Ouch. Fans of Jane the Virgin got a massive blow to the gut in “Chapter Fifty-Four” with very little prep. Then again, some sweet memories were made in the course of this episode, so from a writer’s perspective a massive blow was perfectly poised on paper. When it came to the quite literal execution though, Jane’s reaction in the final two minutes brought the tears tenfold. Even before that, it was clear that the smell of change was in the air. Change isn’t picky about which way it blows. It can sweep you off your feet, or impale you in one fell swoop.
Jane gets the once in a lifetime opportunity to be an assistant to Chloe Leland, the Vice President of a publishing company. Of course, as soon as everything seems like it’s coming up roses, it’s really just coming…up. To draw you a visual, Mateo has a stomach bug while his mommy temporarily believes she might have something else churning in her belly! She and Michael realize how excited they would be to start a family, but fate intervenes to remind them that they’re going to have enough to deal with in the next few years with Michael in law school and Jane getting her career off the ground. If their interaction with Bruce’s daughter Tess is any indication, Jane needs some life practice before taking on anything more. Luckily Xiomara and Alba know how to deal with, to paraphrase Alba, drunk and belligerent teenagers. Xiomara gets to help Bruce and Tess’s relationship, which in turn helps her own with them both.
Rogelio is out of his mind excited for the pre-screening of his new indie film, even though his family is just a little hesitant to see Rogelio in the buff. It turns out they had nothing to worry about as the studio decided to cut Rogelio’s nude scene. There’s no nice way to describe the hissy fit Rogelio throws all over Darci, which is also caught on camera by paparazzi. Rogelio needed a bigger than big romantic gesture to win back Darci after his behavior. Luckily he’s found the perfect woman who loves his idea for a reality television collaboration on making love matches. Rogelio’s lucky to have found a woman who understands his sensationalist side.
Raise your hand if you’re proud of Rafael lately! Potential charges of fraud aside, the guy has been an excellent father, a source of support for his baby mamas, and has done all of this while struggling with his identity. It’s been no easy feat given the state Petra has been in. Petra’s bonding time with the twins is cruelly interrupted by her newlywed sister and brother-in-law’s blackmail. I could understand extortion for money, but taking Petra’s time away from her own children is not cool. The only thing Petra can count on right now is Rafael, and the promise he made that their family would be financially secure. It’s just not a promise Rafael can keep. Rafael could run, he could fight the world, but then where would that leave him? Fighting against his adoptive father’s crimes which would cost him the respect of his own children. No, instead Rafael opts to take a plea deal for hiding the money from his father’s stolen art, which puts him in jail for nine months. The reality of having to be a single parent is actually good for Petra. She does her best work when her back is against the wall, thus giving her the confidence to take care of the twins and Mateo! Luisa on the other hand, could use her brother’s guidance since she comes back with Rose, who has yet another new face. Ugh, Luisa needs to stop visiting shaman and go see a psychiatrist.
Given all the changes happening it made sense this would mark the end of apart of Jane’s life. I should have guessed the ending to this story by the impending sense of dread Jane and Michael’s joyous flashbacks. I suppose I just didn’t want to believe in how bad it was going to be. Jane and Michael were so happy thinking about all the changes in their life and the possibility of another baby. After a couple of missteps, Jane even got the job she wanted and Michael seemed confident about the LSATs. All was well, until Michael collapsed. Jane got her happily ever after, then just as suddenly was a widow. RIP Michael Cordero Jr.
Given the massive three-year time jump, we have so many questions. Did Rafael go to jail? Was Rose ever punished for her crimes? Whose wedding are Jane and Mateo attending? Most of all, how will Jane get over losing the love of her life?
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