Jane the Virgin - Chapter Nine - Review - "Fall Finale Sized!"

Jane the Virgin, “Chapter Nine,” is the series’ first fall finale, and like everything else about the show, it nails it. We have a major guest star – Paulina Rubio, playing herself, characters in crisis, more mystery, and one body at the bottom of a staircase! Is it January 19th, yet? The episode also showcases everything we’ve come to love about the show – great writing, great acting, and magic realism. The episode was directed by Zetna Fuentes, and was written by Corinne Brinkerhoff, who last wrote “Chapter Four.” Fuentes’ directing career began on Guiding Light and One Life to Live, and also includes Pretty Little Liars, Switched at Birth, and Forever.

The episode opens with a flashback to young Jane (Jenna Ortega) writing her first short story. Once again we have yet another new element of magic realism as Jane’s printer, teddy bear, dolls, and picture come to life to congratulate her and urge her on. They tell her that her mom will be so happy. While Xo (Andrea Navedo) doesn’t learn about that story, Xo is truly happy for Jane (Gina Rodriguez) when she learns she’s going to be published. Unfortunately, when she goes to show Xo her first story, Jane learns another lesson: dreams aren’t practical. We’re told that Jane kept her secret but never stopped dreaming. Secrets and dreams are at the heart of this episode.

Jane learns that she’s finally had a story accepted – by the Cincinnati Review, and once again, she doesn’t tell Xo or Alba (Yvonne Coll), but she does, once again, share her dream with Rafael (Justin Baldoni). He’s thrilled for her, but she tells him she’s not going to give them permission to publish it. While it’s one of her favorite stories, it’s based on her own relationship with her mother, and it doesn’t paint a very flattering picture of her mother. Jane is happy with the recognition for her story – she doesn’t need the “award.” Even though she has tangible evidence that she’s a good writer, it’s still an impractical dream for her.

The writing on this show may seem like it’s over the top and obvious, but it isn’t. When you scratch the surface, you see how intricately each scene is crafted and how they weave together seamlessly. So, when Jane says it’s enough to be recognized, we jump to Rogelio (Jamie Camil) saying the exact opposite. It’s only the award that matters. Rogelio, of course, has achieved his dream of fame and fortune, but what he doesn’t have is love and a happy family. After he loses the Paloma, he still feels like he won when Jane tells him that she bet on him in the gambling pool at work. In the end, family is the better reward.

Xo finds out about the story when she feels that her dream has been crushed. The recording executive thinks she’s too old to be a pop star, so she determines to be practical and turn to her dance studio. When she goes online to search for space, she sees that Jane’s acceptance letter is still up and clicks through to read the story. Xo is clearly both mad and hurt by the story. Jane tells her that it’s just exaggeration for comic effect, but Xo says you could easily substitute “Xo the Ho” for “loose Lucy”. In the story, Lucy’s daughter Jen, yearns for a more conventional mom.

        Xo presses Jane to know if that’s how she really felt. Jane admits that she did feel that way sometimes. Xo finally admits that after one serious relationship – with Anthony – ended, she saw how sad Jane was and vowed not to put Jane through that again. After that, she kept her relationships casual. Jane thanks her mother, but insists that she’s an adult now, so enough with all the self-sacrificing. She wants Xo to have a long-term, happy relationship. This is another wonderful scene between these two wonderful actors. And of course, Xo is so thrilled for Jane – and recognizes Jane’s tendencies to be self-sacrificing – that she sends in Jane’s acceptance for her!

A quick word about the attention to production. The show in general has a lovely pastel color palette, which is perfectly in keeping with it being set in Miami – it actually shoots in LA. This scene, however, has a warmer color palette with lots of reds and a darker lighting scheme in keeping with the emotional scene. They may play up the color – or black and white in the case of this episode, but it works because the show is so good at using setting and lighting to enhance the story telling.

We revisit this conversation later in the episode when Jane finally notices the looks between Xo and Rogelio. Xo admits that they decided not to date so as not to jeopardize Rogelio’s relationship with Jane. Once again, Jane tells her mother she’s being super sweet, but enough with the sacrifices. She tells Xo that she remembers how unhappy Xo was when she broke up with Anthony. Jane once again proves that she is an adult – and a very observant one. She calls Xo on using her as an excuse not to get involved. Xo maintains that “getting hurt sucks,” but Jane points out that it’s the risk you take to find happiness.

We see that Jane still sees her relationship with Rafael as risky. There is more evidence in the episode to illustrate just how different the two of them are. The scene on the bus is hilarious as Jane has to show Rafael how to use the bus. We get the other side of the “fish out of water” when we see the Villanuevas at the Palomas – and they seem to fair a little better at adapting!

The scene in the sonogram room is also hilarious. They really are doing this all backwards – as the technician (Vanessa Mizzone) points out, their conversation sounds like it should have taken place before the sonogram. They discover very different attitudes to both religion and schooling. Jane is Catholic and Rafael is N/A. Jane is for Sunday School, and Rafael suggests a Prep schools with a religious component. Rafael sees nothing but what’s wrong with the public school system. I thought this particularly interesting as Jane is about to graduate to become a teacher – most likely in that system, so it seemed like a bit of a slam to her – though she doesn’t object to it in that way. She does point out that while the public school system has problems, it does have a lot to offer – like diversity – to prevent becoming an entitled snob – and then she points out she didn’t mean him.

