It was 2020. We were all stuck inside, and me and my husband were tearing through shows like it was our full-time job. At some point I remember thinking, okay… who watches this much TV? But the world felt upside down, so honestly, it was just survival mode. Netflix was the escape.
I’d heard about Heartland forever. Horse friends would bring it up like it was a rule: “Wait, you haven’t seen it?” I’d also seen the memes, recognized a few faces, and still somehow never watched a single episode.
If I’m being real, I assumed it would be too cheesy. And most horse shows don’t exactly inspire confidence. If you ride, you know what I mean. They’ll get the tack wrong, the barn vibe feels fake, and the horse stuff ends up looking like a costume party.
Then the pandemic hit, my standards got a lot softer, and Heartland popped up on Netflix with thirteen seasons just sitting there. So I clicked play.
At first it was background noise. I had it on while I cleaned, while I worked from the couch, while I did anything to make the days feel less identical.
And then I started actually watching.
It was the kind of cheesy that somehow works. Wholesome, familiar, easy on the brain. And the characters grew on me way faster than I expected. Especially Jack. He’s the one that really got me. Once I cared about him, it was over. I was in.
And the show had moments that genuinely hit. I still remember the plane crash. I still remember Spartan getting hurt. I didn’t expect to feel that much over a show I originally put on as “something to have in the background.”
But I did.
Now Season 19 just dropped on Netflix, and five years later I’m right back in it like I never left. Same feeling. Same comfort. It’s just what I’m watching right now.
So yeah—thanks, Heartland. It was a pretty perfect distraction during a weird time, and it ended up being way more than I thought it would be.
And honestly… I wouldn’t be shocked if we finally give Yellowstone a try next.
