MovieChat Forums > When Calls the Heart (2014) Discussion > What in the world did they do to this sh...

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

posted 10 years ago by DharmaL
18 replies | jump to latest

Season 1 was remarkable and I eagerly anticipated Season 2. Now I feel the show has taken some seriously wrong directions.

This is supposed to be a struggling mining town and last season it looked the part, but all the buildings have undergone major cosmetic transformations and are now all beautifully painted, even the trim, and feature lovely signs. The streets used to be realistic, dirt and mud and puddles. Now they are covered with gravel. The town's character is no longer real.

There are the changes to the costumes and hairstyles that simply don't fit anymore with the show, but those are oft-complained about so I won't belabor that point.

I think the writers have made some serious mistakes, primarily having the mine closed and then manufacturing a reason for Gowen to remain.

The back and forth between Coal/Hope Valley and Hamilton has been annoying.

The back and forth is-he-or-isn't-he married and/or evil Bill Avery storyline is tired and spent.

We've had about a minute-and-a-half of Elizabeth with the kids in the classroom which was one of the charming aspects of the show.

Is it even possible to turn the show around now?

[–] daviolinspider 9 years ago

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.

[–] deb-63 9 years ago

I hope season three is better.

[–] mcmiller53 9 years ago

Thank you! I thought it was just me who was disappointed. It's all too perfect. And too many plots that seem to end after two commercials and then another plot and another.

The clothes, the hair, the set are all too modernized. Too much makeup. The coats they all wear look like they bought them at Nordstrom last winter. And in what world at that time (I think it's the late 1800s) would a man be allowed over for dinner alone without an engagement in place? And all of Elizabeth's 'women can do this/that' is great but not realistic. Gradual change is how history has taught us that one. Her horning in on the boys' camping trip bugged me to no end. It was rude and set a bad example for children, to me.

So, for me, Elizabeth's character was much more likable in Season 1. This time around she's more uppity, lipstick's always perfect, even in a mine disaster, she's pushier and less tolerant/self-aware. Her family may be disliked by many here but they are the only truly realistic characters in this season. That is how people behaved then. But, I do agree that we could lose the Hamilton part of the story. It's no big gold star for Elizabeth if she can hop back and forth whenever she needs a dose of satin sheets and high tea under crystal chandeliers.

I realize I'm rambling but I am really disappointed in this Disney-fied version that has none of the grit and realism of Season 1 and trying to get to the meat of just why they thought this was a good switch. Abigail's still awesome which keeps me watching; I'll give it that but if this continues into Season 3 - thanks but no thanks.

Have you noticed that the moon is full All. The. Time.?

[–] DharmaL 9 years ago

Finally got around to watching Season 3 and I think the writers did an excellent job of dialing it back to the original flavor of the show. I don't think Hamilton was even mentioned and Charles was nowhere to be found. The clothing still looked a little fancy, but not nearly as much. Lots of classroom time with Elizabeth and the kids. Plots mostly seemed reminiscent of Season 1.

I really didn't think they were going to be able to right this ship, but right it they did. I'll definitely tune in for Season 4.