The TV Column

When Calls the Heart begins second season

Season 2 of Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart begins at 7 p.m. Saturday. The period romantic drama stars (from left) Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow and Daniel Lissing.
Season 2 of Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart begins at 7 p.m. Saturday. The period romantic drama stars (from left) Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow and Daniel Lissing.

You know you love those sappy Hallmark romance dramas. They're like slipping on a comfy robe and fuzzy slippers and simply relaxing.

Well, here's another one starring some old favorites.

When Calls the Heart kicks off Season 2 at 7 p.m. Saturday with the special two-hour episode, "Trials of the Heart." If you are unfamiliar with the series, here's all you need to know.

The series is inspired by Janette Oke's books about the Canadian West in the early 20th century and stars Erin Krakow (Army Wives) as Elizabeth Thatcher, an idealistic young teacher accustomed to high society and the privileged life.

The independent and strong-willed Elizabeth experiences culture shock when she gets her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley, a small mining town filled with challenges.

Chief among the hardships is that a recent suspicious explosion killed more than a dozen miners, forcing their widows to work in the mines to make ends meet.

One of the mine widows is Abigail Stanton (Lori Loughlin, Full House), whose husband was foreman at the site of the tragedy. She is one of the first to welcome Elizabeth and they quickly become friends. When Elizabeth accidentally burns down the little teacherage, Abigail gladly welcomes her into her home.

Abigail then opens a cafe and she and Elizabeth move into the upstairs rooms.

At the end of Season 1, Abigail is enjoying the company (too soon?) of dashing Bill Avery (Jack Wagner, Melrose Place, The Bold and the Beautiful), a forensic investigator sent to town to investigate the explosion.

Stalwart Constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing, Last Resort), also a newcomer, is not so friendly (at first) to Elizabeth. He believes her wealthy father stymied his law enforcement career by having Jack assigned to the backwoods town so he could keep an eye on Elizabeth.

Naturally, because this is Hallmark, Elizabeth and Jack become closer and a romance blooms. In the final episode of Season 1, they share a kiss.

Before Elizabeth and Jack can get too serious in the Season 2 premiere, Elizabeth receives a telegram from home, informing her that her mother is seriously ill.

Jack insists on escorting Elizabeth back to her hometown of Hamilton, but when they arrive, Elizabeth's snooty parents, William and Grace (Garwin Sanford, Lynda Boyd), as well as her sister, Viola (Devon Weigel), are not pleased to see that Elizabeth is so chummy with a ... a ... mountie.

Meanwhile, back in Coal Valley, Abigail is trying to avoid Bill after discovering he is (gasp!) married. She turns her attention to the mining disaster trial and the shocking -- shocking -- testimony of a surprise witness.

Now you're all set for the new season. Enjoy.

Dance time. If romantic drama isn't your fancy, try ballroom dancing. Season 5 of America's Ballroom Challenge paso dobles in at 8 p.m. Friday on AETN.

Wait. A reality competition series on PBS? At least they're not naked and afraid.

Episode 1 features the six finalists in the American Smooth and American Rhythm divisions compete as a group, performing the standard dances in their respective categories, with judges scoring their performances. Then each couple performs a "Showdance" solo.

Hosts for the three-part season are former U.S. dance champions Mary Murphy and Tony Meredith. After a winning couple is crowned in each of the four styles (the two above and International Standard and International Latin), the four champions compete across dance styles in a best-of-show grand finale to determine a single winner.

Wait. A reality competition series on PBS?

Vikings farewell. The Season 3 finale airs at 9 p.m. today on History Channel. Will Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and his intrepid band finally take Paris? Will Ragnar even survive? He looks fairly terminal.

Vikings has been renewed for a fourth season.

Bruce Jenner. If you care about the Kardashians and those in their weird and wacky orbit, you won't want to miss 20/20 and "Bruce Jenner -- The Interview" at 8 p.m. Friday on ABC. The 65-year-old former Olympian chats with Diane Sawyer about his decision to transition into a woman.

Warning: Bruce's tale is going to take a full two hours.

Homeboy returns. Little Rock native Corin Nemec (Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Stargate SG-1) is the hero in the latest Syfy silliness. The crossover mash-up Lake Placid vs. Anaconda airs at 7 p.m. Saturday. Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street series) and Yancy Butler (Witchblade) co-star.

Those who remember the 43-year-old Joseph Charles Nemec IV as "Corky" may recall Nemec's memorable performance as Jim Duffy in the thrilling 2013 Syfy film Robocroc.

The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email:

mstorey@arkansasonline.com

Weekend on 04/23/2015

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