Carson Shepherd is a recurring character who appeared on When Calls the Heart in seasons 4-8.
Background[]
He came to town to work for the railroad. He got injured and then went to work at Abigail's Cafe. After the people of the town discovered he was a doctor, they asked him to become the town’s doctor. He became very close to Faith Carter and nearly proposed to her, but their relationship ended when he decided to pursue a career opportunity at Johns Hopkins.
Storyline[]
Season 4[]
Unable to work with the railway company after getting injured, he worked as a cook at Abigail's Cafe. It was later revealed he is a doctor who stopped practicing after the death of his wife.
Carson suspected Cody was suffering from appendicitis while Dr Strohm thought it was a stomach flu. Carson had to operate when Cody's condition turned for the worse and saved Cody's life.
He was asked to be the town's doctor since they needed one.
Season 5[]
His wife's sister, Rhonda comes to Hope Valley looking for Carson. She has a brain tumour which the doctors say is inoperable. She wants Carson to operate on her since he is one of the best. Carson refuses at first because he is now a small town doctor. Faith gives him encouragement and says he will be able to do the operation just like he did with Cody's surgery. He changed his mind when her condition deteriorates and it was a success.
Faith brought the town together to throw a surprise party for Carson’s birthday.[1]
Season 6[]
Carson and Faith start courting. They keep their relationship a secret at Faith's request. He later kisses her in the middle of town, bringing their relationship out in the open.
Season 7[]
Season 8[]
Carson is waiting for news about Faith who was in Chicago finishing up her medical doctor training. After missing two coaches, she arrives shockingly driving a wagon with a cowboy named Brett. Carson is jealous and admits this to Faith during a private moment on the bridge. Prior to admitting that, Faith and Carson seem awkward. Their feelings for each other have not changed though so both are in love. He admits to her that the loves that fact she surprises him. [2]
Carson and Faith's first patient together now that she is a doctor, is Lee who needs a chiropractor. Faith is able to patiently explain why Carson said that Lee needs to see one. [3] Carson and Faith begin to have slight disagreements about patients though such as when Ned comes into the infirmary with an injured ankle. Carson contradicted Faith saying that it was a different type of ankle injury and that it just needed wrapped him which makes Faith angry. [4] Carson is later confronted by Faith who is greatly upset. After being not respected as a doctor during her studies, she wants Carson to respect her as a doctor. He does but he needs to prove it. [5]
Carson was invited to assist in a surgery with Dr. Rissoli. He is clearly nervous. He promises to talk to Faith about plans on how best to work together after he returns. He returns with a special medical bag with her name sewn on it. Faith appreciates the gift. [6]
Faith notices Carson holding a letter from a man, Dr. Rizzoli, he assisted earlier in a surgery. When questioned, he said it was just a letter thanking him for helping. Later when confronted, Carson tells Faith that the letter is a job opportunity giving Carson the chance to operate in the big city of Baltimore at John Hopkins! Faith is happy for him but also declines when he offers her to go with him as they are not married and she is needed here. When Faith sees another letter come through, she realizes that Carson turned down the job. She is upset and tells him to take the job despite Carson assuming wrongly she would be happy for him to stay. She is worried he will regret it if he stays. [7] Carson vows to "Never give up" when it comes to not giving up Faith. [8]
After helping Angela after a fall, Carson and Faith realize the infirmary is in need of a serious upgrade. New equipment would greatly help them to better care for their town. [9] They also feel the same way after performing a surgery on Ned after his gallbladder explodes. Ned survives thankfully despite Carson blaming himself for not sending Ned to Union City before this point. [10] Carson makes plans for upgrading the infirmary. Faith and Molly fear he's trying to turn the infirmary into Union City's infirmary because he really wants the fellowship. Carson realizes that he made a mistake trying to remake the infirmary and instead wants to take Faith with him to Baltimore. Faith on the other hand plans to stay in Hope Valley. Carson is disappointed. [11] He decides to take the fellowship and wants to propose too Faith before leaving. Faith on the other hand just wants Carson to do what is best for him, taking the fellowship, even if it means they cannot be together. [12]
During Ned and Florence's wedding, Carson helps out with the wedding cake showing he has skills in the kitchen. Minnie thinks he'll be a great husband someday. Carson confides in her that he plans to ask Faith to marry him. He already even has the ring. Carson can't decide whether to stay or go. He keeps gong back and forth not wanting to leave Faith behind. [13] He confides in Henry that he really wants to take the fellowship in Baltimore as it's just too big of an opportunity to pass up but plans to propose to Faith so she will wait. [14] He makes a plan to ask Faith to lunch at the diner. Minnie is to help with the proposal but looses the ring before it can happen. Chaos ensures as they look for the ring. Lucas even tells him that he's ready for a fresh start causing Carson to rethink the proposal. [15] Carson decides to leave, Faith is sad but plans to stay. At the last minute, the ring is found but Carson puts it back in his pocket knowing it wasn't meant to be but instead was, "the last brass ring he could never catch." Carson leaves Hope Valley being sent off with many thanks and cheering. He was loved. [16]
Relationships[]
Family[]
- Amber Shepherd (wife, deceased)
- Marlise Bennett (sister-in-law)
- Rhonda Bennett (sister-in-law)
Romances[]
- Faith Carter (ex-girlfriend)
- Sofia Connelly (brief romance)
Friends[]
- Leland Coulter
- Rosemary Coulter
- Abigail Stanton
- Bill Avery
- Jack Thornton
- Elizabeth Thornton
- Frank Hogan
- Molly Sullivan: Carson and Molly went on one date, but decided to remain just friends. She became his office assistant at the Infirmary after Faith left town for a while, and remained in the position even after Faith returned.
- Dean Bowman: Dean was an old friend of Carson’s. He came to Hope Valley to warn Carson that Marlise had hired an investigator and wanted to ruin Carson’s life.
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ S05E09, “In My Dreams”
- ↑ S8E1. Open Season
- ↑ S8E2. Honestly, Elizabeth
- ↑ S8E3. From the Ashes
- ↑ S8E3. From the Ashes
- ↑ S8E4. Welcome to Hope Valley
- ↑ S8E6. What the Heart Wants
- ↑ S8E6. No Regrets
- ↑ S8E5. What the Heart Wants
- ↑ S8E7. Before My Very Eyes
- ↑ S8E8. A Parade and a Charade
- ↑ S8E9. Pre-Wedding Jitters
- ↑ S8E10. Old Love, New Love, Is This True Love
- ↑ S8E11. Changing Times
- ↑ S811. Changing Times
- ↑ S8E12. The Kiss