Virgin River returns July 9 on Netflix.
By Ariba Bhuvad
Virgin River is the gift that keeps on giving, warming our hearts with love stories, and breaking our hearts with all the tragedy. It’s the perfect combination between a Hallmark and Lifetime rom-com, and possesses all the ingredients of a feel-good story.
The entire Virgin River crew returns for the third season, and I’m happy to report that the story is as engaging as ever before. There are hardly any literary speed bumps that get in the way of the series, apart from a couple of characters that I honestly don’t care much for, and an unexplained character absence that is never quite explained in the way I would have preferred.
Apart from that, I was all about the third installment, which explores Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack’s (Martin Henderson) romance, and the inevitable difficulties that come along with it. Luckily, before we get to that point in the season, there is a brief moment where we truly get to enjoy the couple they are, and honestly, how perfect they are for each other.
A timeless story like this gives hopeless romantics everywhere inspiration, and that shining glimmer of hope that this too could happen to one of us someday. I’m fairly certain I was clutching onto my heart over the sweetness this season gives us–through all ten episodes.
I particularly enjoy this season’s emphasis on Doc (Tim Matheson), and the fact that it explores past his rough exterior. There is so much to appreciate about the guy that seemingly was closed off to the world in the first season. The character development is apparent here, and fans will enjoy seeing more of Doc and his developing arc.
Apart from the romance and heartbreak of it all, Virgin River focuses a bit more on secondary characters like Preacher (Colin Lawrence), Ricky (Grayson Maxwell Gurnsey), Lizzie (Sarah Dugdale), and Brady (Benjamin Hollingsworth). It’s not simply a story about Jack and Mel, but a collective story of everyone’s struggles, and the hardships they are facing. It sort of breaks open the assumption that small-town life is “perfect”. There are mysteries, lies, and unexpected twists and turns at every corner. Virgin River manages to keep you on your toes, and continuing its manner of storytelling, it never lets you get comfortable with the narrative it’s sharing.
I simply loved watching yet another season of Virgin River, and I’m certain fellow fans will enjoy it just as much as I did. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll be itching to get more of where it came from. Here’s hoping for another season (fingers crossed!).
I give Virgin River Season 3 a B.
TV and City 