WCTH Episode Review: The Heart of a Father

   

    Oh, boy. Oh, boy, oh, boy…. We FINALLY found out Nathan’s past! (Oh, yeah, I didn’t do an intro.) Hi Hearties! Welcome back to my next WCTH episode review! We’ve made it to episode two so far. Lots of stuff is shaking! Pasts coming to the present, tension over the love triangle, wedding prep, etc… This episode we got a bunch of…DRAMA! Yep, Nathan’s father has come to town. (Dum, dum, duuummm!)

    Two things to point out before we dive in.

    WHERE WAS FIONA??? She was absent from the whole episode. Out of town call maybe? (Ooo! That was bad!)

    What do you know, but Lucas’ chief was actually a bigger character this time. (And I finally found out how to spell his name! Gustave!)

    Alright then! Let’s get to the review!

 

Nathan

    Alright! Alright I’m just going to come right out and say it! I…I kinda…(Ugh!) I kinda like Nathan better now! It’s out! I said it! Honestly, the truth is that this was one of, if not the best, Nathan episodes yet. I mean, did you see his face as he was arresting his dad? He was trying not to cry! (Still Team Lucas though! Lol!) Speaking of his dad, let’s back up a bit.

    Oh, boy, oh boy, Archibald Grant has found Hope Valley. (You don’t hear that name every day.) I have to say that having Nathan’s dad come to Hope Valley is a good story line. My biggest question is: Has he changed or not? I totally see this as being a redemption story, but imagine if it wasn’t! We’ve never really had a story like that, and I think that it would make the plot even deeper if Nathan had to forgive and move on with his father still being a crook. It would demonstrate forgiveness despite the fact that everything isn’t fixed or perfect. Whether Nathan's dad changes or not, he’s still going to have to deal with the past and let it go. Speaking of the past…

    

   They did it. Did you hear that, Brian Bird? You did it. You made me sympathize and feel sorry for Nathan. Just that one story he told about listening to his mother cry over his father selling her ruby brooch was enough to show me the big picture of his childhood. And my goodness, what a childhood it was! No wonder he’s so solemn and grumpy. He’s suffered so much hurt throughout his whole life. His father gambled, stole, went to jail, came back and then stole even more, and went to jail AGAIN!

This also explains his behavior toward Lucas. Lucas is a gambler, just like his father was. Then Nathan sees him around Elizabeth alot and now Nathan doesn’t want to see Elizabeth get hurt like he did.

    I’d also like to mention the fact that Elizabeth did pretty good with this whole situation. She could have told Nathan everything he needed to do to fix his life, but she didn’t. She was just there to help a confused Allie and support the both of them.

    Now I can’t talk about Nathan without mentioning the slumber party. Nathan in charge of four giggling girls? (Good one, Alfonse!) That was fun. He was so flustered. “No, don’t do that!” “Don’t touch her face with your finger!” Lol! And then his look of astonishment as Elizabeth made them all stop. Finally, as much as it may upset Team Lucas people, Elizabeth putting that glob of icing on Nathan’s nose was a fun moment. (It’s okay…it’s only episode two…I can make it through this…) It was cute, but it was only that. Don’t get too carried away Team Nathan. Lucas still has a chance!

   

    And never fear Team Lucas Hearties, as I am still Team Lucas. There is more to liking a character then just their backstory. I still like Lucas better and I don't want Nathan for Elizabeth. This just finally helps me understand Nathan, which can help me understand his actions. Now instead of just saying, “How could he do that?” I can say, “He did that because of his own hurt.” (But seriously Elizabeth, please don't pick Nathan!)

Doctor Faith

    Faith is still here people! And from the sound of it, it looks like she may be here to stay. (See, I told you.) The subject of her dream to become a doctor has finally resurfaced. Imagine getting to be mentored to become a doctor by your boyfriend. (I wonder if she’ll get straight A’s? Lol!)

But she can’t get mentored if she leaves for Hamilton, so the chances of her leaving now are kinda slimming down. There is still the question of that intro clip for Carson, but things just got a bit safer for Team Infirmary.

Lucas

    

    Now despite this episode being all about Nathan, we still got a good bit of Lucas. (Unlike Nathan in the last episode.) First off we have the whole bit with him and Bill.

