Original subtitles

"There's triumph in the anvil's stroke.

"There's merit in the brave and strong,

Who dig the mine or fell the oak."

That's very nice, Gabe.

"The... The...

"No... Ba...

[kids giggling]

"Baum.

Where are you reading from, Bo'?

"No-ba-ba" ain't a word.

You know you're excused from having to read aloud

in your group.

James told me it ain't fair you have me skip.

It ain't, Miss Thatcher.

In my classroom,

I get to determine what's fair and what isn't fair.

How about showing some compassion?

You know Bo just started up at school again

after along absence.

It ain't my fault

the old teacher told him to stay home because he can't read.

Well, your old teacher isn't in charge anymore.

Lam.

Yes, ma'am.

[Elizabeth, writing] In the few months I've lived in Coal Valley,

I've discovered it to be community,

in the truest sense of the word.

These families have been through so much...

A mine disaster that claimed a third of the fathers

and a fire that claimed the church and school,

which forced my classroom info a saloon.

Even I've had to go through my share of trouble,

when a con artist named Billy duped me,

but people here love each other

and protect each other,

and they have to,

because this is a company town, where nothing happens

without the company knowing about it.

I was just at the mercantile,

and Ned Yost asked if I wouldn't mind

dropping this off to you.

That's very kind of you, thank you.

You didn't have to go to that trouble. No trouble.

I do hope it's what I think it is.

it is.

"The Compendium of Brain Disorders and Neurology,"

"Congenital Word Blindness..."

"Strephosymbolia and Reading Strategies."

Well, I can't say I got a word of that.

This just couldn't have come at a better time.

I wrote to one of my old professors,

Dr. Henshelwood, about one of my students.

He's done work with children with reading troubles

That is absolutely revolutionary.

I thought he had forgotten all about me.

You're not an easy person to forget.

Thank you...

I think.

Jack, I...

I feel really... bad...

about everything that...

happened.

You know, with Billy'?

No.

You don't have any reason to feel bad.

Billy Hamilton was a con man.

He was a professional manipulator.

That's true.

And I was duped by him.

But I finally saw through his charade"

I don't want you to blame yourself.

For falling under his spell.

Well, I didn't exactly fall under his spell...

No, no,

what I meant was, he fooled you.

I'm not saying that you're a fool...

exactly...

Then what are you saying...

exactly?

No, I-I'm just saying that

women of a certain age are an easy mark...

Now you're calling me desperate?

What'? No.

I would really love to sit and chat about my many weaknesses,

but, as you can see, I have quite a lot of work to do.

I'm just trying to help you.

I'm just trying to speak to you as a friend.

Thank you for bringing the package.

I hope you have a nice day.

(Elizabeth) He is absolutely impertinent.

I mean, yes, he saw through that con man first,

and, yes, I was fooled by him for a while, but...

Elizabeth, maybe it's not Jack you're mad at.

Maybe your pride is a bit bruised.

You have every reason to be angry at the situation.

I'm not angry.

Clearly.

Jack seems to take pleasure

in reminding me how inane I was.

He even implied that I was so desperate to find a husband,

that I couldn't think straight.

This is amazing.

If I keep living here, I'm going to bust out of my clothes altogether.

My grandmother's recipe.

He's made it perfectly clear that, as a mountie,

he's not interested in committing to a woman,

so I don't understand why he's taken such an interest

in my love life. Hmm.

These are heavenly.

Have another.

Mm... I couldn't.

Maybe just one more.

You know, Abigail,

my family has employed some of the best chefs

from some of the finest culinary schools,

and your scones and pies are lighter and tastier

than any I ever had at home.

Do you really think so'?

I know so.

Noah did love my baking.

I took great pride

in cooking for him and my son, Peter.

And they did often brag to others about my cooking,

but they only had me to compare to.

I mean, certainly not that fancy, big-city food you're talking about.

Well, trust me, they were right,

whether in the big city, or here in Coal Valley.

[woman] Bo, someone's here to see you.

Miss Thatcher?

If this is about my homework,

I'm real sorry.

It's taking me longer than I thought it would,

and I promise I'll get it by tomorrow.

I've already spoken with your parents.

I'd like for you to stay after school one day this week

to take a special test.

It's nothin' you need to do, son, if you don't want to.

You know when you turn 15, you've got a job in the mine, with me.

Carl, we agreed.

One little test won't hurt anything.

I suppose.

Thank you, Mr. Grady.

You won't regret this.

Miss Thatcher, this is Coal Valley.

80's future is in that mine,

and he don't need to read to make a name for himself down there.

What kind of test'?

Don't worry, Bo.

It's nothing you need to study for.

Okay. If you think I should.

Bo...

These are beautiful.

Did you make these'?

Yup.

From scratch?

Yes, ma'am.

Who taught you'?

Nobody.

I just see them in newspapers and magazines,

and then I make them.

I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like them.

You're very talented, Bo.

Thank you, ma'am.

Good evening!

Oh!

Oh, Abigail.

Good evening, Jack.

What used to be here?

Oh, it was, um, a cafe.

There was a time when all the single miners would eat their meals here.

It was food without the drink of the saloon, but...

the food wasn't much better,

and Henry Gowen shut it down.

Well, more profit in drink than food I suppose.

Exactly.

Uh...

ls there something else?

Actually, I was wondering if you could help me with something.

Well, I'm happy to, if I can.

If...

