Elizabeth Gets A Grip (On Nathan)

TENACIOUS (adjective): a fierce blend of determination, persistence and grit

Imagine if you were someone Elizabeth “holds dear”.

That was the fierce promise Elizabeth made to Mr. Higgins as he left town in a huff to show just how serious she was. With Nathan looking on proudly from across the street.

I’ve been thinking that Elizabeth is actually quite a hugger. A clinger even. 

In general, with most people, she’s friendly, but reserved. Holds herself back.

Unless you matter to her and you’ve been in some sort of danger or away. Then watch out! She’s going to stick close and not easily let you go.

Longtime Elizabeth and Nathan fans have often talked about how Elizabeth sometimes shared things or talked about Allie, when she was really talking about herself. Next level subtext.

But new thought— I think she also hugged Allie when she couldn’t hug Nathan.

• When Allie shared they were going to stay in Hope Valley, Nathan wasn’t taking the promotion.

• When Allie ran to Nathan after his trial in S8 and he caught her in front of the Mayor’s office. 

• When Allie ran to Nathan after the hostage situation in S10 that caused her panic attack. 

Elizabeth held herself back from running to hug him for many reasons.

But not in S11E6. When Nathan sees her off by the pond, he goes out of his way to check on her. And when Elizabeth turns, she doesn’t try to hide her tears or how upset she really is. He of course steps closer, drawn to her. She guts out, “I don’t know what to do!” and then takes that final step, getting close enough to wrap her arms tightly around him. Nathan holds her close, even strokes her hair a bit, and rests his chin on top of her head as she sobs.

A perfect fit. 

This was a pivotal moment in their new romantic relationship. More important than the lunch date they didn’t get to go on.

Elizabeth turned to Nathan for help and comfort. He was right there when she needed him most to help lighten the load. To give her someone to lean on when she felt so scared and worried. 

To be fair, Elizabeth has hugged Nathan before. She definitely has a history of hugging someone in the street if they were in danger and returning. She did that at the end of S7 when she thought Nathan had been shot and killed. 

And in Season 1 Episode 4, there’s this hilarious exchange between young Elizabeth and Jack after he rescues her and they hug each other then.

“We probably shouldn’t make a habit of that.” (aka Jumping Into His Arms)

“No, absolutely not!” 

But this time it wasn’t desperation or relief over Nathan’s safety and return. She’s looking for her own emotional safety. She’s seeking comfort. To be held. To receive. A safe spot to break down. 

Why didn’t Elizabeth tell Nathan what was wrong the first two times he asked? Partly because that’s what happens when people abuse their power. They make the victims doubt themselves and wonder if it’s real or imagined. This can make them shut down and pull away from others. 

But more than that, as a strong woman who has been single most of her life, she’s used to handling things on her own and trying to protect the people around her. She grew up a big sister and then became a schoolteacher. She’s a good friend and a mom. She’s the heart of the town– wanting to help everyone and solve all the problems. What a burden to bear— to care so much. All the time.

I remember sitting in a counselor’s office when I was younger realizing that part of the reason I paid her to listen to me was because she was a professional. I didn’t have to try and protect or take care of her. This was her job and she was trained for this. So I could just safely let it all out. Maybe you can relate?

On a personal note, my husband gives the best hugs. He’d kill me for sharing this. But seriously, they are magic. Before we started officially dating, we were friends but felt some sparks. We’d both been in a serious relationship with other people before that but had been single awhile. I was going away for the summer. He helped me move out of my dorm. Then he gave me a hug goodbye and just held on. I have no idea how long we stood there just hugging. I’d never been held like that before. My sister remembers me telling her that his hug felt like home. 

The perfect fit.

A good hug is highly underrated. It’s like giving your heart a rest. A safe place to just be. Nothing to do, but just breathe. To feel yourself settle as you and the other person re-connect. Solidify into one unit. Your heartbeats slow and sync up. And when you finally peel yourself away, you feel less burdened. Lighter. More ready to face whatever is next. Less alone in the world.

I read a book last year that made me feel sick, sort of like Mr. Higgins' purposely creepy voice. It was research on the generation of kids that are now preteens through young adults. All 3 of my own kids fall in this category.

One section in the book that really got me worked up was about the “hook up” culture. I asked my oldest and some others if they had experienced this. They shared horrible stories about not being able to even make eye contact with someone at a party or they would expect that you were leaving together. That you would be hooking up later physically. It would be quick– no names and no intention of seeing the person again. No real care. No expectations. No strings.

No strings?!

That is not the kind of love and care we were made for. It’s not how we were designed. It’s not healthy or whole. I want so much more for the next generation. For all of us really. If you’ve had this kind of hug and care from someone, you know what I mean. There’s nothing like it.

I wonder if that’s why we are so drawn to the visual of this hug. Why social media went crazy? What it represents. What WCTH and other romantic movies/shows through the years have tapped into. Our longing to belong. To be wrapped up in the other. To feel safe and connected. To be seen and treasured. 

