10 things nobody wants to admit about Virgin River

2. Mel and Jack are one of TV’s swooniest love stories

Before we begin, yes, “swooniest” is a word (at least according to Red, White & Royal Blue), and Mel and Jack’s love story would definitely classify as very, very swoony. From the minute the two meet, it’s clear that there’s something deeper there. It was apparent that it was love at first sight, but Mel wasn’t ready to find love again. She was still mourning the loss of both her husband and her baby. In the beginning, Jack was patient, understanding, and caring.

Once Mel’s ready to act on her feelings for Jack, their relationship becomes something straight out of a romance novel (which is fitting because the show is based on a series of romance novels). They have their ups and downs and their disagreements, but they never give up on each other. Not when Jack’s drinking interferes, not when they lose their baby and differ on a path forward, not ever. They are a team. They are in love. And they are so heartwarming to watch.

1. The fifth season is the strongest season yet

If you ask a diehard fan of the series, they would say there’s not a bad season in the bunch. Each season of Virgin River has its strengths, but it’s clear as day that the best and strongest season (so far) is the most current fifth season. Patrick Sean Smith took over as showrunner and had a vision for the future of the show, and wow did it work wonders. What he helped create was an ambitious, powerful, and game-changing season.

Season 5 featured the midseason arc of the wildfire that devastates the town, Brie’s sexual assault trial, a resolution to the money laundering scheme, and so many other storylines that moved the series forward. Speaking of, the show finally employed a time jump, bringing the timeline to a new year by the end of season 5 part 2, which is a two-episode Christmas special. Simply, the fifth season necessarily breathed renewed life into an already well-oiled machine.

Watch Virgin River only on Netflix!