Into the Light is the eighth episode of the first season of Virgin River and the eighth episode of the series overall.
Summary []
A storm causes a town power outage and everybody gets together at Jack's bar. Mel grapples with her revelation. Preacher investigates Paige.
Plot Summary[]
Mel has a flashback of the night of her husband's death with her at the hospital as she sleeps. When looking at her husband’s face, she sees Jack’s and is jolted awake. She looks outside of the window to find it is raining outside and that there is a power cut. At that moment, Jo Ellen enters the room, having heard Mel’s screams but she brushes it off. She informs Mel that everyone convenes at Jack's Bar during a power cut — which are frequent in Virgin River — but Mel opts to stay in her room despite Jo Ellen’s numerous attempts.
At Jack's Bar, the residents of Virgin River have rallied and are all keeping themselves entertained. Vernon and Hope play cards together whilst the other girls from the sewing circle knit. Jack approaches the pair and asks about Doc’s fishing trip, which was successful but he has no proof as he catches and releases. Hope jokes about this with Doc replying that she would never be able to catch anything. Hope talks of her dislike for Muriel, which Vernon doesn’t understand, and she jokes of the possibility of her being a criminal.
Back at the B&B, Mel takes a call from Joey, who is in San Francisco for the weekend and in the midst of a separation. She expresses concern about Mel during the storm. Mel reveals that she doesn't want to drive in the storm but also feels on edge after telling Jack about her husband. She promises to call Joey back when she feels herself breaking down and goes back to bed.
At the bar, Muriel asks Jack if he has any brothers, implying that she finds him attractive. He says no, which prompts a slightly disappointed reaction from Muriel. She makes conversation with Hope following her heart attack but it is clear that the latter dislikes her. Muriel continues to flirt with Jack.
Finally, Mel opts to walk to the bar whilst having flashbacks to the moment she was told she had lost her husband. She continues to walk through the rain until she arrives at the bar soaking wet after her umbrella breaks. Everyone stares at Mel as she enters. Jack takes her upstairs giving her fresh clothes and putting hers into the dryer. The two start to talk, with Mel wanting to address what she said the previous night, but Jack replies that there is no pressure. He tells her to make her way downstairs when she is ready.
In the bar’s office, Preacher looks at the ID he took from Paige’s truck and contemplates what to do about it. He searches the name Paige Lassiter up but there are no results.
Meanwhile, Connie approaches Hope to apologise. Hope is initially dismissive of Connie but is persuaded that the girls are sorry. Connie asks if Hope will help them stitch a blanket for baby Chloe, to which she agrees, but takes Vernon along as back up in case she should need it. Mel makes her way downstairs, sitting at the bar and talking to Jack about their differing views on rain.
Preacher continues to research, this time searching up the name on the ID. He finds numerous results of her being a wanted fugitive but before he can look into it further, he is interrupted by Jack who requires his help in the kitchen.
Mel talks with Connie, mentioning her clothes are Jack’s. The latter gives her a knowing look as she suspects there is more going on between the two. She mentions that Charmaine is a fool to let Jack get away but also expresses her distaste for the woman. As Connie walks away, Jack tells Mel about his official breakup, but feels fine as he is aware that they just wanted different things. At that moment, Bert, the town mechanic, who has clocked off for the day, appears. Mel and him begin talking and she enquires about his hand, which is visibly swollen and red. Bert is reluctant to allow Mel to take a look, but she eventually concludes that he has a fracture of the wrist, which is later confirmed by Vernon. He is reluctant to go to the hospital given he has no health insurance, and Vernon elects to fix the fracture himself. Vernon is confronted by Jack moments later, however, remarking that he has had too much to drink to be fixing patients, and to allow Mel to remedy the situation given she has the experience. Vernon is apprehensive at first but eventually agrees to allow Mel to do it alone. Jack agrees to take Mel and Bert to the clinic to look at his arm.
The trio arrive at the clinic where Mel preps Bert and explains that getting this done now could help him avoid surgery in the future. The latter expresses guilt for not having arrived in time when they were held hostage at the pot camp. Mel and Jack dismiss it, saying there is no way he could have known.
Back at the bar, Hope continues to make her dislike for Muriel clear. Meanwhile, Muriel makes a move on Doc At that moment, she is alerted by Ricky that someone is outside waiting for her, and when she ventures out in the rain, it is revealed to be Charmaine. She hands Hope a box of Jack's stuff and a letter inside addressed to him as she does not want anyone to see her. Hope is reluctant to get involved with the personal lives of the two but agrees.
Calvin enters the bar much to Preacher's surprise, who tells him that he isn't wanted. Nonetheless, he allows him to stay and ride out the storm. Calvin promises to continuously tip Brady if he constantly has a drink in front of him. The latter becomes even more interested in him when he sees the large amount of money Calvin is carrying around, but Preacher warns Brady to stay away from Calvin and the "dirty money".
After fixing Bert's hand, Jack asks if he can show her something. Mel remarks that she isn't confident driving around in a storm, but Jack insists, revealing that it isn't too far away and Mel does not resist.
Hope and Vernon go to the bar office to leave the box with Jack’s things. Hope is tempted to read the letter but Vernon repeatedly warns her that it is a bad idea. The former is unable to hold back and reads it, upon which she is shocked and exits the bar, claiming she is going to try and fix the situation.
Jack and Mel drive as Mel is having a flashback of a dispute between her and Mark in the car about doing IVF. She talks about her grief briefly and when Jack suggests going back to the bar, Mel insists that she wants to go wherever he plans on taking her.
Vernon and Hope argue outside the bar about her meddling. Vernon persists in saying that she should stay out of it as it could cost her Jack. Hope is not persuaded and leaves.
As the bar clears out since the storm has calmed down, Calvin in turn also leaves but not before leaving his number and proposing that Brady work for him. He seems intrigued by the offer.
Preacher finally looks into Paige’s real identity as sees that she is wanted for assault and kidnapping amongst other things. Suddenly, Paige appears to ask Preacher if he could store some pies for her as the power is still missing in the truck. Preacher agrees and as Paige briefly leaves, he asks about Michelle but she does not hear him.
Jack and Mel arrive at the location, which is revealed to be the McCrea Cabin, now fully refurbished. Mel is speechless and realises that Jack did it for her in an effort to get her to stay in Virgin River. He tells her that he will always be there for her and she kisses him. As the two kiss, Jack asks if she is sure that this is what she wants, with her confirming that it is.
Cast []
Main Cast[]
- Alexandra Breckenridge as Melinda Monroe
- Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan
- Colin Lawrence as John Middleton
- Jenny Cooper as Joey Barnes
- Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine Roberts
- Annette O'Toole as Hope McCrea
- Tim Matheson as Vernon Mullins
- Daniel Gillies as Mark Monroe
- Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan Brady
- Grayson Gurnsey as Ricky
Guest Cast[]
- Nicola Cavedish as Connie
- Lexa Doig as Paige Lassiter
- Teryl Rothery as Muriel
- David Cubitt as Calvin
- Gwynyth Walsh as Jo Ellen
- Trevor Lerner as Bert Gordon
- Christina Jastrzembska as Lydie
- Nicole Anthony as Nurse Konjek
- Jason Tremblay as Paramedic
Co-Starring[]
Trivia[]
- It is revealed that on the night of Mel's husband's death, the two were discussing the possibility of another round of IVF.
- The mystery surrounding Paige Lassiter's identity is finally revealed; however Preacher becomes even more confused at what he finds.