Virgin River: Does Nick Know About His Sister Melissa’s Drug Business?

The hit series Virgin River has seen its fair share of heavy storylines, and one of the darkest arcs involves Nick (Keith MacKechnie) and his sister Melissa Montgomery (Barbara Pollard), a notorious drug dealer. Their relationship is layered with tension, and fans have been speculating about whether Nick is aware of the illegal activities his sister is involved in.

The Dark Side of Virgin River

In Season 5, Part 1, we witnessed a pivotal moment where Brady (Ben Hollingsworth), a former Marine, finds himself in deep trouble after being forced to work for Melissa. He becomes entangled in her dangerous drug operations at Emerald Lumber, leading him to cooperate with Detective Mike Valenzuela (Marco Grazzini) from the LAPD to bring Melissa down. Brady risks everything to gather evidence against Melissa and expose her criminal empire.

Things escalate quickly, with Brady putting himself in constant danger as he tries to uncover the truth behind Melissa’s illegal dealings. Her involvement in the drug trade becomes even more sinister when it is revealed that she plans to use Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson), a well-loved character in the series, as a pawn in her twisted game.

Nick’s Role and His Knowledge of Melissa’s Dealings

In the season finale of Season 5, Part 1, the climax of the plot sees Brady and Jack managing to take down Melissa, culminating in her arrest. While Detective Mike Valenzuela nearly dies in a shootout, Melissa is ultimately apprehended, seemingly destined to face prison time for her crimes.

However, the twist comes when Jo Ellen (Gwynyth Walsh), who is married to Nick, expresses her shock and disbelief at her sister-in-law’s arrest. It seems that Nick had no prior knowledge of the illicit activities Melissa was involved in. Despite being part of some business dealings, particularly with Jack, it appears Nick was kept in the dark about his sister’s criminal operations.

In earlier episodes, Jo Ellen had also mentioned that Melissa was quite distant from her, which suggests that she, too, was unaware of the full extent of Melissa’s dealings. This could mean that Nick had been similarly kept out of the loop by his sister, who had likely kept her shady business to herself.

Could Nick Be Hiding Something?

Despite the indications that Nick had no idea about Melissa’s drug operations, there are subtle hints that he may have a darker side. In the first episode of Virgin River, Hope McCrea (Annette O’Toole) describes Nick as “good with his hands” when talking to Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge). This line hints at Nick’s involvement in more than just simple, innocent business dealings. Could it be a suggestion that he might be hiding something more sinister?

It’s possible that the writers of Virgin River could choose to develop Nick’s character further, turning him into a potential villain in future episodes. If they decide to do so, Nick could become entangled in the drug trade, possibly taking over his sister’s operations after her arrest. The storyline could explore his character’s complex motivations and dark past, turning him into a more nefarious figure.

What’s Next for the Drug Business in Virgin River?

With Melissa’s arrest and the threat to her criminal empire seemingly neutralized, fans have begun speculating what will happen next. Could Nick step in to revive his sister’s drug business, perhaps even expanding it beyond the town of Virgin River?

Some fans have pointed out that Brady’s involvement in taking down Melissa doesn’t necessarily signal the end of the drug trade. With Melissa out of the picture, there’s a chance that the underworld she operated in could resurface with someone else at the helm, and Nick might just be the one to take control.

Even though Brady’s ex-girlfriend, Brie Sheridan (Zibby Allen), has expressed distrust towards him, the question remains whether Nick will play a role in the ongoing drug business or continue to stay in the shadows.

The Future of Virgin River’s Dark Side

For now, Virgin River fans are left with many unanswered questions about Nick’s involvement in the illegal dealings and what will happen to the town’s underbelly of crime. Will Nick be a force for good, or could he take over Melissa’s empire in a more subtle, manipulative way? Time will tell if Nick’s character takes on a darker role and if his family ties to Melissa will come back to haunt him.

With the way the series has developed, Virgin River continues to be a show full of twists and turns, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next season to see how the storyline unfolds.