Evenings At The Shore: Traveling Near and Far

On August 21, 2018January 24, 2019 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Something that I like about Chesapeake Shores is seeing our favorite East Coast family exploring the world beyond their backyard. Whether it’s Trace rocking out to some really great music in Nashville or Nell discovering the O’Brien family’s heritage in Ireland, these adventures bring a sense of realism to each of the characters and the show overall. Personally, I would love to see a St. Patrick’s Day themed movie where the O’Brien family travels to Ireland in honor of the holiday! Just think of all the stories that the characters of Chesapeake Shores could receive and the impact that a great backdrop, like Ireland, could have on each member of the family! Though Chesapeake Shores’ third season just started, I wouldn’t be surprised if Hallmark did decide to give this series their own set of movies. The show has been successful so far, so I’m hoping their success will continue. For now, let’s look back at this third episode of Chesapeake Shores’ third season!

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

Season: 3

Episode: 3

Name: This Rock is Going to Roll

Trace’s story: At the beginning of the episode, Trace reveals to Abby that he will soon go back on the road with his band to participate in another concert tour. This time, however, the tour will only last for three weeks and take place closer to Chesapeake Shores. Abby shares that, while Jess and Bree are in Maine, she will be the night manager at the Inn. Upon hearing this, Trace agrees with Abby to visit her, Carrie, and Caitlyn at the Inn so he can spend time with them and read a bedtime story to Abby’s daughters. Later that night, Trace comes to the Inn to play a board game with Carrie and Caitlyn. When it comes time for Trace to read a bedtime story to Carrie and Caitlyn, he, instead, chooses to tell them about Snipes, mythical creatures that can be found in the woods. The next day, Trace, Carrie, and Caitlyn go to the beach. When Carrie and Caitlyn express their interest to go swimming, Trace discourages them because he thinks that the current is too strong for swimming and could put Abby’s daughters in danger. Both Carrie and Caitlyn remind Trace that not only is he not their dad, but that their father, Wes, lets them go swimming whenever they want, no matter the size of the current. Later that day, Trace meets up with Mick at The Bridge. They have a heart-to-heart conversation about parenting and reflect on how much they’ve changed as people. Abby also comes to The Bridge, later in the episode, to talk to Trace about Carrie and Caitlyn’s response to his reaction at the beach. Before Carrie and Caitlyn left Chesapeake Shores to spend a week with their father, Trace planned a day trip to a nearby forest with him, Carrie, Caitlyn, Abby, Megan, Mick, and Kevin to find Snipes.

Abby’s story: When Trace reveals that he will return with his band to the, temporary, life of concert touring, Abby tells him about her temporary position as night manager at the Inn. She makes an agreement with Trace to spend as much time with each other and with her daughters as possible. At the Inn, Trace, Carrie, and Caitlyn play a board game while Abby sits on a couch, watching them have fun. Toward bedtime, Abby listens with Carrie and Caitlyn to Trace’s story about the Snipes. The next day, Carrie and Caitlyn tell Abby about what happened at the beach and how they responded to the situation. After hearing what her daughters told her about their statement to Trace, Abby pays a visit to The Bridge in get Trace’s side of the story. When Trace tells her what happened, Abby realizes that her daughters are trying to adjust to Trace’s presence in their family’s lives. Toward the end of the episode, Abby tells Trace that Carrie and Caitlyn are going to spend a week with their father. Both of them, along with Carrie, Caitlyn, Megan, Mick, and Kevin go on a day time to look for Snipes.

Mick’s story: While Jess and Bree are in Maine, Mick teams up with Kevin to run the Inn during the day. While Kevin struggles to cook certain meals, Mick seems to get the hang of using the right amount of ingredients to make delicious meals for the guests. When Kevin expresses his feelings about the disagreement between him and Connor, Mick suggests that he talk to his brother about what happened. Later in the episode, Kevin shares with Mick that the recent conversation between him and Connor at Word Play seemed to make matters worse. Mick suggests for Kevin to give Connor some space for he can sort through everything that has happened to him recently. Also, Mick meets up with Trace at The Bridge, where they talk about parenting and how much they’ve changed as individuals. At the end of the episode, Mick joins Trace, Carrie, Caitlyn, Abby, Kevin, and Megan on their search for Snipes.

Megan’s story: Megan volunteers to run Word Play while Bree is in Maine with Jess. One day, Robin shows up and marvels at how great the bookstore is. During her time there, Robin asks Megan how things have been since she came back home. Megan confesses that, at times, it feels confusing. The next day, Connor leaves his shift at Word Play early to meet up with Danielle, assuring his mom that his relationship with his girlfriend is still on good terms. Megan reminds Connor that just because he can convince other people to take his side doesn’t mean he can convince himself to believe whatever he’s trying to tell himself. At the end of the episode, Megan joins Mick, Kevin, Trace, Abby, Carrie, and Caitlyn to look for Snipes.

132091-OS5PEV-999 — Travel suitcase image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/water-color-travel-bag-background_1177013.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.

Nell’s story: Nell hasn’t given up her fight to save the local Wishing Fountain. One morning, she finally meets with the Mayor over a breakfast of homemade muffins to discuss the future of the Fountain. When the Mayor still doesn’t budge on his position to remove the Fountain, Nell leaves the meeting feeling discouraged. However, she makes one last effort to change the Mayor’s mind. One day, Nell invites the Mayor to join her, again, at the Fountain. This time, she mentions that the Fountain has remained an important cornerstone to the O’Brien family for many years. She also reminds the Mayor that because the O’Brien family is respected and well-liked in the Chesapeake Shores community, they could affect the election season more than the Mayor thinks. After thinking about what Nell told him, the Mayor quickly changes his mind to keep the Fountain still standing. Later in the episode, Nell meets up with Robin. When they both decide to make a wish, Nell shares that she wished for understanding, explaining that all she’s ever wanted to do is stand up for what she believes in and keep her family together. After this explanation, Robin decides to renew her wedding vows in Chesapeake Shores.

Kevin’s story: Kevin volunteers to help Mick at the Inn while Jess is in Maine. He struggles to prepare the meals for the guests because of his lack of cooking skills. However, Kevin does use this opportunity of working alongside his dad to express his concerns about Connor. Mick tells Kevin to find Connor and tell him what has been happening lately. One day, Kevin visits Connor at Word Play to talk about why he told Connor about his concerns relating to Danielle. Connor becomes upset with what Kevin tries to tell him and informs Kevin that his relationship with Danielle is on good terms. When Kevin returns to the Inn, later that day, he tells Mick about his conversation with Connor and how he feels it only made things worse. Mick reassures his son by suggesting that he gives Connor some space to sort everything out. When the episode ends, Kevin teams up with Mick, Megan, Trace, Abby, Carrie, and Caitlyn in their search for Snipes.

Jess’ story: Jess and Bree travel to Maine to visit David and his family. During their stay, everything seems to carry on without any problems. Jess also seems to get along with David’s family quite well. One day, while Jess is on her way to play a game of Polo with David’s parents, Bree tries to tell Jess that David’s parents did not plan this trip to become better acquainted with Jess. Bree also shares with Jess that Casey, one of the characters in her manuscript, is a representation of Bree, not Jess. Jess chooses not to listen to Bree and, instead, remains optimistic. After the Polo game, Jess and Mrs. Peck are talking about David’s role at the Inn. During their conversation, they pass by David’s office. They hear him speaking on the phone with international clients of the family company, indicating to Jess that David is really busy with important matters. Later that day, Jess finds Bree and expresses her feelings about everything that has happened so far. She feels her self-esteem slipping because David’s association with his family’s business appears, to her, more significant than any role David ever took at the Inn. Bree reminds Jess that she is awesome and that no one should tell her otherwise. After Bree explains to Jess that her manuscript was a reflection of the O’Brien family as a whole, Jess and Bree make up after their disagreement and continue to get along. At dinner that night, Mr. Peck announces that David is the new head of the family business. When the entrée is finally brought to the table, everyone at the table discovers that it is quiche, the meal that Jess told Mrs. Peck was David’s favorite dish to make at the Inn.

