"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[]
A few weeks later, in Los Angeles, Mel visits Mark’s grave. She explains that her idea of "home" is gone, since he was always her home, but now finds herself lost and in despair. It is 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.
Vernon and Hope are enjoying spending time together as a couple once more. Hope wants to keep their relationship secret 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. She brings the conversation back to Mel but Jack is unaware if Mel is returning or not. 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 returns to Virgin River but when she arrives at the practice, she 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 orders for the bar. It is revealed that the night that Paige and Christopher went missing, Christopher cut his hand and Paige took him to the doctor in Clear River . He asks why Paige took him there instead of 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, arranging to have dinner in two days' time.
Jack drives Charmaine back home but she is annoyed at Mel’s return. She questions if he was aware of it, but Jack replies that they did not have contact. Charmaine does not believe him, but he simply responds that it is up to her what she chooses to believe. Back at the bar, he is approached by Connie, who asks him about Mel’s return, but he dismisses her, not wanting to gossip. Hope is moping around inside, with Jack still not talking to her. She keeps trying to figure out a way for him to talk to her. Mel enters the bar and reunites with Hope. The two talk about her time in LA and she reveals her intention to speak with Jack. Preacher goes to tell Jack that Mel is here but finds him busy. He informs Mel who says she will return later and leaves. She and Preacher talk about Jack and Mel. Muriel arrives 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 at the cabin about 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. He asks her if she is sure, but Mel stays silent. Jack repeats his existing feelings for her and faith that they could be happy together before leaving.
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 severe 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. Mel attempts to comfort her but Charmaine snaps that she has no idea what she is experiencing, unaware of Mel’s previous child loss. Doc advises her to stay in Virgin River so they can monitor her closely. Charmaine, feeling overwhelmed, walks away. Jack follows her to the bar. She apologises and he forgives her, but tells her that she owes Mel an apology and that she must take care of herself and stop pushing him away. Charmaine agrees.
Later in the day, Mel is running when she senses that she is being followed. She runs off track to the bar where she encounters Jack who anpologises on behalf of Charmaine. Mel accepts and Jack tells her that Charmaine is willing to let Mel onto the case. Mel says she appreciates it before walking off. In the evening, Vernon and Hope are interrupted when the former 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, urging Vernon to accept the date to throw the town off the idea that the two of them are back together. Meanwhile, Mel struggle to decide whether or not she should care for Charmaine. Looking at Mark’s shirt, she is convinced to do so, knowing it is what he would do.
The following day, Mel struggles to find accommodation for Charmaine that is close to the practice. 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 her and Jack as well as the mutual dislike between her and Charmaine. 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 past. She reveals certain details about how Wes changed during their relationship following their marriage as well as how he isolated her from her family. Preacher invites Paige and Christopher to move in with him until things are sorted, an arrangement Paige that Paige is reluctant to agree to as she does not want to impose.
Brady arrives at the bar, wanting to smooth things over with Jack. He reveals that he has a job offer, though not specifying where, but says that he is willing to reject it if Jack makes him a manager at the bar. Jack laughs at the proposition, saying there is no way he would let Brady do that. When the latter questions if Jack believes he is incapable of doing so, Jack says that is exactly why. He tells him that he is done making excuses for him and that it is finally time for him to take charge of his own life and grow up.
Doc and Mel have dinner together and discuss the situation with Jack and Charmaine. The former is aware of Mel’s feelings for Jack and tells her that he always had a feeling that Jack and Charmaine weren’t that serious. He tells Mel that their breakup was not her fault and even if she left and never returned, it still wouldn’t have made a difference. Vernon admires how honourable she is for taking on Charmaine despite the way that the latter feels about her.
Preacher drops Paige off at her house and agrees to move in with him moments before the two part ways. Paige goes to her garden but is shocked to find Christopher playing football with Wes, her abusive ex husband.
Back at the bar, Preacher and Jack talk about his relationship with Mel. Preacher tells him that sometimes things aren’t meant to be and that needs to let go but Jack is adamant that he is in love with Mel. Preacher sympathises with how he is feeling and Jack thanks him for closing up earlier before walking away.
At the clinic, Mel is catching up on some work and doing some cleaning when a random beat up stranger walks through the back door, startling her.
Cast and characters[]
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
- Annette O'Toole as Hope McCrea
- Tim Matheson as Vernon Mullins
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.
Gallery[]
Promotional stills[]
Videos[]
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External links[]
New Beginnings on the Internet Movie Database