On September 7th, Netflix premiered the highly-anticipated Season 5 of “Virgin River,”

reuniting viewers with beloved characters like Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack

(Martin Henderson). The season opener, however, shocked fans with the unexpected

departure of a pivotal character. The question on everyone’s mind is whether this departure is final or if there’s a possibility of a return.

The first episode of Season 5 delivers a poignant moment as Paige (Lexa Doig) and her son make a surprising exit from Virgin River due to the arrest of Vince Logan. While Paige is now free to live without the constant fear of hiding, she chooses to leave the town with her son, Christopher (Chase Petriw).

She extends an invitation to Preacher (Colin Lawrence) to join them, but he declines, as his deep attachment to Virgin River keeps him rooted there. This decision marks Paige’s departure from the series.

The departure of Paige at the end of the first episode of Season 5 doesn’t necessarily imply that the character is gone for good from the Netflix series. While there is a sense of finality when Paige bids farewell to Preacher, there remains a possibility of her return to the town.

Throughout her presence in the series since Season 1, Paige has periodically left Virgin River only to return. As of now, neither Lexa Doig nor the production team has confirmed or communicated about her potential comeback, making it challenging to determine if this departure is permanent.

Moreover, in the book series by Robyn Carr upon which the show is based, Paige continues to play a role. In the second book, Preacher and Paige embark on a romantic journey. If the Virgin River writers decide to incorporate this storyline, the character could make a triumphant return.

However, it’s worth noting that the show’s creators have often taken creative liberties in adapting Robyn Carr’s novels, casting uncertainty over Paige’s possible return. To discover if Lexa Doig’s character will reappear, fans will need to wait until the release of the second part of Season 5, scheduled for November 30th.

The departure of Paige in the Season 5 premiere of “Virgin River” has left fans wondering if it marks a permanent exit or if there’s hope for a return. As viewers eagerly await the next installment, they are left in suspense, uncertain of what the future holds for this key character in the beloved Netflix series.