‘The Way Home’ Recap: ‘The Space Between’

1/22/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘The Way Home’.

For the most part, stories that ponder upon the traumas of our past, and the power of loss and grief, focus on how that feels in a very intimate and unique manner. Wherein we are either privy to the moment trauma is revisited, and rattles a person, or shortly after loss arrives and grief watches over them, and it makes sense as to why stories focus on those moments. Because those are relatable and draw us in. Not to manipulate us, but to remind us that these are powerful occurrences in our lives that we all share in, and we should have some understanding they will touch us and touch others in our lives so we can meet them with bravery and strength in hand.

But while it is helpful to see people confront such matters, there are other aspects to grieving and healing from trauma that are sadly left in the dust to make the heavier stuff the focus. When in fact, storytelling should show us as much of the entire process as possible. So that we understand that when the core darkness ends, the real healing begins. The kind that requires a lot of self-work and external work emotionally to finally heal and slowly but surely, there are stories taking the time to do just that. So that we can learn about the whole process at last, and one story in that vein that is of note, returned to the airwaves on the Hallmark Channel last night. For the season two premiere of ‘The Way Home’ offered up some fascinating perspective on healing, and that made for one powerful tale.

One that took place some after a harrowing incident for Kat and Alice in ‘The Space Between’. For shortly after a desperate attempt to use the pond to find Jacob, one that nearly resulted in Alice drowning, a decision was made. In that, the pond had to be forgotten, and they all needed to move on. Especially from the past. Which made it seem as though this episode was going to offer up a very positive take on healing and how important it is to let go of yesterday and that which hurts our souls deeply. But as the months rolled along and all settled in to life once again, it became clear that this episode had other ideas in mind. For in order to heal we have to earn it and put in serious work to really make that happen, and that didn’t happen here.

Instead, Kat, Alice and even Del… spent a lot of time running from the past. Yes, they acknowledged it, acknowledged their pain, but never did the work. Never did exactly what needed to be done to properly let everything go and find resolution. Which instead, offered up a cautionary tale, one filled with fascinating lessons about how hollow life can feel when the past still hangs heavy over us, and how difficult that makes it to live in the moment. Which made for the powerful moments in question, the kind that will absolutely stay with a viewer for some time, making this a worthwhile and engaging season premiere. For it truly served as the anthesis to how grief and loss, and trauma are presented in popular media, and it deserves our applause for going that route.

Because those actions are commonplace by folks that are emotionally wounded. They try and just forge ahead despite acknowledging they’ve been through the wringer with the same hollow results, and it would seem… the story is going to force them to do the work. Courtesy of a fascinating plot twist involving the pond and its power once again, wherein it will take everyone where they need to go to not only keep the timeline intact but prompt them to face their pain, face the darkness and find a way forward. And well, now that we’ve come to the end of one emotional tale, it will be interesting to see how the healing journey for this family comes together as season two of this special series continues along. Until next time.

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