Bree’s story: Bree and Jess travel to Maine to visit David and his family. At first, everything during their stay seems fine. While exploring the family library, Bree meets David’s sister, Alexandra. During their conversation, Alexandra reveals to Bree that her parents may have ulterior motives for inviting Jess to meet their family. While Jess is on her way to play a game of Polo with David’s parents, Bree tries to tell Jess what Alexandra told her. When Jess refuses to listen to her, Bree explains to Jess that Casey, one of the characters in her manuscript, is not a representation of Jess, but a representation of Bree. Jess still doesn’t listen to Jess as she goes on her way to play Polo. Later that day, Jess comes to Bree in tears, expressing how David’s affiliation with his family business makes her feel insignificant. Bree reminds Jess that she is awesome and that no one should tell her otherwise. Jess also reminds Bree that she is awesome and that no one should tell her differently. Bree then explains to Jess that her manuscript was a reflection on the O’Brien family as a whole, causing both Bree and Jess to make up from their disagreement and continue to get along. At dinner that night, Alexandra shares with Bree that she liked the manuscript for her play. Mr. Peck also shares with Bree that he has pulled some strings to, potentially, have someone at a publishing company read Bree’s manuscript.

Connor’s story: Connor agrees to take a temporary shift at Word Play while Bree is in Maine with Jess. While working at the bookstore, Kevin pays Connor a visit and tries to explain his feelings about being suspicious of Danielle. Connor becomes upset by what Kevin tries to say and insists that he and Danielle have a good relationship. Later in the episode, while on a date with Danielle, Connor asks her if she is seeing anyone else. Danielle tells Connor that her feelings for him and the other guy that she’s seeing are complicated. The next day, Connor leaves his shift at Word Play early to go on a date with Danielle. Before he leaves, he tells Megan that his and Danielle’s relationship is in a good place. Connor is reminded by Megan that just because he can convince other people to take his side doesn’t mean he can convince himself to believe whatever he tells himself. On his date with Danielle, Connor and Danielle have a heart-to-heart about the state of their relationship. After everything is said, they decide to put their relationship on hold for the time being.

maine-vacationland-4-1218235 — Lighthouse in Maine image created by Ned Horton at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/Ned Horton.”

Some thoughts to consider:

I know this might sound random, but where do all the coins in the Wishing Fountain go? Are they used to raise funds for a local charity? Do they support any extracurricular activities for one of the schools in Chesapeake Shores? I hope Nell answers this question in an upcoming episode.

Even though David’s parents, in this episode and in the preview for the next episode, seem like they have a negative opinion about Jess, I have a feeling the Jess vs. David’s parents story might play out in a similar way to Hallmark’s “royal” movies. Hallmark usually shows their lead couples, in their movies or television shows, working things out for the better. Hopefully, Jess and David’s situation will work out for the best as well.

Speaking of Jess and David, did anyone else find their reenactment of the famous birthday cake scene from Sixteen Candles to be random? I don’t recall either Jess or David saying if they liked the film or that the infamous birthday cake scene was a favorite movie scene of theirs. Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Sixteen Candles about a young woman’s birthday getting overshadowed by a family member’s wedding? Because of this cinematic context, it made the idea of Jess and David reenacting that specific movie scene feel out of place within this episode. Though, I will admit that this scene between Jess and David was adorable!

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

What did you think about this episode? Would you like to see a Chesapeake Shores movie? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun in Chesapeake Shores!

Sally Silverscreen

Evenings At The Shore: This Episode is sponsored by Relationships

On August 15, 2018August 21, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

It seems like this episode of Chesapeake Shores focused a lot on the various relationships of the characters. While the plots this time around didn’t carry the show as strongly as they did in the previous episode, this episode never felt like a “filler” episode. Instead, it felt like an important stepping stone in the lives of Trace and the O’Brien family. Because there are so many characters on Chesapeake Shores, it helps that everyone gets a story and their own set of situations that are unique from each other. This makes the show interesting and provides layers of depth for the overall story. Speaking of these layers, let’s explore them now in this re-cap of Chesapeake Shores’ second episode within their third season!

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

Season: 3

Episode: 2

Name: The Way We Were

Trace’s story: During this episode, Trace is packing away items from his past and putting them in a storage area within The Bridge. To add to that collection of mementos, Trace’s father visits The Bridge to bring his son a box of baseball cards that Trace used to collect. They reminisce about old memories, as well as how life would have been different if Trace’s ambitions in baseball would have continued. Also, in this episode, Trace is making repairs to The Bridge. During his time there, Donovan shows up to encourage Trace to join him at an upcoming concert. Though tempted, Trace chooses to stay in Chesapeake Shores and uphold his promise to Abby. Toward the end of this episode, Abby reveals that she found a letter within his box of belongings, a letter that she wrote and sent to Trace many years ago. Trace shares with Abby that he didn’t bother reading the letter because he felt it wouldn’t have changed what happened to him and Abby in the past. During a fireside date between him and Abby, Trace decides to throw the letter into his fireplace and move forward with his life.

Abby’s story: At the beginning of this episode, Abby helps Trace pack away his belongings and prepare them for storage inside The Bridge. While looking through one of the boxes, Abby finds a letter that she wrote and sent to Trace before she and Wes got married. Throughout this episode, Abby contemplates what should be done about the letter, even asking Kevin for advice. She even thinks about how life would have been different if she hadn’t left Chesapeake Shores. On a date between her and Trace, Abby tells Trace about the letter she found and asks him why he never read it. Abby finds out that Trace never read the letter because he feels it wouldn’t have made any difference. When Trace decides to throw the letter into his fireplace, Abby is shocked at first, but respectfully accepts his decision.

Mick’s story: Mick travels to Connecticut to see the boat he has inherited in person. During his time there, he receives a note that helps remind him of the important things in life. When Mick returns home to Chesapeake Shores, he crosses paths with Thomas and his wife, Robin. Mick learns that not only does Thomas disagree with the way Mick has been treating Connor, but that Thomas and Robin are planning to renew their wedding vows in Bali. Thomas disagrees with Mick again when Mick questions the strength of Thomas and Robin’s marriage. Toward the end of this episode, Mick starts repairing the boat and gets a visit from Thomas. Even though he is still upset at Mick, Thomas chooses to spend time with his brother. The episode ends with Mick and Thomas sharing memories together of when they would go on boat rides with their father.

Megan’s story: In this episode, Megan meets up with Thomas and his wife, Robin. During lunch at Sally’s Café, Megan and Mick learn that Thomas and Robin plan to renew their wedding vows in Bali. When Mick and Thomas leave the table, Robin catches up with Megan and asks her why she returned to Chesapeake Shores. Megan reveals that she came home for the sake of her children. Megan, throughout this episode, tries to encourage Nell to visit Robin and tell her hello. Nell refuses and believes that Robin is unhappy.

265038-P4TIN9-926 — Envelope with hearts image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/hearts-and-pink-envelope-for-mothers-day_1950691.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/love”>Love image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Bree’s story: Bree travels to Baltimore because one of her stories has been adapted into a stage play. When she arrives at the theater, Bree discovers that Simon has come back to Baltimore on a book tour. He happens to be at the theater on the same day and at the same time as her, so they both decide to catch up for a little bit. After the play, Simon expresses his love for the play and apologizes to Bree for the fall out in their relationship. They both agree to go on a date at her bookstore, Word Play, in the very near future. Later, Bree asks Connor and Jess for dating advice. The remainder of Bree’s story is about her date with Simon, as well as both of them agreeing to give their relationship a second chance.

