Devotees of Virgin River have been cautioning fellow Netflix subscribers to give a recently added show, likened to the beloved small-town romance, a wide berth.
The acclaimed series has enjoyed six successful seasons, with a seventh on the drawing board to continue chronicling the lives of nurse Mel Monroe (played by Alexandra Breckenridge) and ex-Marine Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson).
During the interlude, legions of fans have been on the hunt for offerings akin to Virgin River to fill the void in their viewing schedule.
Recommendations have poured in for shows such as Sullivan’s Crossing, Firefly Lane, and Hart of Dixie, all sharing a kindred spirit with the snug drama.
Yet, a newly released series this past year doesn’t seem to hold a candle to the same charm, if the grumblings of some deflated viewers are anything to go.
The contentious drama is Western romance Ransom Canyon, taking place amid a fierce rivalry amongst three neighbouring ranching families over territory.
Josh Duhamel takes the guise of Staten Kirkland, a bereaved rancher who finds himself drawn to his long-time family ally Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly), just as a mysterious newcomer stirs the pot by unearthing long-buried secrets.
Though combining sorrow, familial conflict and amorous plots might sound precisely what Virgin River enthusiasts would cherish, a recent critique from a viewer on Reddit suggests otherwise.
They wrote: “Virgin River Dupe – I Think Not. Under advisement of the VR community I started Ransom Canyon and now I know that you all can’t be trusted lol.
“I quit after one episode and I don’t think I’ll return.”
The viewer expressed dissatisfaction with Ransom Canyon, criticising it for having “major soap opera vibes” and a lack of spark between the two main characters.
“They could never compare to Jack and Mel,” they added. “By episode one I knew they were meant to be.”
This scathing review sparked discussions among fans, with many Virgin River enthusiasts echoing the sentiment. One person chimed in: “Same here. Watched half of the first episode and that was it for me. Nothing even close to VR.”
Another shared their experience: “I was recommended RC by at least 5 people telling me if I liked Yellowstone I would like it.
“I forced myself to get to episode 3 and I just couldn’t do any more. It wasn’t believable to me! I couldn’t get into it!”
However, another fan commented: “I just finished Ransom Canyon, and I honestly didn’t expect to get this attached. I watched it slowly, really taking my time to sit with the characters and the story.
“The show isn’t without its flaws, but it made me feel a lot. I’ve really fallen for this cast and this world, and I think a lot of you will feel the same.”
And another viewer added their positive take: “I enjoyed Ransom Canyon and hope we get another season. Virgin River has soap opera vibes too but I enjoy it also.”
With opinions divided, the question remains whether audiences will give Ransom Canyon a fair shot or simply bide their time until the much-anticipated seventh season of Virgin River arrives.
