What I’m Watching: Jane the Virgin

Jane the Virgin: Season 1, Episode 18 “Chapter Eighteen” (B+)

This episode leaned much more towards the melodrama, and it has a surprisingly heartbreaking and poignant ending considering the casual nature of Jane’s angel and devil representations constantly appearing on her shoulders. Things weren’t looking great for Rafael and Jane at the end of last episode because he was focused too much on his work, but who would have thought that an ill-timed visit from the mother who was paid off to not have a relationship with him would have soured him enough to suggest breaking up with Jane as the best possible course of action? Even if he regrets it and takes it back, Jane won’t have an easy time forgiving him. Could there be a worse time for Michael to be reconciling with his ex, who Jane now knows is her new best friend? At least there’s a silver lining in the fact that Rogelio came to his senses and banished Rita Moreno’s monster of a mother all on his own without having to be prompted, and I think that he and Xiomara should be able to get past the fact that she smooched Marco only minutes earlier. Alba learning that her new beau is a priest certainly changes things, and I’m curious to see where that odd plotline goes. And, logically, Petra’s life would have to be in danger on one of the rare occasions that we feel sympathy for her and there isn’t much to suggest that she has villainous intentions, while an apparently alive Roman may well not be planning something too nice.