Fall Harvest 2021 – Hallmark's the Spot

Love Strikes Twice

Okay so we’ve all been anticipating this one because it looks cute and funny. But, this movie premiered in the “Fall Harvest” line up and there was nary a pumpkin or colored leaf to be had. I don’t understand why these fall movies have not been focused on the season like Christmas and winter movies are. I would Love some fall feels. Sheesh. Anyway, let’s dive in.

We’ve got a busy business woman working while she cooks. Maggie is a no nonsense attorney. She only has time for her cases, not her husband, not personal errands, and not cooking. Her husband Josh has to cancel a class to pick up some anniversary gift for her parents. Girl, ship it! What year is it? Why are either of you running around town picking things up the old fashioned way? She tells her boss that she is leaving early but taking work with her. Oof I would not make it in a big law firm like that. I would just crumble.

Her friend, Keri walks in with a bright pink dress on. I feel like they’re just friends, not coworkers because you would NOT wear a bright pink dress to work at a law firm. Oh she is a friend and client? Okay. Ooof. She had a boyfriend named Lester. She dumped him because of his name. That’s fair, honestly. Maggie vents a little about the pressure of making partner and investing in her marriage. I mean, yes that’s legit. Lots of lawyers end up divorced. Keri tells Maggie she ran into “Rick” downstairs in the lobby. Maggie is surprised that he remembers her and Keri is like, girl you dated all through college. Like why would she be surprised, honestly? Her college boyfriend? Of course he’d remember her. She literally bumps right into him in the lobby and he asks her for coffee. She’s too busy but he wants to meet for lunch next time he’s in town. She looks at him like he’s the one who got away. So what’s that about?

On the way to the anniversary party, Maggie and Josh bicker about work, etc… He asks her to pull over and they reminisce about the old library and what a dump their town is. Josh says Maggie felt sorry for him and that’s why they started dating. Maggie isn’t sure that’s wrong. Hmm. At home, Maggie’s mom says she didn’t feel up for planting flowers in the front yard. Seems ominous. Her dad hobbles down the stairs. Maggie’s brother, Ash pops by. He seems weird. Ugh again with the junior partner thing? Guys, it’s REALLY not a thing. There are a few different kinds of partnerships you can get as a lawyer and “junior” is not one of them.

That evening, Josh asks Maggie what is going on with them. He says her parents still like each other and Josh wonders if they ever should have gotten married. They decide to talk about it when they get back to Chicago. She wonders if she should just sleep in her old room? And then she decides to go for a walk. She sits by a fountain and decides to make a wish. She wishes for a do over. BUT FOR WHAT. She drops her phone and hits her head and then seemingly gets knocked unconscious.

She comes to in her bed…in what looks like her old room. She’s got an old flip phone. She wants to blame Ash for her stupid phone but her mom says she just bought it for her! Her dad comes in from a run and she sees that the calendar says June 2006. What!! Keri calls and Maggie tries to like furiously explain what’s going on and Keri is not having it. RICK is waiting outside in a red sports car. Wait, young Rick looks like grown up Josh. These guys are WAY too similar. Flanigans is back! The restaurant Maggie loved that went out of business. Oh wait Josh is a different guy. Rick and Josh have opposing view points about saving the library. And Josh and Rick may as well be identical twins.

Rick and Maggie head to the beach with all the other youths in 2006. Also the AUDACITY of this movie to FLASH BACK to 2006 as 15 years ago. Poor Rick keeps trying to kiss Maggie but she is not having it. Good for her. Uh oh. Her dad is about to go up on a ladder, which is I believe how he jacked up his back or whatever so she tells him to throw it out. Inside, she goes downstairs to see her weirdo brother. He’s perfect to tell about her weird situation. I love this line about her dreams usually involving Sonia Sotomayor. Ash asks her to tell him something from the future and she almost spoils Game of Thrones before he stops her. I am loving the sibling nonsense as well. Ash posits a theory that makes sense to Maggie. She IMMEDIATELY breaks his Lego contraption. I can’t tell if she does it on purpose.

