"Can't Let Go" is the fifth episode of the second season of Virgin River. It is the fifteenth episode of the series overall.
Synopsis[]
Jack's war memories haunt him when he reunites with his Marine friends. Mel struggles to handle conflict with her sister-in-law.
Plot[]
Mel and Stacey go jogging through the woods of Virgin River but Stacey is struggling. The two talk, and Stacey asks how Mel manages to live in the middle of nowhere, but Mel enjoys it as it reminds her of the times spent with Mark hiking and the adventures they went on. Mel is surprised that Stacey came but she says that she had to speak to her about the ring. Stacey lets slip that there was a memorial dinner for Mark that Mel was unaware of. Mel isn’t surprised as she does not have the best relationship with her mother in law. Stacey mentions that Mark told them about their fights and maybe she thought that Mel wouldn’t come. She tries to reassure her, saying that her mother never liked any of the girls that Mark brought home. Mel angrily remarks that she wasn’t just any girl, she was Mark’s wife and leaves the conversation in anger.
Jack continues to suffer from PTSD from his war days as he sleeps on Hope’s sofa. He continues to remember Lonergan’s death when he is awoken by Charmaine, who alerts him that her heart is racing and she is afraid there may be something wrong with the babies and he calls Vernon.
Connie begins opening up the bakery truck when she hears an alarming report on the police scanner of a missing Wes. She is instantly alarmed and intrigued at the same time. As she opens up, she hands Muriel her order and Hope her coffee. Hope becomes jealous of Muriel when she reveals that she and Vernon are attending a dance class together later that night. However, she is also thankful for the fact that Muriel — and the rest of the town — believe that Muriel and Vernon are an official item.
Vernon reveals that Charmaine is having heart palpitations and they will need a full blood checkup at Grace Valley. He asks Jack how he is doing but the latter brushes it off, saying he’s fine. Hope brings Vernon a coffee and a savoury snack as an apology for her behaviour at the charity event. Hope asks Vernon if they would like to do something together, but Vernon remarks that he is attending the dance lesson with Muriel later. Hope reveals that she would like to attend the class, but doesn't want to interrupt the date between him and Muriel. Vernon assures her that it isn't a date, but a group lesson. Jack’s friends from the Marines are in town but he plans to stay with Charmaine and keep her company. However, she assures him that she will be fine and tells him to go have fun with them.
Connie appears and the bar and informs Preacher about what she heard on the police scanner. She asks him to meet at her store in the evening so they can talk, and he agrees. She approaches Mel, at whom she is furious for writing Lizzie a prescription. Mel states that because Lizzie is legally an adult, she cannot discuss her treatment or medical appointments with Connie. The latter is furious, revealing that she tore the prescription to pieces and warns Mel to stay away from Lizzie as well as the fact that she will be discussing this behaviour with Vernon.
Returning to the bar, Mel tells Jack about the situation with Stacey. He tells her she should give it some thought. He also reveals that he has been spending the night on the sofa at Hope's in return for Charmaine's compliance. Mel tells Jack that she doesn't like how she is manipulating him, but Jack has no response. Moments later, Preacher and Jack are reunited with their marine comrades, and the group arrange to go bike riding and have a catch up. After Stacie reappears, the two leave the bar.
Lizzie encounters Ricky outside the bar and asks him to go to a party together later that night. She asks him to bring alcohol, and when he remarks that he doesn't know anywhere that will serve him, she points to the fact that he works at a bar. Back at the bar, the comrades reunite, talking about how much things have changed since there were together last.
Mel and Vernon have a conversation about Charmaine, with Vernon reminding Mel that she is still the only nurse practitioner in town, even if she has been fired. Vernon explains the diagnosis and asks if Mel will still aid him in treating Charmaine, albeit from afar and she reluctantly agrees. He asks her this one time to deliver Charmaine’s results from the hospital whilst he deals with some picky people on house calls.
The Marine comrades go biking together through the rough terrain of Virgin River. During the fun, however, one of the Marines, Zeke, makes a joke about Jack leading them. The joke isn't received well and many of the men remark that Zeke should not have said what he said. Nonetheless, Jack brushes off the joke and continues on the biking activity.
Mel sees Bert about his hand at the practice before looking at photos of her and Mark together. It is clear that she is struggling with the concept of giving Stacey the ring back. She is interrupted by Hope and the two find common ground when she explains that she too lost a husband shortly after her marriage and understands the feeling. Mel admits that she moved to Virgin River for a fresh start but cannot escape the memories. Hope remarks that there will always be reminders of the ones they have lost.
At the bar, Preacher meets Jamie, who is very impressed with his food and shocked that he is working in a bar in the middle of nowhere. The two continue to talk about the perks of Virgin River as well as the culinary industry in the city. Ricky steals a bottle of tequila from Jack’s office to appease Lizzie.
The reunited Marines play football together. Jack watches Mel walk to the bakery truck with Stacie. Mike notices this and Jack tells him about Mel but also explains that she is a widow and that Charmaine is pregnant, which shows the complications associated with his pursuit. The remaining group find a dog in the bushes by the river.
