“Mel & Jack 2.0? 🥺💬 Fans Compare Sullivan’s Crossing Couple to Virgin River’s Power Duo 🌄”

When Sullivan’s Crossing premiered, fans of Virgin River were eager to tune in—especially with Virgin River star Morgan Kohan leading the cast. But as the episodes unfolded, one major comparison began swirling online: the central couple of Sullivan’s Crossing—Maggie Sullivan and Cal Jones—felt a lot like a “discount” version of Virgin River’s iconic pair, Mel Monroe and Jack Sheridan.

The comparison has sparked passionate debate among fans. Are Maggie and Cal simply treading familiar ground, or are they carving out a romance that can stand on its own?

Familiar Formulas, Familiar Feelings

Let’s face it—both shows follow a very specific and beloved formula. A strong, independent woman from the city (Mel/Maggie) moves to a small, scenic town to heal from emotional wounds. There, she meets a rugged, emotionally available man with a troubled past (Jack/Cal). They clash. They bond. They fall in love—while the drama of the town slowly intertwines with their personal lives.

It’s comfort TV at its best. But for many fans, Virgin River did it first—and better.

“Watching Maggie and Cal feels like watching a beta test of Mel and Jack,” one fan posted on social media. “They’ve got the same ingredients, but the spark just isn’t there.”

Another echoed the sentiment: “I like them, but they’re not Mel and Jack. There’s something missing—maybe chemistry? Or emotional depth?”

Maggie and Cal: Still Finding Their Groove

To be fair, Sullivan’s Crossing is still relatively new compared to the multi-season arc of Virgin River. Maggie (played by Morgan Kohan) is a neurosurgeon dealing with both personal and professional upheaval, and Cal (Chad Michael Murray) is a quiet ex-soldier with secrets of his own. Their slow-burn romance is building, but it hasn’t yet reached the emotional highs or heartbreaks that defined Mel and Jack’s relationship early on.

Critics of the comparison say it’s too soon to judge.

“We didn’t fall in love with Mel and Jack overnight either,” one viewer pointed out. “It took time for their relationship to really land. Maggie and Cal deserve the same chance.”

And some fans are fully on board with the Maggie-Cal dynamic, praising it for being a little less dramatic and more grounded than the rollercoaster that Mel and Jack often ride.

“They’re quieter, more introspective,” said one fan. “They don’t need the same level of trauma to be interesting.”

Is It Just a Copycat?

There’s no denying that Sullivan’s Crossing draws inspiration from the small-town-romance blueprint that made Virgin River such a hit. Both shows even share a similar visual aesthetic—lush scenery, cozy cabins, local cafés, and a community full of colorful characters.

That’s no accident. Both are based on romance novel series (Virgin River by Robyn Carr, Sullivan’s Crossing by Debbie Macomber) and produced with that same heartwarming, Hallmark-meets-Netflix energy.

But while the DNA might be similar, the execution is where fans are split. Some say Sullivan’s Crossing lacks the emotional weight and high-stakes drama that keeps viewers glued to Virgin River. Others argue that it’s carving out a more realistic, slower-paced approach that could feel more rewarding in the long run.

A Tale of Two Romances