Maggie tries to force herself back to the present before going to bed. It doesn’t work. The music sure does try! She chats with Rick on the phone. She seems to love it. Again, how is she surprised earlier that he remembered her? Ash asks her if she’s still a time traveler and she fills him in on her present life. Maggie vents a little and asks Ash to come with him to the library rally. She thinks if the library is saved, Josh will be happy and she can be with Rick. Like does she really want to be with Rick? I don’t get it. Ash makes a funny line about how he thought the future would be cool but it’s just her boring drama. I love it. And then she totally like pumps him up about himself in the future. That is really sweet.

Maggie runs into Josh at the rally. He seems REALLY happy to see her. I had low expectations for Ash initially but he’s actually CARRYING this movie. Josh gives a big speech about the library and libraries in general. She asks him what saving this library is all about? Because they’ve already built a new one and moved everything over. That’s a pretty good point, actually. It is purely nostalgia from his childhood. Also this is the FIRST she’s heard of this story. IN FIFTEEN YEARS. Then, the police show up. Maggie says she’s “got it.” And they immediately get arrested. That doesn’t make any sense. And frankly, this whole piece of the story adds some comedy but it would not happen this way and is so wrong across the board. I need to release it but I can’t. Also, no one was wearing that overall situation in 2006. And, her parents are funnier in 2006. They make so many jokes about her being in jail and how the dad wanted a dog and not kids. I love it. Then her parents dance together at a restaurant. They’re ALOT.

Another day in the past. Maggie has to go to court. Her parents are still cracking jokes about going to jail. Maggie thinks because she practices corporate law she knows criminal law. I am guessing these guys were charged with misdemeanors? Oh she called it an infraction. Which is LESS than a misdemeanor. It’s like, taking your case to traffic court. Which is what this whole proceeding would be like. Evidence? And they have a permit!! End of story! All she had to say was that they had a permit. That would have settled the whole thing before they got to the police station. UGH okay. That’s just not how any of this works. I just… Okay. It’s fine. Anyway in a round about way the judge dismisses the case. Then Maggie makes a case to the judge about the library. She wants to file a temporary restraining order to stop the library demolition. The judge is just tickled with Maggie. Well, she’s been practicing law for ten years so maybe she should chill. But the judge grants them a 14 day restraining order against demolition.

Rick shows up at the court house and he is like a total jerk. He gets all territorial of Maggie and apparently his dad is upset that he’s dating a “jail bird.” And the dad has requested a dinner with her that night. And then Keri asks if she can ask Josh out and Maggie says okay. Guys, I just need to get this out here. There are a handful of noticeably terrible actors in this movie but I also think they are likely doing their best with the dialogue they’ve been given. But it is pretty absurd and noticeable.

Oh dear. Rick’s dad is the worst. He gives Maggie a real “talking to” about the jail business and helping save the library. The dad shares that he is planning to invest in the new project that is replacing the library. But we found out earlier that the developers of the new building took the investors’ money and ran. Rick seems like a total pushover and just wants to keep the peace. Maggie holds her ground. Good for her! But I would die. I actually don’t understand why she likes Rick though. He mostly seems annoying and a bit of a wet sandwich.

At home, Maggie and her mom look at old photos. Maggie asks how she knew her dad was “the one.” And her mom gives LEGITIMATELY GOOD ADVICE. Like if there is just this “one” that means you don’t have to work at it. And love is a choice. Maggie decides to head to Flanigans to get banana cream pie. Girl, pick a different flavor, gross. At Flanigans, she sees Josh and Keri having just a fantastic time.

Maggie runs into Ash and he is VERY CONFIDENT. He has a date with “Veronica.” Maggie panics when she hears this and tells her mom he can’t date her because she basically destroys him and he never recovers. That adds up. She comes downstairs and JOSH is there.

Maggie is muttering to herself about helping him meet with some lawyers in Chicago about saving the library. I believe its her old firm. Yes, it is. Her boss is not yet partner and is “senior counsel” on this case. Baxter, her boss, offers Josh a stipend for his trouble and his nostalgia. Pretty fair considering their ONLY argument to save this building is his personal memories. It sounds like there are legitimate historical reasons for preserving the building but no one has actually articulated those in a setting where it matters. So, Maggie rips up the first number. He writes another number and slowly slides it down the table. It’s hilarious. Is it bad that I am kind of rooting for the developer (forgetting that he will eventually defraud the town)? They already have a NEW LIBRARY. It’s not like they’re losing a library.