Let's say a bear saved a deer from a skunk,

A skunk who had every intention of hurting her.

Why...

Why then would the deer be angry at the bear'?

Perhaps the deer's pride is hurt.

Maybe seeing the bear reminds her

that she was silly enough to trust a skunk.

Hmm. I see...

Furthermore, the bear was saving the deer from an untrustworthy animal,

but didn't seem to have any interest in replacing him.

Well, I've... I've lost you.

Jack, Billy was not the right man for Elizabeth.

He was, indeed, a skunk,

but, one day, there will be an appropriate man,

a good man,

who will approach Elizabeth with honorable intentions,

and then she will be taken.

Perhaps approach her

not as a constable who's there to rescue her,

but as a man.

Can I help you, constable?

Actually, it's just Jack tonight,

as you can see.

I stand corrected.

How is your reading student coming along?

Still working on it.

Elizabeth, I was thinking.

I do not see you very often

since I moved out of the saloon.

I miss our friendship.

And I was wondering if you might be inclined

to having supper with me.

To be clear,

when you say you'd like to have supper,

you mean you'd like to come to my house

where I will be the one doing the cooking?

Oh, no.

No, why would you think that'?

So, what then'?

Chili and corn bread here at the saloon?

Yeah.

No. Uh...

I guess I hadn't really thought it through.

Well, I would love to,

but I'm very busy with work,

and I was planning on cleaning out my closet.

Well, I didn't tell you which night I was considering.

Of course. I'm sorry.

How about Friday night'?

Actually,

that's the very night I was planning on cleaning out my closet.

I see.

Well, maybe another time.

Good evening.

Jack...

On second thought,

I actually really could use your help

with one of my students.

Yeah. Of course.

So why don't you meet me here tomorrow night'?

I'll even share a Bowl of chili with you.

(Gowen) You can'! be serious, Mrs. Stanton.

I'm absolutely serious.

A cafe serving sandwiches, soups, teas,

baked goods, and other confections.

Many of the new miners are single

and have no one to cook for them.

The saloon's plenty for a town this size.

People need variety,

a place to gather to break bread together.

Mr. Gowen,

I believe this cafe can get people to spend their money in town.

Make me an offer.

I'm prepared to offer you 25% of the profits.

I will fix the place up myself.

You fix up the place yourself,

you take 25% of the profits,

75% comes to the company.

50-50.

50-50 it is.

But I want your row house.

I have new miners' families coming into town,

and I don't have any place to put them.

Mr. Gowen, that's my home,

where I lived with my husband,

where my son was raised.

Well, there's two rooms above the cafe.

You can live there.

Those are my terms.

I'll give you a week to decide,

but then the offer's off the table.

Now, if you'd excuse me, I have work to do.

Good evening, Miss Thatcher.

Evening.

Thank you for coming.

You're welcome.

Please, sit here, across from me.

I thought we were...

We were going to have some dinner together.

We will.

But you said you wanted to be friends,

and right now I could use a friend to help me with this.

Right.

Right.

I'm going to be administering an intelligence test.

The research shows that some of the smartest students are also the slowest readers,

And my taking this test helps you how'?

I need someone to practice on.

You'll be my guinea pig.

Guinea pig?

Yes. Now scientists are using guinea pigs

for their experimentation.

All right.

It's a written test, but I'd like to open with a question

to assess your basic comprehension level.

Mm-mm.

I want to make sure you can follow simple instructions.

Okay.

Pay me a compliment.

I don't understand.

It's a simple test

to determine whether you can follow directions.

Oh.

I see.

I admire...

how dedicated you are to your students.

Not good?

There is no good or bad,

it's only an opportunity to assess your ability to follow directions...

No, no, I want to change my answer.

Well, that's very unorthodox, but you may.

You look really beautiful tonight.

Very good.

Please take your pencil, turn over your pages and begin.

You will have one hour to complete the test...

and then we can have dinner.

Come on.

What'?

Really?

It will show your ability to...

to "perform prehension provoked by visual perception."

That's a lot of p-words I didn't quite grasp.

Well, here's another p-word for you.

Please...

just do as I ask.

"But when he called on Melly Gray,

"she made him quite a scoff,

"and when she saw his wooden legs,

began to take them off..."

You were right.

There was a bird's nest in the flue.

We were afraid to light the stove

when we heard the chirping.

Did you save the baby birds?

They didn't get hurt when you moved them, did they?

Oh, no, no.

I put them in the oak tree by the well.

Safe and sound.

We are so grateful.

This is the kind of thing Adam would have taken care of.

My daddy can do anything.

Well, you all must miss him very much.

The blessing of fire.

Thank you, constable.

Mama says daddy will be home in one or two weeks.

Well, that's... That's very good news.

All right, let's let Mountie Jack get back to his work.

Let's go upstairs and do your schoolwork.

Yes, mama. Yes, mama.

I feel almost selfish saying this,

when so many families have lost their husbands and fathers, but...

when we get Adam back,

I don't think I'll ever let him leave this house again.

Well, I can understand that.

When you almost lose someone you care about,

you realize all those little arguments

over simple things,

meaningless things,

they just don't matter anymore.

Jack.

I need to talk to you.

Please come in.

Thank you.

Where do I start'?

Life is too short for us to hold onto petty grievances.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Good.

I want you to know

that if you ever need anything...

even if you have the smallest care in the world...

you can count on me.

Knock on my door day or night.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

And if you give me a second chance,

I can do better than chili and corn bread at the saloon.

