Virgin River season 5 recap: What happened in the finale and Christmas episodes?

Virgin River season 6 official trailer

Virgin River is finally back for season six this week to continue the saga of Mel Monroe (played by Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson).

A lot happened in the latest episodes of the hit Netflix drama, which returned for a fifth season and two Christmas specials in 2023.

Now the drama is finally continuing a year later, let’s remind ourselves where the latest season left Mel, Jack and the rest of the town.

What happened at the end of season five?

The fifth season of Virgin River was a whirlwind for the residents as a wildfire threatened hundreds of lives and nearly wiped out the town.

Virgin River season 5 and Christmas specials recap (Image: NETFLIX)

Thankfully, some quick thinking from Hope McCrea (Annette O’Toole) saved the day, but there were also plenty of problems for the characters to deal with a little closer to home.

While she was able to help save the lives of her neighbours, Mel tragically lost her pregnancy through a miscarriage during the chaos and confesses to Jack that she’s not certain she wants to try for another baby.

There was even more pregnancy drama as Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley) confirmed the father of her twins is actually drug kingpin Calvin (David Cubitt) who is revealed to be alive and apparently ready to turn over a new leaf, or at least try and be there for his kids.

There was plenty of high-stakes drama in the fifth season (Image: NETFLIX)

Last season saw the local crime empire getting an upgrade in the form of Melissa Montgomery (Barbara Pollard), who kidnaps Brady (Ben Hollingsworth) leading to Mike (Marco Grazzini) getting shot. Jack’s sister Brie (Zibby Allen) then breaks up with Brady and begins dating Mike.

More trouble for Preacher (Colin Lawrence) was also brewing as Vince (Steve Bacic), the twin brother of Paige’s (Lexa Doig) abusive ex Wes has revealed to the cops that Paige killed Vince and Preacher hid his body.

However, there was also some good news for Jack’s Marine pal as sparks started flying between Preacher and firefighter Kaia (Kandyse McClure).

Finally, Mel’s sister Joey (Jenny Cooper) reveals she’s found a stash of hidden love letters her mum wrote to a mystery man who apparently lives in Virgin River and could actually be Mel’s biological father.

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Mel finally met her biological father Everett Reid (Image: NETFLIX) What happens in the Christmas episodes?

The big turning point of Virgin River’s Christmas episodes was the stunning reveal that Everett Reid (John Allen Nelson) is actually Mel’s father.

Although he denies it at first, by the end of the second episode he’s come around and reveals he has more to tell, setting up an intriguing conversation at the start of season six.

Aside from this, though, there were plenty more revelations to be found in the Christmas double bill.

Lizzie discovers she's pregnant (Image: NETFLIX)

Preacher’s new love interest is here to stay as she lands herself a job as Virgin River’s new fire chief, although Kaia faces some touch calls considering her new boyfriend’s impending legal trouble after the business with Paige and Vince.

Hope and Vernon ‘Doc’ Mullins once again act as parental figures for Lizzie (Sarah Dugdale), who discovers she’s pregnant with Doc’s grandson Denny (Kai Bradbury) and struggles to break the news to her mother. We also discover they’re having a girl.

The Christmas specials also saw Brady finding new love with Lark (Elise Gatien), who seems completely smitten. Unfortunately, Virgin River won’t let him catch a break as Lark is secretly working with Calvin’s right-hand man Jimmy (Ian Tracey).

Brady's new girlfriend Lark can't be trusted (Image: NETFLIX)

By the end of the episodes fans finally got the news they’ve been waiting five seasons for - Charmaine has given birth to her twins at last!

Plus, Jack gets Mel an adorable puppy named Pony, a cuddly stand-in for the pony she always wanted as a child and the perfect addition to the new home they’re planning to build on Lilly’s (Lynda Boyd) farm.

Will Mel’s reunion with her father be smooth sailing? Can Preacher get himself out of hot water? And can Mel and Jack’s wedding go off without a hitch? Find out very soon.

Virgin River season 6 premieres Thursday, December 19 on Netflix.

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Virgin River season 5 recap: What happened in the finale and Christmas episodes?

Virgin River season 5 recap: What happened in the finale and Christmas episodes?

Virgin River season 5 recap: What happened in the finale and Christmas episodes?

Virgin River season 5 recap: What happened in the finale and Christmas episodes?

Virgin River season 5 recap: What happened in the finale and Christmas episodes?