Jane the Virgin, 3.04 - "Chapter Forty-Eight"

Warning: SPOILERS IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED.

Unfortunately I'm behind on nearly all of my shows at the moment, but since I got a request to review the Jane the Virgin episode from two weeks ago, let's get started! A lot happened, and there's a lot to talk about.




Jane and Michael's newlywed life is pretty much perfect as they start moving forward from Michael's traumatizing experience. Of course, it's too good to be true - Petra, who has secretly been paying half their rent, stops paying because, you know, she's paralyzed on a bed. Losing a thousand dollars a month, they struggle to tighten their budget (and get into fights) until they realize the house isn't worth all of the stress. No offense, but Jane and Michael continue to make me uncomfortable. Listen, Jane and Rafael had more chemistry in one phone call than Jane and Michael did in an entire sex scene. In fact, the most interesting and entertaining part of Jane and Michael this episode is when they fought. But of course, they make up and all is fine - it always is, for Michael. The writers love him. For the others? Not so much.

Xiomara decides to put her singing career aspirations aside for good and almost immediately gets a job as a bank teller. No offense, but they were willing to hire someone who has no banking experience or has a degree? Whatever, but obviously Xo hates it and quits a few days later. I know you shouldn't stay in jobs you hate, but Xo honestly gives up too easily. Her lack of perseverance or ability to put true effort into something besides singing shows each episode, and when compared with the hard work Alba and Jane do to make ends meet, just makes her look lazy and ungrateful. Through the whole jobs fiasco, Xo and Alba must learn to have civilized and productive discussions without Jane, who had always been the peacemaker before moving out. This inspires Alba to quit her caretaking job as well, and she happily starts working at the Marbella gift shop. Does that mean Alba will have to speak English on screen now?

Meanwhile, Rogelio and Rafael begin a tentative friendship when Rogelio begs Raf to be Jane's favorite author Amanda Elaine's date so she will cast Rogelio in her movie, putting him on the path to fame in America. This age difference between Amanda and Rafael made me uncomfortable, and I felt bad he had to be in this position. Rogelio also starts getting somewhere with Luisa - "Put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others," Rogelio advises, quoting this deep advice from...an actor about to join the mile high club. Though it's presented in a silly way, the show, at long last, begins to get to the root of Luisa's alcoholism and feelings of inadequacy, and her commitment to rehab may finally stick this time. Also, Rogelio and Rafael being friends is something we deserved so much earlier, and I'm glad that my two favorite characters will be sharing more screentime together. (Whenever they hang out, they can discuss how underappreciated they are and how wrong the writers are for continuously screwing them over. The writers letting Rafael Solano and Rogelio de la Vega be happy, though? In our wildest dreams.)

""Petra"" and Scott continue their relationship, and Scott just so happens to have tons of dirt on Rafael. I would like to add that they literally don't have chemistry. When will Scott leave? An associate of the sisters' mother threatens Anezka to speed up the plan, or else her secret identity will be exposed. (The plan, in case you forgot, was to sell her shares, the profit going into getting Magda out of prison. Unfortunately, Petra needs Rafael's approval to sell the shares, and he ain't buying it. Buying it - get it? Sorry, I'm not punny. I mean funny.) She blackmails Rafael into selling her his shares, but finally a blessing comes in the form of Jane - she finally begins suspecting that Petra isn't....well, herself. This "stealing my twin's identity" storyline has lasted four episodes too long, and I won't let Petra ever be unhappy again after having to suffer through that.

Throughout this episode, Jane has to learn to deal with misunderstandings and new types of stress. Her fight with Michael pointed out the hypocrisy in which it was okay for Jane to overspend and look to alternate resources, but Michael couldn't. Her brief falling out with Lina for taking the bribe she had previously denied highlighted how well off and secure Jane really was, with a rich actor and a rich baby daddy to fall back on when times were tough. Jane also tries to make amends with "Petra" - man, that dinner was awkward, and that catfight in the pool even more awkward.

If it hadn't been for my friend's request, I don't think I would've cared enough to write a review for this episode - I actually wanted to watch the new Supergirl one. Overall, the writing, acting and content is fantastic, but when the writers have a tendency to hurt your favorite characters over and over and over, it gets tiring and off-putting. Michael is the center of their universe, and I don't care for it. Petra, as cunning and manipulative as she is, still does not deserve this mess of a storyline. This show has lost its magic in my eyes, so until next time.

Rating: 7.8
Extras that didn't make it in: If Jafael isn't endgame, can they at least give Rafael a stable love interest that makes him happy?

*My next review will probably be Pitch or Supergirl. See you then!