Jane the Virgin Review: Chapter Ninety-Four (Season 5 Episode 13)
“Screw taking it slow” and “let’s pick up where we left off” is the mentality we needed to see from Jane the Virgin this late in the game.
The time for playing games is over — well games of the heart. Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 13, “Chapter Ninety-Four,” trades in a tired love triangle for a family game night instead.
And it’s a smart swap out as Jane’s time with her family sweeps us back up into a world of unconditional love and loveable shenanigans.
This episode sets out to remind us of the Villanueva’s affection for one another and in the process reminds us of how much we’ve come to love them as well.
Jafael goes straight to the sex with no cartoon sequences needed.
It’s clear they are done making us wait and an adorable proposal scene quickly follows as everything we ever wanted for these two unfolds in a matter of minutes.
While their reasons for rushing the wedding are questionable, it’s reassuring to see Jane and Rafael commit to a firm wedding date by the end of the episode. No dead husbands can change things now, thankfully!
The acceleration of all these big milestones feels just as we are able to enjoy the most of these two in what little time we have left with them. Besides if we didn’t have this messy trial wedding we would never have gotten that incredibly cute ceremony between Mateo, his parents, and 10 of their closest teddybear friends.
I am glad we got to see Jane and Rafael in this chaotic pre-marriage state, it’s when their personalities tend to compliment each other the best — and it’s reassuring to know there are no more take backs.
“You guys always break up”. Ain’t that the tea Mateo.
Mateo’s skepticism when it comes to Jane and Rafael’s commitment to each other is understandable and there are times during this episode’s big milestones where we can’t find the energy to celebrate either.
It doesn’t help that Jane the Virgin dredges up the Montana incident for one final jab at Jane for making the wrong decision in an impossible situation.
It’s good to see Jane and Rafael have one last insecure talk before diving into a healthy marriage but can we stop blaming Jane for choosing Michael and can Rafael maybe not saying things like he doesn’t trust Jane — it kind of puts a damper on their impending wedding festivities.
This episode has many wonderful redeeming moments for Jafael but that closure comes at a cost.
Petra minds if the dog dies in a movie but not if the people die — this woman is an entire mood, I love it.
Jane the Virgin may have gotten a lot wrong this season but they have certainly done right by Petra. Her character has come so far from the days of being Rafael’s shady baby mama and thanks to the strong focus on her development this season, we will end the show having known the best version of Petra.
Petra’s story has been bogged down by evil mothers and mischievous twins sisters for so long that seeing her kill every scene on her own is a reward in its self. But thankfully Petra does get the recognition she deserves in a rewarding scene that has Jane and Rafael fighting over who gets her by their side for the wedding.
It is an admirable scene that highlights how much this woman means to Jane and Rafael — especially Rafael who proves in the ultimate Petra trivia game that he deserves to have her be his best man as their friendship has overcome a lot.
It’s hard to believe there was a time when we despised Petra. It’s clear, she’s the best thing that ever happened to this show.
The family game night takes the biggest toll on Alba and Xo as a historical cheating scandal resurfaces. However, the valuable developments that come from dredging up this mother and daughter’s rocky past make us feel like the real winners here.
Xo needs one last push to go after her dreams to be a nurse and Alba does what any supportive mother would do — she forces Xo into an intense game of Lotería and lies for the right to enroll her daughter in nursing school.
While the competitive nature makes for a very intense game of trivia bingo, it also unearths a realization from Xo that Alba was not always the bad guy growing up.
Her father was the original cheater, rigging the last game they played so Xo would stay in school but Alba took responsibility because it was easy for Xo to resent her anyways.
This game opens up the door for Xo and Alba to finally accept their past mistakes and move forward together as a supportive mother-daughter duo.
Their relationship may not be the center of this show but their reassurance in each other feels like an important piece of the puzzle that has been meaning to fall in place for a while now.
With all these female relationships developments, Jane the Virgin has given us a show that revolves around a foundation of supportive women and that’s something.
“Chapter Ninety-Four” is all fun and games as Jane the Virgin begins to plan it’s final moves more carefully.
And while this episode seems to solidify a happily ever after for Jane and Rafael, the narrator cleverly teases a roadblock for the couple in the future — and her name is probably Rose.
It wouldn’t be a true telenovela if Jane and Rafael’s wedding didn’t have a few surprise guests drop in, now would it?
Jane the Virgin gambles everything on a family game night and comes away with a winning hand.
Top Lines from “Chapter Ninety-Four”:
Rogelio: [to Xo] I have no respect for your privacy. I need to know!
Rafael: Did you know she has a fear of drive-through car washes?
Jane: Did you know that she and I are on the same cycle?
Rafael: I did not. Did you know that she refuses to see a movie if she knows an animal dies?
Petra: But I don’t mind if people die.
Jane: Did you know she knows every single word to Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself”?
Rafael: I know what it’s like to feel abandoned and through it all, Petra has been a constant in my life, for better or worse. I really want her by my side for this.
Petra: So, it’s settle. I’ll be Rafael’s best man.
Mateo: Daddy do you promise to never ever break up with Mommy again?
Rafael: Yes… I do.
Mateo: And Mommy, do you promise to never move back to Bisa’s house again, even when Daddy’s really mad at you?
Jane: I promise.
Mateo: Yeah, you’re married!
Narrator: Aw, if only their real wedding could go this smoothly. But alas, that’s… not in the cards.
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Jane the Virgin airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Alicia Gilstorf
Alicia is a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Critic and a Critics Choice Association member. She credits her passion for TV to workplace sitcoms, paranormal dramedies, and coming-of-age stories. In her free time, Alicia loves to curl up with a good book and lose herself in a cozy game. Keep a lookout for her coverage of Ghosts. You can also find her work on Eulalie Magazine and Cool Girl Critiques. Follow Alicia on social media: @aliciagilstorf