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

On March 24, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

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

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

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

Season: 13

Episode: 12

Name: Harvest Moon

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

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

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

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

Some thoughts to consider:

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

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

Have fun in Hope Valley.

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Heroes in Disguise

On March 17, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

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

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

Season: 13

Episode: 11

Name: Trials and Trails and Tribulations

Major story:

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

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Minor stories:

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

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

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Some thoughts to consider:

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

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

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: The Ring Makes It Real

On March 10, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Nathan plans on proposing to Elizabeth. In this episode of When Calls the Heart, he tries to figure out Elizabeth’s ring size so he can purchase an engagement ring. As Ned shows Nathan and Allie the engagement rings available to purchase, Ned tells them, “the ring makes it real”. When Ned said this, it made me think about how rings are more than just a statement piece or an item from a jewelry collection. It can be an extension of a person’s life story. Class rings or engagement rings symbolize the achievement of a major milestone. Mood rings make a wearer’s mood more visual. Even decorative rings or costume jewelry can hold a personal meaning to the person who owns that ring. It fascinates me how such a small piece of jewelry can represent so much. Now, when I see a character wearing a ring, I will wonder what the story behind it is.

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: 10

Name: Blessings

Major stories:

Nathan shares with Ned how he’s planning on proposing to Elizabeth. But in order to propose to Elizabeth, Nathan needs to get an engagement ring that fits her. For most of the episode, Nathan, as well as Allie, try to find a way to measure Elizabeth’s ring. When Allie and Oliver visit the pharmacy/ice cream parlor and walk in on Mei and Mike making clay bowls together, Allie develops an idea. She invites Elizabeth to a pottery class Mei is hosting at the ice cream parlor/pharmacy. During the pottery class, Allie suggests everyone close their eyes as they knead the clay. While Elizabeth has her eyes closed, Allie uses a small piece of clay to create an impression of Elizabeth’s ring (which she removed at the beginning of the pottery class). Allie and Nathan are able to use the clay to choose the perfect engagement ring. Later in the episode, Nathan asks for Charlotte’s blessing, as Charlotte has extended her stay in Hope Valley. He also asks Jack Thornton for his blessing, even taking Charlotte to the graveyard with him to visit Jack.

While figuring out where to take the fire investigation next, Nathan comes up with an idea to prove the alliance between Pioneer Electric and National Insurance. He believes if one company receives information about the fire, that information will be passed to the other company. For this idea to work, someone needs to give the information to one of these companies. Nathan, Georgie, and Bill select Rosemary to go undercover for them. They create a script for Rosemary about how she’s trying to obtain an insurance claim for her playhouse. Using her script during her meeting with Mr. Throckmorton, from National Insurance, Rosemary tells him how she heard a local farm called LeVeaux Farms was conducting a controlled burn around the time the forest fire at Goldie National Park started. Later in the episode, Mr. Whitaker, from Pioneer Electric, comes to Nathan with the information Rosemary gave to Mr. Throckmorton. This proves Nathan’s plan worked, giving him, Bill, and Georgie evidence of National Trust’s and Pioneer Electric’s alliance.

Minor stories:

The minor stories in this episode of When Calls the Heart are focused on relationships. First, Mike becomes interested in pottery after Mei shows him a bowl she and her grandmother made. This interest not only leads to Mei and Mike making clay bowls together, it also leads to Mei hosting a pottery class. Later in the episode, Mei expresses her gratitude to Mike for caring about her past. Meanwhile, at the Queen of Hearts, Lucas has a heart-to-heart conversation with Lee about his feelings for Edie. Lee tells Lucas how he shouldn’t let his past experiences get in the way of what makes him happy now. He even shares with Lucas how he didn’t let his past mistakes prevent him from falling in love with Rosemary. Toward the end of the episode, Bill expresses his interest in pursuing a romantic relationship with Georgie. At first, Georgie is hesitant because she thinks the relationship won’t work out. But she becomes more open-minded to the idea of being in a romantic relationship with Bill when they agree to be honest with each other.

