Men in Trees - Episode Guide

Relationship coach and bestselling author Marin Frist feels confident that, when it comes to men, she knows what to look for, what to avoid, and what will make her happy. But after her own relationship falls apart, she finds herself stuck in a small Alaskan town full of the one thing she really doesn't need -- available men. Amid the amazingly beautiful world surrounding her, Marin, for the first time in her life, now has a chance to stop, breathe and take a look at her real self.

While Marin adapts to her new small town environment -- which includes being a relationship adviser on Patrick's radio show and being followed by a stray raccoon -- she gets surprising advice from the men in Elmo as to what she should do to get over her fiancé. Meanwhile, Jane helps Marin cancel her wedding in New York; Sara takes Marin to a sweat lodge to sort out her problems; Annie settles into town by getting a job working for Jack; and Marin accidentally blows out the towns power using her hairdryer, which inadvertently opens the door to new romance with a handsome stranger -- who is no stranger to Elmo.

Marin's struggle to come to terms with the fact that she is now indeed a single woman is more difficult than she thought. Meanwhile, she's been asked to host the towns charity Bachelor Auction. Little did she expect to be spending all her money on one particular guy. Patrick takes a nervous Annie to meet his over-protective mother, Celia, and Ben and Theresa's relationship gets more complicated.

Since Marin has been away from New York, she's fallen off the radar and there is a rumor going around New York that she's dead. When Elmo's town elder passes away, their sister city breaks up with the town before their New Moon Festival. So Marin seizes the opportunity to put herself to use by finding the town a new "mate." Meanwhile, the clothes that she had shipped from New York have mysteriously ended up on every other woman in town.

The town of Elmo experiences a record heatwave and Marin realizes the energy bars she's been feeding the raccoon living in her closet are making him sick. She turns to Jack for help and finds herself attracted to him, but doesn't know if she--or even Jack--is ready for a relationship. Across town passions stir between Patrick and Annie, and much to Theresa's surprise, between Ben and Sara, as things heat up.

Marin explores whether men and women can just be friends once they've slept together. Eager to test her theory as well as to enjoy a trip to a "big city," she convinces Jack to accompany her to Anchorage. Meanwhile, Patrick doesn't understand why Annie wants to limit their romantic time together, and Sara, Ben and Theresa work on coming to terms with their triangular relationship.

The town of Elmo throws Marin a huge birthday celebration, but the unexpected arrival of her fun-loving younger sister, Liza, conjures up some unexpected insecurities for Marin. Now that Ben has asked Theresa to move out, tensions rise between Theresa and Sara, whom Ben is now dating. Meanwhile, Buzz finds Patrick's father's plane that had disappeared 26 years ago -- opening up Patrick's hope that the father he has never known could have survived and be alive somewhere.

Marin's efforts at coaching Patrick and Buzz on how they can build their relationship has mixed results -- now that Celia has told them that they're related. Marin and Annie need a "maintenance day" and go in search of a beauty salon; and while Sara prepares for her EMS exam, she struggles with what her future may hold. Meanwhile, Elmo is experiencing earthquake tremors that trigger an avalanche, putting Marin and Jack on the mountain in search of trapped friends.

Unbeknownst to Marin, Jane leaked an excerpt from Marin's new book on men to The New Yorker magazine. Now Marin is forced to defend her career to Jack, the unwilling subject of her work. Meanwhile singer-songwriter Jewel stops into the Chieftain when her car breaks down, and runs into Theresa, who turns out to be her former bandmate, and Patrick's mom, Celia and his new step-mother, Mai, go head to head in an alpha showdown for the role of "top mom,"

In the first of a two-part story arc, emotions between Marin and Jack escalate when Marin goes home to New York during Thanksgiving week, where Jane has arranged for her to meet with various editors about publishing her new book. She is thrilled to be back in familiar surroundings but misses her life back in Elmo, particularly Jack. He is ready to make his move with her, but an unexpected twist throws a wrench in his plans, ending in a cliffhanger. Meanwhile Patrick must choose between spending Thanksgiving with Annie in New York or with his new family, and Ben hopes Theresa will help in the preparation of their annual "Orphan Thanksgiving" for Elmoians.

