“Virgin River” earned a 56% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 83% from critics. When you take an inventory of the show’s many sins — according to fans — it’s a wonder why anyone watches the show at all. But there’s one explanation that could bring some clarity to the situation: it’s so bad, it’s good.
Indulging in guilty pleasures is a tale as old as time. The “Fifty Shades of Gray” trilogy, for example, sold millions of copies and claimed the top three spots on the list of best-selling novels from the last decade (via CNN Business) — all despite being roasted by critics like Hypable’s Marama Whyte . People can’t resist the allure of an ongoing disaster, which could be what put “Virgin River” on top in the first place.
If you’re in the mood to indulge your own guilty pleasure, you can catch up on the first three seasons of “Virgin River” right now. And if you get hooked, don’t worry — a fourth season is likely waiting in the wings for 2022. Since first debuting on Netflix in December 2019, “Virgin River” has proven to be a beloved drama series and a reliable performer for the streaming service. Based on a long-running series of romance novels by author Robyn Carr, the show, which released its third season on July 9, stars Alexandra Breckenridge (“This Is Us”) as Melinda “Mel” Monroe, a nurse practitioner and midwife who moves to the small town of the show’s title looking for a fresh start.
As Mel gets to work assisting Doc Mullins (Tim Matheson) in Virgin River’s small doctor’s office, she soon finds friendship—and eventually romance—with Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson), a ruggedly handsome former Marine who happens to be the owner of the town’s only restaurant. While there are bumps in the road for Mel and Jack, their relationship is the backbone of the show, providing viewers with plenty of romance and domestic bliss, especially now that they’re officially together and committed to one another as of Season 3. But that’s not all there is to “Virgin River.” The series features a supporting cast of characters that help bring the show’s small town to life and infuse the narrative with plenty of drama.
“Virgin River” is part of Netflix’s recent push into the romance genre alongside shows like “Sweet Magnolias” and the Emmy-nominated “Bridgerton.” It’s a comforting escape from the anxieties of the real world, delivering the right amount of romance, soap, and small town charm to keep its many viewers entertained. But if you’re struggling to keep up with the latest developments in Mel and Jack’s relationship, or having trouble keeping separate storylines, here’s what happened in Season 3, and what it could mean for the show moving forward should Netflix renew it for Season 4 .