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Some thoughts to consider:

As I said in this re-cap of When Calls the Heart, Charlotte has extended her stay in Hope Valley. During this stay, Charlotte admits to Elizabeth how she hasn’t been to Jack’s gravesite, let alone gone to the funeral. This piece of dialogue was a good way to address the continuity of Brooke Shields reprising her role as Charlotte for the first time since season three.
If a character is getting married in a Hallmark program, their wedding dress will sometimes not be revealed until the wedding takes place. This creative decision delivers a sense of surprise for the groom as well as the audience. One of the main stories in this When Calls the Heart episode revolves around Nathan’s plan to propose to Elizabeth. When he and Allie select an engagement ring for Elizabeth, their choice isn’t shown on screen. That creative decision is similar to the aforementioned wedding dress; giving a moment of shared surprise for Elizabeth and the audience.
In the commercial for the next episode of When Calls the Heart, Henry, through Rosemary’s radio show, encourages Christopher to come home. Within the context of the thirteenth season, Christopher has been missing for several weeks. With that said, why didn’t anyone think of using Rosemary’s radio show to contact Christopher sooner? I hope this potential plot hole is addressed in this season’s eleventh episode.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? How do you think Nathan will propose to Elizabeth? Let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Review

On March 8, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

As I’ve said before on 18 Cinema Lane, the overall quality of Hallmark’s Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series regressed when the series changed its name from Murder She Baked to Hannah Swensen. Most of the movies released since the name change have been either disappointing or ok, in my opinion. However, I keep watching the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series in the hopes the quality will get better. When I discovered another chapter in the series, Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, was on the way, I was actually intrigued. The idea of Hannah and company forced to solve a mystery while stuck at a costume party sounded reminiscent of Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans. Because of how much I liked that film, I was interested in seeing how the creative team behind the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series would approach the concept of a locked room mystery revolving around a costume party. How does Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery compare to Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans? Keep reading my review to find out!

*Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery* poster created by Hallmark Media and Hallmark Channel

Things I liked about the film:

The costume design: Like I said in this review’s introduction, Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery shows Hannah and company forced to solve a mystery while stuck at a costume party. If a movie’s creative team is planning on incorporating a costume party into their story, giving the cast costumes that are not only visually appealing, but also compliments the cast members should be a top priority. This was achieved in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. However, the creative team’s attention to detail is one of the ways the visual appeal and complimentary appearance of the costumes was achieved! Hannah dresses up as a mermaid at Lake Eden Inn’s masquerade party. Her sky-blue dress was covered in sparkles and pearls. Netting material with attached starfish presents the illusion the “mermaid” is wearing a skirt. A blue and pink tiara, as well as a teal necklace, not only compliments Alison Sweeney’s blue eyes, they also correlate nicely with Hannah’s teal phone case. Other examples of wardrobe details that work in the costumes’ favor are red sneakers for a costume of Dorothy (from The Wizard of Oz) and a sparkly red heart purse for Delores’ Red Queen (from Alice in Wonderland) costume.

The costume party’s set design: The majority of Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery takes place at the aforementioned Lake Eden Inn’s masquerade party. To make a movie’s party space inviting, the creative team needs to utilize their budget, resources, and location provided to plan an event that feels fun and festive. Similar to what I said about the costume design in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, the fun and festive appearance of the masquerade party was achieved through attention to detail! The walls were covered with a black curtain-like material. Black mesh-like material was draped across the ceiling with string lights, creating a cozy tent around the dance floor. String lights were tied together on gold curtains and black support pillars glowed with yellow light around the party area. On one wall, masquerade masks were placed inside picture frames, showcasing themed “masterpieces” as official party décor. Even miniature masquerade masks helped create colorfully adorable centerpieces. I really liked how Lake Eden Inn’s masquerade party looked because of how much detail was given to this space!

Delores’ toned down antics: Ever since Delores was given the private investigator subplot in One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, her antics have been silly and over-the-topic in the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series. In fact, her antics have been so over-the-topic and silly, I couldn’t take her seriously as a character. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. While Delores was the sassy, head-strong woman she’s always been known as, her antics were toned down. This allowed her interactions with other characters to feel believable, such as when she’s interrogating a suspect. Delores’ toned-down antics also made her a more likable character compared to some of the series’ more recent previous films.

