Jane the Virgin Review: Chapter Ninety-Three (Season 5 Episode 12)
Rafael has a new girlfriend and her name isn’t Julie — it’s Jane!
Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 12, “Chapter Ninety-Three,” decides it’s time to stop beating around the bush with Jafael and just give the viewers what they want.
Of course, this win doesn’t come without a few last minute roadblocks for Jane and Rafael to overcome, because nothing ever comes easy with this show.
Sensing some of that lingering hostility, Jane the Virgin takes a page out of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s handbook and wins us over with a magical musical number.
Regaining our trust should take more than some musical number and yet, sadly it doesn’t. At the end of the day, we are all suckers for a solid choreographed dance sing-along.
Jane the Virgin pulls out all the stops with witty lyrics, sassy Alba, and a precious dancing Petra.
The entire scene is ridiculous and over the top, yet it’s what sells Jane and Rafael’s decision to get back together in the end.
When this show leans into its ridiculous telenovela nature and it’s bright bubbly aesthetic, Jane the Virgin can sell anything — even singing trees.
“Chapter Ninety-Three” feels like the farthest thing from a love story but then, in the ultimate twist, Jane shows up to meet Rafael in a billowing yellow sundress and the stars aline once again.
It is a clever fake-out that reveals this show doesn’t have any intentions of making us watch Rafael tread water in the dating pool. This is the smartest move Jane the Virgin has made all season and quickly turns a basic episode into a game-changer.
The recreation of Jane and Rafael’s kiss from Season 1 is the icing on the cake as we see Raf’s glowing CGI heart return just in time to restores our hope in a satisfying endgame for this series.
Jane the Virgin manages to sweep us off our feet all over again with this grand romantic gesture of epic proportions.
But was Jane and Rafael’s choice to get back together worth singing about?
That momentous ending to “Chapter Ninety-Three” says yes. However, Jane the Virgin’s choices this season say otherwise as the show chose to expose more than good parenting behaviours when it came to Jafael’s working relationship.
Michael’s return didn’t just dredge up old feelings for Jane. His return also reflected on the reasons Jane and Rafael never worked as a couple when Michael was still alive.
With those same toxic behaviours still present in Jafael’s relationship it’s hard to embrace them fully as the happily ever after we deserve.
The show’s inability to show any kind of growth or reflection past co-parenting doesn’t help either.
If this were a true telenovela I would deal with the lack of development and move on, but Jane the Virgin has proven itself to be a smarter show than that.
Jane and Rafael still have some maturing and owning up to do before they can truly be a satisfying endgame for the series.
While Jane the Virgin’s romantic endeavours are still a sore spot, the show’s female friendships are hitting their stride.
Jane and Petra’s forced hangouts have blossomed into a natural relationship that acts as an effective support system for the two girls at every crossroad.
Not too mention, their polar opposite personalities help create a casual comedy presence that is all kinds of silly and cute.
When this series finishes it may just be the time we spend with Jane and Petra that we remember the most because as of right now these two girls are the most valuable thing this show has to show off.
Jane the Virgin proves with “Chapter Ninety-Three” that love truly can conquer all.
Without Xo’s love for teaching Mateo dance, our love for Sophia Bush, or Rafael’s undying love for Jane, this episode would have suffered. But grand gestures of affection and genuine happiness wittingly save the day.
This latest chapter makes us feel like we are living in one of Jane’s fantasies and as long as her reality doesn’t come crashing down, I will ride the high of this musical number all the way to the finale.
Top Lines From “Chapter Ninety-Three”:
Petra: It’s the 21st century. Why haven’t we figured out how to zoom in on a thumbnail?
Rafael: There was one deal-breaker with Julie I couldn’t get past — love. She’s not you, Jane. I love you. I tried to stop, but I can’t, and I don’t want to anymore.
Alba: Well, I am team Raf and my team won!
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Jane the Virgin airs Wednesday 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