Sunset Over Hope Valley: What Bees Teach Us About Community

On February 17, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Toward the beginning of this episode of When Calls the Heart, Elizabeth shares her excitement with Rosemary over her upcoming lesson about bees. She says she loves what bees can teach us about community. Elizabeth’s quote stood out to me because it presented an interesting way to correlate with a familiar concept from the show. Ever since When Calls the Heart premiered back in 2014, one of the overarching themes has always been teamwork. Through this theme, Hearties have witnessed their favorite characters working together to accomplish goals and even achieve miracles. Bees are known to work together, gathering within a hive to make honey. So, Elizabeth’s quote gives the theme of teamwork a good visual representation! Her quote also represents a major story in this When Calls the Heart episode, as everyone lends a helping hand to help Minnie with a large order of jam.

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

Season: 13

Episode: 7

Name: In a Jam

Major stories:

Minnie has been sending jam to Angela so she can share the jam with her friends. The parents of one of Angela’s friends own the Aceland hotel in Hamilton and have ordered 500 jars of Minnie’s jam to serve on their hotel’s breakfast tables. The order is due the following morning, which means the jars of jam have to get on a train that afternoon. Everyone in Hope Valley volunteers to help Minnie, with each character being assigned a specific role in the jamming process. But as the jam order is about to be shipped off to the train station, Elizabeth and Rosemary discover sugar was left out of one whole batch of jam. The problem does get resolved with some teamwork. Ned and Joseph successfully deliver the jam order because the train was delayed by ten minutes. Elizabeth reveals to Nathan she asked Jed to load his sheep onto the train, which caused the train to delay. With the money from the jam order, Minnie and Joseph decide to buy Bill’s half of the café and rename the eatery, Minnie’s Café.

Christopher is taking some time off work in order to help Nathan with the fire investigation. He becomes paranoid over someone finding out he blew the whistle on Pioneer Electric. But Henry, as well as Nathan, remind Christopher he did the right thing by speaking up. As Christopher and Nathan make their way to where Christopher buried the transformer, a car tries to run them over. They jump out of the way, but become injured. While Nathan’s injury is minor, Christopher develops a mild concussion and a few broken ribs. Because Nathan remembered the car’s license plate, he and Bill research who the car could have belonged to. Not only was the car stolen, it was also burned. Plus, Christopher leaves town, regretting his involvement in the fire investigation.

Illustrated beekeeper image created by macrovector at freepik.com. Business vector created by macrovector – www.freepik.com

Minor stories:

While taking a walk in Hope Valley, Lucas and Edie spot Bucky, a horse belonging to a Benson Hills resident named Mrs. McCormick. Edie and Lucas recruit Fernando to help them bring the horse back to its rightful owner. When they catch up to Bucky, Lucas tries to lasso the horse. But this plan doesn’t work. Fernando then sings to Bucky in Spanish, which calms the horse down. This allows Fernando to guide Bucky back to Mrs. McCormick in Hope Valley. Later in the episode, Edie confesses to Lucas how she doesn’t have romantic feelings for Fernando anymore.

Because Benson Hills’ residents have been staying in Hope Valley, Faith’s patient count has doubled. This means she has less time to spend with Lilly. When Elizabeth and LJ bring up the “jamboree” to help Minnie, Lilly wants to go to the event with Faith. But Faith tells Lilly she’ll join her as soon as she’s attended to all her patients. By the time Faith has taken care of her patients, the “jamboree” is over. Later in the episode, Faith learns Lilly took LJ’s stuffed dog toy named Dog because she was jealous over how much time LJ (and Dog) gets to spend with Faith. When Faith returns Dog to Elizabeth, she confesses how bad she feels about the time she’s missed with Lilly. Elizabeth suggests taking a day off once a week so Faith and Lilly could spend more time together. The next day, Lilly receives a hair pin from Faith so that she’ll always be reminded Faith is thinking of her.

Horse with saddle photo created by Topntp26 at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/stallion-black-equine-race-sky_1104246.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Topntp26 – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

During Minnie’s “jamboree”, Mike shares with Mei his desire to start a family. He even expresses this desire after having a bad reaction to a bee sting. But every time Mike brings up wanting a start a family, Mei seems to hesitate and want to change the subject. This makes me wonder if Mei and Mike have ever discussed the idea of having their own family before they got married? Sometimes, couples in Hallmark’s programming will avoid talking about serious topics for the benefit of the plot. Perhaps Mike and Mei’s part of the story is adopting a familiar aspect of Hallmark’s storytelling?
While volunteering at Minnie’s “jamboree”, Ned donates a glass jar for the jam order. Florence is upset because she recognizes the jar from her collection of memorabilia from their honeymoon. Ned makes up for his mistake by giving Florence a new glass jar. But this time, the jar is filled with slips of paper of things he remembers about their relationship. This was not only a thoughtful gesture from Ned, it was also a nice romantic moment between Florence and Ned.
I’ve heard some chatter on social media how some Hearties don’t want another love triangle between Lucas, Edie, and Fernando. Personally, I don’t think that will happen. As I mentioned in this re-cap, Edie confessed to Lucas how she doesn’t have romantic feelings for Fernando anymore. Compared to the amount of screen-time Lucas and Nathan received from seasons six to eight (when the love triangle between Elizabeth, Lucas, and Nathan took place), Fernando has been given such a limited amount of time on screen. As I said in my previous re-cap, I really hope Fernando becomes a series regular on When Calls the Heart. But since a “second chance romance” between Fernando and Edie won’t be happening, I’d like to see Fernando fall in love with Hope Valley’s first female Mountie, if she ever makes her debut on the show.
Toward the end of this episode of When Calls the Heart, Mollie reveals to Faith how she’s been taking courses to become a practicing nurse. She says becoming a nurse would provide Faith with additional help. Mollie’s story feels reminiscent of Rosaleen’s story from season ten, when she expressed interest in becoming a nurse. I now wonder if this is a shared dream between mother and daughter?

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 of When Calls the Heart? Do you think Mei is hesitant to start a family? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: When A Dream Comes True

On February 9, 2026February 17, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Lee has a recurring dream in this episode of When Calls the Heart. While Lee doesn’t think much of the dream itself, Rosemary believes the dream holds an important meaning. Eventually, Lee’s dream comes true in a very literal way. When this happened, it made me think about the idea of dreams coming true. The term “a dream come true” usually brings to mind people who accomplish or receive what they desire the most. A person’s dream coming true is typically seen as a positive occurrence, making others feel good when it happens. But in Lee’s case, his dream wasn’t about getting something in return. It was more about trying to discover the unknown. Season thirteen has presented several unknowns in Lee’s life. How is he going to balance all his responsibilities without experiencing stress? Will he rebuild Benson Hills within a year? Is he going to reclaim his and Rosemary’s lost dreams? Every season of When Calls the Heart has presented its series of unknowns. But over time, the characters learn the truth behind these unknowns and adapt according to what is discovered.