The series of emotional events that will decide Marin and Jack's future continues: While anxiously awaiting Marin's return to Elmo, Jack is caught off guard when someone from his not so distant past comes to town with a secret. Meanwhile, Annie is still upset with Patrick that he neglected her at Thanksgiving dinner, Jane and Sam -- aka Plow Guy -- spend romantic time in New York, Theresa and Ben wonder what's next for them, and Buzz faces a medical crisis.

Now that Jack has admitted to Marin he's falling in love with her, she decides to bide her time and wait for his ex-girlfriend, Lynn, to leave Elmo. Meanwhile Annie thinks Patrick won't be ready for a relationship until he unties himself from his mother's apron strings, Celia gets a visit from her out-of-town boss, Sara comes back to town and is surprised to see Ben and Theresa back together, and Jane wonders if she wants to keep a long-distance relationship with Sam , aka Plow Man.

Marin, who is suffering from writer's block and getting over Jack, volunteers to help at Elmo's fundraising rummage sale. Her publisher, Stuart, makes an unexpected visit to help critique her book's second chapter. Meanwhile, Jack tries to pick up where he left off with former girlfriend Lynn, Sara comes back to town and is surprised to see Ben and Theresa back together, and Patrick's storybook proposal to Annie goes awry.

Marin is excited to move into her rustic mountain cabin, but discovers that her new place is not quite ready for her when she encounters some unexpected visitors. Jane unintentionally neglects Sam, aka Plow Man, to support Marin's new move, Patrick is concerned that he will not be able to give Annie the wedding of her dreams, Celia finally admits to dating her boss, Richard, and Theresa has mixed feelings about Sara helping out at The Chieftain while Ben recuperates; and Lynn senses that Jack may still have feelings for Marin.

When Marin's New York publisher, Stuart, unexpectedly invites her on an overnight ski trip, she wonders if she can be like "one of the guys" and accepts his invitation with no strings attached. Meanwhile, a nervous Jack accompanies Lynn for a sonogram; Patrick tells Annie that he once made a sperm bank donation; Jane and Sam teach each other some of life's secrets, and Buzz comes face to face with a part of his past.

When Marin can't get her construction crew to do what she wants on her run-down cabin, she meets a sexy loner named Cash, a local handyman. As Buzz learns George's secret -- the son he hasn't seen since the boy was eight -- his attempts to be supportive fall short and threaten their family reunion. Meanwhile, Marin must decide if she should attend Lynn's baby shower, and, in order to spend time with Sam, Jane tries to establish her New York business in Elmo.

When Marin lets the sexy and free-spirited Cash temporarily move into her cabin in exchange for repairing it, she must get used to his lifestyle. Meanwhile, Marin finds herself unprepared for some surprising news she hears about Jack and Lynn. And Patrick wants to officially propose to Annie by asking her father for her hand in marriage, so she takes him to New York to meet her parents and other family members.

To help Marin get rid of issues that weigh her down, Cash takes her to visit a guru. On the way back down the mountain trail, an arctic cyclone erupts. Jack goes out to look for them and a pregnant Lynn can't do anything to stop him. Everyone hunkers down at the Chieftain to wait out the storm, and they learn some surprising things about each other. Mai and Buzz argue over his first choice of a wife, the engaged Patrick and Annie see her competitive spirit at work, Celia and Dick take their relationship to a new intimacy level, and Sara tells Ben about her mysterious court summons -- much to the chagrin of wife Theresa.

