Summary
Virgin River Season 1 presents the heartwarming story of Melinda Monroe who embarks on her new life in a remote northern California town.
This review of Netflix Series Virgin River Season 1 contains no spoilers.
The lead character in Virgin River Season 1, Melinda Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), reminded me of my time when I was traveling and working. I reached my destination and I was escorted to the employee housing; my new home for at least six months. I was working for a middle-to-upper class hotel next to the sea, so when I saw my new home, which was down a dirt path and riddled with bugs, I looked at my manager and had the face that said, “I’m not going to last here”.
But I did last, and Melinda’s story in Virgin River is the old adage of a city person becoming accustomed to a new life. Melinda is a nurse practitioner, hired to help a doctor in a remote northern California town. Melinda is appalled by the state of her employee housing, but also warmed by the nice welcomes she receives from the locals in the town, plus a man named Jack who is flagrantly interested in her romantically. The only downside is that her place is not liveable and the doctor in the town is stubborn and refuses to work with her.
Virgin River Season 1 is a story to warm the heart. Melinda’s past haunts her, and the Netflix series gives the audience glimpses of what demons she is carrying. While Melinda requires to become accustomed to a remote area, in order for her to fully embrace Virgin River, she needs to understand herself again. There’s a heavy theme of self-care and healing that audiences will appreciate.
Each episode does provide a specific scenario that attaches itself to the Doctor’s practice, but Virgin River also offers an underlying potential romance. The Netflix series is slightly “smoochie” and could exist on Hallmark TV, but the drama and dialogue are well versed for a full season. Virgin River has arrived just in time for Christmas, and it does have that seasonal feel to it.
Netflix’s Virgin River Season 1 is a heartwarming story about a city girl, living in a lonely world.
I find this series horrific. I am disgusted that the characters are unrecognizable compared to the books. The biggest mistake so far are the changes in Jack. Jack is the glue who holds them all together. He is not the Jack that we love. Instead it opens and our dear beloved Jack has knocked up Charmaine, the woman in the next city he used to visit occasionally. He broke off their arrangement and then she shows up pregnant by Jack after he has made his play for Mel. Mel is packing to leave because she can’t bear to watch Jack raise a child with another woman esp one who he only had a sexual relationship with.
Charmaine is trying to convince Mel to leave so she can have Jack to herself. She said she knew he wouldn’t be with her as long as Mel is still living there.
To make matters more disappointing Preacher doesn’t physically resemble his book character. He isn’t large and he doesn’t seem easy going. Someone came into work late and Preach charges the guy and starts a fight that is quickly snuffed out or something close to that.
It made me physically ill. Even if Charmaine loses the baby I still couldn’t watch it. That would take away from the beauty of Jack and Mel.
Why would you feel that way? I hope Jack doesn’t fall for Charmaine’s scheme, and I want him to find Mel and try to change her mind and come back with him to Virgin River. It is a change from some of the junk that they put on tv and it is a series I loved watching. I wanted more!!
I am glad that someone else agrees that this series is poorly written, and I might add – poorly acted. Breckenridge’s performance is “flat”, and uninteresting. She is beautiful but in this role, her voice and performance rarely varies from scene to scene, The series is boring. I doubt very much that Breckenridge has ever watched a mid wife in action. I find myself frustrated with the interpretation of all the characters actually, there is no depth. Jack is a bit better played by Henderson. As of this moment, I am done. I will no longer watch this series.
Marinell Williams~
I agree. I wouldn’t watch this if they paid me for my time. For me, the story-line was ruined. I can’t believe that Charmaine is pregnant by Jack!
Is she really? or is this some kind of get pregnant scheme? I got up a few times when watching and thought I may have missed something.
It bothered me so badly that I reread books one – three the days following my viewing of this. I was devastated. I don’t think the actors portrayed the book characters at all nor was the story line accurate when comparing to the book. I had to wash that TV version from my mind with the book characters I love.
So disappointing!
First episode reminds me of Hart of Dixie plunked down in the California/Canadian mountains. Hope it improves.
This show is just plain awful. Halfway through the first episode I was sure I was watching the Hallmark channel. Bad acting and old tired scenario equals no more for me,thanks.
I completely agree. I had waited a long while for it to be released. I won’t torture myself by watching it again!
I’m an old man , not an avid romance watcher type and I found the solicitousness of the characters for the baby refreshing. (I’m watching as regular TV is filled with TRUMP impeachment. )
I found the series enjoyable and not to heavy like a lot of them out there these days! Tastefully done and wonderful cast!
I agree. Why did they alter Jack and Preacher who are the key to the series. The addition of the marriage between Doc and Hope slows the rest of the action down. Stick to the original books which contain sharp dialogue and more action!
A human relations disaster! Dysfunctional would be an understatement. A clumsy adolescent attempt to manipulate human emotions. Her announcing her pregnancy made me sick. And Jack, have you ever heard of a condom? Women getting dumped on my Hollywood disgusts me. Grow up, tune in, and mature.