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: 6

Name: Moment of Truth

Major stories:

Georgie McGill comes back to Hope Valley with a Mountie named Elmore Briggs. This time, she not only brings a polygraph machine, she also reveals how she’s using her investigative skills to help Edie acquire insurance claims for those affected by the fire. After Oliver is the first Mountie to test the polygraph machine, Georgie and Bill go to Elizabeth’s house for dinner. Bill and Georgie raise concerns over how Nathan isn’t being honest with Elizabeth, especially about the lemon curd dessert Elizabeth made. They suggest Nathan use the polygraph. At the Mountie office, Nathan truthfully confesses how he loves Elizabeth. But shortly after Jack Jr. (a.k.a. LJ) asks Nathan if he’ll marry Elizabeth, Christopher arrives at the Mountie office. Earlier in the episode, Henry confronted his son about the concrete pieces found in the previous episode. This conversation between Christopher and his father encouraged him to tell the truth about the fire. A transformer from the electric company Christopher works for is how the fire was caused. Despite being instructed to throw the destroyed transformer in the river, Christopher buried it instead. His confession helps Toby and Cooper prove their innocence.

Paper Boats in the Sea image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/background-of-paper-boats-with-hand-drawn-waves_1189898.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:

Faith tells Gwen her father is no longer at risk of infection. She also tells Gwen she is now allowed to visit her father at the hospital in Buxton. Excited to finally see her father, Gwen wants to give him a walking stick she carved herself. But when she and Lee are on their way to the hospital, Gwen immediately wants to go back to Hope Valley. Lee takes Gwen fishing instead. During this fishing excursion, Gwen reveals the real reason she didn’t want to go to the hospital. Before her mother passed away, Gwen remembers people saying her mother was going to get better. Gwen is afraid she might lose her father too. Lee reassures Gwen her father isn’t in the hospital for the same reasons her mother went to the hospital. After she successfully catches a fish, Gwen tells Lee she wants to go the hospital in Buxton to visit her father. When Lee and Gwen come back to Hope Valley, they bring home the fish Gwen caught for dinner. Rosemary reminds Lee of his recurring dream I referenced in this re-cap’s introduction, where Lee is fishing but doesn’t know what he caught. By bringing home the fish Gwen caught, Rosemary claims Lee’s dream came true.

A contractor named Fernando arrives in Hope Valley to discuss building plans with Lee. But because Lee is taking a short break from work, Fernando ends up meeting Lucas instead. Throughout the episode, Lucas and Fernando get along quite well. Lucas even learns Fernando became a contractor after being a cowboy for years. Fernando is invited by Lucas to attend Edie’s charity poker game, which hopes to raise funds to rebuild a recreation center in Benson Hills. At the poker game, Fernando invites Lucas and Edie to a car race. When Lucas introduces Fernando to Edie, Lucas learns they already know each other. That’s because Fernando is Edie’s ex-fiancé.

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.

Some thoughts to consider:

When Georgie arrives at Elizabeth’s house for dinner, she gives LJ and Allie a present; a box of Crayola crayons for LJ and a fountain pen for Allie. What I love about these presents is how they can spark creativity. Pens can be used to write stories, craft poetry, and construct plays. Meanwhile, LJ can draw pictures with those crayons. Maybe he can also use his crayons to create cards or dream up scenery for stage productions.
On social media, Fernando has received positive reception from the Hearties. I can only speak for myself, but I’ve already come to like Fernando as a character! His charisma radiates off the screen and he possesses so much potential. I really hope Fernando becomes a series regular on When Calls the Heart. I also hope Fernando either develops a “second chance romance” with Edie or falls in love with Hope Valley’s first female Mountie, if she ever makes her debut on the show.
In this episode of When Calls the Heart, Elizabeth’s lemon curd isn’t as popular as she believes. But the fact she made lemon curd at all shows how far Elizabeth has come when it comes to culinary matters. I remember when Elizabeth would burn meals and didn’t really know how the kitchen worked. Seeing her cook and bake highlights what Elizabeth has learned since she first came to Hope Valley.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? Would you like to see Fernando join the show’s main cast? Tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Good Ripples Out

On February 3, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

During a community project in this episode of When Calls the Heart, Joseph tells Cooper when good ripples out, it touches the lives of everybody. The more I thought about Joseph’s quote, the more I realized how true that quote is when it comes to the show. When Calls the Heart emphasizes characters doing good things within Hope Valley and beyond. Just in season thirteen alone, Hearties have seen their favorite characters giving back to those from Benson Hills who had lost so much. But even before the fire at Goldie National Park happened, good things were taking place in Hope Valley. Multiple weddings have mended broken hearts. New life renewed the spirit of the town. The little things, like Lucas teaching Allie how to play cards, built confidence and bridges between new characters and familiar faces. When Calls the Heart has always been a show that makes its audience feel good about the program they are watching. Having the characters consistently try to make their world a better place than how they found it has definitely influenced that belief.

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: 5

Name: Growing Pains

Major stories:

Nathan and Bill continue their investigation over how the fire started. When they visit the site of Toby and Cooper’s cooking fire, Bill and Nathan discover unrecognizable pieces of concrete. They question Henry over the pieces of concrete, but he doesn’t recognize them either. At the saloon, Henry learns Christopher has earned a regional assistant promotion. This promotion allows Christopher and Rachel’s engagement to move forward. Later in the episode, Henry and his son go birdwatching. During their expedition, they discover Elizabeth’s class planting trees in the forest. Henry offers to donate mulch from his and Joseph’s hazelnut business in order to help Elizabeth’s students plant more trees. Toward the end of the episode, Christopher hurriedly leaves Hope Valley. But before his son drives away, Henry helps Christopher pack up his vehicle. As he places Christopher’s luggage in the trunk, Henry finds pieces of concrete similar to the ones found by Nathan and Bill.

One day, Cooper and Toby arrive late to class. When Elizabeth asks them about their book report, Toby and Cooper claim they forget about the assignment. Recognizing how tired her students appear, Elizabeth gives Cooper and Toby extra time to complete their book report. Concerned about their wellbeing, Elizabeth follows Toby and Cooper into the forest. She then learns her students have been replanting trees to make up for their cooking fire potentially starting the fire that destroyed Benson Hills. Wanting to lend a helping hand, Elizabeth turns Cooper and Toby’s act of kindness into a class project. At first, some of the Benson Hills students are frustrated because the newly planted trees won’t bring back their lost homes. Elizabeth reminds them how the trees could, one day, build the home of someone’s dreams. As more people learn about Elizabeth and her class replanting trees, they want to help. Not only does Henry donate mulch from his and Joseph’s hazelnut business, Lee donates some trees from his construction business as well.

Lee is preparing a presentation in order for his construction company to be granted approval to rebuild Benson Hills. This presentation consists of illustrations of what new buildings and homes would look like. When it’s time for Lee to make his presentation, he presents his building plans to a building committee (which includes Maisie, Lucas, and Christopher). Because he made such a good argument to the building committee, Lee and his construction company were granted approval to move forward with their rebuilding project. Amidst the celebration, Gwen asks Lee to rebuild her family’s house, even drawing a picture of what the house looked like. She makes a special request to crack one of the windows, as her father claimed the crack in their window looked like a spider web. As Lee is showing Rosemary the building plans one day, he experiences what he believes is a heart attack. But when Rosemary and Lee go to the Infirmary, Faith confirms Lee actually had an anxiety attack likely caused by all the responsibilities he has been trying to balance. While he’s attempting to take things easy, Gwen tells Lee and Rosemary about her class replanting trees in the forest. Lee volunteers his family to join in the replanting efforts. He also donates some trees from his construction business.

