A Heartland Christmas (2010)

The Heartland episode, A Heartland Christmas, written by one of Heatland's best writers, Heather Conkie, encapsulates what is, at least for me, so wonderful about this CBC series. There is the breathtaking beauty of the Rockies, a place I know well. There is the inner strength of the Bartlett clan even in the face of adversity. There is the community coming together to help others, in this case horses trapped in a canyon. And then there are those Heartland themes of healing and redemption. All of these things tie this episode to the holiday season, something missed by that ideological, manichean, and simplistic bull hockey masquerading as a review that Stan Canada is shovelling around. This episode is not to be missed for the wonderful performance by Nicholas Campbell and the final scene between him and Shaun Johnston. As for the deduction, I took some points away from this episode because it doesn't seem to square with the continuity of Heartland seasons one through four.

First off, let me say I LOVE Heartland. That being said, this movie really has nothing to do with Christmas except Lou and Mallory decorating a tree. Other than that, it could have been any other Heartland episode that takes place in the winter. The plot itself is great except that it's called "Christmas" which it isn't. It's a new twist on Heartland's bread and butter formula, Amy and Ty come to the rescue of some horses that desperately need help. Then they spend an hour digging in the snow.I just wish it had more tie ins to the meaning of Christmas. After all, it's not called "Heartland Holidays".

While we enjoy the Heartland series, this is probably the worst "Christmas" story we have ever seen. :-( Two thirds of the story focuses on digging a trench for stranded horses through a big snow bank that mere humans can easily navigate, but the poor pathetic horses can't! So . . . the majority of the show is consumed by a dimwit village digging a trench through the snow bank, complete with a boardwalk to protect the horses' tender tootsies! Duh.Then for the "Christmas" portion, you can actually hear a Christmas carol being sung in a church in the background, but the Heartland bunch don't join in the Christmas festivities at the church in favour of spending their evening soaking up suds in a neighbouring bar. Then when they finally get home for Christmas dinner: No giving of thanks, or even acknowledgement of the meaning of Christmas; they all ungratefully and unceremoniously dig into the turkey dinner like pigs at the trough.This is a political CBC demonstration of something that has nothing whatsoever to do with Canadian culture and Christmas. :-( Kudos to the tax payer supported Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, who never cease to fail us in promoting their low life anti-religious, anti-Canadian culture and interests at taxpayers expense!

I've loved the Heartland series for years and four years ago, when I found out CBC was going to add 'A Heartland Christmas' to its holiday lineup, I was thrilled. At an hour and a half long, this heart-warming special is a wonderful tie in to the TV series. It is nice to see that just because it's Christmas-y, it doesn't mean there's no drama! Plenty of it, in fact.The plot line involving the stranded horses is a good point, if a bit overdone in other media. However, the special manages to make it work.Canada's own Nicolas Campbell is excellent as Will Vernon. He portrays his character very well, and it's nice to see the eventual turnaround. It's also nice to see the connection he has to Jack, and Jack's assistance in helping change Vernon's opinions and attitude.'A Heartland Christmas' gets its message across without being a turnoff for viewers. It's a lovely holiday addition to any Heartland lover's lineup.