Wow! This is brilliant, I feel like you grabbed every thought and feeling I have about this episode and expressed them far more articulately than I could while adding more ideas too.
I think it was the perfect start to the season and I'm so excited for the rest.
Thanks-- I totally agree. Season 12 is off to a phenomenal start-- what did you think of last week? Thanks for commenting! Sorry I was slow to respond.
Another previous moment it reminds me of is last season when Tom came to visit. E says he feels like he is in Jack’s shadow and N admits he knows how he feels. E stops and says she doesn’t think of him in anyone’s shadow and he beams. They seem to be taking this moment and flushing it out this season. Like all of you, I hope there is resolution where N can finally feel see he is building his own legacy and is every bit as heroic as Jack!
Hey there. I totally agree. I mentioned that in a comment below too. It felt like that was a nice moment but just not enough for all that had really gone on and been said before. Although her long monologue in the penultimate or second to last episode really was a nice apology and heartfelt-- it didn't seem to deal with this specifically which feels like Nathan's achilles heel. I'm with you in that hope-- even with Allie last year, even though it ended beautifully between them after she went to the prison to see her biological dad, there's this sense of Nathan kinda always doing the work, picking up the pieces and messes created by others, but not really getting seen or appreciated. Although Elizabeth was definitely doing that and beaming in Episode 1. I say let's just spoil that Nathan guy~ Thanks for commenting-- I'm guessing we will get to see some heroics too!
Absolutely! I really hope he gets a chance to really be seen this season for all he has done and is doing for others. That is a great way of putting it-cleaning up the messes of others!
Ok, I haven’t read your thoughts yet, but had to jump on and tell you how excited I am that you are back!!! I was thinking of you earlier in the week and hadn’t seen a post yet. 😊
JOY! I've missed seeing your name. I'm not sure how much I'll be writing but I'm going to try! I enjoy it and get to talk with wonderful online friends like you. We're moving this month and teaching is just crazy this year-- but all this is such a creative outlet too that it feels worth it. I never would have guessed it would come back in January! Happy New Year to us. Come back when you get a chance and tell me what you thought of Episode 1. You always have such great thoughts and questions. You're always such an encouragement. Appreciate you--
Yes and yes to everything! I agree that this season will likely explore Nathan’s inner turmoil and lack of confidence with feeling like he is in Jack’s shadow. The episode as a whole set up the season in a good way I think. The pacing was PERFECT and I appreciated that as much as I did all N/E scenes!
Hey there-- how are you doing?? Yeah while I appreciate Elizabeth's character being so quick to reassure Nathan that she didn't see him as in anyones shadow when Tom was visiting-- it felt like a bandaid or quick fix. It didn't feel like it did justice to the end of Season 8. I really had no expectations for the premier to dive into all that but it just felt right. And it hints at all the deeper and emotional storylines we could imagine back then between these two single parents with careers that lend themselves to helping others. I felt the same on the pacing. I really don't think it was just N/E for me (although I'll rarely complain for more scenes with them!). There was room for so much more. It didn't feel cut off or rushed. I'm excited to see how this change plays out the rest of the season-- especially when Mike/Mei are back from the honeymoon. I'm excited to see the Canfield storyline with their girl growing up, thinking about college and moving away-- plus what Allie might share with Elizabeth this week. Less than 24 hours to go...
I’m great! How are you? Super excited for WCTH to be back on my screen! Yes, I felt like her quick bandaid fix in S11 was not sufficient enough to reassure him. I’m excited for Mike and Mei to return from their honeymoon and see what marriage holds for them! The Canfield’s storyline is so interesting to me and I hope we get to actually explore it some without it being on the back burner! It’s so fun to the Grants and Thornton intertwine their lives a little more so I can’t wait for Allie to confide in Elizabeth more!
So glad to have you back! I appreciate how you point out the threads from past seasons and how they have evolved such as Rosemary and Nathan’s discussion in the library and in this episode and the woodworking plaque for the library and now the woodworking box for the medal. I believe Kevin mentioned on a SuspendersUndbuttoned interview that Lindsay and her writing team wove a beautiful story and I was skeptical, but it was true and continues to be true. Thrilled they continue to connect these pieces and provide us with a cohesive, interesting, emotional story. And you help summarize these episodes to bring this more to light. Thanks!
Teresa! Hey you-- this post still turned out kind of like a long ramble but it just seemed like there were connections and nostalgia everywhere-- like it was supposed to feel both familiar and new at the same time. It does feel like a beautiful story that we could see hints to so long ago with the plaque and the wedding photo etc but were never capitalized on. I loved Rosemary and Nathan's talk so much. I really hope they have more interactions in the future. I feel like these writers the last few seasons have put together different people who really also play off each other nicely. It's a pretty talented cast and they are friends so I'm guessing that helps too. It's really special to be writing and enjoying this show again. Every time I right and try to gather my thoughts I'm just amazed. I can't wait for more~ let's talk again soon. Always love your thoughts.
