Mel and Jack are determined to have a merry and bright holiday despite the best efforts of their parents.
Is anyone surprised thatVirgin Rivergoesall outfor Christmas?
But dont worry; theres also enough drama to fill Santas sleigh.
Colin Lawrence, Kandyse McClure.Netflix
Lets break down the final two festive episodes ofseason 5.
Our lead couples hoping for the hap-hap-happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny-freaking-Kaye.
But as we know, nothing ever comes easy for them.
Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson.Netflix
First, youve got the Sheridans.
The only immediate family Jack and Brie (Zibby Allen) will have around are their bickering parents.
Then he basically exits for the season.
Annette O’Toole, Tim Matheson, Kai Bradbury, Sarah Dugdale, Martin Henderson, Alexandra Breckenridge.Netflix
Now all she has to go on is his nickname, Champ, and an ancient PO Box number.
Hes Lydies (Christina Jastrzembska) old high school sweetheart.
Theyre still in touch (get it, girl!)
and she points them to Clear River, where hes the town Santa Claus.
Thats Mr. Claus, Jack!
All he remembers is that Champ got his nickname for winning the 1976 Lumberjack Games.
But she has a fallback plan, and that’s asking Jack for jewelry.
The man knows his way around a rink, is what Im saying.)
Sidenote: Im so mad Im not at that Christmas market RIGHT NOW.
Naturally, Deidre overhears Hopes pep talk because secrets never stay secrets long in Virgin River.
Its the most self-aware reference this show has ever made, so thank you,Virgin Riverwriters.
Shes been having Braxton Hicks contractions, and Mel tells her to get off her feet.
She leaves disappointed, but not before she spots a 1976 Lumberjack Games trophy on his mantle.
Unfortunately, shes pulled away when Charmaine asks to meet her at the clinic.
Joining the woman with the worlds longest gestation period is the twins father, Calvin (David Cubitt).
Mel freezes, then coolly kicks him out when Charmaine says she doesnt want him there.
Doesnt… doesnt Mel think Cals dead?
I feel like she should’ve been even more shocked.
Either way, she has bigger issues when Charmaines water breaks.
The inevitable call to Doc interrupts a cozy Christmas Eve morning at the Mullins house.
She also points out that Lizzies, ya know, 19 and kinda young to start a family.
Plus, she has the whole town on board to help her.
Meanwhile, Doc and Denny hunt down a fuse for the nutcracker thats the centerpiece of their competition tree.
Doc stumbles across his and Hopes wedding album great photoshops of young, foxy Matheson and OToole!
and says hed like to renew their vows while he can still see her.
Charmaines blood pressures a little high, so Doc and Mel get her on the table with an IV.
Congrats to Lauren Hammersley, who doesnt have to wear a pregnancy belly anymore!
Jack and Brie are having a less-than-perfect time.
Lets head to the 44thannual Virgin River Christmas tree decorating competition!
Its the whimsical cherry on this deck-the-halls sundae.
That includes Preacher, who’s been on an emotional roller-coaster this episode.
Guess well find out next season what, if anything, he tells Kaia.
Also up in the air are Muriel and Cameron.
Reader, I snort-laughed.
Am I forgetting a previous conversation where Cameron talked about how much he wants kids?
If not, trust the man to know his own heart and mind, Muriel!
Bradys another Virgin River resident grappling with messy emotions when he bumps into Brie at the holiday market.
I LOVED THEM TOGETHER AND THIS IS CRUEL.
Papa Sheridans even warming up to Javi; they do have the same taste in women after all.
Not only does Hope and DocsNutcracker-themed tree win the decorating contest (Muriel and her pom-poms were robbed!
), but Doc and Denny placed a sign on the life-sized nutcracker asking her to renew their vows.
The entire town bursts into applause as Doc calls her his guiding light.
Also, Denny and Lizzie announce that theyre having a girl!
We then move into a shiny, happy Christmas montage.
Brady and Lark stroll hand in hand while Hazel cavorts.
Lizzie gives her mother a shirt reading best glamma ever.
Mel and Jacks families enjoy a lovely Christmas dinner.
(Mels reindeer headband is adorable, and I neeeeeed to know where I can get oneeeeeee.)
Afterward, Jack adds to his gift of earrings by presenting Mel with a puppy named Pony.
Less adorbs: Lark slips away to answer a call while Bradley plays checkers with Hazel.
and to see if Brady suspects anything (!!).
Lark assures him that Bradys clueless.
The final scene of season 5 finds Mel and Jack outside cuddling Pony when Everett drives up.