Bo, there's no reason to be nervous.

I'm not.

It's just, my stomach hurts.

That's because you're nervous.

Ma, do you have to watch'?

Say no more.

I'll just be hanging laundry.

All right, Bo.

Now, it's just as I promised. There's no reading involved.

All you have to do is follow my instructions.

Good.

I'm used to that.

Mom makes me do that on cleaning day.

Is it true you made Mountie Jack take the test'?

Yes.

Did he pass'?

Yes,

but the test is different for everybody,

and you don't need to compare yourself to Mountie Jack.

I'd be okay with that, actually.

All right. First question, Bo.

How many four-sided shapes are in this diagram?

Is it... 30'?

Brilliant.

Simply brilliant.

I think I need to sit down.

Did you hear what Miss Thatcher said, Ma'?

She said I'm smart!

The first step in helping Bo

was to give him an intelligence test.

He scored extremely high.

I can't wait for Pa to get home so I can tell him.

But I'm confused.

How could he take a test if he can't read'?

I read Bo the questions,

and he remembered all of them.

I think Bo has a condition called "word blindness."

A fancy name for it is "dyslexia."

I've never heard of such a thing.

The research is very new,

but I think with the right tools and methods,

Bo will be able to learn to read.

I knew it.

That old bat of a teacher

we had before you,

she kept calling him too slow to learn,

but I knew that couldn't be right.

I have a hunch it's all about to change.

And Bo,

with the techniques I've been studying,

I think you can be anything you wish.

A doctor, or a scientist...

Or a teacher, Miss Thatcher.

Oh... I'm flattered.

So, when do we start'?

Oh, my goodness.

Abigail...

where have you been all day'?

Working on a project.

I'm sorry, I just realized there's no dinner.

I'm fine. I just warmed up some leftovers.

So...

What is this project?

Well, I'm not ready to say just yet,

but when I am, you will be the first to know.

Peter was taller than me by the time he was 13.

This house has so many memories.

Abigail...

What is it'?

I'm no longer a wife,

I'm no longer a mother.

I'm just struggling to find my purpose now.

Before I came here,

I thought my purpose was

teaching atone of those big-city schools.

God shut that door,

and he opened up another one,

a much more meaningful one,

And that is teaching here in Coal Valley.

And I just know God will show you

what he wants for you, too, Abigail.

Thank you, Elizabeth.

That's good advice.

Well, I'm hushed.

I'm going to hit the hay.

Good night. Good night.

[clapping and chanting] "The... cat... ran... fast."

"The cat... ran fast."

Very good.

Now clap along to this sentence.

[Bo clapping and reciting]: "The... cat... ran... fast."

They switched the words around that time.

It's all right.

"The... fast... cat... ran." Do you see'?

"The fast... cat ran."

It's just a little a different that time.

It's all right, it's all right.

Let's move on to this sentence instead.

“Jane... saw... the... big... house."

Let's sing it together, shall we'?

But I already tried singing...

What are you doing, Miss Thatcher?

What's this about'?

We were just working on some reading exercises.

What exercises?

All I heard you talking about was some test.

Carl, don't scold them.

I gave Miss Thatcher permission

to start working with Bo.

(Carl) Why didn't you tell me?

Because I didn't want you to nix it

before it even had a chance to help, that's why.

He needs this.

Bo, would you go upstairs, please?

I need to have a word with Miss Thatcher.

Mr. Grady,

these techniques are going to help Bo learn to read,

I'm just sure of it.

Look, I don't mean to be ungrateful, Miss Thatcher,

but I did hear what was going on in here,

and your fancy techniques

didn't make an ounce of difference.

Bo just memorized what you wanted him to say.

And then he recited it back to you

like he's always done.

Until you changed it up on him,

and then he couldn't do it.

It might take some more time,

but the research says that with repetition...

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to let you get his hopes up

over somethin' that's never gonna happen.

Mr. Grady, why are you so afraid of letting Bo try this?

Because I love my boy,

and I know how cruel this world can be,

and I don't aim to see him crushed by it.

As long as you're not the one doing the crushing.

His birthday is in a week.

If you have him reading by then,

I'll let him stay and continue his schooling.

If not,

he's coming to work in the mine with me.

A week is not enough time.

We have to find the right combination.

It's like picking a lock.

I'm sorry,

but it's going to be a week.

All right, Emily,

it's your turn to read aloud now.

"The cat ran fast. The fast cat ran.

“Run, run, run

“after the bat, fast cat. Run fast!"

This is too easy, Miss Thatcher.

May I please go onto the next level?

Yes, Emily, you may go on.

"Now, Fanny, toss it to the top of the wall

if you carp.

Very nice.

Elizabeth?

I'm sorry.

I know it's late.

What's wrong?

It's Abigail.

She's been coming home late at night.

She says she's working on something,

but she seems really depressed.

She never came home tonight, and I'm...

I'm worried about her.

I think I know where she is.

You do'?

Yeah.

Come on.

I'll take you to her.

I have a feeling this conversation is better

between just the two of you.

Abigail?

What are you doing here?

Elizabeth.

How did you know where to find me'?

Jack brought me.

He says you've been here every night this week.

What's going on'?

Well, actually, this is all your fault.

The other day, when you were enjoying my scones,

and you said all those fancy chefs at home

had never concocted anything finer,

I got to thinking.

"What if I could reopen the cafe?"

