Jane the Virgin Review: Chapter Thirty-Five (Season 2 Episode 13)
A couple of loose ends were tied up last week on Jane the Virgin, “Chapter Thirty Four.” Jane unequivocally broke things off with Raphael, Michael and Jane declared their love for one another — once again, and Xo and Rogelio finally called it quits because Xo didn’t want to have any more kids. I was concerned that this week’s episode wouldn’t carry much substance after all the drama from last week, and I was right. It felt more like a filler episode with the exception of a new arc for Rogelio. Let’s take a closer look.
In “Chapter Thirty Five,” we find Michael and Jane reveling in their renewed declaration of love, but they know that Michael needs to make his peace with Raphael if they are to move forward. Jane sets up a lunch for the three of them to meet and talk. She has plenty of pointers for Michael — what to say, what not to do (no silly faces), and Michael is more than willing to play along. But Raphael is not quite as amenable. Lunch goes from bad to worse when Raphael says he just doesn’t like Michael and doesn’t want him around Mateo, and Michael goes on the defensive and declares that Raph is just jealous.
Raphael comes across as petulant during their lunch. Its obvious that his feelings for Michael have more to do with his feelings for Jane rather than the safety of his son. This becomes obvious to Jane later in the day. Michael tells Jane that he is ready to quit his job if it will make things easier with Raphael. But when Jane shares this with Raphael, it doesn’t change his mind. It feels like the show has really done an about-turn on the triangle. Up until two episodes ago, they made a case for both Raphael and Michael but now that Jane has chosen Michael, they are trying to push viewers in the same direction.
This really was not Raphael’s week. On the rebound from Jane, he tries to make nice with Petra. But she knows his feelings are rooted in jealousy and rejection and she tells him she doesn’t want to be second best. Petra — spilling truth tea as she is wont to do. Petra is unapologetic in her honesty, and that’s one of the things I love about her.
Xo and Rogelio on the other hand, are trying their hand at being friends — but chemistry keeps getting in the way. Xo realizes that she loves Rogelio too much to just be his friend. A lonely Rogelio finds some companionship in his new assistant Paola. Who, surprise-surprise, is his stalker pen-pal from prison. Paola goes all ‘Kathy Bates in Misery’ on him as she holds him prisoner in his own house.
It comes as no surprise to anybody that Paola is the stalker — it’s a little too on the nose. But this is an interesting look at the dark side of fame. So far, Rogelio has been riding high on the perks of fame, fortune and popularity, this is a decided downturn, and I’m interested to see where it goes.
Back at the Marabella, Louisa is hitting the bottle again, and her rushed romance with Susannah is put on hold as she is asked to go back to rehab. Louisa’s alcoholic misadventures are beginning to get a little tiresome and one-dimensional. Maybe another stint in rehab and renewed sobriety will give her a more creative storyline.
Overall, the episode is a bit of a letdown. But with Petra-babies on the way, Rogelio experiencing his own version of Misery, and Raph back to his playboy ways, the weeks to come look promising.
Odds and Ends:
- Raphael #Mansplaining that Petra’s need to get organized is the nesting stage of her pregnancy and Petra shutting him down with some #Petrasplaining. Best hashtag use on the show.
- Paola sniffing Rogelio’s lavender underwear. TMI — she’s a stalker, we get it!
- Louisa stealing alcohol from the Marabella. That’s one alcoholic-Louisa joke too many. This storyline is like beating a dead horse.
- Rogelio’s below-the-surface reaction to Jane and Michael getting back together was priceless, all while keeping a very straight face.
What did you think of this episode of Jane the Virgin? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Jane the Virgin airs Mondays at 9/8c on The CW.
Riya Verghese
Riya is a software engineer by day and a writer by night. After years of writing code for a living, Riya decided to make time for her original love, creative writing. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her kids, reading, tweeting, and cooking. Riya also writes for DocBrownTV and UntitledTV. Follow her on Twitter: @rsarahsays