Jane the Virgin Review: Chapter Eighty-Eight (Season 5 Episode 7)

From glittery cowboy boots to hot ranch hands, Jane the Virgin gives us some serious yee-haw vibes with this newest installment.

Ranch life might no suit our heroine but Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 7, “Chapter Eighty-Eight,” suits us just fine — particularly because seeing Jane out of her element is just too darn fun.

But Montana could have had us fooled. This fun little vacation is the perfect cover for the quick escalation of a defining moment on the series as Jane realizes she is meant to be with Rafael now instead of Michael — seemingly ending the show’s epic love triangle for good this time.

Yes, Jane finally chooses Rafael — but in a frustrating turn of events, Rafael doesn’t choose Jane.

I say frustrating because in a matter of seven episodes our daring telenovela has brought Michael back from the dead, broke Jane and Rafael up (again), and reintroduced an even more destructive version of the love triangle that fueled the earlier seasons of this show.

All this hassle doesn’t quite seem worth it when we picture how happy Rafael and Jane were at the end of last season, and how much we didn’t have to see Michael’s heart break post-mortem.

That being said, Jane the Virgin has used this impossible situation to not only entertain viewers but to keep them coming back for answers. We may not always agree with the direction this love triangle has taken us but it certainly has made for an unpredictable and exciting final season.

With the relationship decision always falling to Jane, it seems only fitting that Rafael would be the one to crush their chances of getting back together.

Rafael’s decision creates an interesting jumping off point for their characters going forward and will hopefully broaden the scope of this story now that Michael’s romantic involvement is no longer on the table.

With over half a season to go before the series finale, it just wouldn’t make sense for the show to resolve the conflict brewing between Jane and Rafael quite yet.

However, Rafael’s short temper and lack of patience throughout this endeavour are making it harder and harder to root for the two in the long run. With Jane having seen so much growth in this episode alone it’s not too much to ask that Rafael attempt to be a little more empathetic to her situation.

“Chapter Eighty-Eight” gives Jane the space and time she needs to finish out her development as a character.

Not only is Jane forced to make a split second decision to go to Montana, but upon arrival, Jane is then sequestered from all her usual support lines. With no crutch to stand on, she has to make several life-changing decisions on her own.

As a character that relies heavily on her family to help her formulate decisions, seeing Jane embrace the unknown and go with the flow is rather satisfying. Her need to question everything may just be what is holding her back in life and in writing.

Jane’s own development can sometimes be overwhelmed by the need to pursue her love interests as well. So to have a majority of this episode focus on how she has to grow in order to choose between Michael or Rafael and not the other way around is more than appreciated.

Jane needs to show herself as a strong and independent woman before she can end this series with her true love and this feels like a step in the right direction.

In what might be a Jane the Virgin first, “Chapter Eighty-Eight” tells just one story.

Michael and Jane’s Montana adventure is simple in execution, yet still manages to pack an emotional punch.

There have been many signs pointing to Jane and Michael’s inevitable end since his return. That doesn’t make Jane’s decision to leave her husband in the past any easier.

It is a big moment for the series but one that is grounded in two wonderfully powerful performance by Gina Rodriguez and Brett Drier.

Michael hasn’t been used to his full potential since returning, having acted mainly as a plot device to create conflict between Jane and Rafael. However, his return has no doubt made for a memorable final season so far and will likely lead to an adorable long-distance friendship with Jane that will make this all worth it.

It is hard to see Michael step back out of Jane’s life after only being back a short time, but hopefully, he will find his own happiness and return having fallen in love with Charlie or something.

What can I say, I am a sucker for a good enemies to lovers trope — I mean who isn’t?

I will say the only resentment I harbour towards this Michael storyline is the countless missed opportunities to reunite Brogelio this season. How dare you keep Michael and Rogelio apart Jane the Virgin!

“Chapter Eighty-Eight,” gives closure to a love triangle that has haunted us for five seasons now and an episode unlike any that came before it.

Next time you complain about a show not introducing enough conflict into romantic relationships, just remember Jane the Virgin brought back Jane’s husband from the dead only to for her to leave him for Rafael episodes later.

This show did not have to go that hard, but they did and I have to hope the risk will pay off in the end.

Other Thoughts About “Chapter Eighty-Eight”

• Jane’s “straight out of a telenovela” line seems like a not so subtle hint at the fact that Jane is the narrator of this series.
• The narrator is on fire this episode! Jane tells everyone Michael was a great detective and the narrator fires back with, “well that’s debatable”. So salty and shady, I love it.
• Michael’s horse has anxiety over Jane’s relationship problems — honestly same.

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 on Wednesdays on The CW.

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