as a friendly, kind-hearted individual. But in the 1971 made-for-tv movie, Ed’s role was different from those I saw in the past. Portraying a police officer named Barstow, Ed carried his character with a no-nonsense attitude. At the same time, he incorporated a sense of confidence into his portrayal, which allowed Ed to go toe-to-toe with other actors. One of these actors was Van Heflin, who portrayed Senator George. Van also incorporated confidence in his performance. However, this form of confidence was more dignified, reflective of George’s political background. Yet, there was a kindness within George, a kindness that felt genuine. The scene where the film’s protagonists, Allen and Karen, meet George for the first time perfectly showcases this kindness, as it can be heard in George’s voice and seen in his eyes.

The last stand-out performance came from Harry Guardino! Portraying Karen’s brother, Howard, Harry presents a man who is both concerned about his influential position and scared for his family. In a scene where Howard is trying to get Karen out of the Population Control Center, Howard’s voice sounds very professional over the phone. He even sounds professional when speaking to his brother-in-law. But throughout that scene, there is fear in Howard’s eyes. Because he is in the presence of family, Howard feels he can safely express this fear. The ability to present both the professional and emotional sides of Howard was made possible by Harry’s versatile acting talents!

The cinematography: Cinematography in made-for-tv movies can be hit or miss. It can either be surprisingly good or obviously bad. But in The Last Child, I was surprised by the cinematography, as some scenes were captured in ways I wasn’t expecting. In scenes where characters were moving in public crowds, the camera would use close-up shots. The camera would also be placed in front of or behind the characters. These techniques gave the audience the illusion they were moving alongside the characters, making those scenes feel immersive.

Senator George’s house: A location in a movie is meant to visually represent the environment the characters exist in. This holds true for a character’s house. As I mentioned in this review, George is a Senator. The interior and exterior spaces of George’s house are a reflection of his power and influence. Brick and stone make up the face of his house. Large, paned glass windows hint at rooms with high ceilings and expansive square feet. Inside George’s house, luxurious details can be seen in each room. One room features a floor to ceiling, cream colored fireplace, complete with carved detailing. Another room includes a dainty white, oval table that not only boasts drawers, it also appears to be utilized as a small dining table. These details show how the creative team cared about how George’s personal living space was presented in their movie!

Futurethon banner created by Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews and Barry from Cinematic Catharsis

What I didn’t like about the film:

An unexplained future: In my review of Night of the Comet, I said a film’s science needed to be explained, in order for the audience to understand what’s happening in the story. The same can be said if creating a story set in the future. There has to be a reason for a film’s world being so different from the audience’s. These reasons can give the audience an understanding for these differences, allowing them to contemplate how they’d respond to that film’s world. In The Last Child, though, it was never explained why the movie’s world had strict population control laws. None of the characters mentioned how these laws came to be, what led to their existence. The audience was forced to accept the world of The Last Child at face value.

Little sense of urgency: The Last Child is about a couple expecting their second child, as their first child died shortly after birth. Because of their world’s strict population control laws, only allowing one child per family, the couple has a very difficult conflict on their hands. Despite this conflict, the sense of urgency in The Last Child was far and few between. There were times when a sense of urgency was present, such as during the film’s climax. But this element of the story was not consistent. This prevented me from truly fearing for the couple’s safety and well-being. It also caused the story to feel like it had too many low-stakes.

Inconsistent technology: The use of technology is established in the world of The Last Child. In fact, the incorporation of technology was introduced toward the beginning of the film. When Allen and his friend are questioned by the police, a police officer puts their identification cards into a computer. This computer not only reveals a person’s identification number, it also records a person’s personal information. But when Allen’s wife, Karen, is taken to the Population Control Center and can’t remember her identification number, the Center’s nurse doesn’t entertain the idea of looking Karen’s number up on the computer. Perhaps this nurse didn’t have the authority to use one of these computers. However, her reason for not using it wasn’t explained in the dialogue.