Spiderweb image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/pattern”>Pattern vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

At the saloon, Lucas sees Edie trying to carry multiple crates at once. Edie confesses how she wants to use the crates to build a desk. This desk will be placed in her new living quarters, which is a room at The Café. Lucas not only offers a spare desk he already owns, he also offers to help Edie carry the desk to her place. As they transfer the desk to The Café, Edie tells Lucas why she stayed in Hope Valley. At first, it was to look after her uncle’s ranch. But when Edie lost it in the fire, she says she actually likes the town. When Lucas and Edie try to carry the desk up the stairs at The Café, Lucas falls backwards and receives a minor head injury. Later in the episode, when Edie apologizes for the desk-related mishap, Lucas apologizes for missing the insurance claim meeting. During their conversation, they both admit they like spending time with each other. Lucas even encourages Edie to share her office with him again.

While Bill and Nathan investigate around the site of Toby and Cooper’s cooking fire, Oliver finds a tooth fossil belonging to a prehistoric sea creature called a Mosasaur. This discovery sparks Oliver to share his interest in dinosaurs with Allie, even telling her how he used to own a book about dinosaurs when he was younger. One day, Oliver, Allie, and Bill go to the forest to find more dinosaur fossils. But because their adventure lasted longer than expected, Allie arrived home late for dinner. Nathan is concerned for Allie’s wellbeing, especially since she’s been spending more time with Oliver. Allie feels Nathan is losing trust in her, even though she didn’t do anything wrong. Nathan shares his concerns about Allie with Elizabeth during one of their conversations. Elizabeth reminds him how things can’t go back to the way they used to be. The next day, Nathan apologizes to Allie for not trusting her. He also reminds his daughter how, even though she is open-minded and kind-hearted, she is still young. Therefore, Allie should take her time exploring the world.

Colorful dinosaur image created by Rawpixel.com at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/various-animal-toy-figures-in-a-colorful-background_3011200.htm’>Designed by Rawpixel.com</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Rawpixel.com – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

Back in season twelve of When Calls the Heart, it was revealed Lee’s father died of an unnamed medical condition. Lee expressed his concerns with Faith about developing this medical condition, to the point where he created a will and was worried about leaving a legacy behind for Goldie. With Lee’s anxiety attack being the first time his health has been addressed since the twelfth season, it makes me wonder if this situation is connected in any way to that medical condition brought up a season ago?
As I said in this re-cap, pieces of concrete looking similar to those found by Nathan and Bill were discovered by Henry in the trunk of Christopher’s vehicle. Though this makes Christopher look suspicious, I hope he’s not guilty of starting the fire. Henry put so much effort into reconnecting with his son, as well as rebuilding that familial relationship. If Christopher caused the fire, that would break Henry’s heart, which I don’t want to see happen.
After this episode of When Calls the Heart aired, there was a commercial advertising the next episode. This commercial revealed the episode would premiere on February 7^th at 10 p.m./9 p.m. From episode seven and beyond, When Calls the Heart will go back to its regularly scheduled day and time. I wanted to let my readers know about this temporary change in case they missed the commercial.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? Do you think Edie will go back to sharing an office with Lucas? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Top Ten Actors and Actresses Who Should Have Starred in a Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie

On February 1, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

I haven’t talked about anything Hallmark Hall of Fame related since last August, when I reviewed the 1990 presentation, Face to Face. To make up for lost time, I decided to write a list article about a topic associated with this collection of Hallmark’s movies. With Hallmark Hall of Fame lasting from 1951 to 2019, numerous actors and actresses have graced television screens in one or several projects from this branch of Hallmark programming. But there are some actors and actresses who never received that opportunity. So, in this list, I will be selecting five actors and five actresses who, in my opinion, should have starred in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. While the chosen actresses and actors are categorized in no particular order, they were selected based on two criteria: 1) the trajectory of their career in correlation with the existence of Hallmark Hall of Fame and 2) if their acting talents would have been well utilized within the types of stories Hallmark Hall of Fame told.

Hallmark Hall of Fame logo created by Hallmark Entertainment and Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

1. Stephen Lang

I will admit I’ve seen only three projects from Stephen Lang’s filmography; Don’t Breathe, Death of a Salesman, and 2009’s Avatar. But from what I remember, Stephen put a great amount of effort and care into his roles. Even based on some of his interviews I have seen and heard, it seems like Stephen takes the roles given to him very seriously. With all this said, I truly believe he would have brought that same amount of care and effort into a Hallmark Hall of Fame title. Plus, according to IMDB, Death of a Salesman is labeled a “tv movie”. Therefore, Stephen has some experience working in the realm of made-for-tv cinema. Had the opportunity to star in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie presented itself, I wonder what type of role Stephen would have received, let alone what type of movie he would have been cast in?

2. Jane Seymour

Throughout her career, Jane Seymour has starred in several Hallmark films; Lake Effects, Dear Prudence, Perfectly Prudence, and A Royal Christmas. You’d think with Jane’s connection to Hallmark, as well as her star power, she would have starred in, at least, one Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. But surprisingly, this opportunity never came to be. Besides her appearance in Hallmark’s movies, Jane has starred in projects that were related to the historical fiction genre, such as Somewhere in Time and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. In fact, I’m surprised Hallmark Hall of Fame and the creative team behind Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman didn’t work together to create a television event related to the show. This idea actually would have made sense, especially since Hallmark Hall of Fame was broadcast on the same network as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman during the show’s lifespan.

Hallmark Hall of Fame’s *A Tale of Two Cities* poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Marble Arch Productions, Norman Rosemont Productions, and Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

3. Michael Wincott

I recently talked about Michael Wincott in my review of an episode from Miami Vice. Based on his performances I’ve seen, Michael has consistently displayed an understanding, as well as control, over his character’s emotions. His adaptability has also been very chameleon-like. If given the opportunity to star in a Hallmark Hall of Fame film, I believe Michael could have helped create a character with a captivating presence. Even though the movies in the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection were primarily dramatic in tone, various genres were covered within this series. Therefore, I think Michael’s acting talents could have been best utilized in a film from either the historical fiction, western, or mystery genre.

4. Bai Ling

I’ve seen several projects from Bai Ling’s filmography, including the 2001 Hallmark movie, The Lost Empire/The Monkey King. The one consistent strength I have noticed within these projects is Bai’s strong sense of emotionality. Whether in a made-for-tv movie or a theatrically released title, Bai’s understanding and utilization of her character’s emotions have added depth to her performances. I could have seen this acting strength incorporated into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, especially since, like I mentioned earlier, movies in the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection were primarily dramatic in tone. Since I have seen Bai star in at least one film from the mystery and fantasy genre, it would have been interesting to see what a fantasy or mystery Hallmark Hall of Fame movie starring Bai would have looked like. Or perhaps the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection could have given her a chance to tackle a genre I haven’t seen her appear in before.

5. Vincent Perez

If you have followed 18 Cinema Lane long enough, you would know one of the best movies ever reviewed on the blog was Swept from the Sea. Vincent Perez’s portrayal of Yanko is one of the reasons why. There were times in Swept from the Sea where, by utilizing emotion, he was able to say so much without saying anything at all. Vincent’s acting versatility not only made his performance captivating, it was also both heart-warming and heart-breaking. I’ve liked his performance from his other movies I have seen, from his emotional intensity in The Crow: City of Angels to his sincerity in Cyrano de Bergerac. Even in 2004’s Frankenstein (a movie I didn’t like), Vincent’s performance is one of the few good aspects of that film. I guess the 1998 HBO movie, Shot Through the Heart, is the closest thing to seeing Vincent in a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation I’ll ever get.

