What in the world did they do to this show???

I'd think there'd be a lot of animosity directed at Gowen. How has he not been run out of town?

Now I feel the show has taken some seriously wrong directions.

I have to agree. And it breaks my heart to do so. I loved Season 1. I couldn't wait for Season 2. The constant bouncing back and forth between Hope Valley and Hamilton is one thing. I could live with that if Elizabeth and Jack were given more screen time together. The season was reduced from 12 to 10, and we had, I believe, 3 2-hour episodes (I'm including the upcoming finale). So basically, we had 7 viewing nights, which makes me feel cheated. I feel a major disconnect with both Abigail and Rosemary's storylines. I understand there were cast changes...that's fine, but why is everyone suddenly so clean and put together? Even the town is clean and pretty...coal mining towns, even former ones are not. I miss the classroom and Elizabeth's interaction with the children. What was the point of building her a new school if she's never there? I miss the charm of season one and the anticipation of if Jack and Elizabeth would kiss. Now there are so many extra characters that don't lend themselves to a season this short. Take the reverend. I would have loved to have seen more from him sooner, but as it is, I feel he's not needed to advance the plot. And the Thatcher sisters...Julie was fine, she carried over from last season, but Viola wasn't necessary. Neither was all the business between Elizabeth's father and Bill. My point is, the season didn't mesh very well to me. Of course, it's just my opinion. I hate to see this happen to a show I love so dearly and I hope if there is a season 3, they can pull it back together.

I really don't like the going back and forth between Coal Valley and Hamilton. The whole premise of her moving to the "rural west" and her family's worrying about her safety is dismissed if it's that easy just going back and forth all the time. It changes the feel and the mood of the show.
I also can't stand Elizabeth's family. I'm not even gonna get started on that.
I don't agree with the hair and dresses either. I feel like they are getting dressed up to go hang out in a speakeasy.

the show does seem to be now crossed with 'General Hospital'. But I'm still watching... I'm wondering if the network is now being taken over or something, so they feel they need to change how they do everything. The wife and I are in the middle of watching the new Sign-sealed and delivered movie, and it's the same thing... love-triangles...?

I completely agree with everyone's comments on season 2. It reminded me of Murdoch Mysteries in season 1 and was looking forward to the second season. The set looks like it got an Orchard Hardware makeover. I think the writers have lost focus. There are too many storylines now and yes the return to Hamilton and introduction of her family and Jack's feckless brother just distracts from the endearing aspects of the show. Now we have Bill Avery and his estranged wife and her father? Those scenes are pure soap opera.

Season 2 just became available on Netflix and I can't believe I'm watching the same show that I enjoyed so much last year. The inappropriate hair and costumes are a big distraction but even worse are the seemingly shallow interactions between the characters. I just don't feel immersed in this world as I did during Season 1. I've only done the first 2 episodes and I'm so turned off. Not sure if it's worth continuing although I still love Lori Laughlin. She's the real gem of this show.

Plus Bill Avery's wife is cray cray and a pain in the #$$. I can't stand her voice or anything that comes out of her mouth.