Skip to main content

Virgin River chronicles the life of Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse who moves to the small town for a fresh start. Though she immediately connects with bar owner Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson), their romance is not without its ups and downs.

One of the main sources of friction in their relationship is Jack’s pregnant ex-girlfriend, Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley). Though Charmaine has appeared to have moved on with her new husband on Virgin River, Todd (Patrick Sabongui), he is obviously gaslighting her.

Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine and Patrick Sabongui as Todd arm in arm at a bar in 'Virgin River'
Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine and Patrick Sabongui as Todd in ‘Virgin River’ | Netflix

Charmaine dealt with a lot in ‘Virgin River’ Season 3

It can be challenging to see Charmaine as a sympathetic character, but she has been dealing with a lot. In the first season of Virgin River, she was dating Jack. Though she assumed it was serious, he saw it as very causal and was quick to end the relationship when he began developing feelings for Mel.

Things were further complicated when Charmaine discovered she was pregnant. Though Jack vowed to be a good father, he did not want to get back together with Charmaine. In the third season of Virgin River, Charmaine appeared to be in a very different place.

She showed up at an event at Jack’s bar with a new man named Todd on her arm and a massive diamond ring on her finger. However, things quickly got very concerning. Todd appeared controlling, and he began interfering both in Charmaine’s life and with the co-parenting plans she had with Jack

By the end of the season, Charmine had married Todd. He’d also convinced her to try and cut Jack out of their children’s lives, get rid of her dog, and even move away from Clearwater where Charmaine owns her hair salon.

“She just seems like a deeply misguided, insecure woman who is in an abusive relationship that she’s trying super hard to pretend is normal,” one Redditor said. “It’s NOT normal for some random dude to want to marry a pregnant lady and adopt her children after mere weeks of knowing her. I don’t know what his angle is but he seems like a freak.”

Todd is gaslighting Charmaine on ‘Virgin River’

None of what Todd is doing is normal or OK. In fact, he is gaslighting his new wife and has been from the moment they met. Gaslighting typically involves psychological manipulation that causes someone to quesiton their reality. This treatment can cause stress, a lack of self-confidence, and other mental health concerns that are apparent in Charmaine.

Virgin River showrunner Sue Tenney has revealed that something absolutely shocking will happen to Charmaine in season 4 as a result.

“Charmaine is such a wonderfully complex and relatable character,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “Everyone has loved somebody that didn’t love them back. She’s always going to be in love with [Jack], but she’s doing her damnedest to move forward. And then, she got a husband. We have a pretty big bombshell for her coming in the following season, if we have a season 4, that’s going to blow everybody away.”

Related

‘Virgin River’: Fans Agree That 1 Character Is the Most Hated on the Show

Is Todd also Brie’s abusive ex?

Regarding Todd, some Virgin River fans are convinced there is more than meets the eye. Some fans believe that he also has a connection to Jack’s sister Brie (Zibby Allen). Brie randomly appeared in town in season 3, claiming she needed a break from work. Later, after experiencing a miscarriage, she revealed to Mel that she was sexually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, which resulted in the pregnancy and miscarriage.

Since that boyfriend was a powerful lawyer and so is Todd, fans believe there is a connection.

How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.

Best in Entertainment