Virgin River
Virgin River Review – Life and Death (3×08)
What a heartbreaking ending to Virgin River Season 3 Episode 8.
Although we knew Lilly’s death was coming, it didn’t lessen the blow when it suddenly happened as Doc was over for dinner.
The good news is that he was around to console Tara and offer emotional support as she mourned her mother and begged her to open her eyes.
The scene had me balling like a baby!
The worst part of it all is that Lilly never got to tell Hope that she was sick because she didn’t want to interject herself into her current plans and wanted to wait to tell her in person.
Lilly thought she had more time, and thus, passed before saying goodbye to her best friend.
However, Tara mentioned that her mother was having a really good day, so part of me thinks that maybe Lilly somehow knew that it was her last day and was content knowing she lived a good life with a great family and friends.
Either way — this is a huge loss to the town and the daughters she left behind.
Mel spent the first half of the episode in Los Angeles comforting her sister Joey during her divorce proceeding. In turn, Mel confided in Joey that she and Jack broke up because he got scared away by her desire to have a child.
Joey then pointed out that Mel, an independent and capable female, didn’t need a man to have a baby.
While it’s obviously a lot more difficult to raise a baby alone, Joey reminded her that she still has the embryos she froze with Mark. I can’t remember if this is something that was mentioned before, but it almost seems too obvious and perfect.
The thinking is that Mel could have the child she’s always wanted while honoring her late husband’s memory. If Jack then wants to be a part of that child’s life, he can be, but the expectation wouldn’t be placed solely on him.
However, I’m not sure how Jack would feel about Mel carrying a child that wasn’t his.
They may have broken up — and in my review of Virgin River Season 3 Episode 7, I understand where Jack is coming from more than the rest of the town– but there’s clearly a lot of love between them.
Everyone in town sees them as soulmates and cannot believe that Jack would let such a great woman go.
Jack continues to defend his actions explaining that he did it because he loves Mel; he doesn’t want to burden her with all of his issues and commitments.
Again, everyone in town thinks he’s running away from commitment and emotions, but I think that Jack is being realistic rather than feeding into his desires. He knows that he can’t give Mel everything she wants at the moment and doesn’t want her to resent him for it.
But then Doc made a solid point as he explained that it wasn’t Jack’s choice to make alone — Mel was a woman that has gone through hell and back. She knew exactly what she was getting into when she gave her heart to Jack and had every chance to back out if it was too much for her. She never did because she chose to be there; she chose to be a part of the chaos.
Jack broke her heart and betrayed her by making the decision for her because it didn’t acknowledge what she wanted out of their relationship. He was essentially saying that he knew better and had the authority to decide for her.
Once Jack heard Doc’s perspective, he crawled back to Mel and begged her to take him back.
He explained that he acted out of fear, but knew in his heart that she was worth fighting for.
And who can blame Mel for giving him a second chance? Just look at those puppy eyes.
She may have been hurt, but she knows deep down that Jack is the one.
However, it also wasn’t clear if Mel’s meeting with the fertility specialist was just informative or if she already made the decision to get her embryos implanted. If she did, it was a pretty haste decision and one that may have serious consequences moving forward.
Brady and Brie had an honest chat where she basically told him she didn’t believe a word he said.
Brady admitted that he was at the bar the night of the shooting, but promised her once again that he wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger.
Obviously, that didn’t matter much to Brie because she already made up her mind about him based on what Jack told her. She doesn’t believe people can change and doesn’t like that he’s shrugging off all the bad things he’s done even though he simply doesn’t want to be defined by the mistakes of his past.
Brie has had terrible luck in the dating department, so I’m not surprised she’s finding any excuse to push Brady away. She cautiously opened up her heart to him only to find out he willingly worked for a guy who was dealing fentanyl and may have been involved with her brother’s shooting!
I’m just curious as to why she didn’t ask what Brady and Jack fought about? No one seems to care, but it could give insight as to who did shoot Jack.
Brady obviously cares about Brie, so when she dumped him, he got drunk and picked a fight with Mike at Jack’s bar.
Brady may want to change but he’s reckless, which makes him his own worst enemy.
The fight between the men revealed that Mike did something in Iraq that he wasn’t proud of and that didn’t paint him as the hero everyone thought he was. It was kind of petty of Brady to bring it up, but again, that’s how Brady operates. He’s not above hitting below the belt to hurt someone who hurt him.
