Are Virgin River Holiday Specials Among The Best? Top 5 Rated Episodes

Season 5 of Virgin River proved to be polarizing among fans. On the one hand, we have a heavy storyline with Mel's miscarriage and another far-fetched dad mystery that ruffled the feathers of many long-time viewers.

On the other hand, the drama and emotions flying high let the characters and the actors playing them shine and made this season extremely compelling.

The icing on the cake were the two Christmas specials that premiered on Netflix last week. While they were sweet and fluffy, fans enjoyed the break from the day-to-day struggles and felt hopeful about the future of the show.

Now that the holiday specials have wrapped up Season 5, we can look back on the new chapter and compare it to its predecessors. Were there any new episodes that earned their place in the top 5?

The IMDb ratings will give us a clear picture.

#5 S5E5 Trial by Fire

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

The first title in our list and we already have a Season 5 episode. And not a random one. It is the episode where Mel has an unexpected miscarriage while the residents of Virgin River are fighting a wildfire.

While for many viewers this storyline was devastating and hard to watch, IMDb users apparently loved the brilliant acting of Alexandra Breckenridge and the increased stakes of the episode.

#4 S5E6 Heroes Rise

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

The episode following Trial by Fire earned the same rating, no doubt thanks to the continuation of Mel's dramatic storyline. After discovering she's had a miscarriage, Mel rushes to save baby Chloe from the fire, creating sad parallels.

On top of that, Jack gets the tragic news in the final moments of the episode. Season 5 gave both leads some heavy material to work with and they do a phenomenal job.

#3 S2E10 Blown Away

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Number three on our list is the Season 2 finale, which featured the 'Wes has a twin' revelation and one of the most dramatic cliffhangers in the series. At the very end, Mel finds Jack bleeding on the floor of his bar with a huge wound in his stomach. And that's after they share one of the show's most romantic moments. What a cliffhanger!

#2 S4E12 The Long Goodbye

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

The Season 4 finale also earned its place at the top for several exciting storylines, including Vince's drama with Preacher and Paige, Ricky's departure, Brie being approached by her ex, and of course all the paternity revelations. Charmaine's twins are not Jack's, but Mel's baby is, and the main couple gets engaged. What a treat for Virgin River viewers!

#1 S5E12 Father Christmas

IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

Finally, number one in our ratings is the second Christmas special. The first, The More the Merrier, ranked 8th out of 54 episodes. Fans loved the lighter nature of the specials, the family bonding and the magical atmosphere of the heavily decorated Virgin River.

Unfortunately, we may have to wait another five years for the next holiday season in the beloved Northern California town.