A Promise of Return and a Tribute

Hi there everyone, this certainly isn't the blog post I wanted to be my first after a much-needed, unannounced, extended break from the blogosphere to get my life in order. Things are looking much better now than they were when this break started, so I'll be back to posting regular episode commentaries very soon. 

But before we get back to our regular blog posts, I wanted to quickly address a piece of very sad news we all received this morning in the Heartland fan community. It has just been announced that the actor Robert Cormier, who played Finn, has passed away at the age of 33, just days before season 16, in which he was to become a regular, is scheduled to premiere in Canada on CBC this coming weekend. 

One of the things I have always loved about the show is how much it feels like the cast is one big family-- and how much the fact that they feel like a family makes me feel like I too am a part of that family. I am sure all of you Heartlanders know this feeling too. Though Robert was one of the newest cast members, he was certainly already part of the Heartland family. I have no doubt that the cast and crew of the show are all deeply grieving Robert, who has gone way too soon. 

I don't know what will happen to the Amy-Finn plotlines going forward. I don't know what the future of the show is in years to come. I sincerely hope we get another 16 seasons-- and even more-- but at this point, no one knows anything. I ask that all of you Heartlanders, out of respect for Robert, his family, and his cast and crew, not speculate either on how he passed, or what might become of the show. Please, give his family and castmates time and space to grieve his loss in their own ways. 

If there are times and spaces for fan tributes for Robert who we knew as Finn, then either the CBC or the official Heartland social media channels will surely make an announcement of when and where those tributes can take place. If such an announcement is made, I will link to it in the comments of this post. 

Robert, I hope you know you touched all our lives, even if we only knew you as a cast member for a very short time. You will be deeply missed by everyone who loves this great show. May you rest in peace, Robert.