Jess’ story: Jess is still upset at Bree and she still misses David. In this episode, she turns to Connor for a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. Jess also takes the time to give Bree dating advice when she comes to her and Connor for help. Toward the end of the episode, Jess receives a letter from David, where he explains that he was on vacation and couldn’t receive a signal at his location. Jess visits Bree at her bookstore and tells her that David invited Jess to meet his family. Even though she is upset at Bree, Jess asks Bree to come meet David’s family with her so she wouldn’t feel alone. Jess’ story ends with Bree accepting Jess’ invitation.

Kevin’s story: As he drops Bree off at a local theater in Baltimore, Kevin notices Danielle, in the distance, hanging out with another guy. Thinking about what he saw, Kevin starts to wonder if Danielle is cheating on Connor. During a double date with Connor, Danielle, Sarah, and himself, Kevin is troubled by a statement Danielle made about her work schedule. He feels that Danielle knows more than she’s willing to let on. Later in the episode, Kevin tells Connor about what he saw and shares his best intentions to protect Connor. Connor takes Kevin’s best intentions the wrong way, thus creating a rift between the brothers. Kevin confesses to Sarah that he feels bad about upsetting Connor, but Sarah reminds him that doing the right thing is not always easy.

Connor’s story: Connor is still upset at his father. At the beginning of the episode, he stays at the Inn until he can find a place of his own. He not only provides a listening ear to Jess, he also helps Bree when she needs dating advice. After the double date with Sarah, Kevin, Danielle, and himself, Kevin tells Connor that he thinks Danielle is cheating on Connor. Connor is upset at Kevin for thinking the worst of Danielle, causing the brothers to have a disagreement. After Connor signs the final papers for his new apartment, he calls Danielle with the good news. When Danielle tells him twice that she can’t meet up with him for dinner, Connor starts to suspect that there might be some truth to what Kevin told him.

exploding heart 0912 — 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:

I wonder if the note that Mick was given at the beginning of this episode will have an affect on the rest of the characters throughout this season? It seems like, sooner or later, everyone in the O’Brien family, including Trace, with have their moment to figure out what’s important in their life. Will Mick’s note be physically seen by anyone else besides Mick or will Mick share the wisdom of the note with those around him?

I’m curious about why Nell thinks Robin is unhappy. No specifics are given in this episode, but I wonder if Nell will reveal her reasons in a later episode? Speaking of reveals, I also wonder why Megan left the O’Brien family in the first place? Megan’s reason(s) have never been revealed (so far) and I don’t know if her reasons were ever brought up in the books that are based on this show.

If Connor and Danielle break up, I wonder if the writers of Chesapeake Shores will give Connor a new love interest on the show? If they do, will this new character be introduced in Season 3 or in a future season? In the preview for the next episode, Danielle hesitated when Connor asked her if she was seeing anyone else. But, that video clip in the preview could have taken out of context.

What did you think about this episode? What’s your favorite relationship on Chesapeake Shores? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Chesapeake Shores!

Sally Silverscreen

Evenings At The Shore: Wishing Upon a Fountain

On August 8, 2018August 9, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Welcome to my Chesapeake Shores re-cap series, Evenings At The Shore! For me, Chesapeake Shores became such a pleasant surprise, introducing me to a world that was so delightful and characters that were very likable. I’ve been watching this show since the very beginning and I haven’t looked back since. With the premiere of the third season, there was a sort of re-cap into the lives of the characters from where we, the fans and viewers, have last left them. Because there are more key characters on Chesapeake Shores than When Calls the Heart, I will be discussing the events of the episodes based on an individual character’s story. For example, plots and stories specifically involving Connor (my favorite character on the show) will be written in a paragraph titled “Connor’s story”. Also, because Nell and Megan didn’t really get a storyline in the season three premiere episode, they will not be getting a re-cap paragraph for this specific post. Now that the O’Brien family is back together again, let’s start re-capping Chesapeake Shores’ third season!

Just a reminder: If you did not see the season premiere of Chesapeake Shores, there may be spoilers within this re-cap.

Season: 3

Episode: 1

Name: An Open Book

Trace’s story: Trace returns to Chesapeake Shores after touring with his band for three months. When he arrives at his house, he is greeted by his dog, Axel, and Abby. Trace not only promises to spend as much time with Abby and her daughters as possible, but he surprises Abby with a pair of boots for her and her daughters, all of them in the correct shoe sizes. While Trace fulfills his promise to Abby, he also fulfills his occupational promise of participating in a photo shoot and interview for a popular country music magazine. Shortly after the photo shoot, which takes place at The Bridge, Trace meets Ben, the person conducting the interview. At the start of the interview, Ben begins asking personal questions that Trace doesn’t feel comfortable answering. Because of this, Trace tells Ben that he’ll finish the interview at a later time. When visiting the Inn, he tells Donovan, a famous country singer who is visiting Chesapeake Shores, that he doesn’t want to answer personal questions in the interview because he wants to protect Abby and her daughters. Donovan also shares with Trace that he once had a family, but it didn’t work out. The next day, Trace and Ben meet up again to finish the interview. Before the interview begins, Trace makes it clear to Ben that he will not be answering any personal questions. From that point on, the interview takes place without any problems.

Abby’s story: While Abby patiently waits for Trace to return to Chesapeake Shores, she spends her time raising her daughters and working alongside Douglas at the business management firm. When Trace does come home, Abby surprises him by decorating the interior of his house with string lights. Abby and Trace make a promise to each other to spend as much time together as possible. Throughout the episode, both Abby and Trace keep their promise to each other. One day at work, Abby gets a phone call from Jess. Because Jess sounded emotional on the phone, Abby tries to figure out what happened. When she talks to Bree about Jess’ situation, Abby finds out that Bree was not intentionally trying to write about Jess’ life.

Mick’s story: Throughout the episode, Mick is working out the final details of the land settlement case. He feels disappointed about Connor working alongside his uncle, even confiding in Abby that he wished he would have hired Connor as his lawyer. While preparing for the Oyster Festival, Mick tries to tell his son about an important detail relating to the land settlement case, but Connor does not want to listen to him. During the final meeting about the land settlement, Mick wins the case by pointing out an important written statement from the 1950s. This seems to make matters worse between Mick and Connor. At the Oyster Festival, Mick and Connor get into an argument, which only causes more tension between father and son.

OH36HQ0 — Row of oysters image created by Dashu83 at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/oysters-on-a-black-background_983773.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Dashu83 – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Jess’ story: We find Jess managing the Inn and adopting David’s role as the Inn’s chef since David hasn’t returned. When Bree accidently leaves her manuscript in the kitchen, Jess decides to read it out of curiosity. What she discovers are events within the manuscript’s plot that parallel situations from her life. While Bree and Nell prepare the fundraiser to save the Wishing Fountain, Jess approaches them and shares her disapproval of Bree writing about her life without her permission. Jess continues to express her disapproval to Bree at the Oyster Festival.

Bree’s story: We find out that Bree is working on a manuscript and that one of her stories is being created into a stage play. Bree also shares that her bookstore is moving locations. When visiting Jess at the Inn, Bree accidently leaves her manuscript behind as she embarked on a trip to her bookstore. When helping Nell set up the fundraiser to save the Wishing Fountain, Bree is caught off guard when Jess expresses her disapproval of having her life story included in the manuscript without her permission. Later, Bree confides in Abby that she wasn’t trying to write about Jess’ life, but that she was trying to incorporate themes and characteristics into her manuscript that she is personally familiar with.

Kevin’s story: At the beginning of the episode, Kevin shares that he has been gaining EMT training experience. Kevin also shares his stories from his training opportunities with Sarah as they continue to spend time together. One day, Kevin confesses to Connor that he is concerned about his relationship with Sarah ending in a similar way to how his relationship with Georgia ended. However, Kevin doesn’t mention these concerns to Sarah as they prepare for and spend time at the Oyster Festival.