I ask this sincerely– not out of spite or to get people riled up. Do you remember Lucas and Elizabeth ever hugging like this? I remember sweet kisses on her hand and her forehead. I think she leaned against him on her front step and he might have wrapped his arm around her. Maybe the same type of thing on the swing? And of course there was passionate “snogging” all over town. That phrase always made me laugh. I don’t doubt they loved each other. But what about a strong, long hug?

Elizabeth was definitely swept away in her romantic feelings for Lucas and vice versa. But kissing— that’s a different kind of clinging and emotion. Hugs like this one are so very special. You’re allowing yourself to be vulnerable. Needy. 

I think Elizabeth, like many of us fans, is used to taking care of, defending and protecting others. She’s been doing it her whole life. She’s a big sister who always loved her family. It’s her profession and she’s a parent. So reaching out for someone else is a really big step. Maybe a bigger step forward than even a kiss would have been right then.

When I watched Season 9, I remember thinking and blogging that there was a whole lot of hugging between Elizabeth and Nathan. I didn’t expect that. But when she hugged him back then, it was because he had helped her check on, defend, look after and protect Lucas. Someone she held dear. See the pattern?

But who takes care of Elizabeth?

I think that’s the biggest shift in their relationship. Just like we started to see cracks in Elizabeth and Lucas’ romantic relationship in S10, we started to see Elizabeth leaning on Nathan because of Little Jack and his questions about his dad, his not being there. This season, we see her depending on Nathan even more. And I’d guess that Nathan will be at a very low point himself when Allie goes to see her biological dad so she’s going to get a chance to return the favor. 

Strings. Threads. Choosing to step closer and to get wrapped up in each other’s lives even more. The beautiful and the messy. To face it together. Side by side.

THAT’S NEW

After that long bracing hug outside by the pond, Elizabeth and Nathan end up in the school so she can share what’s really going on. For the first time I can remember (and I tried asking on social media too), they sit on the same side in the school on the same bench. Not across the aisle, one of them standing or both facing each other in the middle or in front of the desk. This is big. And Elizabeth is not the one giving advice. She’s in a different position. They both are.

Some were disappointed that Nathan didn’t go and take on Mr. Higgins himself. I get it. That’s a great and fun dynamic to watch– the alpha male besting the bad guy. But I think what happened was more powerful. He saw her self-doubt and he reminded her who she was– someone that never backed down from a challenge. His reminder caused her head and eyes to lift. To consider. To realize she wasn’t powerless. And then he offered to help in whatever way she needed. 

Before Nathan ever met her, he knew that Jack left behind a young wife and baby. He followed that string back to Hope Valley. Appointing himself as her bodyguard and protector. And in S8, we see Elizabeth violently reacting this to revelation– she didn’t want or need that. Did he think she was weak? 

But by S11, Nathan knows better. He doesn’t see her the same way.

It started out as a duty. A mission to fulfill. It became a dream to be a real family. From a parent/teacher dynamic to spurned love, then close friends and now….

There’s power in a love delayed. 

I noticed we didn’t see Scout or Allie even in this episode. Maybe we don’t need their matchmaking help anymore :) Nathan and Elizabeth are drawn together as if by invisible string. All these years of threads between them— looks and talks— binding them together, closer and closer. Not really wanting to be apart. 

At the end of the episode, Nathan approaches her porch where she’s sitting, asking if she’d like company. She nods. Later Elizabeth emotionally thanks him for being there for her. (An echo, but so much more when she thanked him in S9). She goes on to thank him for being here. With her. Now. Side by side, at the end of a hard, draining day. Drawing comfort and feeling content. Together. 

SHADOWS and RED SERGES

Hallmark released this image of Nathan beside his horse in his white henley shirt and suspenders as part of the press pack for last episode 6. But instead, when we watched, in that scene, Nathan seems to be in his red serge uniform looking across and seeing Elizabeth standing so still out by the pond. 

I wonder if this is because the last time she hugged him so tightly, he was also in his Serge and it set off her pulling away? So this is more of a full circle moment. Maybe this is supposed to even show the opposite. She isn’t hugging a Mountie who came home, when Jack didn’t. He’s not a replacement. She knows it’s Nathan and she’s reaching for him specifically. Because his hug feels like home. 

I’m most looking forward to the scene under the arch that has been teased in the previews of Nathan admitting he can relate to Tom after Elizabeth shares that Jack’s younger brother always felt like he was in his shadow. And Elizabeth immediately says she doesn’t think of Nathan as in anyone’s shadow. I will be paying close attention to this conversation along with the rest of you. We want the “I’m just seeing Jack in you” line put to rest and redeemed once and for all. 

YOUR TURN TO TALK: What do you think? What are you looking forward to on Sunday? What questions do you have? Only two more days until a new episode!