Finding Mr. Christmas Episode 3 is an episode about heart, and about how a Hallmark leading man is more heart than anything else. Sure, it’s still about acting and about chemistry—the perfect Hallmark moment will have all of those, but without heart, the whole thing doesn’t work.
The show had told us this before, more than once, but this week they put their money where their mouth is and actually prove that they will take kindness into account as they make their decisions. And let me be clear I don’t think Gage is a bad guy, his reaction is one of trying to comfort the girl who fell too, it’s self-deprecating and the intention behind it is to put her at ease. But it is striking how everyone else’s first instinct was to actually, actively help and his wasn’t.
I believe that a lot of the guys leaving the house, and the ones who will leave until we find the first Mr. Christmas have actually done enough to distinguish themselves. They will probably find a place in the industry. And that’s great because I feel like this show managed to people actually great guys I’m rooting for. But this week’s elimination and the circumstances behind it make it all sting a tiny bit less.
MORE: Check out our interview with Jonathan Bennett and the cast of Finding Mr. Christmas.
GOODBYE DAXTON …AND GAGE
The first thing I want to address is how much I miss Daxton and how sad I am that he had to leave the competition. Of course, his health comes first and this isn’t even a question. But he was such a ray of sunshine, and he was very, very good and personable and I hope this little bit of exposure helps him in his career.
As for Gage, I admit I liked Gage …just like I enjoy all the guys, truly. But he was never near the top of my list, and that’s probably the thing Gage has to work on, distinguishing himself from a crowd of aesthetically pleasing, nice guys. That’s what the show is looking for, and that’s what will give him a leg up in the industry. At the end of the episode he talks about not truly knowing who he is, and it’s a poignant moment because it’s a hard admission to make, but realizing that might just be the first piece to discovering the person you’re truly supposed to be.
I’m rooting for Gage, going forward. And I’m also rooting for Daxton. I hope they find themselves and figure out what their path is. But I also feel like there’s a good Mr. Christmas among the guys left, and I can’t wait to find out who it is.
MORE: What did we think of Finding Mr. Christmas Episode 1? Check out our review! And Finding Mr. Christmas Episode 2?
NO ONE ELSE LEAVE, PLEASE
In that same vein, I feel like there’s no obvious weak link in the group that’s left. What are we even going to do now? And also, did this week of double elimination change the show’s plans? Are we getting one episode less? Will we get no elimination in one episode? What’s even going to happen? I, for one, wouldn’t mind just having more time with this group.
The way they all cheered for Daxton, the way they all actively relate to each other while they’re in common spaces, and even the way they’re competitive without being mean to each other is actually pretty refreshing. In a world that, these days in particular, seems to be putting a premium on the kind of masculinity that often turns toxic, these men are a reminder that there’s a way to be a manly man and be vulnerable, soft, and kind. And that’s actually the kind of men women want more than the alternative.
Can we crown six Mr. Christmas? No? It was worth a try.
New episodes of Finding Mr. Christmas are available on Thursdays on Hallmark+.
“seems to be putting a premium on the kind of masculinity that often turns toxic”
Nope. Good job letting Hollywood brainwash you though!
Teaching men to be soft isn’t a good thing either though. That’s how you get male feminists