Aahana Swrup
Season 5 of ‘Virgin River’ brings Mel’s first Christmas in the town. As the holiday season blankets the small town and its residents, it brings a sense of closure for every character through some form of conclusion to their storylines. However, in the spirit of season finales, the narrative also remains ripe with new mysteries, revealed secrets, and old pasts, setting up complications for the characters and their future storyline.
Dr. Cameron Hayek, an integral part of Doc’s clinic, finds his own reconnection with a complicated past during the festive occasion after Michelle pays him a visit to Virgin River. However, considering how little we know about Cameron’s past, the woman’s presence might have left some viewers confused regarding her identity and connection to the young doctor. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Michelle And Cameron’s Complicated Past
Cameron Hayek’s character saw his introduction to the world of ‘Virgin River’ in Season 4 when Doc Mullins finds himself in need of some substantial help at the clinic. The man has a rocky start at the job due to his attraction toward Mel, who is in a committed relationship at the time. Nevertheless, he manages to find his footing and dispel any awkwardness between himself and Mel, with the latter warming up enough to him to maintain a friendly working relationship.
However, during Cameron’s early days at the clinic, when Mel had to quit because of her unwillingness to work with the man, he faced some problems handling the administrative workload around Doc’s office. As such, Muriel St. Claire, a former movie star and town resident, enters into his life— and Doc’s clinic. Eventually, season 5’s beginning sees the progression of Cameron’s relationship with the older woman into a steady romance.
For the same reason, Michelle’s sudden appearance in Cameron’s life becomes even more complicated. Michelle is the young doctor’s ex-fiancé. Their eventual fallout had compelled Cameron to move to Virgin River in the first place and informed some of his ill-intentioned actions toward Mel and Jack’s relationship. Suffice it to say, Michelle is a sensitive topic for the man and has a great influence over his life.
Yet, Cameron has since moved on from his relationship with Michelle, whose drinking problem had become a catalyst in their breakup since it threatened the man’s dreams of having a loving family. Nonetheless, the Michelle that greets him in the town is much different than the one he last saw. After putting herself through Alcoholics Anonymous for months, the woman has been sober for six months.
As such, now that Michelle is getting her life back on track, she wishes to reconnect with Cameron so that they can pick up where they left off. Even though she knows her past with Cameron, where she hurt him, cannot be reversed, she needs him to know that she is a changed woman now and would even want to start a family with him.
Nonetheless, Cameron has already found a second chance at love with Muriel in the loving town of Virgin River. As such, despite their history together, Cameron decides to focus on his future and turns Michelle down. Consequently, the woman takes her leave as promised, and Cameron returns to his partner.
However, Michelle’s visit was bound to shake things up in Cameron’s life. After the man tells Muriel about his ex and their conversation, Muriel feels compelled to point out that Cameron would not be getting a family if he chooses to stay with Muriel since she doesn’t want kids. In response, Cameron assures her that he is happy with their family of two and would not need anything more as long as they can remain happy together.
Still, since the thought has been instilled in Muriel’s mind, she has to see it through. Although the couple isn’t bothered by their age difference, they aren’t blind to it. Therefore, Muriel wants to make sure Cameron thinks his decision through because she doesn’t want him to realize one day that he robbed himself of fatherhood because of the older woman. Nevertheless, Cameron seems confident in his decision but agrees to give it a thought if only to bring his partner comfort.
In that regard, Michelle’s appearance this season remains short but threatens to leave a lasting impact on Cameron, particularly in his relationship with Muriel. Yet, since the couple leaves the season still happy together, perhaps Cameron’s ex’s visit will only pave the way to new conversations that will strengthen their relationship.
Read More: What Happened to Paige? Did Lexa Doig Leave Virgin River?
