Purchase Complete Season
HERE
My Review (4.5 stars):
When Calls the
Heart (2014—)
is like my new favorite TV movie series . . . (Not that I actually follow many TV series) . . . but anyway, I love it! I mean, movies based on author
Janette Oke’s lovely, historical tales? Always worth watching! ^__^
Let
me first say, it was wonderful to be back in Coal Valley with Elizabeth
Thatcher and Jack Thornton! The two are closer than ever after their first kiss, and our hopes soar as we wait eagerly for . . . a forever commitment, perhaps?
Never mind that actress Rosemary is still squeezing her way into the picture
for some reason, Jack and Elizabeth are just meant for each other! But then
comes the dreaded telegram . . . Yep. That telegram sure paves the way into a
lot of complications.
Other
than that, we have Henry Gowen still trying to blame Abigail Stanton’s deceased
husband for the mining accident; and the old villain is still as villainous as
ever! If not more! Ooh, I just really want to smack him sometimes! What an
awful guy. But he somehow worms his way into high positions.
People
show up unexpectedly throughout the course of this season . . . sometimes to
good results; sometimes creating havoc.
Eek!
This season sure creates havoc with your emotions! Prepare to be really angry
with at least three characters that can’t help but be utterly infuriating! Why
don’t they take their noses out of other people’s business (and love life’s),
and go back to where they belong! Just leave!! Leave so-and-so with the man she
truly loves!! Stop tearing them apart . . . ! -_-
Romance
abounds. Jack, Elizabeth, Rosemary, Abigail, Bill Avery, plus a passel of new
characters have the ups and downs of their love stories displayed. Not to
mention, Julie Thatcher finds herself a new man . . .
Whew, that girl! She spells trouble, if
ever someone did! O_O Wild, dreamy, and rather naïve, she’s always dreaming up
some dangerous, romantic escapade with a darkly handsome guy. I had to roll my
eyes a few times, but she does make for an interesting character, *smiles*, and
you can kind of feel for her, even if she’s a little misguided at times.
Rosemary . . . continues to be annoying.
Though, I will say she’s not nearly as bad as the first season. And, she does
change and shape for the better as season two progresses. She certainly adds
some splash and drama!
I probably like the character of Abigail
Stanton even more in these episodes! Really such a sweet, strong, fun, gentle
woman. She’s kind of a mother figure to a few different young ladies; yet also
has a love life of her own going on.
Jack and Elizabeth!!! <3 <3 There is
just something about this couple that makes your heart burst in their happy
moments, and shatter in their tough times! And you can’t help but dearly want
the best for them as a couple, even during the hardest of their trials. They’re
just sooo adorable together—and quite perfect for each other.
Jack is so sweet, strong, and gentlemanly! He kind of has this shy side too. And Elizabeth . . . she truly does love him! Even if she doesn't quite realize it!
And though we’ve
got lots of drama and up and downs in this season, they’re still just . . .
just . . . ! I don’t know. I squeal internally when I watch a love story like
theirs unfold. It simply beautiful. (AHH! When will season three come??)
*Ahem* Sorry about that. Had to fangirl a
little. There’s something about those old-fashioned, gentleman and lady,
courtship-feel, rugged man on his horse and feminine woman in her sweeping
skirts, type of romances that just are the best.
Anyway, we spend some time in Hamilton and
some time in Coal Valley. There’s not so much of Elizabeth teaching the
children this season, which is a bit disappointing, :( But it’s alright.
There’s plenty of other things going on to keep us occupied.
And that season finale!!!! Is anyone else
still feeling affected by it to this day?? ;P But seriously, it was epic, and
beautiful, and shocking, and great, and swoony, and crazy . . . And ended with
a dreadful cliffhanger. And—and how is my poor heart going to hold up under
that until season three comes out??? O_O Traumatic stuff, guys. We most
definitely need a season three. If they don’t make a season three . . . well,
I’m sure I’ll get over it at some point. Haha. But Jack and Elizabeth!!! And
Julie! And Abigail! I’m a storyteller. And we can’t leave this fabulous story
unfinished!
*Sigh*
Going on. Season two did have a different feel than season one. As I mentioned,
there was less time spent in the schoolhouse, and more time spent in Hamilton.
We got to know Elizabeth’s family better, which was nice . . . in some ways.
Others not. We even got to know some of Jack’s family, which was quite
wonderful. But it was feeling more, um, 1910 than “prairie days”.
On
that note, I was rather appalled at how revealing some of the gowns got. Season
one was definitely more old-fashioned, family-friendly feeling. This season, we
have some plunging necklines and tight skirts . . . (goodness, how do you even
sit down in that thing??). So that was disappointing to be sure! I dearly miss
all the sweet, modest, fun, period costumes of the first season.
There was also, between all the romances
budding and blooming, quite a bit of kissing in this season. Several were like
the zoomed up on the faces, drawn-out, “um, that’s probably enough now” kind of kissing scenes. Which, you know, we
could do without. But, it’s not the worst thing ever.
A “scandalous” scene/conversation or two.
Feels like there’s a lot of teasing about kissing in the first episode or two
(Jack and Elizabeth having just shared their first kiss in the end of season
one). There was also a scene where a lady falls and hurts her knee. The guy
asks politely, “May I?” before examining it; but to be honest, it all felt
rather shocking to me. Haha! *winkles nose*. Most of the “scandalous scenes”
weren’t actually inappropriate—but there were one or two that I felt maybe went
a little too far or just felt kind of edgy. But my siblings still watched it,
and besides yelling “EWW” at the kissing scenes, they didn’t seem to notice
anything else. ;)
For some more complaints about the romantic
side of this season . . . there were just a lot of love stories going on. And a lot of drama. Some people
complained that the series is starting to feel like a soap opera, and unfortunately,
I could kind of agree at points.
But
when all’s said and done, Jack and Elizabeth together makes up for everything.
And overall, I just really love the When
Calls the Heart (2014—) series. We get some really good values and themes; a, for the
most part, Christian and family-friendly feel; and just a wondrous tale all in
all. There’s a few amazing characters that just draw you into their stories and
won’t let go. There’s trials and difficulties to solve and overcome. And
beautiful romances that stand the tests of time and opposition. Little town
schoolteachers and handsome Mounted Police. Bad guys, suspicious activities,
counterfeiters, and a few punches and gunshots. A lovely café run by a strong,
kindhearted widow. Silly children, dances, and one mysterious preacher.
It’s
just too good to miss! If you’re into Janette Oke’s novels, the Love Comes
Softly movie series, and period dramas, you must give When Calls the Heart (2014—) a try. You can also watch the movie When Calls the Heart (2013) if you want.
It doesn’t perfectly precede the TV series, and doesn’t have the same
actors/actresses, but still gives vital backstory.
Beware
of some immodest gowns and a bit much of romance drama in season two of When Calls the Heart (2014—), but
otherwise, it’s simply delightful. I love Jack and Elizabeth and so, so can’t
wait for season three! ^__^
