Warm, romantic, and pleasantly restful — Netflix's Virgin River is this year's most unexpected hit show. In a time where coziness and comfort are foremost priorities, the Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson-starrer delivers. This scenic fictional town has many stories, but the romance between Mel and Jack, who have their respective tragic pasts, forms the fulcrum of the show. Another refreshing couple is Hope and Doc, who were previously married, then separated, and then got back together again.
Virgin River gives fans a satisfying slow burn with both couples, but which one is the reigning couple of the homey small town? Here's a take on both romances.
Hope & Doc: OG Power Couple
The town mayor and the only doctor in town — Hope and Doc made for a power couple if there was one.
In the cozy town of Virgin River, they were the epitome of two individuals excelling at their respective careers and also having a flourishing romance (on most days). They were the original influential pair, with Doc running his clinic and helping people, and Hope taking care of the town's affairs effortlessly. No wonder the whole town cheered when they reunited.
Mel & Jack: Next Gen Power Couple
Although Hope and Doc were a power couple, it was time for them to pass the baton to someone else. Let's face it, Mel and Jack were younger, cooler, attractive, and more relatable than the older couple, which made them the next generation power couple.
Mel was a very capable nurse practitioner with Doc, and Jack ran a very successful bar (the only one) in Virgin River, which made them a force to be reckoned with too. With their desire to do good for the town, their joint forces and talents were exactly what the town needed.
Hope & Doc: They're Refreshing
It is not often that a show depicts senior romance in a passionate light. Virgin River's approach to Hope and Doc's relationship was refreshing for many viewers. Most movies and shows always give a feeling of death and frailty to older couples, as well as a certainty that they will always end up together no matter what.
Virgin River turned that trope on its head by making Hope and Doc's romance passionate and volatile. The mature individuals were depicted as desirable people with sexual tension, even in old age, who still chose to be together everyday.
Mel & Jack: They're Forgiving
Unlike the older couple which was a little set in their ways, Mel and Jack forgave each other. They took the time to hear each other out, get the full story, and cut each other some slack when the other slipped up.
Jack forgave Mel when she took off to LA without informing him, because he took a minute to empathize with her mental state. Similarly Mel forgave Jack about Charmaine's pregnancy and his failure to tell her first, which enabled them to move forward without holding grudges. Hope and Doc could learn a thing or two from the young 'uns.
Hope & Doc: The History
According to Doc, he fell in love with Hope the moment she moved to Virgin River. They were happily married, until a moment of infidelity by Doc after the tragic passing of a young boy. Hope could not forgive Doc's affair with her best friend and Charmaine's mother, which was why they stayed separated but never actually divorced for over twenty years.
However, their separation didn't affect their relationship, and they both stayed very involved in each other's lives. The rekindling of their dying romance signified a huge leap of faith and trust, which originated from the long history that the pair had shared together.
Mel & Jack: A Fresh Start
Both Mel and Jack found each other at a point in their lives when they needed a fresh start. Mel had escaped to Virgin River to cope with her husband's death, and Jack was stuck in a relationship for two years which he never wanted to be a part of. He also struggled with PTSD from his career as a Marine, and Mel dealt with the trauma of a lost baby.
Both of them began their friendship, and then relationship, on a new note — they did not bond only over their traumas, but fulfilled each others' need for love and support unconditionally. The instant attraction also helped!
Hope & Doc: Call Each Other Out
One of the benefits of being in a decades-old relationship is that one isn't afraid to call their partner out on their mistakes — and that's what Hope and Doc did for each other. When Doc couldn't admit that he was growing older and needed help at the clinic, Hope went ahead and solved that problem for him, while calling him out on his initial bad behavior with Mel.
Similarly, Doc also checked Hope when she interfered in Jack's business a bit too much to prevent her from getting burnt. Their ability to guide each other and stop each other when needed made them a solid couple.
Mel & Jack: Support Each Other
Even before they became romantically involved, Mel and Jack were perennially supportive of each other. Right since Mel stepped into Virgin River, Jack helped her acclimate to the town, showed her secret spots, went along with her to the pot camp to treat Calvin, and helped her deliver Maxine's baby without hesitation. He even renovated the McCrea cabin for her to comfortably live in so she could stay in Virgin River!
Mel, too, stayed supportive of Jack through his flashbacks, sought out Brady to help Jack's cause against Calvin's drug business, and even consulted with a bitter Charmaine through her pregnancy for Jack. Their unwavering support for each other was endearing.
Hope & Doc: Know Each Other
Hope and Doc knew exactly what made the other tick. Being in a marriage and relationship for over two decades teaches someone a thing or two about their partner, which was exactly the case with the physician and the town mayor. They both knew which buttons to push to incite a reaction.
Overall, this made the older couple quite entertaining to watch. Their inside jokes, wisecracks on each others weird habits, and the comfortable sense of old camaraderie was loved by many fans of Virgin River.
Mel & Jack: Have Fun Together
Audiences love the tension between Mel and Jack. Their new love for each other and sizzling chemistry on screen made fans ship them from the moment they appeared in the same room.
Apart from helping the town and each other, the two lovebirds definitely knew how to have fun! They participated — and won — egg races together, went on early morning hikes, danced together at the Moonlight Mingle, and even played baseball together. The young couple knew how to keep it light and fun together.