There were some fireworks in Hope Valley in the March 7 episode When Calls the Heart, and we’m not just talking about the oil explosion. A person from Nathan (Kevin McGarry)’s past reappears and suggests a dramatic confrontation. On top of that, Lucas (Chris McNally) had some surprisingly harsh words for Elizabeth (Erin Krakow).
[Spoilers ahead for When Calls the Heart Season 8, Episode 3]
Hope Valley avoids disasters in the latest episode of ‘When Calls the Heart’
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Hearties knew he was expecting something big in this episode, as a preview revealed the city’s residents with an explosion in the oil well. The crisis obviously made one think of the tragic mine explosion that killed so many men before the start of the season. Fortunately, the fire on the rig was not a catastrophe at that level.
Lucas is almost ready to throw in the oil industry towel, but just after making this announcement, workers at the well finally hit black gold. Rejoicing, however, quickly turned to horror when the geyser caused a massive explosion. The Hope Valley men – along with Fiona (Kayla Wallace) – work together to stop the fire by dynamizing the well, a risky trick that eventually works, to everyone’s relief.
A sweet moment between Lee and Rosemary
Lee (Kavan Smith) and Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) get quite a bit of screen time in this episode. He was delighted when a chair he had bought during their trip to South America arrived. But his injured back means he can not enjoy it yet. He tells his wife that he does not want anyone else to sit in it before doing so because it is ‘bad luck’. Predictably, Rosemary sits in the chair that immediately collapses.
Rosemary is horrified, and Lee confesses that he bought the chair because it reminds him of one he made with his grandfather. He’s bummed because he’s not doing anything anymore. To lift his spirits, Rosemary – in a totally sweet gesture – turns her special place in the backyard (which he created for her) into a workshop for him.
A figure from Nathan’s past reappears
Last week’s episode ends with a big moment between Nathan and Elizabeth, where he admits that he loves her, and she responds by running away. (Well, technically speaking, she rode away on her horse.) Unfortunately, fans hoping for a solution to the situation did not get it in “From the Ashes.” Elizabeth told Rosemary early on that she had not yet spoken to Nathan. She also avoids Lucas.
‘I know I made the right choice not to be with Nathan. But I do not know that I made the choice to be with Lucas, ”she says.
Yet we see a fair amount of Nathan in this episode. First, he tells Bill (Jack Wagner) that he is no longer interested in buying the land where he would clearly live with Elizabeth and his niece. As they chat, Superintendent Hargraves (David Lewis) enters the city. There is serious, yet unexplained tension between the two Mounties. Hargraves is investigating the shooting during the transfer of the prisoner at the end of season 7, which left another officer dead. The investigation will see if Nathan was guilty of the incident. “Your career as Mountie is at stake,” Andrew warns him. But it’s obviously about more than the shooting. Could Nathan perhaps be hiding a dark secret? Hopefully in a future episode we will find out why Andrew has a grudge against Nathan.
Jesse buys a motorcycle, apologizes to Gowen
Also in this episode, Jesse (Aren Buchholz) takes a turn on Lee’s motorcycle and is immediately taken with the newly found machine. He buys it, much to the dismay of Clara (Eva Bourne). But his first attempt to hit the open road ends badly when he becomes empty.
Meanwhile, Gowen (Martin Cummins) shows some uncharacteristic humility when he apologizes to Ned (Hrothgar Mathews) for accusing him of opening his post. He also brings some flowers to Florence (Loretta Walsh), and after he leaves, Florence and Ned share a flirtatious moment in the mercantile.
Finally, Faith (Andrea Brooks) is frustrated that Carson (Paul Greene) is still treating her like a nurse, despite her advanced medical training. This conflict is about the fact that Faith wants to be taken seriously as a professional and that is the unresolved status of their relationship. This begs the question: does Hope Valley have room for two doctors?
Lucas knocks Elizabeth out
Helen (Teryl Rothery) had put Elizabeth in a difficult place earlier when she admitted that Lucas’ father had left her. She asked Elizabeth to keep her secret, which Elizabeth agreed to do, even though she thought Lucas needed to know the truth.
In this episode, Helen and Elizabeth talk about romance and love. For the first time, Helen Elizabeth is basically calling for waffles between Lucas and Nathan. Later, she visits Elizabeth at her home, where the younger woman suggests that she fight for him if she still likes Lucas’ father.
Helen takes her protégé’s advice and goes home to reconcile with her husband. But she left some wreckage behind. Lucas is upset about his parents’ divorce and because Elizabeth did not tell him about it. She shares the advice she gave Helen and told him, ‘Love must be fought for. And maybe she should be the one to reach out first. ‘
His answer is sharp: “What would you know about it?”
Lucas is really nasty here, and Elizabeth quickly tells him that his words are ‘cruel’. But under his anger he has a point – it seems like Elizabeth can not take her own advice and fight for the man she (maybe?) Loves. Lucas made his feelings clear months ago and then stepped back to give her space to decide between him and Nathan. But she can not give him the courage to tell him if his feelings are being repaid for her.
By the end of this episode, Elizabeth has managed to alienate both Nathan and Lucas. Clearly, this love triangle can not go on much longer.
The next episode of When Calls the Heart will be broadcast on Sunday 14 March at 21:00 ET on Hallmark Channel.
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