Summary
“Never Gonna Be the Same” is a wholesome and endearing episode of Virgin River. The many ongoing romances and subplots continue to build traction, whilst the show offers up some great advice on grief with a surprisingly hilarious spa scene.
We recap the Netflix series Virgin River Season 5 Episode 4, “Never Gonna Be the Same,” which contains significant spoilers.
Season five continues to build upon its many subplots and developing character arcs in “Never Gonna Be the Same.” Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson) embark upon an eventful camping trip, Doc (Tim Matheson) and Hope (Annette O’Toole) address their life-changing ailments, the sewing circle goes on an entertaining spa day, and Brady (Benjamin Hollingsworth) asks Mike (Marco Grazzini) for help.
Virgin River Season 5 Episode 4 Recap
How is Mel and Jack’s vacation interrupted?
Starting with Mel and Jack, the loved-up couple take a camping trip to Clover Canyon. This peaceful vacation is interrupted, though, by the introduction of a rowdy family. Mel and Jack interact with this family’s kids, which leads to the couple addressing their own differing parenting techniques.
Doc goes for an eye test and fears that he will soon lose his eyesight. He decides to take Denny on a fishing trip, where the grandfather and grandson open up to one another.
Doc admits that he has macular degeneration and that the treatment he is on isn’t working anymore. Denny discusses how he has accepted his condition, although Doc is still fearful of his own future.
Why are Hope and Jo Ellen arguing?
His wife Hope is having a similarly reflective day. She is taken on a spa day with the sewing circle gang. Connie wants the friendship group to make amends. The gang are getting distant and Jo Ellen is still at odds with Hope. These old friends argue with one another over the mayoral vote debacle. Jo Ellen doesn’t think Hope can lead anymore after her car crash.
At the spa, these issues raise their ugly head once again, leading to a comical mud fight. However, there is still time for the ladies to address their views on aging and beauty, which is surprisingly poignant.
This morphs into a wholesome conversation about grief and aging admirably. Lizzie takes note of the women’s advice.
After the mud wrestling, Jo Ellen and Hope have a real heart-to-heart. Jo Ellen admits that she is worried about Hope’s safety, while Hope confesses that she fears things will never go back to the way they used to be. The women make amends and end the day with a group hug.
Elsewhere, Muriel suggests Cameron audition for the winter show because of his singing and acting background. Preacher and Kaia spend the night together while Brady tries to apologize to Brie.
Brady finally revealed his secret life of crime, and Brie didn’t take it too well. She wants him to leave that old life behind him for good.
How does Brady plan to leave his life of crime?
Brady meets up with Mike to try and fulfill Brie’s wishes. He offers to be a confidential informant, to tell Mike everything that is going on in Melissa Montgomery’s organization. Brady starts by revealing Melissa’s name and business operation. The drugs are being run through Emerald Lumber. Mike agrees to this new partnership with Brady. Hopefully this can help Brady out of his life of crime.
Virgin River Season 5 Episode 4 Ending Explained
The episode concludes with Doc and Hope reuniting after their eventful day apart. Doc looks ready to open up to Hope about his deteriorating vision, and Hope appears ready to finally address her own fears about her TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
Lizzie tells Denny about the mud fight, and the couple kiss one another. While Kaia pays Preacher a visit, flirting with the chef back at Jack’s Bar once again. These two endearing romances look set to continue to progress throughout the season.
And then, in the final scene, Mel and Jack wake the next morning on their tranquil holiday. Unfortunately, their idyllic trip is interrupted by the smell of the spreading wildfire, which appears to be heading toward Virgin River and getting closer by the day.
What did you think of Netflix’s Virgin River Season 5 Episode 4? Comment below.
