Life and Death is the eighth episode of the third season of Virgin River. It is the twenty-eighth episode of the series overall.
Synopsis[]
Heartbroken, Mel heads to LA to support Joey at her divorce hearing. More of Jack’s memories return. Lilly asks her friends to care for her children.
Plot[]
Jack continues to have flashbacks of the night that he was shot. He remembers a dispute with him and Brady that turned physical. Jack wakes up, having slept at the bar but it is unclear whether he was remembering things or just dreaming.
He takes the trash out and bumps into Brie, who has just returned from a hike. They talk briefly about it and he brings up the topic of Brady. She asks if he really thinks that Brady shot him and he says that he does, though he does not remember it. Nonetheless, he tells her that he is not a good person but she doesn’t understand how. Jack tells her about the drug involvement and explains that the only reason he is walking free is because the raid was not a success. Brie is shocked and blames herself for not having realised. Jack apologises for not supporting her more and the two siblings reconcile. Brie suggests having dinner together alongside Mel when she returns. Jack reveals that he ended things and explains the reasoning to Brie. She encourages him to open up and make things right with her since he loves her and he could end up missing out.
Vernon and Muriel have breakfast together. They joke and talk about their differing skills when it comes to cooking. He briefly leaves the room, during which Hope calls him. Muriel picks up to ensure that he doesn’t miss it. Unaware that Hope has not been informed about Lilly’s cancer, she makes a mild comment that she is also doing fine. Panicked, she hands the phone over to Vernon, who tries to change the topic. Hope pushes him but he continues to reassure her and simply says that Lilly has something going on and will tell Hope when she returns. He suggests they speak later but she tells him that she has plans. She continues to inquire about Lilly and Vernon suggests that she call him back later and ends the call, despite Hope still persisting. Muriel apologises for her mistake but Vernon brushes it off, saying he knows that it wasn’t her intention. Muriel thanks him for being understanding and friendly and he reciprocates her feelings.
In LA, Joey’s divorce hearing has not gone well. Mel reassures her but the latter is concerned about what she will do with her house as she can no longer afford it. They agree to drink together and continue talking about the hearing. Mel attempts to comfort her but Joey is dismissive, saying it is easy for her to say that as a person with a career. She immediately apologises, saying that she didn’t mean to sound rude but Mel brushes it off. Joey admits that she feels blindsided with the divorce as she had given up everything to raise a family and feels like she is now being punished for doing that. Mel reminds her that it isn’t about the house but about the memories and trying to stay strong for each other. She comforts Joey when she expresses that she feels like a failure. Mel breaks down and confesses her breakup with Jack. She explains the situation and her fear that she scared Jack away. Joey tells her that she doesn’t need Jack to be a mother. Mel responds that she is too tired to start over again and just wants to be with Jack. Joey suggests trying to be a single mother and use her and Mark’s remaining embryos. Mel is worried that it will make her miss Mark again but Joey believes it could be a way for him to live on and agrees to help her if she moves back. Mel continues to think about what to do whilst watching the coast. She decides to call her fertility doctor.
Back in Virgin River, Lizzie shows up at the bar to cover for Ricky. Preacher mentions that he is out of town and Lizzie acknowledges this, though it is obvious that she was unaware of it. He shows her over to the grill and gives her instructions on how to manage it.
Jack arrives at the station to talk to Mike. They discuss Brady confession and Jack tells him what he remembers. Mike believes that they might be able to get a warrant to search Brady’s property. As Jack leaves, Mike asks him for permission to ask Brie out and reveals that he and his fiancée ended things due to long distance. Jack feels responsible since Mike stayed on his account but he, unaware of the breakups, explains that she wasn’t the one since she didn’t look at him the way Mel looks at Jack. He is clearly still upset.
Lilly and Tara return from a horse ride and the latter expresses her guilt for leaving the farm and moving so far away. She believes that she could have spent more time with her parents. Lilly dismisses this, saying that they were always proud of her for following her dreams. Tara says that she could have come back after Buck’s death instead of leaving her mother alone. Lilly thanks her for adopting Chloe but Tara remarks that it is a given since she is her sister. Nonetheless, Lilly says that it is a big sacrifice and tells her that she doesn’t want her to feel obligated to raise Chloe in Virgin River. She wants Tara to live wherever makes her happy and she agrees.
