Jane The Virgin - Episode 1.02 - Chapter Two - Advance Preview

Alright, so Jane the Virgin premiered this week, and you got a taste of what many are saying is the most critically acclaimed new show of the season. So, what did you think? Me, I'm in love. I did not want to be, but I am. I may have not admitted it before, but after watching episode two, I moved beyond just being smitten, to loving this show. Chapter Two, which airs Monday, not only holds up, but exceeds the greatness of the pilot. It's got everything you need, romance, singing, humor, tears and murder!

Yes, I said Murder. This is a show based on a telenovela, so expect things to get more complicated this week. (Not that it's a bad thing it does.)

Spoiler Free Tease: Look for episode two to answer a couple of good questions that viewers may have after the pilot, which I found satisfying. We learn via hilarious flashback to her Quinceanera that Jane has a history of just letting something go when it doesn't go to plan. So this week, we get to see Jane struggle with the reality that she can't just gloss over the situation she's in, no matter how hard she tries to. See, Jane has a semester left to go in college, she has a good job and a fiance, and she doesn't know if she should sue. Jane plans to hand the baby over to Petra and Rafael, The loving couple, and nothing can undo or change that...so she thinks. Learning Dr. Alver is Rafael's sister followed later by a quick Google search on him after her coworkers nudge her, sends her all into a tizzy about who these people really are. This week we also get to see more of the twisted telenovela love quadrangle and all it's components. As you know, Rafael and Jane kissed five years ago, but it's no big deal. At least it's not until sparks fly in cute and rather funny scene at Jane's first sonogram. Petra, doesn't want Rafael to call it quits, but Rafael is pretty set in doing so at the beginning of the hour even though he is worried Jane won't let them have the baby otherwise. Petra's lover, Roman needs Petra to convince Rafael to stay so they can run off with his money. Finally Michael, is just uncomfortable with the closeness of the whole situation and learns a bit more about Petra than he would like to.

Xiomara also has her hands full this episode trying to be a supportive mother, while struggling to find time to tell Jane about her father(who is Jane's favorite soap opera star and very persistent btw). By episode's end, I'm left thinking his identity is one step closer to becoming more public than we think. Meanwhile, Dr. Alver calls upon her former lover, Rose, to help her prepare for the possible malpractice suit that Jane could file, that would have some pretty big ramifications outside of her medical license. By hours end, at the party Rafael is throwing for his father to show him all the work he's done for the hotel, we will learn whether or not Jane chooses to sue, that Luisa's lawyer may have a conflict of interest or two, and oh yeah, someone dies.

Three word specific teases for you: Bora, Bora. Milkshake. Marlin.

The Highs: Gina Rodriguez is amazing. I don't think I'll ever not say that. She is all sorts of charming and fantastic and she just embodies Jane. She's just so into it, that she pulls you in. I'm also loving the pacing and the twists. While I initially questioned the show's sustainability, for right now I think it has a good handle on plot development, setting up new things while adding layers to others. It makes the hour just fly by. And lastly, the tone is again perfection; light, humorous and a little bit of camp. The narrator is a constant reminder of exactly what type of show we are watching, but it never gets old. In fact, it helps sell the show to me.

The Gripe:
This is small, because I enjoyed it immensely, but I wish Jane's grandmother, Alba, had a bit more to do. I'm hoping in the coming weeks, she'll get to do a bit more than have some fabulous one-liners. It feels like waste to me.

Overall Thoughts: Chapter Two is a really solid outing. It aspires to keep interest high by throwing you right in to the complicated web this baby has weaved. The overall cast chemistry is fantastic and once again, Gina Rodriguez is fire. If you were entertained by the pilot, but lukewarm on continuing, I'm telling you, Episode 2 does not disappoint. If you loved the pilot, then prepare to just grow even more obsessed. If you didn't like the pilot at all and were just curious, thanks for reading!

Check out the Pilot review here!

Get some Spoilers Here!


Chapter Two airs this Monday at 8c on the CW.

So what did you really think of the pilot? Are you sold on the telenovela-ness of the show? What questions do you want answered? Do have any theories as to who gets murdered and how? Do you plan on watching Chapter Two? Sound off in the comments below!

About the Author - Winston Mize

Winston is a 24 year old goofball, born in the north, and currently living in the south. He loves TV.... for some it's coffee, for him it's TV talk that gets his day going. He wants to be a screenwriter, and watches some of everything. You name it, he's probably checked it out. And he would like you to know that it is okay for a 24 year old to play with action figures... well, he does anyway.