The jaw-dropping highlights of Virgin River Season 5

Virgin River Season 5 is now streaming on Netflix, bringing an epic and tumultuous season to a thrilling close with its final two episodes. Packed with events across 12 episodes, here's a recap of the most shocking moments from this installment. In a show like Virgin River, audiences have come to anticipate tragic events, as the small town grapples with daily dilemmas and disasters that rival even long-running soap operas, set against its picturesque backdrop.

Under new showrunner Patrick Sean Smith, Netflix’s adaptation of Robyn Carr’s best-selling novels took on a fresh, dynamic pace this season, accompanied by a host of new obstacles. A destructive wildfire ravaged the town, leaving homes in ruins and lives in danger, as each character grappled with their own heartache and grief. While some events, such as Charmaine’s twins and Mel and Jack’s burgeoning family, were expected, other surprising twists and turns left even the most dedicated fans in shock.

After a jam-packed outing, here’s a recap of the most shocking moments in Virgin River Season 5. Spoilers ahead!

Mel has family ties in Virgin River    

In the early days of Season 1, when Mel walked into Jack's bar, nobody could have anticipated that she had a hidden family tie to this secluded part of California. But as Season 5 Part 1 came to a close, Mel gets a surprising call from her sister Joey, who discloses that she uncovered letters written by their mother to a man she had an affair with in Virgin River. After piecing together the dates, Joey suspects that this mysterious man could be Mel's biological father. Up to this point, Mel had already coped with the loss of both her parents and her husband, and is unsure about how this new revelation will impact her already complex life.

Wes’ body is found 

In the second part, Mel and Jack locate the unidentified man using his PO box number. Following an uneasy initial encounter, Mel’s father, Evert Reed, appears at her door and expresses a desire to be a part of her life. This new connection is certain to play a crucial role in Mel’s storyline in season 6, as she starts to bond with her biological father and uncover the significant secret he is so eager to reveal…

On Netflix, Season 5 brings a new beginning for Paige and Preacher. Paige decides to leave town for good, while Preacher starts to rebuild his love life. The beloved chef forms a new bond with local firefighter Kaia, and their relationship begins to flourish despite her ex-husband's attempts to intervene from the sidelines.

Kaia's revelation about the fire exposing an unidentified buried body brings everything to a sudden stop. Later, Preacher receives the dreaded phone call confirming that the body is Paige's ex-husband, Wes. In Season 2, Paige killed her abusive ex in self-defense with Preacher's assistance in covering it up. However, Wes' twin brother Vince, a police officer, arrives weeks later to investigate and begins to suspect foul play involving Paige and Preacher despite lack of concrete evidence.

Now that it’s confirmed that the dead body is Wes, it seems Vince could return and threaten the happiness and peace that Preacher has worked so hard to create.

Charmaine gives birth, and the twin’s father is revealed

Netflix

While fans were anticipating Charmaine's delivery, the last moments with her pregnant belly had some unexpected twists. In the finale of Part 1, Charmaine is confronted in the parking lot by the crime boss Calvin, who expresses his desire to be a "father to his boys."

Brady’s girlfriend’s secret

This revelation will be another devastating blow for Jack after Charmaine deceived him about the paternity of the twins. In the season finale, Charmaine shows up at the clinic in the midst of her labor with Calvin. Mel is stunned to discover their secret relationship but continues to support Charmaine during the birth. Two joyful and healthy baby boys make their arrival just in time for Christmas. However, with Calvin now released from prison and the babies anchoring him to the area, it's inevitable that he will return in the next season.

In the conclusion of Season 5, Brady appears to have finally found contentment in a loving relationship with Lark and her adorable young daughter. However, their peaceful Christmas festivities are interrupted when Lark steps away to take a call from Calvin's friend Jimmy, who is incarcerated for his involvement in criminal activities in Virgin River. It is then revealed that Jimmy is actually Lark's partner and the father of her child.