Connor’s story: Connor is still working for his uncle at his environmental law firm. As the final agreement details fall into place for the land settlement, Connor and Mick’s relationship develops more tension. While setting up the beach area in preparation for the Oyster Festival, Mick attempts to tell his son about an important detail involving the land settlement. Connor, however, refuses to listen due to feeling confident about the case. At the final meeting to close the land settlement deal, Connor and his uncle lose the case because of a statement written into the deal in the 1950s. Because of this discovery, Connor was caught off guard and left the room to call his uncle. At the Oyster Festival, Connor and Mick have an argument which creates more tension between father and son. At the end of the episode, Connor plans to move out of the O’Brien house.

Fountain — Water fountain image created by Whatwolf at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/big-water-fountain_890928.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Whatwolf – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

When Jess is talking to Donovan about Bree’s manuscript, she tells him that she has dealt with a lot of horrible things in her life, but she has been able to live with those parts of her life because they were secret. Other than her mom leaving the family and Jess mentioning that she has dealt with PTSD, I’m wondering what other situations Jess has gone through in her life. I hope that Jess talks more about her past as Season 3 goes on.

Even if it were just for one episode, I would really like to see Abby’s daughters, Carrie and Caitlyn, get their own story. On When Calls the Heart, some of Elizabeth’s students received their own episode-long story, which were all well-written and well-acted. Since this is a multi-generational show, it would be nice to see Carrie and Caitlyn’s generation receive a little more recognition by giving these characters their own subplot.

When Connor and Kevin are talking about their relationship doubts, Connor shared that he is concerned about his relationship with Danielle. I’m wondering why Connor feels this way and if he was in a relationship before dating Danielle that went sour.

What are you thoughts on the Season 3 premiere? What are your predictions for the rest of the season? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun in Chesapeake Shores!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Where There is Hope…

On April 25, 2018April 25, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Well, this is it. My Season 5 finale re-cap has finally come. Thank you so much for joining me as I wrap up the Sunset Over Hope Valley re-cap series for the fifth season. There has definitely been much speculation leading up to this episode, with Hallmark Channel keeping the details of it under-wraps. There were debates on social media, Hearties everywhere trying to guess what would happen in the finale. Some were preparing themselves for the worst, while others held out hope. Now that the episode has finally aired, let’s talk about the much-anticipated Season 5 finale.

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

Season: 5

Episode: 10

Name: Close to My Heart

Major Stories:

Three weeks after Jack’s death, Elizabeth is still reeling from his passing. Her appetite has been reduced and she purposefully avoids places and things that remind her of what she has lost. To provide support, Abigail invites Elizabeth to join her friends, all of whom are widows. During their time together, the widows share their advice for how to move forward after such a loss. When Clara shares her story of how short her marriage to Peter was, Elizabeth gets upset because she feels she was cheated out of a happily ever after. Abigail reminds Elizabeth that when she came along to Hope Valley, all of the widows in their group felt broken. However, Elizabeth’s presence in Hope Valley gave them the hope that they needed to move forward from their grief. Later in the episode, the widows also share their favorite memories about their fallen spouses. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is informed by Rosemary that Opal hasn’t spoken as much as she usually does. Elizabeth meets up with Opal at Dottie’s Dress Shop and asks her what’s wrong. Opal reveals that she is upset that she didn’t get the chance to thank Jack for saving her life. To make her feel better, Elizabeth shares that Jack also saved her life, giving both her and Opal something in common. After this talk, Elizabeth shares with Abigail and Rosemary that she will go back to teaching. She feels that teaching in Hope Valley is where she belongs. The next day, the widows give her a blanket with hearts on it, reminding her that she will be wrapped up in love, no matter what happens. Shortly after this, Elizabeth becomes nauseous after smelling coffee. At the end of the episode, it is revealed that Elizabeth is pregnant.

While Elizabeth is taking a leave of absence, Rosemary substitutes as the teacher of the school. During her time as a teacher, Rosemary not only deals with a very sad Opal, but she feels overwhelmed with her temporary responsibilities. At the lumber mill, Rosemary shares her feelings about her slipping self-esteem to Lee. While Lee suggests that the students need a break from dealing with school and Jack’s death, this gives Rosemary an idea of bringing the students to the lumber mill to make wooden crafts. On the day of the “field trip” to the lumber mill, Rosemary discusses ideas with the students of what they want to build. All of the students agree that they want to build something for Elizabeth. While Henry is teaching the students about wood carving safety, Rosemary notices that Opal is still upset. She immediately goes to Elizabeth and tells her what’s up. Rosemary decides to organize a meeting for Elizabeth and Opal to have a heart-to-heart discussion.

The students of Elizabeth’s class are still affected by the loss of Jack. While Rosemary is still their substitute teacher, they are taken to the lumber mill on a “field trip” to get their minds off of the recent events. While talking with Rosemary about what they should build, the students agree that they want to build something for Elizabeth. During the students’ break, Cody gets an idea and rallies the other students into agreeing with the idea. When Elizabeth comes back to school, the whole class surprises her with a sign that they made. The class also decides that they want the school to be renamed the Jack Thornton School, since Jack helped build the school. Because all of the adults who were present at the school agree with this name change, the school officially becomes the Jack Thornton School.

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

Minor stories:

Because everything was centered around the death of Jack Thornton, there were no minor stories in this episode.

Painted Cup of Coffee with Natural Coffee Beans on a Chalkboard. — Coffee cup drawing image created by Valeria_aksakova at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Valeria_aksakova – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/painted-cup-of-coffee-with-natural-coffee-beans-on-a-chalkboard_1013935.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

Though this was a good episode, the only thing that disappointed me about it was Tom Thornton’s absence, especially in the funeral scene. First, Tom loses his dad because he was a fallen Mountie and now Tom loses Jack almost the same way. I would be willing to bet that Tom would be traumatized by what happened. What frustrates me as a fan is that the creative team behind When Calls the Heart went through all that trouble to bring Max Lloyd-Jones back on the show as Tom Thornton for the wedding episode, but couldn’t keep him on the show for, at least, the funeral scene. To make up for the lack of Tom’s presence in this episode, I really hope that the creative team behind When Calls the Heart decide to feature Tom in the Christmas movie and give him a good-sized story arc. Also, did anyone else notice that on Jack’s headstone, it didn’t say “brother” and “son” on it?

This episode has really divided fans, with some of them claiming that they are never watching the show again. I can only speak for myself, but I still plan on watching When Calls the Heart and the upcoming Christmas movie. I also will review the Christmas movie and continue with the Sunset Over Hope Valley re-cap posts.

If Elizabeth ends up having a daughter, I hope she names her either Hope (because Elizabeth’s, as well as Jack’s, story started in Hope Valley) or Joy (because Elizabeth finding out about her pregnancy was her moment of joy in a time of grief).

As I’ve mentioned earlier, I thought this was a good episode. I liked how it explored the different ways people can grieve. Everything about this episode was really well-made, the quality being on-par with the wedding episode.

Red sunset clouds over trees. — 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 did you think about the Season 5 finale? Are you continuing to watch the show? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

See you in Hope Valley.

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Worth All the Talk

On April 19, 2018September 14, 2023 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

This episode has got to be one of the most talked about episodes in When Calls the Heart history. It definitely has brought the Hearties together, being active as ever on social media. Because of this, people like Brain Bird (the executive producer of When Calls the Heart), Bill Abbott (the President and Chief Executive Officer of Crown Media Family Networks), and Hallmark Channel themselves have responded to as many fans as possible about some of the events of this episode. When you read this re-cap, you will understand why this episode has gotten so much attention. Since you’ve been waiting so patiently, let’s talk about the pre-season finale episode.

