Every single time that I think that Hallmark can’t surprise me, it does. It surprises me because while most shows and channels focus on the drama, they focus on the relationships. The remind us of the familial relationships that change who we all are. In Hope Valley: 1874 they take on the relationships for family that we choose, family that we’re born to, and the way that sometimes we need to be our own family.
I can’t imagine being alive in the frontier and with how spread out everyone was, but still finding a sense of community. I can’t imagine how hard it was, but seeing Hope Valley: 1874 and the way these characters find each other gives a sense of hope.
Watching this episode, what I loved is watching Rebecca and Sarah and their relationship. I loved learning about why they ran from Chicago and why Rebecca is so scared of being found.
I believe that the power of a parents love for their children is one of the most important things in this world.
It can shape that child’s world.
And if there is anything that I am positive about it can definitely shape a parent.
But in this episode it is not only about Sarah and Rebecca, it’s also about Nash and Peggy and their kids.
It’s about the way a ranch comes together when kids go missing and the families have to find where their kids are.
THE EPISODE
Finally Home is about the relationship between parents and kids, the way that kids learn from their parents and take those lessons with them, and the way that letting walls down can make you feel at home. It is about letting your community come together and finding the meaning of the word home.
The gold rush is happening and there are prospectors everywhere. The kids are playing, the adults are working, and Hattie is just trying to remember the combination to her safe. Yes, she’s gotten a safe as Alexander suggested that she needed one.
For Hattie, everything that is changing is hard. It brings in more money and she likes that. Money makes most people happy, but also nervous.
When Hattie loses the combination – she didn’t memorize it – she starts to freak out a bit. She’s used to things being a certain way and change isn’t something that is easy for her. But she panics not knowing the combination and tries to find a way to get into the safe
THE DARK
When I was a kid, I lived on a farm. I can remember being so care free and running around. The rule was that we were home by dark so that we could eat dinner and sleep. It seems like those were the same rules in 1874.
While trying to be helpful to Rebecca and make pillows, Jenny suggests that they go find tree moss to make them softer. Sam asks to come with and both Jenny and Sarah agree.
What should be a fun time of just playing and getting things done, turns into getting lost. Sam is intrigued by a prospector, who gives him a pan and tells him to pan somewhere else.
As Jenny and Sarah go to find him, the three get turned around in the dark. There are animals in the woods, they are unsure of where to go, and they are scared.
You know who else is scared? Their parents. When the kids don’t make it back by dark – Rebecca and Tom start searching. They’re screaming and riding through the woods, but the kids aren’t answering. It’s during these moments that we start to see Rebeccas walls come down and her fear coming out.
WHAT THEY LEARNED
What I did love was that the children remembered all of the things that they have learned from their parents. They are smart and innovative. Sarah seemed to be the one to lead, and that made me think about how happy Rebecca would be with her. She’s taught her well. Jenny and Sam seemed to listen to Sarah, and I think that is because she wasn’t related.
At least I know that I would have listened to her for that reason.
What I felt so bad about was that Nash felt horrible. There was a limit to what he could do because of his leg. That was hard for him – because nothing means more to him than family.
It doesn’t take long before The McCabes head out to help.
When the kids are found, no one scolds them. Instead the families love on them and were just thankful that they were found.
A love triangle is something that I always seem to love. With this one – I am growing to dislike Alexander more and more – so for me I am not appreciating Clayton, Olivia, and Alexander. That being said though, I feel that Clayton is the one that Olivia should choose. Why? Clayton challenges her in a way that Alexander doesn’t. Clayton believes in her, but wants to build a home and family with her. I don’t know why it is that I see the two of them falling for each other and building a good life together.
It also says something when Alexander tells her that some of her drawings were chosen by the government and she runs off to tell Clayton.
WOODWORK
However it all plays out, the moments between Clayton and Olivia are some of the most beautiful moments. Throughout the scenes with them together they find themselves being sensual as well as provocative. I love seeing the two of them together.
I think that we also need to respect the relationship between Olivia and her Mom, Hattie. Hattie wants her daughter to be responsible and she also wants her to appreciate the life that she has and lives.
When Hattie can’t open the safe, Alexander brings in a safe cracker, but Olivia shows up just in time – remembering the code and able to get into the safe to get Hattie what she wanted.
Hattie and Olivia need to find a balance between the lives that they both want to live and want for each other.
A MOTHERS LOVE
Hatties biggest fear is loosing Olivia. She loves her daughter with all that she is and the thought of loosing her is the scariest thing she can feel. You can see the proudness in Hatties eyes, but also the fear.
We learn the secret that Rebecca is keeping and why her and Sarah ran. You see her husbands family never really liked her. They have a ton of money and wanted to take Sarah to live with them. Rebecca couldn’t loose her daughter, and she knew that her only option was to run.
I love that she told Tom this and his response was that to get to her and Sarah – people would have to get through him.
HOPE
The thing about Hope Valley is that it is just beginning. Everything is starting out and everything is coming together. Who stays and who goes and how they fit into the overall scheme of things – we’re still figuring out.
But I am afraid of what happens next. I am afraid that Rebecca will loose Sarah. There is too many things that could happen and that is both exciting and scary. That’s what makes a good television show though – the unexpected.
Hope Valley: 1874 airs Thursdays on Hallmark+.
