5 Reasons Hope is the Most Unlikeable Virgin River Character

Netflix subscribers relish the guilty pleasure of watching Virgin River. On one hand, it's a heartwarming tale set in the scenic Northern California. On the other, it's a tumultuous blend of personal drama, conflict, and not-so-likable characters. Despite this, we keep watching it because, let's admit it, we're loving it.

However, Virgin River has a fair share of flaws. Primarily, these stem from poor character development. One such character is the perpetual mayor of Virgin River, Hope McCrea. Despite the undeniable talent of Annette O'Toole, the actress who portrays her, Hope remains one of the least-liked characters among fans.

5. Too Grumpy

Many fans have noted Hope's irritatingly inappropriate seriousness and a tendency to display almost exclusively negative emotions. Even though Virgin River is a full-fledged drama, there are plenty of light-hearted moments in the show. Hence, Hope's persistent negativity and grumpiness seem out of place.

4. Too Childish

Fans have acknowledged that TBI can significantly alter a person's personality by affecting their judgment. However, let's be honest: Hope has always been this way. From the start, she has been prone to overreacting, bossing people around, and has had trust issues with everyone in Virgin River. Her exaggerated body language only adds to the discomfort.

3. Hope is a Stereotypical Karen

Let's face it: Hope is a typical Karen. She's a walking-talking caricature of an older white woman with her wise-cracking, venomous, and bossy attitude, always interfering in everyone's business. It's just too much!

2. No Chemistry with Doc

Many fans question what the far more empathetic Doc sees in her. There's no chemistry between them, and her unpredictable behavior often leads to endless awkwardness.

1. Toned Down Yet The Same in Season 5

We're referring to the time when Hope demonstrated exceptional strength of character during the forest fire, proving herself a worthy mayor. However, a few episodes across all five seasons can hardly atone for several seasons of cringe.

Annette O'Toole is an incredibly versatile actress, capable of portraying a wide range of emotions. The writers still have an opportunity to mold Hope into a character that makes sense, and we do hope (no pun intended) that Season 5, Part 2, set for release on November 30, 2023, will finally do her justice.