Brie meets with Brady, who tells her that he didn’t shoot Jack. She mentions that things that Jack has told her and he confirms them to be true. He says that his intention wasn’t to get involved in something bad but to make enough money to leave Virgin River. He admits that he made a bad choice but that he wasn’t Jack’s shooter. Brie gets up and starts leaving but Brady confesses that he did go to see him at the bar that night. He explains that they had an argument and he left. She asks him why he didn’t tell Mike this but Brady claims that he wouldn’t have believed him due to their shared history in the Marines. When she suggests telling the sheriff, he explains his record and the time that he spent in jail due to being in a bar fight and having a loaded gun on him. Brie cannot believe how relaxed he seems but he is adamant that he deserved the sentence. Brady tells her that he is done with the drug business and assures her that his company is legitimate. He asks her to believe him but she is doubtful, having seen people justify their actions no matter how forgiving. She walks away as Brady appears regretful.
Tara and Lilly return to the house, where Lydie and Muriel are waiting. Tara reveals that they babysat and tells her mother to spend time with her friends whilst she puts the horses away. The trio hug each other.
Lizzie works the barbecue and tries to call Ricky but it goes straight to voicemail. She sighs leaving and continues to work on the grill, clearly displeased. Meanwhile, Ricky is about to sit his exam, which will determine whether or not he is capable of joining the Marines.
Mel is sitting in the waiting room of the fertility clinic. She looks at a couple filling out forms and has a flashback of Mark painting her nails whilst she is pregnant. The two joke about his lack of pedicure skills and the two embrace. She is interrupted when a nurse approaches her and tells her that the doctor is ready. Mel heads in.
At the clinic, Doc consults a woman named Kathleen and reveals that her blood work shows signs of vitamin deficiency. He asks her about retirement and she remarks that it is an adjustment. He receives a phone call from Hope, who is stil trying to figure out what is going on with Lilly. Vernon tries to change the subject by asking Hope about her errands but she replies quickly and continues to ask about Lilly. Vernon exclaims that Lilly asked him not to say anything and he stands his ground, frustrating Hope. Moments later, she leaves to help her aunt and the two end the call bickering about whether or not to continue the conversation. Doc sighs.
All the ladies have gathered at Lilly’s. Muriel talks about the time that she flirted with Buck, having just moved to town and not knowing he was married. When Lilly mentions that he always wore his ring, Muriel jokes that she is not a detective. Lydie blurts out that she always found him attractive and the group laughs. Lilly thanks them for coming over to see her and talks about everything she is grateful for having experienced in her life. She asks the ladies to watch over her daughters and the group all hug.
Preacher and Jack discuss the partnership idea. The former wants to make sure that Jack isn’t doing this because he feels pressured. He replies that he wishes for them to do this but warns Preacher that his salary will fluctuate. He tells him to view it as an official offer. Preacher is surprised and asks to think about it. Jack responds for him to take his time but it is clear that things between the two are still slightly awkward.
Mel packs her bags, preparing to return to Virgin River. Joey asks if she can stay longer but Mel replies that she had promised Doc to be back by now. Joey suggests that she and kids come visit her and Mel is for the idea. She inquires about Mel’s plans to move back and she responds that she is thinking about it but tells her that she needs to finish her contract first and Joey is understanding. This makes Joey happy and she thanks Mel for coming to support her. Upset that her sister is leaving, Joey breaks down and Mel comforts her. She reminds her that she will be here for anything that she needs and the two hug.
At the bar, Jack is clearing up whilst Mike is having a drink. As Jack leaves to throw away the trash, Brady enters drunk and starts mocking Mike. He dismisses him but Brady remarks that he has always been the bad guy whilst Mike is the hero. When Mike says that the shoe fits, Brady replies that it doesn’t, stating that he has taken accountability for his crimes whilst Mike hasn’t. He stands up and pleads with Brady to not go into this. Brady questions this, pointing out that Mike is afraid of everyone finding out the truth about him. He steps away, saying that unlike Brady, he is not a criminal. Brady nods but finally tells him that he knows about what happened in Iraq and that Mike is responsible just like everyone else. This leads to the latter pushing him away and the two engage in a physical fight. Jack intervenes and pulls Brady away. He shouts at him to get off and furiously leaves as Jack commands him to do so. He asks Mike about what happened but he simply replies that it is the same thing as always with Brady not taking responsibility for his choices.
At a country club event, Charmaine is talking to some women, who compliment her ring. Todd introduces Charmaine her to a friend and the two chat as Todd walks away. The man remarks that the two will be neighbours and when Charmaine questions this, he says that Todd mentioned that the two would be moving to Eureka. Charmaine excuses herself and confronts Todd, who confirms the information to be true. Charmaine is shocked as the two had agreed to stay in Clear River where her whole life is. Todd argues that the house in Eureka is bigger and that she can make new friends and work at a new salon. He also mentions that Jack’s presence is making things complicated and that a move could help things. Charmaine replies that Jack won’t give up the twins but Todd believes that making things difficult will make Jack back down and they can raise their family however they choose to. He walks away to finish talking to some people but Charmaine is still recovering from the conversation. She turns around to be greeted by Muriel, who presumably overheard the entire conversation. Charmaine bites her lip, unsure about what she should say.