Will we find out what Brady was referring to in terms of Mike’s past?
It’s also a bit of a stretch to parallel anything that they did in Iraq to something that Brady did while back in Virgin River. They are two very different scenarios. One is about survival, the other involves a choice being made.
Lizzie was swindled into helping Preacher with a BBQ event at the bar after Ricky called off. He told Preach he was visiting a friend out of town, and he probably should learn to keep his stories straight, especially in a small town where everyone talks.
When Lizzie confronted him about where he’d been, Ricky blatantly lied to her face and she knew it. It’s not a good look for Ricky.
It’s totally understandable if Ricky wants to wait until he passes his entrance exams to let Lizzie know, but again, he needs to learn to keep his stories straight if that’s the case. Otherwise, Lizzie, like every other woman, will just assume the worst.
And then there’s Charmaine, who is finally seeing the light and realizing that Todd might not be her Prince Charming after all.
During some ritzy soiree, Charmaine found out that Todd was planning to move her and the twins to a house in Eureka without even running it past her.
When she confronted him about it and emphasized that her life was in Clear River, he brushed it off before admitting that the move would get them further away from Jack. The goal was to make it as difficult as possible for Jack to be involved in the twins’ lives so that he’d eventually give up wanting custody.
Now, if that isn’t the biggest red flag (among other red flags), I don’t know what is.
Charmaine knows it’s wrong. She knows it’s wrong to keep a father away from his children. How does she not realize that she’s blessed with a man that wants to be involved and take responsibility?
And it says a lot about Todd that he wants to sabotage another man’s chances at being a father. He’s overstepping already and the twins aren’t even here yet nor are they biologically his.
Jack is so chill, if Todd was a decent human, he likely wouldn’t mind him being a step-father. But Todd is bold for wanting to take those kids as his own.
Now that I think about it, it’s unclear if Charmaine was even clued into Todd’s offer to adopt the children and cut Jack loose or if that was something Todd suggested without her knowledge.
I’m leaning towards the latter, and I find myself deeply disturbed by that.
Charmaine has to speak up because she has sacrificed way too much for Todd at this point.
She would have an easy life with him, sure, but she’d also have no say in it. Charmaine may have been a little unhinged, but she deserves better than to settle for any man who will give her the time of day.
I’m hoping Charmaine will come around and do the right thing.
What did you think of the episode? Are you rolling your eyes at Charmaine? Did Mel get the implantation? Should they get back together? Sound off in the comments!
Lark (Elise Gatien) made her debut on Virgin River Season 5, specifically, during the episodes that tackled the wildfires that ravaged parts of the picturesque town.
Warning – this post has spoilers from the Virgin River holiday episodes.
After Jack and Brady risked their lives to save Lark’s daughter, Hazel, who went missing from the campsite during the fire evacuation, the single mom began to bond with the latter, extending her gratitude to him for going out of his way to prioritize her daughter’s safety.
When Brady found out that Lark and Hazel were squatting, he offered them up a place in one of the lumber yard trailers, a selfless gesture that speaks to his big heart.
Lark definitely set her sights on Brady, especially on the heels of his generosity, and a connection sparked around the time that Brady’s relationship with Brie crumbled and he was looking for some companionship. Lark also helped Brady see the better parts of himself, as Brie held his lies (even though he couldn’t tell her anything about being an informant) against him and made him feel guilty.
One thing led to another and eventually, Lark and Brady began a relationship after his romance with Brie ended. It was also helpful that Hazel really took to Brady, and thus, he became a bit of a stepfather figure in her life.
Fast forward a few months to the timeline of the holiday episodes, Brady and Lark are going strong, fully embracing their romance and sweet little family together. Lark even invited Brady to meet her mother, though he claims that’s a little too fast-paced for him, which is understandable considering he still harbors strong feelings for Brie, who has currently moved on with Mike.
However, Brady seems to be in a good place in life, particularly as everything with Melissa Montgomery’s money laundering/drug smuggling at Emerald Lumber has finally settled down. He’s finally able to move past the nightmare that started when he was roped in by Calvin when he was young and reckless, or so fans thought. In retrospect, I guess we should’ve been more suspicious of Lark’s attempts at inserting herself into Brady’s life, though she definitely made it seem so natural.
