Can Virgin River Bounce Back in Season 6? Or is Season 5 the Beginning of the End?
The show seems to be on the brink of outstaying its welcome.
In the midst of the ongoing writers' and actors' strikes, every day, there are fewer shows to watch. Under these circumstances, the fifth season of Virgin River remains one of the few premieres this fall.
Released on September 7, the fifth installment of the beloved Netflix drama offered ten new episodes of the fan-favorite story set in Virgin River, a small fictional town in Northern California. While the season has provided ample entertainment, many fans feel the show's downward trajectory qualitywise remains uninterrupted.
Characters Lost Their Allure
Over the course of five seasons, Virgin River has introduced us to many compelling characters. From the charming Mel Monroe and charismatic Jack Sheridan to the somewhat chaotic Hope McCrea, the show boasts a diverse ensemble of relatable personalities.
However, by the end of season 5, the audiences have grown weary of the characters, many of whom have seemingly been devolving rather than evolving. As a result, Jack no longer comes across as the tough, handsome Mr. Right. Instead, he seems grumpy. To make matters worse, he isn't as affectionate towards Mel as he once was. The overall result is that Virgin River's appeal is inevitably waning.
Season 6 to the Rescue?
Virgin River was renewed for a sixth season quite some time ago, so there's still a chance for the show to address its shortcomings. Unfortunately, filming has yet to begin due to the ongoing WAG and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
As a result, the stars of Virgin River are currently unemployed. For example, Alexandra Breckenridge has turned to social media to occupy her time during this break from work. According to the actress, she would be filming season 6 in Vancouver right now if it weren't for the strikes.
Meanwhile, the show's fans aren't particularly optimistic about its quality in the future. For them, season 5 has been sufficient evidence that it's time for Virgin River to gracefully bow out while it still can.
'This whole season feels called in TBH. I think it's another show that had ideas for a few seasons, and it's just gone on too long,' a Redditor observed.
Source: Reddit.