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What I didn’t like about the film:

Lack of urgency: Murder mystery stories taking place in the present typically include a sense of urgency. This gives the characters motivation to solve the mystery before the guilty culprit hurts other people. But in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, that sense of urgency was lacking. It’s understandable for Hannah and company to keep the news about the murder mystery from the party guests, in order to prevent panic and fear. However, the characters seemed to be taking their time solving the case, even though the guilty culprit was right under their noses. The creative decision to not prioritize a sense of urgency within Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery slowed down the movie’s pace and drew the story out a bit.

Hannah and Chad’s inconsistent screen-time together: Since Victor Webster joined the cast of the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series, his on-screen chemistry with Alison Sweeney was the strongest in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. This helped make Chad and Hannah’s relationship finally feel believable to me. But in this newest Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen chapter, Hannah and Chad’s screen-time together was inconsistent. One reason why is how Chad and Hannah worked separately when attempting to solve the murder mystery. Another reason is how there was no subplot revolving around their relationship. I was disappointed by these creative choices because I actually looked forward to seeing Hannah and Chad together.

Underutilization of Michelle: Hannah’s sister, Michelle, is featured in Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. When it comes to her involvement in the story, however, she only appears in about three scenes total. Plus, Michelle has little to no participation in solving the case. In my opinion, it was such a missed opportunity not to utilize Michelle more in this newest Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen movie. Since she is a photographer, perhaps she could have been recruited as the masquerade party’s official photographer.

My overall impression:

In the introduction of this review, I asked how Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery compares to Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans. Now that I’ve seen the latest installment in the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series, I have an answer to that question. At best, Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery is an ok film. But, at worst, it’s a weaker version of Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans. The lack of urgency made Hannah and company seem to be taking their time solving the case, slowing down the movie’s pace and drawing the story out a bit. I also didn’t like how Hannah and Chad shared an inconsistent amount of screen-time together. Michelle, Hannah’s sister, could have been utilized more throughout the story, such as being the official photographer of Lake Eden Inn’s masquerade party. Despite these flaws, Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery does contain elements I did like. The costume design, as well as the costume party’s set design, featured a lot of attention to detail, making those parts of the movie visually appealing and memorable. I even could take Delores seriously as a character because her antics were toned down. If anything, though, Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery prioritized style over substance.

Overall score: 6 out of 10

Have you seen Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery? If the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series continues, what would you like the next story to be about? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the bakery!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: It Started with a Man

On March 3, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

This episode of When Calls the Heart primarily resolves around a scavenger hunt Elizabeth, Nathan, and Allie organize for LJ. The twist is, throughout the scavenger hunt, LJ receives memories of his late father, Jack Thornton. Some of the residents of Hope Valley share stories about Jack and even bring up how he impacted their lives. The way these characters talked about Jack reminded me of Clarence’s quote from It’s a Wonderful Life, when he told George, “Each man’s life touches so many other lives”. From season one to most of season five, Jack’s actions caused a ripple effect that led to other events that happened in later seasons. If it wasn’t for Jack, Faith never would have come to Hope Valley, let alone become a doctor. Rosemary’s radio show wouldn’t exist, as Jack was the reason Rosemary came to Hope Valley all the way back in season one. And Henry would be living a completely different life had it not been for Jack’s kindness. Until this episode of When Calls the Heart, I hadn’t realized Jack Thornton was the glue that not only kept the show together, but kept the Hearties together as well. But what I do know is the loss of Jack has been both seen and felt.

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: 9

Name: Lost and Found Again

Major stories:

LJ is upset when he discovers Jack’s medal is missing. Nathan, Bill, and Oliver search for the medal, but are unable to locate it, even by the end of the episode. When LJ becomes mesmerized by the Jack Thornton School’s/church’s blueprints Lee brings to Elizabeth’s class, Elizabeth comes up with an idea to give her son more memories of the father he never knew. One day, in Hope Valley, Elizabeth, Nathan, and Allie host a scavenger hunt to LJ. But, as Allie points out, LJ will receive memories instead of prizes. Throughout the scavenger hunt, LJ hears stories about Jack from Elizabeth, Faith, Rosemary, Lee, and Henry. Charlotte even arrives in Hope Valley for a surprise visit, sharing a letter Jack wrote with LJ. But Allie feels bad about not having her own memories of Jack to share. So, she works with Oliver to adapt one of Jack’s cases into a storybook. At the end of the episode, Allie gives the book to LJ, with Elizabeth expressing her excitement over Allie’s writing talent.

