Virgin River fans have been expressing displeasure over Mel Monroe’s (portrayed by Alexandra Breckenridge) latest narrative, branding part of the sixth season’s plot “awkward”.
The beloved Netflix romantic drama saw the union of Mel and Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson) in a charming wedding last year after 10 fresh episodes.
However, the joyous event was overshadowed by a series of dark twists that set the stage for the much-anticipated seventh season, including the concerning vanishing act of Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley).
Another compelling plotline featured Mel’s emotional reconnection with her birth father, Everett Reid (John Allen Nelson), who miraculously sang at the wedding after surviving a heart attack.
While this family angle moved some viewers to tears, there’s a segment of the audience left unimpressed by the swiftly developing father-daughter bond.
A discontented fan took their critique to Reddit, stating: “Mel rushing new dad is awkward. So I’ve been binge-watching over the last weeks, and I just started season six.
“While I’m enjoying the ‘newfound biological father’ for Mel, she’s pushing too hard to include him.
“I know this is the show making the storyline, but it makes me so sad for Doc (Tim Matheson)”, reports the Mirror US.
“He was heartbroken when she told him about her ‘dad’. Then playing a song, walking her down the aisle, it made me uncomfortable.”
The drama in Virgin River, despite spanning over six seasons, has all played out within just over a year in the storyline. This rapid timeline means Mel quickly embraced Everett as her father, leaving Doc, who was like a father figure to her, feeling sidelined, resulting in a major clash in season six.
However, Mel managed to reconcile with Doc in time for him to proudly accompany her down the aisle while Everett provided a musical gift at the ceremony.
Fans voiced their concerns online, with one commenting: “I think they’re pushing the narrative a little bit too hard with this new dad…
“In my eyes Doc had always been there so why was he suddenly booted because you share blood with this man that you don’t even know?”
Another chimed in with frustration: “Yes!!!! This! It is so awkward. And she didn’t seem remotely upset that the man she thought was her biological father, wasn’t.
“[Mel’s sister] Joey (Jenny Cooper) was more upset than she was – Mel was just like, cool – let’s go find my new dad!
“No grieving at all, and honestly, don’t you think either sister would be a little disappointed in their mom for cheating on their dad and getting pregnant?”
Finally, another viewer expressed skepticism about the depth of Mel and Doc’s relationship given its relatively short duration: “But how long have Mel and Doc known each other? 14 months?” suggesting that their bond seemed exaggerated: “I think their super close ‘bond’ and father-daughter relationship is ridiculous.”
Will the seventh season of Virgin River address these issues?
Netflix has yet to confirm a release date, so fans may have to wait a while to find out.
Virgin River is available to stream on Netflix.