NOTE: This post contains spoilers for Season 11, Episode 3 of When Calls the Heart.
Hello, Hearties! Welcome to the recap for April 21st’s episode of When Calls the Heart, titled “Steps Forward”. During tonight’s episode, Bill continued to investigate the shooting, Lucas shook up Nathan and Elizabeth’s “new normal”, and Rosemary interviewed Montague. Let’s recap!
A Not-So-Closed Case
As established last week, Bill, Nathan, and now Rosemary do not think that the case of Lucas’ shooting is really solved and that he may still be in danger.
At the start of this week’s episode, Bill is in Capital City at the site of Lucas’ shooting. He tries to replicate what may have happened that night, timing himself running to the back of the alley and then to the front of the building again.
After returning to Hope Valley, Bill tells Nathan that Pike couldn’t have acted alone. Someone saw the getaway car driving away immediately after hearing the gunshots, but, according to Bill’s timing, Pike would have still been in the back alley when the car was driving away. He must have had help.
Later on, Bill and Nathan sit down with Lucas and Edwin to try to convince them that Lucas needs more security in Hope Valley. Although Lucas admits that the details of the case seem very “convenient”, he can’t offer any more help because he still doesn’t remember anything about the shooter. Edwin then pipes in, arguing that the case is closed and everyone needs to move on. Lucas ultimately refuses to have more security, stating that his main focus is on the resort while he’s in town.
Am I the only one who thinks Edwin is acting a bit suspicious? He doesn’t seem at all worried about the possibility of Lucas still being in danger, and is instead focused on shutting down Bill and Nathan’s concerns. Hmmm….
Detective Rosemary
Speaking of the case, Rosemary is set on helping Bill with his unofficial investigation. She sets up an interview with Montague, in order to ask him his opinion on Lucas’ plans to develop a world-class resort in the valley.
With Bill listening in on the other line, Rosemary then asks Montague about his reaction when Lucas was shot. “My reaction would not be fit for print,” replies Montague. Despite his obvious dislike for the new governor, Montague insists that he was in Union City and was seen by over 100 people at an event on the night of the shooting.
Bill isn’t buying Montague’s alibi, and figures out that he could have taken a train to Capital City for the shooting if he left the event early. Rosemary debunks that theory by pulling out an old newspaper featuring a picture of Montague and Balfour after the shooting took place. Montague was still at the event, just as he said.
While he may not have physically been there for the shooting, Bill and Rosemary still think Montague could have been the mastermind behind the entire thing. I guess we’ll have to wait to see if they’re right!
The New Resort
The first bid on the new resort in Hope Valley is from none other than Bernhardt Montague. Lucas has not forgotten the fact that Montague was attempting to steal Hope Valley’s water last season, so he rejects the bid despite Edwin urging him to consider it. (Seriously, what is up with the sketchy behavior Edwin? I thought you were a good guy, but it’s not looking like it.)
Later on, Lucas visits the schoolhouse to speak with Elizabeth. He asks her if she and her students would attend a press session for the new resort. They really need some good press and a photo op with Elizabeth and her students would help with that.
Elizabeth agrees, so she and the children join Lucas, Edwin, Rosemary, Lee, Mike, Mei, and Randall Rockwell at the resort site. Both Rosemary and Randall snap some photos of Lucas and Elizabeth to publish on the front page of their respective papers.
Then Randall Rockwell decides to rain on everyone’s parade as he brings up the fact that the base of the mountain, including the access road to the property, is still owned by Benson Hills. Lucas is shocked and was clearly unaware of this little tidbit of information. Lee quickly reminds everyone that he did in fact mention this to Mr. Sketchy (*ahem*, excuse me, Edwin) when they sold the property, and Edwin says it will just be a matter of negotiating with the mayor of Benson Hills.
So... What About Nathan and Elizabeth (and Lucas)?
Both Nathan and Elizabeth are dealing with Lucas being back in Hope Valley, which is disrupting their new normal. Elizabeth wants her and Lucas to be friends, as they were before. But Rosemary reminds her that they were never truly “just friends” since Lucas always had feelings for her.
Elizabeth and Lucas get a chance to chat when he’s walking through town as a part of his physical therapy. After expressing how happy she is that he’s healing, Lucas assures her that “everything is on the mend”. Judging by his delivery it seems that he’s referring not just to his leg but his heart as well.
Meanwhile, Nathan seems to be balancing giving Elizabeth space after her breakup and trying to get closer to her. For example, he brings Allie her lunch at school and stops to talk with Elizabeth. Perfectly normal, right? Except that Allie already had lunch with her that Nathan packed for her. Not obvious at all Mountie Nathan!
At one point, Elizabeth visits Nathan’s office to ask him about his concerns about Lucas’ safety. The office is empty when she walks in, but then a very shirtless Nathan walks in from the backroom. Elizabeth rushes away with a smile on her face.
Later on, Nathan is training Scout behind Elizabeth’s house, practically in her backyard. I’m sure that’s just a coincidence (not). Elizabeth comes out her back door and he goes over to chat with her. She asks about Lucas and Nathan’s concerns about his safety, mentioning that she’s worried about Lucas. Nathan’s face kind of drops at that, maybe due to a little jealousy?
In the very final scene of the episode, Nathan is seen looking at the picture that was taken of Lucas and Elizabeth for the resort photo op. Elizabeth walks up and the two head to a meeting that Lucas has called for the entire town. Although it seems that both of them are looking forward to getting back to “normal” when Lucas returns to Capital City, it turns out that won’t be any time soon.
As they walk into the saloon, Lucas announces that he will be staying in Hope Valley until the entire resort issue is sorted out. “As of right now, I’m not going anywhere,” Lucas says. Elizabeth and Nathan look less than thrilled.
Other Hope Valley Goings-On
There’s always a lot happening in Hope Valley. Here are some of the more minor plot points of this episode:
- Mike and Mei celebrate their five-month anniversary with a picnic at the site of the new resort but are interrupted by the press session.
- Florence, Minnie, and the other ladies of Hope Valley create a new daycare to help meet the demand for child care in town. Henry allows them to use his old office building. The creation of a daycare seems to really take a load off Faith’s shoulders, who is still caring for Lily while being the only town doctor.
- Elizabeth spends some time helping Toby, a student of hers and Cooper’s friend, who is struggling with math.
- The Canfield siblings, Angela and Cooper, are at odds during much of the episode. However, a talk with their dad helps them mend their relationship.
- Some Hope Valley citizens are not at all pleased with the new resort. In an attempt to be unbiased in her reporting, Rosemary publishes their negative opinions in the newspaper despite her and Lee supporting the resort.
On To Next Week...
It looks like Lucas’ old flame will be visiting Hope Valley and Elizabeth will be planning an Easter egg hunt with some help from Nathan. Join me next week to recap!
2 Responses
Love these recaps, Camy! Thank you for writing them!
I’m so glad you like them. Thank YOU for reading!