Heartland Catch UP: Season 19 Episode 4 “Braving the Wilderness”

We are only one episode away from the midseason finale! In this episode: As Amy and Ashley search the forest for the downed plane, Caleb and Nathan fight to survive the wilderness – and each other. Jack and Lisa organize an old-fashioned haying. Did this week’s episode tie up all of those emotional loose ends, or did it just bring even more questions?

“I’m protective [of Amy] because we are such good friends. And I’m protective of Ty, too… Nobody can live up to him, not even me.” — Caleb

✈️ Nathan & Caleb in the Wilderness

Of course, we begin right where we left off last week: with Caleb and Nathan bracing for impact as their plane goes down from engine failure. Caleb manages an impressive emergency landing in a remote Alberta meadow. After a brief celebratory hug, the realization sets in that they have no idea where they are. As Nathan tries to get cell reception to check on his dad, Caleb lets is slip that he wants to get back because he doesn’t want to worry “Amy — I mean, Ashley.” Nathan is doubtful that it was a mistake, since Caleb has “a lot more history with Amy” than he initially thought.

The following morning, things continue to unravel: Caleb wakes to find that the plane’s battery has died, rendering their radio useless, and the rescue chopper still haven’t arrived. They also realize that they don’t have any food or water. With no chopper in sight (and dehydration beginning to set in), Nathan ventures out to find water despite Caleb’s warnings to stay near the plane.

Soon, Nathan ends up with a messed up knee and is forced to lean on Caleb. After some wandering, the men find a stream. With their water secured, Caleb apologizes to Nathan for being so “tough” on him lately, and explains that he’s really protective of Amy, and Ty, as well. Nathan sighs and says that “when someone’s already had the love of their life, that’s an impossibly high bar.” Caleb reassures him that Ty wasn’t perfect either, and he just doesn’t know Nathan well enough to know that he won’t hurt Amy.

💔 Amy, Ashley, and the Weight of the Past

At Pike River, Amy and Ashley grow increasingly worried when the guys never text to confirm their landing. Dale comes to inform them that their plane’s engine failed mid-flight but reassures them that Caleb was able to land the plane safely. He also gives them the plane’s location, the national park, but the only way to get there is by helicopter or by horse. Since it’s too late to reach them before dark, he tells them that he’ll send his chopper to get them in the morning.

The next morning, there’s a setback: three hikers are missing in the mountains, and Dale’s crews (and choppers) are tied up with their rescue.  Since it was assumed that the guys have shelter and basic supplies, they plan to get to them before the end of the day. He also mentions that Buster & Ernie, the horse duo Amy trained last episode, aren’t ready for real work yet, so they won’t be going out to rescue the stranded hikers. By this point, the ladies have also noticed that the food supplies that should have been in the plane are in their room at Pike River. Not wanting to waste any more time, Amy & Ashley saddle up Buster & Ernie and venture out to rescue their men.

Ernie, out of his element on unfamiliar terrain, is nervous. When they arrive at the crash site, they find Caleb’s jacket, which means they “either left in a hurry or wasn’t planning on being gone too long.” They also find bear tracks. Amy remembers that Buster is scent-trained, a detail Dale mentioned last episode, and hands the jacket to him. After a while of searching, it becomes apparent that Buster might have lost the scent on Caleb’s jacket. Ernie also begins to spook and nearly throws Amy off. Ashley suggests that they head back, but Amy refuses to give up. She tries to calm Ernie down by bringing Buster closer for confidence. It seems to work, and the group ventures on.

Frustrated that their search so far has been fruitless, Ashley remarks “this is why it’s easier to be single.” Amy asks her if she thought that her last (very unhappy) relationship might be affecting her relationship with Caleb, and offers that: “I don’t think that we ever deserve the pain that we get. Sometimes, it’s just really bad luck. But it won’t always be.” Just then, the ladies do get lucky: Buster picks back up Caleb’s scent and soon they are all reunited with Caleb and Nathan!

Back at Pike River, Caleb and Ashley have a heart to heart: Caleb admits to Ashley that he should have told her he had feelings for Amy, but that’s over and he’s all in on her. He goes on to say that he just wants to have a fresh start without any baggage. Ashley jokes that that isn’t possible at their age, but she was always loyal. She apologizes that she didn’t realize that it would be so hard for her to trust someone again, and she made it harder. They promise to be honest with one another, no matter what. Amy & Nathan also have a moment of reconciliation: Nathan tells her that it’s OK that she still loves Ty, and Amy tells him that even though she’ll always love Ty, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room in her heart for him.