Most of the houses in Benson Hills have been rebuilt. For Lee’s construction company’s next project, the rebuilding of Benson Hills’ school will soon begin. But the students from Benson Hills aren’t looking forward to this development, primarily because they don’t know where their learning will take place. To get these students excited about their new school, Lee hosts a contest to determine the school’s official blueprint. The winning design will be brought to life by Lee’s construction company. Inspired by the designs of Ancient Rome, Rupert is looking forward to potentially creating his new school. However, he has difficulty coming up with a design that will impress the judges. Elizabeth suggests Rupert work with Opal, as Opal is also interested in architecture. Taking Elizabeth’s advice, Rupert, as well as Opal, invent a design that not only reflects the architecture of Ancient Rome, it centers around the library. All three judges, Lee, Rosemary, and Lucas, love Opal and Rupert’s design so much, it gets selected as the official blueprint of Benson Hills’ school.

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Minor story:

Lucas learns the funds for the rebuilding of Benson Hills’ school have been moved to another department. This department plans to use the money for city related projects. Unsure how to solve the problem, Lucas calls Edie, who now works in Union City for the Franklin And Sons Foundation. She suggests asking the Foundation for a grant to rebuild Benson Hills’ school, as education is an important cause for Mrs. Franklin (one of the creators of the Franklin And Sons Foundation). This idea ends up working, with the Benson Hills school rebuild continuing as planned. Lucas also expresses his feelings for Edie, but Edie tells him how they shouldn’t dwell on the past.

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Some thoughts to consider:

On two separate occasions, there was an autumn leaf garland on display in the background. This simple design choice was an effective way to show the progression of time. I also appreciate hearing how the rebuilding of Benson Hills has been moving forward. Even though these homes weren’t shown on screen, at least the characters talked about it.
In my past re-cap posts for season thirteen, I’ve brought up the fire investigation and the developments made by the characters. But in this re-cap post, I didn’t address this overarching mystery. That’s because there were no updates made in this episode of When Calls the Heart. Ever since Christopher left Hope Valley, it seems like the mystery has been put on pause in favor of the stories with lower stakes. With the next episode seemingly revolving around Nathan’s proposal to Elizabeth, it looks like the fire investigation mystery will be paused for a little while longer.
For a story centered around sharing memories about Jack Thornton, it was nice to see Charlotte included in this narrative. But what also would have made sense is having Tom Thornton participate in the scavenger hunt. Not only did he grow up with Jack (as Tom is Jack’s younger brother), Jack is the reason why Tom has any career at all, with Jack’s encouragement inspiring Tom to turn his life around. Personally, I think Tom being absent from this episode was a missed opportunity.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? Do you think Edie will stay in Union City or move back to Hope Valley? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

The 8th Annual Gold Sally Awards Have Arrived!

On February 28, 2026 By 18cinemalane2 Comments

The Gold Sally Awards, a beloved tradition on 18 Cinema Lane, have returned! For those new to my blog, this is an annual post I publish to commemorate my blog’s anniversary. Winners of the Gold Sally Awards are chosen based on movies I saw the previous year. The award categories are created by me, based on topics I’ve brought up on 18 Cinema Lane. Every year, I try to introduce at least one new award category. But in 2026, I’ve brought back two existing categories instead. I will discuss why I chose each recipient, like I’ve done in past award posts. So now, let the 8^th Annual Gold Sally Awards begin!

8th Annual Gold Sally Awards Winners created by me, Sally Silverscreen.

The Standing Ovation Award

(Character Most Deserving of Receiving Their Full Potential)

Alfred White from Saving the Titanic

Overcoming a fear takes bravery, determination, and perseverance. When one conquers a fear that was holding them back, it is an accomplishment worth celebrating, especially considering what that person may have gone through to reach that accomplishment. In Saving the Titanic, Alfred White had a fear of heights. He eventually overcame his fear when tasked with reporting everything happening above Titanic’s deck. The fact Alfred faced and conquered his fear during the highly stressful time of Titanic’s sinking is quite amazing. But as Alfred was addressing his fear of heights, he also taught me about the Titanic’s fourth fake funnel, a fact I was unaware of before watching Saving the Titanic. For these reasons, I have chosen Alfred White to receive this year’s Standing Ovation Award!