Hallmark Hall of Fame’s *Caroline?* poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame productions, CBS, and Republic Pictures Home Video

6. Jasmine Guy

Whenever I think of Jasmine Guy, I think of her portrayal of Kathleen on Touched by An Angel. I also think about how strong Jasmine’s performance was on that show. Kathleen became a character I looked forward to seeing appear on screen. This was the result of the expressiveness, sassiness, and charisma Jasmine brought to her role. She even had good on-screen chemistry will Bill Nunn in the Touched by An Angel episode, “Lost and Found”, as it sold the concept of Kathleen and Bill’s character, Frank, being compatible, under different circumstances. Since Touched by An Angel was more dramatic in tone, like the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection, Jasmine’s portrayal of Kathleen gave me an idea how Jasmine’s acting talents could have been utilized within a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation.

7. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Fans of the television show, Lost, will recognize Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as the actor who portrayed Mr. Eko. Adewale’s performance on that show is one of the reasons why I liked Mr. Eko as a character. His captivating presence commanded attention from the audience, which sometimes made Mr. Eko intimidating. Yet, the kind-hearted and thoughtful persona Adewale gave to Mr. Eko also allowed his character to be approachable, making the audience want to get to know Mr. Eko and see where the story took him next. Adewale’s acting versatility would have been such a valuable asset in a Hallmark Hall of Fame project. What also worked in Adewale’s favor is his chemistry with the other cast members on Lost. This acting element would have been beneficial to any Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, especially since some films from Hallmark Hall of Fame featured ensemble casts.

*Redwood Curtain* poster created by Chris/Rose Productions, Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, American Broadcasting Company (ABC), and Republic Pictures (II)

8. Hayley Mills

Hayley Mills was at the height of her popularity in the 1960s. Plus, based on her performances I have seen, Hayley has been able to utilize her expressions and emotions to make her characters seem as believable as possible. With these facts in mind, I’m surprised Hallmark Hall of Fame didn’t try to capitalize on Hayley’s popularity and talent by offering her a role in one of their films. When it comes to Hallmark Hall of Fame’s movies from the 1960s, I haven’t seen any of them. But based on my research, it appears these projects were either adaptations of plays, literature, or historical events. Because Hayley has starred in dramatic films like The Chalk Garden, I believe Hayley’s acting talents could have been incorporated well into one of these genres.

9. Dulé Hill

Dulé Hill is best known for his role as Burton “Gus” Guster from the television show, Psych. However, I’m more familiar with his performance on Suits as Alex Williams. Though it’s been a while since I’ve seen Suits, I remember Alex was introduced later in the show’s lifespan. Despite this, Dulé’s adaptability allowed his character to share chemistry with the other characters, making me as a viewer feel like Alex was always meant to be on the show. Dulé’s television experience, as well as his experience alongside an ensemble cast, worked in his favor. These acting qualities and Dulé’s name recognition from Psych could have given a Hallmark Hall of Fame film a built-in audience. Plus, I have heard Dulé is a tap dancer, so maybe Hallmark Hall of Fame could have incorporated his dancing talents into a musical.

10. Joanne Whalley

Back in 1994, Joanne Whalley starred in the movie/mini-series, Scarlett. When I reviewed it back in 2021, I said the mini-series/movie was a competently made project where the creative team behind it clearly knew what they were doing. This statement holds true for Joanne’s performance, as she did a fine job with the acting material provided. Since Hallmark was one of Scarlett’s distributors and since the movie/mini-series premiered on the same network Hallmark Hall of Fame’s movies aired on, it would have made sense if Joanne had been chosen to star in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. I’ve also seen Joanne star in at least one historical fiction and one fantasy film, which are two genres that have been explored within the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. But, for whatever reason, the opportunity to work on a Hallmark Hall of Fame project never came to fruition for Joanne.

Hallmark Hall of Fame’s *Christmas Everlasting* poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=142&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Christmas+Everlasting

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Controlling What You Can Control

On January 29, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

In this episode of When Calls the Heart, Minnie is concerned over news related to Cooper. She also has other concerns on her mind like funding Angela’s college education. But as Minnie tells Joseph, she can only control what she can control. Minnie’s quote reminded me of how another character has responded to situations; Oliver. Throughout his young life, Oliver has been forced to deal with situations beyond his control, from entering foster care to his mother going to prison. Despite how turbulent his life was prior to coming to Hope Valley, Oliver always seemed aware of the things he could control. He chose to follow the rules because he didn’t want to prove his doubters right. When he lied about his education, Oliver considered resigning from the Mounties because he wanted to prevent Nathan from getting in trouble. He doesn’t even dwell on how he’s never had a birthday party before. As I reflect on Oliver’s time on When Calls the Heart, I remember how Oliver has responded to situations with a level head, a generous heart, and with the intention of doing the right thing.

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: 4

Name: Until Proven Guilty

Major stories:

McGinty is being questioned by Bill and Nathan over his whereabouts during the fire at Goldie National Park. While he admits to entering the park prior to the fire, McGinty confesses he was burying his deceased cat, Mr. Mittens. It was also confirmed McGinty was in Benson Hills when the fire was taking place. With McGinty officially ruled out as a suspect, it appears the fire was accidentally started, as Toby and Cooper confess to Nathan and Bill. However, they stress they put out their cooking fire as instructed. When those from Benson Hills are looking for something or someone to blame, Bill and Nathan host a town meeting to discuss what is known about the fire. The residents of Benson Hills are frustrated by the lack of definitive answers and even question Allie’s involvement in how the fire started. Elizabeth, who also attended the meeting, speaks up to remind Benson Hills’ residents how blaming others isn’t going to solve problems. Meanwhile, Lee decides to convert his lumber business into a construction business. Encouraged by Joseph to forgive McGinty and after learning McGinty doesn’t have insurance or a loan, Lee decides to build McGinty a new cabin as his construction company’s first project. He and Rosemary also give McGinty a kitten.

Minnie has started selling homemade jam. As the episode progresses, it’s revealed Minnie’s business venture is to not only found Angela’s college education, but to fund a lawyer for Cooper as well. When Cooper overhears his parents’ conversation about the family’s financial situation, he tries to run away from home. But Minnie stops Cooper by reminding him how he isn’t a burden. Meanwhile, Lucas attempts to apologize to Edie for missing the insurance claim meeting from the previous episode. Edie is now convinced Lucas is like the other politicians she’s met before. But during Lucas’ interview on Rosemary’s radio show, Edie’s mind starts to change. As he reveals his plans to run for re-election, Lucas states how he wants to raise taxes in order to collect funds to help re-build Benson Hills. This idea helps Edie see Lucas does care about the people he serves.

Orange cat image created by Freestockcenter at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/ginger-cat_883376.htm’>Designed by Freestockcenter</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/gold”>Gold image created by Freestockcenter – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

Allie not only remembers Oliver’s 18^th birthday is on the horizon, she also remembers how Oliver has never had a birthday party before. These facts inspire Allie to plan a surprise party for Oliver. Allie wants to invite the students from Benson Hills to join Oliver’s celebration. But throughout the episode, the Benson Hills students seem unwilling to branch out beyond their friend groups. Allie also wants to invite Cooper and Toby. However, their guilt over the fire discourages them from attending Oliver’s party. When his birthday finally arrives, Oliver is pleasantly surprised by how the party turned out, as well as how many people showed up. Even the students from Benson Hills came to the event. But when Oliver discovers Toby and Cooper’s absence, Oliver convinces them to attend the party. But one of the reasons why they go to the party is to apologize for the fire. After the celebration, Allie gives Oliver a book of poems. Oliver then gives Allie the present he was supposed to give at Allie’s birthday party; a silver wolf brooch.