It would be a great new start for me.

Oh, Abigail, that's a wonderful idea.

I met with Gowen to try to make a deal,

but I should have known he would make things hard.

He said he would allow me to open the cafe,

but I had to give him my home.

Your home?

I have a week to decide.

It's a steep price to pay,

and my first inclination was to say no,

but then I realized,

Noah and Peter don't live in that house anymore.

They're with me wherever I go,

and I need to find a new purpose in life.

I need to find a new reason to get up in the morning.

I understand,

and I know you would be a huge success.

But why keep it a secret?

Nobody in town has ever tried anything like this before.

I didn't want you to think I was crazy.

I would never think that.

Well, maybe you should.

Gowen is betting against me

and maybe he's right.

I don't know, Elizabeth,

maybe it's... It's too risky,

to lose my house for a foolish dream.

Abigail...

I would never tell you what to do,

but you are one of the most remarkable women

I have ever met.

You didn't think you could help Carla deliver those twins,

but all three of them wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you.

And none of those widows would have their homes

if you hadn't led them into the mine.

I believe in you.

And I believe you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Thank you.

That means a lot.

I was going to bake some cookies for the kids,

but then I fell asleep, and the dough went bad.

They're adorable.

These shapes...

Do you have any more of this dough'?

Bo...

I'll catch up, Pa.

You're going into the mine?

Yes, Miss Thatcher.

But I just...

I just found something.

The research says that people with word blindness

think in three dimensions.

That's why you're so good at building your models,

because they make sense to you.

Miss Thatcher,

I don't even understand what you're saying.

Let me explain!

The reason you can't remember the words and the letters

is because they're squiggles and shapes on the page.

But look...

This is a

I made it into a cat.

Now, the sound for "c" is "kuh, kuh..."

I already made my decision. I'm going to be a miner.

Oh, please, Bo!

You still have a week until your birthday.

This is best.

Thank you for trying to help me,

but this is best.

I have to say, I'm surprised

you're going through with this, Mrs. Stanton.

Trust me, that makes two of us.

All that's left is for you sign at the bottom of the page,

and the cafe is yours to run.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

You widows put me through hell

over those row houses.

I'm glad to finally get one back.

Just for the record,

this town will never support a cafe.

How do you know?

Well, I don't know much, but I know business,

and if Coal Valley were ready for another eatery,

I would have opened it myself.

And some lovely curtains will spruce this place right up.

[rain dripping]

[rain dripping]

Okay, well, they say a little rain is good luck.

[rain dripping]

That's a fish.

This is stupid.

This is a cat.

Dog. D...

“DIM

[quietly] He did it.

I smelled cookies, Mrs. Stanton.

Are you selling them'?

Well, Miles, I'm not officially open yet, but, um...

let me see what I can do.

Here you go, these are on the house.

Gee, thanks!

Hey, Miles,

I guess that makes you my first official customer.

I sure hope you have more.

Why? Because you're gonna need them.

Carl... Please try to keep an open mind

And just listen to what Miss Thatcher has to say...

Already heard everything there is to hear.

Bo...

Would you please read to us'?

That's it.

Bo, you don't have to.

"The...

"cat...

ran... fast."

"The... fast... cat... ran."

"Run, run, run...

"Aft... Aft...

Aft..."

[gently] After...

"after... the... bat...

"fast cat.

Run fast."

Dear Lord.

How?

I can see 'em now, Pa.

They finally make sense.

What's this called?

"S" for snake.

"S"

And this.

What's this say'?

"cat."

C-A -T.

It says "cat".

Cat...

Gabe!

[laughing] What's going on'?

They're selling cookies at the old cafe.

Better hurry before they're gone.

You enjoy that pie.

Thank you...

Oh, my goodness, Abigail.

What is all this'?

After I signed the house over to Gowen...

Oh, yes...

I lit the stove.

I guess the smell of fresh baked goods

drew all these people.

They've been at my door since early this morning.

Lam so proud of you.

You did if.

Not without your encouragement.

Excuse me, ma Lam.

The line starts back there.

Very funny.

This is amazing, isn't it'? It is.

I guess it proves if you want something bad enough,

you find a way to get it.

I guess you're right.

Hello, Miss Thatcher!

Mountie Jack!

Jolene, how are those baby birds doing?

I named one after you because his red feathers

are like your coat.

I'm honored.

Come along, Jolene.

You won't have to fix anything anymore.

My daddy comes home tomorrow.

Only miner pulled out alive after the disaster

is coming home from the hospital tomorrow,

a new business is thriving.

This town is growing fast.

Soon, it will be a big city just like Cape Fullerton,

and you won't have any reason to leave.

True.

But there is another reason for me to stay.

Is there'? Yes.

I think it's only fair

that you take the same test you gave me,

starting with a basic task

to test your ability to follow instructions.

Oh, really?

Yeah, it's an important part of the test.

All right.

Good.

Do you agree to forgive me

for everything stupid I've ever said or done'?

[laughs] Oh...

I don't know.

There are just so many of them.

Well, no one said it was gonna be an easy test.

I can follow those instructions.

I'm glad.

Is that the end of the test'?

[chuckles] Oh, no.

Now comes the written part.

Mm-hmm.

Well, there's another one

YOU got wrong.

Are you sure you're scoring it correctly?

Relax, I graduated with honors.

Jack, do you stay up at night

just thinking of ways to drive me batty'?

Nope, don't have to.

