Season 11 Episode 6: Believe
Season 11 Episode 6 Recap and Review.
Hearties, Episode 6 came out swinging and I AM HERE FOR IT! This episode is by far one of my favorites of the season!
Synopsis: Elizabeth confronts an imposing figure from her past; Rosemary helps Lee navigate a new leadership role; Lucas struggles to find bidders for his resort project.
This episode recap will be structured a little differently. Instead of breaking it down by characters I am going to talk about storylines.
Mr. Higgins Returns - Elizabeth Fights for Justice
Thomas Higgins makes his unwelcome return to Elizabeth’s classroom. Remember him from Season 2? He was inappropriate with multiple women and propositioned them in return for elevating their careers. Now he is back to inform her of territorial testing standards as the Superintendent and wants to take her to dinner to discuss it. He continues to push his agenda throughout the episode and blatantly ignores her polite requests to stop. She raises concerns about the testing standards but he only wants to discuss them in more “comfortable circumstances.” despite her refusals. Higgins does not do well with rejection or the answer ‘no.”
Mr. Higgins returns the following morning to discuss Elizabeth’s concerns about the guidelines he authored. She goes behind her desk as Mr. Higgins approaches her. A clear sign she is NOT into him and does not welcome this interaction. Elizabeth states her concerns with addressing individual needs with his guidelines and he retorts “Perhaps they should be in a remedial classroom.” He continues by commenting, “I supposed there is always room for some compromise. I scratch your back, you scratch mine, so to speak.” He is trying to threaten her into doing whatever he wants.
Anna and Higgins meet which thrusts Elizabeth into telling Nathan. Elizabeth confronts Higgins about speaking to Anna and his “special interest” in some students. He threatens to remove Jack Thornton School as the name if she doesn’t reconsider his offers or speak up against him. Elizabeth requests to see Higgins before he leaves. Mr. Higgins thinks Elizabeth has reconsidered his offer but instead, she states she is unavailable for dinner with him due to their history and that it is inappropriate. She calls him out for offering her school positions in exchange for her company after hours. He retorts with “which you were too high and might to take advantage of. Believe me, other women have benefited from being nice.” He blames her for making her students suffer because she did not learn her place or be nice. Out steps Nathan in full Mountie Mode! Of course, Higgins threatens Nathan and uses every connection he has to make their lives miserable, I assume.
Mr. Higgins runs straight to Lucas and tells him Constable Grant and Elizabeth are in cahoots. Lucas believes Elizabeth and all the women that accuse him. He suspends Mr. Higgins and informs him a trial will be held. GO LUCAS!! Elizabeth sees him off on the sidewalk and tells him is weak, not powerful, then swears on everything she holds dear that he will never have the power to abuse another woman again.
I have so many thoughts on this storyline so bear with me. I thought Erin Krakow (Elizabeth) and James Kot (Mr. Higgins) did an amazing job portraying both sides of this unfortunate situation. I am glad When Calls the Heart Is tackling tough conversations this season. Elizabeth’s experience is an unfortunate, but harsh reality a lot of women experience in some sort of way. Elizabeth feels powerless, hopeless, and weak against this seemingly powerful man. In reality, he is the one who is weak and powerless. James Kot portrayed this part of Mr. Higgins very well. Honestly, the character gives us the ick but the actor portrayed Mr. Higgins realistically which is why we all felt that way. Elizabeth’s resilience throughout the episode was beautiful to watch and touched my heart. She stood her ground and despite Mr. Higgins's threat she never compromised her values and morals. Elizabeth would never let Anna experience the same thing she did which is why I believe this pushed her to pursue the “Higgins Takedown” as I coined it. Elizabeth is a strong woman but that does not mean she doesn’t need help now and then. She was not alone because Rosemary, Nathan, and Lucas rallied around Elizabeth to support her (and the other women). Rosemary was a supportive friend and encouraged her to speak up. Nathan acted as a Mountie and friend by lending a listening ear and taking legal action. Lucas supported Elizabeth by believing her. He also did his due diligence in finding the truth about Mr. Higgins and announcing a trial. Overall, I appreciated this storyline and how it was told realistically. Bravo, Hallmark Channel, When Calls the Heart, Erin Krakow, James Kot, and everyone else!
Nathan & Elizabeth
This episode was strong for Nathan & Elizabeth as a couple and team. In their first scene, Nathan walks with Elizabeth and LJ to school. Nathan offers to carry her books and then jokes about how heavy they are! They talk about the merger of the schools and Nathan tells her Allie is nervous about what it means for the future of the school. Elizabeth says this meeting with Mr. Wilkerson is a formality according to Lucas. Then Nathan tells Elizabeth she is the best. She doesn’t seem to believe Nathan but thanks him and says it is nice to hear. He asks her about her plans for lunch and they set a “date” for lunch in the jail. Elizabeth is shaken after the interaction with Mr. Higgins. She bumps into Nathan outside the Mountie office and he asks if she is “okay.” Elizabeth assures Nathan she is fine but despite her attempts to mask her feelings, Nathan can tell something wrong.