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My overall impression:

The Last Child is the seventh made-for-tv movie from the 1970s I’ve reviewed. These seven films have ranged from decent to ok to underwhelming. The Last Child is, in my opinion, in the latter category. The idea of a futuristic story with a “comtemporary” aesthetic is one I haven’t often seen through the made-for-tv movie realm. But in The Last Child, this idea seemed better on paper than on screen. The small amount of urgency kept the story’s stakes low, preventing me from feeling scared for the protagonists’ safety and well-being. The reason for the population control laws in The Last Child was never explained, forcing the audience to accept the movie’s world at face value. Even when there were things about the film I did like, such as stand-out performances and Senator George’s house, it wasn’t enough to leave a lasting, memorable impression on me. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever find a made-for-tv movie from the 1970s I like?

Overall score: 5.1 out of 10

Have you seen The Last Child? Are there any futuristic movies with “comtemporary” aesthetics you like watching? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in the future!

Sally Silverscreen

Buy One Buzzwordathon Fail, Get Two Free

On December 20, 2022January 22, 2023 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Back in May, I wrote about my first fail in the Buzzwordathon Readathon. Because the book I selected, The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman, put me in a “reading slump”, I didn’t finish it within the month. When I read A Horse Called Holiday by Frances Wilbur, I was able to get back on track with my Buzzwordathon goals. So, for September, I thought I received a second chance to read All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Unfortunately, this book took me longer than a month to read. This also derailed my Buzzwordathon reading plans for October and November. However, I did recently complete all three books I planned to read for these aforementioned months. Unlike my other Buzzwordathon reviews, I will be writing shorter reviews for each novel.

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September

*All the Light We Cannot See* book cover found on Goodreads

Title: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Theme: Light & Dark

As I said in the introduction, it took me longer than a month to read All the Light We Cannot See. However, it felt like I spent a year reading this book. One reason is how Anthony prioritized explaining the characters, their actions/choices, and what was happening in their world over telling a story. The book’s 530 page count contributed as the other reason. But Anthony’s attention to detail allowed me, as a reader, to picture the story in my head. There was also a strong use of descriptive imagery. Even though All the Light We Cannot See was broken up into parts, each part consisted of a collection of shorter chapters. This decision gave the book a steadier pace.

Overall score: 3 out of 5 stars

October

*White Bird* book cover found on Goodreads

Title: White Bird by R. J. Palacio

Theme: Creatures & Animals

I found White Bird to be a solid graphic novel! There was a good balance between well-crafted story and visually appealing illustrations. The use of lighter and darker lines provided a nice distinction between the 1930s/1940s and the present day. I also like how color was used to bring focus to a character, object, or location. While White Bird contained good messages, the delivery of some of them was a bit heavy-handed. The book features heavier subjects, which doesn’t give it a high re-readability rate. However, this was the best novel out of the three I’m reviewing!

Overall score: 4.2 out of 5 stars

November

*The Decoding of Lana Morris* book cover found on Goodreads

Title: The Decoding of Lana Morris by Laura & Tom McNeal

Theme: Words that end in “ing”

Based on the book’s synopsis, Laura & Tom McNeal had potential to create a charming and whimsical story. Sadly, The Decoding of Lana Morris ended up being one of the worst books I’ve ever read. When creating a story with “magical realism”, it’s important to maintain a balance between the magical and realistic elements. In The Decoding of Lana Morris, though, the magical elements were so underutilized, they were far and few between in the text. This made the story feel like a generic, ‘slice-of-life’ tale. I was not a fan of the protagonist, Lana Morris. It took her longer than necessary to figure things out. She lacked foresight and critical thinking skills because of this creative flaw.

Overall score: 0 out of 5 stars

Have fun during Buzzwordathon!

Sally Silverscreen

Disclaimer: All the Light We Cannot See, White Bird, and The Decoding of Lana Morris contain subject matter that may not be suitable for some readers. Reader discretion is encouraged.

