When Calls the Heart Recap: “The Heart of a Father”

The second episode of season 7 of When Calls the Heart aired last week, finding young Allie, Mountie Nathan Grant’s niece, inviting some of the girls from school for a sleepover just as her grandfather unexpectedly arrived in town.

As we learned as the episode played out, Archie Grant (played by Battlestar Galactica alum Michael Hogan), Nathan’s estranged father, was more than he seemed. He was released from prison a mere three weeks earlier, being able to track down his son and granddaughter to Hope Valley.

Archie Grant isn’t a dangerous or violent criminal, but he is a thief. He not only robbed from the bank where he worked many, many years ago – as he had a lot of gambling debt – but when he was caught for that theft, he resorted to petty thievery to keep food on his family’s table and a roof over their head until he was caught again and spent more time in prison.

Naturally, Allie wanted to believe that her grandfather was a nice man and repeatedly asked her uncle to let her get to know him. Of course, Nathan was very reluctant to expose his young niece to the truth about her grandfather, but after she presented a list of reasons why she should be allowed, Nathan relented.

Unfortunately, just as Allie and Archie were meeting at the town barbeque – more on that shortly – Nathan received a call about a stolen diamond necklace that he assumed was taken by his father since he was in the vicinity where the jewel was stolen.

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As for that barbeque, that came about because of both Bill and Lucas dealing with town gossip (thank you phone operator Florence) about general store owner Ned Yost getting sick from food served at both of their establishments: the town café and the hotel saloon. Ned didn’t get sick from the food at either place, but that wasn’t fully determined until town doctor Carson had a chance to examine Ned.

Based on a suggestion by nurse Faith – who believed Ned had a gastric ulcer – Carson confirmed that diagnosis, and he was surprised to learn that Faith had always dreamed of becoming a doctor. In the end, Carson convinced Faith to take the leap to train to become a doctor under his mentoring thanks to some changes in the latest medical requirements.

Elsewhere, Rosemary was upset that some people in town – especially newlywed Clara – weren’t taking her advice, which was freely given, as usual – but not always requested, as pointed out to Rosemary by her ever patient husband Lee. In the end, Rosemary learned (to a degree) to give advice a little less freely and listen to her friends and neighbors BEFORE dispensing advice. And, Clara was able to finally admit to Rosemary that she wanted to design her own wedding dress. Speaking of her wedding to Jesse, Lee was asked by Jesse to be his best man while Clara asked Rosemary to be her matron of honor.

What did you think of the episode? Please share your thoughts in our comments section below.

[Photo Credit: Crown Media/Hallmark Channel]

The next new episode of When Calls the Heart airs on the Hallmark Channel tonight, Sunday, March 8 at 8/7c.