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

Season: 5

Episode: 9

Name: In My Dreams

Major Stories:

With Carson’s birthday fast approaching, Faith decides to plan a surprise party for him. She lets everyone in on the secret and recruits them to help her plan the party. On the day of Carson’s birthday, Faith gets him a birthday gift, which is a harmonica. Carson appears to truly enjoy his birthday gift. Suddenly, Laura and Elizabeth come to Dr. Carson’s office to tell him that a foal is about to be born. This concerns Faith because she doesn’t want Carson to miss his own birthday party. Several hours pass and the guests at Carson’s birthday party wonder if the guest of honor will end up coming after all. Ultimately, Faith suggests they end the party early and pack things up. Just as the guests decide to take her advice, Carson shows up just in time. Everyone at the party is thrilled about Carson’s arrival, with Rosemary telling Carson that the whole event was Faith’s idea. The party seems to be a hit when Elizabeth remembers that her gift for Carson was left at school. On her way out of the Saloon, Abigail volunteers to go with her back to school. During their journey, a Mountie meets up with them, trying to seek out Elizabeth. After she identifies herself, Elizabeth asks if Jack has been hurt. When the Mountie says no, she demands to know if he is alive. She becomes emotionally distraught after the Mountie tells her he is sorry.

A woman named Eleanor comes to Hope Valley to visit Lee. She is the widow of one of Lee’s former business partners. During her stay, she meets Henry and shares her plans of wanting to hire him for her growing business. He agrees to Eleanor’s plan, excited about the possibility of owning a business again. However, his inability to share details about his new job causes other members of Hope Valley’s community to be concerned, including Rosemary. Several days later, Henry finds out during dinner that Eleanor wants him to steal Lee’s customer records because she wants to build a saw mill in a neighboring town. Henry does steal the customer records from Lee’s office. Right as Henry hands Eleanor the files, Bill shows up to arrest Eleanor, also revealing that Henry was helping Bill catch Eleanor in the act. Impressed with Henry’s honesty, Lee offers him a promotion in which Lee accepts.

168714-OVJRD7-558 — 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:

Jesse goes to Dr. Carson’s office with a hurt arm. Carson discovers that Jesse injured his rotator cuff and would need a few weeks to recover. When Jesse explains his situation to Lee, he is understanding to Jesse and gives him a temporary office job. This requires him to figure out the measurements of lumber and its financial factors. Though Jesse wants to do a good job, he struggles with the mathematics behind the work. Overwhelmed, Jesse asks Elizabeth if she will provide math tutoring for him, with Elizabeth agreeing. During the tutoring session, Jesse reveals that he didn’t finish the 8^th grade and he is embarrassed to tell Clara this. Elizabeth encourages him to share this with Clara as she explains that honesty is an important component to any relationship. A few days later, Jesse tells Clara the truth about his limited education, but Clara cares more about the fact that Jesse is willing to work hard and be a better person than he was the day before. Days after this conversation, Jesse finishes the work that Lee gave him. Lee is more than impressed with Jesse’s work and is happy everything worked out for the better.

Because Robert’s parents are out of town, he is invited to Cody’s house to spend the night. Both Robert and Cody wake up in the middle of the night to get a midnight snack. They decide to eat a piece of cake, the same cake that Abigail made for Carson’s upcoming birthday party. While cutting the cake, Robert tries out a trick of only removing the middle part of the cake and putting the two halves together. This trick does not go according to plan, especially when the entire cake falls on the floor. They try to put the cake back together, hoping that no one will notice. Abigail does notice the cake the next day and eventually questions Cody and Robert about it. Both Cody and Robert confess that they destroyed Abigail’s cake, even though they had no intention to do so. To make up for their mistake, Cody and Robert decide to bake a new cake. They even pay for all of the ingredients with their own allowances, which means that Robert will be unable to purchase the kite that he was saving up for. Though they struggle with the directions of how to bake a cake, they pull through and finish baking the cake. It doesn’t look exactly like the first cake, but their efforts are appreciated. To recognize their selflessness, Abigail gives them the kite that Robert had wanted.

Birthday cake image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/chocolate-birthday-cakes-collection_765437.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/birthday”>Birthday vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

There has been a lot of speculation of Jack’s possible fate, especially on Twitter. For several reasons, I think Jack has passed away. However, I could be totally wrong and Jack may be fine. Just remember, anything is possible.

I just want to say that both Jesse and Henry have come such a long way since their introductions on the show! As a Heartie, I couldn’t be prouder of these two characters!

What did you think of this episode? Do you think Jack is still alive? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: A Town Like No Other

On April 11, 2018July 17, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Family: it’s the most common theme in many Hallmark productions. This is no exception for When Calls the Heart. The theme of family has been written into every season, including their movies. While this important theme has found a way to weave itself into the heart (no pun intended) of this beloved show, there appears that there is a good reason for it. Family and loved ones are what keep our favorite characters going, especially when the going gets tough. They support and look out for one another. The town of Hope Valley is basically a family in itself, where everyone truly knows their neighbors as well as keep their best interests in mind. This sense of family has even inspired the Hearties themselves to create their own family, even helping each other out by creating re-cap posts like this one. Speaking of re-caps, why don’t we talk about the fifth season’s eighth episode?

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

Season: 5

Episode: 8

Name: Weather the Storm

Major Stories:

After the spoken agreement between Mr. Jenkins and Joshua Baxter, Abigail discusses her concerns to Mr. Jenkins about the possibility of Joshua led town. To ease her fears, Mr. Jenkins agrees to delay the deal in order for Abigail to persuade Greta to become Hope Valley’s investor. After this conversation, Abigail and Henry visit Greta at the saloon to tell her the news. Greta feels like she is being taken advantage of, even though Abigail does to best to explain the situation. Feeling defeated, Abigail talks with Elizabeth at her café about what she should do next. Elizabeth reveals that she has contacted Duncan in the hopes that he and his mom can settle their differences. Abigail thinks that reuniting Duncan and Greta is a great idea and supports Elizabeth’s plan. Several days later, Elizabeth and Abigail meet with Greta at the saloon. Greta feels that she is being pestered by others, especially when she sees Duncan. He explains how sorry he is for being negative toward Greta after his father passed away. To help Greta take a step toward forgiveness, Abigail shares how things were not perfect between her and her son, seeing no importance to all the negativity looking back on it. As a last attempt to reunite with his mother, Duncan introduces her to his wife and children, who are named after Duncan’s parents. Moved by this encounter, Greta chooses to forgive Duncan and accept his family as her own. This reunion takes place at the right time, as it helps Abigail to not only persuade Mr. Jenkins to sign the contract with Greta, but also to secure an investor in order to reopen the bank.

Bill and A.J. prepare to their journey so that A.J. can go to jail. When Abigail comes to the prison to wish them both farewell, A.J. gives her the dress from her undercover “mission”, hoping it will go back to Dottie. When they do eventually go on their journey, both Bill and A.J. are stopped by a sudden onset of rain. As they hide from the rain with a makeshift shelter, A.J. tries to learn more about Bill, where she finds out that he has had an unsuccessful marriage. After the rain stops Bill discovers that A.J.’s horse is missing. Trying to make the best out of the situation, A.J. suggests that they both ride the rest of the journey on Bill’s horse. While removing a rock from his horse’s shoe, A.J. warns him of a rattlesnake close by. Bill steps in front of A.J. in order to protect her. This causes Bill to not only get bit by the snake, but also for his horse to run away. Throughout the day and into the night, A.J. tries whatever she can to save Bill’s life. The next morning, Bill wakes up, in a bad state of health, to find that A.J. has disappeared. When he calls her name several times, he discovers that A.J. left him in order to find help for him. Shortly after her arrival, Bill is given the anti-venom in the nick of time. Before he is transported by the Mounties, he shares with A.J. that he found a way to help her get a reduced jail sentence, giving her hope of a second chance.

193221-OY4DUC-214 — Sheriff badge image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/brown-cowboy-label-set_1543252.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/vintage”>Vintage vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

One day in class, Elizabeth assigns her class a project where each group has to explain a specific part of weather. Harper and Emily are assigned to discuss wind. Toward the beginning of the project, Harper convinces Emily to build an anemometer not only because he claims she and Hattie are the best students when it comes to science, but also because Emily seems enthusiastic about this part of their project. Emily agrees to make the anemometer and ends up putting together the whole project. Several days later, Emily and Harper present their project to the entire class. When Abigail asks Harper about the project during the presentation, he appears to not comprehend the material. After class, Harper admits to Elizabeth that he let Emily do all the work on the project because he feels he isn’t good at science. Elizabeth believes that Harper’s actions cost him a valuable opportunity to learn. To give Harper a second chance, Elizabeth gives Harper an incomplete but lets him work on the project again. She even allows Emily to tutor him on the material.

