"Taken by Surprise" is the second episode of the second season of Virgin River. It is the twelfth episode of the series overall.
Synopsis[]
Despite Mel's efforts, Charmaine's stay at Hope's house gets off to a rocky start. A situation involving Paige's past intensifies unexpectedly.
Plot summary[]
Jack moments before saving Mel.
At the practice, the injured man holds Mel at knife point and demands that she hand over the practice's supply of Oxycodone. Mel tells him that they do not keep medications on the premises but offers to look at his eye. The man is reluctant to believe her and things become violent. Jack contemplates knocking on the practice to speak with Mel but decides against it, almost walking away before being alerted to something amiss by a smashed glass and sounds of Mel screaming. Jack rushes into the practice and is able to fend off the assailant, who escapes. He helps Mely back to her feet after a fall and a twisted ankle. When it is clear that Mel cannot walk, Jack offers to take her back to the cabin and help her rest.
At the cabin, Jack helps Mel into bed and provides her with an ice pack made from frozen vegetables and some ibuprofen. There is a near kiss between the two as Jack helps Mel get comfortable by rearranging the pillows behind her. This causes a speedy exit from Jack as it becomes clear that Mel feels uncomfortable.
The next morning, Paige visibly bruised and bleeding after her encounter with Wes the previous night. He tells her to pack her things as they are leaving soon to return home, but Paige is reluctant and fights back, remarking that they are not done talking. He agrees to talk on the drive back and tries to kiss her but she is dismissive. He says he is going to take a shower and not to try anything stupid as he will not be nice if she disappoints him once more.
Meanwhile, Charmaine and Jack arrive at the practice where they receive an update about the housing situation. Both are shocked and reluctant to accept the narrative when Mel remarks that Hope is happy to have Charmaine stay with her. When they realise that it is the only option, however, both accept the offer. At Hope’s, Mel prepares the room for Charmaine while she and Hope talk. When Mel reveals that her letting Charmaine stay does not guarantee her Jack’s forgiveness, she is disappointed, seeing there is no point in Charmaine’s stay. Hope gives the guest a clearly unpleasant welcome before going over to Jack. She asks him if they can talk, and he tells her that he forgave her weeks ago but doesn’t want her to be involved in his personal life any longer. Hope tells him that the two are family, but Jack rebukes her, citing that he cannot trust her.
Charmaine feels uncomfortable staying at Hope’s but Mel reassures her. The latter goes outside to talk to Jack, who is annoyed at Hope, believing that no matter how nice she is, she always has a motive. Mel tries to convince him as Hope is really trying to earn his forgiveness. When Mel calls him harsh, Jack is stunned, considering Mel was not answering his phone calls for weeks.
Wes strangles Paige after she disobeys him.
Wes at the bottom of the stairs, having been pushed by Paige.
Back at Paige's, Wes tells her that they are leaving and to get Christopher. She refuses, however, and he grabs her by the throat, threatening her further. He decides to grab Christopher himself but before he can do so, Paige pushes him and he falls down the stairs, seemingly twisting his neck.
At Jack's Bar, Muriel finally shoots her shot with Vernon and asks him if he would like to come over for dinner later that day at her house. Vernon — remembering what Hope said — reluctantly agrees, taking Muriel's number and timings for cocktails. In the kitchen, Preacher receives a call from Paige asking for his assistance, remarking that it is an emergency. He asks Jack, who has just arrived but realised he has forgotten Charmaine's medicine, if can he leave as it is an emergency. Jack agrees but tells him to be quick, asking Ricky to man the bar until he returns. In the meantime, he answers a phone call from his friend Mike Valenzuela, a police officer, and asks him to look around for the man who attacked Mel, believing he could be connected to Calvin and the pot camp.
At Hope's house, Charmaine complains of a headache from Hope's usage of the vacuum and loud television. Mel arrives moments later switching the two off and talking to an agitated Hope about the situation. Mel gives Charmaine soup, remarking that Hope will soon adjust and act normally. Jack appears to deliver Charmaine’s medicine but there is an awkward glance between the two as they cross in the door way. Charmaine picks up on the glance and questions Jack about the tension between the two, but he is reluctant to divulge any information. Mel is in the kitchen confused, looking for the silverware, when Vernon appears, directing her to the unusual location. He once again advises Mel to be open about her feelings. When she remarks that he sounds poetic, Vernon shares that he was an English major before he switched to medicine. He opens up about the reasons why he chose to become a doctor.
Preacher arrives at Paige's and she shows him Wes' body, seemingly immobile and presumed dead. Paige apologises, revealing that she didn't mean to kill him, but explains the events leading up to pushing him down the stairs.
Vernon and Muriel enjoy their date.
Vernon and Hope find it increasingly difficult to show affection for one another without those in Virgin River becoming suspicious. Hope notices Vernon is well dressed, but is shocked when she finds out that he is having dinner with Muriel later that night. Vernon senses a hint of jealousy and asks if he should call the whole thing off, but Hope remarks that they need to throw the town off their scent.
Paige asks Preacher to assume guardianship of Christopher while she turns herself in to the sheriff. He pleads with her to reconsider, but Paige assures him that Wes had contacts in the DA’s office and she will most certainly go to jail. Fearful of Christopher’s future without Paige, Preacher tells her to leave Virgin River and he will take care of Wes’ body but she must once again disappear completely, even from those she considers friends. Whilst she goes to pack, Preacher calls Jack and lies that he is helping Paige turn off the main water valve as she is leaving town due to a family emergency.
Vernon arrives at Muriel's shortly and the two enjoy some wine together. Whilst wait for the dinner to finish, they play board games and talk about their past experiences.
Mel arrives at the bar to talk to Jack about the state of their relationship. She apologises for both leaving and returning to Virgin River without telling him, but is reluctant to move forward with their relationship. Mel becomes agitated at the fact that Jack does not understand the pain of losing a husband or child, but Jack rebukes her, citing that he feels the pain of those he has lost each day. She pleads with him to be friends, but he refuses, wanting more. Mel leaves in anger, but is forced to allow him to take her home when her car will not start. Unexpectedly, the two end up kissing on the porch and sleep together moments after.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Alexandra Breckenridge as Melinda Monroe
- Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan
- Colin Lawrence as John Middleton
- 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
- Gwynyth Walsh as Jo Ellen
- Steve Bacic as Wes
- Marco Grazzini as Mike
Co-Starring[]
- Chase Petriw as Christopher
- Christina Jastrzembska as Lydie
- Thomas Nicholson as Leo Cavanagh
- Cecilly Day as Beverly
Trivia[]
- Paige accidentally pushes her husband down the stairs; he appears deceased, but this is not confirmed.
- Muriel asks Vernon out on a date to which he reluctantly agrees.
- Mel and Jack have sex for the first time since meeting.
Gallery[]
Promotional stills[]
Videos[]
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External links[]
Taken by Surprise on the Internet Movie Database
