The Troubling Reason Virgin River Doesn't Really Have New Fans

Summary

• The Virgin River fandom doesn't seem to be expanding.
• The show focuses on the relationship between Mel Monroe and Jack Sheridan.
• Jack's whole character may be repulsive to new viewers.

Although Netflix is constantly releasing new series, only a handful of them end up being its flagships. Currently, Bridgerton, which just released its third season, is the ultimate buzz among Netflix viewers. But there are a few other shows that attract huge audiences around the world. Without a doubt, Stranger Things and The Witcher are among the most popular Netflix series. The romantic drama Virgin River also has a large following and impressive viewership numbers.

Loosely based on Robyn Carr's series of novels of the same name, Virgin River centers on Mel Monroe, a thirty-something woman who moves to the titular Northern California town in search of a new life after her husband dies in a car accident. For five seasons, the romantic drama has captivated viewers with Mel's adventures in the town. But while VR has maintained its audience, it doesn't seem to be attracting new viewers. And there's a reason for that.

An Unlikable Lead

Melinda Monroe is not the perfect female lead you might find in other romantic dramas. On the contrary, she has many off-putting qualities. She is smug and condescending. She likes to exaggerate problems. But most annoyingly, she is extremely self-centered and acts as if the world exists only for her.

Despite all this, Mel is still quite likable. Over the five seasons of Virgin River, she has endeared herself to the audience. And many viewers see her struggle to find love and become a mother as their own. The real problem is Mel's romantic interest and the show's leading man – Jack Sheridan.

Once and for All

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Jack is rough around the edges. A former Marine sergeant, he has severe PTSD and a tough demeanor that doesn't endear him to Virgin River fans. But it's Jack's overall personality and behavior that turns audiences off the most.

Before Mel's arrival, Jack had a casual relationship with Charmaine, who hoped he would settle down with her. And Jack probably knew that Charmaine had more serious feelings for him, but continued to use her and enjoy his lifestyle.

Sure, Jack reveals his nicer qualities, like his dependability, over time. But he makes a terrible first impression, and as one of the main characters, he scares off new viewers who just don't fall for him. So the problem with Virgin River isn't that it's not interesting, it's just that it has an off-putting lead who doesn't resonate with the audience.