Just sort of comes out naturally.

Okay...

Well, are you going to tell me or not'?

Are you sure you want to know?

Of course I want to know.

See, it turns out,

you're not quite as smart as I thought you were.

That's not true.

Jack, is this payback for the test I gave you?

No, you really didn't do very well.

Let me see.

Jack, let me see it.

Let me see it!

Give it to me, please. Okay, just relax.

[clears throat]

(Elizabeth) All right, children, bring your signs.

The stagecoach will be here any minute.

What'?

[clears throat] Nothing.

Looks like you've been busy.

We have.

The children are beyond excited to welcome home Mr. Miller.

Five months in the hospital is along time.

I'm sure it will be a bittersweet day for everyone.

Yes, hopefully more sweet than bitter.

Hi!

You must be very excited.

He's the top miner in town, did you know that'?

He once dug two miles through the mountain

in just one day.

Yes, I believe you've mentioned it a time or two.

You look silly.

What do you mean, sweetie?

Uh...

I have paint on my nose, don't I'?

How long were you going to let me go on like that'?

I don't know.

All day?

(Mrs. Miller} I'm so nervous to see him.

He wouldn't let me visit him in the hospital.

Said we couldn't afford it.

Yeah, well, he's a proud man. All the men in this town are.

[girl] Look, here he comes!

All right, children, hold up your signs.

[crowd falls silent]

What's wrong with daddy's leg'?

Hush now, Morgan Rose.

Princess?

Sweetheart.

Laurel...

I didn't know how to tell you.

I love you.

I'm glad you're back.

Welcome home, Adam.

Thank you, Mrs. Montgomery.

Let me.

No, no, no.

I can" I can still do for myself.

[man]: Welcome home, Adam.

[woman]: Welcome home, Adam.

[man] Welcome back, Mr. Miller.

[man]: Welcome back, Adam.

Laurel didn't know, did she'?

I don't think so.

That must have been quite a surprise for Mrs. Miller

and those poor girls.

They're a strong family of faith.

They'll get through this.

It's almost barbaric that in this day and age

a hospital would issue a peg-leg

when they have prosthetics available.

We're people of modest means.

I'm sure that that's all Adam could afford.

Well, if nothing else,

the F.D. play will lift everyone's spirits.

What is the F.D. play'?

Founder's Day play.

Don't tell me you haven't begun the rehearsals. It's next Saturday.

Mrs. Ramsey, I have no idea what you're referring to.

My goodness, no one's told her. Is that possible?

Every year, the children put on a play.

It's in celebration of the history of Coal Valley.

That's lovely,

but given the fact that I was unaware,

perhaps we might postpone it a week or two'?

And celebrate on some date besides the actual anniversary?

It's almost a sacrilege. The mayor won't hear of it.

The mayor's your husband.

Mrs. Appleton always did such an amazing job.

Everyone looks forward to hearing

the mayor's eloquent speech

as he guides us towards a new year

filled With...

Filled with, dear'?

Oh, never mind, Silas.

I will get you a copy of the play

so you can begin rehearsals immediately.

Okay.

Cat...

How am I going to pull all this together in a week?

Abigail and I are moving out of the row houses

and I promised her I'd help get the cafe ready for business,

and I still have lessons to prepare...

Okay, don't worry.

The mothers are going to pitch in.

Lam going to get Reverend Anderson

to drop by the costumes and the backdrop,

and I should probably go home

and find the sheet music.

There's music, too'?

Yeah.

Don't panic. You can do this.

You crossed a prairie, for heaven's sake.

How difficult could it be to produce a play'?

Talking to yourself. That's not a good sign.

You were eavesdropping.

It's not eavesdropping when one is talking to one's self

out loud in public.

I have to put on a Founder's Day play in a week.

A play that has been performed every year.

A play that apparently has costumes and music...

Okay, Elizabeth, come here, come here.

Sit down.

Sit.

Now, take a deep breath in through your nose

and out through your mouth.

There.

Now, don't you feel better'?

Do.

An entire production?

[reading quietly to herself]

Oh!

Were you talking to yourself again?

I'm beginning to worry about your mental health.

It's this play.

I hardly slept a wink last night.

I've never directed a play before.

Well, didn't they go through that

in that big city university you attended'?

I didn't go to drama school, Jack.

I went to teacher college.

"No great dramatist exists without a touch of madness."

Aristotle.

Well, aren't you just full of surprises.

Yes.

Have I thanked you yet for helping us move?

About a hundred times.

Thank you.

"The road was rough

and the rains made it difficult to cross..."

[gasping]

Oh, no! Oh!

Elizabeth, are you okay'?

How could I have been so careless?

It was an accident.

No, no, this was my fault.

I wasn't looking where I was going...

It's okay.

Abigail, please, let me.

No, l-l've got it.

Of course, I will reimburse you for the vase.

Oh, don't be silly.

This has been held together by glue for years.

I mean, Peter broke it three or four times.

I always told him not to play ball in the house.

Oh, Abigail, I'm so sorry.

No, it's not the vase.

We built a life here together, the three of us.

I can only imagine how difficult this is for you.

I think I would like to take this vase with me, too.

Of course.

I'll go get the glue.

Elizabeth.

I'm...

really happy I'm not in this alone.

Me, too, Abigail.

We're both embarking on a new adventure.

So much has happened since you've been gone.

We have our mountie now,

making sure Mr. Gowen and those Pinkerfons

don'! run roughshod anymore.