In the final moments of Virgin River Season 6 Episode 12, Lark sneaks off to pick up a call from Hazel’s father, who turns out to be Jimmy, who is serving time in prison. Lark informs him that “Brady doesn’t suspect a thing,” which shows that this is Jimmy’s form of getting close enough to Brady to get revenge.
It’s an awful and disappointing twist considering all the progress Brady has made to turn over a new leaf and hit refresh. He can’t seem to shake this whole Emerald Lumber fiasco, no matter how hard he tries. Bad luck just seems to follow him based on one bad decision he made way back when—and it’s cost him so much, including his friendships and his romance with Brie.
I’m hoping that Lark realizes just how good of a guy Brady is and how much he’s sacrificed for her and Hazel and decides not to go through with whatever she and Jimmy have planned.
Lord knows that Brady deserves some sliver of good news and positivity in his life, along with a storyline far removed from the lumber yard.
Virgin River is getting into the spirit of the holidays!
While most of Virgin River, including Mel and Jack, were under the impression that this was the “best Christmas ever,” even despite a few hiccups with the “extraordinary” family dinner they planned, if you’ve ever seen an episode of this series, you were likely waiting for the other foot to drop.
**Warning—spoilers from the episodes ahead!**
Things on Virgin River are typically perfect—until they aren’t, but it’s also a very accurate reflection of real life; it’s made up of a blend of good and bad moments, many of which help you realize just how lucky and thankful you are.
Virgin River Season 5 Episodes 11 and 12, titled “The More the Merrier” and “Father Christmas,” gave fans the very first Christmas in the quaint and charming town, and, if you’ll believe it, Mel and Jack’s first Christmas together. Is it just me or is the timeline exceptionally slow on this show?
Then again, Charmaine made a pointed joke about the length of her pregnancy, which honestly feels like it has spanned decades at this point, so the birth of her twins, which yes, finally happens during this momentous episode, ends up feeling slightly rushed.
The fact that she has a quick labor isn’t just great for her—it’s a blessing for Mel and Doc as it allows them to get back to all their Christmas Eve shenanigans without missing a beat.
Despite all that transpired between Mel, Charmaine, and Jack, Charmaine still finds a source of support within them, especially Mel, who stands up for her when Calvin arrives at the clinic when Charmaine goes into labor. Mel might be the only person in town now who knows the identity of the father of Charmaine’s twins, and she’s all too content with keeping it to herself. Personally, I’d be as bad of a secret keeper as Hope, blabbing the news to Jack at the earliest convenience. But Mel is a trusted source who can keep a secret, especially with the patient confidentiality at play. Though, hopefully, Charmaine decides what she’s going to do about her little Calvin problem sooner than later because he seems adamant about being part of those boys’ lives. It’s true that parenthood changes people, sometimes for the better, but Calvin’s caused so much pain in town that I don’t know if it’s possible for him to turn over a new leaf.
The good news is that come Virgin River Season 6, Charmaine won’t be pregnant anymore, and we can close the book on the longest TV pregnancy ever.
Mel’s quest to find her biological father was a huge part of the Christmas episodes. Through love letters unearthed by her sister Joey, Mel found out that her mother had a secret love affair with a man named “Champ” in Virgin River, thus making her connection to the town much more significant.
Together with Jack and her new bangs (love ’em!), she set out on a merry scavenger hunt to uncover her dad’s identity, eventually learning that he won the 1976 Lumberjack Games in town before finding his name: Everett Reid. If you’re slightly disappointed that this isn’t someone we already know, well, join the club. It feels like a missed opportunity… for now, though I’m waiting to hear Everett out fully before I officially cast my judgment. While he initially denied being Mel’s father when she first approached him, even though it was obvious that he was lying, Mel didn’t question it, simply focusing on the people who chose to be in her life—her chosen family.
And there are plenty of them, including Doc, who agreed to walk Mel down the aisle during her wedding to Jack.
However, at the end of the episode, Everett arrived at the cabin and changed his mind about wanting to be in Mel’s life. He explained that the initial shock of seeing her—his daughter who looked just like the woman he loved and lost—threw him for a loop. And it’s understandable considering Mel essentially ambushed him without any warning. He needed time to process and think about what it was that he wanted out of this new relationship.
