‘When Calls The Heart’ Returns For Season 11 With New Looks And Changes To Hope Valley. We have officially returned to Hope Valley. Season 11 started off literally with a bang.
‘When Calls The Heart‘ is the long running Hallmark Channel show. This stars Erin Krakow as the beloved widowed schoolteacher of Hope Valley, Elizabeth Thornton, Pascale Hutton as newspaper owner Rosemary Coulter, Retired Mountie turned Judge Bill Avery played by Jack Wagner, Kavan Smith as Rosemary’s doting husband Lee Coulter, Chris McNally is the charming Lucas Bouchard, and Mountie Nathan Grant is played by Kevin McGarry.
The episode started where we left off with Lucas being shot shortly after being named the new Governor. Now if you don’t want any spoilers, turn back now. I’m going to discuss what happened in this episode. You’ve been warned!
We start with Nathan and Elizabeth talking and Bill rides up and tells them that Lucas has been shot. They race off and come to Lee and Rosemary who are on the phone with Edwin. Edwin fills them in. Elizabeth and Bill head off for Capital City and Lucas’ bedside. Elizabeth refuses to leave and stays with him until he wakes up.
Four months later, Elizabeth tells the story in her journal. She talks about the unanswered questions surrounding the who shot Lucas. Elizabeth talks about Nathan being part of the investigation team. She says that this has taught her to find the joy in life because every moment hangs on a thread.
At the newspaper, Rosemary is upset that she got scooped by the Benson Beatle paper who reported that Clayton Pike was the gunman and being held without bail. There was a quote from Nathan and it says that Lucas cannot remember anything about the shooting.
Nathan returns home and is greeted by Allie. He’s being called a hero by the townsfolk. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Rosemary are spring cleaning and beating rugs outside. Elizabeth tells Rosemary that she needs a change and maybe she would cut her hair. Nathan shows up looking for his dog. They talk about his being a hero which Nathan denies being. Rosemary insists he comes in and gives her an exclusive interview.
Meanwhile, in town, we find out that Faith is missing Fiona, who is in Nashville working with the Suffragettes. It seems that Fiona is not coming back. She is staying in Nashville indefinitely. Minnie is upset for Faith. She talks to Joseph. Joseph assures her that it’s her presence that is comforting enough when the words are hard to find.
Edwin and Lucas are talking. His photo is taken and Henry Gowen shows up. They talk about how Henry has been traveling and he looks well. Henry looks great. Lucas offers him a job and Henry turns him down. He tells him that he will keep asking him. Lucas tells Henry that his prognosis is good and stands up from his wheelchair.
At school, Elizabeth is talking to the class about planets and sun and the alignment that will be visible in the sky. Of note, time needs to slow down. Little Opal is so grown up now.
At the saloon, Nathan and Bill talk about their gut feeling that Montague has been let off the hook too easily when Pike was arrested. They feel that Montague should be the prime suspect but Lucas doesn’t remember anything. Rosemary drops by the table and wonders what they are talking about. She sits down to get her exclusive but Nathan doesn’t want to say too much. Bill warns her that it’s too sensitive right now and Nathan tells her that he doesn’t know anything.
Faith is seen seeing Mrs. Watson and her granddaughter Lily. Mrs. Watson is struggling with a cough. Mei is struggling to run the salon and pharmacy. Leave it to good old Hickam to help Mei out. Their growing love story is adorable.
Rosemary stops by Bill’s office and tries to get information. He doesn’t budge. Next, we see Rosemary and Lee on the phone with Lucas. Lucas tells the couple that he plans to announce his “Grand Vision” for the town and land and that Rosemary will get the exclusive. Rosemary asks about Pike but Lucas doesn’t remember.
Bill and Nathan talk about the case. Bill says it’s Montague that they should be looking at. Madeline had warned him that he would not accept defeat. Nathan says that he tried to keep the case open but was shut down. Nathan says that maybe a retired Mountie could request the case file and might agree to open it.
Elizabeth is about to get her hair cut by Rosemary and they talk about Lucas and Nathan. Elizabeth wonders if Nathan still has any feelings for her.
At the cafe, Minnie and Faith are talking about how lonely Faith is with Fiona being gone. Faith says she loves her job and her life but it’s hard to see friends make huge changes. Minnie tells her that even in her loneliness that she isn’t alone. We then see that Faith is beckoned as Mrs. Watson has collapsed. They call the hospital and try to get her help. Mrs. Watson is having a cardiac event. Mrs. Watson says that Lilly is on the playground and she has no one to take care of her.
At the saloon, Nathan, Lee, Bill, Mike, Rosemary, Minnie and others are gathered. Elizabeth walks in showing off her much shorter hair cut. They all gather around the radio to hear Lucas’ address to the region and the “Grand Vision” to bring tourist attractions to the area. The first will be in Hope Valley and will be the construction of a hotel/resort with Lee.
Faith and Mei are talking about Lilly, who is lying on the couch. Faith tells the little girl that her grandmother is in the hospital and getting the help she needs. She distracts her with a bedtime story. Rosemary and Lee have a great moment with their “little 24 carat Goldie” and she starts walking. Back to Faith, she says to Mei that Mrs. Watson’s surgery went well but she’s in for a lengthy recovery. They decide to set Lilly up in Fiona’s old room for now and that someone in Hope Valley would help with her. Faith receives a telegram from Mrs. Watson naming Faith as the guardian for Lilly while she is recovering.
In the closing of the episode, we see Elizabeth and Little Jack, Rosemary, Lee, and little Goldie, and Nathan and Allie looking up at Jupiter and Venus and the moon. Nathan and Elizabeth sit next to each other and they talk about the beauty of the night sky and steal a sweet tender glance between them.
We can’t wait to see where this season goes. The sweetness between Lilly and Faith is adorable. I love Elizabeth’s new look but for real, I’m looking forward to Rosemary and Bill teaming up for the sleuthing of the real shooter of Lucas. Stay with us at the FUNatics Blog for all your Hallmark news!
