In the very first installment of Virgin River, we are introduced to Mel Monroe, played by Alexandra Breckenridge. She is a nurse practitioner hailing from Los Angeles who embarks on a new journey by signing a year-long contract to work at the family medical clinic in the fictional North California enclave. Her partner in this endeavor is Doc Mullins, portrayed by Tim Matheson.
As the series progresses through five seasons, the tight-knit community and its inhabitants experience a whirlwind of dramatic events. From surviving harrowing incidents like stabbings, shootings, car crashes, and drug rings to witnessing intentional house burnings and the devastating wrath of a wildfire, the residents of this cozy wooded town have seen it all. Surprisingly, despite the multitude of intense occurrences, Mel’s first-year work anniversary has not even officially arrived.
It is intriguing to note that although Virgin River has aired a total of 52 episodes across five seasons since its debut in 2019, the actual timeline of the series moves at a surprisingly slow pace. Apart from Mel’s contractual commitment, it becomes evident that not much time has elapsed in this West Coast equivalent of Stars Hollow. This is exemplified by the fact that Charmaine, Jack’s ex-girlfriend portrayed by Lauren Hammersley, has been pregnant with twins since the conclusion of the first season.
But Virgin River is finally picking up the pace—a bit. The previous episode of the first part of the fifth season took us through Labor Day, and in its final moments, gave us a glimpse of winter, with Christmas just around the corner. Now, brace yourself for two brand new episodes dropping on Netflix on November 30, continuing right where we left off. Get ready for all the unexpected twists and turns that the series is famous for, along with some delightful holiday moments. (And if you can’t wait until then, Netflix has just released the first nine minutes of the new installment here).
With so much happening in Virgin River, it’s easy to lose track. So, let’s take a moment to refresh our memories on what went down the last time we joined Mel Monroe and her friends, and catch up on what’s happening in their lives before the new episodes arrive.
What is the current status of Mel and Jack’s relationship?
Mel, the midwife and nurse practitioner in Virgin River, seems to be the most unfortunate character in the town. She arrived in the town a year ago, grieving the loss of her husband and daughter who was stillborn. She considers herself an orphan as she lost her mother at the age of 11 and her father a decade ago. Her older sister Joey is the only family she has left. In Virgin River, she meets Jack, the local bar owner and a former Marine, who becomes her support system. Jack confesses his love for her after knowing her for a month, and they have been through a lot together. Jack’s house was burned down, and he was shot and almost killed. However, things started to look up for the couple when Mel got pregnant, and Jack started building a profitable glamping business. They even got engaged, but their happiness was short-lived. Mel had a miscarriage during the wildfires in season 5, and they found out that Jack’s biggest investor was running a drug trade from their construction site.
In spite of the fact that Jack’s money is currently tied up in an FBI investigation regarding his website, the couple has made a significant financial decision. In the final scene, Ava discloses that she is selling her family’s land, where their cherished farm once stood. Mel then expresses her desire to purchase the land so that they can live there with their children in the future. This is a pivotal moment for Mel, who was initially hesitant about starting a family with Jack again after her miscarriage. She is now looking forward to their future with optimism, which is a significant step forward for her.
What do you think of Brie, Brady, and Mike?
After the drug trade is finally dismantled, police officer Mike finds himself in a dire situation when he gets shot. Rushed to the hospital, he is fortunate to have Jack’s sister Brie by his side, even though they are not officially a couple. The sparks between them ignited during a baseball game earlier in the season when they shared their first kiss. Compared to Brady, Jack’s fellow Marine who got entangled in the drug drama and jeopardized Brie’s safety, Mike appears to be a much simpler person. However, it is Brady who ultimately helps the police apprehend the mastermind behind it all. Brie, though grateful for Brady’s assistance, wishes she had known about his cooperation with the authorities. Nevertheless, she assures him that her love for him will always remain.
Brie and Brady are both embarking on exciting new love stories: Brie finds herself sipping chocolate shakes with Mike in his hospital room, marking their memorable “first date,” while Brady finds solace in the company of the woman whose daughter he bravely saved from the devastating wildfires.
Who is the proud papa of Charmaine’s adorable little ones?
