The 10 Best ‘Virgin River’ Episodes That Will Make You Fall in Love with the Show

Virgin River Season 5 has premiered and transported fans back to the quaint town in northern California. And with the premiere of the series’ fifth season, there have also come ten new episodes to be considered when compiling the list of the very best Virgin River episodes.

In a series full of emotional twists and turns, here are ten episodes that will undoubtedly make you fall in love with the hit Netflix series. Note, there may be spoilers ahead if you’re note up-to-date on the show.

Season 1 Episode 9 – Everybody Has a Secret

This episode of Virgin River ranked 7.9/10 in IMDB.

Ranking a 7.9/10 on IMDB, this episode follows Hope (Annette O’Toole) as she calls on Jack (Martin Henderson) to read Charmaine’s (Lauren Hammersley) letter. Meanwhile, Preacher (Colin Lawrence) confronts Paige (Lexa Doig) with new knowledge. And, Mel (Alexandra Breckinridge), and Doc (Tim Matheson) are working together on a challenging case.

After their first kiss in the previous episode, Mel also feels ready to take her relationship with Jack to the next level. In the midst of her blossoming relationship with Jack, Mel also helps Doc on a case involving a sick family. They determine that the cause of their illness is contaminated groundwater, and Mel gives the fatally ill daughter medicine on the way to the hospital.

Another fun fact: this episode is one of the two episodes Tim Matheson directed for the show’s first season.

Season 1 Episode 10 – Unexpected Endings

This episode also has a 7.9/10 on IMDB, ranking just slightly above the previous episode. Also from the first season, “Unexpected Endings” sees Charmaine tell Jack to make a decision while Mel is reeling and Hope is feeling the guilt. All this while Paige opens up to Preacher.

The drama in this season finale revolves around Charmaine’s decision to keep the baby she shares with Jack. Mel finds out that Charmaine is pregnant with Jack’s baby when Hope reads the letter. This leads Mel to decide to break up with Jack knowing how complicated things will get and put Virgin River in the past. Meanwhile, Paige finally opens up to Preacher about her abusive ex, Wes (Steve Bacic).

Season 5 Episode 4 – Never Gonna Be The Same

Rated 8/10 on IMDB, “Never Gonna Be The Same” sees Doc confiding in Denny (Kai Bradbury) while Hope’s planned spa day takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, Mel and Jack go on a camping trip where they get to know each other more. Additionally, Brie is preparing to testify in court, with Brady absent after the big argument. 

This episode is a wonderful example of how far Mel and Jack have come since the first season.

Season 5 Episode 3 – Calculated Risk

Also rated an 8/10 on IMDB, this episode finds Mel making an exception for her former patient, while Brie (Zibby Allen) opens up to Brady (Benjamin Hollingsworth). Meanwhile, Preacher meets a charming firefighter, and Jack and Denny go rock climbing. ‘Meanwhile, Preacher meets a charming firefighter, and Jack and Denny go rock climbing.

Season 4 Episode 11 – Once Again

Numerous arguments and confrontations occur in “Once Again” as Vernon and Hope get into a heated conversation about looking into in-home care. Mel, on the other hand, decides to confront Cameron (Mark Ghanime) about his weird behavior, and Jack gets his glamping Airstream set up.

It’s not all tension, however, as Jack finally pops the question to Mel, one fans have all been waiting for.

Season 1 Episode 8 – Into the Light

“Into the Light” sees a storm come to Virgin River, resulting in a power outage. This prompts everyone to seek refuge at Jack’s bar. Meanwhile, Mel struggles with the nightmares she’s been having that make her relive her husband’s death. She ends up finding a bit of relief from that by helping a tow-truck driver who doesn’t have health insurance to fix his busted hand.

Additionally, Preacher starts investigating Paige’s past and finds out that she is wanted for kidnapping. The episode ends with Jack surprising Mel with a new cabin to convince her to stay longer.

One of the best things about “Into the Light” is that it gives fans a good look into Mel’s backstory and how impacted the woman is now in Virgin River.

Season 5 Episode 6 – Heroes Rise

Rated 8.1/10 on IMDB, this episode sees Mel and Jack bring Hazel and Chloe to safety. With the crisis getting worse with a fire ravaging Virgin River, Brady decides to defy Preacher while Hope proposes a plan to save the town.

To add to the drama, Mel also privately deals with her miscarriage. All the while Mike (Marco Grazzini) and Brie’s relationship leans into romantic territory when he shows up to support her as she testifies against her rapist.

Season 5 Episode 5 – Trial By Fire

With danger closing in, Jack, Hope, and the other residents of Virgin River take action. Meanwhile, Mel makes a discovery that puts her on edge, and following a tense day in court, Brie meets a friendly face.

The episode was also rated 8.1/10 on IMDB. It’s yet another beautiful episode where the community of Virgin River shines in a time of crisis, making it one of the show’s best episodes.

Season 2 Episode 10 – Blown Away

Rated 8.2/10 on IMDB, the episode sees Mel looking for Brady to find out more about Spencer (Chad Rock). Hope answers Doc’s question, and Preacher makes a big decision that could change his life. This episode was seen as the best of the second season by fans because it revolves around Preacher’s decision to stay in Virgin River.

When Doc and Hope, after remarrying, they return home to a surprise party celebrating their reunion. Elsewhere, Mel finds Jack in his bar, all beaten up and bloodied because of what happened with Calvin. But before Mel finds Jack in this state, both of them are able to say their “I love yous” to each other, their romance further blossoming.

The finale left fans with a cliffhanger at the time, hinting that the drug war between Calvin’s operation and Virgin River has just begun.

Season 4 Episode 12 – The Long Goodbye

The highest-rated episode of Virgin River is its Season 4 finale (8.3/10 on IMDB), and for good reason. After Mel and Jack get engaged, they also receive confirmation that Jack is the father of Mel’s baby. There’s also the good news that Jack is not the father of the twins Charmaine carried after four seasons.

Meanwhile, Brady also gets exonerated. Additionally, we see Lizzie (Sarah Dugdale) organize a send-off for Ricky (Grayson Gurnsey). Hope is feeling more like herself again, and Brie and Brady are finally in a good place together. The progress in their relationship comes just as Brie is forced to confront why she fled to Virgin River.

Will more Virgin River Season 5 episodes crack the top 10 list? It’s still a little early to tell, with the new season premiering on September 7. Disagree with the rankings? Let us know in the comments what your ranking order would be!

And remember that Netflix will be dropping two additional holiday episodes of Virgin River Season 5 on November 30, 2023!