Although the main couples from both Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing have a lot in common, the latter pairing is missing one vital ingredient that made the earlier show so successful. Robyn Carr’s formula might be familiar to longtime fans, but there is no denying its success. Since the author began publishing romance novels in 1980, Carr has written over 28 standalone romance novels, a trilogy of Grace Valley books, the 22-book Virgin River series, the five-book Sullivan’s Crossing series, and a non-fiction guide to writing.

Most of Carr’s book series tend to follow similar stories and character types, so it is not a surprise that the central couples from both current adaptations of her books, Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing, are similar. However, while Sullivan’s Crossing season 4 may change this, currently, Mel and Jack of Virgin River have one thing that Maggie and Cal from Sullivan’s Crossing are sorely lacking. According to a common complaint from fans, the latter couple needs to borrow one more thing from Mel and Jack to succeed.

Virgin River’s Mel & Jack And Sullivan’s Crossing’s Maggie & Cal Share Big Similarities
Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing’s Main Couples Are Surprisingly Similar

Netflix recently renewed Virgin River for a seventh season, proving that the Carr adaptation remains as popular as ever with its large fan base. This was a particularly impressive achievement considering how axe-happy the streaming service can be at times, canceling even popular shows without warning. Part of the reason for the outsized success of Virgin River is the straightforward appeal of Mel and Jack’s central love story, which shares a lot of tropes in common with the romance at the core of Sullivan’s Crossing.

Mel and Maggie both left medical careers in big cities behind to move to rural towns, while their respective love interests, Jack and Cal, are both rugged guys with mysterious/ sad pasts. There are a few key differences that ensure Maggie and Cal don’t feel like carbon copies of Mel and Jack, like the fact that Maggie returned to her titular hometown in Sullivan’s Crossing whereas Mel was a new arrival in Virgin River.

Mel & Jack Have Chemistry That Maggie & Cal Lack
Virgin River’s Lead Couple Don’t Share Sullivan’s Crossing’s Most Frequent Complaint

That said, many of the major beats in Maggie and Cal and Mel and Jack’s love stories are similar despite some divergent moments. Unfortunately, Maggie and Cal of Sullivan’s Crossing lack one pivotal element that makes Mel and Jack’s romance sing. Mel and Jack have an easy chemistry that just isn’t as present in Sullivan’s Crossing where, although Maggie and Cal are compelling, their romance hasn’t managed to set fans alight in the same way.

Maggie and Cal haven’t captured the hearts of fans the way that Mel and Jack did.

Mel & Jack simply click better on-screen, and although the release model of Sullivan’s Crossing could account for its lower ratings, it is hard to argue that the most common complaint about the show isn’t a factor. Maggie and Cal haven’t captured the hearts of fans the way that Mel and Jack did and, since their story has plenty of compelling twists and turns, it seems like the chemistry between the stars is the missing link.

Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3 Has To Fix Its Big Maggie & Cal Problem
Maggie and Cal’s Story Is Central To The Success of Sullivan’s Crossing

Fortunately, all hope is not lost for Sullivan’s Crossing, and the second Carr series could last as long as Virgin River if the show makes the right moves. Sullivan’s Crossing season 3 must prioritize Maggie and Cal’s romance, especially as it is the central pairing of the show. Since Sullivan’s Crossing season 3 already feels different from its predecessors, this change is more important than ever at this stage.

Maggie and Cal could become another Mel and Jack if viewers get an opportunity to believe in their chemistry, and their current stability may provide this. Season 3 has finally seen the couple pair up for good, so Sullivan’s Crossing now has a chance to follow in Virgin River’s footsteps by getting fans invested in the romantic pairing of its main characters.