I finally figured out what makes Virgin River so special. It’s not just that it’s a place to make a great salary without a college degree.

Or a place where people will accept you unconditionally no matter what you look like.

Or a place where the food is unbelievably good.

Or even a great place to find love (with your ex cheering you on from the sidelines even).

Virgin River is special because when you’re here, you’re family. Yep, just like The Olive Garden. No matter the obstacle, these people find a way to show up for each other.

Take Hope, for example. Just because Vernon’s not-dead ex is coming for a mini-visit doesn’t mean she’s not rolling out the red carpet.

Her kindness leads to a truly moving apology from Rose about the whole sorry-you-didn’t-get-to-meet-the-son-you-never-knew-you-had thing.

*Tears*

Meanwhile at the clinic, Muriel and Cameron are facing their own challenges.

Now, we all know how R+J ended.

Side note: This is a weird metaphor, Muriel, especially since you also made a play for the the man you’re now referring to as dad.

Anyway, like any good family, these two know they are stronger together. They decide to find to find a way through…

*Phew*

I like this pairing as much as I like soup, salad, and breadsticks at the OG, but I feel like Cameron is stretching the truth a tiny bit here. You’ll recall:

Cameron split up with his fiancee because they had NOTHING in common.

And then he made a play for Mel.

Who he had known for… let’s say, two weeks.

He hasn’t felt like this in a while? I don’t know, Cameron, you’re gonna have to do some work to convince me that you’re not just after Muriel because she’s got a pretty… um… face.

Anyway, I just hope Cam is here for the right reason.)

Not all families are blood-related, of course, which is why it’s nice to see that Brie has formed her own work family!

You recognize all these people her office, right?

Brie’s not the only one playing games though — Brady’s also got plans.

Are Brie and Brady finally moving on? Brie’s been hesitant, but her work bestie finally gives her the courage, the way a true bestie always encourages ordering the chocolate lasagna brownie at Olive Garden.

And so, Brie finally decides it’s time to let Brady go.

The timing of this could have been rough for Shady Brady who has been known to react poorly to the thought of Brie and Mike, but Lark (Lark? who named this poor woman) is on it like grated parmesan on your entree!

Yeah, if only someone could appreciate what Shady Brady brings to the table. I mean, have you seen this guy sneak around? He’s, like, really good at it. Like, yes-I-will-have-another-bowl-of-minestrone-soup good!

Anyway, speaking of tables… Preacher’s cooking up something.

Thank God Hannah is here to speak for us all.

Unfortunately, before Kaia can taste this fusion, Jay interrupts, which is like if the fire alarm went off at Olive Garden right after your food was finally brought to the table. Not cool!

This is the face of a woman who has just been told that there is indeed a end to Olive Garden’s never-ending pasta bowl.

I am sooooooo confused by this. Why on earth would Jay be in charge of evaluating whether or not his wife could be in charge of the team? How is that not a massive conflict of interest?

And in case you missed it the first time, Jay reminds Preacher (again) that he is here to stay. Kaia can’t quit him… I mean her job.

They’re family!

What Jay doesn’t know is Preacher has gotten rid of at least one bad husband before…

Anyway, while Preacher is busy plotting how to get rid of Jay (poison panettone french toast, anyone?), Brady stumbles on to a MM’s secret plot to smuggle drugs through the glamping site. He has to protect Jack because Jack is his family, and family always sticks together the way you can’t not get breadsticks at Olive Garden!

Okay, can someone please explain this drug smuggling plan to me? They are putting the drugs inside the trailers which are stationary… so, are only drug dealers going to book at the glamping site, and then check out with a little something extra? How are they going to replenish the supply? Who’s gonna keep putting the drugs in the trailers? How are they going to ensure that a “legit guests” like Lark (or some other member of the weed-flag alliance) aren’t going to accidentally stumble on to the drugs ala Jeb and sample the product?

All I know is that this plan threatens to break Jack and Brady up forever, which is about as heartbreaking as never being able to eat Olive Garden again!