And the mothers have hired a new teacher.

Miss Thatcher.

She's real nice.

She has nice big eyes like this!

That's right,

and both Miss Thatcher and Jack, they've both...

Jack?

The mountie.

Constable Thornton. They both have been real helpful.

Elizabeth has given the children

extra time at school,

and the constable stops by from time to time

just to check in on us.

This, uh, constable.

He a single man'?

Yes, I believe he is.

[clearing throat]

I think he and Miss Thatcher have eyes for each other.

Well, this constable fellow,

he won't need to check in anymore.

All I have is time on my hands.

Ain't you going back in the mine, Pa'?

Afraid not.

But all the daddies work at the mine.

Pa will figure something out.

Just like he always does.

You're absolutely right, Jolene.

This is going to take some getting used to.

It'll feel like home in no time.

I'm sure you're right.

It's like you said when we first started packing,

"Love travels with you..."

"Wherever you go."

"Wherever you go."

Children, may I have your attention, please?

Today, we are going to cancel our math lesson.

In fact, we are going to cancel all of our lessons.

We're going to start rehearsing for our Founder's Day play,

which we will perform this Saturday.

Now, how many of you know the song'?

Saturday?

In a week?

Last year, Mrs. Appleton had us practicing for a month.

Well, I'm not Mrs. Appleton,

and you all have performed this play before,

so I'm... I'm not worried at all.

Patrick was the narrator

and he graduated school months ago.

Yes, well, we'll just have to get started

and try our best.

Now, I'm going to need everyone to help me.

Maybe some of the older students could help me with the...

Jolene, Morgan Rose!

I thought you two were going to stay at home today

and spend the day with your father.

We changed our minds.

Pa said he needs to take care of some business.

My daddy only has one leg now.

Well, what matters is that he's home now, right'?

Yes, ma'am.

I found the sheet music!

In my attic.

Cat, that's wonderful. One item off my list.

There ain't no way we can learn this play in one week.

Now, children.

If I may, Elizabeth?

Miss Thatcher is going to need all of your help

and your concentration for this.

It's a very important play to all of us,

especially after the year that we've had.

The good news is that I found the costumes.

[coughing]

Oh...

Did you store these at the church?

That would be the bad news.

Oh, my goodness, they're all singed!

This is horrible.

Well, it is a play about a coal mine.

We could make this into one of the miners' costumes.

It's already blackened.

(Elizabeth) And what about the backdrop?

Or is it best not to ask about that'?

Church fire, too'?

More of the bad news.

How are we supposed to have a play

without a backdrop?

Noah Stanton painted the last one.

I don? know anyone else

who has that skill left in Coal Valley.

Boys and girls,

If there's one thing I've learned

about the people of Coal Valley, it's that they don't quit,

even when everything is against them,

so we are not going to quit.

Now, I don't know exactly how,

but this Saturday,

we are going to do Founder's Day proud.

Oh!

(Adam Miller) I know you're a busy man, Mr. Gowen,

so I'll get right to the point.

Of course. What can I do for you, Mr. Miller'?

I appreciate the company's generosity with my family

while I was recovering.

Well, it's the least that we could do.

Please, sit.

Thank you.

I was, uh...

unaware of the extent of your injuries,

but you're a fighter

and the company does appreciate your sacrifice.

Yes, sir.

The thing is, I need work.

I don't understand.

I'm not askin' to go back in the mine, sir.

I know I can't do that.

But I was hoping

that there might be somethin' else

that I could help with.

I mean, maybe I could work behind a desk?

Or, uh...

or help the superintendent out in some way.

I don't know if we"

Look, I'll do anything.

Sir.

Anything.

I need to provide for my family.

I will speak with Mr. Ansvil

and I'll see what I can do.

Great.

Thank you, sir.

Pleasure.

You all right, Mr. Miller'?

I'm fine.

Just give me a moment.

What can I help you with'?

Nothing, sir, just on patrol.

Hello, Mountie Jack! Hello, Jolene.

Mountie Jack's bird already flew away.

There was a nest caught in the stove flue

and Mountie Jack rescued the baby birds.

We named the red one after him.

Well then, I guess I owe you a thank you.

You go inside now, Jolene.

Look, I know you've been lookin' after Laurel

and the girls,

but that can stop now.

Just 'cause I'm a cripple

doesn't mean I can't take care of my own family.

[door opens and closes]

Have you sewn yourself to the back of the chair yet'?

No!

Oh...

But apparently, I won't be wearing this

for the rest of the day.

Look what I have,

compliments of the mayor and Dottie Ramsey.

Enough fabric to make new costumes.

Oh, my goodness! That's so generous.

Yes.

However, there is a small price.

The star of the play will now be their son.

Oh...

Well, I suppose we can afford that.

And Dottie will also be the master of ceremonies.

She will'?

Oh, yes.

It's a Coal Valley tradition.

Hi, Elizabeth.

Jack.

I brought you some saloon cornbread.

Although it doesn't hold a candle to Abigail's,

it's all we have until she officially opens.

Ow!

The needle attack you'?

Wouldn't be the first time today.

So your cooking is only rivaled by your sewing.

I suppose you could do better'?

May I?

I think a whipstitch will do here.

Where did you learn that'?

Oh, I've sewn before.

Where? Uh...

Close to the bone.

What'?

Oh, my goodness. What happened?

It was nothing.

Although the bear is still talking about it.

