When Calls the Heart truly went back to basics this season, bringing back the heart, the fun, and the series’ community essence.
I enjoyed it way more than the last two seasons, with stories more integrated and the children back as the future of Hope Valley.
Since When Calls the Heart has already been renewed, it was refreshing that the season finale left several arcs open for next year, but there were no emotional cliffhangers like the last three seasons.
Instead, When Calls the Heart Season 13 Episode 12 focused on the meaning of the harvest and being grateful for change. It featured so many of our beloved characters, happy rather than worried.
We saw families reunited, romantic declarations, and unexpected career changes, all of which will change things moving forward.
The Canfields were Reunited
Let’s talk about a surprise. I love the Canfields, and I enjoyed that Cooper got more focus this season, but there was still something missing without Angela.
Cooper grew more responsible this season, and I loved that it helped Joseph surprise Minnie with Angela’s surprise visit.
She returned partly to support her brother, and partly for the unveiling of her mother’s cafe.
Minnie has been running that cafe by herself for years, so I love that the series gave her some recognition by naming it Minnie’s.
She’s such a presence in the community through her help to others, and is now starting her jam business. She’s inspired her children and other young adults who have helped in the cafe. I’ve loved seeing so many work there as their first job.
I also loved seeing Angela reunite with her friends. She can discern things quickly, like Allie and Oliver’s attraction, just by the way they interact.
Those two weren’t fooling anyone since best friends know everything.
Nathan Learned the Way to Elizabeth’s Heart Was to Make Her Son Fly
Allie still seemed too eager about this proposal. The series needs to remember that she’s 17, not a child.
However, Nathan took Bill’s advice to heart. He planned the impossible and found a way for LJ to fly by rigging him to the top of the water tower.
The sound of her little boy’s laughter warmed Elizabeth’s heart. It wasn’t about the perfect moment.
It was about caring for Elizabeth and her son, which he’s always done, but going the extra mile.
I loved that they bookended When Calls the Heart Season 13 Episode 1, with Nathan also doing the impossible by flying the doctor out to Hope Valley so the clinic could be approved.
That was for LJ’s physical health, and this was for his emotional well-being.
We Hated to Say Goodbye to Gwen Since She Felt Like Part of the Coulter Family
Gwen (Alex MacIssac) experienced one of the most emotional arcs of the season.
While I was relieved that she reunited with her father, part of me had hoped she would get to stay in Hope Valley with the Coulters.
She blossomed with their love. She came full circle by wearing that girly pink dress, but you couldn’t take the tomboy out of her, and she got mud on it playing baseball.
I think Gwen missed a mother’s touch. She seemed certain Rosemary would be angry and would never want to see her again.
But Rosemary has always been a kind mother, who reassured Gwen that all the dress needed was a few repairs and that she loved Gwen.
Gwen and her dad had been on their own for a long time, and while she hated what the fire had taken from them, she loved that she now had two families.
She related to the Coulters in different ways as they taught her different things, including how to laugh again.
I’ll miss Gwen as she had a beautiful, bod spirit.
Many of the Children Weren’t Ready to Leave Hope Valley
Twice, Elizabeth assumed the children would be excited to return to Benson Hills. While the children were resilient, they didn’t cope well with change.
Many of them hated saying goodbye to their new friends and families and weren’t feeling particularly thankful.
I liked Elizabeth’s exercise since it forced the kids to examine what they lost with the fire and what they gained from this experience.
Some of their responses were heartfelt and hilarious, such as Missy’s. Who knew that watching Lucas’s magic show would inspire her to want to become a magician? I loved that he still inspired kids.
I also loved that we experienced Rupert’s growth. He used to be an awkward kid who only cared about studying.
Now he admitted he has friends who challenge him, and he wasn’t as concerned about being the best. Opal really opened him up. I’d also love to see more of them, as there was a spark.
Lucas Laid His Intentions on the Line, but Was His Successor Ready?
We have not seen this side of Lucas in a long time. He put everything out there, bearing his heart and soul to get the girl and take control of his life again.
I don’t believe Edie returned only to settle her cases. She probably didn’t want Lucas to think she returned for him until she knew how he felt.
After how unhappy Lucas has been as governor, I was not surprised he announced his resignation. He helped Lee rebuild Benson Hills and secure the funding.
Naming Maisie as his successor made sense, too. She helped him reach this decision, and they both had mutual respect.
I didn’t expect Lucas to thank Edie for always supporting and inspiring him publicly, and that truly affected her.
I loved that Edie took the next step and found him at the saloon. Lucas and Edie talked like they should have ages ago. I laughed when Edie admitted she wasn’t brave or that she should have fought his stupid stubbornness.
Only Lucas would find that endearing since they finally got to the real issue. He no longer wanted to survive. He wanted to live and would do anything, even relocate to follow her dreams.
I suspect that did it since it wasn’t all about him, and Edie lit up again.
While Lucas took a chance, now Maisie has to jump, too. She was comfortable managing Benson Hills, but running the entire territory scared her.
I’ve always enjoyed the Hickam siblings because, until recently, the series hasn’t given Mike enough credit. He knew his bossy big sister better than she knew herself.
Maisy got results when she started something, and while she may not be likable right away, she cares about people.
He gave her that push she needed, and you could tell she had support by the loud applause that followed. I hope we see more of her. I grew to like her.
We Loved that When Calls the Heart Season 13 Episode 12 Ended With a Romantic Proposal, not a Cliffhanger
Nathan’s simplistic and heartfelt proposal was the perfect way to end When Calls the Heart Season 13. While I’m sure he was frustrated to be again, it was more romantic as he and Elizabeth saw the entire valley from the water tower.
I suspect Elizabeth saw that proposal coming when Nathan compared her to silver and said she brought out the best in everyone.
It didn’t make the moment any less meaningful, especially since he chose a ring with four stones, one for each of them. Nathan truly values their family above everything else, and that matters to her.
It was very sweet how Elizabeth kissed him and then accepted, and in the closing montage, we saw the four of them among the flowers, along with other hopeful couples.
When Calls the Heart has returned to hope, romance, and family, which are the heart of the series.
I can’t wait to see what develops next season, including whether Lori Loughlin returns for Elizabeth and Nathan’s wedding.
Over to you, Hearties. Were you happy with how “Harvest Moon” ended? Are you excited that Lucas quit politics and reunited with Edie?
Do you hope we see more of Maisie and the kids of Benson Hills?
Let us know in the comments.
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The post When Calls the Heart Season 13 Ended With Happy Homecomings, Romantic Declarations, and Career Changes appeared first on TV Fanatic.