Bittersweet Endings & Longing Looks
My thoughts on the bittersweet endings and longing looks in Season 10. Lucas and Elizabeth break up, true callings, and Nathan & Elizabeth share longing looks.
Since the Penultimate episode on October 8th, there have been lots of thoughts occupying my mind. Specifically, the breakup between Lucas & Elizabeth and the prospect of a relationship between Nathan & Elizabeth. With Season 10 Finale in the rearview mirror, I thought I would share my fully processed thoughts.
Disclaimer: I have been a fan of the pairing between Nathan and Elizabeth since the beginning. They will have a special place in my heart. Always and Forever. However, I am writing this post as objectively as possible.
Bittersweet Endings:
Bittersweet is defined as (food, drink, or flavor) sweet with a bitter aftertaste. Another definition is arousing pleasure tinged with sadness or pain. (Oxford Languages)
Lucas and Elizabeth
The breakup between Lucas and Elizabeth is perhaps more bitter than sweet to some fans at the time. Breaks up are never easy both in real life and on screen. Especially when there is no shortage of love between the two people. It is undeniable Lucas and Elizabeth both love each other. Despite ending their engagement, I firmly believe they still have an abundance of love and respect for one another. They are continuing to support one another and only want the best for each other. Which is why this breakup is bittersweet to me.
The bitter part of this situation is Elizabeth breaking up with Lucas right before he got on the train to his campaign trail. Lucas was under the impression Elizabeth was coming with him. I imagine it was a shock to him despite saying he could sense a disconnect between them. In my opinion, the breakup could have been handled more delicately because they were engaged to be married. A longer conversation between Lucas and Elizabeth in a non-urgent or stressful atmosphere would have been less jolting for some fans. I understand they likely did it this way to magnify Lucas and Elizabeth are in different places in their lives.
The sweet part of this situation was the maturity Lucas and Elizabeth demonstrated. This break was mutual despite Elizabeth initiating it. They remained friends and continued pursuing their shared goal of doing what was best for Hope Valley. It is their home despite not being a couple anymore.
Another sweet part of the break-up is they are both embarking on individual journeys of self-discovery. Let’s talk about Lucas and Elizabeth’s callings. First, let’s define calling. Oxford Language Dictionary, defines a calling as “a strong urge toward a particular way of life or career; a vocation.” This definition encompasses both the way of life and the careers of Lucas and Elizabeth as individuals.
Lucas and Elizabeth are being called to different paths this season. Lucas never truly found his calling in Seasons 6-9. He had many business ventures like owning/managing the saloon, buying stakes in the oil, managing the oil business, etc. Lucas has always been an excellent businessman, gambler/poker player, and negotiator. Being a good poker player or gambler is not necessarily a bad thing. Lucas has always used these skills for the better good. Throughout Season 10, these skills are continuously highlighted and used to help other characters. It all came crashing down rather quickly in Episode 11. However, Lucas tells Elizabeth he found his calling during a phone call in Episode 12. I am so thrilled Lucas has finally found his passion and calling!
Elizabeth has already found her calling. This makes it difficult for her to consider moving to Capital City. Her calling to teach in Hope Valley was established in earlier seasons. To deviate from this fact would be equivalent to changing her calling, character, and the show. It would simply be catastrophic to the premise of the show.
As I said earlier, Lucas and Elizabeth are called to different paths this season. But that does not mean their entire relationship is pointless. Elizabeth encouraged Lucas to pursue his dreams and run in the election. Was this a forced situation? Perhaps, but that does not mean Lucas did not want to run for Governor. He expresses his desire to do it but with Elizabeth’s continued encouragement he took the leap of faith. It was NOT cruel for her to encourage him despite not feeling her heart follow. It is quite the opposite. He is a dreamer. Elizabeth told him she did not want to hold him back earlier in the season. Sometimes all we need is that extra boost of confidence from a trusted person. Why should they sacrifice their true callings simply because they are engaged? Sacrifice is important but it should not require a complete change in calling or character. I think if Lucas or Elizabeth sacrificed for this reason there would be a lot of resentment entering their marriage. One would be left unfulfilled while the other would deal with a radical life-changing decision. It isn’t a fair ask for either one of them.
To conclude, this is a bittersweet ending to their relationship. However, it is time to separate Lucas from Elizabeth and give him an individual storyline. I am excited to see Lucas learn and grow in his new role as Governor. I am also excited to see Elizabeth enjoy this newfound freedom from the chains of grief. I can’t wait for her to follow her heart instead of doing something out of obligation or because “it’s the right thing” to do.
