Are you a fan of the popular Hallmark Channel series, When Calls the Heart?
The series is inspired by Janette Oke’s bestselling book series about the Canadian West. When Calls the Heart tells the captivating story of Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a young teacher accustomed to her high society life, who receives her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley, a small coal mining town where life is simple, but often fraught with challenges. Lori Loughlin plays Abigail Stanton, a wife and mother whose husband, the foreman of the mine, along with a dozen other miners, has just been killed in an explosion. The newly widowed women find their faith is tested when they must go to work in the mines to keep a roof over their heads. Elizabeth charms most everyone in Coal Valley, except Constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing) who believes Thatcher’s wealthy father has doomed the lawman’s career by insisting he be assigned in town to protect the shipping magnate’s daughter. Living in a turn of the century coal town, Elizabeth will have to learn the ways of the frontier if she wishes to thrive in the rural west on her own.
Admittedly I didn’t watch season one, only because I really didn’t hear about the series until recently. Thankfully I was able to catch up with a marathon viewing of season one on DVD that I was sent to review. I’m glad I had that opportunity so I could catch up on the story line and prepare myself for season two (which is currently airing).
My husband didn’t watch the first season with me. I would watch a few episodes every day after work (I get off work early in the afternoon). When I started to watch season two my husband wasn’t exactly interested in the show. He refers to it as “women’s show.”
It took a few episodes but I eventually caught him watching the show right along with me. At first he would fiddle on his computer while I watched the show. Then I noticed he would stop pounding away at the keys on his laptop and look up from it to watch what was happening on the show. He even went so far as to ask me questions about the various relationships and the situation with the coal mine accident.
Now my husband admits that he watches the show. He’ll even share his thoughts about the episode we just watched (or while we are watching it).
I never really asked him (yet) why he watches the show – especially if he once considered it a “women’s show.”
Could it be because there are beautiful women in the cast (Erin Krakow, Lori Loughlin and Kristina Wagner which he had a crush on when she was in General Hospital)? It’s certainly not about the beautiful turn of the century dresses or lovely hair styles.
Let me stop here for a moment.
I am totally in love with the wardrobes on When Calls the Heart. Call me old fashioned but I love the dresses. I would so love to wear those. I think sometimes I was born in the wrong era.
Elizabeth especially has the move lovely dresses. She doesn’t often dress like someone living in a small coal mining town. I guess that has to do with her well off up bringing.
Sometimes her ensembles don’t look like they fit the time period. There are times the outfits Elizabeth wears seem a bit modern. But that is just me. I’m not an expert on the time period When Calls the Heart is supposed to be representing.
I might also add that I LOVE Elizabeth’s hair. Its beautiful! I would love to have her hair. Her hair is always perfectly coiffed, even when she’s just going about an average day.
Anyway… back to why would a man find When Calls the Heart an interesting show.
Maybe it’s the whole coal mine accident story line. There seems to be a lot more to that story.
My husband also thinks that there is more to the new pastor, Frank Hogan. He thinks that he’s hiding something, but doesn’t know what. I tend to agree with him on this. Maybe the show will explore his character more in the third season?
The show is supposed to take place in the 19th century when “men were men,” if you know what I mean? That might also be a reason why my husband enjoys watching the show.
My hubby is a true romantic. He has a big heart too. It’s possible that he truly enjoys the romance of the show, especially between Jack and Elizabeth.
What ever my husband’s reasons are for watching When Calls the Heart with me I am not going to question them. Maybe one day I’ll ask him and find out the truth. For now I like to draw up my own conclusions. It’s also nice to watch something with my husband where we don’t have to worry about naked women, people having sex, foul language, graphic fight scenes and other mindless, senseless stuff.
Are you a fan of the show? Does your significant other watch with you? Do you know why he watches? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
To learn more visit the shows official website, www.HallmarkChannel.com/When-Calls-the-Heart.
Check them out here – When Calls the Heart “Hearties” Facebook Group.
The series also has an official Facebook page as well as a Twitter account. You can also check out what others are saying about the show using the hashtags #WhenCallstheHeart and #Hearties.
Kimberly
*Although compensated the opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way. In addition I received season one on DVD free in order to do a review.