Are Muriel & Cameron Virgin River's Most Problematic Ship Because of Age Difference?

One of the most unexpected developments in Virgin River Season 5, which debuted on Netflix last week, was the romantic relationship between Dr. Cameron and Muriel.

Although they had limited interaction before Season 5, the new episodes see Muriel join the doctor's clinic as a highly competent assistant in the recent episodes after Mel left the practice. That allowed Cameron and Muriel to spend time together, bonding and slowly becoming attracted to each other.

In Episode 8, the couple shared their first kiss, and by the midseason finale, they made it public that they were seeing each other. Even though their relationship unfolded slowly and naturally, many fans found the pairing problematic.

Forced Relationship

‘Muriel and Cameron???’ a fan wrote on Reddit, kicking off a discussion about the couple. ‘They make me so uncomfortable.’

Many commenters felt the romance between the characters seemed forced and cringe-worthy. Some cited the huge age difference between the two.

‘I will never buy into this relationship. I’m sorry Virgin River writers but please pair him up with someone his age or at least closer to his age!’ another fan wrote.

While the show doesn't specify the two characters' ages, it's reasonable to infer that they are roughly the same age as the actors portraying them. Mark Ghanime is 45, and Teryl Rothery is 60, making the age difference between Cameron and Muriel around 15 years.

For some fans, however, the age gap wasn't the issue. Instead, it was the unexpected turn the story took.

‘I don’t mind the age difference but it seems out of nowhere,’ a fan wrote in the discussion. ‘Like they didn’t have any one person on the show for them to hook up with so they decided to put them together to give them something to do.’

Given that Virgin River is a romance-centric show, it appears that the writers might be pushing every character into a relationship, regardless of its relevance to the main plot.

Alternative Take

Conversely, there are viewers who shipped the couple as they binge-watched the new season, finding their narrative refreshing. They felt that the chemistry between Muriel and Cameron was palpable even before their professional collaboration. Both certainly deserve happiness.

‘I called this one last season and honestly I’m happy about it because Muriel has often said she’s lonely and she’s kind of great. So I hope it works out for her sake,’ a fan explained.

Both characters have faced their share of challenges, making this their shot at a second chance in love. Their maturity in approaching their relationship and not suppressing their emotions offers a fresh perspective on romance in shows like Virgin River.

Source: Reddit, Reddit, Reddit, Reddit.