Carson’s sister-in-law, Rhonda, pays Carson a visit. While catching up, Rhonda reveals that she has a tumor in her brain. She tells him that she has heard that a surgery is available to remove the tumor, but very few doctors actually perform the surgery because of how risky it is. Rhonda shares that she came to Hope Valley in the hopes that Carson can perform the surgery, but Carson refuses because of how he lost his wife performing the same surgery. He writes to a doctor in a neighboring town, hoping that Rhonda will receive the surgery. Unfortunately, that doctor sends a reply to Carson, rejecting the opportunity to operate on Rhonda. Both Rhonda and Faith continue to encourage Carson to perform the surgery, despite his fears of losing his sister-in-law. When Rhonda develops a very bad headache, a symptom of the tumor, Carson realizes its now or never when it comes to performing the much-needed surgery. After several hours, Carson and Faith reveal that not only was the surgery a success, but Rhonda’s life was saved as well.

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:

I really like how the writers of When Calls the Heart have developed storylines for some of the students in Elizabeth’s class. Ever since When Calls the Heart: The Christmas Wishing Tree, these stories have helped the Hearties to learn more about these precious characters. I wonder if another student will get their story told in the When Calls the Heart Christmas movie later this year?

I noticed that Sarah Grey, the actress who portrayed Mick’s daughter in the Wedding March series, also portrayed Rhonda in this episode. She is now the second Wedding March actress to appear on When Calls the Heart. Do you think more actors from the show could appear in future Wedding March movies? So far, Aren Buchholz starred in Wedding March 2: Resorting to Love, making it a possibility for other actors on the show to make appearances in this movie series.

Like I mentioned in my very first Sunset Over Hope Valley post, this episode really made an effort to bring up references to earlier seasons. When Abigail mentioned her deceased son, it felt like such a blast from the past. I also felt this way when Bill talked with A.J about his past marriage.

What are your thoughts on this episode? Are you looking forward to the next episode? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Possibilities and Pitfalls for Hallmark’s little Canadian town

On April 4, 2018April 6, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Even though Jack is, temporarily, not on When Calls the Heart, there were still exciting and concerning things that happened in Hope Valley. The business side of our favorite small town was the focus of this episode, whether it was determining the financial future of Hope Valley or introducing children to the fundamentals of business. I think this season-long story has been a very interesting approach that the creative team behind the show has taken. Come to think of it, I don’t believe When Calls the Heart has ever had a story like this that was not only told over the course of several episodes, but also affected the lives of the majority of Hope Valley’s residents (unless another Heartie knows something I don’t). Since we’ve gotten introductions out of the way, let’s talk about the fifth season’s seventh episode!

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

Season: 5

Episode: 7

Name: Heart of the Matter

Major Stories:

One day, Mr. Jenkins tells Abigail that after an investor is chosen, the bank will be able to re-open. Two possible investors come to Hope Valley and meet with Abigail. The first investor is Joshua Baxter. He tells Abigail about the other towns he has invested in, giving Abigail a promising picture. When Joshua makes vague statements about the specific types of investments, however, Abigail starts to show concern. The second investor is Greta Preston. A resident of Hamilton, she has a good relationship with Elizabeth and her family. She also explores Hope Valley’s opportunities with an open mind. As the days progress, Abigail starts to wonder more about Joshua and his motives. She learns through Bill and A.J. Foster that Joshua has a shady history of negatively transforming small towns. Right before Bill and Abigail tell Mr. Jenkins the news, Mr. Jenkins agrees to give Joshua a majority share of the bank.

When Bill walks into the prison one day, he discovers that A.J. Foster has decided to turn herself in. While trying to figure out A.J.’s motives, Bill realizes that A.J. thinks that they could start a relationship where she can begin a new life. Bill discourages any of A.J.’s ideas and focuses on justice being served. When Abigail visits Bill and talks about Joshua Baxter, A.J. Foster overhears this conversation and believes that she knows more information about Joshua than Bill and Abigail. After negotiating with both Abigail and Bill, A.J. agrees to go undercover in order to find out more information about Joshua. After A.J. pretends to be cordial toward Joshua, she shares with Bill that Joshua does not have Hope Valley’s best interests in mind.

101994-OM0XMB-226 — Money image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/bills-and-coins-in-isometric-design_1065328.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/business”>Business vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

After Elizabeth returns from her honeymoon, she decides to create a class project where each student has to observe a leader from Hope Valley’s businesses during a single school day. This project was inspired by the students overhearing their parents talking about the circumstances surrounding Hope Valley’s financial situation. During the day of the observations, Elizabeth checks up on her students as well as catch up with Greta Preston, who is an investor and a family friend of the Thatchers. During their conversation, Greta reveals that she and her son, Duncan, haven’t spoken in years. When Elizabeth shares this news with Abigail, she also shares that Greta’s husband passed away several years ago. While trying to keep up to date with the events surrounding the investors, Elizabeth starts thinking of ways to help Greta and her son.

In class, every student gets excited about Elizabeth’s project. Each student enthusiastically chooses which business leader they want to observe. On the day of the project, all of the students spend their school time with Hope Valley’s respective business owners. Though the students learn valuable lessons throughout the day, Cody seems to enjoy his experience of spending time with Lee at the lumber mill the most. He even spends time with Lee after the project is finished. When Lee takes Cody to school, he explains that Cody was late for school because he wanted to hang out at the lumber mill and understand how a lumber mill operates. Lee tells Elizabeth that he can relate to how Cody feels because he had a father that was a traveling salesman, which meant they didn’t spend much time together. When Elizabeth talks to Abigail after school, she tells Abigail that Cody was late for school because he was spending time with Lee. Abigail comes to terms with the fact that Cody needs an important male figure in his life. After school, Lee asks Cody if he’d like to play a game of catch with him, with Cody and Abigail agreeing.

ON40S80 — Money plant image created by Dooder at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/infographic”>Infographic vector created by Dooder – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/watering-the-coin-plant_1076121.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

As grateful as I am that Tom Thornton came back to the show, it’s too bad that he wasn’t on this episode, especially since he’s a businessman now. It would have been interesting to see one of Elizabeth’s students spending a day with Tom as a tires salesperson. I’m guessing that it was not easy for the creators of When Calls the Heart to bring back the actors from the earlier seasons, including Max Lloyd-Jones (the actor who portrays Tom Thornton). I also think the creators probably put a good amount of focus on bringing these actors back specifically for the wedding episode.

Where is this ice cream parlor Hattie and Opal talked about? When Calls the Heart has been on TV for five seasons and I don’t ever recall hearing about any ice cream parlors. I do hope that it can be featured either in the Christmas movie later this year or in Season 6 next year!

Do you think that Greta’s son, Duncan, could become a new character on the show? With the amount of times that he was brought up in this episode, I think it could be a possibility. It will be interesting to see where this story goes and how it will affect Elizabeth.

What did you think of this episode? Do you have any predictions of what could happen? Let me know in the comments section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Good Memories help Time go by

On March 29, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

I can’t believe we’re already half-way through the 5^th season! Time really does fly when you’re celebrating a wedding, saving a town’s finances, or visiting your favorite Canadian small town. The creative team behind When Calls the Heart has, once again, not failed us in providing stories that are fantastically written and engaging. This leads Hearties, like myself, to want to come back for more stories and see how they unfold for our favorite characters. The writing is just one of many things that make When Calls the Heart as special as it is. Now it’s time to talk about this latest episode re-cap!

