My thoughts on the "When Calls the Heart" Season 8 finale…

When Calls the Heart Season 8 finale…

{SPOILERS INCLUDED BELOW…}

Part of me is still somewhat in shock over the outcome of Season 8 – with Elizabeth ultimately choosing Lucas; however, I still had the sneaking suspicion, prior to the finale, I would be disappointed by When Calls the Heart once again, as I was at the end of season 5 – after Jack’s passing.

You see, I’ve been Team Nathan since day one - he is the Mountie, after all, who deeply cares for Elizabeth and very importantly, also little Jack. I’ve hardly seen Lucas take any interest there. The books the When Calls the Heart series is “loosely” based upon by Janette Oke – is a romantic, epic love story between the teacher and the Mountie. It’s about Elizabeth deciding against the lavish lifestyle she left behind and choosing instead, a more rugged life of hard work and service alongside her husband. To think Janette Oke’s books are filled with religious inspiration and character’s dedicated to doing God’s work – makes it a mockery for Elizabeth to choose a saloon owner, of all professions, especially in that time period.

Many of you who have been Hallmark movie fans for years, like myself, will also recall the way the Love Comes Softly series of movies was handled – which also did not follow the Janette Oke books. Remembering this was a red flag for me, that they may not stay loyal to Janette Oke’s original stories here, as well, even with this main, important theme.

Friendship:

Elizabeth’s character overall (unless she was teaching), in my opinion, was most unlikeable this entire season. Several times it was mentioned she didn’t feel quite like herself, or even a dress she chose – wasn’t even Elizabeth. I thought that was indicative of the influence Lucas had over her, which made her act or behave in a way that was not natural to her. She couldn’t just be herself. And don’t get me started on the riff between Elizabeth and Rosemary. That was the second worst story of the season, in my humble opinion, and why did they make up? It seems Elizabeth woke up one day and felt torn between these two men and desperately needed Rosemary’s advice. All of the sudden she selfishly needed her best friend back – thus facilitating the apology and friendship mending. While I was happy they were friends again, it seemed as if it was for self-serving reasons on Elizabeth’s part.

Elizabeth and Lucas and Nathan:

Watching the love story of Elizabeth and Lucas play out at the end of this finale episode, for me, was rather dull. After seeing a lot of responses on social media, I’m seeing I am not alone here. There are many, numerous fans disappointed in the decision of Elizabeth not choosing Nathan and the potential of a beautiful blended family. Throughout the entire season she never really even gave Nathan a chance. It’s as if she let the fear of choosing another Mountie overcome the possibility of giving her heart the opportunity to truly fall in love.

With the way Elizabeth’s character acted so cruelly towards Nathan all season, constantly turning him away and yet, stringing him along with playful glances and gestures, I was partly relieved she didn’t choose him, after all. Elizabeth truly did not deserve his love. She deserves Lucas. The writers/producers didn’t want Nathan, as a Mountie, to be a replacement for Jack, and yet the date Lucas and Elizabeth shared in the library at the end of the finale episode, looked very much like a repeat of a date between Jack and Elizabeth with the million candles (exaggerating on number here) all around the room. This pairing just didn’t seem to fit the overall theme of When Calls the Heart. In my opinion, it seemed to degrade the rest of the series, it felt forced. If she really loved him, would it take 3 years to decide between him and another man? And why did she tell Nathan she loved him, but wasn't in love with him? Again, that seemed terribly cruel. I guess Elizabeth is more Hamilton than Hope Valley, after all.

Frankly, I hope whoever Nathan chooses, will truly love him, for him, and their love story will over-shadow this triangle mess which left season 8 with a lot of unhappy fans.

Other relationships and observations in Hope Valley:

Why in the world was Clara baking a cake and not completely falling apart when Jesse was missing? Last time he was missing on the mountain, she and Rosemary hooked up the wagon and went up there to look for him, but this time she was baking a cake for him? – Almost as if it was no big deal?

Bill and Molly were casually going for a cup of coffee. Nothing beyond that, yet. And when Fiona and Hickam are discussing business plans, Florence and Molly are looking at them from afar… Florence wonders if they could be a potential couple, but Molly nonchalantly says she can’t she it.

Dr. Carson Shepherd leaves on the stage coach? And yes, I ended that sentence with a question mark. Did he really go? Right after Clara and Lee find his engagement ring, Carson appears to set off to the big city; however, we never actually see him in the stage coach waving goodbye. Will he return next season? We’ll see. Henry also departs Hope Valley - with a glance towards Abigail’s sign and a farewell to Hickam, who is taking over his oil business, along with Lucas and Fiona. I’m hoping Henry will return one day with Abigail. Also, did Lucas sell the saloon? I’m wondering, since he & Elizabeth are now together, if they may want to distance his character away from that persona and focus more on his partnership in the oil business.

Rosemary and Lee:

Rosemary finds her calling! Finally. She creates a new newspaper for the town called the Valley Voice. Although, I do recall Rosemary doing something similar to this in the past on When Calls the Heart, when she wrote a gossip column – several seasons back, which stirred up all kinds of trouble. The Valley Voice may end up doing that, eventually, as well. However, it was fun to see Lee and Rosemary working in the same office – and Lee encouraging Rosemary to follow her dreams. They are still the best couple in Hope Valley.

After a conversation with Pastor Joseph, Lee also discovers his calling to run for mayor, although he’ll have some competition, along with Judge Bill Avery, Mike Hickam and Fiona Miller, who is quite the mystery – with a former fiancé and friends in San Francisco, who seem to have a great deal of money.

In summation:

Even though this is just a TV show, for the last 12 weeks and 8 seasons, we’ve invested our hearts into these characters, the ups and downs, and everything in between. Except for the major love triangle and the finale episode disappointment, there have been some wonderful moments I’ve enjoyed this season with other characters. I personally loved the addition of the Canfield family, most of all, and the way they’ve powerfully displayed their love of God, by words and deeds, throughout Season 8. I especially loved when Joseph said, “God is good,” as he and Minnie were dancing at the wedding reception and the sincere way Minnie told Carson she would be praying for him. I look forward to even more inspiring moments like this. Since it is a wholesome family-friendly show, I do plan to watch Season 9 (yes, the series was renewed), but I hope they will focus more on other supporting characters in Hope Valley, besides Elizabeth, like they did with Ned and Florence (who I adored!) this season. And, I hope Nathan will ultimately have his own epic love story!

I would love to hear your thoughts, too. Please share in comments below.

Blessings, Net