My Thoughts on Lucas & Jeanette
My complete thoughts on the Lucas and Jeanette storyline in When Calls the Heart.
In the spirit of Fall & Halloween this month I thought it would be fun to deep dive into the “ghost” of Lucas’s past…Jeanette.
Timeline of Events
Season 11 was the on-screen introduction of Lucas’s ghost, Jeanette Aucoin. Jeanette has always been lurking in the background of his storylines. We got glimpses of her from Seasons 6-9 then finally met her in Season 11. First, we have the mysterious phone call in Season 6 and learn she is a widow in danger. In this phone call, he and Jeannette are speaking French to further disguise their conversation. In Season 9, she and Lucas work together to run a string operation on Wyman Walden. We also learn Jeannette is working for the treasury department. Unfortunately, she ghosts (pun intended) Lucas during the operation. In Season 11, we learn of Jeannette’s involvement in Season 10. She was involved in Lucas’s shooting. Throughout Season 11 Jeannette poses as Casimir Shaw, one of the most wanted criminals in the region. Under the guise of Casimir Shaw, Jeannette continued with her shady dealings and attempted to persuade Lucas to join her. Her attempts are met with resistance from Lucas. Jeannette is eventually caught and arrested for her crimes.
My Thoughts
The mystery of Jeanette and her relation to Lucas has always intrigued me. We were constantly left to wonder who Jeanette was as a character. Is she an old widow? A former flame? I was excited to see her on the screen in Season 11. However, as the storyline progressed it became clear Jeanette was NOT the damsel in distress I originally thought she was. She’s the mastermind behind the rum-running business and will do anything to be number one. We find out Lucas and Jeanette had a brief fling in New Orleans. It seems Jeanette had stronger feelings for him than he did her. This makes for an interesting resolution to the storyline because Lucas is her Achilles heel. Jeanette can’t seem to leave without resolving things with Lucas leading to her downfall. Lucas is the only one to be able to calm her while she holds him at gun point. At this point, the chemistry and connection is clear as day between them. One of my regrets is we did not have more of an opportunity to explore it. Unfortunately, this ship has sailed with her arrest, the public nature of the scandal, and Lucas’s job.
I also feel like Jeanette being the season's villain was a bold move. And perhaps not the right one. I think the writers could have gone a different direction with the information we knew about her from the previous season. It would have been a great story for Jeanette to turn out to be a good person. This could have easily been done with the knowledge she worked with the treasury. However, I do understand the need to wrap up this storyline with Jeanette. I feel she was used as a plot device to strengthen Lucas as a character further. Honestly, it’s a bittersweet feeling for me. Jeanette’s fiery, mysterious persona complimented Lucas’s kind, mysterious persona. However, I am excited to see Lucas keep growing as a character!
Thank you for reading my post! Comment below with your opinions on the Lucas and Jeanette storyline!
Catch up on previous posts!