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

Season: 5

Episode: 6

Name: Love and Marriage

Major Stories:

Jack and Elizabeth enjoy their new life as newlyweds. The early honeymoon ends abruptly when they find out the bank is threatening to take away Jack’s plot of land due to legal contractual reasons. Mr. Jenkins tells Jack that if he wants to keep his land, he only has a few days to pay the bank. Elizabeth considers asking her father for some financial help, but Jack assures her that he will figure something out before it’s too late. One day, at Abigail’s Café, Elizabeth reveals her and Jack’s situation to Abigail. Upset by this recent news, Abigail confronts Mr. Jenkins and persuades him to let Jack keep his land. The bad news keeps coming when Jack shares that he accepted a Mountie assignment where he trains young Mounties, causing him and Elizabeth to be apart for two months. This destroys their previously planned honeymoon to Chicago. Elizabeth tries to make the best of the situation by suggesting their honeymoon take place during the trip to Jack’s Mountie assignment. On the morning of their trip, Mr. Jenkins shares that Jack will be able to keep his land after all, especially if Jack hands in his payments on time. Both Jack and Elizabeth are pleasantly surprised when they find out that Abigail helped to change Mr. Jenkins’ mind.

At recess, Phillip and his friends are playing baseball. During the game, Phillip misses a ball that was aimed toward his glove. A few days later, Elizabeth notices that Phillip is having difficulty seeing the board. Remembering how discouraged Phillip seemed after the baseball game, she convinces Phillip to go visit Dr. Carson after school. When they visit Dr. Carson, he discovers that Phillip needs glasses. After receiving his glasses, Phillip realizes that his vision improved, despite dealing with some teasing. A few days later, Phillip confesses to Elizabeth that, after receiving his glasses, he started getting bad headaches. When Elizabeth and Phillip take another trip to Dr. Carson’s office, Dr. Carson shares with Elizabeth that Phillip has a medical condition called glaucoma, which causes blindness if not taken care of quickly. Frank later volunteers to take Phillip to the children’s hospital in Cape Fullerton, where he will receive the proper treatment.

004size — Glasses image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/round-vintage-glasses-silhouette-icon_708667.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/vintage”>Vintage vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

Because of the lack of funding in Hope Valley, neighbors have been encouraged to donate unwanted items to those in need. A student from Elizabeth’s class, Laura, receives a coat containing a letter that was hidden in one of the pockets. She asks Bill to help her find the intended receiver of the message, especially since he was an investigative detective. After some persuading from Laura, Bill gives in to helping her. They ask almost everyone in Hope Valley about the letter, but no one seems to know who wrote it. While examining the coat, Bill notices that a piece of red hair is found on the coat. Assuming that it belongs to Molly, they ask her about at the Mercantile. Unfortunately, she denies ever owning that coat. In a last attempt to solve the mystery, Bill and Laura visit Abigail, asking her if she knows anything about the letter. Right when Bill and Laura are about to leave the Café, Abigail remembers that Florence’s husband wrote the letter before he passed away. After this conversation, Bill and Laura find Florence to present the letter to her. Florence is not only moved by this new-found sense of closure, she is also pleased with how her old coat looks on Laura.

After Jack and Elizabeth’s wedding, Rosemary starts to become jealous of the couple’s relationship. She reminiscences about her wedding day and misses the feeling that came afterwards. Determined to overcome her jealousy, she decides to do small favors for Lee, such as making him lunch. Unfortunately, these good intentions don’t work out as Rosemary had hoped. Lee starts to figure out what is happening with Rosemary as she looks at her and Lee’s wedding album. One evening, Lee surprises Rosemary by setting up a candlelit dinner and presenting her with tickets to The Pirates of Penzance. He reminds her that even though they’re not newly-weds anymore, he will always love her.

While Frank is staying in Hope Valley, he and Abigail spend as much time together as possible. During this time, Abigail notices that Frank talks a lot about his volunteer work with the children’s hospital in Cape Fullerton. Several days later, she confesses to Elizabeth that she feels Frank’s heart is somewhere else. When it is revealed that Phillip needs medical treatment in Cape Fullerton, Frank volunteers to take him to the children’s hospital. Before Phillip and Frank leave Hope Valley, Abigail accepts Frank’s decision to continue volunteering at the children’s hospital instead of staying in Hope Valley.

169 — Hand-written letter image created by Veraholera at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Veraholera – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/love-letter-pattern_1292902.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

Now that Jack will be training young Mounties, I wonder if the storyline of Jack bringing a young Mountie to Hope Valley looking for “Christmas inspiration” will be incorporated into this year’s Christmas movie? Last year, this specific plot was a part of the official synopsis for When Calls the Heart: The Christmas Wishing Tree. I was so excited to see this story come to life on-screen, wanting to know more about the “young Mountie” character. Sadly, this plot was taken out of the movie, so I’m hoping this story gets a second chance at being told (especially since it makes sense with what’s going on in the series).

I’m kind of disappointed that Jack will be temporarily absent from the rest of the season (again). When he left Hope Valley in the middle of the fourth season, the rest of that season felt like something was missing. I was honestly hoping that his character wouldn’t go on an extended leave this season, but I guess we can’t get everything we want. I just hope Jack can return in the Christmas movie later this year.

What are your thoughts on this episode? What was your favorite story? Please share your thoughts in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Link to the When Calls the Heart: The Christmas Wishing Tree synopsis that I referenced in my re-cap post: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas/2017-holiday-movies-preview/20#listheader

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Absence and a Wedding make a Heart Grow Fonder

On March 19, 2018March 25, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

The day has finally arrived. What Hearties have been waiting four years for has happened after all. Jack Thornton and Elizabeth Thatcher’s wedding was the event of the hour. While everyone was excited to see the couple’s nuptials, it seems like there were several reasons why the Hearties could look forward this episode. Some of the fans were probably happy to see returning characters from previous seasons. Some fans were probably thankful that the creative team behind the show went out of their way to make this most anticipated event happen. Whatever a Heartie’s reason, it was an event that definitely was worth every minute. Now, let’s talk about Jack and Elizabeth’s wedding!

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

Season: 5

Episode: 5

Name: My Heart is Yours

Major Stories:

The day of Jack and Elizabeth’s wedding is fast approaching. As members from both the Thornton and Thatcher families arrive in Hope Valley, the excitement for the town’s biggest event is quickly growing. When a fire almost destroys the church, all of the townspeople pitch in to not only clean up the church, but to also help Jack and Elizabeth finish their wedding plans. On the day of the wedding, everyone gets concerned when Bill, one of the groomsmen, is missing. Lee and Rosemary try to figure out a back-up plan in case Bill doesn’t show up with the rings. However, Bill does show up before the wedding starts, with the rings still intact. The wedding and reception play out without any hiccups, everyone in attendance appearing to have a good time.

Days before the wedding, Bill receives a letter that is really addressed to Jack. The letter was asking Jack to help another Mountie transfer a gang member to prison. Bill selflessly goes in Jack’s place so he doesn’t miss his own wedding. The next day, Bill arrives at a house that contains both the Mountie and the gang member. Shortly after his arrival, Bill discovers that the house is surrounded by other members of the prisoner’s gang. After several hours of being trapped by the gang, Jack finds a trap door that leads to the outside. He decides to escape from the house and sneak up on the gang members, which he successfully does. When the mission is complete, Bill comes back to Hope Valley just in time for the wedding. He is able to give the rings to Phillip, the ring bearer, before the wedding starts.

After school, some of Elizabeth’s students talk about the upcoming wedding at the Mercantile. Ruby shares her insecurities about performing her role during the wedding. The group decides to go to the church to practice their roles in the wedding so they can feel prepared. During their practice session, Cody knocks over a candlestick while lighting the candles, which causes a fire inside of the church. None of the children get hurt, but Jack had to rescue Opal. After the incident, Opal is diagnosed with smoke inhalation, but she quickly recovers. There is damage at the church, but the townspeople volunteer to clean up the mess in preparation for the wedding.

