Ep 2. Honestly, Elizabeth

When Calls the Heart is a period drama television series that takes place in the early 1900s in a small Canadian town called Hope Valley. Elizabeth Thatcher, a young teacher from a privileged background, moves to the town to start her teaching career. Throughout the series, viewers follow Elizabeth's journey as she becomes acquainted with the small town's inhabitants and establishes herself as a respected member of the community.

Season 8 premiered on February 21, 2021, and episode 2 is titled "Honestly, Elizabeth." In this episode, Elizabeth finds herself torn between two suitors. Nathan Grant, the town's mountie, and Lucas Bouchard, a saloon owner that Elizabeth is working with to develop the town's new library. Up to this point, Elizabeth has been hesitant to explore a romantic relationship with either man and focuses instead on her career and raising her young son Jack. However, as the men become more forthcoming with their feelings towards her, Elizabeth is forced to reconsider her options.

Meanwhile, the town of Hope Valley is buzzing with the news of a new business owner who is set to open a store on Main Street. Fiona Miller, an old friend of Elizabeth's, arrives in town to open a dress shop. Despite the excitement surrounding the new shop, Fiona's arrival also brings about some tension between her and another shop owner who feels threatened by the competition.

As the episode progresses, viewers get a deeper glimpse into the lives of some of the other Hope Valley residents. Lee and Rosemary Coulter, the town's power couple, face some struggles as they try to decide whether or not to expand their business. The fallout from the previous episode's cliffhanger leaves Faith Carter questioning her future in Hope Valley.

As always, the episode features some heartwarming and touching moments that make When Calls the Heart such a beloved show. Viewers get to enjoy the charm of small-town life while also following the characters through their personal struggles and triumphs.

Overall, "Honestly, Elizabeth" is a strong continuation of the season 8 storyline. The tension between the love interests adds a new layer of drama to the show, while the other plotlines continue to develop in intriguing ways. The episode format follows the episodic format of "When Calls the Heart" with a number of subplots running parallel to the main romantic storyline. As always, the episode features great writing, acting, costume design and cinematography. This makes it highly entertaining for those who are looking for quality family drama.