When Marin and Cash make a bet to see who can make the best stew, Marin ventures into the forest to find a special root. She gets lost and Jack, who is filming a nature documentary, finds her. Meanwhile, the newly-engaged Lynn wishes Jack would exhibit more passion toward her, like what she sees in Ben and Buzz toward their wives; Patrick wants to change his surname to better reflect who he really is; and Sara, who is no longer in the "service" business, gets a summons from her ex-husband, who now wants full custody of their son.

Now that Lynn has left town, everyone in Elmo assumes that Marin and Jack will get back together. Mai's cousin, Lucy, an ice skating star, comes from China to visit. Mai wants her to stay, so George offers to marry her -- much to Terri's dismay. Meanwhile, Annie and Patrick are having trouble planning their wedding, and once Celia discovers that her boyfriend, Dick, is much younger, she wonders what the consequences will be.

Romance finds its way back into Marin's life in the way of gifts from Jack, as well as her publisher, Stuart Maxson, who'd like to pick up where they left off. She also juggles being both maid of honor and best man for Patrick and Annie while trying to make their dreams come true for their bachelor and bachelorette parties. Meanwhile, Sara struggles with minister Eric's church policy of no sex outside of marriage, and Ben, feeling off his game since his heart scare, considers purchasing a professional hockey team.

In the first of a two-part story arc, wild wolves descend on Elmo, which leads to a heated fight between Marin and Jack. A series of ill-fated events threaten to ruin Patrick and Annie's wedding, including a beauty blunder that leaves Annie looking less than picture perfect. Meanwhile, Annie's mother, Mary Alice, comes to town to prepare for the wedding and finds that three "moms" is a crowd; Ben's new purchase of a hockey team could lead to possible disaster; and the congregation at Pastor Eric's church questions the nature of his relationship with Sara.

Marin has second thoughts about her feelings for Jack and invites him to be her wedding date. Patrick and Annie's wedding is threatened by dangerous and unforeseen events. Meanwhile, Jane flies in for their nuptials and has an impulsive reaction when she sees Sam with his date; Mary Alice develops a relationship with a very unlikely Elmoian; Dick and Celia become way too attached; Sara helps Eric deal with the fallout of his actions toward his congregation; and Cash returns to Elmo.

With Jack away on a research ship, Marin begins to question the terms of their relationship -- especially when she finds a mysterious woman's phone number amongst his things. Meanwhile, attempts to jog Patrick's memory fail, and Celia suggests that Annie go to extreme lengths to help him remember his old life. Theresa questions Ben's priorities when he continually puts his newly-purchased hockey team ahead of his friends and family. And, as sparks fly between Jerome and Mary Alice, Buzz and Mai offer them dating advice.

Jack's ship has gone down in the Bering Sea, but Marin doesn't know this and is upset by his lack of communication. And when she finds herself being romantically pursued by her publisher, Stuart, she must decide whether or not the possibility of Jack is worth waiting for. To complicate matters further, Patrick, still suffering from amnesia, also takes an interest in Marin -- which proves very upsetting for Annie. Meanwhile, on a trip to a snowplow convention, newlyweds Jane and Sam come up with a unique living arrangement; Sara and Eric take a step forward in their relationship, which also means a step back; and, adrift at sea, Jack must make a very tough decision to save his life and Julia's.

With Jack still away at sea, Marin gets an unexpected visitor. Cash re-enters her life in a big way and brings with him a shocking secret. Sara provides a temporary haven for Eric while he re-builds his church, but complications quickly arise for the celibate couple. Buzz's efforts to help Patrick regain his memory produce nearly disastrous consequences. And Sam discovers Jane's controlling side when, unbeknownst to him, she throws out one of his favorite flannel shirts.

The town of Elmo hopes for the best when they learn that Jack's life may be in danger. Eager to stay positive, a hopeful Marin focuses her energy on helping Cash through his illness; Patrick decides to take life by the horns and asks a young girl out; Annie discovers surprising news about Jerome's past life; and tensions arise between Sara and Pastor Eric when Eric's church group catches Sara in a compromising position.

