‘When Calls The Heart’ Writers Send Clear Message To Angry Fans?
In When Calls The Heart Season 9, Episode 3, “Turn Of The Page,” Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) gets some bad reviews. She is just trying to tell a story, but many are critical of her for telling her story.
Could the When Calls The Heart writers perhaps have written this episode in response to the highly negative feedback that some Hearties gave them when Elizabeth chose Lucas (Chris McNally) at the end of Season 8? Or is it a coincidence?
At the end of last season, the writers were relentlessly attacked on social media for Elizabeth’s decision.
We have some social media posts that seem to give the definitive answer. Ready to ready on?
Did The When Calls The Heart Writers Share A Message In ‘Turn Of The Page’?
On Sunday night, When Calls The Heart Season 9, Episode 3 was entitled “Turn Of The Page.” The main storyline is that Elizabeth’s novel, A Single Mother On The Frontier has been released.
Elizabeth worked really hard on this novel. She sacrificed fun activities to finish the book. Moreover, she was proud of her accomplishment. That is until the local critics started to give their unfiltered criticism. This really hurt Elizabeth.
The first-time novelists told her friend Rosemary (Pascale Hutton), and Lee (Kavan Smith), “The reviews are mean.” Rosemary, who as a journalist has faced this sort of criticism, responded, “Reviews are just opinions.”
Could this episode have been in response to the negative feedback that the WCTH writers got after the Season 8 finale when Elizabeth chose Lucas over Nathan (Kevin McGarry)?
It looks like it.
SCHeartHome, the Canadian channel that airs When Calls The Heart seemed to indicate this on Twitter.
Elizabeth is hurt by the personal attacks on her book. After all, these are just fictional characters, and she was simply trying to tell a story. Important food for thought #Hearties, don’t you think? @erinkrakow @HuttonPascale @KavanjSmith
However, another response seems to confirm this.
Credit: ©2022 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
What Does WCTH Co-Creator Brian Bird Have To Say?
Brian Bird was tweeting along with Hearties on Sunday night, during the new episode. He retweeted a post from a Canadian nurse who is a devoted Heartie. Nicolina wrote, “I love this message & it’s vulnerable honestly. WCTH stories are just fiction & that’s a fact. Those who portray these stories are real people with feelings & that’s the truth. @erinkrakow @brbird @HuttonPascale @SCHeartHome @derekw_thompson #BeKind @hallmarkchannel #Hearties.”
The post tagged Pascale, Erin, Brian, Hallmark, SCHeartHome, and WCTH writer, Derek Thompson.
Elizabeth is hurt by the personal attacks on her book. 😞 After all, these are just fictional characters, and she was simply trying to tell a story. 📕 Important food for thought #Hearties, don’t you think?👍 @erinkrakow @HuttonPascale @KavanjSmith pic.twitter.com/c6Th8uToo0
— SCHeartHome (@SCHeartHome) March 21, 2022
When Calls The Heart Creator Shares How They Want To Inspire
Brian Bird was very active on Sunday night. After Rosemary shared with Elizabeth the story of the widowed mother who now felt she was not alone, the When Calls The Heart co-creator likened this review letter to what matters to the writers at WCTH. This is what he wrote on Twitter.
The only reviews that will really last #Hearties are your testimonies of what #WhenCallstheHeart has meant to you these last 9 years. And those stories of healing and overcoming are the wind beneath our wings. @hallmarkchannel @SCHeartHome #allinforseason10.
And yes, Bird did go there. He wrote, #allinforseason10. Hallmark has not made an announcement, but they are already campaigning for another season.
Moreover, at the end of the day, Brian Bird wants Hearties to know that the positive response to their stories keeps them going. He indicates that the writers do feel rewarded.
I loved @HuttonPascale’s performance in this scene. 🥰 #Hearties @hallmarkchannel @schearthome https://t.co/qEZyi8cKXj
— Erin Krakow (@erinkrakow) March 21, 2022
Hearties, what did you think of the latest episode, “Turn Of The Page”? Do you think the critics were too hard on Elizabeth?
Don’t miss When Calls The Heart Season 9 on Sundays, at 8 p.m., Eastern, on Hallmark.
In all honesty, those in charge of the show are showing fans that they are thin skinned and cannot accept criticism. But the problem is, as with any art, including writing, criticism is a way for everyone to improve. Their response shows that they lack empathy and have no room to accept honest feedback that could help them improve.
What fans were upset about, yes was the choice, but even more so the writing was chaotic and had many stories that went nowhere and lacked purpose. They also were upset that when they suggested the shows change of direction disregarded the history of the characters and changed their personalities too much that the fans were called out on social media that they were not true fans. Basically none of those in charge showed one ounce of empathy or even concern that perhaps they could improve their writing to satisfy all of their fans.
This episode clearly shows they still have deaf ears and really don’t want to hear anything unless it is positive. Sadly when we refuse to listen we often fail to see our own opportunities to grow and improve.
Absolutely loved this message. Those that disagree have been heard, but still want to be catered to & that is where the problem lies. There are MANY people writing/creating this show. They are JUST trying to tell a story and that is the creator’s prerogative. Insisting that they should take abuse from fans disguised as “criticism” is ludicrous. These are the same people that refuse to believe that any other perspective can be just as valid. I loved that the writers put this subtle message into the story and again those decrying it showing why they were needing to say it in the first place.
Most fans that were angry at the choice are long past and moved on to greener pastures and shows with better writing and more consistent storylines.
People are going to write bad reviews good reviews and everything in between.
They complained that people made personal attacks against the stars, the writers etc well they did same thing including one Ronda Rich calling unhappy fans skunks.
I am happily not ever going watch When calls the Heart again, I have even disposed of my previous seasons dvd’s.
Finally if your going to call out people for making bad comments or reviews look in the mirror first, a lot of behaviour and comments from Actors, Writers, their spouses and Producers was less than desirable.