A different 4 letter L word

Are Nathan and Elizabeth Friends to Lovers or a Trope All their Own?

I’ve written 2 long blog posts like most weeks. BUT I got a later start getting them out due to all the research. And I wanted to see if they were more readable in 2 parts each, since I always have so much to say. So the amount is the same— it’s just broken up into halves. Please let me know what you think— XOXO, Cara

PART ONE: Some things feel safer to admit now than before. 

I’ve shared that I literally stopped watching after the S8 finale. I didn’t even finish that episode. Elizabeth went into that jail and started talking and I knew. I turned it off. Full stop. No thanks. 

Then midway through S10, I accidentally saw a preview scene where I thought– wait a second! What was that? Can it be? It was all in the looks and the beats between Nathan and Elizabeth. I remember thinking, “No way. It can’t be.” But I was intrigued.

Before I started watching any episodes live– I wanted to know there was a chance. So like a maniac, I went backwards to look carefully at what all I’d missed. One episode at a time, in reverse. Seriously. But I was trying to figure out if it was even possible to change course. What might have been said that could never be unsaid. (Kinda like I was just looking for Jack in you.)

One scene stands out. One that I paused on and really considered. I thought, how do they undo this? I’m not sure they can. Out of all the scenes, this one. If I was Team Lucas, this is the one that would still probably haunt me. I don’t say this to rub it in, I’m going somewhere with this. 

Disclaimer: This isn’t going to be one of my exact quote analytical type posts– it’s more a broad strokes, big ideas to consider blog. If I mess up, let me know, so I can correct it in the post. 

It was after the Motorcycle and Horse Race. Lucas versus Nathan. He runs out of gas so by the time he gets back to town, the crowd is gone. Elizabeth is still waiting for him, but needs to leave to get home to Jack. He’s dirty and tired. Defeated. He boldly says something to her about how if they were married, he would hurry home to her every night and not want to leave her in the morning. She whispers it back, blushing and tripping over herself a bit, if I remember right. 

So in S10– what did the writers need to show us as fans? What journey did we need to go on from that point? That after it played out more, this wasn’t really true for either of them. 

The closer they got to marriage and living in the same house, the harder it was to make time for the other or to feel the same spark and passion. They were making decisions together, almost like they were close business partners. They were comfortable with, but not pushing each other. They’d plateaued. They’d peaked. This was it. And it was good. But was it great? 

Their relationship had moments in S8 and S9 that pushed the boundaries and had more of a Brigerton feel. Remember that private office scene where she had to fan herself after? Or the rainy picnic with wet clothes in the car, straining toward each other? The other scene that pushed the envelope and pulled on the heartstrings that I think some Lucabeth fans feel was a deeper talk was dreaming together about their future, after sharing about a sad childhood memory, and kissing over a sleeping LJ, trying to trick some bad guys that you’ve fled town.

But here’s the thing. It feels like all that was primarily about Lust. Physical attraction. They didn’t have a friendship because Lucas always had “eyes for her” as Rosemary said. Even when he said it was a non-date, he wanted more. Lust is easy. Requires nothing. But love does.

Contrast that with Nathan and Elizabeth. Originally Nathan didn’t think they could be anything more than friends because of his past and his profession. But he couldn’t help himself. Their love might better be labeled, “Longing”. Or just plain Long (pun intended for this slow burn!) 

I’ve seen some posts labeling their romance as a Friends to Lovers trope. But I’ve been thinking about that. Isn’t that too simple? So I researched it (you know I did!) and you won’t believe just how many romantic tropes our favorite couple has dabbled in during their five year history:

• Instead of Friends to Lovers OR Enemies to Lovers– I think it’s “Friends to I was the one rejected/Why are you so Angry? to Friends Again and (finally, hopefully) Lovers”. 

• And of course- Love Triangle is a Yes. Sorry to bring that up. 

• Opposites Attract or Grumpy/Sunshine– also a Yes. Although Nathan is much less stoic these days. And Elizabeth is also much happier. Phew.

• Secret Identity– can you say Ft. Clay? Or if that’s too much of a stretch, there’s just a “Secrets” category. 

• Holiday Romance– that Christmas special between S6 and 7– There’s no place I’d rather be!

• Damsel in Distress– well, Nathan thought she was and came to protect her and Little Jack, which just made her mad. He’s learned how strong she is, but she also learning that she likes having someone to lean on these days. Happy sigh. 

• Forced Proximity– interesting. Beth Stewart shared they gave Nathan- Allie- when creating his character so he’d bump into the widowed schoolteacher often and naturally.

