In Season 5 Part 1 of Virgin River, Brie and Brady’s relationship takes a dramatic turn.

Brie, who initially found solace in Brady’s company, faces a challenging period in her life

as she pursues legal action against her abusive ex-boyfriend, Don, for rape.

Despite her brother Jack’s willingness to stand by her in court, Brie insists that she needs his support rather than his protection and reassures him that Brady will be there for her.

However, Brady’s life becomes entangled with the criminal activities of Melissa, a local queenpin, in an effort to protect Brie. In Episode 3, Brie discovers that Brady has been deceiving her, pretending not to know his deceased colleague Jeb, who died of a fentanyl overdose.

When Jeb’s partner accidentally reveals the truth to Brie, she confronts Brady, expressing her inability to tolerate deception. Brady eventually admits to the fentanyl operation happening at the lumberyard where he works, but Brie remains unsure about what to believe.

In Episode 4, Brady informs local police officer Mike about the drug operations, revealing that while Calvin may be dead, Melissa is still “pulling the strings.” Despite Mike’s initial skepticism due to Brady’s shady past, they eventually agree to collaborate, with Brady going undercover.

As the season progresses, Brie develops a friendship with Mike, further straining her relationship with Brady. Although Brie and Mike decide to remain friends, she ultimately decides to break up with Brady, citing her lack of trust in him. In Episode 7, Brady’s jealousy nearly escalates into a fight when he sees Brie talking to Mike, pushing her further away.

Meanwhile, Melissa discovers that Brady has been spying on her and kidnaps him for questioning. Eventually, Mike and his team arrive and manage to apprehend Melissa, but not before Mike gets shot in the process.

Initially, no one believes Brady’s innocence, but when Mike awakens and corroborates his story, things start to change. However, at this point, it seems too late for Brie, as she expresses her desire to explore a relationship with Mike.Despite a teaser showing Brie and Brady sharing a moment under the mistletoe in Season 5 Part 2, it’s worth noting that their relationship diverges from the book series. In the original books by Robyn Carr, it’s Brie and Mike who are the canonical couple. As for the direction the Netflix series will take, we’ll have to wait and see.