Thirteen seasons in, When Calls the Heart isn’t trying to surprise anyone—and it never really has. You watch it because you know the rhythms, the values, and the emotional tone, and the Season 13 premiere, “Up in the Air”, leans into that comfortably. After the ups and downs of Season 12, this episode feels like the show finding its footing again.
We’re roughly around 1922 now, give or take. The timeline has always been flexible, but it feels right, especially with the continuation of Little Jack’s diabetes storyline. The town coming together to push for an insulin clinic actually makes sense for the period—insulin had just been discovered in 1921, early treatments were emerging, and refrigeration was a real challenge. It doesn’t feel like the show reaching for drama so much as reflecting a real, new medical hope.
The railroad strike delaying the inspector is another smart touch and very believable for the early 1920s. Nathan’s solution—flying the inspector in—is classic Nathan. It’s romantic, sure, but also practical, and bush pilots were absolutely part of the landscape by then. It works without breaking the world of the show, despite what looked like a toy plane as the prop.
Nathan and Elizabeth continue to feel steady and earned. His loyalty is consistent, and Elizabeth’s instinct to sacrifice her own happiness for everyone else is very on brand. What’s different now is that she’s being allowed to stay and choose joy without it feeling like a mistake. Lucas’s awkward overthinking with Edie is a nice contrast—smaller stakes, but very relatable, and a reminder that he’s still figuring things out in a new way.
The town moments—the park, the playhouse, the stoplight—are simple but charming. The kids being involved keeps the focus on community, and Minnie stepping in to teach highlights how strong the ensemble still is this far into the series.
The ending cliffhanger with smoke in the park is familiar territory for WCTH. It’s effective, even if longtime viewers can see the shape of it coming. The show definitely revisits certain patterns, but at this point, that familiarity feels intentional rather than lazy.
Overall, “Up in the Air” is a solid, comforting return. It balances emotion, community, and just enough historical grounding to feel real. Thirteen seasons later, Hope Valley still feels like a place worth spending time in.
