I’m somewhat ashamed to admit that I’ve always been a fan of the equally heartwarming, yet always heartbreaking Hallmark movies. A few weeks ago, I unknowingly indulged this interest with the start of the Netflix Original series, “Virgin River.” After a long day of work and classes I’m always looking for something to help me unwind and think- but not too much. That’s exactly what “Virgin River” is, but it’s also genuinely so much more. Once you get beyond the cringe acting, cheesy taglines, and highly unrealistic plot “Virgin River” offers an incredibly beautiful story that reminds us all there’s a lot to be thankful for.
Mel, the headstrong, witty and charming Nurse Practitioner is new to this cozy mountain town but it’s not long before she’s seemingly enveloped in Virgin River’s complicated history. Everybody has secrets, and Mel has a few of her own. Her frequent flashbacks give viewers just enough details to keep them guessing. But viewers aren’t the only ones desperate to know more. Jack Sheridan, owner of the Watershed Grill unofficially known as ‘Jack’s Bar’ quickly becomes a little more than friends with Mel. However, it’s not that simple. The show drags viewers along the ten episode season as they impatiently root for the couple, uncovering the fact that Jack has many secrets of his own.
Initially starting out as a novel by the author Robyn Carr, the multiple, intertwined plot lines of “Virgin River” make the show impossible not to binge. When John Middleton, affectionately known as “Preacher,” isn’t cooking something up at the bar, he’s pursuing Paige Lassiter (if that’s who she really is…) Preacher, my favorite character is hard not to love, especially as he shares a wartime past and unbreakable bond with his fellow soldier Jack. The two take in their fellow Marine, Dan Brady, who in many ways functions as the town’s unspoken villain. While he seems to cause more trouble than it’s worth you’ll be rooting for him to sway on the “good side,” of things.
Another character who seems to bridge the gap between good and evil is Hope McCrea’s husband, who is never referred to as anything other than ‘Doc.’ Although he’s hostile at the start, by the end of the series you’ll find yourself loving everything behind his hard exterior. And hey, it’s not surprising he’s that way after spending the last 20 years married to the nosy and incredibly stubborn town gossip, Hope. We first meet the couple as they wrestle with the ethical decisions of how to take care of the baby that’s abandoned on Doc’s doorstep in episode one.
So yes, while “Virgin River” is incredibly soppy and overly dramatic, there’s a lot to love. And although the town bar seems to be where a large majority of the plot takes place, regardless of the time of day, you’ll find yourself wanting to go back there too. Give yourself a break, cozy up, and run away from all your problems to the comfortable and homey town of Virgin River- I’m telling you now, you won’t regret it.