Maisie is currently staying at Mike and Mei’s apartment. This adjustment period has had some bumps in the road. One day, Mei and Mike discover some of their clothes have been donated by Maisie. They learn Maisie doesn’t like their wardrobe, even expressing her dislike over Mike wearing the color blue. Mike believes leaving Maisie alone is better than confronting his sister. But Mei encourages Mike to stand up to Maisie. He eventually confronts Maisie by proclaiming he’ll wear blue whenever he wants, as well as inviting Maisie to Oliver’s birthday party. Mike believes the community spirit will be good for Maisie as well as the rest of Benson Hills’ residents. Taking Mike’s words to heart, Maisie attends Oliver’s birthday party and gives Oliver one of Mike’s ties as a gift.

Birthday party set-up image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/food”>Food photo created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

Is it just me or is everyone’s acceptance over Cooper and Toby accidentally starting the fire a bit concerning? With the episode titled, “Until Proven Guilty”, I would assume at least one of the characters would encourage others to wait until all the facts had been collected before making conclusions. But the characters seem so convinced Toby and Cooper started the fire by accident, even Cooper and Toby themselves have accepted responsibility for a problem they may not have caused. Based on synopses I read for upcoming episodes, it seems like the investigation surrounding the fire will be an overarching story this season. This leads me to believe the real culprit is going to be revealed later in season thirteen.
At Oliver’s birthday party, Allie reveals how each decorated table represents a birthday where Oliver didn’t receive a party. This display of toys, mementos, and personal belongings became a visual way of making up for lost time. I liked this design detail because it incorporates the show’s continuity. It also highlights how important Oliver’s story is for not just him as a character, but for When Calls the Heart as well.
As I said in this re-cap, Minnie is selling homemade jam to fund Angela’s college education. This fact makes me wonder why Angela didn’t receive the Hope Valley Scholarship when she graduated last season? Did Timothy or Emily accept the scholarship instead or did it go to one of the school’s alumni? I’d like to hear this detail get addressed sometime this season.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? Do you think Lee’s new construction business will re-build Rosemary’s Playhouse? Tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Creating a Routine

On January 19, 2026January 29, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Before school begins in Hope Valley, Elizabeth states how she wants to create a routine for the students of Benson Hills so they can have a sense of normalcy in their lives. When I first heard what Elizabeth said, I remembered how When Calls the Heart has created their own routine. For Hearties, it’s the fact the show itself premieres each episode at a consistent time on a consistent day of the week. Behind the scenes, this routine looks like a block of days or months set aside for filming, screenwriting, and editing. These routines created by the show give the cast, crew, and Hearties expectations, a sense of predictability, but most importantly, something to look forward to. Even when this routine has become interrupted, the creative team behind When Calls the Heart has adapted to the best of their abilities so the routine carries on as smoothly as possible. Few television shows have survived past ten seasons like When Calls the Heart. What seems to have worked in When Calls the Heart’s favor is building a strong and stable routine.

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: 3

Name: Back to School

Major stories:

The children of Hope Valley and Benson Hills are going back to school. But for the students of Benson Hills, they are having a difficult time adjusting to their new educational surroundings. One young girl tells Elizabeth how she’s tired of receiving people’s sad faces. Gwendolyn, who likes to be called Gwen, is carving into one of the desks with a fork belonging to Rosemary. Elizabeth encourages Hope Valley’s students to sit with the students from Benson Hills in an effort to integrate Benson Hills’ children into her class. But Elizabeth feels there is more she can do to make all her students feel like they are part of a community. Later in the episode, Elizabeth, Nathan, and Jack Jr. organize a field day. Everyone participates in the activities except for Cooper and Toby. They turn to Elizabeth toward the end of the episode to reveal they made a small cooking fire during their hike in the national park. However, Toby and Cooper reassure Elizabeth they put the fire out. As they reflect on what happened, they second guess if their fire was what caused the national park, Rosemary’s Playhouse, and Benson Hills to burn.

Lee is convinced someone intentionally started the fire in Goldie National Park. One day, at the saloon, Mollie confesses to Lee how, on the day of the fire, she saw an older gentleman entering the park carrying what looked like a kerosine can. Even though Bill and Nathan are currently conducting an investigation, Lee wants McGinty to be held accountable, as he believes McGinty is responsible for the fire. But when Lee confronts McGinty about the fire at the saloon, McGinty is appalled by Lee’s accusations. Nathan arrests Lee after Lee punched McGinty. When Rosemary picks up Lee from the jail, Lee shares how all he wants is for the guilty party to be held responsible for what they did. Rosemary reminds her husband how they don’t know all the answers yet.

Chalkboard image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/mathematical-operation-written-on-blackboard_1357576.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

The residents of Benson Hills are literally and figuratively picking up the pieces of their lives after the fire. Some of Hope Valley’s residents, including Mei, volunteer to take Benson Hills’ residents back to Benson Hills to reclaim their lost possessions. Maisie, Benson Hills’ mayor and Mike’s sister, is trying to acquire relief funds to rebuild Benson Hills. When Mei offers Maisie a place to stay at her and Mike’s apartment, Maisie turns down the offer at first because she doesn’t want Benson Hills’ residents to believe she gave up on them. But after Mei finds a baby portrait of Mike from what was Maisie’s house, Maisie realizes her family is just trying to support her. Meanwhile, Lucas agrees to appear at a meeting about insurance claims, organized by Edie and Maisie. But due to a scheduled dinner that runs longer than planned, Lucas ends up missing the meeting.

Breaking heart image created by Kjpargeter at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/broken-heart-valentine-background_1041991.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Kjpargeter – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

Like I mentioned in this re-cap post, Gwen carves into one of the desks with a fork belonging to Rosemary. Later in the episode, at the Coulter family’s house (where Gwen is currently residing), Gwen tries her hand at woodcarving under Lee’s guiding eye. The two instances I brought up make me wonder if Gwen will eventually take up woodcarving as a hobby? Maybe this new hobby will help Gwen pass the time and make new friends until she can be reunited with her father?
Rupert is one of Elizabeth’s newest students from Benson Hills. During class, he brings up his past studies about ancient Rome. Rupert even talks about a class project he made that became lost in the fire. In my list of the Thirteen Questions for When Calls the Heart’s 13^th Season, I wondered if another student would receive the Hope Valley Scholarship. With Rupert’s expressed desire for learning, could Rupert be the next Hope Valley Scholarship recipient? Though he is one of Benson Hills’ students, perhaps he could be the exception to the rule.
In this episode of When Calls the Heart, Elizabeth brings up the idea of a poetry club, in order to encourage Oliver to read William Shakespeare’s work. Reflecting on Elizabeth’s idea, it would be great if Hope Valley had a book club! The library would be the club’s official meeting spot. Different stories and genres could be explored within the club. Maybe they could even solve mysteries like in the Ainsley McGregor Mysteries series! Since Hearties know a fourteenth season is on the horizon, perhaps Hope Valley could see its first book club come to fruition.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? What lessons do you hope Elizabeth’s students learn in their upcoming school year? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: From Hope Valley to Hope Sanctuary

On January 13, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

I’ve heard Hope Valley referred as a “sanctuary” in this episode of When Calls the Heart. While this was a reference to Benson Hills’ evacuees coming to Hope Valley, I’ve thought about the town as a “sanctuary” for other characters on the show. When Mei was introduced back in season nine, Hope Valley became her “sanctuary” as she was escaping from a bad relationship. Hope Valley was also a “sanctuary” for both Jesse and Clara, as they found a second chance and love in this very town. And, recently, Hope Valley has turned into a “sanctuary” for Jack Jr. and Elizabeth, providing Jack Jr. with a healthy place to live and Elizabeth peace of mind. Hope Valley has been plentiful for its residents, giving them what truly needed. Whether it was forgiveness, extra help on math homework, or an opportunity to give back, everyone in Hope Valley has been provided for.