Evenings At The Shore: Happily Ever After

On October 18, 2022 By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Well, this is it. The final re-cap of Chesapeake Shores. They say “nothing lasts forever”. But honestly, I didn’t think this show would end as soon as it has, especially since I’ve never re-capped a show that was ending before. I will admit I was skeptical of the last season’s overall quality. Since last seasons of television shows are more often than not weak, I wondered if Chesapeake Shores would be any different. For the most part, though, this season has been fine. I like how the show’s creative team emphasized tying up loose ends and creating a cohesive narrative. Are there stories that could have been better written? Sure. Compared to other last seasons, however, the stories could have been a lot worse. I know six seasons is a pretty good run. This show has had its stellar and not-so-stellar moments since it came to Hallmark in 2016. However, in my opinion, Chesapeake Shores never became “bad tv”. I never walked away from it, like I did with Good Witch, and the resolutions were more satisfying than Cedar Cove.

Just a reminder: If you did not see this series finale of Chesapeake Shores, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

*Chesapeake Shores* season six poster created by Hallmark Media and Hallmark Channel

Season: 6

Episode: 10

Name: All or Nothing at All

Abby and Evan’s story: Abby receives news that Mick is retiring, leaving the O’Brien’s construction company solely to her. As the business’ new leader, one of the first things she does is offer Mandrake an assistant position, which he says he’ll consider. She also crosses paths with Evan, who is still thinking about his father, John. During their interaction, Evan shares with Abby how his mom has had bad taste in boyfriends. He even recalls how his mom’s last boyfriend was so abusive, he and his mom were forced to flee their home. After his conversation with Abby, Evan decides to give John a second chance. Evan finds John on the beach, considering going kayaking. Not only does Evan apologize for his behavior in the previous episode, he and John reminisce over the memory of Evan’s mom. They also agree to go kayaking, as John tries to do one new thing every week. After Mick and Megan’s wedding, Evan takes Abby to his new house. Even though she is impressed by what she sees, Abby is surprised to hear jazz music playing throughout the house, knowing how much she loves it and Evan doesn’t. She is also surprised when Evan proposes to her. Not only does she say yes, Abby also agrees to move in to Evan’s new home.

Mick and Megan’s story: Mick and Megan share their engagement news while meeting their grandson. They plan to re-marry within that week, agreeing with Jess to host the wedding service at the bed and breakfast. Megan also plans to take some time off work, in order for her and Mick to finally take that trip around the world. With the wedding fast approaching, Megan is still looking for “something old”. Mick ends up re-giving Megan her old wedding band, revealing he never got rid of it. The day of the wedding arrives, with the ceremony running smoothly. Mick and Megan host their reception at the O’Brien family home.

Kevin and Sarah’s story: Kevin successfully delivers his son, who he and Sarah name Mick Jr. After they arrive home from the hospital, Kevin plans to visit some universities, in order to see which medical school will be the right choice for him. He not only visits John Hopkins, he also considers applying to University of Pittsburgh. Toward the end of the episode, Kevin reveals he will apply to both universities.

Wedding couple image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-wedding-invitation-with-happy-couple_1259848.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/wedding”>Wedding vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Connor and Margaret’s and Jess and David’s story: Margaret is upset Connor took Mr. Peck’s case against her wishes. Despite co-leading the firm, she doesn’t feel like an equal partner. Margaret eventually forgives Connor, as she discovers who likely framed Mr. Peck. According to the documents David gave Connor and Margaret, it appears Baron, Mr. Peck’s business associate, was taking the money. Though the documents don’t prove anything, they could help them possibly win the case. Margaret and Connor visit David at The Inn at Eagle Point to share the good news. Later that day, David shares this good news with Jess. He also thanks Jess for supporting him during his family’s struggles. Jess has good news to share too, as she reveals she is pregnant.

Bree and Luke’s story: Luke has been reflecting on his recent experiences. He feels Bree shouldn’t be dating him, as he doesn’t want to burden her. Luke arrives at Bree’s house to tell her how he feels. Bree doesn’t want to end their relationship, as she wants to stand by Luke through his struggles. At first, Luke decides he isn’t attending Mick and Megan’s wedding, as he wants to make “a clean getaway”. But he changes his mind, with him and Bree agreeing to give their relationship a chance.

