After a two-week hiatus (way too long) and a second Golden Globe nomination for Gina Rodriguez, our favorite show was back last night! Amidst all that excitement, this was a quieter show in that it didn’t raise too many eyebrows with any major reveal but it had some great character moments.
Jane is furious. From Rafael’s lies and Wesley’s exploitation, she is steam coming out of her ears furious. And it’s a good look for her. What I’ve really liked about this season is we’ve gotten to see the uglier sides of Jane, from sick mean Jane to last night’s Jane who even the Narrator was too much of a gentleman to directly quote her. For an already well fleshed out character, its a welcome surprise to know there’s so much more to her.
But though she may be right about Wesley, I don’t agree with how she’s dealing with Rafael, minus that hilarious IM exchange. (I’m told I’m a furious typer, apparently, so is Jane. I’ll take it as a compliment.) Which lands us in couples’ therapy. These two have been to therapy before so it wasn’t surprising both of them were game for it. The difference was they were no longer trying to salvage a romantic relationship but a practical one where they could truly understand each other and be there for their child. Which is why I was so pleasantly surprised it worked out as well as it did, despite the initial doubts over the very young looking therapist (Megan Park). I also loved the channeling of Drunk History to give us each other’s perspectives. “Oh, I have henchmen now?”
But here’s the thing I feel the show sometimes forgets, and more importantly, Jane consistently forgets. Rafael has been through a lot. He had cancer. He found out, thanks to his sister, he was having a child with someone he barely knew with the only sperm sample he had left. His father was killed by his stepmother. His own mother, who made an appearance this week, admitted to leaving him for money. His child was kidnapped by the same women who killed his father. And now, he’s having a set of twins with his ex-wife, who inseminated herself with a sperm sample he didn’t even know existed! So to not understand why he was so upset about Michael doing anything that would help Sin Rostro is just ridiculous. And cruel. I’m glad Rafael finally called out Jane for having Michael as a blindspot and ignoring how much Rafael has gone through. #TeamRafael
Rafael wasn’t our only leading man struggling this week. Oh, who am I kidding, there is only one leading man on this show. Rogelio is living a pauper’s life eating only a pauper’s pizza (just cheese). And he’s struggling without his best friend, Michael. He tries to rekindle the bromance but Michael lets him down gently, knowing it just can’t be. But why does he need a friend so badly? Because sometimes he has feelings, angry feelings, and he needs to share. When he told Xo it hurt him to watch her encourage Jane shut out Rafael, it was one of those quiet moments where we’re all reminded Rogelio isn’t just a larger than life character but a real person. Missing 23 years of your child’s life will have an effect, no matter how talented or good-looking you are.
And as it turns out, it affects your child too. Why was Rafael’s lying affecting Jane so much? Especially now when she understood why he did what he did. 23 years of not being told who your father is will affect you, no matter how strong or optimistic you are. Jane and Rogelio apart is not something we can imagine either. And we hope we never have to.
As I wipe my tears…
- We got a lot of Luisa this week! Poor girl, so close but so far from finding her mother. I really just want to give her a hug. Or just hang out with Yara Martinez.
- But at least, we did get some leads on Mutter. Soon, Luisa, soon.
- And were those real sparks between Luisa and Michael’s new partner? Get it, Luisa.
- Petra, sweet Petra, your mother is the worst. Blaming her for Ivan’s death when she had already admitted everything to Rafael. Though, it had been awhile since someone was in handcuffs on this show. We were due.
- Wesley’s gone! Thanks to Professor Chavez. And Jane gets his TA position. Helping her out of her tuition woes.
- I’m just waiting for this Chavez-Jane hookup, because it’s coming, people. It’s coming.
- Elodea Gale Vigor.
- For Rogelio, lavender and mirror are part of his C-A-L-M approach.
- I need to start using the Prince William test on my friends.
- Of course, there was some Michael stuff. Jane realizing he’s still a part of her heart. And her life. I can’t deny the angel thing was very sweet. Still #TeamRafael.
- Alba got her green card! Ivonne Coll, I’m happy when you’re happy.
Happy holidays, everyone! Hope there’s still a few miracles to go around, even though Petra missed out on hers.
your viewing party 