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: 2

Name: Up in Smoke

Major stories:

Allie, Cooper, Toby, and Opal are lost within a fiery Goldie National Park. Attempting to find their way out of the park, Opal and Allie travel in one direction while Toby and Cooper go in another direction. Fortunately, all four children are rescued by Nathan, Bill, Oliver, and Joseph. Meanwhile, Lucas leads some of Hope Valley’s residents to create a fire trap in order to stop the fire. With the fire potentially spreading to Hope Valley, evacuation plans are made. Edie even rescues her animals from her cabin. But because winds eventually move easterly, Hope Valley is out of the fire’s path. However, the changing winds make Benson Hills the fire’s next target. Rosemary warns the town through a radio broadcast, giving residents enough time to flee. Though the fire burns past the fire trap and destroys Benson Hills’ main street, as well as half the town’s houses, there are no casualties. But Benson Hills is not the only location to be affected by the fire. Goldie National Park is destroyed and Rosemary’s Playhouse went up in smoke.

Hope Valley literally and figuratively opens its doors to the evacuated residents of Benson Hills. One of those residents is a young girl named Gwendolyn. During the evacuation, Gwendolyn and her father became separated. Until her father comes to Hope Valley to reunite with his daughter, Gwendolyn vows to stay at the saloon. As the day carries on, however, Gwendolyn’s father doesn’t show up in Hope Valley. But Gwendolyn agrees to stay with the Coulters and be Goldie’s babysitter. The next day, Gwendolyn learns from Nathan her father is staying at a hospital in Buxton. At the moment, though, Gwendolyn is advised not to visit her father yet, as doctors don’t want his injuries to become infected.

Everyone in Hope Valley lends a helping hand during the fire at Goldie National Park. Besides the rescue and fire trap efforts, Lee and Mike also attempt to put out the fire with the town’s fire truck. As the fire spreads to Benson Hills, donations for the evacuees are given and organized. Even Minnie cooks hot meals for them. With the day turning into night, other residents of Hope Valley make big impacts through small acts. Rosemary and Lucas host a magic show to entertain the children. When the power goes out, Faith makes sure the Infirmary’s refrigerator is properly working with the help of a back-up generator. This way, Jack Jr. can always have Insulin available. Even though the power returns the following day and everyone is accounted for, the timing of everything doesn’t feel like a coincidence to Lee. He brings up the idea of an investigation to Bill and Nathan, believing McGinty is responsible for starting the fire.

Image of magic show essentials created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/card”>Card vector created by macrovector – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

There were no minor stories in this episode because all the stories revolved around the fire at Goldie National Park.

Campfire with marshmellows and shooting stars image created by macrovector at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

As I said in this re-cap post, Rosemary’s Playhouse went up in smoke. When Lee told Rosemary what happened, I became incredibly disappointed, especially after expressing excitement in the last re-cap post over finally seeing Rosemary’s theater come to life. What’s also disappointing is how the theater itself wasn’t shown on screen yet. I’d like to think Rosemary’s Playhouse could get rebuilt by the end of the season. But When Calls the Heart does not have a strong track record when it comes to keeping promises. One such example is when the show promised to give Jesse and Clara an outdoor wedding despite the show’s creative team knowing the weather would prevent them from filming any outdoor events. At this point, I’m cautiously optimistic.
On social media, I’ve read some comments from Lucas’ fans expressing their disinterest in seeing Lucas and Edie falling in love. They believe Miranda MacDougall and Chris McNally, the actress and actor who portray Edie and Lucas, lack on-screen chemistry. While I wouldn’t mind seeing Lucas and Edie become a couple, they haven’t shared enough screentime together for me to determine if Chris and Miranda truly share on-screen chemistry that is strong. Even though this is only the second episode, I hope Edie and Lucas get to spend more time together this season.
Despite only being season thirteen’s second episode, the episode itself was very strong! Higher stakes were consistently incorporated into the story. The characters well-being was in danger without the screenwriters believing they had to kill characters off the show. Plus, the outcome of the fire leaves a lot of questions for the rest of the season. It’ll be interesting to see where the story goes from here.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? Do you think the fire at Goldie National Park was intentionally started? Leave your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Sharing Your Heart with Everyone

On January 7, 2026January 6, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

In the season thirteen premiere of When Calls the Heart, Rosemary and Lee have a conversation about Rosemary’s new Playhouse. She’s discouraged by a news article from the Benson Hills Beatle calling the Playhouse a “vanity project”. Lee reassures his wife by reminding Rosemary how opening the Playhouse is her way of sharing her heart with everyone. As I’ve mentioned in past Sunset Over Hope Valley re-cap posts, my introductions are inspired either by what a character says, something that happens in an episode, or an observation I’ve made while watching the show. When Lee’s conversation with Rosemary made her theater finally seem like a reality, I knew I had to bring it up in my re-cap’s introduction! As a Heartie who’s been watching When Calls the Heart since literally day one, I have been waiting for Rosemary’s dream of opening a theater to come true for over ten years. I’ve even brought it up in some of my re-cap posts as well as articles related to the show. Though few details were revealed about the Playhouse, I’m excited to see Rosemary’s dream come to life in Hope Valley! Having a long-awaited wish granted is definitely a good way to start the New Year!

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: 13

Episode: 1

Name: Up In the Air

Major stories:

Over the summer, Elizabeth, Jack Jr., Nathan, and Allie have been living at Charlotte’s boarding house in Cape Fullerton while Jack Jr. has received Diabetic treatment. This living situation was meant to be temporary, however, because the Infirmary in Hope Valley was being prepared to become a certified Diabetic center. But this plan is literally and figuratively derailed, as the country’s only medical inspector, Marvin, is unable to travel due to a railroad strike. So, the trip to Hope Valley for Allie, Nathan, Jack Jr., and Elizabeth is planned as a weekend excursion. Assuming she won’t come back to Hope Valley in time for the start of the school year, Elizabeth prepares to give Minnie her lesson plans. But during a conversation with Rosemary, Nathan comes up with an idea to keep his and Elizabeth’s family permanently in Hope Valley. Remembering what a boarder named Skeet Rivington said about his nephew, Nathan recruits Skeet’s nephew to fly Marvin to Hope Valley’s Infirmary. His plan is successful, as not only is the trip safely executed, the Infirmary officially becomes a certified Diabetic center. This allows Jack Jr., Elizabeth, Allie, and Nathan to stay in Hope Valley for good.

