Virgin River Season 4 Story:-
If you’ve been following my reviews of Virgin River over the years, you probably have a sense of where this review is headed. I apologize to those who enjoy the show, but season 4 feels like another slow, melodramatic slog. Surprisingly, the creators have extended the season to 12 episodes, adding two more to the usual 10, which seems unnecessary given the series’ tendency to drag things out.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 20 July 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Drama, Romance |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Creator | Sue Tenney |
| Cast | Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Jenny Cooper, Lauren Hammersley, Annette O’Toole, Tim Matheson, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Grayson Gurnsey, Sarah Dugdale, Zibby Allen, Marco Grazzini, Mark Ghanime, Kai Bradbury, Daniel Gillies, Lexa Doig, Nicola Cavendish, Gwynyth Walsh, Lynda Boyd, David Cubitt, Ian Tracey, Teryl Rothery, Steve Bacic, Stacey Farber |
| Writer | Sue Tenney, Amy Palmer Robertson, Lisa Marie Petersen, Tesia Joy Walker, Natasha M Hall, Jackson Rock, Jackson Sinder |
| Cinematography | David Pelletier, David J. Frazee, Toby Gorman |
| Music | Jeff Garber |
| Producer | Robyn Carr, Christopher E. Perry, Sue Tenney, Roma Roth, Jocelyn Freid, Amy Palmer Robertson, Ian Hay, Sally Dixon |
| Production | Reel World Management |
| Certificate | 16+ |
I’ve long advocated for some shows to return to the era of 22 or 24 episode seasons, but Virgin River demonstrates why that may not always be a good idea. This season really tests your patience.
Picking up after the events of season 3, Virgin River starts off promisingly enough. The first episode introduces new storylines with drama unfolding in town and in prison. Mike arrests Brady after finding a gun in his van, but Brady’s safety is threatened by Calvin’s men.
Meanwhile, Jack and Mel grapple with the possibility of parenthood, while Christopher is still missing and Preacher is on the hunt. Hope continues to struggle with her ordeal, facing mental challenges as she tries to recover from her brain injury.
Season 4 revisits these same themes but stretches them out over 12 episodes. Some storylines, like those involving Christopher and Preacher, are handled well, with tension building gradually and leading to a satisfying conclusion.
Babies become a central focus this season, as Mel and Jack contemplate parenthood and question whether Jack could be the father. Hope’s journey to recovery takes a turn around episodes 6 and 7, as she reverts back to her old self, albeit with a bit more self-pity.
Jack also struggles, allowing the new doctor in town, Cameron, to become involved in Mel’s life. While there’s a hint of a love triangle, the writers don’t fully commit to it, resulting in a storyline that feels forgettable.
Overall, season 4 of Virgin River feels drawn-out and lacks the depth of previous seasons. While some storylines are engaging, others feel repetitive and uninspired.
A standout addition to the cast is Denny, Vernon’s grandson, who unexpectedly shows up seeking insight into his family history. There’s an air of mystery surrounding him, as he alternates between being warm and distant with Lizzie, hinting at a potential love triangle with Ricky. The drama surrounding his possible betrayal of Vernon and his inheritance adds an intriguing layer to the storyline, which is eventually resolved by the end of the season.
Despite a promising start, Virgin River quickly falls into a familiar pattern, and that’s far from a compliment. I’ve previously criticized the show for relying on dramatic cliffhangers to keep viewers engaged, only to resolve them hastily. Unfortunately, season 4 continues this trend, with nearly every episode featuring a short-lived crisis that is swiftly resolved. This approach cheapens the drama, as viewers are left feeling that no real stakes are at play.
Furthermore, the lack of character development is glaring. The main characters remain largely unchanged from previous seasons: Lizzie is still the same lovestruck girl, Jack is haunted by his past, Doc is consumed with worry for Hope, and Ricky continues to pine for Lizzie. This stagnation is exacerbated by the introduction of time jumps that disrupt the flow of the story, leaving supporting characters with little to do and resulting in thin character drama.
Despite the lush visuals, season 4 of Virgin River feels like a tedious slog, with storylines stretched thin and resolutions that are often unsatisfying. While some plot threads are left open for a potential fifth season, the lack of growth and development among the characters is disappointing. Here’s hoping that season 5 brings some much-needed improvement.