Although Netflix officially greenlit Virgin River season 6 awhile ago, viewers’ wish lists of

what they want to see unfold in the new outing are growing longer by the minute,

especially in the wake of Virgin River season 5, part 2. While the Christmas-themed episodes

certainly answered a few burning questions, the two-part special teased several more plotlines for the romantic drama’s upcoming installment. In Virgin River season 5, part 2’s ending, viewers learn that Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) does have a bioparent who’s alive and well. Known as “Champ,” Virgin River’s Everett is Mel’s biological father, whom she and Jack (Martin Henderson) track down ahead of the holiday.

The Northern California town sees several other members of Virgin River’s cast of characters caught up in whirlwind romances and slow-burn drama. For starters, Doc (Tim Matheson) asked Hope (Annette O’Toole) to renew their vows, while Cameron (Mark Ghanimé) assured Muriel (Teryl Rothery) that a family of two was all he needed. Elsewhere, Lark (Elise Gatien) reveals herself to be part of a revenge plot against Brady (Benjamin Hollingsworth), who’s still navigating his attraction to his ex, Brie (Zibby Allen) — and the feeling is mutual. Needless to say, Virgin River season 6 has a lot to juggle.

9. What Mel’s Biological Father Needs To Tell Her
Everett Has Some Urgent News To Share In Virgin River Season 6

At first, Virgin River season 5, part 2’s ending seems like it will be a bit of a tearjerker for Mel. After Mel tracks down Everett, he claims he isn’t her dad, but Mel catches a glimpse of some undeniable evidence over Everett’s shoulder. The truth is, he just doesn’t want to be in Mel’s life. That changes, however, when Everett appears at Mel and Jack’s with letters Mel’s mom wrote for him in the last few minutes of the episode. Everett also says he has some urgent news for Mel — and that had better be revealed in season 6’s opening. And it better be good.

8. How Everett’s Presence Will Impact Doc & Mel’s Relationship
Doc Has Been A Surrogate Father To Mel For 5 Seasons

No matter what Everett reveals to Mel — a long-lost sibling, a genetic disorder, a terminal illness, or anything else that’s par for the course in Virgin River — the nurse practitioner will have to navigate new relationship dynamics. It’s not just Everett who poses a new challenge, however. After a rocky start, Doc becomes Mel’s surrogate father of sorts. Not only is Doc a professional mentor, but he’s a key part of Mel’s support system. Clearly, he’ll be protective of Mel once he learns about her bio-dad. It would also be interesting if Everett, who’s lived in the area for decades, has a preexisting relationship with Doc.

7. Doc’s Clinical Trial Is A Success
Vernon Mullins Is On The Verge Of Losing His Eyesight

In the Virgin River season 5, part 1 finale, Doc decides to take part in a risky clinical trial after being diagnosed with macular degeneration. The ever-practical Doc rightly points out that even if the trial goes south, he’ll lose his eyesight anyway. Given everything that Doc and Hope have weathered — both together and apart — it would be nice to see the trial succeed. According to the series’ new showrunner, Patrick Sean Smith, it seems likely that the clinical trial will be a success, leaving Doc and Hope with plenty of time to renew their vows.

6. Brady & Brie Get Back Together
The Virgin River Couple Seems Destined To Reunite

The final episodes of Virgin River season 5 reveal that Lark, Brady’s current love interest, is actually involved in a plot to exact revenge on Brady. Earlier in the season, Brie decided to breakup with Brady because he lied to her. Now, it seems like both halves of the former couple have moved on — Brie has a relationship with Mike, which is honestly one of Virgin River’s better romances — but the Lark bombshell definitely upends things. Not to mention, Brady and Brie shared a romantic tension-filled moment under the mistletoe in the Christmas episodes, making it even more likely that this couple will rekindle their love.

5. The Fate Of Mel’s Dog Pony
Jack Got Mel A Puppy For Christmas In Virgin River Season 5, Part 2

Like other television shows before it, Virgin River has been known to completely forget about its four-legged characters. Namely, Tucker the dog, who was being passed around to the various residents of the small town, hasn’t shown up in a while. Since he can’t get Mel the literal pony she wanted as a kid, Jack decides to gift Mel a puppy named Pony for Christmas. It’s a sweet gesture, but it’s difficult to get attached given the Tucker of it all. Here’s hoping Pony will remain part of Mel and Jack’s life, even if the dog-actor needs to be recast by the time season 6 filming starts.

4. A Time Jump That Course Corrects The First 5 Seasons
Virgin River’s Timeline Has Always Been Weird

In addition to revealing long-lost fathers and upping various romantic tensions, the show’s season 5 finale sees Charmaine resolving Virgin River’s most absurd storyline by finally giving birth to her twins. Although the show began in 2019, the same amount of time hasn’t passed in the world of Virgin River, namely because Charmaine has been pregnant for the entirety of the show’s run. Set to include a time jump, Virgin River Season 6 can fix the show’s timeline. Not only would this help make the romantic relationships feel more natural and less rushed, but it would allow the show to feel more grounded on the whole.

3. Preacher & Kaia Living Happily Together In Virgin River
Sadly, Wes’ Body Was Just Found

While good-guy Preacher (Colin Lawrence) and firefighter Kaia (Kandyse McClure) seem to be taking things to the next level, Virgin River’s melodramatic Wes plotline may upend the couple’s happiness. In the Christmas episodes, Preacher lets slip that he loves Kaia — something she tells him can’t be unheard. Later, Kaia reveals that she’s moving to Virgin River and taking a permanent position. Unfortunately, Preacher gets an awful call: Wes’ body has been uncovered. Memorably, Preacher helped hide the body of his ex’s own abusive ex, which could come back to bite him. Everyone seems pretty over the Wes thing, so here’s hoping season 6 closes the arc for good.

2. Muriel Finds Romance With Jack’s Dad
If Things Don’t Work Out With Cameron, Muriel Has Options

Dr. Cameron, who was previously dead-set on having children, assures Muriel that a family of two is enough for him, but Virgin River viewers are still doubting the couple’s longevity. Cameron’s change of heart feels incredibly sudden; even Muriel tries to give him an out. While it would be sweet to see these two work out, there’s no denying that the relationship has felt rushed from the start. It’s clear that retired actor Muriel deserves a happy ending in the small town, but some viewers think that might involve Jack’s dad — not Cameron. Either way, here’s hoping season 6 is a good one for Muriel.

1. Jack & Mel Adopt A Kid
Virgin River Has Seen Its Fair Share Of Pregnancy Storylines

There’s no doubt about it: Virgin River loves a pregnancy storyline. Although Charmaine has finally given birth to her long-awaited twins, Lizzie (Sarah Dugdale) and Denny (Kai Bradbury) have told everyone in town about their pregnancy. Although it would be emotional to see Mel have biological children with Jack, it would perhaps be even more poignant if the couple chose to adopt kids. Not only would this freshen up some of the show’s well-worn stories, but it would drive home the theme of chosen family that Mel mentioned in the Christmas episodes of Virgin River season 5.