Aahana Swrup
More than a decade since Elizabeth Thornton’s arrival in Hope Valley, the kind-spirited, bright-eyed teacher continues to chart new adventures in her life. Season 11 of ‘When Calls the Heart’ brings some such thrills into her life as she finds herself rekindling her old flame with Nathan Grant, the resident Mountie. Even though their relationship experiences some roadblocks—particularly due to the latter’s indirect involvement in the death of Elizabeth’s husband, Jack—the two eventually arrive on the same page. However, shortly after, Elizabeth receives some ominous news about Jack’s death from the Superintendent. Of course, the season ends before the details can be revealed, leaving people to look forward to season 12 for answers! SPOILERS AHEAD!
Elizabeth Receives a Sentimental Memento From Her Husband
Episode 1 of season 12 picks up right where the story last left off. As such, the mystery of the news that Superintendent Hargraves brings comes to a quick resolve. As it turns out, his unit has found one of Jack Thornton’s possessions near the place of his death, which he now brings to the departed Mountie’s widow, Elizabeth. The possession in question is Jack’s commissioned medal, a symbol to honor the valor he showcased when he took out a garrison by himself. The medal instantly becomes a treasured token of Jack’s memory for Elizabeth, who is happy to have something to remember this part of his life from.
Furthermore, the medal also serves the same purpose for Little Jack, who never met his father and can only remember him by the stories he hears of him. Consequently, the medal becomes a cherished possession for the young boy, as he even wears it on his first day of school for some added luck and courage. In fact, when the moment comes, he shares that courage with his friend, Lilly—another newcomer fresh out of daycare—by letting her wear it for the entire school day. As a result, the message Superintendent Hargraves brings ends up becoming a precious gift to the Thornton family, allowing them a relic of their cherished past.
The Medal Symbolizes Jack’s Significance in Elizabeth and Little Jack’s Life
The introduction of the symbolic medal early on in season 12 presents a crucial thematic reminder. When Elizabeth first arrives in Hope Valley, her romance with Jack Thornton becomes one of the more instrumental parts of her storyline. With him as her companion, she finds happiness and contentment in the new town and carves out a new home for herself. Consequently, his death a few weeks after the couple’s grand wedding remains jarring to the woman.
Elizabeth’s grieving journey, especially in light of her newfound pregnancy, is tumultuous and daunting, but she emerges on the other side all the same. From there, she remains cautious of opening her heart up to someone again after such a tragic heartbreak. For the same reason, the discovery of Nathan Grant’s past becomes all the more conflicting. Upon his arrival into the story, Nathan is the new Mountie in town who fits into Elizabeth’s orbit with ease. However, he soon reveals that he was meant to lead the mission that ultimately cost Jack his life.
Even though Nathan isn’t directly at fault and Jack’s death continues to be a gravelly unfortunate sacrifice, it causes a slight rift between the Mountie and Elizabeth. Nonetheless, the two finally find their way to each other without any secrets or grudges of the past between them. Therefore, the introduction of Jack’s medal as the couple arrives at some stability in their relationship serves as an efficient reminder of the late Mountie’s persisting presence and significance in Elizabeth’s life.
In fact, Nathan acknowledges and respects this by building a hand-crafted display case for the medal’s safekeeping. In doing so, he establishes the cornerstones of his addition to Elizabeth and Little Jack’s life, ensuring them that he isn’t trying to replace Jack’s place in their life. Instead, he is prepared to make his own unique place in the mother-son duo’s family with respect to the shadow Jack’s love and life will always cast over their lives. Thus, Jack’s medal ultimately becomes a compelling stepping stone for the transitional phase of Elizabeth and Nathan’s romance.
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