New Beginnings

"New Beginnings" is the first episode of the second season of Virgin River, and the eleventh episode overall.

Synopsis
Jack asks Mel for help when Charmaine experiences a complication in her pregnancy. Hope insists that Doc keep their relationship a secret.

Plot summary
In Los Angeles, Mel visits Mark's grave for presumably the first time since she moved to Virgin River. She explains that her idea of "home" is gone, since he was always her home, but now finds herself lost and in despair; it becomes clear that she has not yet processed losing Mark despite the time it has been. Mel tells Mark to take care of their daughter, but that she must return to Virgin River for the new beginning she planned for herself — leaving Virgin River when things got tough was not the answer.

After deciding that the two will forget the divorce and stay together, Vernon and Hope are enjoying spending time together as a couple once more. Hope wants to keep their relationship on the down-low, however, and is worried that the town will begin gossiping about them, but Vernon wants the whole town to know that they are back together. Vernon jokes that Hope is the biggest gossiper in town, therefore they have nothing to worry about, but Hope is not convinced.

Charmaine is moving along with the pregnancy and experiencing severe morning sickness. Jack stops by and advises that she see Vernon to ensure things are going well, but Charmaine is reluctant, and keeps bringing the conversation back to Mel, whom the two both know is returning to Virgin River later that day. Jack explains that he must go help Preacher and Ricky at the bar given they have not found a replacement for Brady but tells Charmaine to relax for the remainder of the day until he can take her to the practice.

Mel finally makes her reappearance in Virgin River when she arrives at the practice but is shocked to bump into Jack, and moments later Charmaine, who is being advised on the pregnancy by Vernon. Things are tense between the three, but Vernon welcomes Mel back to Virgin River and asks if they can talk. After Jack and Charmaine leave, Mel becomes irritated when Vernon suggests that her expertise may be needed to treat Charmaine if her morning sickness does not resolve itself.

Preacher stops by Paige's bakery to pick up supplies for the bar. He asks why Paige took Christopher to Clear River the night he cut his hand instead of taking him to the practice, but Paige avoids the question, remarking that she couldn't get hold of Vernon and panicked. Once more, Preacher enquires about Paige's identity change and asks if they can finish their conversation; this ends in the two arranging to have dinner in two days' time.

Hope is moping around Jack's Bar, with Jack still not talking to her. Muriel enters moments later to talk with Hope. She asks if the rumours about her and Vernon's divorce are true, and when Hope confirms that they are, Muriel asks if she would mind her asking Vernon on a date. Hope laughs, remarking that Vernon is a free man and that Muriel is free to ask him out.

Mel and Jack finally speak after their tense reunion earlier. Mel explains that it is clear Charmaine wants to be with him therefore he should take the chance to have a solid family with her. She reveals that she will finish her year in Virgin River and move elsewhere.

The following day, Vernon asks if Mel can consult with him on Charmaine's case despite her refusing once already. She finally agrees, and reveals that Charmaine is suffering from Hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition wherein the mother suffers from morning sickness for the entire pregnancy; this pushes Charmaine into the high-risk category and if they do not control her symptoms now, they could be problematic and pose a threat to the pregnancy.

Later in the day, Vernon and Hope are interrupted when Vernon receives a phone call. Hope enquires about who the call is from, falsely believing the call to be from Muriel asking Vernon on a date, but it is revealed to be from Mel. Vernon questions Hope about the idea of it being Muriel, and she is forced to reveal that Muriel wants to date him — she urges Vernon to accept the date to throw the town off the idea that the two of them are back together.

The following day, Mel struggles to find accommodation for Charmaine that is close to the practice. Eventually, she is forced to ask Hope if Charmaine can stay in her spare room, but Hope is reluctant to accept, given the strained friendship between the two of them. When Mel suggests that allowing Charmaine to stay in her house could fix things between her and Jack, she accepts.

Preacher and Paige finally talk in-depth about her identity crisis, and Paige reveals certain details about how Wes changed during their relationship following their marriage. Preacher invites Paige and Christopher to move in with him until things are sorted, an arrangement Paige agrees with moments before the two-part ways. Paige is shocked when she enters her garden to find Christopher playing football with Wes.

Main Cast

 * Alexandra Breckenridge as Melinda Monroe
 * Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan
 * Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan Brady
 * Colin Lawrence as John Middleton
 * Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine Roberts
 * Annette O'Toole as Hope McCrea
 * Tim Matheson as Vernon Mullins
 * Grayson Gurnsey as Ricky

Guest Cast

 * Lexa Doig as Paige Lassiter
 * Teryl Rothery as Muriel
 * Nicola Cavendish as Connie
 * Steve Bacic as Wes

Co-Starring

 * Chase Petriw as Christopher
 * Keith MacKechnie as Nick
 * Thomas Nicholson as Leo Cavanagh

Trivia

 * Details surrounding the breakdown of the relationship between Wes and Paige are revealed.
 * It is revealed that Charmaine is suffering from Hyperemesis gravidarum.
 * Mel reluctantly agrees to be Charmaine's OBGYN/midwife.