Like any good soap opera, the characters in Netflix’s “Virgin River” are strictly divided

into two groups – the bad and the good, with only a select few enjoying their time in the gray area.

By painting heroes in either black or white, the writers are able to build their narratives according

to the rules of the genre, delighting fans with familiar character archetypes and storylines.

However, that doesn’t mean the best characters are the most likable, and the fan reaction to some of the residents of the town of the same name certainly proves that.

Here are the 10 best Virgin River characters, ranked by likeability:

Yes, the show’s two main characters, Mel and Jack, are not at the top of this list, which is a bit surprising for soap operas, where the main couple are usually the most likable people on the show.

It seems that the show’s writers spent a little too much time developing Preach, who eventually became the show’s most popular hero, overshadowing not only Mel and Jack, but also perennial favorites Doc and Muriel. Preach’s easy-going nature and great storylines really elevated the fifth season of the show, and without him in the main character roster, Virgin River would have certainly lost a large portion of it’s fandom.