Jane is having a hard time dealing with Rafael avoiding her, so when an issue with Mateo comes up she uses it to get some face time. Rogelio turns to Jane for help when he learns his pilot is in trouble. Alba and Jorge enlist Xo's help to study for their upcoming immigration test. Petra finally gets to the bottom of who has been terrorizing her.
In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows airing amongst the linear channels and streaming services. The way people are consuming content now is so different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, there is less necessity to provide ample coverage of each specific episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site is making the move to shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of The CW's Jane the Virgin.
"Chapter Eighty-Nine" was written by Katie Wech & Valentina L. Garza and directed by Zetna Fuentes
Jane presents as a crazy stalker here. The show is very upfront about that. When the change is made to the opening title, it calls her out as a stalker because of the actions she's taking to be around Rafael. She doesn't want to accept that the love has completely gone out between them. She came back from Montana with the clarity that she wanted to be with him. She was committed to building a happy future together as a family. And now, things are very much up in the air. Even Xo and Alba don't know if it will all work out in the end. They have relationships with Rafael too. However, they have the clarity to know that Jane is pushing way too hard too fast. It may take a little too long for Jane to be called out as a stalker directly to her face though. She makes several slip ups where she believes there is an invitation from Rafael for something more than being co-parents to Mateo. The only way she truly understands it is recognizing just how despicable this behavior would be if she were a man. Sure, it's outrageous to see her actually embody that persona. But it does bring some broad clarity to the proceedings as well. The audience and the other characters all understand that what Jane was doing was wrong. However, it's still easy to relate to what Jane is going through because she is consumed with thoughts about not wanting this relationship to be over. It gets in the way of everything else she is suppose to be doing. She makes some major commitments here as well. She and Rafael have to work as a team to improve Mateo's reading comprehension skills. Jane also agrees to write the outline for a reworked version of Rogelio's pilot. That entire subplot is a very fine commentary on how the entertainment industry reacts by copying the success of whatever is most popular at the moment while always prioritizing the young leads. That's never a trap this show has fallen into though. It understands just how insane it can go with its telenovela twists without losing the heart of the characters and their relationships. It's unlike anything else on television. Plus, it has fun with a Justin Hartley cameo and the grand romantic developments between Alba and Jorge. The older couple get just as much attention as everyone else. In fact, this is a huge episode for them because it could signal the end of their scheme to fool the government in order for Jorge to become a citizen. Instead, it confirms just how strong the feelings of love still are between them. Jorge may be a prideful man but he has found someone he is absolutely in love with and wants to share it with the world. He is finally open about his feelings as well. That's exactly what Jane wants from Rafael too. She wants him to be honest about it being impossible for his feelings to disappear that quickly. And yet, she has to accept that that's what occurred. It may not be the end of their relationship for good. But right now, the priority has to be on the two of them as co-parents. The children need the full attention of their parents. Mateo needs help with reading while the girls were traumatized by J.R. shooting Milos. That's a shocking reveal that shows just how passionate Petra can be as a parent as well. She is willing to sacrifice her own happiness in order to fiercely protect her girls. She and Rafael are very open to therapy offering the help they need. Of course, that's what makes it only more dramatic to learn that Rose's plan is forcing Luisa into the lives of her nieces and nephew for some reason. That too is bound to stir up even more drama.