Baxter grabs Maggie after the meeting. He is still trying to pay her off. Since they have not articulated any legitimate reason or claim for saving the library, I am surprised he’s going so hard. He is kind of mean to her! She suggests he look into his client more. Guess what? He does not.

Now it’s time for the trial. Maybe the next day? Because that’s how it works. Ugh. The whole court proceeding is nonsense. Except for when Maggie tries to talk about the developer’s intentions. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have any proof yet. Surely his financial records are a mess? Shouldn’t she have filed a discovery motion? Is this an actual complaint to prevent the development contract with the city or just an injunction to temporarily stop demolition while they litigate the merits? Anyway, she loses the case and she’s bummed.

Rick is waiting outside the courthouse and he wants to take her to dinner. At dinner, Rick is REALLY worried about his dad’s feelings on this whole business. He is like, maybe now my dad will forgive you and let’s not mess stuff up for him. He is kind of a small little wet sandwich of a man. Ha! He thinks he’s capable of being part of a power couple? He is so weak! Oh dang he’s proposing? And she accepts? WHAT DOES SHE SEE IN THIS GUY? And he proposes at a restaurant? Like I have yet to see one thing interesting or likable. Oh and her parents haven’t even met him? He didn’t talk to them first? He waits outside all the time and never comes to the door. YOU GUYS. Like why? I feel like she would have noticed right away what a little weasel he is but she is like, yeah! Rick is the guy!

That night, she finds Josh at the library. He notices the ring and congratulates her. He gives another big speech and says he loves her! They have a deep conversation and Maggie is talking from the perspective of 15 years on about their relationship. He asks if Rick is the one and she smiles and says yeah. WHY DOES SHE LIKE HIM. He asks her about the wedding and that triggers her memory about the developer. She wonders about his financials. Didn’t I like, suggest she do that before her trial? But, she only had like one day to prepare instead of the typical 1-3 years so I shouldn’t be too hard on her. Anyway, they decide to sneak in to the country club the next day to get a peek.

The next day, the heist is on. They wear country club employee shirts and Josh freaks about wearing someone’s else’s clothes. It’s pretty hilarious. They get a key from the security guard to get into all the lockers. This is all very easy. What are these two kids up to? Oh they are inspecting all the lockers to find the developer’s (Michael) briefcase WITH ALL HIS FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Idiots. He’s going to have that with him? But, apparently not. He does in fact carry ALL his important fraudulent documents with him in his briefcase and stores it in the locker room of this country club. So yeah, this is the guy you want overseeing a major development in town. I love the heist music in the background. They grab the briefcase and take the contents to make copies. Josh is an idiot. He stops to text Maggie instead of just getting to work. Maggie gets scolded by a woman playing tennis. This woman is in the middle of her tennis match and runs over to Maggie and tells her the laundry/towel bin has been full for 20 minutes. Like lady do you really need the towel bin emptied while you’re playing? You have to stop your game to scold Maggie? Sheesh. Out on the course, Michael Williams hurts himself. Then Maggie stops to reply to Josh. Why would she text right in the same place as she got scolded? Meanwhile, Josh makes a mess of himself in the copy room and jams the printer. He…bless his heart. Maggie stalls by trying to call in a heart attack on an emergency phone line outside for Michael. She buys them a little time. Then, she almost runs into Rick et al, while Josh tries to load the briefcase back in the locker. Josh almost gets caught too but he is willing to be a real weirdo for the sake of not showing his face. They make it out of there!

That night, Maggie has a whole crew working on the data. One of the girls, Tracy, notices a discrepancy. Maggie wink wink tells her to definitely not hack into the accounts and sends her downstairs to ask Ash for help. I love when the lead plays wingman!