The grand opening of Goldie National Park is just around the corner. Hope Valley has been preparing for this day, from Rosemary and Lee posing for press photos to the town being decorated for the occasion. Even the younger residents of Hope Valley are looking forward to Goldie National Park’s grand opening. Oliver sketches a map of the park to include in the children’s park guidebook. Even Jack Jr. draws pictures for the guidebook covers. But when Toby, Cooper, Opal, and Allie go for a hike in the park, the residents of Hope Valley notice smoke coming from the park’s direction. Concerned over the well-being of Cooper, Allie, Toby, and Opal, the Mounties of Hope Valley (Bill, Nathan, and Oliver) ride toward the park to figure out what is going on.

Theater seats image created by weatherbox at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/weatherbox.”

Minor stories:

Henry’s son, Christopher, returns to Hope Valley. This time, he is installing the town’s first traffic light. Christopher likes working at the electric company that helped install the traffic light in Hope Valley. While the money is good, he enjoys being able to help others. During a conversation over lunch at the saloon, Christopher tells Henry about a job offer he’s interested in. Henry reminds his son how he’s more than just his job.

Summer was a busy season for Lucas and Edie. While Lucas prepared for his re-election campaign, Edie dealt with land related legal disputes. Edie utilized Lucas’ office at the saloon whenever he worked on governor duties. However, the idea of Edie and Lucas sharing an office was brought up. During a conversation between Lucas and Lee, as well as during a conversation among Edie, Mollie, and Florence, Lucas and Edie discuss how despite both of them being busy, they miss each other’s company. Though the true nature of Edie and Lucas’ relationship is still up in the air.

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:

As I mentioned in the introduction of this re-cap post, Rosemary’s dream of opening a theater will finally come true. This could not have come at a better time for me. Lately, I’ve been heart-broken and frustrated about Eddie Munson being denied a second chance at receiving his full potential in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. So, seeing Rosemary’s theater come to fruition has not only given me some much needed joy, it has also given me something to look forward to for the rest of season thirteen!
McGinty, the disgruntled land-owner from season twelve, has returned to Hope Valley in the season thirteen premiere of When Calls the Heart. His conversation with Bill suggests he’s still bitter about how much prime farmland the national park is taking up. Based on the synopsis for upcoming episodes, the wildfire at the national park will be investigated. If the fire was intentionally started, I hope McGinty isn’t the guilty party because that would make the mystery’s outcome predictable. Personally, I’d like to see an interactive and engaging mystery, so the audience can try to solve the mystery alongside the show’s characters.
Like I said in this re-cap post’s introduction, I’ve been watching When Calls the Heart since literally day one. Looking back on how past seasons have begun, season thirteen has one of the better season premieres! This season’s first chapter does a nice job reintroducing Hearties to the world of Hope Valley without feeling overwhelming. Resolutions to conflicts also feel earned instead of being created for the sake of plot convenience. With a cliff-hanger conclusion and some pleasant surprises, season thirteen’s premiere provides enough story points to give the rest of the season intrigue!
Last July, I created a list of thirteen questions for When Calls the Heart’s thirteenth season. One of those questions was whether Edie would actually start her law firm in Hope Valley. Based on how Edie’s story has turned out, so far, in the season thirteen premiere, that law firm hasn’t become a reality yet. But since the season has just started, only time will tell where Edie’s story will go.

What are your thoughts on When Calls the Heart’s thirteenth season premiere? What are you looking forward to this season? Let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

The Best and Worst Movies I Saw in 2025

On December 31, 2025January 5, 2026 By 18cinemalane2 Comments

2025 has been a strange year for 18 Cinema Lane. That’s because most of the movies I’ve seen and/or reviewed this year have been ok or fine. After seeing so few good or bad films in 2025, I wasn’t able to create separate top ten best and worst movies lists like in years past. So, instead, I wrote a combined list where I discuss the movies I saw this year that I liked and didn’t like. What’s also different about this year’s end of year list is how there are no Honorable Mentions, due to how few good movies I saw in 2025. But there are two Dishonorable Mentions; Recipe for Murder and Black Bag. The only reason why these films are considered Dishonorable Mentions is because I DNFed (did not finished) both of them. For this year’s list, I will start talking about 2025’s worst movies then end the list by talking about 2025’s best movies. If I reviewed any of the movies on my list, I will provide a link to those reviews.

Worst Movies I Saw in 2025

7. Stalked by My Amish Boyfriend

Lifetime movies, like Hallmark movies, are not created equally. The 2024 film, Stalked by My Amish Boyfriend, is just one example of this statement. While it was interesting to see and hear how information about Amish culture was woven into the story, that part of the script couldn’t overshadow the major flaws of the movie. I was frustrated by how some characters would make dumb decisions simply for the sake of making dumb decisions. Stalked by My Amish Boyfriend was also, in my opinion, a mostly forgettable film. This is the reason why the 2024 picture is at the bottom of my list.

6. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

As I said in my review of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, I expected the 1949 movie to be an action-packed, suspenseful, and even intriguing story. What I got instead was an underwhelming film that prioritized presentation over product. I praised She Wore a Yellow Ribbon for its pretty looking scenery. But a photogenic background was unable to save the film from its weak script. A limited amount of action took away a lot of the story’s suspense and intrigue. It also doesn’t help how I only became familiar with most of the characters instead of truly getting to know them. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is one of two movies I saw this year that almost made me fall asleep.

Take 3: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon Review

5. Kind Hearts and Coronets

Kind Hearts and Coronets is the second film I saw in 2025 that almost made me fall asleep. But the flaws in this movie greatly differ from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon’s emphasis on scenery over substance. Despite Kind Hearts and Coronets being classified as a “comedy”, I didn’t laugh at all while watching the film. I also had no idea what the story’s moral was supposed to be, due to the moral being treated as an afterthought. Like I said in my Kind Hearts and Coronets review, I’m not entirely sure what this movie was trying to say. That lack of clarity not only makes the movie underwhelming, it also makes the movie confusing.

Take 3: Kind Hearts and Coronets Review

4. Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

Having Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery on my worst movies of the year list and finding Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery slightly better than its predecessor feels like déjà vu. That’s because One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was placed on my worst of 2024 list, with its follow-up, A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, being slightly better. Though Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery had its own set of flaws. Forced humor felt straight out of a sit-com, especially when Delores was involved in the story. As I said in my review, I wondered why a laugh track was missing. Both of the film’s mysteries contained such a small sense of urgency, the run-time felt a bit drawn-out. The story’s overall intrigue was weaker due to this flaw. If the Murder, She Baked/Hannah Swensen series continues in 2026, I’d like to see the quality become more consistent.

Take 3: Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Review

*Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery* poster created by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

3. Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride

Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride is the most disappointing movie I saw in 2025. There were so many missed creative opportunities in this story, the film itself was under-cooked and uninspired. The movie was sometimes boring because of the lack of urgency. Seeing Perry, Della, and even Kevin meanderingly take their time building a legal case sucked the energy out of the story. I said in my review how any movie series boasting over ten titles was going to have at least one “bad day at the office”. I also said in my review how Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride was one of those days for the fictional detective.

Take 3: Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride Review

2. My Gal Sunday

This 2014 movie is a perfect example of Hallmark putting the cart before the horse. Instead of creating a solid stand-alone film that could have naturally led to more chapters, the network put more effort into trying to build the foundation for a potential series. Parts of this story didn’t make sense. One glaring example is when an itinerary shows the protagonist couple’s plans of going dancing at 11 p.m. on Saturday then going to church at 8 a.m. on Sunday, begging the question of when these characters were supposed to go to sleep. The on-screen chemistry between Cameron Mathison and Rachel Blanchard made their characters, Henry and Sunday, feel less like a married couple and more like a couple who are about to start dating. It’s, honestly, a shame My Gal Sunday wasn’t a stronger picture. Mystery stories about married couples are uncommon from Hallmark, so this 2014 story could have offered something unique to the network’s table.

