When Calls the Heart Season 12, Episode 6, “When Autumn Leaves Begin to Fall”
Halfway into the season, “When Autumn Leaves Begin to Fall” feels like the transitional period for When Calls the Heart. The episode doesn’t give us any big developments or any prominent answers to the questions that arise after “Mom’s the Word,” but it still delivers a visual feast and small changes.
Fiona suggests that Rosemary should open up the radio show to guests, which leads to the kids in a debate with Lucas. Elsewhere, Oliver and Allie realize that cattle and algae are compromising food for the salmon, while Bill and Melissa Gilbert, as Inspector McGill, continue investigations. Elizabeth battles an awful cold that leads to very appealing fever dreams and filler content that I won’t be complaining about.
When Calls the Heart Season 12, Episode 6 Is Basically Eye Candy
While much of the scenes between Nathan and Elizabeth this week don’t give us any new developments in their relationship, they do deliver some hilariously hot and stunning sequences that effectively showcase how much the two desire one another. We know what lies between them is a deep and tender love, but it’s also important to acknowledge the physical attraction that fuels a relationship. Both the emotional and physical have to be present in order to make a relationship not only work, but continually bloom, and such is the very obvious case with the multiple fever dreams Elizabeth has regarding Nathan doing the most mundane tasks.
The same can also be said about his brief fever dream at the very end of the episode, which might just be one of the most stunning depictions of romance to date. There’s something gorgeously picturesque about the rustling of sheets and the desire to find someone amid them, so how that moment plays out is simply chef’s kiss.
Yet, at the same time, it’s also always incredible to have the sick/comfort trope play out in any development because it shows viewers (or readers) that the characters are always willing to do whatever it takes to take care of each other. In sickness and in health is a vow for a reason, and while we already knew that Nathan and Elizabeth would abide by that, it’s nice to get a preview of it before the words are someday promised aloud.
More of Oliver’s Past and Allie’s Healing
Teenage heartbreak is indeed a pain that’s hard to heal from, but friendships make it easier, and the budding friendship we see in When Calls the Heart Season 12, Episode 6, “When Autumn Leaves Begin to Fall,” also brings out another truth about Oliver’s past. After almost getting caught for trespassing, he reveals to Allie that the reason he’s such a stickler for following the rules is because his mom is in prison. Before this, he voices how he’s never had a birthday party, which makes Allie examine the better parts of hers instead of the next day’s outcome, which led to Earl Wyatt breaking her heart.
Every bit of news about Oliver not only adds to the puzzle but it continues to break my heart. Nothing is more saddening than seeing kids who are neglected, so it makes it lovelier every time we see that he’s building a home in Hope Valley. Every time someone steps up to help him out, it’s evident how much it means to him and how it’ll contribute to his healing.
Communication Shines in “When Autumn Leaves Begin to Fall”
Part of the reason the episode works in the small moments is in the ways communication takes center stage. We see it with Lucas and the kids for the radio show, but we also get a glimpse of it with Joseph and Minnie regarding Angela going to school in Hamilton.
As Lucas mentioned last week, he can’t help everyone—it’s impossible. In the same way, Pastor Joseph and Minnie can’t hold onto Angela for the rest of her life. Yet, what matters in carefully exploring how to let go and when to push forward, the characters have to be open to communication. This narrative also brings in Fiona by allowing her to suggest dual voices in the first place while also giving her a moment to be transparent about her own fears with Pastor Joseph.
We often undermine how important talking things through can be, so it’s always an excellent inclusion any time a show or a movie reminds viewers of this. Communication is the start of making changes, so having this play out through various characters makes the episode feel like a true midpoint. For instance, one thing Lucas has often done is treat the kids like adults by listening to what they want as well, so it’s lovely that we get this moment with Allie. It’ll be interesting to see how he makes good on his words, and also how this could potentially play a role in the park as well. Now that he’s fully back and working from Hope Valley, I feel that the back half of the season can give us the chances to see more from him.
Stray Thoughts
- Henry standing up for the kids and making Edwin clean is A++.
- Okay, I’m already basically over this heiress storyline, and I need it resolved asap before I get more annoyed.
- I need Oliver to be happy.
- Nathan’s voice when he says, “You still have a fever,” made me flush.
- “You should really take your shirt off when you chop wood.” Elizabeth is all of us. She’s right, and she should say it.
- I’m so interested in how Pastor Joseph’s words to Fiona will impact her choice. It shouldn’t mean too much sacrifice, but what does that look like for Fiona? Do we get to keep her longer because I, for one, would love that.
- The show keeps delivering such picturesque shots in this episode. Sign me up. All day. Every day.
- I just needed a bit more of Edie. Where is she!?!
- Okay, but where are the autumn leaves? Not a single leaf fell. I need it.
Now streaming on Hallmark+: What are your thoughts on When Calls the Heart Season 12, Episode 6, “When Autumn Leaves Begin to Fall” Let us know in the comments below.
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