Virgin River Season 7, Episode 3 ‘The Match’ is kind of a bridge episode, in that other than Marley picking Mel and Jack as the adoptive parents of her baby, not much happens. Things with Doc are still looking dicey, and Grace Valley has started selling itself to the town. Charmaine is still gone. And Brie, well… she’s still got no direction.
But the episode does set up a lot of good things. Doc as grandfather. A closer relationship between Doc and Everett, which… who would have thought? And even Brie and Brady trying to find a way to be friends, which is the foundation they need if they’re gonna be more. In fact, everything is good in this episode of Virgin River, which, of course, means things are going to go bad soon.
MORE: What did Kandyse McClure have to say about Virgin River Season 6?
TO GRACE VALLEY (OR NOT)
I was a little surprised at how quickly people at that town hall turned on Doc and even entertained Grace Valley. In fact, I’ve been a little shocked at the reaction from everyone on Virgin River to what Doc is going through. I know he might not be the warmest person sometimes, but he is a good doctor, and he has been a pillar of the community for so long that I kinda thought people would have a little more respect and even appreciation for him.
But apparently, that was too much to ask. I’m sure soon, however, this town will realize that the type of attention Grace Valley can provide isn’t anywhere near what Doc can. It might not be bad, but it won’t be personalized. And hey, the big corporation’s underhanded tactics just to get more clients will never sit right with me. Down with Grace Valley.
This storyline, however, introduces a very interesting wrinkle to Doc, courtesy of Everett. And no, it’s not the suggestion that the two of them can be friends, though that’s weird enough. No, this is forcing Doc to consider who he is outside of his job. I don’t think he knows, mostly because he’s never had to think about it. Now, however, he’s got no choice.
MORE: Is Virgin River Netflix’s longest-running scripted series?
WHAT DOES THIS SHOW WANT TO DO WITH BRIE?
I appreciate the final moment with Brie and Brady, I do. The show has made it clear there are still lingering feelings there, but neither of them is ready for a relationship. It wouldn’t be a good one if they just jumped into it. So a foundation of friendship makes sense. We’ll see how long it lasts, but I appreciate the attempt.
What I’m not sure I get is why the show keeps writing Mike in the middle. Brie broke up with him, and not just that, she made it clear that she was never going to feel for him what she felt for Brady. Mike was willing to forgive her, but she just didn’t want that. And, at this point, the best thing for Mike is to stay away. But this Charmaine storyline isn’t letting him.
Look, I like Mike. If I didn’t, then maybe I wouldn’t care. But as it stands, I think it’s time to truly cut the cord with Brie and Mike and let him move on. I don’t even care with who, but with someone who can care for him, really care for him, the way he deserves. Because if he’s gonna be on the show going forward, we need this thing with Brie to be done.
MORE: Read our interview with Benjamin Hollingsworth as he talks about Brady
HOPE (AGAIN)
Mel discussed how painful it is to feel hope again in this episode, just before Marley picks her and Jack to be the adoptive parents of her baby. And boy, did that feel like a red flag for me. Because this Marley storyline has us all hopeful that maybe Mel is going to get the thing she’s dreamed about, a baby. But Marley is acting a bit shady, so now I’m thinking either the birth father will come back into play and won’t want to give up the baby, or maybe she won’t want to in the end.
Either way, I want to state on the record that I will absolutely hate it if this show breaks Mel’s heart again in this way. We’ve been here again and again, and I know in a post-marriage world (it’s been like a week, we can relax), the show has to find other storylines for Mel and Jack as a couple. But a baby can bring with it a lot of problems. Just ask Lizzie and Denny!
We’re in Season 7, even if it’s only been like two days in show time since Season 1 (okay, a year, but you know what I mean), so at this point, we want new stories for Mel and Jack. Losing a baby, no matter how, is an old story. We’ve seen them cope with that. We don’t really want to see it again. Please. I’m begging here.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of this episode? You can share with us and leave your own rating in our Virgin River hub! And you can also let us know what you thought about Virgin River Season 7, Episode 3 ‘The Match’ in the comments below.
Virgin River Season 7 is now available to stream on Netflix.