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Some thoughts to consider:

Toward the end of this episode, there was a montage of the O’Brien family sitting around the fire pit over the show’s six seasons. A female vocalist sang the show’s theme song as the images played on screen. While this was a simpler way to commemorate Chesapeake Shores, I liked this part of the episode. It was not only bittersweet, but also a nice trip down memory lane.
Similar to the previous episode, there were too many stories in the series finale. As I’ve said before, I recognize the show’s creative team tried their best to tie up as many loose ends as they could. For the most part, they did a job well done. But I wish some of these stories had been drawn out throughout the season. Mr. Peck’s case is a good example of this, as it could have received a stronger resolution.
While Nell was mentioned throughout the final season, I wish she had appeared in, at least, the last episode. I’m not sure why Diane Ladd didn’t appear in the sixth season. But her absence in this chapter was definitely felt. In the previous season, Nell seemed to get along really well with Arthur. I honestly thought this relationship would be revisited before the show ended. Sadly, it looks like that story will never get resolved.

Evening view from the shore image created by 0melapics at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/landscape-in-a-swamp-at-night_1042860.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by 0melapics – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Have fun in Chesapeake Shores!

Sally Silverscreen

Evenings At The Shore: Don’t Grow Your Troubles

On October 10, 2022 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

In this episode of Chesapeake Shores, David is still concerned about his father. These concerns consume him to the point of accidently planting flowers upside down. When Miranda, the bed and breakfast’s newest guest, sees the upside-down flowers, she tells David, “Don’t grow your troubles”. Miranda’s advice may seem easier said than done. But it is still a useful piece of advice. Specifically speaking about Jess and David’s troubles, there are various ways they could resolve them. Even though I will share their decision in this re-cap, sometimes one of the best decisions is to step away for a little while. This time away could help one gain a new perspective, see details that were unaddressed before. As the show comes to a close, it seems like these troubles are finally getting resolved.

Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of Chesapeake Shores, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

Season: 6

Episode: 9

Name: Spring Can Really Hang Up the Most

Abby and Evan’s story: Evan is meeting his father for the first time. As his father, John, tells Mandrake and Abby how he met Evan’s mother and why he didn’t stay in contact with her, Evan is upset about these pieces of information. Evan not only calls out Mandrake for bringing John to the O’Brien family home, he also leaves the house, telling no one of his whereabouts. At a fancy restaurant called Giovanni’s, Mick crosses paths with Evan. While drinking at the restaurant, Evan confesses his father isn’t his father, as he abandoned him and his mother. When Mick offers him a ride, Evan accepts the invitation. Meanwhile, in Chesapeake Shores, Abby receives a call from Caitlyn’s school. According to the call, she has been suspended for fighting with her friend, Sloane. But after the meeting in the principal’s office, Abby learns Sloane isn’t who she says she is. Caitlyn shares with her mom how Sloane has actually been bullying her. The bullying became so bad, Sloane convinced Caitlyn to dye her hair blue, the insults about her hair escalating into the aforementioned fight. After helping Caitlyn wash out the blue hair dye, Abby reminds her daughter how true friends will like her just the way she is.

Later in the episode, Abby learns Evan has fired Mandrake. Understandably upset by this, Abby thinks something should be done about Mandrake’s loss of employment and Evan’s recent behavior. Mandrake reassures her how he will be fine, all things considered. He even reveals how he and Evan met. Many years prior to moving to Chesapeake Shores, Evan got in a car accident. Because Mandrake was living under a bridge, at that time, he was able to pull Evan out of the burning vehicle. Evan commented how Mandrake was magically at the right place at the right time. This is why Evan called Mandrake by that name instead of his real name, Alan, referring to “Mandrake the Magician”.