Everett then says that he has to tell her something, but naturally, the episode ends right before he gets the chance, leaving fans on a cliffhanger till next season. What could it be? Is Everett dying? Has he been following Mel’s whole life from a distance? Did he know she was in Virgin River?
And how is it that there is someone in Virgin River who has managed to keep his identity a secret? Living in a secluded cabin has its benefits, but how has he managed to fly under the radar for so long? The fact that no one knows him is kind of a hard sell for me… at the moment, at least.
Jack and Brie were dealing with family matters head-on as their parents, fresh off of a divorce, came to town and immediately started bickering. Brie was running interference before Jack stepped in and basically used one of their old plays against them—sit in your room and don’t come out until you’ve talked through everything. By the end, they emerged as friends, with dad accepting of mom’s new relationship with Javi, as they both acknowledged that they needed to make an effort to bring the family back together. It was a sweet moment showcasing that things don’t always pan out the way we hope in life, but we have to be open to making things work for the sake of the children, even when they are grown adults.
In the end, the big family dinner that Mel wanted was able to happen—and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Mel not only got the gift of jewelry this year, but Jack also went out of his way to give her the gift she’s been asking Santa for ever since she was a little girl—a pony! A dog named Pony that is.
Maybe it was the spirit of Christmas but Jack was so fun, silly, and cheery throughout the episode. He wasn’t carrying the weight of his past and trauma, and it was refreshing to see him almost act like a little boy again around everyone he loved and trusted. I need more of this Jack in the future, please.
The biggest mistake that the series has ever made was driving Brie and Brady apart. I mean, why? What was it for? No one benefitted from it. Brie and Mike just don’t have the same chemistry, unfortunately. They are cute, but it’s nothing compared to the electricity between Brady and Brie, even when they see each other in passing.
Brady makes a great family man with Lark and Hazel, but I couldn’t get invested in the relationship either, and it turns out that there was a good reason for it—Lark is playing him completely.
In the final—and biggest twist—of the episodes, Lark answers a call from Hazel’s dad, Jimmy. Yep, you know it’s bad news when Jimmy, from prison, calls to check in on how things are going and Lark informs him that “Brady doesn’t suspect a thing.” I hate everything about this, solely because of how hard Brady’s been trying to become a better man and distance himself from this life. He thought he was finally coming out on the other side after helping to take down Calvin and Melissa, but all of that is about to blow up in his face because he let his guard down.
Lizzy and Denny are expecting a baby girl, a genuinely uplifting storyline that has warmed the hearts of everyone in town, except Lizzy’s mother, who was initially distraught by the news and assumed her daughter was throwing away her life. Lizzy managed to convince her mother that this is what she wanted—to be a mom and have a fulfilling career, and from where I’m standing, Lizzy has a good head on her shoulders. She’s come a long way from the girl who arrived in town initially. And quite frankly, she cut her mother way too much slack!
Doc figured that the annual tree decorating competition was the perfect time to repropose to Hope—and their love definitely inspires everyone around. There’s so much to celebrate these days!
Virgin River. (L to R) Annette OÕToole as Hope, Tim Matheson as Doc Mullins, Kai Bradbury as Denny, Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie, Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan, Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe in episode 512 of Virgin River. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
Muriel and Cameron are going strong, with everyone in town acknowledging their deep connection and chemistry. However, when Cameron’s ex fianceé blew into town as part of her apology tour during her recovery process, it forced Muriel to look at their relationship a little differently. If Cameron stays with Muriel, he’s giving up the possibility of having a family and children in the future. And while he says he’s okay with that, Muriel wants him to be sure as she doesn’t want him to resent her for it in the future. Nothing would break her heart more than taking this opportunity away from him. Cameron promises he’ll think about it, but it definitely seems like he’s made up his mind about what he wants out of life and who he wants to spend it with. The life he imagined with his former fianceé once upon a time is long gone now that he’s met Muriel—but I’m glad that she’s prioritizing his happiness rather than being selfish, proving that she’s a mature adult who just wants to be realistic about their relationship rather than allowing herself to get swept up in the moment. These are real issues that need to be addressed.
And finally, Wes’ death is about to blow up Preacher’s life now that the body has been identified. In case you need a refresher, he helped bury the body after Paige accidentally pushed her abusive husband down the stairs in self-defense. Had they just reported his death at the time, it would’ve likely been a lot less problematic than what they are facing now, but considering that Wes was a respected cop with a lot of pull on the force at the time, the self-defense claim might’ve not held up at the time either.