1. Mystery by the Book

This film actually has two titles; Mystery by the Book and Key to Love. However, I saw the movie on Great American Family under the title, Mystery by the Book. Therefore, I will be referring to that title for the sake of my list. For a movie with the word ‘mystery’ in the title, the story’s mystery is an afterthought, which makes the title itself very misleading. Instead, the characters develop other priorities, like playing dress-up and tapping glasses four times during one dinner date. Parts of the script don’t make sense, like how the protagonists find a treasured antique key. Mystery by the Book is even so bad, it’s, at times, unintentionally funny. A perfect example is when Corey Sevier’s character, Josh, is looking for a set of keys, only to find a set of keys seconds later on a key hook labeled “Keys”. Thank goodness Great American Family’s Ainsley McGregor Mysteries series is growing stronger in quality. But if the network wants to expand their mystery library, they have a long road ahead of them.

*Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride* poster created by Fred Silverman Company, Viacom Productions, Dean Hargrove Productions, National Broadcasting Company, and Viacom

Best Movies I Saw in 2025

**8. The Phantom of the Opera (1925)**

I’m still shocked by how the 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera was never included on any of American Film Institute’s 100 movies lists, even months after I reviewed the film. Looking at everything the movie has to offer, I believe there is an argument to be made for its inclusion on, at least, one of those lists. Lon Chaney’s performance alone highlights how make-up, body language, and even the eyes can enhance an acting performance. Each area of the Opera House was presented through color coded film, which gave the movie a unique identity. What also helps 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera standout is how the cinematic lens showed the audience the expansive nature of storytelling. This is why, in my opinion, the story of the Phantom and his opera house is better suited for film than the stage.

Take 3: The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Review (Silent Pioneers Double Feature Part 2)

7. Fist of Fury

For an introduction to Bruce Lee’s filmography, I think Fist of Fury is a good one! The martial arts choreography was definitely one of the strengths of this film. But the movie contained other aspects I liked as well. Bruce’s portrayal of Chen is a reason why Fist of Fury was so memorable. Clever writing and higher stakes woven into the script create a story that was clever, suspenseful, and intriguing. Because of how much I enjoyed watching Fist of Fury, I hope to check out more of Bruce’s movies in 2026!

Take 3: Fist of Fury Review

6. The Chalk Garden

Even though I reviewed this film back in February, I still think about what Laurel said about not liking being told “good morning”. How well-written the dialogue was is one of the reasons why I remember Laurel saying, “what is a good morning to someone else is rarely a good morning to me”. Speaking of Laurel, Hayley Mills’ utilization of animated expressions and a variety of emotions helped the audience see how complex her character truly is. But Hayley is not the only actress whose performance was strong. The Chalk Garden is a movie where every actor and actress does a great job with the acting material they were given. The 1964 presentation is part character study, part mystery that works!

Take 3: The Chalk Garden Review + 505 Follower Thank You

5. The Night Before the Night Before Christmas

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas is another movie I saw (and reviewed) this year where it was difficult to choose a favorite acting performance. The strength of the cast’s acting abilities not only made watching the story unfold more enjoyable, it even helped characters become more likable. Emphasizing the theme of giving painted a portrait of Santa I hadn’t really thought of before; someone who has a reputation for giving. It was also a clever way to remind viewers of one of the Christmas season’s important components. How Christmas activities were included in the script was a breath of fresh air as well. As I said in my review, I wish Hallmark went back to creating titles that didn’t rely too much on a formula, tropes, and/or cliches.

Take 3: The Night Before the Night Before Christmas Review + 515 Follower Thank You

*The Chalk Garden* poster created by Quota Rentals Limited, Ross Hunter Productions, and Universal Pictures

**4. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)**

It’s amazing how two movies on this year’s best films list not only turned 100 years old, they also utilized color coded film to their advantage! But what sets Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ apart from The Phantom of the Opera is how title cards went above and beyond in Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ due to how well-written they were. Another aspect that distinguishes Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is the cinematography’s capturing of the scope of the film. Long and medium shots effectively showcased a world that looked and felt larger than life. The visual presentation of the movie was certainly impressive. However, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ found a balance between style and substance!

Take 3: Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) Review

3. The Man Who Invented Christmas

Despite being the most recently reviewed movie on my list, The Man Who Invented Christmas is one of the best biopics I’ve ever seen! How the creation of A Christmas Carol lent itself to exploring Charles Dickens’ life story brought a unique element to the biopic genre. Watching Charles’ iconic tale come to live, literally and figuratively, provided the film a creative and memorable identity. The “Easter Eggs” related to A Christmas Carol sprinkled throughout the story was an engaging way to stay invested in the movie. The Man Who Invented Christmas is a solid Christmas title that would make a good double feature with I Heard the Bells.

Take 3: The Man Who Invented Christmas Review

2. The Wild Robot

I first talked about The Wild Robot in my list of The Top Ten Best Stand-Alone Films. Even though I published that list back in March, the 2024 animated movie has still held up as one of the best titles I saw this year! Like I said in The Top Ten Best Stand-Alone Films list, the animation was gorgeous, appearing as a blend of paintings and priceless photographs. A pleasant surprise was how much emotional depth the story contained. What adds a sense of timelessness to the production was the abundance of good messages and themes. While it’s too early to say how The Wild Robot will stand in the test of time, I think it has potential.

1. An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

I actually revisited this film in preparation for my review of An Old Fashioned Christmas. Watching An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving again after so many years reminded me why I love this movie! Attention to detail and historical accuracy created the illusion of taking the audience to another time and place. How the messages and themes of the Thanksgiving holiday were woven into the story allow An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving to truly embrace the holiday itself. The more I think about the 2008 movie, it makes me surprised it wasn’t a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. My belief is due to An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving containing elements that would likely be found in a Hallmark Hall of Fame project, such as strong acting performances and a historical fiction lens.

*The Man Who Invented Christmas* poster created by The Mazur Kaplan Company, The Mob Film Company, Ingenious Media, Nelly Films, Parallel Films, Rhombus Media, and Bleecker Street Media

Have fun in 2026!

Sally Silverscreen

Oh Lil Christmas Tree: 2025’s Official Ornament

On December 22, 2025 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

One of the movies I reviewed this year is 1964’s The Chalk Garden, a film I ended up liking. The movie’s title, The Chalk Garden, is based on a metaphor Miss Madrigal (the film’s protagonist) uses to describe Laurel, the teenage girl Miss Madrigal is charge of taking care of. Using the garden of Laurel’s grandmother, Mrs. St. Maugham, Miss Madrigal explains how it’s more difficult for flowers to grow in chalk because chalk can’t sustain nourishment. What Miss Madrigal is trying to say is how Laurel needs figurative nourishment, such as patience, understanding, and love. With all that said, this year’s Christmas ornament is a gardener nutcracker! The reason the year 1997 is written on the flower pot is because this ornament is from Hallmark’s Nutcracker Guild collection, with this particular ornament released in 1997. Considering the only movie from 1997 I’ve reviewed is Red Corner (with the flower itself also being red), this actually makes sense for my Oh Lil Christmas Tree project.