Virgin River Season 6, Episode 5 ‘Love Story’ is, ironically, not really about love stories, but about parents—and perhaps, a little bit, about never having to say you’re sorry. But then again, Love Story was also not truly a love story. It was more like a tragedy.
The show’s sixth season has, so far, been a comfortable and enjoyable detour into the lives of these characters. Sure, we’ve sort of rolled our eyes at some of the decisions being made (Brie, girl, what did we say last review?), but in general, the show remains the type of comfort watch we kinda can’t stop watching. It’s somewhat silly drama because all the problems feel huge at the moment and then they all end up the kind of thing that can be solved with good intentions and some good old-fashioned talking! And you know what? We just wish life worked like that.
Jack’s issues with his dad and Mel’s issues with hers are very, very different in Virgin River Season 6, Episode 5 ‘Love Story.’ Because Jack’s dad is there, he’s happy, he’s supportive. But he only seems that way because, as Jack says, he’s now the version of Jack his dad always wanted him to be. And that’s the part that hurts. Because what we want from our parents is the certainty that they’ll love us no matter who we end up becoming. Even if they, somehow, don’t approve of the choices we make—like the Marines.
Then there’s Everett, and his issue is that he’s overwhelmed by having all the things he missed out on and he’s retreating out of fear. Fear of what? Perhaps that Mel will discover who he truly is and find him wanting. Perhaps that Doc will tell Mel whatever it is that he hasn’t and she will decide Everett isn’t worth it. It’s hard to tell right now, but it’s clear that Everett is just afraid and he’s at the point in his life where he figures it might be better to just cut his loses. But, is it?
What Jack and Mel both need is for their parents to see them for who they are, love them for who they are, and decide they want to stick around and accept them, just as they are. Now the question is, will they be able to do that in time for the wedding?
Sometimes Hope overcorrects, but it has never made more sense than in Virgin River Season 6, Episode 5 ‘Love Story.’ Because Hope wasn’t around when Lily died, and the show is being truthful to her character by not just letting that go and making her, neurotic and a little obsessive as she is, fixate on Muriel right now. Even if that means that the rest of the sewing circle and Lizzie have no idea why she’s acting the way she is. Hope doesn’t care. She never has cared.
And Muriel understands. Not only that, she appreciates it. Because she might be scared, and perhaps she didn’t want a big deal made out of it, but it’s also good to know that she has people. And that, if she needs it, there will be a support system behind it. Because cancer is scary. And Muriel doesn’t have a partner, at least not one we can trust right now—you need to prove yourself Walt—but she does have friends. And that means she won’t be alone.
