"A Telling Silence" is the third episode in the first season of When Calls the Heart. It originally aired on January 25 in 2014.
Synopsis[]
Elizabeth assists a mute student who is having a difficult time coping with the death of her father; Jack looks into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the burning of Coal Valley's only church.
Plot[]
It's Sunday in Coal Valley, but despite the holy day Reverend Anderson finds himself giving a sermon to a mostly empty room. Having lost his church to a mysterious fire. Reverend Anderson now seems to have lost his congregation to the outdoor Sunday school class held by Cat Montgomery. Distressed, Reverend Anderson pays Jack a visit to discuss the mysterious circumstances surrounding the church fire. Jack vows to investigate the fire and, while searching the charred remains of the church, discovers a large burn pattern along with a scorched can with a barely recognizable label. Jack takes the can to the local supply store where the clerk recognizes the label as one from a rare brand of whale oil, not normally seen in the area.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth is troubled by the behavior of one of her students, Rosaleen. The young girl refuses to speak and seem paralyzed with fear by one of the town's miners, the troubled alcoholic Wendell Backus. Elizabeth talks with Jack about her concerns for Rosaleen, specifically her fear of Wendell. Jack promises to have a talk with Wendell, but before he can, Rosaleen seemingly vanishes in the dust of Wendell's wagon as it rolls off into the distance. In a panic Jack immediately goes to Wendell's house. When confronted by Jack as to why the little girl was so terrified of him, Wendell explains he once scared her because he was drunk and abusive and she didn't answer a question of his. He took it as disrespect, adding to the already tormenting feeling of guilt and worthlessness. He told Jack that it was probably because he raised his hand to hit the girl but stopped. It still scared her, even though he didn't follow through. Wendell goes on to explain that his drinking problem is a result of the mining tragedy. Suffering under the burden of guilt, Wendell reveals that he was supposed to be in the mine that day, but instead had a close friend work that fateful shift and has been trying to drown his sorrow and guilt with alcohol. Jack seems appeased and after he leaves, Wendell reaches for his bottle but suddenly breaks down and dumps it out.
As night falls, the all-out search for Rosaleen continues and a softened Wendell shows up asking if he could help look for her. A desperate Elizabeth searches the school and by chance finds a drawing of a little girl in the mine. Elizabeth races to the mine, traveling deep enough to hear the sound of a sobbing Rosaleen who is clutching a broken lunch pail. Relieved, Elizabeth holds the little girl in her arms. Rosaleen breaks down and tells Elizabeth, "I didn't bring him his lunch," referring to a special tradition she had with her late father, thinking it was her fault that he died and that her mother couldn't possibly forgive her if she knew. Deeply moved by Rosaleen's words, Elizabeth assures Rosaleen that her father loved her very much, and that her mother just wants her back. Elizabeth and Rosaleen emerge from the mine together, much to the relief and joy of the townspeople. All seems to be back to normal in Coal Valley when Jack makes a visit to Cat Montgomery's home. There to return a few borrowed items, Jack finds a stash of whale oil cans, similar to those he found in the remains of the burned out church. A cloud of suspicion now hangs over Cat, as Jack must uncover the true mystery behind the destroyed church.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Erin Krakow as Elizabeth Thatcher
- Daniel Lissing as Jack Thornton
- Chelah Horsdal as Cat Montgomery
- Martin Cummins as Henry Gowen
- Adrian Hough as Reverend Anderson
- Steve Bacic as Charles Spurlock
- Johannah Newmarch as Molly Sullivan
Guest Starring[]
- Hrothgar Mathews as Ned Yost
- Mitchell Kummen as Gabe Montgomery
- Logan Williams as Miles Montgomery
- Gracyn Shinyei as Emily Montgomery
- Mamie Laverock as Rosaleen Sullivan
- Darius Zaviceanu as James Fremont
- Kadence Roach as Anna Hayford
- Duncan Ollerenshaw as Wendell Backus
- Erica Carroll as Dottie Ramsey
- Jill Morrison as Carla Noonan
Co-Starring[]
- Oscar as Rip
- Joey Forfellow as Boy #1
- Quinn Dubois as Boy #2
- Brandon Vick as Stockboy (uncredited)
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
Gallery[]