After tormenting Mel and Jack for three whole seasons, Charmaine drops a bombshell at the end of season 4. It turns out that Jack is not the father of her babies, despite being her supportive ex-boyfriend throughout her pregnancy. This revelation sets the stage for a bitter and costly custody battle over the twin boys. Jack is left feeling angry and bewildered, as he had eagerly embraced the prospect of fatherhood, even though Charmaine constantly threatened to keep the children away from him due to her jealousy towards Mel.
Season 5 finally unveils the truth about the paternity of Charmaine’s babies. Surprisingly, it is revealed that Calvin, the troubled drug lord, is the father. However, the question remains: when did they even get together? This mystery adds an intriguing twist to the storyline. At least the Christmas episodes hold the promise of a major resolution: after being pregnant for almost the entire series, Charmaine will finally give birth. This long-awaited event is sure to bring some closure to the ongoing drama.
I’m curious, what’s the latest with Lizzie and Denny?
In a surprising turn of events, Denny, Doc’s grandson, who bravely shared his battle with Huntington’s Disease, finds solace in the arms of his girlfriend, Lizzie. Despite grappling with his limited time, Denny musters the courage to express his desire to explore the world beyond Virgin River. He even contemplates the possibility of Lizzie joining him on this journey. However, just when they thought their future was taking shape, Lizzie shocks Denny with unexpected news – she believes she’s expecting a baby.
Can you tell me what Preacher did with the remains of Wes?
Preacher, the talented chef of Jack’s bar portrayed by Colin Lawrence, finds himself entangled in a blossoming romance. His heart has been captured by the courageous firefighter Kaia, portrayed by Kandyse McClure. After enduring a tumultuous past, doesn’t Preacher deserve a taste of happiness in his life?
Previously, Preacher was consumed by the chaotic presence of Paige, a skilled baker who had assumed a new identity to escape an abusive relationship with her son. In a moment of self-defense, Paige accidentally took the life of her ex-husband Wes when he discovered her whereabouts in season 2. Overwhelmed by fear, Paige turned to Preacher for assistance, and together they concealed Wes’ body in the depths of the woods.
Although Wes’ twin brother Vince eventually arrived in Virgin River, determined to find his missing sibling, he was apprehended and charged with attempted murder and kidnapping. This unexpected turn of events brought immense relief to Preacher, as Vince was the sole individual who truly cared about Wes. It seemed as though the beloved cook had finally found solace and freedom from the past.
However, little did Preacher know that his newfound tranquility would be short-lived.
While enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the carnival, Kaia’s phone suddenly rings, interrupting her excitement. It’s her boss on the line, delivering shocking news – a body has been discovered in the nearby woods. Preacher, curious about the circumstances, wonders if it could be a tragic consequence of the recent wildfires. However, Kaia’s response paints a different picture. She reveals that the body appears to have been there for quite a while, almost as if it had been deliberately concealed, buried beneath the earth’s embrace.
Are Hope and Doc getting along well?
These two grumpy individuals spent the entire first season of the show constantly arguing, almost on the verge of ending their 20-year separation with a divorce. However, they decided to give their relationship another chance, and surprisingly, they are now happily in love, despite their constant bickering like a typical old married couple.
Now that Hope, the mayor of Virgin River portrayed by Annette O’Toole, has finally recovered from a near-fatal car accident, she is determined to take care of her husband for a change. Doc, who is dealing with macular degeneration and gradually losing his vision, is struggling to come to terms with the impact it will have on his life.
However, during the carnival, Doc receives some good news – he has been accepted into a clinical trial. Hope assures him that she will be by his side every step of the way as he navigates through this challenging disease.
What is the reason behind Mel’s search for her father?
In true Virgin River style, the last episode of the initial part of season 5 concluded with an unexpected turn of events. Mel receives an unexpected phone call from Joey, who reveals that their late mother’s belongings, including old love letters, have been discovered. Surprisingly, these letters are not from their father and are postmarked from none other than Virgin River itself. After reading them, Joey suspects that their mother was corresponding with a man who could potentially be Mel’s biological father. Once again, the mystery of paternity looms over Virgin River.