I love the way you broke it all down. You have a way of tying everything together. You’ve made me go back and rewatch again for the 4th time. I’m excited the show just picked up where it left off No time jumps.
My problem is with Hargreaves innuendos and direct hits to Nathan about Jack. And about how good he is with strays. I know he was talking about Scout and it seems he thinks Oliver is one too, but did he throw Elizabeth and LJ in that mix too???
Hey Beverly! I really liked the no time jumps too. Especially since we didn't have to wait as long as to get a new season to watch. Innuendos is a good for it. That stray line struck me as pretty important too. I definitely think he was talking about Scout. I really didn't think of it in terms of Elizabeth and LJ-- he seemed to actually want Nathan to take care of them. That would really seem to cross a line. I was struck too by Allie officially meeting Oliver in the Mountie office (since they didn't really do names in the mercantile). Remember how young Allie introduced herself to Bill and he was surprised Nathan had family? That fun dynamic and banter they had? This felt not like a callback but something similar somehow- a nod to it. Thanks so much for your comment! I love getting to talk WCTH and pass the time until a new episode! Hope you come by to chat again!
Welcome back! As always, I enjoyed your thoughtful recap of Sunday's episode. I thought it was well-constructed in terms of pacing and emotion. I appreciated the subtle change that Brian Bird noted in his podcast chat about giving these important scenes more time and depth by having a few less characters in each episode. The tagline in the season 12 poster about a "New golden era" seems to fit both the time and the storytelling style. My favorite premiere episode in series history.
Hey Brian-- thanks! I still look for your comments when scrolling "X". I need to listen to that podcast chat. I love all the characters in HV but think that secondary characters can get better scenes and plots themselves with this new plan, even if it's not every episode. I'm really struck by the "new golden era" language too. It felt warm and just right. It felt different than other premiers. Maybe because it picks up just a few days after the ending of last season? Or there wasn't really a plot changing cliffhanger- things were more settled already so we could dive right back in and pick up where we left off? I'm still noodling on it but I was a big fan! As always-- love chatting with you! Talk soon--
Loving Season 12!!! And here are some life lessons to draw from another comedy LEGEND: Steve Martin! 😂 https://tinyurl.com/3x69paxu
Wow! This is brilliant, I feel like you grabbed every thought and feeling I have about this episode and expressed them far more articulately than I could while adding more ideas too.
I think it was the perfect start to the season and I'm so excited for the rest.
Thanks-- I totally agree. Season 12 is off to a phenomenal start-- what did you think of last week? Thanks for commenting! Sorry I was slow to respond.
Another previous moment it reminds me of is last season when Tom came to visit. E says he feels like he is in Jack’s shadow and N admits he knows how he feels. E stops and says she doesn’t think of him in anyone’s shadow and he beams. They seem to be taking this moment and flushing it out this season. Like all of you, I hope there is resolution where N can finally feel see he is building his own legacy and is every bit as heroic as Jack!
Hey there. I totally agree. I mentioned that in a comment below too. It felt like that was a nice moment but just not enough for all that had really gone on and been said before. Although her long monologue in the penultimate or second to last episode really was a nice apology and heartfelt-- it didn't seem to deal with this specifically which feels like Nathan's achilles heel. I'm with you in that hope-- even with Allie last year, even though it ended beautifully between them after she went to the prison to see her biological dad, there's this sense of Nathan kinda always doing the work, picking up the pieces and messes created by others, but not really getting seen or appreciated. Although Elizabeth was definitely doing that and beaming in Episode 1. I say let's just spoil that Nathan guy~ Thanks for commenting-- I'm guessing we will get to see some heroics too!
Absolutely! I really hope he gets a chance to really be seen this season for all he has done and is doing for others. That is a great way of putting it-cleaning up the messes of others!
Ok, I haven’t read your thoughts yet, but had to jump on and tell you how excited I am that you are back!!! I was thinking of you earlier in the week and hadn’t seen a post yet. 😊
JOY! I've missed seeing your name. I'm not sure how much I'll be writing but I'm going to try! I enjoy it and get to talk with wonderful online friends like you. We're moving this month and teaching is just crazy this year-- but all this is such a creative outlet too that it feels worth it. I never would have guessed it would come back in January! Happy New Year to us. Come back when you get a chance and tell me what you thought of Episode 1. You always have such great thoughts and questions. You're always such an encouragement. Appreciate you--
Yes and yes to everything! I agree that this season will likely explore Nathan’s inner turmoil and lack of confidence with feeling like he is in Jack’s shadow. The episode as a whole set up the season in a good way I think. The pacing was PERFECT and I appreciated that as much as I did all N/E scenes!
