Virgin River
Virgin River Season Finale Review – A Wedding, No Funeral, and a Baby (3×10)
Cliffhangers are a necessary part of a finale, but multiple cliffhangers leave you counting down to the next season immediately after an episode ends.
Virgin River Season 3 Episode 10 left every character on a cliffhanger.
Jack and Mel’s future is unclear at this point.
While he thought that he had it all figured out and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her when he proposed, Mel dropped quite the bombshell on him — she’s pregnant.
Throughout the season, Jack didn’t know if he wanted to have another child, but after some introspection, he realized he would only be happy with Mel by his side.
When she broke the news to him, he was completely supportive and excited for this new chapter with her.
That is until Mel revealed that he might not be the father.
Of course, that’s because she went to a fertility specialist and had one of her and Mark’s frozen embryos implanted while she was in LA, but Jack doesn’t know that.
Personally, I think Mel should’ve led with that as it would’ve softened the blow.
By telling him he might not be the father, Jack automatically assumes that she cheated on him, which isn’t the case.
Though, I guess some might argue that having another man’s baby — dead or alive — is essentially cheating.
I’m more bothered by the fact that Mel didn’t tell Jack about the procedure once they got back together. She had plenty of time to tell him the truth.
Even if it would’ve ruined their relationship, I think it would’ve been better for Mel to be honest with Jack than to wait until she got a positive pregnancy test. This would have let Jack know exactly where Mel stood on the issue. If he knew she was considering the implantation, it wouldn’t have been such a hypothetical situation anymore.
He could have weighed in on whether or not he would like to be the father or offered some support for her decision to have Mark’s baby.
There’s a slight chance Jack is the father, and for the sake of their relationship, I hope that turns out to be the case.
Jack asked Mel to be honest and transparent with him early on, and while it led to some problems in their relationship, it would have also avoided this whole mess.
Jack loves Mel, so I don’t think he’d turn his back on her, but I’m sure he’ll be a bit blindsided and hurt by her actions.
And Mel wouldn’t be the first pregnant woman to hurt him during the finale.
Charmaine, who seemed like she was finally figuring out that Todd was a grade-A asshole, stopped by Jack’s bar to let him know she got married.
Yep, Charmaine ignored every red flag and likely her gut to marry Todd. I’m shaking my head at all of this woman’s terrible decisions led by her insecurities.
I thought for a split second Charmaine would do the right thing and cut Todd loose, but now, she allowed herself to get swindled into a marriage with a controlling man who makes decisions for her… so that’s cool.
Charmaine is so determined to have a man that she continues making Jack the villain and defending Todd and “her marriage.”
There were moments where it was obvious Charmaine knew she wasn’t doing the right thing and doing Jack, a man who, again, wants to be in his children’s lives, a disservice, but she just couldn’t help herself or her toxic behavior.
She was also upset with Jack about getting a family lawyer to get custody of the twins, but like, Charmaine, do you hear yourself? Jack was trying to reason with her and basically beginning her to be a part of his biological children’s lives, she was denying him that right and making him out to be the bad guy. If she won’t communicate effectively with him, what else is he supposed to do? She’s given him no choice. How is Charmaine so unaware that she and Todd — mostly Todd — are the villains in this story.
She’s keeping the twins from their father before they’re even born!
At the end of Virgin River Season 3 Episode 9, Doc was informed of a car accident involving Hope.
The series has been very creative in terms of how they addressed her absence, but leaving her (an extra) bandaged up in the background? I couldn’t take it seriously.
It’s unclear if Hope and Doc will ever get their fairytale wedding as her situation, which involved a medically induced coma, looked quite dire.
And the only way to allow O’Toole off the show without ruining her and Doc’s relationship is to, unfortunately, kill her off.
The stress of Hope’s hospitalization cannot be good for Doc’s declining eyesight either.
I particularly enjoyed the scene between Doc and Lizzie despite it being an Apple commercial. She’s become such a better person after coming to Virgin River.
