#keepmeinourheart

[jordm]

Heartland 14x01 - Keep Me in Your Heart

So, just because I put off watching this episode for so long, I feel like I know most - if not all of the plot points thanks to my timeline but in any case, here I am - finally sitting down to watch the episode proper. I’m going to try to watch “live” and type as I watch but uhhh lets see how this goes.

Let’s start with the looming plot point - Ty’s passing.

First, i’ll start by saying, by no means do I blame Graham for wanting out. 14 years is a long time to have the same job, and if you don’t have passion for it anymore, it is by far better to leave then give a half ass effort. Did he think that the series would go on for this long? Probably not - nor did I. But if they knew Graham wanted permanently out and not just temporary, I do agree with this route. It allows Amy to move on, explore some new storylines and eliminates the whole absentee father aspect of it all.

A thought: do we think that they filmed this opening scene last year, knowing how the story was going to end?  I mean, it is summer here, same clothes and scenery as where last season ended, so it’s entirely possible they filmed this last year. Plus, we know that Graham wasn’t really on set with any other characters this year, so i think there’s a strong case to be made.

The house they were building on the plot of land was abandoned and a lil rusty. A metaphor shall we for how Amy is feeling. I wonder if the house will slowly get built as Amy heals her heart and slowly starts to live life again as the season goes on. So, as Amy slowly recovers and heals, the house will be built, representing a new beginning of some sort. Moving forward but never forgetting the past. (PS i wrote this before i got to the end of the episode so this was just a forethought OOPS)

Seeing Lyndy so carefree probably also mirrors real life - where children have no idea of what really happened or the gravity of the situation. I remember when I was a kid (around 5), at a funeral of my grandpa having the time of my life playing with my cousins, not realizing how serious things were. Of course, in real life, the twins probably had no idea what happened, just that “daddy” wasn’t on set haha.

All the flashbacks just hurt my heart. Seeing circa S5 Ty and Amy (or whatever season that was) at the fishing cabin, Ty and Amy working together to birth the foal & Ty at night with two mugs in hand and how those memories related to current day events was a good reminder that the smallest action/word can trigger a memory. Something as simple as a saw could trigger a memory.  I was also reminded of how good the older seasons were and how much the entire cast has changed over the past 14 years - 14 years.

I loved hearing about Grandma Lyndy and Jack’s experience with dealing with his loss. As much as good intentions Tim has, I think Jack is the person to get through to Amy, the one with the one who can relate to her the most with his experience. I feel like we know so much about Grandma Lyndy, but also, so little so hopefully Ty’s death allows for a little more Jack story time.

Of course, just as Tim and Jack think that Amy needs to take on some clients, at the cabin they come across some trapped horses. Perhaps its just the thing to distract her from the event coming up - or the thing to bring up some memories and get her to finally open up. Either way, I loved that Jack was there for her and I love the relationship that they have.

Georgie falling off course during her run because she thought she saw Ty speaks volumes to how much Ty was always there for her during her competitions and the special relationship that they have. I was thinking that Georgie burying herself in school the last year may have been her coping mechanism to deal with the death. She said at the dinner table that she was too busy with school to come back, but it could be that she just couldn’t bear to come home to a place that reminded her so much of him.

The others at the memorial speaking about their memories with Ty, while the flashbacks play in the background was powerful. Ty had an important part to each one. He was Caleb’s best friend, Jack’s surrogate son, Lou’s first dance student, Amy’s best friend/inspiration/husband, Lyndy’s father. Even Tim acknowledged how crazy in love Amy and Ty were (even if it didn’t seem like it in the past few seasons haha). Ty was important to everyone and his loss will be felt throughout the entire season.

But onto other topics, it was nice to see Georgie and Quinn still together, as well as Mitch and Lou... engaged?!?! Plus, we even got a Katie appearance and it was nice to see the two cousins bonding, which has been rare up to this point. And, Quinn grew out is hair (even though I’m totally partial to the short haired Quinn)!

It was nice to hear that Georgie was focused on school and happy. The past few seasons has felt like the same-same for her, the focus on school and horse jumping and trying to juggle it all and the one year time jump allowed Georgie to do just that (without having to show it explicitly) which may not have been the most exciting television. Now that Quinn is her coach, I wonder how this changes their dynamic going forward- if they can get through this season and with him being her coach, then that is just good news.

Lou loving being mayor, or telling herself that she liked it seemed like an Omen for the future that her mayoral duties are about to become a lot more complicated. I look forward to the dynamic that her and Aidan bring to this season.

Also, the Spencer Twins are more vocal than ever and it just plays out so well on television!! They’re so cute 

The disadvantage to the one year later jump, is all the things we missed out on. It means we missed out on a lot of events I would have wanted to see such as:

* the start of Quinn and Georgie’s relationship (clearly its serious, they’re still together a year later)

* Mitch proposing to Lou?? Um, details please! I’d like some backstory on this please!

Overall, I really enjoyed this episode - dare I say favourite of the season so far? (ha ha ha). I will miss Ty but can’t wait to see how his passing affects the rest of the season.