Netflix Virgin River is consistently one of the streaming platform's most popular releases, but not all of its seasons live up to the show's potential. Based on the books by Robyn Carr, Virgin River tells the story of nurse Mel, who is trying to start a new life in the titular city while carrying baggage from her old life in Los Angeles. The Netflix show also follows several other townspeople, such as bar owner Jack, his old flame Charmaine, Mel's boss Doc Mullins, and Mayor Hope, who all carry secrets of their own.
Netflix Virgin River has a multitude of captivating qualities, namely its compelling characters and their relationships, which keep audiences returning season after season. Basically, Netflix Virgin River is a Hallmark-style show that offers a lot of drama, but the treatment of its stories and character arcs can lead to varying degrees of quality between the show's seasons. Here are all the seasons of Virgin RiverRanked from worst to best.
6
Season 3
Although not completely irremediable, Virgin River season three is certainly the weakest of the Netflix show's seasons.
The third season exposes the biggest pitfall of Virgin Riverpremise, which is its rhythm. It seems bizarre that after three seasons, only a few months seem to have passed. Much of what is most attractive Virgin Rivernamely Jack and Mel, continues to be, but several subplots merely serve as head-scratches. Many of the choices in Virgin River season three, like Lilly's cancer and death, Charmaine's increasing irrationality, and Hope's car accident, feel like drama for drama's sake, and the show is weaker for it.
A positive point in season 3 is the introduction of several new characters to Virgin River. Added to the roster of characters are Jack's sister Brie, Doc's surprise grandson Denny, and Charmaine's new boyfriend-turned-fiance-turned-husband Todd. These new characters add interesting depth to the existing ones Virgin River characters while also offering stories of their own, like Brie's relationship with Brady. However, not all news Virgin River the characters are positive additions, with Todd bringing out the worst in Charmaine, making her an even more unrealistic and unsympathetic antagonist.
Perhaps the most frustrating element of Season 3 is the character arcs. Hope is completely absent in Virgin River season three saves a few phone calls, and while for some viewers that's welcome, it's an odd change in dynamic. The strangest plot of Virgin River Season three sees Mel decide to have a round of IVF in Los Angeles, which leaves her pregnant and unsure whether her baby is Jack's or her dead husband's.
Although there are still interesting stories in Virgin River Season 3, the fun drama of previous seasons turns into melodrama and loses focus on what it's doing Virgin River so pleasant.
5
Season 5
5th season of Virgin River is very similar to the third season of the show. Not only does it introduce new characters and arcs, but it also leans more towards melodrama than heartfelt romance – especially in the first big batch of episodes.
Stories like Paige deciding to leave Virgin River for good disappointed fans of the source material who were hoping to see the love story between her and Preacher unfold more. The show, however, has never been shy about deviating from the source material, so Virgin River opted to make some changes that would make up for things like this, like introducing firefighter Kaia as a new love interest for Preacher, a friend of Mel's, and a new character. attractive.
What really helps ensure that Season 5 is better than Season 3 overall are the final two episodes of the season.. Virgin River gives fans the second part of the season in the form of a holiday special. The audience finally gets to see the town celebrate the holidays (and watch time move forward), Mel begins a relationship with her biological father, and Hope and Doc make their relationship official. It has all the characteristics of what it does Virgin River a cozy romance.
Another big plus for fans who have been following since the beginning? Charmaine finally gives birth to her babies in season 5, allowing the plot to finally move forward.
4
Season 4
Virgin RiverSeason 4 fixes the shakier story elements of Season 3, but doesn't reach the heights of the first two seasons. Season 4 of the Netflix series brings new stories, as well as the conclusion of some of the biggest, like the mystery of Jack's shooter. The fourth season of Virgin River benefits from a change to its original ending, but continues to suffer from pacing issues and melodramatic storytelling like the previous season, preventing it from reaching its potential.