The Hallmark Hall of Fame Award

(Movie That Feels Like It Belongs in the Hallmark Hall of Fame Collection)

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

When I gave Hallmark’s Frankenstein the Hallmark Hall of Fame Award last year, I described the 2004 television movie as an immersive experience. The combination of screenwriting, acting performances, set design, and costume design presented the illusion of transporting me to another time and place. This is exactly how I felt when revisiting An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving! In the case of the 2008 tv film, this illusion was achieved through attention to detail and historical accuracy. Similar to Hallmark’s Frankenstein, I’m surprised An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving wasn’t a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. It’s even more surprising none of Louisa May Alcott’s literary work was adapted into Hallmark Hall of Fame titles. So, those are the reasons why I chose An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving for this year’s Hallmark Hall of Fame Award!

The “She Won’t Give Me My Chocolate” Award

(Best Quote from a Movie)

“For those who make history needn’t read about it” – Eva, The Bride (1985)

I will admit this was the most difficult category to choose a winner for. That’s because there were several strong quotes that were deserving of this year’s “She Won’t Give Me My Chocolate” Award. But the quote I ended up selecting was the one Eva told Josef in 1985’s The Bride. Outside the movie’s context, the quote itself is powerful and epic. Within the movie, however, it’s a simplistic yet meaningful acknowledgment of how far Eva came from when she was first introduced in the story. By Eva telling Josef, “For those who make history needn’t read about it”, she’s no longer the blank slate Frankenstein originally created her to be. Instead, Eva can think and speak for herself, even if she did need some help along the way. This quote provides character development in an interesting and memorable way!

The Edwin P. Christy Award

(Most Annoying Character in Film)

Cameron Shannon from An Old Fashioned Christmas

Looking back on 2025, Cameron Shannon, from An Old Fashioned Christmas, sticks out in my memory. But his memorability is for the wrong reasons. As I said in my review of the 2010 tv picture, Cameron was the worst character in An Old Fashioned Christmas. This was due to how annoying he became over the course of the movie. Cameron always acted like he had something to prove, as well as attempting to get the last word in every argument or conversation. So, it was satisfying to see Gad confront Cameron toward the end of the story. Like I also said in my An Old Fashioned Christmas review, the majority of the film emphasized the love triangle between Tilly, Gad, and Cameron. Honestly, I don’t know what Tilly saw in Cameron because his unlikability was static.

The Edward Boult Award

(Missed Opportunity in Cinema)

Not giving Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride a unique and memorable story

Last July, when I reviewed Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride, I criticized the movie for its missed creative opportunities. This major flaw made the twenty-third chapter in the Perry Mason movie series lackluster. In my review, I gave two subplot ideas that could have helped Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride obtain a more memorable story. The first is how Hannah, the sister of Kaitlynn’s fiancé, converted her failed music career into a promising legal career. Kaitlynn’s real personality being quite different from her celebrity persona serves as the second subplot idea. Sadly, these ideas weren’t utilized nor did they contribute to the mystery of Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride. The 1992 television film was Perry Mason’s “bad day at the office”.

The “Based on a Book I Haven’t Read Yet” Award

(Movie Based on Source Material I Have Not Yet Read)

An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving

Louisa May Alcott is best known for her iconic novel, Little Women. But she has written some short stories throughout her career. One of those short stories was An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, which was the source material for the 2008 Hallmark Channel movie of the same name. You’d think with how much I adore An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving’s film adaptation, I would have read the source material by now. But as of late February to early March, 2026, I still have not read Louisa May Alcott’s short story. Hopefully, I can finally check out An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving this year!

The Nosferatu vs. Dracula Award

(Two Movies That Feel Like You’re Watching the Same One)

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler from 1973 and 1995

If you read my review of 1973’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, you would know this adaptation, as well as the 1995 version, would likely receive the Nosferatu vs. Dracula Award. This is due to both movies sharing a lot of the same strengths and flaws. Even though each version of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler does have its differences, it’s not enough to give the films strong differentiations between them. Even though I slightly prefer the 1995 adaptation over the 1973 version, these movies made me feel like I was watching the same film twice.

