From blazing wildfires to festive holiday scenes, here’s everything that unfolded.
Although we’ve been following the residents of Virgin River for five full seasons, only a handful of months have passed in the storyline. Season 5 is easily one of the most eventful yet—packed with emotional twists and major turning points. A destructive wildfire threatens lives throughout the town, while Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson) suffer a heartbreaking loss: Mel experiences a miscarriage.
But despite the heartbreak, the community of Virgin River remains strong. As actor Tim Matheson (Doc) shared in a 2022 interview on set, “Virgin River is the kind of place where people genuinely support each other.”
Once the danger passes, the townspeople come together to heal and move forward. Let’s break down all the major developments from Season 5—and get ready for the next chapter, with Season 6 now available to stream. (For details on the special holiday episodes, scroll below!)
What Happens to Mel and Jack’s Baby?
Mel, who works as a nurse practitioner and midwife, had previously endured a stillbirth. So when she discovered she was expecting again in Season 4, she knew the journey ahead would be complicated. Tragically, during her efforts to help neighbors during the wildfires, she loses the pregnancy.
“It was an important and honest story to tell,” Breckenridge said in a behind-the-scenes interview. “Not everyone gets their miracle, and I wanted that truth to be reflected. It was emotionally intense—I cried a lot—but in the end, Mel grows from the experience.”
Does Mel Still Want Children?
Mel deeply wants to become a mom, but the trauma of another loss makes her fearful of trying to get pregnant again. She tells Jack that they’ll need to explore alternative paths to building their family.
“This experience hits Mel particularly hard, but she and Jack work through it together,” Breckenridge explained. “Their connection only grows stronger.”
And as if that wasn’t enough emotional weight, Jack also learns that Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley) wasn’t honest about the paternity of her twins.
Who Is Really the Father of Charmaine’s Twins?
The real father? None other than drug kingpin Calvin (David Cubitt). His reappearance shocks everyone—especially since he was believed to be dead after an explosion at the end of Season 4. Now, he’s back and interested in being part of his children’s lives.
“I screamed when I read the script,” Hammersley admitted. “It’s such a twist! I’m excited to see Charmaine venture into this darker, more complicated space.”
Wait—Who Is Calvin Again?
Before the arrival of Melissa, Calvin was the original crime boss around Virgin River. He ran an illegal marijuana operation under the guise of a lumberyard and had previously dragged Brady (Benjamin Hollingsworth) into his web. His apparent death turned out to be a fake-out—he’s alive and ready to stir up new trouble.
Co-showrunner Erin Cardillo teased that one of the big questions this season is: “Will Charmaine and Calvin co-parent these kids?”
Writer Richard Keith jokingly added, “Now that cannabis is legal in California, maybe Calvin could open a dispensary and have a happy ending after all.”
Who Is Melissa?
Melissa Montgomery is introduced as the new antagonist after Calvin’s disappearance. On the surface, she seems like a sweet older woman—but she’s actually a ruthless criminal with ties to the drug trade. She’s also the sister of Nick (Keith MacKechnie), Jack’s business partner in the glamping resort, who appears totally unaware of his sibling’s shady dealings.