Virgin River Season 4 also introduces more characters and continues the arcs of the previous ones. The biggest addition is Dr. Cameron Hayek, a handsome new doctor in Doc's office who has feelings for Mel. After Mel's pregnancy is revealed in season 3, her relationship with Jack becomes more serious and they become engaged, leading to Cameron's firing. It is revealed that Jack is not the father of Charmaine's babies in season 4, concluding the multi-season storyline.
Other arcs continued from previous seasons include Hope's struggles after her accident and a revisiting of Preacher and Paige's story. However, despite the strong stories, many of season 4's arcs border on cliché, thus harming the quality of the season.
3
Season 2
2nd season of Virgin River is a fun and worthy follow-up to its solid first season.
Most Virgin River Season 2 continues the plots introduced in its first season, such as Charmaine's pregnancy, the relationship between Doc, Hope, Jack and Mel respectively, the fights with the marijuana farm leader, Calvin, and the story of Preacher and Paige . The Netflix show also reveals more of Mel's past, both in flashbacks and in the present, when she receives a visit from her sister-in-law. Virgin River Season 2 also adds intrigue of its own that continues into later seasons when Jack is shot by an unseen assailant in the season finale.
Virgin River Season 2 continues to have solid characters and arcs, new and old. Doc and Hope's secret relationship adds new depth to their characters, especially Doc. It's also interesting to see Mel and Jack negotiating their new relationship between their obligations to Charmaine. Additionally, Season 2 introduces a new character, Connie's niece Lizzy, who quickly begins a relationship with Ricky. Not every arc is strong, however, as season two sees Charmaine make increasingly bizarre choices surrounding Jack and her pregnancy.
Weaker arcs, like Charmaine and Hope's reluctance to commit to Doc, hold back Virgo Rior season 2 to reach the heights of its predecessor.
2
Season 6
If Virgin River continues on this path, future seasons could be even better.
Season 6 almost makes it to the best season of Virgin River still, which is impressive since seasons 3, 4, and 5 didn't live up to the show's first two seasons.
Season 6 took some risks that previous seasons of the series didn't take, such as moving forward in time, and making better use of its dramatic flashbacks. One of the big draws of the season (besides Jack and Mel's wedding, of course) is Mel discovering her mother's relationship with her biological father. The flashbacks to their relationship make a solid pitch for the spinoff series featuring the characters Netflix is ​​considering.
Another big difference in the season is the camaraderie between the characters. There's a strong sense of sisterhood in the small town thanks to the sewing circle antics and Mel's bachelorette party, and this has been missing from the show in favor of the focus on melodrama.
The melodrama is still there, of course, with Brady's relationship with Lark, Preacher's murder trial, and a cliffhanger ending, but the melodrama is much more balanced this time around than in the past, coinciding with many of the season's romantic developments. If Virgin River continues on this path, future seasons could be even better.
1
Season 1
The best season of Virgin River This is by far his debut. The first season of the Netflix show does a phenomenal job of establishing the setting, plot, and characters in an instantly engaging way.
Considering that some Virgin River subsequent seasons suffer from weak plots and pacing issues, Season 1's plot remains focused on Mel's introduction to the titular town, her role as a nurse, and her complex past. Although the marijuana farm is continually a weak point, it is offset by other strong plots in the first season, such as the exploration of Doc and Hope's history, Mel's growing relationship with Jack, and Lilly's baby.
The first season on Netflix Virgin River it also has a solid roster of characters and corresponding arcs that make the city feel lived-in. Jack's complicated dynamic with Charmaine is introduced in the first season, and Charmaine seems much more realistic and empathetic than she does later on. Hope's heart attack, which brings her and Doc together, adds tension and a more sympathetic lens to two initially prickly characters. Even peripheral characters like Preacher and Paige are given interesting arcs that expand their characters without feeling like a distraction from more interesting plots.
Virgin River The first season demonstrates that the series is at its best when it centers its stories around its central characters, resulting in engaging and focused stories. It also offers healthy doses of drama that feel fun and entertaining without being too melodramatic, which was a pitfall for later seasons. Although each shocking season of Netflix Virgin River has something to offer, the first season is still a shining example of what it does Virgin River so pleasant.