At the clinic, Doc is giving Jack a checkup and informs him that he continues to be doing well. He asks Jack about him and Mel and he responds that he broke things off. He explains the reasoning but Doc argues that he loves her. He tells Jack that Mel knows what she wants and advises him to reconcile rather than going through life alone. Jack is emotional and surprised that Doc is so educated on this but he insists that he says it when it is necessary.
At Connie’s, Lizzie is blowdrying her hair when Ricky arrives. He remarks that Connie was easy on him, which he finds surprising. Lizzie questions him about what he did today. He lies and tells her that he spent time with his grandmother and the two went to Clear River together. He asks her what she did and she replies that she had to wash her hair as it was covered in smoke from covering his shift at the bar today. Lizzie mentions that Preacher told her that Ricky was visiting a friend from out of town and asks him if he is lying to her or him. Ricky stutters and Lizzie asks him to leave before tears start to form in her eyes.
At Lilly’s house, her and Tara drink coffee and talk while Chloe naps. She assumes that the ladies tired her out. Doc arrives and Tara welcomes him inside warmly for a coffee. The two talk about Hope with Lilly revealing that she has left her many messages demanding that she tell her what is going on. She asks Doc if he told her but he reassures Lilly that he didn’t say anything. Lilly doesn’t know how to tell Hope about the cancer as she knows that telling her over the phone will lead to her dropping everything to come back and keeping a secret will make her angry. Doc reminds Lilly that she doesn’t owe anyone anything and that it should be her choice. He offers to tell her but Lilly asks him to let her think about it. Tara returns with the coffee and the two women ask Doc to stay for dinner. Initially reluctant and not wanting to impose, he agrees. Lilly goes to take a nap before dinner. Tara remarks that she has been praying for a miracle and seeing that Lilly is improving, she believes that it may be working.
Jack takes a walk by the river and remembers moments from his and Mel’s relationship. He has a smile on his face but it drops as he becomes regretful over ending their relationship.
In the evening, Mel arrives and Jack is waiting for her. She asks him what he is doing here at the cabin and he asks to talk, citing that if she doesn’t agree with him, he will leave. She agrees to hear him out and admits that he didn’t give her enough credit. He explains that he broke up with her so she wouldn’t get hurt but Mel remarks that she doesn’t need his protection. He tells her that he should’ve believed her but he was overwhelmed. He wants to get back together but Mel reminds him that he broke it off for a reason. He tells her that he was scared but he is now ready though Mel is hesitant as she knows that things are going to get harder with time. Jack wants to fight for their relationship as that is the type of person he is and he professes his love to Mel. Despite his sweet words, Mel is still upset. He begins begging for another chance, promising to never walk away again and the two kiss. They undress and sleep together.
Tara starts preparing the table for dinner when Doc enters. He compliments the cooking and she apologises for it being so late. He dismisses this and asks to help. Tara lets him finish setting the table whilst she goes to wake up her mother. She goes to Lilly’s room and calls her name but she doesn’t respond. Assuming that she is still asleep, she goes to wake her but she isn’t waking up. Tara calls for Doc, who rushes in and checks Lilly’s pulse. Tara says that they have to call an ambulance but Doc tells her that Lilly is gone. Tara, crying and in denial, keeps trying to wake her, saying that she needs her. She cries over her body, which she remarks is now cold. Doc informs her that Lilly’s blood has stopped circulating. Tara continues to sob, not understanding what happened since Lilly seemed to be doing so well. Doc gives his condolences. Tara says that the two were supposed to have more time and hugs her mother.
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
- Zibby Allen as Brie Sheridan
- Marco Grazzini as Mike Valenzuela
- Annette O'Toole as Hope McCrea
- Tim Matheson as Vernon Mullins
Guest Cast[]
- Daniel Gillies as Mark Monroe
- Teryl Rothery as Muriel
- Nicola Cavendish as Connie
- Lynda Boyd as Lilly Anderson
- Gwynyth Walsh as Jo Ellen
- Jenny Cooper as Joey Barnes
- Stacey Farber as Tara Anderson
- Patrick Sabongui as Todd Masry
- Christina Jastrzembska as Lydie
- Shaun Morse as Sergeant Major
- Lorna Rose Harris as Nurse
- Susanne de Pencier as Kathleen
- Eric Pollins as Thomas Blair
- Nikita Arora as Nicole
- J.J. Harris as Tess
Co-Starring[]
Trivia[]
Gallery[]
Promotional stills[]
Videos[]
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External links[]
Life and Death on the Internet Movie Database