    Bill you are so obvious. And really? Stealing Lucas’ recipes? Okay, actually they are Gustave’s, but you get what I mean. And he was so quick to go shouting around how Ned had gotten sick off the saloon’s food. However, it came back to bite him, when everybody then stopped eating at the café for the same reason. Lol!

    I laughed at Lucas’ comment to Florence. “Not a word about this to anyone.” He knows of Florence’s love of gossip.

    Well, we finally found out that the food wasn’t the big problem for Ned, but an ulcer. (To which Bill seemed about ready to burst out of the infirmary and tell the whole town about.)  Then Florence got a great big helping of humble pie and had to go door to door telling everyone that she was wrong. (Tsk, tsk, tsk…)

    In the end we got a great big event that hopefully solved everything. Hope Valley’s very first barbeque! That was quite the sight, with all the tables in the middle of town, but I liked it. It was a fun and really nice outing. (It did not, however, keep Bill from trying to steal food secrets from Gustave.)

 

    The second thing I want to talk about concerning Lucas is him and Nathan’s father. I find it interesting with how he’s taking this whole thing. I’m not quite sure what to make of it yet, but I think he feels Archie’s hurt. I can’t but get the feeling that it goes a bit deeper than genuine concern. I wonder if it’s personal. Like he relates to Archie somehow. Either that, or like he told Nathan, he can just sense that Archie is struggling.

    But, of course Nathan had to lump Lucas in with his criminal father. “Two birds of a feather.” (Ouch!) Of course now I can see that Nathan may just be using Lucas as a target to vent his pain and anger on. Mainly because Lucas is a gambler like his father. I’m very interested to see how this plays out for both men.

    Lastly I have to mention the one Lucas and Elizabeth scene that there was in the WHOLE episode. (Sniff…) It wasn’t anything major, but Lucas was sweet, and humble in the fact that he didn’t even take credit for his own advice. Elizabeth thanked him for his help again with her writing, and all he said was, “It was all you.” (Aww!)

Allie

    This kid has got quite a dramatic life. Her mother died, her father left her, her uncle is raising her, and now when her grandfather surfaces she isn't even allowed to see him. She just wants to have a normal life surrounded by family that loves her. She doesn't understand or know what happened in the past. Nathan does however. He lived through it, and so Elizabeth was probably right when she told Allie to not mention her grandpa coming to live with them... Lol! And since I'm thinking Archie may be innocent, I wonder if that would ever happen. Guess time will tell.

The Coulter’s Advice

    Looks like neither Coulter is having a good time giving advice. Nobody would listen to Rosemary’s, and Lee’s backfired. (Oh, boy! Jesse could have been headed for the dog house with this one. :D ) After being married to Rosemary for around three to four years, I’m sure that he has a LOT of advice to give to the engaged couple. As would Rosemary to Clara. Yet as Clara informed Jesse, she is not Rosemary. Lol! Yes, even with the best advice Jesse and Clara still have to learn their way as a couple. They are going to make their own mistakes and find what works for them. Still, the Coulters are good friends to have on their side and have a lot to share with them I’m sure.

    

    We also got what could be seen from a mile away. Yes, Lee and Rosemary are the Best Man and the Matron of Honor! (I’m sure I don’t have to explain who is who. :D ) This was inevitable. I mean, the girls work together all day, as do the guys. It totally makes sense. I am curious if there will be any other bride’s maids or groom’s men, as I was hoping two people in particular (Cough) would get a dance at the end of this season. With Clara’s hopes for a big wedding, though, I’m sure more bridesmaids are on the way! And hooray for her getting up the courage to tell Rosemary that she wants to design her own wedding dress. It was hard for Rosemary, but the news about being the Matron of Honor really helped smooth it over.

Over all thoughts. 

    This was another fun episode. I finally found out about Nathan’s past, and even though he had WAY more screen time with Elizabeth, Lucas didn’t disappear. He still had his own story line throughout the episode. (Working with Bill! Who would have thought?)

    This was probably a great episode for Team Nathan. Team Lucas do not despair however. I am hoping that first Nathan is going to be the focus, but Lucas will win it in the end! Well, I guess we’ll find out!

    Thanks so much for reading everyone! God Bless!