Jane the Virgin Review: Chapter Twenty-Four (Season 2 Episode 2)

Abuela, will you accept this rose?

Who knew that Abuela’s decision to finally get a green card would be the catalyst for realization in the Villanueva’s lives? Certainly not us. But then again, Jane the Virgin always knows exactly how to tug on the heartstrings and weave the small stuff together to create a beautiful big tapestry.

Abuela’s decision in “Chapter Twenty-Four” comes after the police arrive to investigate a stolen amp, one that Jane has stolen from stunt-cast Kesha in an attempt to gain some peace and quiet. After the police leave Jane and Abuela with a warning, Abuela realizes that she’s had enough. She’s tired of her family living in fear, and while it will be risky, she wants a green card.

Her re-evaluation of what is truly important leads to the other Villanueva women also having moments of introspection.

Xo and Ro have made the decision to stay married after a chocolate fountain, a cruise ship, and a cheesy rendition of Islands in the Stream seem to be telling them that their marriage makes sense. They’re such similar personalities, always looking for fame and fortune, and they made a really great kid together.

However, the ghosts that led to their initial break-up still haunt them, and Xo takes a surprise stance; she doesn’t want to stay married. It’s time to grow up, face their ghosts head on, and move forward maturely. It’s a far cry from the woman whose past cheesy song renditions included Milkshake at Jane’s childhood birthday party.

Ro and Xo dating again is the right call for Jane the Virgin. Marriage is on Jane’s mind at every turn. There’s no real need, at this time, for anyone else to be getting married. Let’s save the real wedding bells for our (disgusting) heroine.

Speaking of the incredible realism in motherhood, the entire opening sequence in which Jane’s family attempt to figure out the date of her last shower, is oh-so-real. I’ve been so pleased at the brutal honesty that Jane the Virgin is showing in having a new baby. It’s not all happiness and cooing.

Jane’s introspective monologue came after Xo compares her life with her two suitors to an episode of The Bachelorette. Enter Bachelorette Jane, a dual personality of Jane’s that at first felt like an out of place gimmick. As “Chapter Twenty-Four” went on, however, Bachelorette Jane helped her real-life counterpart by showing her that she’s in love with both men.

Michael: Who knows you better, me or Rafael?
Jane: You do.
Michael: So I know you’re not really in love with him. You’re just in love with the idea of family. You’ll figure that out, and hopefully I’ll still be around.

I’ve always been on Team Michael. He whittled her a random giraffe. He’s always there for her, giving her comfort and understands every wacky nuance of Jane’s personality. He knows her better. It almost seems ridiculous that Jane hasn’t just grabbed Mateo and run away with Michael.

Something interesting happened, for me, in “Chapter Twenty-Four.” I started to see the appeal of Rafael, because of french fries, of all things.

Jane and Rafael have dinner, as Baby Mateo quietly sleeps in the back seat. Let’s face it, Rafael has basically been a pretty face in the fight for Jane’s affections. He’s not really shown many facets to his personality to this point in the series. His very impassioned speech about the french fries that exist at different burger places made me see something in Rafael.

Rafael: Seriously? You wanna know what I want? I want this to just be a regular Thursday night instead of the first time that I’ve been truly happy. I never stopped loving you.

He’s human — not this perfectly handsome statue of a man. He’s had his share of hangovers and knows why curly fries are the far superior french fry. He can laugh and make relaxed jokes with Jane. It made me see what Jane sees. Rafael might not be such a bad choice after all. And bonus? He’s Mateo’s father. Jane can check, “perfect family,” off of her list.

Rafael is also the poor sucker that Petra has trapped.

Petra is knocked up, so her appointment with that turkey baster seems to have worked in her favor. (I apologize for that mental image.) I feel awful for Rafael, who is already locked in a battle with Michael. Now he’ll have another tiny baby and love triangle to contend with.

I’m on the fence about the idea of Petra’s pregnancy. Jane the Virgin has yet to let me down, so I trust that the writers will handle this storyline with the same heartbreak and humor that they bring to every other scenario they concoct. For that reason, I’m not completely opposed to it.

I am a little opposed to Sin Rostro being the bad guy at the ski lodge. I suppose it makes sense, seeing as how they aren’t finished with her yet. I had hoped there’d be another ridiculous plot twist, and that Jane and friends would be on the run from yet another villain.

But seeing as Jane is still experiencing the effects of Mateo’s kidnapping, seeing Rose everywhere she goes, it fits. I was happy that the writers didn’t shy away from going to this place, because after the trauma Jane experienced, it would seem odd to me if they ignored that Mateo was kidnapped. Jane is far too Type A to just forget that.

Thankfully, Michael is on the case, once again. Maybe this time, he’ll catch Sin Rostro.

So what will Jane do? Will she choose Michael? Will she choose Rafael? I’m just as confused as she is. Maybe she should just wait for Mateo to grow up and weigh in on who he wants to be his Daddy.

What did you think of “Chapter Twenty-Four”? What are your favorite french fries? What animal would you whittle for the person you love? Sound off in the comments below!

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating: 

 

Jane the Virgin airs Mondays at 9/8c on The CW.