The wait is almost over! After Season 2 ended on a shocking cliffhanger in which Jack (Martin Henderson) was shot, Virgin River returns for its highly anticipated third season on Friday, July 9. The 10 episodes promise lots of twists and turns, with a funeral, a fire, a divorce, and a hurricane all looming on the horizon.

In other words, there’s plenty in store for Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and the people of Virgin River when the show returns. But before we get to that, we need to answer one pressing question: What happened to Jack?! Find out now in our exclusive sneak peek from the Season 3 premiere. And then as an added bonus, check out our interview with showrunner and executive producer Sue Tenney to learn what this means for the show and all your favorite characters.

Season 3 opens with Jack being rushed to the hospital and Mel and others anxiously waiting at the bar. We soon find out three weeks have passed and Jack is fine. Why did you decide to skip over Jack's initial recovery period?

We are always looking for ways to cut deep into the story, and a time jump allowed for that. Once it is established that Jack is going to survive the shooting, the psychological component of his recuperation is what’s most compelling.

How is Jack coping with what happened to him?

Jack has a talent for compartmentalizing his emotions. He will continue to put Mel’s needs ahead of his own until the point he can no longer ignore the magnitude of what occurred.

How will getting shot affect Jack this season in general? Will this further compound his PTSD from his time in the Marines?

I can’t share specifics, but we certainly explore how this injury connects with Jack’s psychological journey.

Jack and Mel seem to be in a good place. How will Jack’s recovery affect or challenge their relationship?

Jack is accustomed to providing support in a relationship, so his eventual vulnerability will be an adjustment for both Jack and Mel.

Does Jack know who shot him? How long will viewers have to wait to find out what happened?

As is common with a traumatic event, Jack’s memory of the shooting will return in fragments. I can’t tell you how long he (or the viewers) will have to wait to find out the truth, but I can promise it will be well worth it.

Lastly, is there anything else you can tease about the upcoming season?

I’m incredibly excited to share Season 3 with our viewers. It’s filled with twists and turns, and the season finale is a stunner. I can’t wait for fans to see what we have in store for them!

Virgin River Season 3 launches Friday, July 9 on Netflix.