👚 Katie Finds Her Style

Peter is back in town! Lou suggests that she, Peter and Katie go to the farmers market for a fun family day of competitions and gourmet tastings. However, Peter has a meeting in Calgary the next day and Katie was invited out with the flag girls. Lou disappointed, accepts that it’s important for Katie to bond with her teammates. When Katie complains that she doesn’t have anything to wear, she goes on to say that when they’re all in their show uniforms, the at least looks like she fits in, but when they’re not, there’s an “unofficial uniform” that they all have. Lou suggests that they go shopping for some “cowgirl chic” threads, suggesting to Katie that “sometimes it helps to dress the part.”

The following day, Katie tries on her new outfit, and decides that the “cowgirl chic” style isn’t her. Peter, fancying himself as a”fashionista,” observes that Katie doesn’t have a fashion problem, but a case of “imposter syndrome,” and reassures her that everybody feels it at some point in their life, even those cool Hudson Wilds girls. He also reassures her that when they asked her to be a part of their team, it was because they liked her for who she is, not how she dresses.

🏒 Dex Finds His Place

The simple tasks that Jack initially assigns to Dex Cashman on his first day as a ranch hand, changing tractor oil & hooking up a baler, reveal he has no real ranch experience. Dex tells Jack that he grew up in Hudson, just not on a farm. Before Jack can assign him any more tasks, Dex informs him that he’ll have to cut out to go for an appointment in town with a specialist he’s been waiting months to see but promises that he’ll be back right after.

Katie runs into Dex during her outing with the Hudson Wilds girls. Her teammates are attracted to his flashy personality, but Katie isn’t, calling him cocky. Afterwards, she gives him a ride back to Heartland.

Back at the ranch, Jack finds Dex sleeping off his beers in the stables. Jack is furious, telling him that he should have called the cops on him when he had the chance. Dex explains that he got some bad news, “kind of spiraled out,” and pleads with him to give him another chance. Jack tells him the loft above the barn is empty, and tells him to sleep there, but he better be ready for work in the morning.

The next day, Jack sees that Dex is clearly capable of hard work and advises that if he can “cut back on the drinking and the busting up trucks,” he might have a bright future ahead of him. Dex disagrees and tells him that at the end of the last hockey season, he got run by a guy who put his head into the post. He got his so hard, it messed up his eye. The appointment he had the previous day confirmed that the damage in permanent, ending his hockey career. Hearing the heavy news, Jack suggests that he take the day off. Dex declines and tells him that he’d rather keep busy.

🌾 A Bale of Hay Keeps the Troubles Away

Jack is feeling nostalgic and wants to an old-fashioned haying with the whole Heartland clan, besides Katie & Lisa haven’t done it before. Lisa tells him that she’s game… as long as he can convince the rest of the family.

By the end of the episode, the whole family comes out to take part in the haying festivities. Nathan and Dex are there too! After the harrowing events of this week’s episode, taking part in this family tradition was probably a much needed release!

Favorite Quote from the Episode

“You’re right. I will always love Ty. But that doesn’t mean there’s not room in my heart for you. I love you.” — Amy

Let’s Discuss:

• What do you think about Dex? Did Jack “find the right one,” or does he smell like trouble?
• Would you have trusted a scent-trained horse like Buster with something as important as finding people lost in the woods?
• Did the haying at the end of the episode make you feel nostalgic like Jack? What are some of your favorite family traditions?

New episodes of Heartland Season 19 premiere weekly — only in the U.S. on UP Faith & Family.

Heartland Season 19 Episode Release Schedule:

Episode 1 “Risk Everything” Thursday, November 6, 2025

Episode 2 “Two Can Keep a Secret” Thursday, November 13, 2025

Episode 3 “Ghosts” Thursday, November 20, 2025

Episode 4 “Braving the Wilderness” Thursday, November 27, 2025

Episode 5 “Suspicious Minds” Thursday, December 4, 2025

Episode 6 “Under the Lights” Thursday, January 8, 2026 ***275^th Episode***

Episode 7 “Fall Down, Get Back Up” Thursday, January 15, 2026

Episode 8 “Lost and Found” Thursday, January 22, 2026

Episode 9 “Revenge” Thursday, January 29, 2026

Episode 10 SEASON FINALE “Forgiveness” Thursday, February 5, 2026