When Calls the Heart Season 13 Episode 2 Review: “Up in Smoke” Showcased the Meaning of Home as Two Communities Came Together

Critic’s Rating: 4.7 / 5.0

4.7

While When Calls the Heart may have changed since its early years, Season 13 feels like home again.

When Calls the Heart Season 13 Episode 2 was my favorite episode in many years because it highlighted the series’ true essence: hope, friendship, and community.

The fire destroyed part of Hope Valley and Benson Hills, but the communities joined together to mourn and rebuild. We saw poignant moments from almost every character.

While it shouldn’t take a tragedy to use every character properly, I still appreciated that “Up in Smoke” highlighted how most of Hope Valley’s residents coped with the aftermath of the fire.

A Fire Showcased What Really Mattered in Hope Valley

I’ll admit it. While this episode was one of my favorites, it triggered me. I’ve been in a house fire, so arsonists starting any fire triggers me. I learned at a young age about loss and rebuilding, and that family matters most.

These types of storylines remind you what matters in life.

I suspected the men would get the kids out, but I still cried at each rescue and reunion because they were so emotional. We’ve barely seen Opal or Toby with their mothers, but the relief was evident.

Seeing what everyone lost from the Martell Ranch to Goldie’s National Park hurt. But everyone survived.

It was like Elizabeth said at the end. When she thought about what to bring with them in case they had to evacuate, it was partly practical, like Little Jack’s insulin on ice.

It was also photographs and his baseball stuff, but it wasn’t what made home; it was the people, and thankfully, everyone was encountered.

This episode felt like coming home, and while I hope we don’t always watch a tragedy, hopefully, the sense of community stays.

Hope Valley Opens Its Arms to Benson Hills

I love how Lee and Rosemary didn’t hesitate and made plans to accommodate as many people from Benson Hills as necessary.

It didn’t matter if they’d been rivals before. They needed help.

Minnie and Cooper prepared food, and Ned and Florence donated canned goods, while other residents opened their homes if there wasn’t room at the visitor’s center.

Most of the evacuees seemed quiet until Maisy Hickam arrived, and she looked grateful to see some familiar faces.

I felt sorry for her since she was usually so fierce, and her town likely lost everything.

There’s one bad apple in every bunch, and one man tried to take an entire crate of canned goods and started a ruckus in town.

While he was a jerk, I suspect the fight was meant to show how sick Bill had become or to make Oliver look better in Allie’s eyes.

That had to be one of his first arrests as he winked at her.

Bill has always been the type who wants in on the action, so he didn’t appreciate his lungs taking him out and complained until Molly reminded him how hard Faith had been working on the residents of both towns.

Only the Coulters Reach a Distressed Little Girl

Elizabeth is usually fantastic with children, so it was almost amusing that she couldn’t get Gwendolyn to respond to her.

Part of that was that the little girl longed for news about her father, and she needed to be allowed to be a child.

Hanging around Goldie let her do that, and Elizabeth and Rosemary heard Gwendolyn giggle for the first time.

That gave them the idea that Gwendolyn should live with the Coulters temporarily to help with Goldie, and that they would find her as soon as her father arrived.

I felt for the girl when she learned her dad was in the hospital and she couldn’t see him for weeks, but at least Rosemary and Lee will take good care of her.

When Calls the Heart seems to like these temporary guardianship stories since that’s how Faith gained custody of Lily.

I wonder if Gwendolyn will become a full-time resident of Hope Valley.

Lucas Charms the Children, Endearing Edie to Him

I’m relieved that When Calls the Heart remembered how well Lucas interacts with children. While I’ve never seen him perform magic tricks, it suited his personality and helped the scared children relax.

Rosemary and Elizabeth noticed how well he put a few children at ease, so they asked him to perform a larger show for the entire group.

They were a tough crowd, laughing and pointing out whenever he dropped the disappearing handkerchief, but you could tell they enjoyed the magic tricks.

Edie enjoyed the show as much as the children did, especially when he repeated the coin trick in his office, revealing that it was one of her uncle’s gold coins.

I loved their flirty banter, knowing she’d never turn him in for keeping it, saying she appreciated his kindness, and it’s with more than gold.

Those two sizzle with their sultry looks, and it’s obvious they care deeply about each other. I’m enjoying the slow burn, but hope they’ll reveal their true feelings by the end of the season.

Hope Valley Grieved Together, But They Wanted Vengeance

I’m still crying as I write this review. There were some of the most emotional moments in this episode.

I’m so used to seeing humorous moments from the Hickman family. Yet, Mike looked devastated, knowing his family could have been in danger, and seemed determined to comfort and help Maisy rebuild.

Lee and Rosemary looked equally crushed that Goldie National Park and the playhouse were destroyed. 

I’m sure Rosemary meant that the children’s safety and survival were all that truly mattered, as we saw more moments of Minnie with Cooper than we have in a long time. A mother’s love knows no bounds.

However, these losses only made Lee more determined to find the arsonist, since he believed there was no accidental fire.

I’ve never seen Lee so angry or insistent. He generally wants solid proof, and I suspect a new mystery has begun.

Over to you, Hearties. What are your thoughts on “Up in Smoke?’ Do you think McGinty is guilty? How long do you think it’ll take to rebuild both towns?

Let us know in the comments.

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