Welcome back, Adam. Thank you, Liam.

Mr. Gowen's got me so busy pushing the men hard,

I've really fallen behind on the load reconciliation.

I'm really grateful to have you helping me out here.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Ansvil.

It's still Herbert, Adam.

You need to enter the weights here at the end of the day.

You can keep track of them weekly

and that's how we know how much to pay them. Mm-hmm.

I always remember you being at the top of this list.

[shift whistle blaring]

You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

No problem.

Uh, well, I'll get on this right away.

It's good to have you back.

Well, it's good to be back, Mr. Ansvil.

Herbert, Adam. Herbert.

Herbert.

I picked these flowers for Pa.

I thought they might cheer him up.

That's very thoughtful of you, sweetheart.

I'll put them in a vase.

Now, why don't you tell your Pa

that supper's almost ready.

[yelps]

Princess...

What's wrong? What happened?

I don't know, I was dreaming.

I guess I...

Are you okay'?

It's okay.

He didn't mean to.

I'm okay.

I'm all right...

Oh, my Lord.

This wasn't here yesterday.

Where on Earth...'?

Thank you for helping with this.

Oh, it is mostly selfish on my part.

The sooner you open,

the sooner I get to eat here.

And the sooner I can start cooking

for hordes of hungry miners.

You seem like a natural with a paintbrush.

Well, I like painting.

Walls.

Perhaps you might consider painting a...

mural on one.

Mural?

Yes, a nice view of Coal Valley'?

Perhaps some beautiful mountains.

Now, where would you get an idea like that'?

Noah painted the old Founder's Day mural.

You know, it takes a special kind of person

to see things from an artist's perspective.

I wouldn't know.

Wouldn't you'?

No. I'm just a simple wall painter, ma'am.

Don't worry. I won't tell Elizabeth.

You're home.

How was the mine today'?

The same.

Well...

I have a surprise for you.

Open it, Daddy!

See what it is.

I sent away for it.

It came on the stage today.

Isn't it wonderful?

You'll be able to do many things like you used to,

and not be limited by that peg

the hospital gave you.

[slams case shut]

Don't you like it, Pa'?

Where'd you get the money for this'?

I...

used some of our savings for part of it

and Abigail Stanton helped me

take up a collection for the rest.

You passed the hat on my behalf?

Everyone was happy to pitch in.

This town loves you, Adam.

[roaring angrily]

Adam, you're scaring the girls.

Ain't it enough that I'm a cripple?

You gotta turn me into a charity case, too'?

I just wanted to help.

How?

By giving me this useless scrap of wood?

Yes.

We have to accept the hand the Lord has dealt us

and do our best with it.

Things could have been far worse.

Worse?

I can't even hold down a job,

let alone do anything else.

What do you mean you can't hold down a job'?

I can't work at that mine any longer.

I... I can't handle it.

I quit.

When?

This morning.

And...

what have you been doing all day'?

Walking around.

Oh, if that's what you can call it.

And when were you planning on telling me'?

Or were you just gonna lie,

like you did about your condition all those months?

I never lied to you.

You lied every day you laid in that hospital bed and you didn't tell me!

I'm a half a man, Laurel!

That's something you'll never understand!

Maybe not, but you don't know what it was like for me either.

And if you're just gonna give up,

why did you come home at all'? [gasping in shock]

Adam...

I'm sorry.

Okay, Cassandra, we're going to try this again.

Let's take it from the top.

For some of us, the rains stopped...

and then the crops dried up.

Okay, now we change the placard,

and now it's Jolene.

For those of us

who were struggling to meet our end...

"To make ends meet."

For those who were making ends meet...

"For those of us who were struggling to make ends meet."

Jolene!

Oh...

Just... Just...

Keep rehearsing your lines.

I'll be right back.

We're all tired, Jolene.

And everyone forgets a line once in a while...

I know the lines.

I'm just not sure I believe them anymore.

Look what happened to all the fathers

who came here to work in the mine.

Look what happened to my pa.

I know how hard this must be for you,

having him back

after he was gone for such along time.

My daddy never came back, Miss Thatcher.

Not the Pal knew.

Jolene...

Just because he may not look the same...

I'm not talking...

about his leg.

He's changed. He's not the same person,

and I don't know why.

I know it's hard to believe,

but even our mamas and our daddies

have struggles sometimes.

I just want everything to be like it was before.

All you can do is love him.

You can't be responsible for how he acts,

all right'?

Come here.

It's okay.

It's all right.

You're all right.

Jack.

Where did that come from'?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Laurel, what's wrong?

Constable, it's Adam.

I need your help.

We had an argument last night,

and he wasn't in the house

when we woke up this morning.

I don? know why,

{just thought he heeded some time to think.

But he hasn't come home all day, and I...

I found a note.

I must have missed if.

"I'm not the same man you married.

You and the girls are better off without me."

We had words,

terrible words,

and I didn't mean what I said,

I swear if.

It's just, I'm afraid he's gonna do something awful.

Don't worry.

I will find him.

Jack!

Please be careful.

I'm glad to see you be so concerned for your constable.

I'm concerned for my constable,

and I'm also concerned

for the man who wears the constable's uniform.

Whoa.

Mr. Miller'?

You're gonna have to shoot me if you want to take me back.

Come on, Mr. Miller.

You know I didn't come here to shoot anybody.

No, just to stick your nose in my family's business.

They are worried sick about you.