She continued to keep Ricky at arm’s length, which I applaud. He lied to her, so he should work for it if he wants another chance.
But while she gave the impression that she got back with Parker, that wasn’t necessarily the case as he also betrayed her trust.
It was a lot easier to forgive him than it was to forgive Ricky, however, because she truly loves Ricky.
Will he still enlist now that he got her blessing? Or will he make up his mind now that Lizzie is pushing him away?
Christopher and Connie are in real danger. Why the hell doesn’t Preacher have an alarm system on such a big house?!
Living in a small town isn’t even an excuse if you take into consideration all the crime that has happened over the course of three seasons including Jack’s shooting!
I knew there was something off with Sally. She was acting too shady, plus, I don’t think Paige would ever turn herself in if it meant Christopher would be placed in foster care.
Somehow, someway, Vince got to Sally and made her do his bidding. Preacher kept his guard up the whole time and then was betrayed by someone he and Paige both trusted!
I hope the drugs wear off quickly and nothing happens to Preacher, but he might have to come clean about everything when he realizes Christopher was taken.
I’m assuming Vince came up with the elaborate plot to steal Christopher and use him as leverage to force Paige out of hiding.
Can someone just get rid of Vince so Preacher, Paige, and Christopher can live as one happy family?
Brady can’t catch a break.
I know he was my number one suspect up until recently, but I truly believed Brady when he told Brie he didn’t shoot Jack.
It’s obvious that Calvin paid off one of the cops to plant the gun in Brady’s Jeep. Calvin even hinted at it when he swung by Brady’s after all the charges against him were dropped.
How is it that a guy like Calvin is able to walk away and no one even bats an eyelash?
While it wasn’t directly stated it was hinted that one of Calvin’s men shot Jack, which makes the “who shot Jack” mystery a little less exciting to be honest. If we don’t know the man then it doesn’t really change anything.
However, now, everyone thinks it was Brady. As he was arrested for the attempted murder of Jack Sheridan, he seemed genuinely scared, but neither Mike nor Brie believed him. How sad is that?
His reputation precedes him, and he’s burned so many bridges that no one even wants to consider the possibility that he’s telling the truth.
Brie knows Brady better than anyone due to their intimate relationship, so she should’ve sensed his fear and realized that he was telling the truth.
As a former prosecutor, she keeps saying that she has a good read on people, but I just don’t think that’s the case.
For the first time, I actually felt bad for Brady. He’s doing way more than paying for the mistakes of his past.
Brie also finally told Mel about her relationship with an attorney back home who wouldn’t take no for an answer and sexually assaulted her.
The whole situation was heartbreaking, especially since the miscarriage was from that night. It also explained why she’s been so anxious and jumpy.
Brie is a complex, flawed, magnetic, and capable character who has become a great addition to the series, so I hope she sticks around.
And finally… Doc has a nephew?
From what I’ve gathered, he never had kids with Hope. Did he have a child with another woman before he was with Hope? Did he not know about this child? I don’t see him ever turning his back on his own blood.
Poor Doc! His whole life has been flipped upside down with his diagnosis and Hope’s accident, and he doesn’t even know that more is coming his way! And why now?
The whole storyline is giving me Hart of Dixie vibes!
Other Musings
- There’s a new employee at Jack’s… will Hannah be a recurring character moving forward? The series obviously doesn’t give just anyone lines (see: Lilly’s random daughter at the funeral), so I’d assume Hannah will play some larger role.
- Preacher accepted Jack’s owner to be a partner at the bar!
- Mel was the “generous benefactor” for Tara and Chloe. She honestly is a guardian angel.
Alright, I’m turning it over to you, Cravers! What did you think of the episode? What did you think of the season? Are you a fan of the cliffhangers?
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?
Virgin River is giving a holiday gift of two bonus episodes.