Kaia realizes something is wrong based on the call and questions him about it immediately, though it’s unclear if Preacher will come clean to her. She is the fire chief now, so it’s likely better for him to tell her upfront in the privacy of their home, but will she be receptive? This is a huge bomb dropping on their otherwise idyllic relationship, particularly after she accepted a new job to stay in town and be with him. Do you think she’ll stand by his side or will this be the demise of their relationship?
What did you think of the holiday episodes? Did you enjoy the festivities? Do you think everything with Mel’s dad will turn out okay? Share your thoughts!
There wasn’t a dull moment on Virgin River Season 5, from the wildfire threatening the picturesque small town to Brady’s team-up with Mike to take down Melissa, the new woman running Calvin’s drug empire, and even Brie’s trial against her predatory ex—and weaved in through the fabric was Mel and Jack’s pregnancy storyline.
Disclaimer — this post includes spoilers from the episode — proceed with caution.
Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack Sheridan’s (Martin Henderson) pregnancy started off as one of the more positive storylines, juxtaposed with the shocking revelation that his ex, Charmaine, spent months lying to him about the paternity of the twins. In the Virgin River Season 4 finale, Charmaine suffered a medical episode during which she came clean that Jack was not the father of the boys as she led him to believe. I won’t spoil who the real father is revealed to be in the final moments of the season (you can read that in more detail here and here).
Mel’s pregnancy was immediately considered high risk because of her previous miscarriages, yet it was filled with hope that this time would be the one. Until it wasn’t.
Sadly, Mel lost the pregnancy about midway through the season at the worst possible time as she was volunteering at Doc’s (after quitting her job to make sure she had a safe pregnancy), so she didn’t even have time to fully process what was happening. As she was gearing up to treat patients affected by the wildfires, she stepped away for a bathroom break, which is when she noticed blood on the toilet paper. She confirmed the heartbreaking news with a quick ultrasound showing that there was no longer a fetal heartbeat present.
Instead of having the fully-deserved breakdown, Mel composed herself and gave the people of Virgin River her all, including baby Chloe, who nearly perished when the fire took hold of Lilly’s farm.
Eventually, when the fires got under control, Mel was able to let the feelings in, and they flooded in all at once as she reunited with Jack and broke down crying as she offered up a heartfelt apology, a clear indication that something tragic happened.
Jack fully supported Mel in the aftermath of her loss, allowing her to grieve the way she needed to, and when she was ready, he asked Hope to convey the news to the rest of the town so that Mel wouldn’t have to tell everyone and re-live it every single time.
When Jack brought up trying again, Mel kept avoiding the topic, seemingly not ready to talk about it. She was being honest with herself, so she couldn’t be honest with Jack, however, in a moment of honesty and clarity during her girls’ night with Brie and Ava, Mel confirmed that she didn’t have it in her to keep going and experiencing hit after hit. Not only was it emotionally taxing, but it was physically and mentally draining. Mel didn’t want to get her hopes up again thinking this time would be different only to feel crushed by the realization that it wasn’t.
It definitely wasn’t what Jack wanted to hear—or expected to hear—and his side of things was also valid as he lost three prospective children in a very short time period, however, he remained committed to finding a solution that pleased them both without being pushy or forceful.
He didn’t want to give up on his dreams of being a father, and he knew that deep down, Mel also wanted a family, despite feeling broken and discouraged at the moment. He suggested trying a different method—and there are so many to explore with adoption and surrogacy at the top of the list—reminding her that it doesn’t matter how you get there, it simply matters that you do.
She was a bit hesitant at first as it wasn’t what she’d always envisioned, but things rarely go as planned. And she, of all people (she ended up in Virgin River spontaneously), should know that.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized that Jack was right. This hiccup, though heartbreaking, didn’t have to be the end of their journey towards having kids. They didn’t come this far (she didn’t come this far), to only come this far.
The final moments of the episode found Mel and Jack agreeing to buy Lilly’s farm to start their dream life and family together, all while planning their future wedding in the most perfect spot.
It’s not the outcome many fans were expecting, but given her history, it’s one that made sense, while also allowing the writers to deepen Mel and Jack’s bond while showcasing their journey toward parenthood in a realistic way.
Will There Be a Season 6 of ‘Virgin River’? And If So, When?
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