The prolific writer’s next show, Thunder Point, will be based on a Virgin River spinoff novel series. Readers might be surprised to learn that it is Virgin River that will receive a spinoff before Sullivan’s Crossing, especially when Sullivan’s Crossing producer Rena Roth is the show runner on this upcoming series. However, it isn’t hard to guess why.

Virgin River’s critical reception has been markedly better than the reviews received by Sullivan’s Crossing so far, and it doesn’t seem like this trend will end anytime soon. Virgin River received an 81% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes while, in contrast, Sullivan’s Crossing earned only 60%.

This disparity may not seem all that bad, but it aligns with sentiments expressed online by fans of both shows on Reddit and social media sites. While Sullivan’s Crossing is Virgin River’s perfect replacement for some Netflix users, many commenters complain that the show’s central Maggie/Cal romance can’t hold a candle to Jack and Mel’s story from the earlier series.

Robyn Carr’s Second Adaptation Earned Mixed Feedback From Fans

Maggie and Cal looking at each other in an episode of Sullivan’s Crossing
Sullivan’s Crossing didn’t make things easier for itself in season 3, with viewers complaining that the villains weren’t compelling, and the tone felt off. This is something Virgin River hasn’t struggled with, as the show’s small-town atmosphere has remained consistent since season 1.

Virgin River’s pace may not be for everyone, but the show hasn’t been accused of shifting its tone as haphazardously as Sullivan’s Crossing and its heroine received a lot less criticism than the comparatively immature, indecisive Maggie. As such, it is not a shock that its reviews are superior.

While the newer series could catch up, Sullivan’s Crossing’s bombshell season 3 finale twist doesn’t bode well. The show’s fourth outing seems set to double down on outlandish melodrama and wild twists, something that makes Sullivan’s Crossing less consistently popular than Virgin River among fans and critics alike.