SPOILER ALERT:The story includes details about Episodes 505 and 506 ofNetflixsVirgin River.
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There is more heartache for the series central couple as Mel suffers another miscarriage.
He also spoke about Mels miscarriage and the different way it was portrayed vs. Bries miscarriage in Season 3.
(L to R) Annette O’Toole as Hope, Colin Lawrence as Preacher in episode 505.Netflix
He also revealed an interesting link between Episode 5 and the big Episode 10 cliffhanger.
DEADLINE:Episodes 5 and 6 involve a lot of visual effects, something not often seen onVirgin River.
How big of an undertaking was pulling off episodes set against the backdrop of a massive wildfire?
(L to R) Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie, Kai Bradbury as Denny in episode 505.Netflix
Meanwhile, we were saying, we are just going to set this whole town on fire.
So theres a lot of planning that goes on that wouldnt normally be involved in aVirgin Riverepisode.
The visual effects that we use are the things that happen in the distance.
So much of the distant work was not real and almost all of the closeup work is real.
So the forest fire was one part of it.
We talked to Martin and he goes, yeah, Ill run through flames for you.
He was a trooper with it as were our other cast members.
The other thing is, driving through [fire] became one of the biggest complications for us.
So all of that makes it look like youre really involved in being in this fire.
DEADLINE:Along with the wildfire, there was a parallel storyline of Bries court testimony.
Talk about that juxtaposition of the two, with the people inVirgin Riverand Brie facing different kinds of fears?
WOOD: I think the difference is familiarity with what was going on for Brie and for Mel.
Mel knows, and its just the weight that comes down on top of her.
And then that final moment when Jack comes in for her [at the campground].
I had virtually no conversation with either of them about what would happen.
its such a great way of ending that episode.
Talk about striking a balance between the two genres.
I think the Brie-Mike relationship is the easiest one to see because suddenly, Make it there.
And the two of them have this opportunity to be together.
DEADLINE:You mentioned Doc.
What is your take on their performances and their characters internal drama in the middle of a crisis?
You saw it again at the end of last year with Hopes accident and Doc in the hospital.
Im here, we are in this together.
So I like the fact that this actually brought the town itself, the character of the town.
This really does it better than most of them have been able to.
WOOD: Its very interesting because I have a friend whos directing a TV movie in Kelowna right now.
They had to be shut down last night as they were evacuating when peoples houses were going up.
it’s possible for you to really see the impact it has on the humanity of the place.
And you also see now, when people are talking, how that coalesces back into community.
This is what we need, what Lahaina needs.
Did you see the bombshell at the very end of Episode 10/Season 5 Part 1 finale coming?
WOOD: Because Ive been with the show for so long.
I really love the fact that I can give you that snippet of where they came up with it.
DEADLINE:Do you have any any idea whats happening in the Christmas special Season 5 Part 2?
Anything you’re free to tease?