Alright, so they are back at court. The judge. Oof. Doing her best with her material. Anyway, Maggie’s strategy is to present the information she obtained without having to explain how she found it. She could have filed a discovery request like earlier?! I need to stop. Maggie gets “highly offended” which is her strategy to avoid explaining how she found the material. I’m releasing this whole court room business. Michael Williams seems to realize he’s been caught. And then the assertion that the documents were obtained illegally basically proves that they do belong to Michael so that backfired. So they win! After the case, Baxter pulls Maggie aside and offers a recommendation for law school and possibly a spot at his firm. She’s like, nah I’m good.

Maggie and Josh hug outside. For a long time. Ash pushes them away from each other. I love it. Then she makes Josh drive over her dad’s ladder to break it.

The next morning? It’s still 2006 and Maggie is inexplicably STILL engaged. And it is the night of her parents’ 25th anniversary party. They like to have BIG parties for their anniversaries apparently. Keri tells Maggie that Josh is in love with someone else. Oh, who could that be?

Rick the wet sandwich approaches Maggie at the party. Maggie thinks Rick is going to apologize and that his dad is going to be so happy about saving his money. But Rick says his dad is mad about being proven wrong. And Rick is like, I thought we were just going to be doing what my dad wanted? Like for everything? So Maggie dumps him. FINALLY. She finally sees how lame this guy is. Then Maggie sees Josh and runs toward him and slips on the dance floor. She wakes up at her parents’ 40TH Anniversary! Keri is dating a doctor instead of Lester. Fingers crossed for poor Keri. And Ash is married to Tracy! And they’re having a baby! And living with Palo Alto which means he must be a fancy software developer or whatever. And Maggie and Josh don’t live in Chicago. They live in their hometown. Oh that was a twist on a classic I didn’t see coming. And her dad isn’t crippled! Maggie and Josh stroll through town and see the “library” which turned into her social justice law firm. That’s a pretty big building for what can’t amount to much work in a small town. Anyway, they kiss again and that’s the end of it.

Okay so you guys this movie was absurd. ABSOLUTELY absurd. There was ALOT of classic Hallmark nonsense. But guess what? The PREMISE of this movie requires us to go along with the idea that a person can make a wish, hit their head, and go back in time. So I really do need to release it when they get other things wrong in the plot if I’m going along for the ride here. Surprisingly, this movie had a lot of humor. Like, ALOT for a Hallmark movie, which, in my opinion, TOTALLY saved the movie and made it real fun to watch. Did I ask yet why this movie was included in the “Fall Harvest” line up when it takes place in the SUMMER? Is there going to be an actual fall movie or what? Anyway, I liked this one. What did you think?

Taking the Reins

https://anchor.fm/cally-younger/episodes/Taking-the-Reins-e17v9s2

Okay y’all. I am back for the remainder of the fall movies and on to Christmas. The last several months have just been crazy you guys. I swear all my weekends this summer were PACKED with something. So, I missed all these great summer movies and connecting with the 5 or so of you that take the time to read these. But I’m back through at least the Christmas season. Of course. Let’s not waste anymore time though.

Our leading lady, Sam mansplains horse riding to a guy in a bar. Then we discover she is a writer. Her stories sound cray. And by “cray” I mean crazy boring. Like how is an actual traditional magazine publishing these? Very Hallmark style articles that don’t exist in real life. Also, I love that just run of the mill, non Olympic horse riding is playing at a bar. She gets a little riled up at the guy next to her for not caring as much about horse riding as she does. Too bad she’s not sitting next to Snoop Dog for this scene.

She switches gears. And gets his name wrong I guess. I didn’t hear her say the wrong one but oh well. I also didn’t realize this was a date but there was a lot of commotion in the living room as we were getting started…new puppies, popcorn…it was a whole thing. Anyway, later, she facetimes her Mom. A big horse competition is taking place in her hometown and HENRY SPENCER IS HER DAD OMG and he will be riding in the competition. He’s a little salty about her not visiting more or riding horses anymore. Also, Sam has (way) more throw pillows than me so I have a little something to mention to my husband about whether we have too many after this.

Later, Henry Spencer (Preston in this movie) and his wife have a chat and I think he asks whether he, himself is an OLD MARE? Like an old female horse? Surely there is a better comparison. Anyway, they are arguing about Henry not taking time to connect with his daughter when she visits. He is emotionally stunted.

