Jane the Virgin – Chapter Thirty Five

By: Jennifer Verzuh

Romance, stalkers and synchronized swimmers. This week’s episode of “Jane the Virgin” had a bit of everything, which is just how I like it.

Jane (Gina Rodriguez) is on cloud nine after Michael’s (Brett Dier) confession and the two spend the night together–not like that (this is Jane we’re talking about) – just catching up. Jane wants to stay in their love bubble, ignoring the opinion and influence of everyone else, but even more than that she wants their relationship to be real and work this time. And that means getting Rafael (Justin Baldoni) on board. Michael agrees that he needs to apologize to him and be friendly, if only for Jane and Mateo’s sake.

When Jane tells Rafael that they’re back together he’s not nearly as mature. Anyone, but him, he tells her and refuses Michael’s cordial attempt at an apology. He behaves selfishly and jealously and is frankly rude to Jane who’s trying her hardest to make this work and behave kindly. Jane worries that she can’t overcome this obstacle (a/k/a Rafael), but Michael won’t risk losing her again and even offers to quit his job when Rafael suggests it’s too dangerous. Swoon.

Eventually, Rafael’s forced to accept the fact that they’re together and she loves him. Devastated, Rafael turns to Petra, trying to restart their relationship and throw himself into the role of devoted future father to their unborn twins. Petra (Yael Grobglas) sees through him though. She knows he only wants her because Jane rejected him and having grown quite a bit in the last season and toughened up, she’s not willing to be his second choice and lets him know exactly that. Besides, she has more important things to worry about than him, including improving the hotel’s business and the fact that she’s about to give birth.

Michael and Jane have a romantic kiss by the poolside, complete with a fantasy featuring the synchronized swimmers Petra hired for a new hotel commercial. They solidify the fact that they’re back together without anything standing in their way, at least for now. It’s a victory for Team Michael, though with this show you never can tell how long someone’s happiness will last.

While one major couple falls back together another pair unfortunately falls apart, despite being in love still. Though they’ve just broken up, Rogelio (Jaime Camil) and Xiomara (Andrea Navedo) are trying to act as if nothing has happened. He’s still coming over to the house for meals and running lines with Xo for his new romantic film. Before you know it, the two have fallen back in bed together. When Jane confronts Xo about it, she says it’s normal for exes to behave that way, but they both know it’s over. However, when Jane tells her that Rogelio recently revealed he’s holding out hope she’ll change her mind about having kids she realizes they aren’t on the same page. Xo tells him that she’s not ever going to want to have kids and they need to spend some time part, suggesting he take Jane as his date to a movie premiere instead of him.

Rogelio’s heartbroken, but although she seems the stronger of the two, Xo isn’t doing much better. About to leave for the premiere, Jane finds Xo crying wondering whether to continue on watching a show she and Rogelio used to watch together, which may be the most realistic thing to ever happen on this show. Jane stays behind to comfort her mom so Rogelio is left solo on the red carpet. He feels his daughter has chose Xo over him and is very hurt.

Unfortunately, that’s not the worst of his problems. His overly attentive new assistant informs him he’s got a stalker. The stalker? Her (which frankly wasn’t much of a surprise). They were pen pals years ago while she was in prison and now that she has been released she uses this assistant guise to get close to him. The episode ends with Lola, the stalker, revealing her true identity and locking him in a room.

One last subplot worth noting is Luisa (Yara Martinez). Beginning with the series premiere, her life has progressively been getting harder and harder. Rose’s death is the last straw for her and she’s hit the bottle again. Jane, having recently returned to work, catches her stealing alcohol from the hotel bar and calls her on it. Michael’s partner, Susanna, steps in to care for her when Jane brings her home passed out drunk. They have a heart to heart and Luisa confesses how everything is wrong, her brother hates her and she has this voice inside that keeps telling her to drink. Susanna (Megan Ketch) encourages her to go back to rehab. Afterwards, she tells her she wants to take her on a real date. I am on board for this ship. Susanna seems to really care about Luisa and is a good person, unlike Rose. And after all Luisa’s been through lately she deserves someone kind.