Thank you creators, cast, and crew for another amazing episode. I just can't say it enough: Hope Valley is back and better than ever!
Kavan Smith (who plays Lee) recently stated (in an interview) that if he had to describe Season 11 in only one word, he'd use the word "Unexpected". And I have to say, he's right! So far, Season 11 is knocking my expectations clear out of the park!
Highlights:
- Lucas is really coming into his own. I just adore his style of governing: leading by empowering others. He's so great at this, as evidenced by that phone call we got to witness. Go, Lucas!
- Nathan's comedic side is just so funny. Why did we not tap into this before? And he and Allie are a gold mine of funny.
- Thank you for mentioning Abigail. I just love that acknowledgment as we all miss her!
- Henry's line, "Happiness is where I'm headed." Oh, such a great nugget of wisdom there. And, can I just say, for Henry's sake: It's about time!
- Poor Mike - he's also a comedic gold mine, Ben Rosenbaum is so adorable and plays both awkward and sweet so well. More, please!
- Joseph and Minnie are wonderful as usual, the wisdom moment of the episode, yet again. Maybe someone should quote them each episode and put it up somewhere on the HM website?
- Lee and Rosemary just get better and better. They are a joy to watch, and I love the tough topics they tackle. Couples goals!
- Faith and Lily are such a beautiful picture of Found Family. I hope you are going where I think you are going with this, because its just fantastic and exhibits the heart of Hope Valley. It's one of the reasons we love this little town so much! Everybody has a home here!
- Speaking of Found Family, I love that Allie is asking about her mom. And I love how Nathan shares about Allie's mother in a way that leaves us all uplifted. Sure, there is sadness there, but remembering can bring healing too.
- Love that birthday card, Little Jack. You get it, little buddy. What a wonderful foreshadowing (I hope), of what's to come. I mean, if little man gets it, what's taking Nathan and Elizabeth so long? Guess that romantic tension, that "will-they/won't-they" tug-of-war, is what's kept us all on the edge of our seats this long (; So, f.i.n.e. Take your time, you two. I guess. Slow-burn it all you want, just know that we're dying over here, burning right up with you...because your chemistry is absolutely off-the-charts. So absolutely off-the-charts that I don't even know how much hotter it can get.
And this is only episode 2!!