Season 10: Nathan Grant Top 10 Scenes (Part 2)
I continue my discussion of Season 10 Top 10: Nathan Grant Moments. This is Part 2 of 2 and contains moments 1-5.
I continue my discussion of Season 10 Top 10: Nathan Grant Moments. If you missed Part 1 here is the link! Read it and then return to see my Top 5 moments!
My Top 5 Moments consists of perhaps more serious than playful scenes. But those scenes draw me into any good movie or TV show. So, it seems fitting to rank them using that criteria.
Number 5: “Faith & Nathan Talk”
From Season 10 Episode 7
In Episode 7, Faith confronts Nathan about the fact there is something in the way of them being more than friends. We all know that “something” is unresolved feelings for Elizabeth. What I loved the most about this scene is the setting, lightning, and maturity of the words spoken by Nathan and Faith. The setting was intimate with low lighting adding to the somber mood and tension between them. Nathan felt down about himself and even said “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Faith responds with “There is nothing wrong with you. It’s just the way it is.” They both miss their friendship and mutually decide to go to the dance as friends.
This demonstrates an immense amount of maturity and growth in Nathan’s character. He did not shy away from the tough conversations or give up. Faith confronted him with her feelings in a kind way and Nathan received it positively. In the end, they moved forward as friends. These are the main reasons it made my Top 10 of Season 10 at #5.
Number 4: “Nathan’s Award Speech”
From Season 10 Episode 10
“For those who know me, they know I tend to be frugal with my words. You know it’s an odd thing to get a medal for doing your job. I’m grateful. This Valley and the people that are in it are different… special. We lean on each other when times get tough, and rely on each other. We help each other out. I’m so blessed to call Hope Valley my home. And I want you to know I consider it my greatest honor to serve and protect it. Thank you for allowing me to do that.” - Constable Nathan Grant, Recipient of the Governor’s Medal of Honor, 1920
Another heartfelt moment of Season 10 was Nathan’s acceptance speech. This moment is significant in his personal and professional life. He is one to shy away from the public eye or attention but this time he is being recognized for all his hard work and dedication to Hope Valley. As I rewatched Season 10 and gathered information for this blog post, I realized this quote encompasses two of the major themes this season. Community and Home. He acknowledged both and is thankful for the opportunity to contribute to and reap the benefits of the Hope Valley community. In my opinion, this scene brought the true feeling and meaning of Hope Valley back to the forefront of the story.
The glances and exchanges between Nathan and Elizabeth are not lost on me. They are significant and in the grander scheme of things should not be overlooked. However, for my rankings, these little moments did not have an impact.
Instead, I looked at Nathan’s overall character growth. Like I mentioned earlier he typically shies away from being the center of attention. Not this time. Although I think the physical acceptance of the medal and posed picture is more so Nathan “doing his job” than wanting to do it. Giving an acceptance speech to a crowd of people would likely have been daunting for Nathan. (Hi, me too Nathan!) Nathan approaches this nerve-wracking moment with words from his heart. This alone is what makes this scene impactful and memorable. It’s why the Nathan Grant moment is ranked at #4!
Number 3: “Voting Booth Confessional”
From Season 10 Episode 12
The voting booth confessional scene was tense but beautiful. True friends can respectfully have tough conversations with one another without jeopardizing the friendship. These two challenge each other and because of it they continually grow as individual characters. In this scene, Nathan apologizes for pressing her in the schoolhouse scene and Elizabeth admits she needed to hear it. I would describe the remainder of the scene using the line “I’ve never heard silence quite this loud” from Love Story by Taylor Swift. There was so much spoken and heard in their silence.
The simplicity of this scene is what propelled it to the #3 spot in my rankings. There has been controversy surrounding the parallel to the religious act of giving a confessional. However, I think the parallel is tastefully done. Sometimes it is easier to open our hearts when we are sheltered by physical barriers. Nathan and Elizabeth have always felt safe with one another but after the scene in the schoolhouse, I would imagine both of them felt emotionally vulnerable. The intimacy is still there but having the physical barrier of a curtain in the voting booth provided Nathan and Elizabeth with the protection they needed to feel secure in sharing their hearts.
Number 2: “Apple Juice Scene”
From Season 10 Episode 8
Are you surprised this one ranked so high?! This 4+ minute scene is one of the most heartfelt and touching scenes on Hallmark Channel. Yep, it said that! It is perhaps one of the most controversial ones of Season 10 but I thought it was beautifully done in all aspects.
I thought the conversation at the table was sweet and very much needed on both sides. What happens when Nathan and Elizabeth leave the table is my favorite part. For the first time, Elizabeth is privy to the closeness Nathan and Allie share as father-daughter. Elizabeth watches Nathan be a father to Allie as he tucks her in with a blanket. A small gesture from a heart full of love for his daughter. She witnesses this moment and I can’t help but wonder if she is seeing him as an actual father for the first time. Remember back to Season 6 when she questioned his parenting abilities? Well, I’ve always thought she still questioned his abilities to parent Allie up until this season.
Number 1: “What Do You Want”
From Season 10 Episode 11
Wow! You have arrived at my #1 moment and are you shocked?! This scene was beautifully written, acted, directed, etc! Major kudos to all those involved. Shall we dive into WHY this moment ranked #1?
At the core of this scene is the deep-abiding friendship with Nathan that Elizabeth has longed for since the Season 8 Finale. Remember when I said a true friend can ask the tough questions and respectfully challenge one another? Well, we’ve arrived at another one of those moments. Nathan challenges Elizabeth to search her heart and consider everything she would lose if she left Hope Valley. Up until this point Elizabeth has only considered what is best for other people. The other part of Nathan‘s encounter begs the question “What do you want?” Again this forces Elizabeth to face the truth deep in her heart. She doesn’t want to leave Hope Valley. It’s her home.
A handful of people took issue with the way Nathan approached Elizabeth. As if he was backing her into a corner. That’s not the way I see it. Camera blocking is a key part of the emotional climax and intensity of this scene. As Nathan moves closer repeating the question “What do you want?” the more Elizabeth struggles to cover the truth set deep in her heart. How many more lies will she tell herself and others? Thank goodness she doesn’t tell that many more.
Thank you for reading my Top 10 Nathan Grant Moments from S10! Be sure to subscribe to stay updated on my posts for S11!