Virgin River has a prequel problem.
The series’ charm has always been its quirky, close-knit community. So why exactly is Netflix determined to sell us on a love story between two strangers we barely know?
Like a square peg in a circular hole, the streamer (or whoever) is desperately trying to make this happen. But there’s not enough investment in Sarah, Everett, or their love story to ever make this work.
Yes, we’re living in an era of prequels and sequels. It’s not uncommon for networks and streamers to take their most successful projects and attempt to expand them into franchises. If the viewership is there for it, then why not?
But despite the massive success of Virgin River, there’s one thing they can’t pull off: a prequel inspired by the love story of Mel’s parents.
When they first floated the idea around, it sounded ridiculous, but most of us kept an open mind about it.
But then the flashback sequences during Virgin River Season 6 happened. Although there were endearing aspects to seeing Everett and Sarah meet, fall in love, and reunite later, the story lacked enough substance to pique interest.
I don’t foresee an avenue where they can build an entire series around that particular love story.
They used the flashbacks as a testing ground to see if they could launch this prequel.
It’s evident that they likely didn’t go over as well as they had hoped, given that a prequel was in development and even had a script written. Callum Kerr and Jessica Rothe will star in it, but there’s still no official green light for this project.
And for a bit, it seemed like Netflix read the room and decided that this wasn’t a wise idea. However, we learned that Virgin River Season 7 will also feature none other than flashbacks, at least starring Callum Kerr.
The only explanation for more of those is that the network intends to try their hand at building up the universe, using the current series as a launching pad for the prequel.
But why do this if it clearly didn’t work out the first time?
There are aspects of the prequel that could be appealing, especially regarding characters like Muriel, the Sewing Circle, and Burt and his sister, whom we at least saw and had a reference to during the previous flashbacks.
Unfortunately, Everett, however, isn’t compelling enough to carry his own show.
He barely landed in the present-day storyline, and many viewers didn’t care about him there. If we’re not invested in him now, why would we be in the past?
What’s frustrating is that every flashback eats up time we could be spending developing the characters we already have better.
All that time we will likely have to devote to world-building in the past could go toward fan-favorite characters that the series neglects.
Virgin River is an expansive series. There are so many other ways to explore Robyn Carr’s work outside of trying to develop a prequel for the love story between two people we barely know, spent time with, and who barely had much of a story to tell in the first place.
They spent the flashbacks in the last season, essentially showing us exactly what happened, so when it comes down to their specific story, what’s left to tell?
The Virgin River book series is notable for dedicating entire books to different couples. It’s a feature the television series hasn’t replicated.
But if it came down to offshoots, albeit spinoffs or prequels, it makes more sense to focus on what we already have and know.
Doc and Hope’s love story would make a reasonable prequel. We could follow Hope’s journey as she became mayor and transformed Virgin River into what it is today.
The entire Brie, Mike, and Brady saga could be its own separate series. And there are other creative ways the show could tap into its characters and explore them further in respective spinoffs.
It’s reasonable for Netflix to want to tap into IP for this, but this specific prequel is not the way to do it.
I’d rather they scrap this idea, stop forcing and pushing it, and start from scratch if necessary.
We’d be better off for it if they do.
In a town this full of stories, why waste precious screen time digging up one no one wants?
Agree? Disagree? Are you interested in a prequel about Mel’s parents? Be honest!
Let us know in the comments, or share this article with someone who will want to argue about it with you. That’s what makes it fun.
Watch Virgin River Online
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