After all 10 episodes of the fifth season arrive on Sept. 7, fans can look forward to two additional holiday-themed episodes streaming a few months down the line as “part 2” on Thursday, Nov. 30. It will be the show’s first-ever Christmas offering, bringing the episode count to 12 in total for season 5.
The 10th episode, the unofficial “season finale,” even included a time-jump four months into the future, setting the scene for the additional episodes as Mel and Jack can be seen gearing up for Christmas by decorating their cabin with wreaths and lights.
Mel is chatting with her sister, Joey, as Jack asks if she and the kids are excited for their first Virgin River Christmas.
A few days after the fifth season premiered, Lauren Hammersley, who plays Charmaine, shared the first look at the holiday episodes, revealing what fans can expect—and yes, Christmas in Virgin River looks just as magical as you’d expect.
As the town goes all-out for the Christmas tree decorating competition (the grand prize is a Yule log and bragging rights), Mel, who is sporting some chic new bangs, explains that she’s looking for her biological father as she wants to know “what happened.”
By the end of the brief trailer, she informs Jack that they’ve located him, with Preacher noting that he’s “still in Virgin River.” There are a handful of possibilities as to who it could be, which we break down in full right here!
Lizzie’s pregnancy is also addressed as she has doubts about whether she’ll be a good mom as Hope (likely) gears up to give her some incredible advice.
And speaking of pregnancies, one of the longest in TV history is finally coming to an end as Charmaine begins experiencing contractions at Doc’s practice and Mel jumps in to help.
As for Brady and Brie shippers, there may still be hope for their reconciliation after all as she approaches her ex and accidentally meets him right under the mistletoe. One fan in the comments suggested that she’s now doing the chasing, though a later scene, which seems to be a holiday dinner with everyone in town, sees her cozying up to Mike, so it seems she’s still very much conflicted on matters of the heart.
The only upsetting storyline includes Preacher, who may have found love with Kaia, but whose life might also blow up now that they’ve located Wes’ body after the fire.
“This thing is about to blow,” Mike tells him over the phone as Kaia inquires if he can clue her in on anything.
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We have to wait till Nov. 30 to see how everything unfolds, but remember, despite the drama and love triangles, it’s still the most wonderful time of the year!
Will There Be a Season 6 of ‘Virgin River’? And If So, When?
Virgin River Season 5 ended with a handful of cliffhangers for all the inhabitants of the picturesque small town, so it’s no surprise that fans are wondering if and when we’ll get more of the popular romantic drama.
In addition to the two bonus holiday episodes coming later this year on Nov. 30, the Netflix series starring Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson has already been renewed for a sixth season.
Virgin River Season 6 was officially confirmed back in May 2023, though for now, no release date has been announced.
And the series will likely experience some delays due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes in Hollywood.
Mark Ghanimé, who portrays Cameron, the clinic’s newest doctor, confirmed the renewal, revealing in his Instagram post that the sixth season has yet to start filming.
“I am hoping our lovely gang of writers can get what they need so they can continue writing this show for 5 more seasons and we can get right into shooting our 6th!!” he wrote.
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The series, based on Virgin River novels by Robyn Carr, has no shortage of source material as there are 24 books in the collection, and considering the early renewal for season 6, the streaming giant clearly believes in it as there’s plenty of fan interest to keep visiting the idyllic small town with its fair share of drama.
“I think we definitely see more longevity and growth with the show,” Netflix’s Head Of Drama, Development Jinny Howe told Deadline, noting, “As long as the audience asks for it and shows up — and I think we see with Season 4 that the fandom is very strong and growing in many places as well — it feels like based on what we’re seeing with Season 4 and the anticipation for Season 5 that there is a lot more storytelling to offer us.“
As of now, the family faces, aka the main cast, which includes Breckenridge, Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Tim Matheson, Annette O’Toole, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Lauren Hammersley, Sarah Dugdale, Zibby Allen, and Marco Grazzini, are all set to return.
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