“Virgin River” fans, get ready to dive back into the cozy, dramatic world of the small Northern California town! With Season 6 officially on its way (premiering December 19, 2024!), it’s easy to forget some of the crucial details and cliffhangers that left us gasping at the end of Season 5 Part 2. Before you settle in for your next binge, let’s refresh your memory on everything you need to remember.
Before You Watch ‘Virgin River’ Season 6, Here’s Everything You Forgot! 🤯💖🏡
The holidays came and went in Virgin River, bringing warmth, cheer, and a whole lot of drama. While some storylines wrapped up neatly, others left us with massive cliffhangers that will undoubtedly drive the narrative for Season 6. Let’s recap the biggest moments from Season 5 Part 2 to get you up to speed.
1. Mel Found Her Biological Father… and He Has a Secret! This was perhaps the biggest reveal of Season 5 Part 2! Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) embarked on a quest to find her biological father after discovering letters from her late mother hinting at an affair with a man from Virgin River. After a charming “scavenger hunt” with Jack, they finally located Everett Reid (John Allen Nelson).
Initially, Everett was resistant and denied knowing Mel’s mother or even Mel herself. However, in the final moments of the season, he came to the clinic looking for Mel, confessed that he is her biological father, and apologized for his earlier coldness. He explained that her resemblance to her mother had thrown him off. Just when Mel thought she was getting answers, Everett then delivered the ultimate cliffhanger: he has something else very important to tell her. This untold secret is set to be a major storyline for Season 6, potentially revealing more about Mel’s family history, a shared secret with her mother, or even a health condition.
2. Charmaine Finally Gave Birth to Her Twins – And We Know Who the Father Is (Again)! After what felt like an eternity, Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley) finally, finally gave birth to her twin boys in a dramatic Christmas Eve delivery at Doc’s clinic, with Mel as her midwife. The biggest revelation with the birth was the confirmation of the twins’ paternity: Calvin (David Cubitt)! Yes, the notorious drug lord who everyone thought was dead is indeed the father, and he even showed up at the end of the episode to state his intentions to be a part of his sons’ lives. This reintroduces a major antagonist and a huge threat to Charmaine and her children, setting up a terrifying storyline for Season 6.
3. Preacher’s Love Life and Legal Troubles: Preacher (Colin Lawrence) and Kaia (Kandyse McClure) officially became a couple, with Kaia even taking a job as Virgin River’s new fire chief so she could stay close to him. However, their happiness is immediately threatened. The body of Wes, Paige’s abusive ex-husband, was discovered, and since Preacher was the one who hid the body (to protect Paige), he’s now in a very precarious legal situation. This long-simmering plot thread from earlier seasons is now boiling over, putting Preacher’s freedom and future with Kaia at risk.
4. Lizzie’s Pregnancy and Doc & Hope’s Growing Family: Lizzie (Sarah Dugdale) decided to keep her baby with Denny (Kai Bradbury), and despite initial shock from her mother, Connie, the entire community, especially Doc (Tim Matheson) and Hope (Annette O’Toole), rallied around them. Doc and Hope have embraced their role as surrogate grandparents and are thrilled about the upcoming arrival of a baby girl. This brings a much-needed ray of light and a focus on new life into the series.
5. Doc’s Vision and Hope’s Proposal: Doc’s macular degeneration storyline continued, but with a glimmer of hope. He revealed to Hope that he’d been accepted into a clinical trial that could potentially save his eyesight. In a romantic turn, Doc proposed to Hope (again!), suggesting they should get married again to relive their happiest memories, especially given the uncertainty of his vision. Hope, after winning the Christmas tree decorating contest, enthusiastically accepted. Get ready for wedding planning in Season 6!
6. Brie, Brady, and Mike’s Complicated Triangle: Brie (Zibby Allen) and Brady (Ben Hollingsworth) had a heartbreaking moment under the mistletoe where Brady confessed he still loved her, just before they were interrupted. Brie is currently with Mike Valenzuela (Marco Grazzini), but there are clearly unresolved feelings between her and Brady. Adding another layer of complexity, Brady’s new girlfriend, Lark, was revealed to be working with Jimmy, a known associate of Calvin, hinting at a sinister plot involving Brady.
7. Mel and Jack’s Continued Journey: Despite a devastating miscarriage earlier in Season 5 Part 1, Mel and Jack (Martin Henderson) are more united than ever. They purchased Lilly’s farm, firmly planting their roots in Virgin River and symbolizing their commitment to building a family, however that may look. Jack even gifted Mel a puppy named “Pony,” fulfilling an old dream of hers. They are also officially engaged and planning their wedding, which is set to be a major focus of Season 6.
8. The Albert’s Relaunch and Conflicts: Preacher’s bar, The Albert, was finally successfully relaunched, now under joint ownership with Brady. However, this has created new dynamics and potential conflicts within the town’s business landscape.
Looking Ahead to Season 6: Season 6 promises to bring us Mel and Jack’s wedding preparations, the dramatic fallout of Everett’s secret, the terrifying implications of Calvin’s return as the twins’ father, Preacher’s legal battle, and the continued complexities of Virgin River’s intertwined lives. Get ready for more tears, more romance, and certainly more small-town drama!
