When Calls the Heart: It Begins with Heart DVD Review

I have been given the opportunity by FishFlix.com to review Christian movies, including the 2-hour DVD releases of When Calls the Heart Season 3.  The first one, which originally aired the day after Christmas called "New Year's Wish," is entitled "It Begins with Heart."

Watch the trailer here:

Season 2 ended with quite the cliffhanger--Charles proposing to Elizabeth, while a shocked and heartbroken Jack (with a ring in his pocket) looks on.  Surely Elizabeth wouldn't accept Charles' proposal, right?  We were left with the question unanswered, until this 2-hour special.

Looking forward to the New Year (which according to executive producer Brian Bird, is 1913), Jack and Elizabeth agree to put the past behind them and move forward while taking their time, and enjoying the time they take.  Bill and Jack work together to bring down a high-ranking officer in the Mounties who has been unethical.  Abigail takes in two orphans who have run away.  A young stranger comes to Hope Valley looking for Matt Landry, who we learn is really Pastor Frank.  A "Wanted" poster with Pastor Frank's picture is posted on the door of Abigail's cafe, and we are left to wonder about this man of God and his mysterious past.

The people of Hope Valley celebrate the New Year with a fireworks display, where Jack and Elizabeth kiss.  We are left looking forward to what is to come in Season 3, which Elizabeth writes in her diary will be a year for love.

Favorite Quotes: 

Abigail: "You've changed since you came back from Hamilton."

Elizabeth: "How?"

Abigail: "You know who you are now."

Elizabeth: "And who I'm not. And now that I have it figured out..."

Abigail: "Look out, Hope Valley."

Elizabeth: "Look out, world." 

Lee: "Elizabeth only has eyes for you.  Everyone knows that."

Jack: "Maybe some things aren't meant to be."

Elizabeth: "You don't mean that."

Jack: "I don't know what I mean right now."

Elizabeth: "Jack! We can't go back, not when we've come this far."

Favorite Moments:

• Cody and Pastor Frank's prayer
• "Amazing Grace" at the children's program
• When Bill and Jack outsmart Inspector Houston
• Rosemary and Lee's banter

Likes:

• How quickly the "Charles" storyline was resolved
• How Jack and Elizabeth agreed to take it slow, but not too slow
• The inclusion of First Corinthians and Amazing Grace
• The introduction of several new characters which open new storylines

Dislikes:

• Some of the dialogue was too modern (For example: Lee says, "Yay, us!")
• Some of the cliffhangers from Season 2 were not addressed at all
• The kiss was in front of the whole town and all of Elizabeth's students.  This would have been highly inappropriate for 1913.

DVD Features: "Elizabeth Thatcher: A Picture in Time" Bonus Feature--a montage of Elizabeth's character development over the seasons

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I felt like this 2-hour special was a breath of fresh air after pretty much all of Season 2.  Many of the elements that we loved about Season 1 were brought back, like Elizabeth writing in her diary and interacting more with her students.  I felt like I could sit back and enjoy the show.  I feel like the most important part of When Calls the Heart is the message that is delivered.  This message is one of hope and new beginnings.  When it comes to delivering that message, they knocked it out of the park.

I'm looking forward to reviewing the next 2-hour DVD release of When Calls the Heart soon!  Keep checking back for more information.