All 5 Virgin River seasons ranked from worst to best
By Reed Gaudens
2. Season 5
Before you attempt to write off season 5 for any particular reason you might have, consider everything that happened in the fifth season: A wildfire, a shocking pregnancy announcement, an unexpected coupling, a drug bust and shootout, Christmas, paternity bombshell, and Charmaine finally gave birth. Objectively, season 5 accomplished more than any of the past seasons.
One of the things that sets season 5 apart from the rest could have something to do with the series gaining a new showrunner in Patrick Sean Smith, who took over creative control beginning with this season. Smith clearly came into the series with a vision for the storytelling, and thankfully that included speeding up the timeline a bit with a season-ending fast-forward to Christmastime.
Aside from all of the fundamental changes that accompanied the showrunner change, season 5 also told some of the show's most ambitious and heartfelt stories to date. When the wildfire devastates the town in the middle of the season, it brings everyone together in an inspirational showing of community in the midst of grief. Mel, too, goes through her own personal grief when she experiences another miscarriage. She and Jack grapple with the future of their relationship and family in the aftermath of such a tragic loss, which ultimately brings them closer than ever.
Virgin River has always been relatable and strikingly accessible to a wide range of ages, particularly when showcasing the realities of womanhood, but it achieved so much more of its potential in season 5. Not only was the season full of the same heart as always, but the series also became even more wildly entertaining. Also, as previously mentioned, we got to celebrate Christmas in Virgin River, complete with a scavenger hunt for Mel's birth father and so many more good times. What's not to love?
Finally, we’re going back to the start for the top spot in our Virgin River seasons ranking. You just can’t go wrong with the debut season of the series!