Longing Looks (and knowing glances):
Please note Nathan and Elizabeth are both respectable individuals. At this time she is engaged to Lucas. Therefore, neither one of them has overstepped any boundaries. In the context of this post, their “longing looks” are more so looks of knowledge because they know each other so well. Maybe they haven’t found the courage or time to talk to each other.
Nathan and Elizabeth
This season Elizabeth experiences a new wave of grief and doubt. This starts in Episode 4 with the questions from Little Jack about his father to the graveside chat in Episode 12. With this new wave comes an influx of Nathan and Elizabeth scenes. Nathan is advising while Elizabeth is receiving it. It’s refreshing for a change! Nathan is also at a crossroads after Season 9. He tried to make things work with Mei and Faith. Neither one was successful. In Episode 4, Nathan and Faith were starting to talk more. But the tension and distance were still present and the romance was slipping away. Whatever they had finally ended in Episode 7.
The longing looks come into plain view in Episode 5 when Nathan comes home from the camping trip. They talk about all things camping, the feeling of home, and muffins. In Episode 7, they share a look while dancing with other people. Elizabeth was dancing with Lucas while Nathan danced with Faith. It wasn’t until Episode 8 that Nathan started clocking Elizabeth’s strange behavior. (Side note: He knows she is struggling with something deep within her heart. I think he knows is is about her unresolved romantic feelings for him.) Back to Episode 8 and the famous apple juice scene full of longing looks and masking feelings on Elizabeth’s part. Nathan has a moment of realization when he leaves her house that evening. He knows. In Episode 9, Nathan is out of town for Mountie business. His safety is unknown sending Elizabeth into a panic. To an untrained eye her panic resolves upon his return.But this does not go unnoticed by Nathan as they share a glance and he sees Elizabeth’s tear-streaked face. He knows. In Episode 10, She tells him to “be safe” and he pauses staring off into the distance after she leaves. She also advises him to find a friendly face in the crowd as he nervously prepares for his acceptance speech. He finds Elizabeth in the crowd. Their eyes meet both giving a nod and smile of acknowledgment. Nathan is finally able to speak from his heart. He knows. In Episode 11, he finally confronts her asking her “What do you want?” but she refuses to tell the whole truth. He turns back and tells her to “be safe” and then locks eyes with her. She is looking at him intently with tears in her eyes. He knows. In Episode 12, I would argue for most of the episode he knows what he feels but has lost confidence in what she feels. At the end of the episode, they meet back at their spot. Nathan and Elizabeth share a longing look after both asking the other “What are you doing here?” unable to answer the question for themselves. I believe in this moment they both realize their hearts lie with one another. However, there has been lots of hurt in the past and they need to TALK. I fully believe this is how they start Season 11.
Fun Fact: The log, affectionately coined the “ILY spot” is a significant place for them. According to Kevin McGarry on the Edify Aftershow, this was not an accident. They intentionally mirrored that previous scene from S8 Episode 2. That alone indicates the importance of their meeting there.
Overall, they know each other so much better than people credit them for. They ask hard-hitting questions and challenge each other. People often mock Nathan fans for making montages of their “longing looks.” In reality, these longing looks are after vulnerable conversations between the two of them. As Kevin McGarry said in the Edify Films Aftershow, “They find solace in each other even though it’s hard. I think the fact they know each other so well they can call each other out on the truth of who they each are. It leads to hurt feelings or things said. It’s happened since they first met.” He also says, “He (Nathan) is the only one to test her decision to leave Hope Valley. He’s the one that knows in her heart that’s her home.”
Isn’t it special they have a connection so deep they just know what is on the other’s heart? That doesn’t mean they don’t communicate because they do…A LOT. I understand everyone has a different opinion but please do not overlook this fact or mistake it for flirting. They have the deep abiding friendship Elizabeth wrote about in her journal after she made her choice. But that does not mean they will be stuck in the friend zone forever. I feel this is the path to a beautiful love story between them. A strong friendship is a good foundation for a strong romantic relationship.
Thank you for reading my thoughts and please share yours in the comments! Stay tuned for a blog post about Kevin McGarry’s new Christmas movie Checkin’ it Twice and my thoughts on the brief promo of When Calls the Heart Season 11.