Lizzie is pregnant 

In a surprising twist, it is revealed that Lark’s connection with Brady was a setup coordinated with Jimmy to infiltrate the life of the ex-marine. The motive or intention of the pair with Brady is uncertain, but if Calvin is involved, it can’t be for anything positive.

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Throughout Season 5, Lizzie undergoes a transformation from a discontented teenager feeling restricted in a quiet town to becoming a vital member of the community. She emulates Hope's example and sets down roots in the area with her boyfriend, Denny.

But their relationship takes an unexpected turn when Lizzie reveals she is pregnant, sparking a change in their plans. Denny had wanted to leave Virgin River to travel before his Huntington's disease advanced, but now the couple seems excited about starting a family together. This turn of events comes as a surprise, but it brings joy to the town during the holiday season.

Mel has a miscarriage  

Netflix

Mel experiences a devastating miscarriage during the wildfire, discovering no heartbeat during a frantic ultrasound at the clinic. This loss adds to the tragedies she has already endured, including the loss of a child and her husband. Despite her crushing grief, Mel sets it aside to help provide medical assistance to those affected by the fire. She and Jack later grieve the loss of their daughter and the life they had hoped to build together.

Brady’s friend is murdered 

Netflix

Brady faces significant challenges this season as he strives to leave his rebellious, criminal past behind. Forced to assist Melissa on the construction site, he is tasked with manipulating records and smuggling drugs through the site. When Brady prioritizes plans with his new girlfriend over receiving a shipment, his friend Jed takes his place and is later found murdered. Brady is warned that non-compliance will result in more harm to others.

Mike is shot

Out of fear, Brady starts to create some distance from Brie in an effort to keep her safe. Despite obediently carrying out Melissa's commands following Jed's death, Brady also acts as an informant for the police in order to ultimately dismantle her illicit operation by the season's end.

Netflix

In Virgin River, criminal activity is not uncommon, and the remote location provides a perfect cover for illegal operations. Melissa partners with Jack to run a caravan park, which she uses as a front for her profitable drug business.

Brady assumes the role of a double agent, informing Mike about Melissa's operation from within. As the season nears its end, Jack grows suspicious of Brady and tails him to a caravan where he discovers Brady trafficking drugs.

The truth is finally revealed, and fortunately, Mike and his backup arrive just in time to ensure Brady and Jack's survival. Just when it appears that everyone is out of danger, one of Melissa's henchmen attempts to shoot Brady for his betrayal, but Mike heroically steps in front of him and takes the bullet in his chest.

The dramatic sacrifice tears away at Brady, as Mike falls into a coma in hospital. Thankfully, he makes a full recovery.

Ava’s near-death experience 

Amidst the raging inferno and in the aftermath of her miscarriage, Mel comes to the stark realization that Lilly’s daughter Ava and her infant sister are missing. She races to the farm only to discover it consumed by fire, and she bravely ventures inside in a desperate attempt to rescue them both.

Ava has experienced another severe endometriosis flare-up and is found unconscious on the floor by Mel, while her baby is struggling to breathe from smoke inhalation. Fortunately, Jack arrives just in time to rescue Ava from the burning building, and Mel rushes them to the clinic for close monitoring. Both Ava and the baby eventually recover, but the near-death experience leaves them all shaken.

Virgin River Season 5 Part 2 is now available to stream on Netflix. Check out our review of the new episodes, our breakdown of the ending, and more of our coverage below.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the jaw-dropping highlights of Virgin River Season 5. On the one hand, I am excited to see what will happen next in the show. The shocking revelations about Mel's family, the truth behind Wes' mysterious death, a surprising father for Charmaine's twins, and the dangerous secrets surrounding Brady and his girlfriend have left me on the edge of my seat.

On the other hand, I am also a little bit disappointed with the way that some of the storylines have been handled. For example, I think that the storyline about Mel's father is a little bit too predictable. I also think that the storyline about Paige's ex-husband's death is a little bit too convenient. Overall, I think that Virgin River Season 5 is a good season, but it could have been better. I am looking forward to seeing what will happen in Season 6.