The Kay’s Costume Party Dress Award

(Best Outfit from a Movie)

Marion’s Angel Costume from Wings of Desire

In my Comparing with the Critics review of Wings of Desire, I complimented the movie’s costume design. I even described one of Marion’s trapeze artist costumes in detail. That costume is the angel costume Marion wore when she was first introduced in Wings of Desire. The craftsmanship and detail that went into creating the costume allowed the costume itself to stand out long after the movie was over. As I said in my review, the exquisiteness of Marion’s costumes, including her angel costume, makes me wish they were shown in color more consistently.

Sally’s MVP Award

(Character Who Left a Memorable, Showstopping Impression)

Rinaldo from The Bride (1985)

Back in June, 2025, when I reviewed The Bride, I proclaimed Rinaldo was the movie’s MVP. So, when it came time to decide who should receive the Sally’s MVP Award, I already knew the perfect winner! From the moment he meets Viktor, Rinaldo genuinely has Viktor’s best interests at heart. He strives to give Viktor a better life than Frankenstein did, even going so far as to educating Viktor on the importance of his name, which means “He will win”. Rinaldo always refers to Viktor as “his friend”. If it wasn’t for Rinaldo, I don’t believe Viktor would have received the “hero’s journey” he did in The Bride. Similar to when I gave Madmartigan the Sally’s MVP Award last year, Rinaldo became The Bride’s MVP because of David Rappaport’s performance and the screenwriting.

The They Deserve an Award Award

(Someone Associated with a Movie Who Deserves Recognition)

Monika Jacobs (for her costume designs in Wings of Desire)

In the past, I would give this award to actors or actresses who gave a performance that was memorably showstopping. But this year, I decided to expand the They Deserve an Award Award to other departments of film-making. That’s because there are other important components of creating a movie besides acting. When I reviewed Wings of Desire, I praised the film’s costume design, specifically pointing out one of Marion’s trapeze artist costumes. I said I wish Wings of Desire’s costume designer, Monika Jacobs, was nominated for, at least, one award. Costume design isn’t just about crafting attire that’s appealing to the eye. It’s also about creating attire that compliments the actor or actress wearing it. Through Marion’s wardrobe in Wings of Desire, Monika achieved these objectives. Even though Marion’s trapeze artist costumes were stunning, her casual and formal attire made Solveig Dommartin look like the best dressed star of Wings of Desire!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Flickers of Light

On February 27, 2026 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Fernando has made his presence known in Hope Valley. According to Edie, he’s gotten to know everyone’s name despite being in Hope Valley for only a week. In this episode of When Calls the Heart, Rosemary directs a silent film. Fernando has been tasked with the film’s lighting. He tells Edie, Mei, and Faith how film is flickers of light. What Fernando said made me think about not just his time on the show, but the other characters on the show as well. When a character is introduced on When Calls the Heart, they bring a light that makes them memorable and valuable. If that character leaves the show, they take their light elsewhere. But for the characters that stay in Hope Valley, their light grows brighter, strengthening as the series progresses. Together, the residents of Hope Valley shine like the lights on a Christmas tree. As for Fernando, he’s, so far, found a way to shine. From rescuing Bucky the horse to playing a role in Rosemary’s movie, Fernando’s light has brought a positive spark to 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: 13

Episode: 8

Name: Take Two

Major stories:

Rosemary decides to create a silent movie after seeing a Zorro movie poster at the Queen of Hearts hotel and saloon. She recruits Opal as a producer and Elizabeth as the screenwriter. After turning down several story ideas, Rosemary chooses a story about a Mountie rescuing a schoolteacher. She also casts Elizabeth and Nathan in the film’s starring roles. Leading up the filming of the movie, some of Hope Valley’s residents contribute to the movie’s production. From Fernando on the lighting crew to Ned starring as the movie’s villain, creating the movie becomes a team effort. But when filming begins, Rosemary believes Nathan and Elizabeth can’t portray their characters believably. So, she recasts the movie’s main characters, selecting Fernando and Faith instead. Their performance captures Rosemary’s vision and allows the movie’s production to continue.

