Watching the first episode of Hope Valley: 1874, there was one thing that I was convinced of – 1874 was strong enough and beautiful enough to establish its own legacy outside of being part of the When Calls The Heart world. Yes, it is a prequel to the series, but more than that, Hope Valley: 1874 is a show that stands on its own. I firmly believed that after watching the first episode. Journeying into the second, I wondered if I would feel that way still.
Or if I would be jaded.
But here we are, and I think maybe I am a little bit of both. I believe that this show has set itself up and keeps setting itself up for it to be a staple in people’s lives. It’s mysterious, interesting and also makes me a little anxious. You see, we’re getting to learn about the characters, the territory, and the strength of survival.
It’s a story of finding one’s way in a world that is looking to define itself. It’s a moment of inspiration and a moment of finding community, all mixed in with finding oneself.
Hope Valley: 1874 is setting itself up for a journey. One that is filled with expectations and let down, one that is filled with hopes and dreams and creating a new world to bring all of these things to life.
MR. MOORE IS SCARY
Rebecca and Sarah, I love them. I also love that Sarah sees that someone can be scary but can be nice. Tom Moore is just that – nice and scary. Maybe, though, it’s a protective thing. Maybe Tom needs to be guarded.
Even though I am intimidated by Tom Moore, watching this show, I believe that he’s one of the strongest characters on the show, thus far. He’s a man dead set in his ways (on the surface), but also a man who believes that what he is doing is for the good of those around him – the people of this community.
His community.
Tom Moore is devoted to the people who live on his ranch. They are his people and the people who want to be there for him. Their loyalty shows just how much he’s done for all of them. They won’t go behind his back.
But when it comes to Rebecca, there is this change in Moore. The two are on opposite sides, when there shouldn’t have to be sides. He doesn’t want the boarding house to happen, but she needs it to happen.
The thing about Moore is that he doesn’t ask questions – he just acts as though it is his way or the highway. Yes, he’s been there for longer than most, but the way he is acting, he’s not seeing that it’s not the same way it was when he got there.
Right now, though, the fear I have of him – he’s like that old man in the house that everyone is convinced eats children, and so it’s the old wise tale that everyone tells each other on the block.
I can’t wait to find out that he’s not that way.
THE PIES
When at the Moore ranch to ask about getting some wood, Rebecca is met with a hard no. She is desperate and will not give up on her dream of making the boarding house a success. While there, though, she gets some apples and decides to make pies.
Peggy and Rebecca are developing quite a friendship and I am personally here for it. These women need to have each other to rely on. Especially since their kids are becoming friends. Peggy gives Rebecca some apples and she makes some pies with them.
Hattie is one person who is right there to help Rebecca all the time. She is no-nonsense and knows that getting the boarding house up could make her money, too. So, she goes ahead and sells Rebecca’s pies, but also tells her that she could get timber from Union City, but it would be costly.
I am glad that everyone likes her pies, but I also hope that they learn to like her and let her in. Not that I think that she’ll let anyone in. Whatever she is running from, I need to know. I need to understand why she and Sarah are in danger if some people from Chicago find her.
THE BOARDS
I am intrigued by Rebecca. Not only because she made it to this territory, but because she seems to know how to do so much. We don’t know her history, but we do know she is fearless.
She goes down to the prospector’s camp and sees that her missing boards are there. With how hard of a time she is having securing lumber, I can’t really blame her for being angry. She’s trying to get things back, but the prospectors aren’t having it.
She gives an impassioned speech at the camp, but they all seem not to know how to take it. She’s fighting a battle that I am not sure she can win. People will always be looking out for themselves and they really haven’t seen the importance of her boarding house.
Until they do.
Until she tells them in her speech.
Now, I didn’t think that they’d return any of them, but they did. They all want a place to land, also.
When Lars shows up to return the boards and help her, I about cried. I love the prospectors being there for her, because she does need that support.
THE LOVE AND THE HOPE
I find it to be adorable just how clueless Quinn is to the world. She has these dreams of being in a big city, away from the post and experiencing a big life. Well, a life bigger than the one she has. For Quinn, her art means something to her. Shops and crowds and people mean something.
She’s oblivious to Clayton and Alexander both having a crush on her. She doesn’t see that they are flirting and keep coming by to catch her eye and to be able to spend time with her. They want her to see herself as someone that they can love and for her to see them as someone worthy of loving her.
I’m a little weary of the love triangle that is going to unfold here, because in such a small place, that can’t be good. Luckily, Alexander is going to be traveling around a lot, so Clayton can be around and try to get her to look at him.
It’s a sad day, though, when it’s Hattie who sees the way that they both have taken a liking to Quinn, and she’s oblivious. In the same breathe though, there is something magical about the innocence of love and the way that it’s important to be open to seeing the people around you.
I don’t think that all of them are.
READING
One of the things that I take for granted is the privilege of an education, as well as the ability to read and write. Sarah doesn’t understand why her friend won’t read with her and thinks that she’s just not likable. Rebecca has to remind her that sometimes people don’t know how to read.
It’s a lesson that is taught in this episode – at least it felt like one to me – a reminder that we don’t know what other people can and can’t do. Sarah didn’t understand why it is that her friend couldn’t read or why it is that they didn’t have school. It’s nothing to be embarrassed over.
Leave it to Moore to make me rethink my ideas of him in one episode. He makes a deal with Rebecca to teach Peggy how to read. You see, he overheard her mentioning to her husband that her daughter should be able to learn to read, but that she missed the chance.
I think that it was a sweet moment when Moore wanted to help and knew that Rebecca could do it. I also find it confusing, but here we are. Nothing is simple. But I may have jumped up and smiled when Peggy agreed to let Rebecca teach her.
The world is big, but it’s also very small. Hope Valley: 1874 is one of those things that shows us that there is this world that was started by people just as confused as us, but they believed in something better. They had hope.
Who are we not to have the same thing?
Hope Valley: 1874 has new episodes every Wednesday on Hallmark+.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Sarah has too much on her shoulder for being so young
- Moore eating that pie – dude slow down
- Elbow grease – no one likes cleaning a stove
- Hattie dusting made me LOL
- THOSE LAST 3 MINUTES THOUGH
