Mel’s biological dad revealed in underwhelming Virgin River season 5 twist

Virgin River has returned with two holiday episodes concluding the eventful fifth season, and although these episodes are full of Christmas cheer and festivities, it’s also got some drama. With a show like this, what else do you expect? The second part of the fifth season picks up where the first half ended, with Mel thinking about who her biological father could be.

In case you missed it, season 5 part 1 was shocking for Mel for a long list of reasons, one of which being her sister Joey delivering the news that she doesn’t think they have the same dad. The two sisters were raised by the same man they both believed was their biological father, but Joey explains that she found love letters from their mom that might prove different.

SPOILERS ahead for Virgin River season 5 part 2.

As it turns out, Mel potentially had a connection to the town Virgin River prior to ever moving there and meeting Jack, because as Joey explains, the man their mom was sending letters to was from there as well! What a small world. We suspected Doc might be Mel’s biological father, which would be a heartfelt — and not entirely surprising — turn of events for such a soapy show. It seemed the series was leading to that reveal, however, the one we actually get is a bit of a letdown.

Mel’s biological dad revealed to be Everett Reid

It doesn’t take long into the holiday episodes for Mel to decide she wants to track down her real dad. With the help of Jack, they bop around the town looking for answers. Because this man was from Virgin River, they don’t have to go very far to figure it out. They ask Hope for help, who advises them to see if Lydie knows anything, as she used to be very close with the town’s former postman. We find out that Lydie and this man are still very close, and Mel and Jack go find him to see if he can help.

Eventually, they find out that the man exchanging the letters with Mel’s mom is someone named Everett Reid. The name means nothing to Mel or Jack, but they quickly find his address and go see him. Unfortunately, Mel is let down when the man pretends not to be Everett, despite her seeing a clue in his house that proves he is. Mel tells him that Everett is her father, which seemingly scares him off. Disappointed, she and Jack leave and she starts to give up on reconnecting with her biological dad.

The reveal of Mel’s real dad is pretty underwhelming considering he’s seemingly just a random man from Virgin River that no one knows. Of course, that could always change in season 6, especially with the way the holiday episodes end. But didn’t you think the show was teasing that Doc could really be her dad? I’m still holding out on that theory, no matter how unlikely it might be now! She even asks Doc to walk her down the aisle in her wedding to Jack. The potential clues are adding up.

Virgin River season 5 part 2 concludes with Everett going to see Mel at her home and saying he has something important to tell her. He confirms he’s Mel’s father and tells her that she looks just like her mom. The final episode ends before we find out what that something is, but I suspect it’ll be big. There’s got to be more controversy and shocking twists! With Virgin River, you truly never know what dramatic thing will occur next.

Alexandra Breckenridge, who plays Mel in Virgin River, spoke about the biological dad storyline ahead of the holiday episodes, calling it “awfully convenient” for her father to be living in the same town, and saying it “felt a little bit television.” That said, she understands how “nice” it might be for Mel, telling Deadline:

"“But, I think, within the parameters of television, it’s nice for Mel, who has no other family besides her sister, to be able to have the opportunity to potentially reconnect with a parent. Also, I think it’s such a bomb for her to understand that her mother was having an affair. It’s a huge deal. But I think that because we were doing a Christmas episode, we really wanted it to be a lot lighter; it was important to give that to the audience, to have a little reprieve from the Mel and Jack season that they had.”"

We come bearing good news, readers, because Virgin River season 6 is on the way! Keep up with us at Netflix Life for the latest updates on the next installment.