A Mother’s Choice or a Selfish Act? ‘Virgin River’ Fans Divided Over Lizzie’s Controversial Pregnancy Decision
Virgin River thrives on its dramatic storylines and the complex moral dilemmas faced by its beloved characters. However, a particular plot point in Season 6 involving Lizzie (Sarah Dugdale) and Denny Cutler (Kai Bradbury) has ignited a firestorm among fans, leading to widespread “slams” and accusations of a “selfish” decision. The controversy centers on the couple’s choice regarding their unborn child, given Denny’s diagnosis with Huntington’s disease, a devastating genetic disorder. While many viewers expressed outrage, a significant portion of the fanbase believes Lizzie might be hiding a shocking secret, suggesting a deeper twist to the narrative that could change everything.
Lizzie and Denny’s relationship has been a central focus since Denny’s arrival as Doc Mullins’ (Tim Matheson) long-lost grandson. Their romance, while sweet, has been overshadowed by Denny’s Huntington’s diagnosis, a condition that carries a 50% chance of being passed on to their child. This grim reality set the stage for their controversial decision, which has left many viewers questioning the characters’ motivations and the show’s storytelling choices.
The Controversial Decision: To Test or Not to Test?
In Season 6, it’s revealed that Lizzie is pregnant. This news immediately brings the looming shadow of Huntington’s disease to the forefront. Despite having access to medical expertise through Doc Mullins and close friend Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a highly capable nurse practitioner, Lizzie and Denny ultimately choose not to test their unborn baby for the genetic condition.
This decision sparked immediate and fervent backlash from a significant portion of the Virgin River fanbase. Many took to social media and forums to express their frustration and even anger, labeling the choice as “irresponsible,” “selfish,” and “preposterous.”
One Reddit user articulated the sentiment: “Not opting for prenatal testing for HD is for me the weirdest (and most selfish) turn of events with Doc as the grandfather of the baby, and Mel guiding Liz through the pregnancy and all. It’s a 50% chance of passing it on! The burden of care for caregivers is very high.”
Other fans echoed this, stating, “Honestly, it’s irresponsible to casually have children when there is a 50% chance they will have a horrifying genetic disease and early death,” and “I draw the line at Huntingtons, super selfish to put that on a kid.” The intensity of the reaction highlights the emotional weight that this particular storyline carries, especially for viewers familiar with the devastating impact of genetic disorders.
Critics argue that given the medical knowledge within their immediate circle, and the severity of Huntington’s disease (which causes nerve cells in the brain to break down over time, leading to lack of coordination, cognitive decline, and ultimately, a fatal outcome), the decision to remain in the dark is illogical and unfair to the child.
The “Hiding Something” Theory: Is Denny Even the Father?
Amidst the strong criticism of Lizzie’s choice, a compelling counter-theory has emerged, suggesting that Lizzie’s refusal to test the baby for Huntington’s isn’t due to selfishness, but rather because she’s hiding a much bigger secret: Denny might not be the father.
This theory has gained significant traction, especially following the brief return of Lizzie’s ex-boyfriend, Ricky (Grayson Gurnsey), in Season 6. Ricky, who left Virgin River in Season 4 to join the Marines, returned for a visit, and his reunion with Lizzie was noted by many fans as having “unfinished business” energy.
Key points supporting the “Ricky is the father” theory:
- Suspicious Timing: Fans have pointed to the show’s often fluid timeline. While Lizzie is pregnant, the exact timing of her conception relative to her relationship with Denny and Ricky’s return remains a subject of fan speculation.
- Lack of Chemistry with Denny: Some viewers have consistently voiced a perceived lack of romantic chemistry between Lizzie and Denny. As one fan bluntly put it, “Is it just me or Denny and Lizzie have no chemisty together? like this one time when they have an argument and they make up, no hug no smile, no kiss No nothing, he just says he will make a snack for her. And yes it was nice but hello, this is your girlfriend, don’t you want hug at least? seems like they are friends or siblings.” Another commented, “They are very boring. Once they changed Lizzie from a “bad girl” to a “good girl” they stripped her of all personality. Denny was always dull.” If the emotional connection isn’t as strong as a typical romantic pairing on the show, it opens the door to other paternity possibilities.
- Plausible Motivation for Not Testing: If Lizzie suspects or knows the baby isn’t Denny’s, then testing for Huntington’s would be a moot point. Her refusal to test would serve to delay the inevitable revelation and protect Denny from the heartbreak of finding out he’s not the biological father. This would turn a seemingly “selfish” act into a desperate attempt to protect a loved one.
- Book Precedent (with caveats): The Virgin River book series by Robyn Carr, on which the show is based, actually features a storyline where Lizzie and Ricky have a teenage romance that results in pregnancy. While the show frequently deviates from the books, this pre-existing narrative provides a conceptual framework for such a twist. In the books, Lizzie tragically suffers a stillbirth, but the paternity aspect remains relevant.
- Show’s History of Paternity Twists: Virgin River is no stranger to paternity bombshells, most notably with Charmaine’s twins and the revelation that Jack was not the father. This precedent makes another paternity mystery entirely plausible within the show’s narrative style.
The Broader Implications for Season 7
If the “Ricky is the father” theory proves true, it would dramatically alter the trajectory of Lizzie and Denny’s storyline. It would provide a compelling, albeit emotionally fraught, explanation for Lizzie’s seemingly baffling decision. It would also lead to:
- A major paternity reveal: This would undoubtedly be a huge shockwave through Virgin River, impacting Doc and Hope, as well as Lizzie, Denny, and Ricky.
- New relationship dynamics: How would Denny react to this news? Would he feel betrayed, or would his kind nature lead him to still embrace the child? What would this mean for Lizzie and Ricky’s future?
- Ethical dilemmas: The show could explore the ethical implications of concealing such information, particularly with a genetic disease at stake.
- Emotional payoff: A paternity twist, if handled well, could transform a storyline that many fans find frustrating into one that is deeply dramatic and emotionally resonant.
While Lizzie’s decision has certainly ruffled feathers among the Virgin River faithful, the underlying theories about a hidden truth offer a compelling alternative explanation. It transforms a perceived character flaw into a complex secret, potentially setting the stage for one of the most talked-about reveals in Season 7.
Conclusion: A Web of Secrets and Speculation in Virgin River
Lizzie’s decision to forgo genetic testing for her baby in Virgin River Season 6 has sparked a passionate debate among fans, with many accusing her of a “selfish” and “irresponsible” choice given Denny’s Huntington’s disease. However, the prevailing fan theory suggests a much more dramatic reason for her actions: the possibility that Denny is not the biological father, and that Ricky’s return holds the key to this shocking secret. This theory, fueled by Lizzie and Denny’s perceived lack of chemistry, suspicious timelines, and the show’s history of paternity twists, adds a layer of intriguing complexity to a highly controversial storyline. As Virgin River heads into Season 7, all eyes will be on Lizzie, waiting to see if her “selfish” decision is indeed a desperate attempt to hide a truth that could send ripples throughout the close-knit community.