41327-O2Y556 — Bride and Groom image created by Freepik at freepik.com <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/nice-couple-wedding-invitation_841530.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/wedding”>Wedding vector created by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

Minor stories:

There weren’t really any minor stories in this episode because everything connected back to Jack and Elizabeth’s wedding.

Some thoughts to consider:

The highlight, for me, in this episode was the return of Tom Thornton! Ever since the second season, Tom has been my favorite character on When Calls the Heart. I liked how there were simple but satisfying explanations for character absences and reappearances (especially for Tom). I also appreciate the creative team behind this show putting in the effort to try and bring back as many cast members from the Thornton and Thatcher families as possible. Tom’s appearance in this episode was worth the three year wait.

Overall, I think this episode was solid all around. From the writing to the acting, everything was creatively handled with care. I did have my doubts before this episode aired because the build-up leading to it felt rushed. However, the creative team behind When Calls the Heart proved me wrong and delivered a very memorable episode.

What are your thoughts on this episode? Was the wedding everything you had dreamed it would be? Let me know in the comments section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Gambling for Happily Ever After

On March 13, 2018March 25, 2018 By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

I’ll be honest with you, there was a lot going on in this episode of When Calls the Heart. It felt like an episode before a season finale. This seems strange, considering that we’re about halfway through the season. But despite this, I thought the episode was engaging and entertaining! It asked several questions and provided some answers to them. This episode was almost like a mystery story, where the audience was given puzzles to solve alongside the characters. To answer this growing list of questions, let’s talk about When Calls the Heart’s most recent episode!

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

Season: 5

Episode: 4

Name: Open Hearts

Major Stories:

At the beginning of the episode, Abigail tries to calm the people of Hope Valley as they fear for the financial future of their town. After this town gathering, Abigail is overwhelmed by the situation at hand. She reveals to Bill that doesn’t have a plan yet, but that she will quickly figure something out. The next day, Abigail talks to Henry at the lumber mill about the possibility of having him help to recruit investors in their cause. Henry turns down Abigail’s offer as he recognizes that his troubling past could cast a shadow on Abigail’s plan. Later in the episode, Abigail conducts a meeting in her office with all of Hope Valley’s merchants. She decides that until the bank can re-open again, all of the merchants will put customer’s purchases on credit. She also decides that if Hope Valley does acquire debts, she will sell a plot of land that the town happens to own. Before the meeting ends, all of the merchants agree to Abigail’s plan.

Elizabeth notices one day that Jack is packing for an upcoming trip. Jack tells her that where he’s going is a surprise, leaving Elizabeth in the dark about Jack’s whereabouts and his experiences in the Northern Territories. During Jack’s brief absence, Elizabeth worries that Jack is hiding something from her and addresses her concerns to Abigail. Meanwhile in Hamilton, Jack pays Mr. Thatcher a visit to ask for his blessing. Mr. Thatcher expressed his concerns, at first, about whether Jack was a good choice for Elizabeth’s future husband. Jack successfully persuades Mr. Thatcher to approve of Jack and Elizabeth’s marriage, as well as look forward to their wedding. When Jack comes back to Hope Valley, he shares the news with Elizabeth, causing her to express happiness. Shortly after Jack’s news, she asks him to share his experiences in the Northern Territories. At first, Jack attempts to avoid the subject like before. But Elizabeth states that healthy couples are the ones that share their feelings with each other. This causes Jack to tell Elizabeth, later in the episode, about a tragedy he faced during his recent service as a Mountie.
Mountie face image created by Bakar015 at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/a-set-of-canada-icons_1050671.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/food”>Food vector created by Bakar015 – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Minor stories:

One day during class, Elizabeth reveals that her entire class is invited to her and Jack’s wedding. She also shares that everyone will have a special role to play during the ceremonies. After class, Phillip asks Elizabeth what role he will get for the wedding. Elizabeth thinks that he would a perfect ring bearer, so she gives Phillip that responsibility. During recess several days later, Harper tells some other students that after his previous teacher got married, she resigned from her teaching job to raise a family. Phillip starts to fear that after the wedding, Elizabeth will abandon her class. One day, as Jack and Elizabeth plan to get eloped, Abigail tells them that Phillip has gone missing. Elizabeth knows that Phillip would go to his favorite spot near the lake, so she and Jack go to find him. When they do find Phillip, Elizabeth asks him why he seems upset. Phillip shares his fears to Elizabeth about the possibility of her leaving the class behind. She reassures him that Hope Valley is her home and that she’s not going anywhere anytime soon. As they return Phillip home, Jack and Elizabeth decide not to elope and get married in Hope Valley.

Rosemary volunteers to help plan Elizabeth’s wedding. While it started with creating Elizabeth’s wedding dress, Rosemary recruits friends and neighbors to participate in planning the wedding. As the wedding comes together, Elizabeth feels that Rosemary means well, but has taken Elizabeth’s ideas out of proportions. Elizabeth is also concerned about the money that is going into the wedding, as Hope Valley is currently short on funds. Rosemary’s wedding planning obsession has also affected Lee, who tries to remind Jack about the color-scheme of the wedding. Jack tells him that he wants to wear his Mountie uniform instead of a suit. After a few days of feeling ignored, Jack and Elizabeth share that they want a simple wedding and that they will make all wedding plan decisions.

At the lumber mill, Lee considers giving one of his employees a promotion. He asks Jesse if Henry is the right man for the job. Jesse shares his honest opinion, saying that Henry just started working at the lumber mill and that there are other employees that are more deserving of that promotion. Several days later, Henry and Jesse confront each other in town, with Henry accusing Jesse of having a personal bias against him. Clara happens to show up when this confrontation happens, where she stands up for Jesse. After this confrontation, Jesse and Clara realize that staying together as a couple makes more sense than being apart. They decide to continue pursuing their relationship.

Sofia and Carson continue to stay friends as Sofia stays longer in Hope Valley. During their time together, Sofia expresses her concerns about still being unemployed. A few days, Carson gets a letter at the Merchantile, which is revealed to be from San Francisco. Right before Sofia leaves Hope Valley, Carson gives her the letter he received. This letter was actually for Sofia, informing her of a job offer from one of Carson’s friends. Sofia seems to be pleased by this news as she encourages Carson to visit her on the West Coast.
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:

After this episode, there was a commercial for the next episode, where Jack and Elizabeth’s wedding will take place. I was surprised by this because I assumed that Jack and Elizabeth’s wedding would take place in the season finale. Now that it will happen halfway through the season, I wonder what the rest of Season 5 will be about?

I think it was interesting when Henry told Abigail that she became a gambler when she was appointed as mayor. It reminded me of something Brian Bird, the Executive Producer of When Calls the Heart, said in his production journal back in Season 2. In this journal entry, Mr. Bird was describing how all the characters on the show were playing a figurative game of poker, where every detail needs to be paid attention to. Maybe our favorite characters will enter a second round of this continuous poker game, with no Heartie knowing how it ends.

What did you think of this episode? Are you excited for Jack and Elizabeth’s wedding? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Link to Brian Bird’s production journal entry that I referenced in this re-cap post: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/when-calls-the-heart/when-calls-the-heart-season-2-production-blog/episode-2005-heart-and-home#listheader

18 Cinema Lane

Tag: tv show

Evenings At The Shore: Traveling Near and Far

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

Evenings At The Shore: This Episode is sponsored by Relationships

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

Evenings At The Shore: Wishing Upon a Fountain

Just a reminder: If you did not see the season premiere of Chesapeake Shores, there may be spoilers within this re-cap.

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Where There is Hope…

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

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Worth All the Talk

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

Sunset Over Hope Valley: A Town Like No Other

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

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Possibilities and Pitfalls for Hallmark’s little Canadian town

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

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Good Memories help Time go by

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

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Absence and a Wedding make a Heart Grow Fonder

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

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Gambling for Happily Ever After

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