Jane the Virgin Review: Chapter Twenty-Seven (Season 2 Episode 5)

Alba’s getting a green card, Michael has lost his job, and Petra is married, but none of that takes center stage in this installment of Jane the Virgin. Why? The answer is simple.

It’s Britney, bitch.

Jane’s reaction to seeing Britney Spears in the lobby of the Marbella is exactly the reaction that I plan to have the day I run into the songstress in the lobby of a Sheraton. We’re going to dance to Toxic in a perfectly choreographed number and totally be BFF’s. Who am I kidding? Britney doesn’t stay at Sheraton Hotels.

Unlike the stunt casting of Kesha in Season 2 Episode 2, Britney’s story is more naturally integrated into the show. She’s been hired by Milos to sing at his and Petra’s wedding. Were that the only purpose for having Britney around, I’d have still been more than okay with it, but the writers added an extra layer of Britney goodness.

The idea that she and Rogelio would be long-time rivals seems natural. No one can possibly be a bigger diva than Ro and watching as he tries to get Britney to admit fault in their longstanding feud was both over-the-top and hilarious, a cheesy mix that can only be done perfectly by Jane the Virgin.

But getting back to the reason for the legendary Ms. Britney Spears’ arrival, Jane and Rafael team up to try and stop Petra from marrying Milos. It’s totally rational that Rafael would be less than comfortable with such an awful guy being the step-daddy to his turkey baster baby. Plus, Jane does care about Petra’s well being and wants her to be happy.

Petra knows what she’s doing. She’s not entirely idiotic in her move marrying Milos, however, the revelation that he has many large containers of grenades will probably leave her regretting her decision as we head into “Chapter Twenty-Eight.”

Along with trying to help Petra avoid marrying Milos, Rafael is also avoiding Jane. He heard Jane’s declaration of love for Michael over the monitor and he seems to think he can put off the break up by thwarting Jane’s discussion at every turn. At least he doesn’t follow Luisa’s crazy advice and play the cancer card. He’s got some dignity.

Rafael isn’t only suspicious of Milos. He has a lot of feelings about Michael and not just because he’s locked in an epic love triangle with the guy. He won’t overlook some of Michael’s more shady dealings. I’m totally Team Michael, but everything that Rafael is feeling is totally right on. Michael makes some questionable judgments and those judgments DO affect Mateo.

Michael is no better in jumping to conclusions. When the truth about his letting Nadine go is discovered and he loses his job, he automatically assumes that Rafael turned him in. This is something that I don’t believe Raf would have ever done, at least not without speaking to Jane first. Their actual fight left glass tables smashed and Mateo with a HUGE cut on his arm.

Guys, let’s talk about how HUGE that cut is considering that Mateo’s arms are wrapped in a blanket. I don’t totally buy the injury as compared to how he got it, but the point is made. This love triangle isn’t just about Jane. Mateo has to come first, over what any of them want.

Jane knows it. She can’t be with Michael when his irrational anger toward Rafael puts Mateo in jeopardy. It’s a sad realization. I was pleased that she didn’t flip-flop how she felt about Rafael in wake of Michael’s behavior. Michael is still her forever choice. Forever is just going to have to wait for Michael to set himself straight.

That is, if Nadine returns the favor and lets him go. Oh, Nadine, I’m so exhausted by your existence and also love when you stop by. Why has she returned this time? What task does Sin Rostro have in store for her and will Jane end up in the middle of it?

We’re on Alba’s journey to becoming an American citizen just as much as Jane and Xiomara are, so seeing her successfully moving toward her goal is a treat for us all. The “eating chocolate laced with pot before a big event” story has been done over and over again on television, but seeing the end result be such a sweet mother/daughter moment with Xo was well worth sitting through the trope.

Once again, Jane the Virgin manages to walk the line between ridiculous and real perfectly. Even with a visit from Britney Spears, everything about “Chapter Twenty-Seven” felt natural and in tone with how our characters behave.

Though, I will offer Britney this advice: memorize your lines next time, so that it’s not totally obvious that you’re reading them to the camera. You better werk, bitch.

What did you think of “Chapter Twenty-Seven”? Were you disappointed in Michael’s behavior? Are you sad that he and Jane are still so far from a happy ending? What song would you dance with Britney to? How sorry do you feel for Petra? Sound off in the comments below!

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