It is my choice if I want to leave town or not, constable.

Is there a law against that'?

No argument from me.

Your wife might see it differently.

You tell me, you think a man is free to desert his family?

They don't want me.

The man they were waiting for never came back from that hospital.

Mr. Miller, there is more to a man

than flesh and Bone.

You still have purpose.

And the Almighty can bless the work of your hands.

All right, don't you play with me.

I know who I am.

I got nothing to offer.

So, what's the plan?

Have you just given up'?

Are you going to waste away out here until you die?

Here's the plan.

Just leave me alone.

What do you think you're doing?

I'll head back at first light.

Yeah, you suit yourself, constable,

But you?! be traveling back tomorrow by yourself.

That's your choice, Mr. Miller.

You're damn right it is!

Everything okay?

I can't sleep.

I'm scared.

Daddy's gone,

and he's never coming back.

No, that's not true.

He just...

He needs sometime

to get used to things being different.

When he was gone before

in the hospital,

I knew he was coming home.

Now I'm not sure.

Well, we are just going to have to pray for the strength

to hold on until he does.

I'm cooking up some fish if you're hungry.

And come and get warm.

There's no point freezing

when I got a fire going.

You know, when I was growing up,

I thought my father hung the moon.

I know your girls feel the same way

about you.

They used to.

Everything's changed.

I don't have a family of my own,

and I cannot imagine what you've been through, but...

I have an idea of what your girls are feeling.

See, my father,

he was a mountie,

and when I was a boy,

all I wanted to do was be like my pa.

I used to walk around the house all day,

wearing his hat, pretending I was him.

But mounties aren't around very much.

They're gone for months at a time.

And that's hard, too.

It was hard on my mom.

Having a father who's away providing for his family

is different than a father who's a burden.

And then he got hurt.

So he came home.

Doctor said he had trauma to the skull.

Yeah.

I never left his side.

He promised me that he'd get stronger

and he'd teach me to be a man like him.

Then one day, he was gone.

Well, we all...

lose the life and the people we love.

I was bitter like you.

I blamed God,

I even blamed my father for leaving me.

But time went by,

and I made my peace with it.

You think I want to be out here?

You think I want to be away from my family?

This is what I have to do.

Really?

The thing is, my father didn't have a choice.

You do.

I know you're scared.

But you're the same man

who woke up every morning and went into that mine.

You put your life on the line

every day for your family.

In my book, that's as brave as it comes.

But now you've got to find a way out of that mine,

back info life.

I've got to believe that you were spared for a reason.

I've got to believe that you were given a second chance

because there's more for you to do.

Like watching those girls grow up.

I'm gonna head back to town at dawn,

and I hope you join me.

That Founder's Day play is tomorrow night.

But it's your choice.

Welcome, everyone,

to our Founder's Day celebration.

[applause]

The mayor and I,

along with our son, Bradley,

are so pleased

you all have come to the show.

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for,

I'd like to introduce our current mayor,

and my husband,

Silas Ramsey,

who will inaugurate this evening's performance.

Reminding us of our past brings us hope for the future.

And now, Miss Thatcher

and the players of the Coal Valley School

bring you "Founder's Day."

Before Coal Valley,

for some of us, the rains stopped.

And then the crops dried up...

Jolene, are you ready?

I think so. Okay.

For others,

factories like the candle company

closed their doors

and we needed to find a new place to live.

Okay, Jolene. Come on.

♪ From this valley ♪

♪ They say you are going... ♪

♪ We will miss your bright eyes ♪

♪ And sweet smile... ♪

♪ For they say ♪

♪ You are faking the sunshine... ♪

♪ That has brightened our path for... ♪

Daddy.

[singing softly] ♪ As you go to your home ♪

♪ By the ocean... ♪

[singing together]: ♪ Nay you never forget ♪

.5' Those sweet hours... 5'

♪ That we spent in the Red River Valley... ♪

Noah, I wish you were here to see this.

Hey, I never noticed that before.

What is that'?

I think the bigger question is,

"Who is that?"

May I borrow your magnifying glass, Miss Thatcher?

Certainly.

[laughing]

James, come get a load of this.

There.

What's so funny, you three'?

Come see for yourself, Miss Thatcher.

Thank you.

Where?

There.

[955115] Oh, my goodness.

Did any of you three know about this'?

Why would we know anything about this, Miss Thatcher?

We weren't the ones who painted the backdrop.

It does look a lot like you and Mountie Jack, though.

No, it doesn't, James.

It doesn't at all,

and I'll ask that you three

forget all about this incident.

Lips are sealed, Miss Thatcher.

I knew it.

[door opens]

Jack, are you aware that someone painted

a tiny likeness of the two of us

on the Founder's Day backdrop?

Likeness? Yes, a hidden stick of dynamite ready to go off,

and some of my students just lit the fuse.

What are we doing in the painting'?

I...

I can't really say.

W-we're...

We're kissing.

We're kissing?

Well, that is completely inappropriate.

Pure fiction.

Yes, fiction.

Who would paint such a thing'?

You know, I think I should launch an investigation,

interrogate some of your students

until we get to the bottom of this.

Uh, all right,

but on second thought,

both of our reputations are on the line here.

Hmm, that is a good point.

But I promise,

I will get to the bottom of this.

Don't you worry.

[sighs happily] I'm glad you're on the case.

[1109 barks]

I'm going to go.

[clears throat] Have a good day.

Our little secret, boy.