Hey there-- how are you doing?? Yeah while I appreciate Elizabeth's character being so quick to reassure Nathan that she didn't see him as in anyones shadow when Tom was visiting-- it felt like a bandaid or quick fix. It didn't feel like it did justice to the end of Season 8. I really had no expectations for the premier to dive into all that but it just felt right. And it hints at all the deeper and emotional storylines we could imagine back then between these two single parents with careers that lend themselves to helping others. I felt the same on the pacing. I really don't think it was just N/E for me (although I'll rarely complain for more scenes with them!). There was room for so much more. It didn't feel cut off or rushed. I'm excited to see how this change plays out the rest of the season-- especially when Mike/Mei are back from the honeymoon. I'm excited to see the Canfield storyline with their girl growing up, thinking about college and moving away-- plus what Allie might share with Elizabeth this week. Less than 24 hours to go...
I’m great! How are you? Super excited for WCTH to be back on my screen! Yes, I felt like her quick bandaid fix in S11 was not sufficient enough to reassure him. I’m excited for Mike and Mei to return from their honeymoon and see what marriage holds for them! The Canfield’s storyline is so interesting to me and I hope we get to actually explore it some without it being on the back burner! It’s so fun to the Grants and Thornton intertwine their lives a little more so I can’t wait for Allie to confide in Elizabeth more!
So glad to have you back! I appreciate how you point out the threads from past seasons and how they have evolved such as Rosemary and Nathan’s discussion in the library and in this episode and the woodworking plaque for the library and now the woodworking box for the medal. I believe Kevin mentioned on a SuspendersUndbuttoned interview that Lindsay and her writing team wove a beautiful story and I was skeptical, but it was true and continues to be true. Thrilled they continue to connect these pieces and provide us with a cohesive, interesting, emotional story. And you help summarize these episodes to bring this more to light. Thanks!
Teresa! Hey you-- this post still turned out kind of like a long ramble but it just seemed like there were connections and nostalgia everywhere-- like it was supposed to feel both familiar and new at the same time. It does feel like a beautiful story that we could see hints to so long ago with the plaque and the wedding photo etc but were never capitalized on. I loved Rosemary and Nathan's talk so much. I really hope they have more interactions in the future. I feel like these writers the last few seasons have put together different people who really also play off each other nicely. It's a pretty talented cast and they are friends so I'm guessing that helps too. It's really special to be writing and enjoying this show again. Every time I right and try to gather my thoughts I'm just amazed. I can't wait for more~ let's talk again soon. Always love your thoughts.
I love the way you broke it all down. You have a way of tying everything together. You’ve made me go back and rewatch again for the 4th time. I’m excited the show just picked up where it left off No time jumps.
My problem is with Hargreaves innuendos and direct hits to Nathan about Jack. And about how good he is with strays. I know he was talking about Scout and it seems he thinks Oliver is one too, but did he throw Elizabeth and LJ in that mix too???
Hey Beverly! I really liked the no time jumps too. Especially since we didn't have to wait as long as to get a new season to watch. Innuendos is a good for it. That stray line struck me as pretty important too. I definitely think he was talking about Scout. I really didn't think of it in terms of Elizabeth and LJ-- he seemed to actually want Nathan to take care of them. That would really seem to cross a line. I was struck too by Allie officially meeting Oliver in the Mountie office (since they didn't really do names in the mercantile). Remember how young Allie introduced herself to Bill and he was surprised Nathan had family? That fun dynamic and banter they had? This felt not like a callback but something similar somehow- a nod to it. Thanks so much for your comment! I love getting to talk WCTH and pass the time until a new episode! Hope you come by to chat again!
Welcome back! As always, I enjoyed your thoughtful recap of Sunday's episode. I thought it was well-constructed in terms of pacing and emotion. I appreciated the subtle change that Brian Bird noted in his podcast chat about giving these important scenes more time and depth by having a few less characters in each episode. The tagline in the season 12 poster about a "New golden era" seems to fit both the time and the storytelling style. My favorite premiere episode in series history.
Hey Brian-- thanks! I still look for your comments when scrolling "X". I need to listen to that podcast chat. I love all the characters in HV but think that secondary characters can get better scenes and plots themselves with this new plan, even if it's not every episode. I'm really struck by the "new golden era" language too. It felt warm and just right. It felt different than other premiers. Maybe because it picks up just a few days after the ending of last season? Or there wasn't really a plot changing cliffhanger- things were more settled already so we could dive right back in and pick up where we left off? I'm still noodling on it but I was a big fan! As always-- love chatting with you! Talk soon--