At the magazine office, Sam has a heart to heart with her boss, Amanda. Amanda is like, your stories are super lame. Do better than personalized dinnerware and macramé. And honestly, yes. This is the constructive criticism Sam needs right now. Amanda tells Sam she needs to write a story only SHE can write. She needs to write from her HEART. Not her head. Uh oh. A song from my youth is starting to weasel its way into my brain.

I’m loving Sam’s dress right now. Blue. Pleated. Love it. Sam chit chats with Shadow the horse and his driver (Chauncy?) in Central Park. At this point my dad asks if the horse driver is magic or if the horse is magic. I remind him that this is not a Christmas movie so there is no magic. Anyway, Sam obviously decides to write about the horse event back at home.

Back at home, we learn that Sam’s parents haven’t told her about Luke. They figured it would be a fun thing to surprise her with something to do with oh, just her EX HUSBAND. DRAMA IS COMING.

Dang business must be good at the Compass Magazine. Sam is rocking at LOUIS VUITTON in her hometown bakery. Sam’s friend obviously owns the hometown bakery. Sam sees a picture of LUKE on the wall. Well what is a picture of her ex husband doing on the wall in the town where he lives?!!

Sam’s mom is no nonsense about party planning. Sam heads into her room, untouched since her childhood. Have we talked about this? How many parents leave their 40+ year old daughter’s childhood rooms untouched? You don’t have any other use for that room at this point? You didn’t make her take all that nonsense with her when she got a house of her own? Whatever.

Sam runs into her sister, Alexandra and then heads to see the horses. Grouchy old Dad arrives and gives her a hug, begrudgingly. Sam shares with the help, Matt, that she stopped riding a few years ago. Uh oh. Sounds like she’s gonna find out about Luke the hard way. There it is.

Luke is helping out in the stables. Luke is training Sam’s dad for the competition. Sam is pretty upset about it. Who should have told her? I guess we need more background here. Sounds like she and her ex husband do not speak anymore. Sam’s mom and dad apologize and Sam agrees to suck it up for the two weeks left before the competition. I think everyone is at fault here. But they all thought it wouldn’t matter because Sam was not planning to visit.

Sam goes upstairs and screams into a pillow. As you do.

Later, they have a very fancy dinner in their home. For some reason, Luke is there. Sam and Luke basically rehash their whole marriage in front of everyone…so that is awkward for everyone. Why are they all so dressed up to eat dinner in their own home? A dress? With no actual company?

Sam works on her article in her (very cute) but too fancy for a dinner at home dress. She has titled her article “untitled article” and underlined it, which amuses me. Her sister comes into her room and that’s when Sam learns that Luke is living in their family’s carriage house. She storms over there, still in her fancy dress.

Sam wonders what happened to their old house? How does she not know? Wouldn’t he have had to like buy her out or it would need to be sold? She just like disappeared, Sweet Home Alabama style? They do some more arguing that is not really about him staying in the carriage house. They reminisce about a tiny little leather couch they had in their old house.

The next day, everyone is out in the…fenced area where you train the horses. What is it called? Sam is looking cute with her little riding boots. She politely calls her dad old. I like the expression she uses-“a man of a certain vintage.” He invites her to do some riding and she is a hard pass on that. Her dad mutters how she could have been in the Olympics. I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED.

Out front, Sam’s sister and Matt have a little love connection moment. Sam struggles with her article. But what does she have to write about yet? Isn’t she just writing about the competition? She must give up on it because she and her sister head into town to get a drink. They see MATT. Alexandra wonders why Matt hasn’t asked her out yet.

Uh oh. Luke is dating the bakery owner, Ashley. Sam is a little bummed. She and Alex wonder why he has to be all out loud about it. I appreciate the sister support of this totally unreasonable feeling. Sam and Luke run into each other as they both order drinks. He brushes off the seriousness of his relationship with poor Ashley. They have a pretty intense convo while they wait for their drinks. Sam says she misses dancing with him. If I was Ashley, I would be ON EDGE.

