Virgin River season 1 episode 3 recap: …and Found

Mel and Doc continue to fight over her choice to call social services as they both try to help Lilly and Chloe reunite on Virgin River.

Virgin River is obviously specifically designed for bingeing because the episodes literally start exactly where the last one left off. It at least eliminates the necessity of a pre-episode recap, but it also feels a little patronizing and lazy.

Anyway, Mel has just discovered that Lilly is Chloe’s mother. Before they can discuss it much further, Doc comes back to the clinic and Lilly runs out. When Mel tells Doc that Lilly is Chloe’s mother, Doc says that she’s being ridiculous. “Unlike you city people, folks around here, we don’t just leap to conclusions.” Why is his argument always based on some stereotype about city people or women? Mel rightly counters with Doc’s unfounded judgment of her and with the fact that Lilly literally admitted to being Chloe’s mother. Doc doesn’t have an argument for that.

Jack spent the night with Charmaine and now he’s trying to casually escape. Their two year anniversary is coming up and Charmaine wants to celebrate, but Jack is dedicated to their relationship staying casual. She’s not really his girlfriend, but she wants to be. Jack is in a bad mood, desperate to get the cabin finished and to convince Mel to stay, but also dealing with conflicted feelings for her and Charmaine.

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Somehow Doc is still angry that Mel called social services when they are mandated by law to report child abandonment. Another problem is that Lilly might be suffering from Postpartum Depression. Her husband died six months ago and she doesn’t want her grown children involved, which means she is also isolated. In the meantime, Mel offers to talk to her and perhaps to foster her baby if another solution can’t be reached.

Mel is conflicted herself. Caring for Chloe is giving her flashbacks to her own stillborn child and the postpartum depression that accompanied her grief. She doesn’t know if she should foster Chloe and its a big decision. And her sister Joey isn’t exactly supportive. The way she talks to Mel implies that she believes she’s broken and she can’t quite keep from reminding her of it.

Jack takes Mel and Chloe out for a picnic to get some sunshine and fresh air. Mel needs a break from the stress of the situation. When they get back, Hope has convinced Doc to apologize to Mel, but he makes a bad job of it. He’s too proud and he ends up accusing Mel of calling social services to cover her own ass, not to do what’s best for Chloe.

Meanwhile, Preacher has to deal with Brady’s overall laziness and bad attitude. Preacher is also trying to switch to a more legitimate bookkeeping system, which means switching to traceable checks for payment. This is an issue for Paige, who does her business in cash and doesn’t have a bank account. Sounds sketchy to me, like she’s trying to hide from someone. Preacher clearly cares about Paige and her son though, so he makes an exception to help her out, no questions asked.

Connie the busybody is still running around town spreading gossip. She’s convinced that no one from Virgin River could have abandoned a baby and that whoever did it is unforgivable. She really has no empathy for anyone else’s situation and is ready to judge just about anyone without thinking about their perspective or position. She is really terrible and everyone else in Virgin River is being remarkable kind and patient with her. It’s too bad she doesn’t realize it.

Mel, Jack, and Hope visit Lilly to try to convince her to accept help. Mel tells Lilly about her own experience with the loss of a child and postpartum depression. It can be hard to ask for help or to accept it when it’s offered, but there’s value in it for the person offering too. Later, Lilly has a long talk with the social services agent and they come to an arrangement where Lilly will seek treatment and Lilly’s daughter will take care of Chloe until she’s better. A happy ending all thanks to Mel’s care and influence.

Hope convinces Doc to hire Mel back, but with the trial period still in effect. But as Hope walks back to her door she collapses in the driveway. Luckily Doc is still there to take care of her.

Jack and Mel share a drink. He asks her to consider staying in Virgin River, because if she left he’d miss her. He also asks about her wedding ring, but she says she’s not ready to talk about it yet. Their personal moment is interrupted when Charmaine comes in, kisses Jack, and introduces herself as Jack’s girlfriend. Mel is understandably surprised, given her personal relationship with Jack and the fact that he’s never mentioned a girlfriend.