Later, Nathan sees Elizabeth staring out into the pond by the schoolhouse so he goes to check on her. When she turns around she is crying and states, “ I don’t know what to do” and tearfully hugs him. Elizabeth tells him about her history with Mr. Higgins. Nathan is patient and encourages Elizabeth to take her time explaining everything. He reminds Elizabeth that she has never run from a challenge and that she is strong, not powerless like Higgins wants her to think. Nathan helps her confront Mr. Higgins. Nathan stays in the backroom of the church while Elizabeth confronts him. (I discussed this in the above section)
After Elizabeth shames Higgins out of town, she looks across the street to see Nathan standing guard and watching over her. She is safe under his care and protection.
Later, Elizabeth thoughtfully looks up into the sky at the moon while she sits on her porch. Nathan walks up and asks if she wants company. They sit and chat about Higgins and that whole situation. Nathan tells her that he is proud of her and that she should be proud of herself too. They do a cute shoulder bump. Elizabeth thanks Nathan for being there and here (in the moment) and he says, “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” She smiles and puts her head on his shoulder.
This episode has been one of my favorites for Nathan & Elizabeth this season. I appreciate how Nathan supported her and followed her lead in this situation. He did not overstep to protect her. He recognized she was strong and could do this her way and supported her. Nathan was an excellent listener and shoulder to cry or lean on for Elizabeth. I cannot wait to see their bond strengthen as they navigate these obstacles as a team.
Mike & Mei
Mei and Mike continue to deepen their relationship in this episode. At their breakfast date, Mei jokingly calls him Mikey because she thinks it is cute. She talks about how nice it must be for him to have his family around. Mei shares she has been thinking about her family. We learn she has a brother in merchant marines but they occasionally communicate via letters. Mei tells Mike she loves her Mom’s cooking, especially her xiaolongbao. Mike suggests she make them for him and she agrees.
We get a beautiful glimpse into Mei’s Chinese culture. She sets up a date outside with a traditional Chinese dress, Chinese lanterns, and her homemade, Xiaolongbo (soup dumplings) and Cu Chao Mian (Shanghainese pan-fried noodles). They share candid feelings over dinner and express how they want to be a part of each other’s lives, then they share a sweet kiss. Also, Mike has been practicing using chopsticks!
In my opinion, there is finally some forward movement in Mike and Mei’s relationship. I am glad because in Episode 5 things seemed to be moving slowly. I was intrigued to learn Mei has a brother in the merchant marines. I wonder if he will show up this season or perhaps in Season 12 since we know it was renewed! I also LOVED learning about Mei’s culture and seeing the food she cooked!
Hope Valley Crime Wall
Rosemary brought Bill files on Clayton Pike to see if they could find anything amiss that could point to his innocence. Their request to speak to Clayton Pike was denied. Rosemary went through Pike’s employment history only to discover he was employed by Union City Holdings. Remember, Montague owns Union City Holdings. Rosemary and Bill wait to fill in Lucas on this little detail.
Hope Valley Community Board
Here’s a bullet list with some notable moments from the show and my thoughts that were not part of the major storylines.
Sweet Goldie celebrated her 1st birthday with a small party! Elizabeth and Rosemary reminisce on the first year of a little one’s life. Little Jack gives her a stuffed animal and Lee brings out the cake!
Lee hosts a “little” gathering for the people of Hope Valley to express their concerns with him now that he is Mayor. Mike and Ned invite themselves and their significant others to the Mayor's gathering. Joseph and Minnie are invited too. Florence and Molly too and they are inviting the whole town.
Meet the Mayor appears to be off to a great start. The line is likely just as long as the list of complaints. How can he possibly keep this up weekly?
Mike hangs a sign on Lee’s office with “Mayor’s Office” making the transition official.
Lucas and Henry are making attempts to round up investors for the report.
This resort thing seems to going painfully slow if you ask me.
Joseph wants things to be normal, being best friends, with his brother Jacob. (We will get more info on Episode 7 and it appears Episode 8 too based on previews. I will discuss this in my Episode 7 Recap!)
Elizabeth and Rosemary chat about Mr. Higgins. She tells Elizabeth to talk to Nathan about it. Elizabeth says, “he makes you doubt yourself so much you’re not sure what actually happened.” She says she feels helpless. At the end of the episode, Rosemary tells Elizabeth she is proud of her. We learn Nathan is working with the Mounties to form a case against Thomas Higgins.
I do hope this is circled back to at some point but I am setting my expectations low. Perhaps a Mountie storyline for Nathan next season?
Lucas returns from Capitol City and meets Thomas Higgins. Edwin is still being overbearing and sketchy.
The Heartie Voices - When Calls the Heart Bloggers
Below are some substack authors that also cover When Calls the Heart. I highly recommend subscribing!
- The Heartie Observer Blog - When Calls the Story - Hey, It’s KayceeTHANK YOU, for reading and being patient with my random timeline for recaps! I hope to have Episode 7 posted by Sunday before Episode 8!
Thank you for recommending my blog! I enjoy reading your post too!
I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I thought that Episode 6 was the best in a very long time. There were so many layers to unravel and we got to see a lot of dynamic growth among the characters. Also, thanks so much for the shout out!! :D