Jane The Virgin Review: Chapter Sixty-One (Season 3 Episode 17)

I’m still surprised by how many versatile story lines get packed into each episode of this show.

On Jane The Virgin Season 3 Episode 17, “Chapter Sixty-One,” we see the trials of Jane’s new dating life, twin drama between Anezka and Petra, a proposal between Rogelio and Xiomara, the return of Jane’s best friend Lina, and some serious reflections of the world in the era of Trump.

A lot happens in this episode.

The most interesting story is unsurprisingly the socially aware one regarding immigration.

I was pleased to see the show once again brilliantly use real world issues to weave into the stories.

Alba’s immigration status has been a significant story on the show, and while she has thankfully gotten her green-card and thus evaded deportation, other undocumented people are at risk.

She learns that Jorge is undocumented, and with ICE officers barging through peoples homes and sending them back to their original countries despite having built lives here in the states, she has a legitimate fear.

This prompts a really great scene between Jane, Rafael, and Mateo, as they explain to their son as delicately as they can that Alba is not going anywhere.

Another fun plot this episode involved bringing Lina back. I can’t even remember when we saw her last, but it was nice to see her in a more grounded way.

I’ve always liked Lina and thought she made a great foil to Jane. I like that they’re such opposites and that Lina makes Jane cut loose and enjoy herself more.

The friendship has never been perfect, but it always felt real, and I’m glad t

hat it continues to be real with the two of them having lost touch in between the years after Michael’s death.

“Chapter Sixty-One” explores whether their friendship is even worth saving after they have grown apart, and although their lives are different and have gone in different paths, the love is still there.

I really like how they confront the issues surrounding their distance. Jane felt abandoned when Lina move away and stopped contacting her, and Lina felt like she couldn’t share details about her life without Jane unintentionally making her feel guilty because her any issue she had was small compared to Jane losing Michael.

After talking it out and reaching an understanding, they end up bonding on the bathroom floor of the Marbella.

Meanwhile, Rafael and Petra continue to be my favorites.

Maybe I’m shipper trash, but these two are probably the best thing on the show for me right now.

I love the conversation between Rafael and Jane, and Jane’s reaction when he tells her he has redeveloped feelings for Petra is pretty interesting for a couple of reasons.

 

First, I like that she’s a little jealous even though I never really liked her with Raf, because that’s a very real reaction to have.

Second, I love that she’s looking out for Petra and advises Raf to make sure hereally wants to be with her because he’s already hurt Petra before. Petra’s feelings are important to consider, and I’m glad they’re considering them.

Jane’s words impact Raf, and that’s why he denies his feelings for Petra when she asks him point blank.

But Raf later regrets it and calls Petra while she’s on a trip with Chuck. He tells her that he lied, that he does like her, and that he does want to be with her.

It’s honestly a really sweet and genuine phone call, and I’m really rooting for these two.

By the episode’s end, we find out that Chuck is probably the person who killed Scott, and that gives me immense satisfaction because that means Petra can now dump Chuck and actually give a relationship with Raf another chance.

I know, I AM shipper trash.

Other final thoughts:

• I’m not sure how I feel about Ro and Xo getting engaged. It does feel rushed, just as Xo originally feared in the beginning of the episode before the proposal even happened, so I’m not sure why this is happening so soon when she was just engaged to Bruce.
• I don’t like Fabian. I don’t like this fling with Fabian. I’m ALL for Jane dating again post Michael, but, I just don’t buy that she’s into this guy, even if she’s attracted to him.
• Do you want Petra and Rafael together? Let me know in the comments!

What did you think of this episode of Jane The Virgin? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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

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