Critic’s Rating: 4.2 / 5.0
4.2
When Calls the Heart has returned to basics this season, focusing on integrating the younger generation into stories and character-rich story arcs.
The children’s obsession with comics was central to When Calls the Heart Season 12 Episode 2, as Elizabeth tried to find other lessons to excite her students. Rosemary discussed how comics affected today’s youth on her radio show.
Lucas struggled with his National Park elsewhere as Edwin and Lee disagreed on a plan. To make matters worse, a mysterious visitor delivered news that may have altered plans completely.
Rosemary Excels as a Radio Host Once She Finds a Topic
Rosemary was hilarious when she was nervous. She thought she’d fail and everyone would laugh at her. We’ve all been there, but Rosemary tends to take things to extremes.
She was wise to discuss comics on her show since they were a new craze, but she was frustrated that, at first, all the adults seemed fine with the children being obsessed with them.
Florence was the only person opposing them, and seeing her so feisty and opinionated was entertaining. She doesn’t get featured enough.
Florence hated that the comics corrupted young minds and thought they were a waste of money. However, the more she complained, the more Rosemary guessed that Florence had read a few herself.
It was priceless! Rosemary had developed a knack for easing information out of her guests.
Elizabeth Gets Her Class Excited About Nature
The comics craze also annoyed Elizabeth, who couldn’t even get her class to concentrate.
Looking for a new way to excite them, she took them to the forest and gave them magnifying glasses and insect jars to explore.
She reiterated that Lucas’s National Park was essential so other children could experience nature’s wonder and beauty. Someone needed to tell Lucas that so he doesn’t give up.
The field trip proved helpful because they found a paw print, which sparked Allie’s interest, who had felt left out since she was unsure of her calling after school. However, she had always loved animals and research and identified it as a timber wolf.
Allie may be a good park attendant or research assistant. I’m unsure how many jobs there were in the 1920s, but hopefully, she’ll find something.
Could Lucas’s National Park Be in Danger?
Oh, Lucas. Why would he get Edwin involved again? That wrecked his campaign last time. Edwin only cared about numbers and winning, while Lucas wanted to honor his promise to Lee and Rosemary.
Edwin’s answer is to remove Lee from critical meetings, such as the one with Edie Martell (Miranda MacDougall), from the cattleman’s association.
Edwin had hoped she had come to offer her support, but instead, there was a problem with the park. Her late uncle owned the ranch that borders his potential park.
If the plans go through, they’ll lose the summer pasture, but if he carved out the amount she wanted, he would only use a pile of rocks.
It’s difficult for Lucas because he cares about people losing their jobs. It’s not only about the politics of pleasing people, but he’s falling into that trap again, as Lee cautioned him.
While I’m overjoyed to see Lee back in Hope Valley with his wife and friends, part of me had hoped to see more of him and Lucas. Like Jiminy Cricket, he mellowed Lucas out and was a good conscience.
Henry’s Character Evolution Continues
Henry has evolved so much from being the town loner. Previously, Elizabeth got him involved in helping with other school projects, and now Henry volunteered to work with the kids. My, how times have changed.
Henry had an abundance of hazelnuts and offered to pay the children to help him with his crop. I enjoyed this side plot because it gave Henry something to do and showed Emily’s affinity for business.
We’ve never seen much about Emily’s interests, and even Henry assumed she’d use the money for women’s magazines, not business ones. She impressed everyone with her statistics and made the working environment fun.
I’m excited to see Henry and Joseph run the hazelnut business together, and I would love for them to get Emily involved. It was a fun surprise.
Nathan Wonders Why Oliver is So Nervous
Oliver seemed dedicated but fearful, as mentioned in When Calls the Heart Season 12 Episode 1.
His nerves often got the better of him as he made mistakes and then feared harsh consequences. It made me wonder if he had been abused or if he only ever received harsh critiques.
Oliver needed a win, and he blossomed under Nathan’s mentorship. Since he loved forensics, he excelled at finding similarities between cases.
In many ways, he craved approval like a young child would, but he tried not to show that since he was supposed to be mature.
Nathan sensed Oliver’s need for community and decided to bring him to the family dinner at Elizabeth’s. While Oliver was initially shy, he eventually eased up and began making jokes and playing with Allie and Little Jack.
He acted like a kid himself, finally. He looked like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. What has the poor kid been carrying?
Mike and Mei Deal with Mishaps Upon Their Return
Why do Mike and Mei get the comedic and disaster storylines? Why couldn’t they have experienced a wonderful honeymoon and happy homecoming?
The When Calls the Heart Trailer teased that they would experience romance too, but after he carried her across the threshold, they found water damage and critters had wrecked Mike’s apartment.
Their relationship was rushed, so they hadn’t experienced actual conflict. Neither would admit that they left the window open, forcing blame on their partner. Mei even moved back into her old room.
It was one of those fights in which you had to adapt to the circumstances and move on. There were no winners.
My grandmother used to say that in marriage, you can be right or you can be happy.
— Faith
As someone who’s been married almost 20 years, those are words to live by. I was relieved that Mike and Mei both realized their stubbornness, and it was adorable that they wanted to reconcile in the garden where he proposed.
While it was vital for them to communicate better, hopefully, they’ll get better storylines throughout the season.
Over to you, Hearties. What was your favorite part of “You Get What You Give?” Did you enjoy the addition of Rosemary’s radio hour? Were you glad to see Mike and Mei return?
Let us know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
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