Key Points to Remember Before Season 6
Netflix has a delightful surprise for fans of “Virgin River”: a brand new season of the beloved series.
As we anticipate the release of Season 6 on December 19 (with plenty of drama, as this recap will highlight), it’s a good idea to refresh your memory on the significant events from Season 5.
From pregnancies and miscarriages to proposals and arrests, here’s everything you need to remember from “Virgin River” Season 5 along with the 2023 holiday episodes before diving into the new season.
What unfolds for Mel and Jack in Season 5?
Mel experiences a miscarriage
Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) was excited yet cautious to discover she was expecting Jack’s (Martin Henderson) child, having faced multiple miscarriages and a stillbirth before.
Tragedy strikes in Season 5 when Mel suffers a miscarriage while caring for patients during a town emergency (a massive fire).
After mourning her loss, Mel later comes to terms with the possibility of becoming a mother through adoption.
Mel plans to establish a birthing center in Virgin River
Upon returning to the clinic, Mel conceives the idea of a birthing center in Virgin River, providing numerous services for local women, including postpartum support and lactation counseling. Doc (Tim Matheson) fully supports the initiative.
Jack faces challenges with his glamping venture
Initially, when Jack teamed up with Melissa (Barbara Pollard) to launch his glamping business, he was unaware of her illegal activities. When Melissa gets arrested, the FBI intervenes and shuts down Jack’s business amid the investigation.
Jack and Mel make plans to build a new home
Following the destruction of Tara’s (Stacey Farber) farm due to the Virgin River fire, she decides to sell the land. When Mel learns that the sole item to survive the fire was a tire swing, she reminisces about the one she had with her sister.
Mel then asks Jack about the idea of purchasing the property and constructing a house for themselves. Jack enthusiastically agrees and suggests the location would be perfect for their wedding.
Mel meets her biological father
After discovering she isn’t related to the man she thought was her father, Mel embarks on a journey to find her biological dad. In the holiday episodes of Season 5, she finally meets him.
Initially, Everett (John Allen Nelson) hesitates to acknowledge their relationship, but he later admits it after recognizing Mel resembles her late mother.
Everett then reveals that he has something “important” to share with Mel.
What unfolds for other residents of Virgin River in Season 5?
Charmaine welcomes her twins
Upon discovering that he wasn’t the father of Charmaine’s (Lauren Hammersley) twins, Jack found it difficult to cope. Throughout Season 5, he adjusts to the reality that fatherhood is not in his immediate future.
Mel steps in as Charmaine’s midwife during a critical moment, assisting her during labor right before Christmas. She is shocked to see Calvin (David Cubitt) arrive at the clinic with Charmaine, discovering he is the father of her twins.
The town believed Calvin to be dead, but Charmaine reveals that he made a deal with the FBI while helping take down Melissa and subsequently entered the witness protection program.
Brie and Brady break up and start new relationships
Brie (Zibby Allen) and Brady (Ben Hollingsworth) strive to make their relationship work but ultimately decide to break things off in Season 5. However, both find new love interests quickly.
Brie gets close to local officer Mike (Marco Grazzini), who was undercover with Brady. Meanwhile, Brady connects with Lark (Elise Gatien), a Virgin River resident he met after rescuing her daughter during a fire.
Unbeknownst to Brady, Lark is tied to Jimmy (Ian Tracey), a criminal from previous seasons who is keen on Lark keeping an eye on Brady.
Lizzie and Denny are expecting a child
Denny (Kai Bradbury) and Lizzie’s (Sarah Dugdale) romance flourishes as they discover they are expecting a baby. In the holiday episodes, Lizzie shares that she’s having a girl.
While Lizzie feels hesitant to inform her mother of her pregnancy, things turn awkward when the announcement accidentally comes out. Soon enough, Lizzie’s mother is on board and thrilled to become a grandmother.
Doc participates in a clinical trial and wishes to renew his vows with Hope
When a chance arises to partake in a clinical trial for macular degeneration, Doc takes a leap of faith and enrolls, despite the uncertainties.
Additionally, Doc surprises Hope (Annette O’Toole) by asking her to renew their wedding vows. Excitedly, he anticipates walking Mel down the aisle at her wedding to Jack.
Preacher’s new love interest and a looming legal dilemma
Following Vince’s (Steve Bacic) arrest early in the season, he claims to Mike that Preacher (Colin Lawrence) and Paige (Lexa Doig) were responsible for his twin brother Wes’s (also played by Bacic) death. Luckily, Mike assures Preacher that there’s no reason for concern over an investigation.
However, a fire in Virgin River leads to the discovery of Wes’s remains, causing Preacher to fear being implicated in a criminal inquiry.
On a lighter note, Preacher finds new romance with a firefighter named Kaia (Kandyse McClure). As the season progresses, Preacher’s affection for Kaia deepens, and he expresses his love. While she’s still healing from her divorce, Kaia prefers to take things slowly but eventually accepts a job as the local fire chief so she can further explore her budding relationship with Preacher.
Cameron and Muriel’s romance flourishes
Cameron (Mark Ghanime) and Muriel (Teryl Rothery) choose to make their relationship official in Season 5. During the holiday episodes, Cameron’s ex unexpectedly shows up in Virgin River, claiming she’s now sober and wants to rekindle their relationship.
Cameron discusses this with Muriel, prompting a conversation about family, during which Muriel reveals her decision not to have children at this point in her life. She expresses concern that Cameron might miss out on parenthood if he stays with her and encourages him to reflect on his desires for the future.
