Summary
Virgin River returns with more heart and more urgency than ever before. This new batch of installments includes some of the show’s best work yet, although it can’t help but creep back into soap opera histrionics from time to time.
Here is our review of the Netflix series Virgin River Season 5 Part 1, which does not contain significant spoilers.
Virgin River has always been that quintessentially binge-able streaming series, the type that Netflix has gotten down to fine art in recent years, the one that you can leave playing in the background and half-watch while staring at your phone or performing any number of menial tasks to.
It’s comforting and easy to follow, with enough inventive revelations and romances to keep viewers coming back for more each year. Well, in season five, that’s all about to change.
No, the daytime drama plot twists and a revolving door of romances haven’t gone away, but the writers have certainly upped their game somewhat, delivering quite possibly the best season yet.
Season five isn’t perfect by any means, but it improves on the previous season, learning from the show’s past mistakes, which is encouraging news, what with the current overload of mediocre TV content out there.
Virgin River Season 5 Part 1 Review and Plot Summary
The fifth season debuts with ten new installments. And fans will be happy to hear that there are two holiday special episodes to look forward to in late November as well. In Part One, we find the citizens of the idyllic town of Virgin River carrying on with their seemingly chaotic schedules and frantic personal lives, picking up exactly where the fourth season ended.
Loved-up heartthrobs Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson) prepare for the life-changing arrival of their first baby together. They contemplate the highs and lows of becoming first-time parents while navigating their own complex lives.
Mel considers leaving the clinic to concentrate on her high-risk pregnancy, and Jack has to deal with his treacherous ex-girlfriend, Charmaine, after her shocking reveal in the previous season’s cliffhanger finale.
READ: Virgin River Season 5 Episode 1 Recap
There’s romance on the cards for many of Virgin River’s inhabitants, both old and new. And a sudden wildfire in the local area looks set to push our beloved townsfolk to their absolute limits. This mid-season event propels the show into new territory, providing ample action, tension, and some surprisingly emotional depth across multiple episodes.
All of your favorite cast members are back with their own interconnecting storylines. There’s even room for a few new additions to the roster, too. Yet the major takeaway from season five is that the show is progressing, handling tricky subject matter respectably while still delivering wholesome, heartwarming fun at the very same time.
Is Virgin River Season 5 Part 1 good or bad?
Season five is not without its faults, but it marks a drastic improvement from the previous season. The writers juggle many subplots and genres admirably, creating an emotional connection with their audience early on. These are characters that you care about and situations that you can’t help but get invested in.
Unfortunately, the series can be inconsistent at times. Virgin River cannot help but fall back into old habits now and again, returning to its daytime drama roots, mainly in the season’s bookends. The show’s crime angle can be overdone and conventional too, as are the more extreme plot twists and talking points from the series.
Is Virgin River Season 5 Part 1 worth watching?
The show manages to handle its romances extremely well, though, and the wildfire segments really do elevate the script. It’s evident that the writers have learned from their past mistakes and have really thought about the structure and emotional core of this new season. This dedication pays off, and fans of the series will not be disappointed.
What did you think of Netflix’s Virgin River Season 5 Part 1 – what would be your review? Comment below.
