Jane the Virgin Review: Chapter Seventy-Five (Season 4 Episode 11)

Jane the Virgin Season 4 Episode 11, “Chapter Seventy-Five,” feels like a giddy second date full of stolen kisses and hidden desires as the relationships this season has been building to finally begin to solidify themselves.

Jane and Rafael are going strong, balancing their passion for each other and their careers with a maturity that is so refreshing. Chaos and drama is fun and all, but it’s nice from time to time to see these characters make reasonable decisions that don’t lead to giant catfights.

That’s a lot easier to do though when their child Mateo is nowhere to be seen.

Petra and J.R are…getting there. They are not a couple yet, and it is likely Rosario Dawson’s multi-episode arc won’t last much longer than a few episodes, but one can still hope. Simply because their arc in this chapter is by far the most captivating.

At first, it looked like the secret about J.R wasn’t going to leak for a while, so to see her come clean to Petra about trying to frame her for murder in “Chapter Seventy-Five” is both surprising and exciting.

This opens the door to an entirely new mystery that is far more interesting than Anezka’s death (sorry not sorry), especially when it is revealed that the person blackmailing J.R is not Petra’s mother like we had previously assumed.

When Jane the Virgin gives us a who-dun-it they usually deliver with someone you would never think dun-it.

Unfortunately, rushing the plot suggests that Dawson’s really isn’t sticking around long, which is too bad because she plays off Yael Grobglas’ Petra so well.

Seeing Petra with a woman in a romantic matter just seems like a natural progression after all the failed relationships she has had with men on this show.

It’s more likely we will see Petra grieve J.R’s death or departure in the coming episodes rather than see them come together. But if this chapter is an indication of anything, the ending to their story is going to be just as epic as the start.

On another note, a surprising pairing that makes this chapter so enjoyable is Jane and Jane (a.k.a. J.R).

They meet by accident at the police station while waiting for Petra’s bail to be processed. It is a small moment, but one worth a chuckle when you realize the two most important people in Petra’s life right now share the same name.

Another clever choice in this scene is the one to keep Jane away from Petra’s murder investigation by having her there simply for moral support. It is a reminder that Jane rarely gets involved with the crazier storylines.

Even after Michael is shot in the hallway of the Marbella, Jane is barely involved in the investigation or the manhunt for the shooter.

It would seem Jane the Virgin has tried to preserve Jane’s innocence as much as they have her virginity.

In this newest chapter, we begin to understand why this pays off so well. It allows for some separation in the story between the lighter and heavier plots, even when one seems to outweigh the other.

Allowing for Jane’s life to stay grounded in romance and childcare while Petra fends off another murder charge keeps the show grounded despite being a telenovela.

After all, Jane’s story has never been about murder plots and evil twins, but Petra’s story has, and it is comforting to know this show can tell both women’s stories without the need for too much overlap.

“Chapter Seventy-Five” is everything you hope for when you invest in a relationship, a solid foundation and a strong chemistry. At this point, we have invested in almost 5 seasons of Jane the Virgin, and there have been few moments where this show has disappointed.

But like in most relationships, something unexpected happens at some point, and it will either bring you closer together or push you apart. The same goes for Jane the Virgin’s shocking reveal that Xo is cheating on Rogelio with her hip-hop instructor (or at least that’s what the show suggests is happening).

This choice is surprising but not necessarily out of character for Xiomara, who hasn’t always made the best decisions with her life. However, if executed poorly this plot could threaten everything that works for Jane the Virgin, and if it is executed well, we could gain even more respect for the American telenovela.

One thing is certain. It is hard to break up with a show that continues to prove age is not a factor when it comes to telling a good story.

Top Lines from “Chapter Seventy-Five.”

Petra: I’ve survived baseless murder charges Rafael. I don’t need your pity.

Eva Longoria: Because let’s face it, I could fart, and they’d greenlight it.

Jane “J.R” Ramos: I’m going to get you off, Petra.

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

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!