Virgin River Season 7, Episode 5 ‘Always Anywhere Forever’ does that Virgin River thing where what you thought was a big problem—this time between Mel and Jack—ends up being nothing. But at least it doesn’t do the other Virgin River thing, which is pretend the cliffhanger isn’t a cliffhanger. No, Mel is still in danger when this episode starts, and things get worse and worse for her, at least until Jack shows up to defuse the situation.
It’s one of those sequences that works so well for this show, because Mel isn’t a damsel in distress; she’s got her strengths, but a gun in her face isn’t one of them. So Jack steps in, calm as a cucumber. And then, Mel gets to tell Grace Valley doctor, whose name I refuse to remember, what she thinks about him. All in all, a perfect plot. No notes.
As for the rest, it’s not that Hope and Doc getting high and remembering their first date adds much to the show plot-wise, but it’s still pretty great to see, isn’t it? It’s a little glimpse of what we could have had with that spinoff prequel we haven’t heard about in a while. And honestly, we’re kinda interested in the story.
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YOU CAN’T TRUST EVERYONE
Look, ever since Jack invited a man he didn’t even know to work at the farm that wasn’t a farm yet, I’ve been worried. And even if Clay turns out not to be involved with Calvin or Charmaine, which is what they want us to think, so perhaps it’s not that obvious, I’m still worried! He’s got some money hidden at Jack’s stable, and oh, he has a gun. Normal things, no need to be worried, right?
Right.
And still, as ill-advised as Jack’s decision was in this particular case, it says a lot about what Virgin River is, and why Mel is right to tell Doctor Grace Valley where to stick it. Because being a small-town doctor is about building relationships with all your patients. It’s about establishing trust. And Virgin River isn’t going to become a different place just because they don’t have Doc.
Instead, the patients will suffer. And yes, the hospital will continue to make money. Down with the corporations.
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WE SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER
But Mel shows up, just like Doc would. And she makes sure her patient gets the help they need, even if it’s unorthodox. Then Jack shows up for Mel, because she’s his wife and he said some wows. And Denny shows up for Lizzie, who is clearly struggling with some sort of post-partum depression and doesn’t really understand what’s going on, so she’s having trouble asking for the help she needs.
Mel was right, letting fear take over isn’t the answer. She would know. Just being where she is, with Jack, with Marley, has been a study in Mel pushing against that fear. And, as I predicted, Marley’s baby daddy showed up, so we’re about to find out if Mel was right to believe.
But I will say, either way, this is a good lesson for Mel. And the farm will probably be a good idea. I mean, Jack should just let Preacher take over the business, because that’s what Preacher wants to be doing. He can go run a farm. Or, you know, he can hire people who are not shady.
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AGAIN I ASK, CAN WE STOP WITH THIS LOVE TRIANGLE?
For a moment there, I thought we were seeing the light at the end of this tunnel, but we are still here. Brady is going away to be a martyr, Mike is trying to take some time away from Brie, and she is… still in the middle, not knowing what she wants, and frankly hurting two people because of it. It’s about time you figured it out, Brie. Or, I digress. You already figured it out.
It’s time you acted on what you figured out instead of staying in this weird middle ground.
Not for Brady or for Mike, for yourself. Be alone if that’s what you need right now. Or go after Brady. Or even get back together with Mike. But figure out what it is you really want to do, not because others want you to or expect you to. That’ll be a win.
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 2 ‘Always Anywhere Forever’ in the comments below.
Virgin River Season 7 is now available to stream on Netflix.
