The Way Home - Season 3 (2025)

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I have been watching The Way Home since it premiered on The Hallmark Channel in 2023, and  Season 1 was as perfect a show as it gets. Season 2 wasn't as strong. The pacing was slow and too many characters were introduced without them being fleshed out enough. 

Similar to how season 2 began, season 3 picks up where the previous season ended, then quickly jumps ahead several months. Perhaps they skip the winter months because how could they time travel if the pond (their "vehicle") is frozen? Although, I would absolutely love to see a Christmas special of this show.

Anyhow, I digress.

Whereas season 1 was primarily set in the 1990s and season 2 was primarily set in the 1800s, season 3 finds us largely in the 1970s. We get to see how young Del (Julia Tomasone) and young Colton (Jordan Doww) met as teens and how their love story unfolded. We also get to know teenage Evelyn (Devin Cecchetto) during this time period.

Some time is spent in the 1800s, but not nearly as much as it was in season 2. This is a good thing. I wasn't a fan of some of the plotlines that occurred in that season. It was too dark for my taste. However, the time we spend there in season 3 feels like it has a purpose. Everything that happened in season 2 leads to what transpires in season 3. I guess sometimes in life you have to take the bad with the good. While season 3 does go down some dark paths, it's overall a lighter season than the previous one. Don't get me wrong, though. It's still an emotionally powerful season.

There are several more storylines that evolve in season 3, but I can't say too much about them without giving away spoilers. All of the main characters from the previous seasons are there and we meet a few new ones. The introduction of the new characters in season 3 never felt overwhelming to me. 

While some mysteries from the previous two seasons are solved, other mysteries develop in season 3. If the show is going to continue (it has in fact been picked up for a fourth season), this needs to happen. All of the speculation and theories are what keep us engaged and interested.

I do think that the pacing was again a bit off in this season, though. In one episode close to the end of the season, we are fed a lot of answers. I wish those answers were gradually revealed throughout the season. Some episodes even before that were a bit too jam-packed. I counted four different time periods in one particular episode. While it did all make sense, that's a lot of time jumps for a 40-ish minute episode. It is possible to have too much of a good thing. While I love the storylines in this show, perhaps they are trying to do too much. There are only ten 40-ish minute episodes in a season and we have to wait until January for the next season. By doing less with the time given, I think the show could be even better than it already is.

All that being said, I absolutely loved this season. While the pacing could have been better, everything else hit the mark. Season 1 still tops my list of favorites, but season 3 is a very close second. First, the casting for this season was perfection. Every younger version of the older characters was spot on and believable. They are also extremely talented, not just with acting, but also with singing and playing instruments. There is a lot of music from the 1970s in season 3, most of which are sung by the actors themselves. I loved the music so much that I found myself looking up the songs and listening to them when I wasn't watching the show. Sadly, at least one song was written specifically for the show and, to my knowledge, isn't available anywhere else. I hope a soundtrack for the series is released at some point.

The music adds depth and emotion. There was one especially moving moment where the music was playing in the background during a partially slow motion scene. It was so well edited that it had me in tears. I watched that scene alone multiple times and cried every time.

Speaking of editing, that was a strength throughout this season. The transitions between scenes were masterfully done. For example, when we leave a scene in the 1800s, we might be in the same setting in the next scene, but in present day or in the 1970s. Transitions between scenes such as these were seamlessly crafted. It's these finer details that take the show to a higher level. Great care was obviously taken in how it was filmed and edited.

Another strength continues to be the writing. There are so many powerful lines that made me stop and reflect. For example, Del says to Jacob, "The scars may be proof that you suffered, buy they're also proof that you made it through." Another line in a note to Del was, "It's time to let go of what was lost and take hold of what's to come." While these lines are directly related to events in the series, I bet a lot of people can relate to them in real life. I know I can.

Like the previous two seasons, season 3 ends on a cliffhanger. I am so happy this show will be back for another season. I can't wait to see which era we explore when the show resumes. I will be there with popcorn in hand ready to watch it.

If you haven't seen this show because you typically don't like Hallmark content, I encourage you to give it a try. Start with season 1 and watch them in order to experience the full impact of the characters and their stories. Before starting each season, it's important to have a complete understanding of the previous ones. Watching them in order will make you feel much more connected to the series. Also know that you won't be able to answer all the questions you have. But that's part of the fun of watching a show like this. There is so much to ponder.

All seasons of The Way Home are streaming on Hallmark+. If you have the Hallmark+ Hoopla Bingepass you can access this for free through your local library. The last time I checked, season 1 was also streaming for free on YouTube.

This show is so different than any show Hallmark has every made and it could easily be on one of the major streaming channels. It's the perfect blend of time travel and mystery - two of my favorite things.