When Calls the Heart Season 12, Episode 11 Review: ‘Having Faith’

When Calls the Heart Season 12, Episode 11, “Having Faith” Spoilers Ahead

Like last week’s “Through the Valley,” When Calls the Heart delivers another tear-jerker in “Having Faith.” This time, however, we have a significant miracle that makes it easy to catch our breath in the end. We also get an episode that focuses entirely on how the characters feel, making it that much more enticing, even while our hearts break in the process.

The episode primarily focuses on little Jack’s diagnosis, and with it, it continues to prove how Hope Valley is a place where people take care of each other. Because he can’t travel, Mike and Mei head to Toronto in order to see if they can sign him up for a trial of Insulin. Back in town, the kids publicize a baseball game through the radio to keep Jack entertained, all while Elizabeth tries to keep her faith.

When Calls the Heart Season 12, Episode 11 Is About Keeping the Faith

It’s all there in the title, and from beginning to end, “Having Faith” tugs on our heartstrings, pulling us from one state of shock to another, scouring for another tissue after we’ve already used one up. Human beings are all so vastly different, but I’m convinced that nothing binds us the way fearing for someone’s life does. Few things make us feel as vulnerable and as defeated as watching someone we love struggle, and this is especially the case when it’s a child. Every person on our screens would trade their lives to be in Jack’s shoes so he wouldn’t have to suffer, and there’s so much heart in that fact. 

And once again, Erin Krakow delivers a harrowing performance throughout, making me pause multiple times to dry my tears. Little Jack is Elizabeth’s entire world. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for him, and of all the challenges in her life, this is the hardest and darkest valley she’s had to walk through. There’s not a moment throughout the episode where Krakow isn’t showing us Elizabeth’s pain through each of her expressions and painfully defeated physicality. As she cries while trying to write the letter, we’re all crying with her. We’re all struggling with her, as are all the characters.

In every way, When Calls the Heart Season 12, Episode 11, “Having Faith,” exhibits the importance of holding on. It’s a reminder of how we show up for people, even when there’s nothing we can do but pray. It’s a reminder that sometimes, all a person needs is for their best friend to know exactly how to guide them through writing a tough letter. Or for their partner to simply hold them through the pain. Sometimes, all a person needs is the reminder that other people believe because it’s too hard to keep the faith alone.

I also really adore the fact that at a time when science is questioned in the real world, we get to watch a faith-based show accept the importance of medication as the miracle it is. Because Insulin is a miracle. Vaccines are a miracle. And not to get preachy, but part of believing in God and in His miracles is believing in the aid He sends out. The answer to prayers here is Insulin. It’s believing in the fact that there are people in this world anointed to study science in order to continue saving lives like little Jack’s.

As a devout Christian who also firmly believes in science and mental health aids like therapy, it’s easy to appreciate when shows like When Calls the Heart incorporate both. Because part of having faith is believing in what we might not have the resources to understand ourselves, which, in this case, is Elizabeth trusting Faith and Mei as the experts they are. It’s trusting God and science, and the end result, as we know, is a long and healthy life for little Jack.

When Calls the Heart Season 12, Episode 11, “Having Faith,” is full of gorgeous moments that show where each character is during this difficult period, allowing the actors to each bring their A-games to deliver some of their most heartwarming performances. There wasn’t a single person who wasn’t giving their all throughout, making the emotions feel that much more realistic and honest. It’s an episode about compassion, warmth, and holding on. It’s about a community coming together to do everything in their power to show up for a little boy who’s in need. It’s about love and patience.

Stray Thoughts

• Rosemary freaking out made me so uneasy. You know there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for Elizabeth and little Jack, so watching her struggle with the what-ifs. Gah, my heart. And Pascale Hutton is SO GOOD in this episode.
• “I’ve always been able to write, but this? How do I find the words.” Oh, this hurt. 
• I kept having to pause this episode. 
• “Elizabeth Thornton is as brave as they come.” 😭
• The kids made cards for him. So many tears.
• He’s listening to the game through the radio! I’m weeping. 😭
• Little Jack can do whatever he sets his mind to! YES HE CAN!
• Awwwww, Allie! This is like watching her baby brother struggle. I can’t, I can’t. 😭
• The way Faith’s voice cracks on the phone.
• Nathan’s conversation with Bill was SOMETHING. Kevin McGarry was fantastic in holding it all back up until this moment, where it’s nearly impossible to. “I can’t stop the bad guy. I can’t stop the hurt.” & I CAN’T STOP CRYING.
• Minnie’s chat with Rosemary was also so very beautiful and necessary in this episode.
• Actually, my tear ducts can’t handle this. 
• We’re all God’s creatures. Once again, Pastor Joseph is making me cry.
• GET YOUR GIRLS A DOG, LEE!
• “Nothing is more important than this.” I need this episode to end so I can stop crying.
• How is the finale already airing next week!?

Now streaming on Hallmark+: What are your thoughts on When Calls the Heart Season 12, Episode 11, “Having Faith?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs