We’ve come to the second-to-last episode of Heartland season 18! And, within the common end-of-season trend, this episode delivered a cliffhanger to maintain us hooked till the season’s finish.
Within the episode, Jack and Tim launched into a fishing journey with Nathan, aiming to bury the hatchet of their ongoing feud, whereas Lou’s dedication led her into a deadly state of affairs that put her life in peril.
Within the meantime, Amy and Caleb teamed as much as save a horse in misery. Jessica, Lisa, and Katie stepped as much as spherical up Heartland’s escaped cattle, leading to some heartfelt moments. And Tim wrestled together with his determination about his new profession alternative as his relationship with Jack confronted a pivotal second.
Need to know extra about what occurred on this rollercoaster of an episode? Then carry on studying this recap of Heartland season 18 episode 9!
A fishing journey for mending fences
As we noticed within the earlier episode, after what occurred on the market, Jack was able to lastly finish their feud with Nathan Pryce. However, because it wasn’t as straightforward as simply saying they forgive one another and transferring on, Jack and Tim persuaded Nathan to go on a fishing journey with them to determine a approach in the direction of reconciliation.
Regardless of Lou’s issues that the journey was a waste of time higher spent specializing in their enterprise, Jack and Tim believed mending fences with Nathan was important for Heartland’s future. Due to this fact, they had been keen to do all the things of their energy to make the journey occur.
At first, Nathan hesitated to hitch the expedition, what together with his father having a nasty day and refusing to take his treatment simply earlier than they had been set to go away. Nevertheless, Jack insisted that the outing might do Nathan – and his father – some good. So, the trio squeezed into Jack’s truck and set off.
As they arrived on the riverbank, the journey bought off to a shaky begin. Jack and Tim realized that that they had forgotten their cooler of lunch, prompting Nathan to supply to share his snacks. Nevertheless, quickly sufficient, the boys had been knee-deep within the river and fortunately fishing.
Jack initiated the dialog, which rapidly turned to Nathan’s struggles. And surprisingly, it wasn’t as awkward as you’ll assume as a result of after Tim shared that his mom had battled dementia earlier than she died, making a bridge of understanding between the boys, Nathan opened up concerning the toll his father’s Alzheimer’s was taking up him.
Nathan admitted to moments of frustration and even guilt, confessing that he’s contemplating placing his father in a care facility – a thought that deeply conflicted him since he feared that it might worsen his father’s situation extra rapidly. However after Jack reassured Nathan that his emotions didn’t make him a nasty son, Nathan acknowledged how a lot he wanted this fishing journey as a break from the heaviness of his dad’s sickness.
That led to Jack saying that the river is an effective place to make peace with issues and segueing into speaking a few attainable peace between the 2 households.
Nathan was open to mending fences, however he additionally admitted that he didn’t fairly know tips on how to obtain that given their sophisticated state of affairs. So Tim and Jack proposed a path ahead – they urged abandoning the competitors over unique offers and, as an alternative, becoming a member of forces and suggesting to Crown Shopper that each Heartland Beef and Pryce Beef merchandise be provided within the shops so prospects can determine for themselves which product they like.
Understandably, Nathan was hesitant, uncertain if Crown would agree, in any case, Crown Buyers appeared to love how exclusivity seems on their billboards. However Jack’s reasoning was sound: he was satisfied that presenting a united entrance to Crown can be sufficient to steer them to hold each households’ merchandise.
Nathan agreed to provide the concept a shot. And their dialog ended on a excessive word, with Tim catching the primary fish of the day.
By the point they returned to Nathan’s ranch, the three males had discovered a brand new degree of respect for each other, Nathan even apologizing for escalating their feud. Jack, in flip, vowed to talk with Lou about approaching Crown with their proposal of getting Pryce Beef and Heartland Beef on the identical shelf.
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So, it turned out that the fishing journey wasn’t nearly mending fences; it was about therapeutic outdated wounds and constructing new bridges, setting the stage for a friendlier, extra aligned future for the 2 households.
I’m so comfortable to see Heartland and Pryce Beef lastly be on the identical web page about issues. Hopefully, this peace will final, and Crown Buyers will see the advantage of having each of their merchandise of their shops.
The potential of the top of an period
Whereas we’re on the subject of Jack and Tim, this episode additionally had a little bit of a conclusion to the storyline on Jack not being comfortable about Tim’s new rodeo commentator gig.
Tim had hoped that the fishing journey can be his likelihood to speak to Jack about his massive alternative. Nevertheless, because the journey rapidly developed right into a approach to mend fences with Nathan, Tim wasn’t actually in a position to get into it with Jack.
So, after the duo dropped Nathan again at his ranch and promised to speak to Lou about approaching Crown about their thought, Jack pulled over on the aspect of the street and eventually admitted the complete motive why he was so sad about Tim’s new gig.
Jack revealed that his hesitation about Tim’s new job wasn’t on account of doubts about Tim’s capabilities or the significance of the chance; in reality, it was the other.
Jack was satisfied that after the community acknowledged Tim’s worth, they might need him completely. Due to this fact, he knew that even when Tim meant to fly forwards and backwards to Dallas and nonetheless assist out on the ranch, it in all probability wouldn’t final lengthy as a result of, quickly sufficient, Tim can be in Dallas greater than on the ranch. And since no employed hand might measure as much as Tim, Jack knew that when Tim left for his new gig, it might be the top of an period for them.
Jack: “I have to say one thing. The rationale I don’t need you to take that job is I don’t wish to have to do that by myself.”
Tim: “Nicely, you received’t be. Lou’s not going anyplace. Plus, you’ll be able to afford to rent assist.”
Jack: “That received’t minimize it. You’re going to be nice at this job, Tim. They usually’re going to need you greater than a pair weekends right here and there.”
Tim: “It’s not that type of gig, Jack.”
Jack: “Not but, however as soon as they notice what they’ve, what you’ve, that’ll be it. You’ll be crisscrossing the nation. Further employed assistance will preserve the ranch working, certain, however should you take this job, it’ll be the top of an period… and also you’re asking me to simply smile and offer you my blessing prefer it’s nothing.”
Tim: “Nicely, I’ll miss you, too, Jack.”
It was an uncharacteristic second of vulnerability from Jack, who sometimes masked his feelings behind gruff knowledge. However Tim acknowledged and acknowledged Jack’s reward for what it was and instructed Jack that he would miss Jack, too.
It was clear that though Tim had already accepted the gig, he wasn’t 100% satisfied that it was the best transfer anymore.
Will that translate into Tim altering his thoughts concerning the alternative, although? I’m undecided. Though there gave the impression to be doubts in Tim’s thoughts concerning the gig, he additionally appeared to nonetheless be decided to pursue it. So, we’ll have to attend for the ultimate episode and see the way it pans out.
I feel I will likely be comfortable both approach as a result of though it might be good to see Tim keep at Heartland and them persevering with to develop their cattle enterprise, it might even be enjoyable if we noticed even a glimpse of Tim pursuing this thrilling new alternative.
Cowgirls at work
One other actually surprising storyline on Heartland season 18 episode 9, which ended up being one among my favorites of the episode, was the one about how Jessica, Lisa, and Katie stepped as much as assist Amy spherical up escaped cattle.
At the start portion of the episode, we noticed Jessica cooking French toast within the kitchen for a gal’s brunch, seeing as Jack and Tim had been off fishing. And when Katie tried to get out of sitting down with Jessica, Lisa, and Amy to eat, Lisa persuaded Katie to remain, telling the teenager how she hadn’t seen Katie out of her room all week.
Nevertheless, their brunch plans had been interrupted by Amy telling them how some cattle had escaped on account of a gate being open or a fence being down someplace on their property. And, since Tim and Jack had already left for his or her journey, Jessica and Lisa provided to assist Amy spherical them up, bringing Katie alongside, too.
It turned out {that a} steer had damaged a fence, they usually had not less than 15 lacking. In order that they made a plan – Lisa, Jessica, and Katie would spherical up the closest escapees whereas Amy would go get the 2 that crossed the freeway.
The trio labored seamlessly collectively, corralling the escaped cattle shut by again to the pen after which going out to search for the lacking few. And Lisa’s current roping classes with Jack and Jessica’s newly acquired roping abilities from her journey out west proved invaluable after they found one of many lacking steers entangled in barbed wire.
Lisa took the lead, securing the steer’s head, whereas Jessica expertly roped its legs. In the meantime, Katie was tasked with the essential job of chopping away the barbed wire. And, regardless of her preliminary nervousness, she managed to free the steer from the wire rapidly, although not with out by chance chopping her hand on the sharp wire.
The barbed wire damage compounded her emotions of inadequacy, main her to doubt her skills as a cowgirl and query whether or not she really slot in at Heartland. So, after rounding up the previous couple of cattle, Katie opened up about her insecurities to Jessica and Lisa whereas they had been fixing the fence.
The 2 older girls had been fast to reassure Katie, explaining that being a cowgirl wasn’t about becoming into a selected mildew; it was about defining your individual path. They usually additionally shared every of their journeys of balancing numerous passions with their love for ranch life and inspired Katie that she might have all of it, too.
Katie: “I suppose I’m not a lot of a cowgirl.”
Jessica: “Katie, you’re as a lot of a cowgirl as me and Lisa.”
Lisa: “True.”
Katie: “You guys don’t must say that. I’ve accepted that I don’t actually match the ranch lady mould.”
Lisa: “Katie, you’re placing limitations on your self that make no sense. Hear, Jessica and I’ve travelled and pursued our desires..”
Jessica: “Each in our private lives and our careers.”
Lisa: “Yeah!”
Jessica: “You’ll be able to attempt all of it. That is your journey, sweetheart.”
Lisa: “And look, right now, right here we’re, proving that we will rustle up some runaway cattle too, proper?”
This heartfelt dialog appeared to point out Katie that there’s a world the place she might stability her inventive aspirations and her ranch roots.
Whereas we don’t but know if the dialog modified Katie’s thoughts about wanting to maneuver to Vancouver (I count on we are going to discover out about that within the season finale), it actually appeared to click on one thing for Katie.
And it was additionally an attractive showcase of how supportive the ladies of Heartland are of each other.
Amy and Caleb’s horse rescue
Whereas Jessica, Lisa and Katie had been engaged on rounding up the closest escapees, Amy was out looking for the few steers that bought farther from the ranch. And whereas doing so she stumbled upon an injured horse confined to a dilapidated shed.
The horse, later recognized as Dodger, had a extreme wound on its neck and displayed indicators of extended neglect. Nevertheless, Amy’s efforts to intervene had been abruptly halted when the property’s proprietor turned up on the shed with a shotgun, forcing Amy to go away with out serving to the horse.
Again at Heartland, Caleb arrived for a go to, solely to seek out Amy deeply troubled by Dodger’s state of affairs.
She had known as the Humane Society, however they instructed Amy that they wouldn’t be capable of ship anybody to examine on the horse for not less than every week. So, after she recounted the encounter to Caleb, he acknowledged the ranch’s title, recalling its proprietor Tommy as a former acquaintance from his rodeo days, and provided to accompany Amy again to the property, assured he might motive with Tommy and guarantee Dodger obtained the care he wanted.
What Caleb forgot to say to Amy was his rocky historical past with Tommy – Caleb had gone out with a lady Tommy had emotions for throughout their time on the rodeo circuit – so after they arrived at Tommy’s ranch, tensions rapidly escalated.
Tommy, clearly struggling together with his personal points, met them with hostility and even swung at Caleb. Amy urged they name the cops on Tommy, however Caleb insisted that Tommy wanted assist and assist, not legislation enforcement, and resolved to offer simply that.
Whereas Caleb stood outdoors Tommy’s door and reminisced about their shared rodeo previous, Amy labored to evaluate and deal with Dodger’s accidents.
After the preliminary therapy, Amy led the horse out of the shed, which was when Tommy lastly noticed the severity of the state of affairs. That led to Tommy lastly opening up and revealing that Dodger was his spouse’s horse. She had left him to maneuver to the town with their daughter, and since then, he has been struggling to manage, together with neglecting Dodger.
Caleb’s empathetic strategy of sharing his personal experiences of dealing with laborious instances and discovering the power to maneuver ahead for his son resonated with Tommy, who agreed to let Amy and Caleb take Dodger again to Heartland for restoration whereas he labored on getting again on his toes.
Again on the ranch, Amy praised Caleb for his compassion and understanding, recognizing how far he had come as a father and a good friend. Caleb, in flip, sensed Amy was carrying her personal burdens and inspired her to open up.
And, seeing how Caleb is her greatest good friend, open up she did.
Amy admitted how shaken she was by Lyndy going lacking on the farmer’s market. And, after Caleb prodded her about her relationship with Nathan, she additionally instructed him about how she was dissatisfied that Nathan hadn’t fought tougher for his or her relationship regardless that she was the one who urged to not proceed their budding romance because of the feud.
Caleb: “What’s actually happening with you, Amy? You don’t lose your cool over just a few unfastened buttons, so…”
Amy: “TeWe misplaced Lyndy on the market final week. She’s secure. She simply ended up being on the park, however I’ve by no means been so scared. Something might have occurred to her.”
Caleb: “Nevertheless it didn’t, and also you discovered her secure and sound, so.”
Amy: “Nathan discovered her, truly.”
Caleb: “Ah, sure. Nathan. How’s that going?”
Amy: “It’s not. We determined that it was simply too sophisticated with our ranches competing.”
Caleb: “And he agreed? I assumed he had extra combat in him than that.”
Amy: “I used to be the one which urged it. However after, I spotted that I used to be type of dissatisfied that he simply agreed so simply. I suppose I’m not value combating for.”
Caleb: “Amy, that’s the craziest factor you’ve ever stated in your life. This says all the things about him and nothing about you. In fact you’re value combating for. Any idiot can see that.”
Caleb, in return, reminded Amy of her value and the way a lot she deserved somebody who would cherish and combat for her, bringing the 2 even nearer collectively and showcasing what a really superb bond they share.
Is there nonetheless an opportunity for Amy to finish up with Caleb?
To be trustworthy, I’m undecided. The 2 are actually shut, and Caleb telling Amy how she’s value combating for did appear to make her view him in a unique mild. However did it change the fully platonic emotions Amy retains insisting she has for Caleb? Who is aware of. I don’t assume even Amy is aware of that.
However I did like listening to Caleb telling Amy how Nathan was a idiot for not combating for her tougher. It provides the Amy and Caleb shipper in me a glimmer of hope that there nonetheless could possibly be an opportunity for them sooner or later.
Lou’s perilous trip
Lastly, let’s discuss Lou’s arc on this episode, which was essentially the most dramatic of all of them when her seemingly peculiar trip became a harrowing ordeal.
Lou was scheduled to fly to Vancouver that day. However when her flight was delayed, she determined to kill time by taking Stetson out for a trip.
Whereas out, she stumbled upon an overturned water silo on Heartland’s property. Decided to repair the problem, Lou entered the pen, fully unaware of the hazard looming close by.
Out of the blue, a bison charged Lou and Stetson out of nowhere, spooking the horse and throwing Lou to the bottom.
The drive of the autumn knocked her out, and when she regained consciousness, the bison was nonetheless close by.
Lou’s instant try and get out of hazard revealed a extra troubling downside: her leg was severely injured, stopping her from standing up and strolling away, and her cellphone was damaged within the fall. Even worse, she appeared to have misplaced her radio, leaving her fully stranded.
So, she was left to crawl out of the pen and assess issues.
Realizing the severity of her state of affairs, Lou made a daring determination – she used her belt and a department to stabilize her injured leg and tried to remount Stetson. However her accidents made it inconceivable to get again on the horse, so she had no different alternative however to ship Stetson house alone, hoping that the horse’s return would alert somebody to her predicament.
Initially reluctant to go away her, Stetson lastly galloped off, leaving Lou to put on the bottom within the solar, injured and alone.
Lou was out and in of consciousness, suggesting she may need a severe head damage as properly, till she overheard Lisa calling Amy on the radio after they completed rounding up the cattle.
That’s when Lou realized that her radio was close by within the bison pen. So Lou tried crawling towards it, however the ache and exhaustion overwhelmed her, and he or she was unable to succeed in it.
In the meantime, again on the ranch, Katie observed Lou’s luggage and pockets nonetheless at house when she went to Lou’s room for a bandage for her injured hand and rapidly raised alarm bells about her mother’s whereabouts.
The adults tried calming Katie down, telling her that Lou was in all probability OK; nevertheless, when Katie was out of earshot, they, too, realized that the state of affairs was dire. So, Amy and Caleb got down to search for Lou whereas Lisa known as Peter and stayed again on the ranch with Katie and Jessica in case Lou turned up.
Whereas pacing the home, Katie observed their walkie-talkies, and seeing that just a few had been lacking, she tried calling Lou on it. Listening to her daughter’s voice over the radio appeared to provide Lou simply sufficient power to crawl to the gadget. But, Lou, in her disoriented state, solely managed to inform Katie that she cherished her and the way proud she was of her daughter earlier than dropping consciousness once more. Which left everybody much more apprehensive.
Amy and Caleb weren’t having any luck discovering Lou both since she could possibly be anyplace on the property. Fortunately, whereas out looking out, they noticed Stetson wandering round alone. This confirmed to Amy that one thing had gone terribly fallacious, in order that they hurried after Stetson, who led them again to Lou.
Caleb and Amy discovered Lou mendacity on the bottom, visibly in shock and barely aware. And since there wasn’t any cellphone service out the place Lou was, Caleb rode off to name for an ambulance as rapidly as he might whereas Amy stayed with Lou, providing consolation and reassurance.
The episode ended with Lou drifting out and in of consciousness as Amy struggled to maintain her awake however was in the end unsuccessful, leaving us anxiously awaiting Lou’s destiny.
What a cliffhanger to finish the second-to-last episode of the season on, proper?
Given how severe Lou’s accidents had been, she really confirmed unbelievable power on this episode since she was in a position to get Stetson to go for assist earlier than her accidents began overtaking her.
And the top of the episode was made all of the extra dramatic by the truth that initially of it, Amy and Lou’s relationship was nonetheless very a lot strained because of the Farmer’s Market fiasco and the household’s feud with Nathan. Amy even refused Lou’s assist with Lyndy’s costume for her play. So, discovering her sister injured and fading should have been much more stunning to Amy, particularly since she couldn’t get Lou to get up anymore after Caleb rode off to seek out assist.
Do I feel Lou goes to die? No, I don’t. Particularly because the description for the ultimate episode of the season tells us that the household will likely be internet hosting an open home – an thought Lou shared early on this episode.
However there’ll in all probability be some extreme penalties to Lou’s accidents.
I wager that it’d assist Lou and Amy restore their relationship, and Lou and Katie get again on strong floor, too. And it’d even result in Tim realizing that it’s not the best time for him to take the brand new gig. However will all this actually occur?
You’ll have to look forward to subsequent week’s recap to seek out out!
Closing ideas Heartland season 18 episode 9
This was one of the crucial high-stakes episodes we’ve had for some time.
Whereas the fishing journey provided hope for reconciliation, Lou’s harrowing ordeal added some severe drama to the episode. And the present balanced all of it out with some superbly heartfelt moments, setting the stage for a satisfying finish of the season.
What did you consider this episode?
Had been you moved by Nathan’s vulnerability or Lou’s resilience? And what did you consider the heart-to-hearts that Tim and Jack and Amy and Caleb had throughout this episode?
Let me know within the feedback under! And I’ll see you again on this weblog subsequent week for the recap of the season 18 finale.
Preview of Heartland season 18 episode 10
The Heartland season 18 finale episode will likely be aptly known as “Open Home” and can see Heartland host an Open Home to carry the household and the neighborhood collectively, together with some outdated and new mates.