Sam just can’t get this article started. She gives up on it again. She’s got a cute belt situation happening and I wonder if I should give belts a try. Also, can we talk about just the casual spread in this kitchen? Donuts, fruit; it looks lovely. Just casual breakfast at the farmhouse!! Okay is this supposed to be an old/updated farmhouse situation? It looks like the fridge is mounted into the wall and there’s like 3 ovens? Cray.

Henry (I mean Preston) the crank monster comes in and makes Sam feel bad about not riding anymore. She heads outside. Luke follows her. She vents about her difficulty writing her article. She can’t get out of her head to write it. Here we go again with that song from my youth; a lesser known boy band song-Evan and Jaron? Anyone? From my Head to My Heart? Okay.

Okay now they’re both giving a horse a bath to get her back to her roots. There are some weird cuts and then the horse grabs the hose and sprays them both. Wait maybe Luke is spraying her? I can’t tell.

Okay now Luke is taking her (after they’ve changed their clothes) to a surprise. He wants her to ride a horse again. She says she doesn’t ride anymore!! She is very reluctant, but he tells her they’re just for fun. The horses have funny little Maleficent hats on their heads. What are those for? Turns out they are for bugs.

She decides to get on the horse. They couldn’t find an extra with the same color hair as Nikki for heaven’s sake? Her parents watch from the window, just beaming with pride.

Sam and Luke walk along on their horses. Sam tells Luke why she quit riding. It was a disaster of a competition right after they divorced and her dad was really mad at her. So she just quit. Then, Sam and Luke are DEFINITELY OUTSIDE and not in front of a green screen while they sit and continue their heart to heart. Man, they are really connecting. Wait, maybe they are really outside. It looked fake before. OMG ARE THEY GOING TO KISS. OMG YES THEY ARE. What about poor Ashley?

They head back to the house to find Sam’s dad is hurt. I DON’T BUY IT. He is faking it FOR SURE, right? He said some bales of hay fell on his wrist. Okay, there’s a doctor there so maybe it’s legit. Maybe he isn’t trying to trick Sam into competing instead because he seems like he still wants to do the event. Sam tries to talk him out of competing. Then Sam learns that her parents are thinking of selling their whole farm because it’s too much for them to handle. I mean, fair.

Later that night, Sam watches her dad and Luke train. Her dad is struggling with his “sprained” wrist. Are we buying this? The next morning, the horse is knocking in to obstacles on the course. He is really struggling. OH WAIT. Look who decided to try her hand at competing again?! Well this would be a pretty PERFECT plan for a dad who only loves his daughter if she’s good at horse competitions. So, Sam gets back on the horse as they say. Her mom comes out to see this MIRACULOUS turn of events. Uh oh. Right before the hurdle, the horse stops abruptly and Sam falls off him. She is undeterred though. She asks Luke to train her for this competition. WHAT IS HAPPENING. But also, like, what else was he going to do? He’s living at the GD carriage house for heaven’s sake. She calls her boss, Amanda to let her know. The boss is like, cool thanks for the update. How long does it take to write one GD article?

Back on the track, Luke and Sam seem to be starting from square one. Wouldn’t she remember at least some stuff? He’s even telling her how to fit her feet in the stirrups! I mean, how long has it been?! Oh and here we go. Sam is finally able to start working on her article. Now we have the privilege of watching a narrated montage that includes some heated arguments between Sam and Luke while they train. At the end of the montage (and her article) she finally makes the jump over that pesky hurdle. At this point, my dad checks back in and says, “oh she’s going back to jumping now?” Welcome back dad. Just to be clear, he is sitting in the same living room but watching a football game on his phone with his headphones on. A million TVs in their house but this is what’s happening.

Anyway, the next day, poor Ashley drops by with some cinnamon rolls from the bakery. Ashley apologizes for the awkwardness from the other night at the bar. But Ashley says it hasn’t worked out because he talks about SAM the whole time. Sam seems to be the only one that doesn’t know that Luke still loves her!! Well, Sam should know now anyway! Sheesh. Then Sam asks Ashley to take some pictures for her article. Because everyone is just super chill with each other all the time now.