• Second Chance– double yes. Another Great Love for Elizabeth and another Try for Nathan who’s love declaration was originally rejected years ago.

• Impossible Love– see Secrets and consider he's another Mountie who rides toward danger as his personal calling like her first husband. Look how that turned out. 

I feel in my gut that somehow Mike and Mei’s relationship this season is also to contrast Nathan and Elizabeth’s. Like maybe they're supposed to represent a kind of classic young love with less baggage. A more traditional straight path. Where the highs aren’t super high and the lows aren’t super low. They’re a sweet couple and really easy to root for. Maybe too easy? 

Do you know how many of those romantic tropes Mike and Mei cover? Maybe friends to lovers. But I’m not sure if they were really friends or just live in a small town. It’s a second chance for Mei? It’s not super clear, which is kinda telling.

TO RECAP: Mei had a creepy stalker in her past. Mike had some un-returned crushes. He helps Mei literally find her voice and realizes it’s his favorite sound. After a few false starts, they start dating (even having a standing breakfast date at the cafe to work on the crossword puzzle) and the only real hiccup this season comes after Bill teases them about acting like an old married couple or newlyweds. Mei pulls back and freaks out to Faith who names that it’s scary when it gets serious. Especially if serious didn’t work before. Mei ends up initiating a lot– finding the perfect spot for their 5 month dating anniversary and shooting down the Hot Air Balloon idea. It didn’t work out so well last time. She even ends up pulling Mike close to kiss him the first time after she’s blown his mind by listing all the things that are right about him. And after Mike listens well to her sharing about her parents and her mom’s cooking– she feels inspired to try and make some of her favorites. To cook for him. And she sets a beautiful scene with lanterns and wears a gorgeous gown. He arrives under a full moon with flowers and he’s been practicing with chopsticks to impress his girl with his skills. The night ends with another kiss after Mike expresses that he wants to be part of Mei’s whole life and she reflects back the same.

Sweet words. Heartfelt. I wonder if this is what Paul Redford meant about Nathan and Elizabeth. We haven’t heard them say this to each other, but they just keep showing up for each other. They are in each other's whole life already and only getting more embedded. No talk needed. 

POPPING THE BIG QUESTION 

And I just watched Ben’s latest little TikTok interview. He’s always so engaging, but more than ever, I can’t help but think…. Is Mike and Mei’s relationship this season a red herring? 

I mean, are they really the wedding at the end of S11? Is this just too easy? Too expected? Didn’t several writers and actors say something about “expecting the unexpected” in S11? 

I have such mixed feelings. I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up unnecessarily about N&E- because who else would there possibly be? But I have a few “wait, what’s?” over all this. They are growing and getting louder like Elizabeth’s heart!

Mike and Mei have 18 scenes together since Episode 1, but they also were MIA the last two– Episodes 7 and 8. They were both in the choir at the end and on the screen for various reasons (emergency choir meetings and sweeping) but not as a couple. 

But they’re supposed to get married in 4 episodes? Would that break happen if they were the big ending? Isn’t that strange? And does that fit with the shock and awe, jaw drop moments, that we’ve come to expect? I’m I just overthinking this like Nathan? I mean it is kinda my job too :)

And then someone just happened to release photos of Hope Valley women all decked out in beautiful pink dresses? It was quickly suggested that these were Bridesmaid dresses. But why would those be shared so far in advance, but the description is vague? Did that happen with Flo and Ned’s wedding? Jesse and Clara’s? Where would Mike and Mei even live if they married? 

Like Nathan, I still have so many questions! Do you guys have questions?

And a wedding unlike any other on the show has been teased. 

But there are no hints about the two of them in episode 9 descriptions, sneak peeks or press release photos.Then the Episode 10 description says she cooks for Mike’s family. And in the same synopsis it talks about family secrets being revealed. Many assume this is about Allie’s biological dad, but what if it’s about Mike or Mei too? 

And in an interview with multiple Hope Valley men and Deidre, Ben shared that obstacles will come for these two. That it’s not all smooth sailing. Ok, but there isn’t not a lot of time left. 

How many episodes does it usually take to plan and have a wedding? Wouldn’t we be closer to that at this point? Especially if it’s fancy? Anybody remember how many episodes it took Jack and Elizabeth to plan and have theirs? 

REAL TALK: Could Mike and Mei possibly be a cliffhanger (and a red herring) for S11 instead?

YOUR TURN: What do YOU think about all this? 

One day until Sunday to go. I’ll post Part 2 tomorrow.