I initially watched Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart when the first three seasons were on Netflix, but I stopped after Season 5 and had no intentions of going back until recently. While I’d typically keep these lists spoiler-free, knowing how much our audience adores romance, I’d be remiss if I didn’t warn people.
In more ways than one, When Calls the Heart is a tear-jerker. Like most period dramas we cover here, it dabbles extensively with surprising narratives far too often. Yet, sometimes, we could use TV shows that are a little harmless—where the stakes don’t make us question and doubt and keep us on the edge of our streets. This isn’t to say that the show is entirely harmless, but it’s still lighter than most of what’s out there.
1. When Calls the Heart Is Wholesome
What’s always kept me intrigued with When Calls the Heart is the series’ wholesome narrative. A woman travels to a small town where she becomes a teacher and cares tremendously for the kids and townsfolk. I have a soft spot for shows that focus on the goodness of humanity, and I’ll always have a soft spot for series like Abbott Elementary, too. (It’s why my debut romance novel also features a teacher as one of the main characters.) They are integral to the people we become and seldom get the credit they deserve. In this regard, When Calls the Heart maintains kindness and heart above all things through Erin Kraków’s Elizabeth Thornton.
With that detail, there’s also tremendous growth throughout the series for multiple characters, making every moment with all of them feel … well, wholesome. For instance, Henry Gowen’s redemption arc will perpetually be one of the best things I’ve seen on TV. This wholesomeness makes the show comfortable to watch and invest in because even when there are heartaches, we have the guarantee that people will take care of each other. No one will be left alone in their suffering, which gives us some hope when TV can otherwise be dark and heartbreaking.
2. It’s a Women-Led Series
One of the best parts of When Calls the Heart is the detail that the series honors women and their roles in society. They very much run this little world, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. True feminism is understanding that women can be anything they want to be and that our complexities are what make us extraordinary. The women in this series are all so vastly different from one another, yet there’s not a single person who’s petty or hateful. Even when there is drama, the narrative subverts expectations to reflect incredible storytelling, making the series one to look out for. For instance, when we first meet Pascale Hutton’s Rosemary, it’s hard to see how she and Elizabeth could be friends. Yet, that’s exactly what happens, and their friendship is something Leslie Knope would consistently cheer at.
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When Calls the Heart allows women to be doctors, barbers, teachers, journalists, villains, managers, mayors, and so much more, giving them each a platform to bring their best foot forward. The men on the show respect and care for them, which works to showcase growth in a society that’s otherwise still lacking in more ways than one.
3. The Friendships Are Comforting
One of the things that always determines whether I will wholeheartedly love a series depends on whether there are solid friendships to root for. I adore platonic relationships as much as romantic ones, and When Calls the Heart is overflowing with some of the best friendships on TV.
These friendships are messy at times, but the end result is always beautiful. I could sit here and list all my favorites, but it’d quite frankly cover the entire page because that’s how many there are. Whether they’re generational friendships, intersex, or some hilariously predictable ones, the writers give us something truly lovely in this regard.
4. The Love Stories Are Worth It
This is where I feel our readers deserve a warning. Elizabeth’s first love and husband, Jack Thornton (played by Daniel Lissing), tragically passes away in the series. And no, this isn’t the kind of death he could miraculously come back from. For this reason, I stopped watching the show for a while, but I’m happy I returned because even though the series dives into the abhorred love triangle trope, it makes it worth every minute. (A sentence I never thought I’d write, let alone a whole article praising the decision.)
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When Calls the Heart is, in more ways than one, a story about second chances. It’s about healing from grief and it’s about finding love in unlikely places. And it’s not just Elizabeth’s love story, but the series features a plethora of excellent relationships like Rosemary and Lee’s perfectly charming marriage. The pain is a part of growth, and the series ensures that they take on every challenging character arc with grace and compassion.
5. It’s Surprisingly Funny
This list component is a testament to Queen Rosemary Coulter and the fact that she could do no wrong. She might just be one of the most hilarious characters on TV, and even though she tries, it’s somehow wildly effortless in a way that’s only possible with her character. But she isn’t the only one. When Calls the Heart features as much levity as it does wholesome content, making the cheesy moments in life a lot more delightful. It also plays a role in lightening the mood during some of the heavier beats.
When Calls the Heart is now streaming on Hallmark.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Hallmark