Sam’s parents have a heart to heart in the tack room. Preston says he’s really proud of Sam and maybe also Alex. Sam’s mom encourages him to actually tell her that for ONCE IN HIS SORRY LIFE. Why does everyone have to talk about everything? He wonders.

Preston then goes and tells his other daughter Alex how much he appreciates her working for them.

OOOOH I am living for this party spread. My dad, checking again, asks, “What is this party about?” And to be honest, I’m not sure. Is this what horse competitions are like? With snacks and parties? Where have these been my whole life? Ashley is getting lots of great shots of everyone at the party but nothing from the horse competition. Oh and Sam’s boss shows up. My dad thinks I ought to cut the boss’s bangs a little. But, I’m not allowed to cut anyone’s bangs anymore, as per my hair stylist. Luke and Sam see each other and agree they both look much nicer in dressy clothes. Preston and his wife greet the guests and he thanks Alexandra for her hard work. Preston also gives Sam a shout out and says some nice things about her. He is doing his BEST, poor thing.

Wait did the horse competing happen already or was the first day just a party? I do not understand horse competitions. Sam asks Luke if he’s still in love with her straight up! Luke says yes immediately. Luke asks her the same thing and she says, well it was never about love! Luke tells her to stop thinking so much. And they kiss again!! Oh my gosh, what is this rated?

Alright so today is the day of actual horse competition. The announcer is…doing his very best. Sam looks so cute in her riding outfit.

The first contestant kind of prances around the track. I think she messed up on one but the rest were fine. I’d like more of that hip hop horse dancing like we saw in the Olympics. Another competitor’s horse dodges the last hurdle completely and is disqualified. Now it’s Sam’s turn. I thought she went first. She does knock down one hurdle. My dad scolds her. His headphones are off now and he is into the horse competing.

She is pretty frustrated with herself. Sam’s dad comes up to talk to her. She apologizes to him. In a surprise twist, he is kind and encouraging to her instead of berating her for her mistake. He takes her back to the house and wants to show her something. It’s a box with all her articles saved. They have a lovely heart to heart. He tells her not to worry about winning anymore.

Now it’s time for Round 2! Sam is ready to just have fun. Sam takes her turn and she is able to clear all the hurdles because she is riding with her heart, not her head. She learned her lesson! I love when a Hallmark character learns a lesson. Poor Ashley is stuck taking pictures of her (not)boyfriend and his ex-wife. But Amanda LOVES her pictures and wants to talk. Ashley is like, you know I own my own business right? Like I don’t need a job as a photographer. Unless she’s tired of making cinnamon rolls for her crush’s ex wife all the time.

At the after party, poor Alexandra meets Matt’s boyfriend. No wonder he wasn’t asking her out. Suddenly, a man named Scott appears and Alexandra learns her lesson too! She fearlessly asks him to dance.

Sam’s parents tell her how well she did. They tell her they’ve decided not to sell the farm. Sam is relieved. Sam hears that Alex is getting promoted and she tears her away from dancing with Scott. RUDE. Then they offer Luke a job at the farm too! Wait, what would you call this place? Not a farm. A ranch? A horse storage center? Anyway, he agrees if Sam is okay. She IS okay with it.

Then, Sam and Luke dance. The thing she missed most from their marriage if you remember from earlier. Okay wait what is happening? Are they making any plans? Is someone moving somewhere? WE DON’T KNOW.

Back in New York, Sam autographs a copy of the magazine with her article in it for her handsome cab friend. Luke is there with her and they ride in the carriage together. She calls him “Babe.” I don’t have time to get into that one. I guess they’re just going to work out the details about their distance later.

Alright so that was Taking the Reins. I was excited to watch this one because I believe Nikki DeLoach wrote this one. I don’t watch a ton of non-Christmas Hallmarks but I did enjoy this one. There were some unique approaches to the standard Hallmark template. Like, a genuine attempt at working things out between two ex-spouses and everyone learning lessons. But there was still a lot of Hallmark silliness. But, that’s what we’re all here for, right? I don’t think there’s a Nikki DeLoach movie I didn’t like so there’s that too. I’ve heard from some that this is one of the best Hallmark movies to date. Considering I can’t remember a single title of a previous Hallmark movie at this moment, I am dying to hear whether you agree?