When Kate’s friends sign her up for a Christmas dating service, she goes to appease them. Will she find love on 12 Dates ‘Til Christmas.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS from 12 Days ‘Til Christmas season 1 episode 1
At first, we open with how the series is likely set to end. Or at least, get close to the end. Kate is on a train, sharing the story of how she went on dates to appease her friend, but she never expected to find love. However, it’s all ended in heartbreak so close to Christmas.
So, how did that happen? We jump back to three weeks earlier, which is where the 12 Dates all starts.
Kate’s dates start off terrible on 12 Dates ‘Til Christmas
Kate isn’t interested in going on dates right now. She’s looking after her father, who suffered a motorbike accident, and she’s struggling with work. As a textile designer, she needs to be in the right headspace, but she is clearly struggling with the stress in her life.
So, when her friends sign her up for the 12 Dates of Christmas Dating Service, she initially fights back. It’s not something she has any interest in doing, but her friends and her dad hold an intervention to get her to do it.
The first two dates don’t turn out all that well, though, with the first one standing her up. The woman running the dating service is apologetic, and she isn’t going to let it stop her from pushing Kate for another date.
During the second date, things seem to go well. At least the guy shows up! However, when they kiss under the mistletoe, he starts to cry. He’s still heartbroken over his ex leaving, and they end up having a cute talk, but it’s not going to lead to love.
Kate’s dad is also struggling in love
Kate isn’t the only one having issues with her love life. Her dad, who is divorced from her mom, clearly has an interest in a woman in the village. Evelyn seems to be interested in Mac, as well, but they’re not exactly being open about it. Well, Evelyn is trying by getting Mac to come to a Latin aerobic class, but he isn’t taking the hint.
Evelyn does decide to go to see him, sharing about how she struggled after her husband’s death. Really, she wants to just help Mac get over his issues, opting for the stiff upper lip British mentality.
As for Kate, she heads out on her third date, which has a Great British Baking Show take to it. This date doesn’t quite lead to love, but it does allow us to learn why Kate and Mac are struggling so much. Kate is struggling with a mom who just up and left, abandoning all of her responsibilities. Maybe there is a hint that there could be something, but I get a sense this guy’s busy schedule is going to get in the way. He already outsources as much as he can.
It also doesn’t help that he is extremely upfront on the first date. In a way, it’s a good thing, as he knows he wants to get married again and have more children. However, Kate isn’t sure what she wants from dating, and she realizes that maybe she shouldn’t be doing this.
Once again, Kate looks to get out of the dates, but for a good reason. Why keep dating when she’s not really sure what she wants to gain from it? Isn’t that just leading people on?
The owner of the 12 Dates service isn’t willing to let Kate give up. She knows that Kate has every right to be in the program, because it’s clear she’s searching for something. Kate doesn’t need to know what it is, but she should take a chance when it comes. It also helps that the guy who stood her up on the first date, Richard, sent flowers as an apology and hopes for a second chance.
12 Dates ‘Til Christmas airs on Fridays at 8/7c on Hallmark and streams the following day on Hallmark+.
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