Virgin River Season 6, Episode 9 ‘Prelude to a Kiss’ is the prelude to Mel and Jack’s happily ever after and to the setup for Season 7, which we already know is coming. That means this episode is just about putting the pieces in the right place for the finale to deliver on the big wedding, and of course, for the season to end in a big cliffhanger because that’s the Virgin River way.

But above all, this hour is about how important your tribe is—in good times and bad. Because Mel has both in this hour, Everett’s heart attack and then her wedding, all so close together. And through it all, she’s anything but alone. Instead, she has a family, the one she made for herself when she came to Virgin River. The one that will be by her side, no matter what. And that is, perhaps, the most important thing of all. It is, for sure, the reason she even gets through the day and has a chance to end the season married to the love of her life. So now, well, let’s get these too married. Please.

FOREVER (WITH YOU)

The idea of forever is a very scary thing when you’ve had that possibility ripped away from you over and over again and that’s what Mel is contending with in Virgin River Season 6, Episode 9 ‘Prelude to a Kiss.’ It’s not that she doesn’t want to marry Jack, because it’s clear that there’s nothing she wants more. It’s that this big wedding, this big celebration, and the shock of almost losing Everett is a big blow for a woman who has been hit over and over again with loss.

How can you trust in the one thing that life seemed to be determined to prove over and over again isn’t for you? And how can you believe that what you take into the marriage is enough if it hasn’t been enough before? And sure, logically, Mel knows she is not to blame for the losses he’s suffered, but fear has never been logical. This is why what Mel needs when we get to the end of this episode is just a moment, not a moment alone, but a moment with Jack.

SOULMATES

That Mel needs that moment with Jack, a moment that defies all wedding conventions, proves that Virgin River Season 6, Episode 9 ‘Prelude to a Kiss’ and perhaps even the show at large is truly about finding your soulmate, whatever that looks like. And sometimes, that’s a second chance romance—like with Jack and Mel. Sometimes, you even get it wrong the first time you try your own story, because you still have to learn some lessons on your own before you are ready to come back together—like with Doc and Hope, and Jack and Brie’s parents.

And, perhaps, sometimes, it’s about finding the person you feel at peace with—like Kaia and Preacher have found in each other, despite whatever fears she might have about the future. And though we don’t all know what we want, what we need, or what really fits, it’s about allowing ourselves to really and truly open up in a way that lets us discover that. Hopefully, that’s Brie’s journey in Season 7. Because right now, I can’t tell you what she really wants, much less what she really needs. And I, like her, would love to find out.

THIS WEDDING ISN’T ABOUT ME

This is, in many ways, the end of the journey we have taken this season with Mel and her father Everett. And it ends with Everett making clear that the wedding isn’t about him, it’s about Mel, and it should go on. Now, of course, if and when the wedding is indeed back on, I have a feeling he’ll show up at least for that one song, but most of his storyline this season was about this—about getting here with Mel. To a place where she had not one father, but two. And two fathers who were able to get along well enough, for her sake.

Virgin River was a story about a woman who lost everything and found it again—no, built it again, in a little town that surprised her. The same was once true of Everett Reid, and even if he lost everything again before, he has now found a reason to go on living in Mel. And life, well… it doesn’t stop here. Not even close.

Things I think I think:

Of course he had a heart attack finishing the song. OF COURSE.
I know Doc is like, the town Doctor and all, but his being there is making me strangely emotional.
Mel having Jack is HUGE. That support is so important.
And Doc and Hope being there too.
The moment with Hope and Jack also made me emotional. It is true that Jack has come so far, and that you shouldn’t have helped him open a bar, Hope.

Jack and Brie’s parents are surprising me.
Especially with the mom talking about soulmates and all, which isn’t like a message for Brie or anything.
“There’s no way my little girl is going to lose her father on her wedding day.” I’M NOT CRYING, YOU ARE.
And Everett asking Doc to walk Mel down the aisle was the perfect touch.
Hope, don’t say anything. Don’t say anything.
Muriel talking to Cameron like a friend is nice.
Okay, that Charmaine thing is… concerning.
“You’re too much” is OUCH.
“If something happens to him, Mel’s gonna kill us” indeed.
Jack’s not gonna let Sugar go, right?
“Classic Jack Sheridan. No man left behind.”
Awww, Jack’s sisters.
The ice sculptures are hilarious. And way too much.
Brie’s toast to Mel was nice.
Kaia being uncomfortable about marriage makes sense.
Absolutely love Brie’s sister’s making fun of her.
Brady showing up with the FAM.

“How do you keep screwing everything up, Brie?”
We’re gonna give it to Brady, he did not lie about his feelings.
“If I had to lose you just to keep you safe, I’d do it again.”
Oh, and Lark heard it all.
Awww Mel and Jack there, at the end.
Ofc the Everett thing is bringing up fears again. That’s normal.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think about Virgin River Season 6, Episode 9 ‘Prelude to a Kiss’? Share with us in the comments below!

Virgin River Season 6 is now available to stream on Netflix.