Georgie returns to Hope Valley to help Edie with the insurance claims cases. She also provides some insight into the fire investigation. After looking at a fraudulent map from Pioneer Electric, Georgie recognizes the map’s craftmanship as the work of Clement Scoggins. Later in the episode, Nathan, Bill, and Georgie confront Clement at the Queen of Hearts hotel and saloon about his potential involvement in how the fire started. But Clement quickly leaves without giving them any information. When Bill and Georgie listen in on Clement’s phone call, they learn he’s still working for Pioneer Electric. Meanwhile, Christopher was spotted in a pub in Union City. By the end of the episode, though, he still hasn’t been found.

Image of vintage movie camera created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by macrovector – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

Though it seems like Edie’s path has crossed with Fernando’s path more than Lucas’ path, she still doesn’t have any romantic feelings for Fernando. Edie confronts Fernando about how she feels, with Fernando seeming to accept her decision. But when Lucas sees Edie kissing Fernando on the cheek, he believes he needs time before entering another romantic relationship. This is because he doesn’t want his heart to get broken again. Toward the end of the episode, Lucas talks to Mike about his hesitation over starting a romantic relationship with Edie. Mike tells Lucas not let his past steal his future. Unfortunately, Lucas can’t put Mike’s words into practice because Edie left Hope Valley to work with the Franklin And Sons Foundation, an organization Georgie introduced her to.

Mollie has been receiving mysterious letters recently. These letters make Florence curious, especially since Mollie won’t reveal who the letters are from. Later in the episode, at the Queens of Hearts hotel and saloon, Mollie spots Florence kissing a man she doesn’t recognize. But when she confronts Florence and the “mystery man”, she learns the “mystery man” is actually Ned in his villain disguise from the silent movie. Florence uses this opportunity to confront Mollie about the letters. She tells Mollie how Elizabeth told her about the nursing correspondence course Mollie has been taking. Mollie shares how she was afraid of failing, with that being reason for the secrecy. But Mollie reveals how she passed the course, making her an official practicing nurse.

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

Some thoughts to consider:

Now that we’re more than half-way through season thirteen, I’m frustrated over a flaw that’s becoming more consistent. In seasons eleven and twelve, large scale projects were introduced at the beginning of the story, giving Hearties excitement over new additions to Hope Valley’s landscape. But as the seasons went on, little to no progress was made toward those projects, leaving the characters empty-handed by the end of the story. Based on season thirteen’s overarching story, so far, I have a feeling the rebuilding of Benson Hills, Goldie National Park, and Rosemary’s Playhouse won’t be near completion by the end of season thirteen. While I’m aware these types of projects take time to be accomplished in real life, it’s starting to seem like season thirteen’s aforementioned projects aren’t being prioritized within When Calls the Heart’s combined twelve hours of storytelling. If this is an issue related to resources and budget, why would the show’s creative team entertain the idea of large-scale projects in the first place?
In my last Sunset Over Hope Valley re-cap post, I believed there wouldn’t be a love triangle between Fernando, Edie, and Lucas based on Fernando’s screen-time and Edie’s lack of romantic feelings for Fernando. But after this episode of When Calls the Heart, I’m starting to think the writers don’t know what they want for Edie. If she truly doesn’t want to fall in love with Fernando again, why does it seem like her path is crossing with Fernando’s path more than Lucas’ path? If Lucas and Edie are meant to share a romantic relationship, why does it seem like that relationship is stuck in place? I’d like to believe this storyline will be revolved at least by the end of the season. But with a fourteenth season on the horizon, I’m not so sure.
Though it was nice to see Rosemary passionate about her silent movie project, I think all that time, money, and resources spent on the silent movie could have gone toward rebuilding Rosemary’s Playhouse. I also believe this storyline did not need to serve as the episode’s main story. This is also how I feel about the next episode’s story, where LJ goes on a memory themed scavenger hunt. While it’s a nice idea for a subplot, having the scavenger hunt serve as the main plot makes the episode seem like a “filler” episode.

What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? Would you like to see Rosemary’s Playhouse rebuilt by the end of the season? Please tell me in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

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.

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?

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.

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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