Mick and Megan’s story: Mick is planning on proposing to Megan, again. He not only consults members of the O’Brien family about this, he also consults his NA sponsor. Mick chose a ring and makes a reservation at a fancy restaurant called Giovanni’s. On their way to their date, Megan can tell Mick is nervous. She even becomes suspicious when they arrive at the restaurant and order her favorite dessert. As she’s eating her crème brulee, Mick appears concerned about what’s not in it. That’s because he put the ring in the crème brulee. After looking through the other dessert, Mick and Megan discover the ring ended up in someone else’s crème brulee, causing them tooth problems. Outside of Giovanni’s, Megan receives the ring from Mick. As he is about to propose, Mick gets a call from Kevin, proclaiming the baby will be born soon. Before they drive away, Megan accepts the proposal.

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.

Bree and Luke’s story: While Luke was shot by the robber from the previous episode, the bullet bounced off his ribcage and became stuck in his arm. He ends up in the hospital because of his injuries. During his hospital stay, Luke’s parole officer pays him a visit. He informs Luke the convenience store incident took place outside of his jurisdiction. But because Luke saved the cashier’s life, he won’t be sent back to prison. Afterwards, Mick and Bree visit Luke in the hospital, reminding him how lucky he is. Meanwhile, at The Inn at Eagle Point, Miranda and Bree discuss the film adaptation. Miranda is looking for someone to write the screenplay. Despite having little to no screenwriting experience, Bree convinces Miranda to hire her as the film’s official screenwriter. The convincing seems to have worked, as Miranda agrees to Bree’s idea. But later in the episode, Miranda reveals she has accepted a villain role in a Marvel production. This means Bree’s film adaptation has been indefinitely put on hold.

Jess and David’s story: David and Jess’ problems have consumed their lives. In an effort to take their minds off of their problems, they agree to go on a picnic, away from the bed and breakfast. They also agree to not bring their phones. At the beginning of the picnic, David and Jess have no idea how to relax. Trying to forget about their worries, they look at the clouds, imagining shapes within them. But all they see are things related to their problems. During this picnic, David confesses how his missing trust fund allowed him to break free from that part of his life. He also shares with Jess how he can now live for himself. The rest of the picnic goes according to plan. When they return to the bed and breakfast, Miranda offers to invest in Jess’ vineyard idea. As Jess is accepting Miranda’s offer, Connor arrives at The Inn at Eagle Point. He tells David he and Margaret will accept Mr. Peck’s case.

Kevin and Sarah’s story: In his spare time, Kevin makes a financial plan for his and Sarah’s future. This plan is so detailed, it even includes steps toward retirement. Sarah is overwhelmed by this plan. Her only focus is to have a successful delivery. While Kevin is on an EMT job, Sarah goes into labor. Kevin and his fellow EMT pick Sarah up in their ambulance. But the baby is coming a lot sooner than expected. At the end of the episode, it is implied Kevin will deliver the baby in the back of the ambulance.

Some thoughts to consider:

I’ve seen some fans on Twitter state they’d like to see a Chesapeake Shores Christmas movie. While I like that idea, I don’t think it will, realistically, happen. So, when Miranda and Bree discussed adapting Bree’s book into a movie, I thought turning that part of the story into a film could serve as a good alternative to the aforementioned Christmas movie idea. Miranda putting the adaptation on indefinite hold was disappointing, as it ended that idea before it even started. But after this show ends, it doesn’t seem like Chesapeake Shores will be a priority for Hallmark any more.
During Jess and David’s picnic, David compliments her hair. Jess then tells him she washed it, with David asking if she washed her hair for him. As soon as I heard this conversation, I immediately recognized it as a reference to the movie, A Summer Place. While I don’t know why this movie would be referenced on Chesapeake Shores, I thought David and Jess’ conversation was hilarious!
While I think this season of Chesapeake Shores has been fine, this episode contained too many stories. I recognize the show’s creative team tried their best to tie up as many loose ends as they could. But some of these stories should have either been drawn out or resolved much sooner. Evan’s story is a perfect example of this. Instead of meeting his father in the second to last episode of the season, this encounter should have taken place in the second or third episode. That way, the audience could not only get to know more about John, a father and son relationship could also form and grow between Evan and John.

What are your thoughts on this episode? Are you looking forward to the series finale? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Chesapeake Shores!

Sally Silverscreen