After his reunion, Jack returns to Charmaine with the dog that the group found. He hopes that it will help Charmaine feel less isolated and alone, but Charmaine uses this as an opportunity to try and drag Jack back into a romantic relationship with her.
At Emerald Lumber, Calvin informs Brady that there is a detective investigating. The latter immediately knows that it is Mike. He also believes that there is more going on than he is being told. Brady confronts Calvin and tells him that if he is going to be working here, he should be made aware of all the ins and outs. Calvin reveals that the camp is importing fentanyl and his tells Brady of his plans to make him his successor.
Following on from her revelation on the police scanner, Connie meets with Preacher privately to discuss Wes and Paige. Connie reveals that the authorities are looking for Wes, who is now suspected missing, but Preacher pleads with Connie to let it go. Connie explains a story about a family and an abusive father who killed his wife, but it is clear that the story is about Connie and her family. Preacher apologises to Connie, who is determined to not let the same thing happen to Christopher. He proceeds to explain the situation with Wes and the abusive marriage Paige had.
Mel has dinner with Stacey, who once again brings up the topic of the engagement ring. She remarks Jack’s good looks and asks Mel if she ever intends to remarry. That way she will get another ring and can return her current ring to the Monroe family. She also states that Mel doesn’t have children to pass it down to, but she will. This comment offends Mel but she must excuse herself from the conversation, however, when Vernon asks her to deliver Charmaine's test results.
Mel heads over to Hope's and tells Charmaine that she is having a spout of low blood pressure and must eat more regularly to maintain. She sees the dog that Jack gave Charmaine and asks about him. Charmaine backhandedly hints that he is doing it to get her forgiveness in order to get a reaction from Mel.
At the dance class, Vernon is surprised when he finds out that he will be partnered with Muriel as he thought there would be a rotation. Hope arrives moments later, which annoys Muriel, and pairs with the instructor. After a brief period of dancing salsa, the instructor compliments Muriel and Vernon's connection, but tells Hope that she is too intent on leading and acting as a soloist. Hope scowls and walks away.
Preacher, Jack and the other Marines enjoy a beer around a campfire. Zeke brings up Lonergan — the soldier that died in Jack's arms — and a brief conversation ensues about him and the time that the Marines visited his home. It clearly affects Jack and he leaves the conversation to grab another beer.
Ricky and Lizzie drink together after the party ends, which Lizzie brands a failure. The two grow closer as they open about their family lives. Lizzie asks why Ricky doesn't have a girlfriend and he tells her how he feels invisible at school. In response, Lizzie kisses Ricky and tells him that she sees him.
Jack stops by the cabin to see Mel, who is sitting outside by herself. The two talk once more about the engagement ring. Mel tells him that she can't bring herself to give up the ring, but tells him about the rough year she and Mark had prior to his death. She is wondering if they would still be together if Mark was alive but Jack assures her that there could’ve always been a possibility that they worked things out but that there is no point in thinking what if. He advises her to keep the ring if that is what she wishes to do.
Mel goes back inside, planning to tell Stacey her choice regarding the ring. She, however, is packing her things, having overheard Mel’s conversation with Mark. Mel is disappointed that she cannot understand how she is feeling but Stacey responds by insulting Mel for sleeping with Jack when not even a year has passed since Mark’s death. In retaliation, Mel reveals that Mark told her about Stacey’s fit when their grandmother gave the ring to Mark to give to Mel. Stacey angrily leaves the cabin.
Ricky returns to the bar to put back the bottle of tequila that he stole. Jack catches him and sends him home, forbidding him from driving. In his office, he has a flashback of Lonergan prior to his death before calling a number, which is revealed to be that of Lonergan's parents. He explains that he was Lonergan's First Sergeant and apologises for not having been able to bring him home, but the man on the phone informs him that he is Lonergan's brother and that his parents have passed away. Jack bursts into tears, realising that he has called too late.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Alexandra Breckenridge as Melinda Monroe
- Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan
- Colin Lawrence as John Middleton
- Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan Brady
- Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine Roberts
- Grayson Gurnsey as Ricky
- Sarah Dugale as Lizzie
- Annette O'Toole as Hope McCrea
- Tim Matheson as Vernon Mullins
Guest Cast[]
- Teryl Rothery as Muriel
- Nicola Cavendish as Connie
- David Cubitt as Calvin
- Marco Grazzini as Mike
- Carmel Amit as Jamie
Co-Starring[]
- Melinda Dahl as Stacie
- Eric Breker as Josh
- Garfield Wilson as Zeke
- Andrew Zachar as Tom
- Trever Lerner as Bert
- Donald Heng as George
- Alex Santos as Antioine
- Rohan Campbell as Lonergan
Trivia[]
- It is revealed that Lonergan's parents are dead.
- Mel refuses to give back Mark's engagement ring.
Gallery[]
Promotional stills[]
Videos[]
[]
| Virgin River episodes |
|---|
External links[]
Can't Let Go on the Internet Movie Database