Jack and Marin decide to move in together, but the happy couple doesn't anticipate the difficulty of merging their different lifestyles. Meanwhile, Jane is on a mission to get her marriage to Sam announced in the coveted New York Times; Patrick gets an adrenaline rush while flying Buzz's plane and wants to experience more, much to Celia's chagrin; and after doing a favor for Sara, Theresa has a surprise announcement for her unsuspecting husband, Ben.

Jack is feeling very amorous towards Marin, but she fears that it may be for the wrong reasons. After Patrick's adventure-seeking stunt, Celia throws him in jail and he takes full advantage of his "right to remain silent." Marin, Jack and Jerome are off to New York to celebrate Sam and Jane's wedding. And Sam is surprised when he learns the truth about Jane's parents.

Upon Marin and Jack's return from New York , they discover Cash is in the hospital and needs a kidney transplant. Terri still feels guilty for Patrick's being struck by lightning because of the bobby pin he put in his hair at the wedding. Patrick continues to be upset with Celia for putting him in jail, and Celia is having issues with Dick's smothering ways. Meanwhile, Ben's sexy, young, new hockey player, Ivan, arrives in Elmo and is immediately enamored with Annie.

Morgan Fairchild comes to Elmo to sing the national anthem at the opening game for Ben's hockey team. After running into Marin and getting swept up by how living in Elmo has changed her life, she decides she wants to buy Marin's life rights for a movie. Also, now that Terri will be donating his kidney to Cash, Terri wants them to bond before the transplant surgery. Meanwhile Sara discovers Eric's band is more popular than she thought -- especially when she meets his fan club, The Pastorettes; Patrick meets a wing woman who has designs on him; and Buzz breaks his promise to Mai and bets on the hockey game.

Since Marin has yet to meet Julia, Jack invites her and her husband, Jim (Josh Stamberg), to their home. Over dinner the couples learn some surprising things about themselves. Meanwhile Jane has mixed feelings about the diamond engagement ring that Sam gives her from the sanitation department's lost & found, Mai learns some disappointing news about Buzz, and Annie finds Patrick in a compromising position with Ivan's wingwoman, Greta.

When Cash is discharged from the hospital, Marin asks Jack if it would be OK to let him convalesce in their house. Patrick's life discovery trip takes him to New York, where he gets a job with Jane's company. Meanwhile, Jane is trying to woo Pilar who, like Marin, writes relationship books. Back in Elmo, Celia adjusts to the newly-separated Mai living in her home, and Buzz takes a job at the inn in Patrick's absence to try and pay off his gambling debt.

Marin helps a nervous Jack as he prepares for his first lecture as a college professor in Anchorage. Upon his return, he brings Marin a gift -- four puppies that she ends up taking care of -- and which keep her from getting any of her book writing finished. Meanwhile, as Annie puts together auditions for Elmo's First Annual Talent Show, she thinks she might be falling for Ivan. In New York, Patrick is unclear about Pilar's advances toward him.

Marin celebrates the completion of her book by taking a spa trip to Anchorage. While there, she is surprised to see Julia's husband, Jim, with another woman and wonders if she should tell Jack. Now that his memory has returned, Patrick gets several surprises when he comes home to Elmo: Annie and Ivan have grown closer and Celia has redecorated his bedroom -- for her new dog. Meanwhile in New York, Sam becomes an unlikely hero and Jane wonders if all the attention has gone to his head.

As everyone prepares for the First Annual Elmo Talent Show, the townsfolk display some very unlikely talents. Meanwhile, Marin receives a hefty check for her latest book, but the money may come between her and Jack when she wants to do something expensive for him. While Jane and Sam drive from New York to Elmo, his budget-friendly ways frustrate her. Sara has fantasies about other men, but not about her boyfriend, Eric. And Patrick goes to extremes to rekindle his romance with Annie.