Liking this show a lot.

Hey Philip,

I hate daytime soap operas, and this show does not seem that way to me at all. I also have never heard of any of the actors before I started watching it on Netflix a couple months ago, and I think the actors do a great job. The story is always the most important part for me, and the story here gives theses actors great characters to play. These folks are the kind of folks I would like to have as neighbors, so I am liking it a whole lot.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

I never caught this show during its first airing. I had seen the show’s title and that was about it. I can’t recall why, but I decided to check it out one night a couple weeks ago as they seem to be doing repeats here, playing an episode every night of the week. The episode I happened to tune into was ‘Ghost Horse’. So obviously I’d missed a fair few episodes, but at least I hadn’t missed a few seasons or anything. I must say that I grew to like it quite quickly and have been watching it every night since. I think what appeals to me a lot about the show is how the main character, Amy, cares about animals/horses – I’ve really gotten sick of how other shows throw in cruelty to animals/animal death for ‘shock value’ or whatever, when it’s completely unnecessary. So many shows I might’ve enjoyed otherwise have animal death/cruelty and it’s an immediate turnoff. Why do so many shows feel the need to throw that in? Do they think it makes them ‘edgy’ or is it emotional manipulation? Because I personally find it cheap and very off-putting. Shows do *not* need it – which is why Heartland refreshing. So far, I think there’s only been one horse death (and that was offscreen and Jack was putting a badly injured horse in pain out of its misery). I do cringe, though, whenever they have any of the characters on horses performing jumps, as I keep waiting for an episode where one horse misses the jump and injures itself. I hope it doesn’t ever happen, but at the same time keep expecting it to.

Although Amy can be the typical ‘teenager character’ at times, I don’t find her too annoying the majority of the time. She loves animals, and that goes a long way to endearing her character to me. I also think Amber Marshall plays the role quite well. I like the character of Lou too, even though at times she can be frustrating with her behavior (though I can usually understand where she’s coming from, even if the behavior is a bit odd for someone who’s supposed to be more mature than Amy, being her older sister and all. Worse is their father – who acts just as immature and petty as his daughters half the time – yet he’s supposed to be an *adult*/their *father*, yet he’s acting like a teenager with his tantrums, etc – thus I’m not particularly a fan of his character. About the only useful thing I’ve seen him do thus far is save Amy one episode – although he milked that for all it was worth. Sheesh, what a manchild). The actor playing Jack is clearly the best of the bunch, but I think the two lead actresses do pretty well too and can hold their own in scenes with him.

When I started watching, Ty was away and only just returned – so I’d missed what he was like before leaving, but have been able to pick up on most stuff I might’ve missed thanks to things being explained via exposition or in the ‘Previously On’ at the start of episodes. He seems like an alright character – who, along with the actor who portrays him, is far more likeable/tolerable/a better actor than the one playing Caleb (who I’m really not fussed on as a character, and whose actor was pretty average – though has gotten slightly better since he’s returned from having been away for a little while). I find the actor playing Caleb, along with the actresses playing Amy’s friends, to be the ‘weakest’ of the actors on the show, though they’re not entirely horrible…it’s just I find a distinct difference between their acting and the leads in the show. I also couldn’t stand Ashley for the longest time until what her mother did with her horse – then I had some sympathy for her (and hated her mother), but after that was resolved, I’ve gone back to not liking her (and as much as I’m not a fan of Caleb…I’m definitely on his side when it comes to him wanting his trailer/home back, which Ashley’s living in rent-free and acting like she *owns* it. I really can’t stand this aspect of the story at the moment).

The most recent ep I’ve seen has involved Jack getting a new truck and Ty getting dancing lessons from Lou to take Amy to the dance (the actors who play Ty and Lou work well together). Anyway, I grew to enjoy the show in such a short time that I quickly ordered the series on DVD and have been waiting for it for a week or two now – but have been watching on the TV until they arrive. Once they do, I’ll be able to go back and watched the eps I missed at the start of the series. Yes, it might be classed as a ‘family friendly’ show, but I don’t find it too eyeroll-worthy and at least I don’t outright hate anyone (though a couple of characters have come close for me). Also, there’s the plus of getting to see Tatiana Maslany pre-Orphan Black. What a nice, and rather addictive, series this is. I’m happy I eventually gave it a go (better late than never).

Jack Sparrow: "Look." [shoots the monkey] "An undead monkey! Top that!"