Bed of Roses

Returning home refreshed from her European vacation with her daughter, Louisa is inspired to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time photographer. However, she finds it hard to settle back into the rhythms of Rainbow’s End.

When Minna learns that a local factory is polluting the community’s waterways, Holly becomes embroiled in a protest that goes farther than she had planned. Meanwhile, Louisa applies for an editor position at the newspaper.

While Louisa and her new coworker, Tim Price, agree to disagree about the future of The Rainbow Echo, Rita and Tsung Chi delve into the mystery of his ancestor, who disappeared during the Victorian gold rush.

Deb’s marriage with Trev is barely surviving, and so her friends try to help resuscitate it. Minna watches on helplessly as the Heritage Committee crumbles, leaving her as the last holdout-until Holly offers her the chance to contribute to an environmentally conscious project that will benefit the whole town.

Louisa grows increasingly worried about Holly, while Vivien’s advice column wreaks havoc on the lives of her loved ones. As Louisa bonds with Tim, Nick tries to assert himself, with disastrous results.

A large mining corporation named Chimaera Gold could mean the end of the town’s community garden. The police detain Minna and her friend Sandy after suspicious substances are found at Sandy’s “Museum of Local Oddities,” and Marg decides to give internet dating a go.

With hopes for the community garden about to be crushed by Chimaera Gold, Holly and her friends “discover” an endangered species of lizard that could save it. Meanwhile, Nick and Tim fight over Louisa’s affections, causing both men to stoop lower than they thought they ever would.

After Chimaera Gold learns the lizard was a sham, defeat for the garden seems inevitable. Tim tells Louisa he’s leaving town for a new job in the city and asks her to accompany him. As Louisa contemplates her choices, a death in the community takes a turn for the surreal.