By Shepard Adamson

Jack and Mel from Virgin River. Photo credit: Netflix.

I sat down, weary and frustrated by the agonizing process of scouting out a new Netflix show. It had to be something thrilling, fulfilling, and mindless—something that I could watch after an endless day and lose the little time I had in it. Eventually I found a promising option. The thumbnail was picturesque and the description somewhat intriguing. Hesitant, I took the risk and pressed Play. Now, without hesitation, I am writing to convince you that Virgin River is the best show on Netflix and, arguably, on any other platform. 

Virgin River is Netflix’s original small-town soap opera, with an IMDb rating of 7.4/10. Created by Sue Tenney and based on the Virgin River book series by Robyn Carr, it revolves around a mountainous town, Virgin River, where “the internet is slow but the gossip is fast,” as described by Mel Monroe, the main character. However, Virgin River is no stereotypical, sleepy town. While the show has that cozy, small-town feel, it also has several suspenseful storylines, including crime, romance, coming-of-age, trauma, and medical drama. Viewers are comforted, caught off guard, and constantly captivated. 

The show centers around a nurse practitioner, Mel Monroe (played by Alexandra Breckenridge), who moves to Virgin River, located in northern California, to move forward from her past. She meets Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson), a bar owner and love interest; Hope McCrae (Annette O’Toole), town mayor; Doc Mullins (Tim Matheson), the town doctor and her employer; and several more community members who anchor the show. As detailed in The Match by Emily Merchant (‘21) in 2021, each episode progresses the stories of each character, exposing their pasts and foreshadowing their futures.

Since its premiere in 2019, Virgin River has amassed a controversial reputation. It is acclaimed and complained about. The UK’s The Independent’s Leonie Cooper wrote a review titled, “The heartwarming, wholesome Virgin River is Netflix’s embarrassing crowned jewel.” From the title alone, it’s evident that the show is both loved and judged. The same review refers to the show as a “Hallmark movie with soul,” and that is an accurate description. However, to Hallmark haters, in comparison, Virgin River is much more captivating and contains various plotlines to keep it interesting and preserve the soul of the show.

Virgin River is a hug. You get wrapped into it and become so comfortable and invested in its presence. It’s a wrap-yourself-in-a-blanket, sit-by-the-fireplace, and eat-a-snack kind of show. I’ve heard it referred to as “Soapy River” but if you watch, I encourage you to embrace it and let it cleanse you of your day. Bask in the story and revel in the presence of the romance. 

Now, it’s important that you hear reviews from other viewers. As a passionate fan of the show, I have gotten family members and friends to watch. The question is, do I force them to continue watching, or have they themselves been drawn in? 

Representing the grandparent-aged demographic, I interviewed my grandparents, Sallie and Billy Thalhimer (‘64), who started watching the show before I did and have already finished all five seasons. When asked about her favorite parts of the show, Sallie said that she admires “the love story of the two main characters” and the “community feeling.” As for why she continues to watch it, “they kind of leave you hanging each time, and there’s variety in it. The next episode’s gonna’ be a crisis, and then they leave you pending. It’s like a mystery. Something’s in the air, and you can’t quite figure it out.” 

Billy also watches because of the suspense. There’s “always a different twist,” and “it’s not like how you would expect it to end—it leaves you hanging.” Billy remarked that “you don’t have to see it,” but that “it’s really good trash.” He returns to the show for the storylines and because “it’s got a lot of drama—a lot of love scenes.”

Representing the parent-aged demographic, I interviewed my mother, Katherine Adamson (‘96), about her favorite parts of the show. She said, “I’m enjoying Virgin River because it is a clean-cut, captivating show to watch with beautiful scenery and talented actors.” She is currently on season four and watches another episode whenever she can because “Mel and Jack keep me wanting to come back to watch more.”

Next, representing Gen Z, I asked my sister Katie Adamson (‘23) the same questions, to which she responded, “Jack,” who is the male lead of the show. Adamson is currently on season four, and when asked why she continues to watch, she said, “Jack.”

Nora Wallace (‘25) is on season two, and she said that she likes the character development and that “it’s a really heartwarming story with unexpected little twists and turns, and it’s enjoyable to watch.”

So what do all of these people have in common? Why have many of my family members and a friend gotten hooked on the show? Is it simply because of my persuasion?

No.

They have become impassioned for a suspenseful story. No further push or persuasion is needed. The show spreads the love for itself, and it only takes an episode to fall in love with five seasons’ worth, soon to be six, of small town charm. For those who haven’t yet pressed play, stop reading and do that now. For fellow fans, get excited! Netflix renewed the show for a sixth season, and although we don’t know an official release date, it’s estimated that the season will air at some point in 2025. It seems distant, but like our small town hero, Jack Sheridan, said, “Dreams are funny things. They can come true when you least expect it.”