It’s a really nice moment when the Doctor (Susan Ortiz) interrupts to tell them the baby is fine. Was their bickering mostly nerves? The Narrator (Anthony Mendez) tells us, “all their differences faded away and Jane and Rafael were perfectly and completely happy.” And then Petra (Yael Grobglas) bursts in to lay a claim of her own on the baby. The Narrator then chides us, “C’mon! Did you think it could last?” The Narrator is, as always, one of the best parts of the show.

Rafael and Jane continue to demonstrate that they are very different but are clearly moving toward being closer. Rafael simply wants to give Petra money, but Jane insists that’s not a long term solution. Jane really is most likely correct – once Petra got her money, isn’t it more likely that she would keep coming back for more? Jane wants to try working with Michael (Brett Dier) to get information on Petra and force her to drop the claim on the baby once and for all. There’s a really great scene between Dier and Rodriguez when Michael comes upon Jane in the hotel hallway and she’s crying. He’s immediately concerned and just wants to help her. Michael may be doing some questionable things in relation to Rafael, but Dier does a terrific job showing us how much Michael still loves Jane.

Jane does convince Rafael to help in the sting against Petra. I thought it very interesting that he called Jane naïve not once but twice in the scene. She finally objects the second time. This is the wonderful quality that Rodriguez infuses in Jane. She does seem to be naïve, but underneath she is smart and caring – she’s a lot shrewder than people give her credit for because she is a positive and truthful person herself. It’s interesting that Rafael resists the plan because he doesn’t trust Michael, pointing out that he’s got it out for him. Jane ends the argument by saying that they wouldn’t be in this mess at all if he hadn’t married Petra. Michael is at least acting partially to help Jane, and we’re starting to realize there is more to Petra than we may have thought.

In the end, they don’t get Petra to admit she simply wants money, but they do get enough evidence to prove she isn’t who she says she is. Of course, they do that by hiring a private investigator – using Rafael’s money. Of course, Jane’s resistance to using money also loops back to the flashback at the beginning. It’s the necessity to pay the rent that spurs Xo having to put less into her dream and focus on the practical. In the end, however, Rafael points out to Jane that they won because they are better as a team. Jane still wants to insist that the lesson they’ve learned is that they are very different, but Rafael insists that whatever comes up, they’ll figure it out. And really, isn’t that all any couple can do?

We also learn a lot more about Petra in this episode. And as she says to Jane, they are a lot more alike than you might think on the surface. Petra is actually somewhat truthful with Jane in saying that she grew up hard and with only her mother, Magda (Priscilla Barnes). Unfortunately, Magda is no Xo and there is no self-sacrificing of mother for daughter here. I loved the flashback that is initially in black and white until the Narrator deems it “too dramatic”! We finally see how Magda got her scar and ended up in the wheelchair – because Petra bent down to pick up a coin! Apparently, her dream has always been money – and it’s always eluded her and been her downfall. Groblas is doing a
wonderful job as Petra. After learning to hate her, she is also, now, making us feel sorry for Petra.

The kidnapping plot is hilarious, and I’m thoroughly enjoying Christopher Corbin as Ivan. It’s hysterical when he decides to imitates Rogelio’s escape on the telenovela, by using a sharp object, a nail file, and a match. We get our first thought bubble with him too! Of course, just as he’s about to learn how to get out of his shackles, Petra comes in and turns off the tv. By the time she turns it back on, Rogelio is free!

        But it’s also interesting to watch Ivan’s interactions with Petra. He tells her to put her hair up for the television interview – it makes her look more serious. Ivan is also the one who’s concerned about Milos (Max Bird-Ridnell) seeing Petra on tv. And in the flashback, Ivan seems to come out of nowhere to help Petra get away – for a price of course. Still, I had to wonder, does Ivan have feelings for Petra? Even if he does, how will he feel when he finds out Jane is the daughter of his idol?

We do know that Michael still has feelings for Jane, and Rafael is right, Michael does have it out for him. Nadine (Azie Resfai) tells Michael that she’s not risking her career over his vendetta. Michael is convinced that Rafael is Sin Rostro. He links Sin Rostro’s going underground and re-emerging with Rafael’s diagnosis with cancer and cure. It seems more likely that Rafael isn’t Sin Rostro because he currently does seem like he could be! It’s never going to be the likely, first person we suspect! Michael is so desperate to catch Rafael that he enlists Billy’s (Ryan Devlin) help. Was anybody else a little shocked that Billy – Michael’s brother – was able to get a job at Rafael’s hotel? Is he secretly in cahoots with someone else who has it out for Rafael? Could he, in fact, be working directly for Lachlan (Michael Rady) maybe?

Michael and Billy break into Rafael’s office and into his safe after Billy steals Rafael’s wallet and they find a key sewn into the lining. Billy also confirms that he’s found no ties between Rafael and the local drug dealers though. They do find a mysterious amount of money and a stack of passports in Rafael’s safe. Michael is smart enough to know he has to come back with a search warrant to make anything stick. Billy then tips of Nadine so Michael can stay at arm’s length. However, when they return, the safe is empty – and Rafael does look pretty smug about that. Is it possible that Billy sold his information to Rafael? Of course, Rafael was worried enough about his missing wallet to text Jane about it, and he’s smart enough not to take the chance that someone did look inside the safe. I’m still betting there is a legitimate reason for those passports. Perhaps Rafael has dual citizenship from his mother – that would account for at least two passports…

By the end of the episode, Michael is thoroughly frustrated. He and Nadine try to burn off a little extra energy in the missing Serbian’s room and discover a secret exit tunnel! Does Rafael know about this? There is an interesting moment when Michael and Rafael are both monitoring Jane’s meeting with Petra when Michael says to Rafael that the hotel has a lot of criminal activity. Rafael’s reaction to his comment is that he just wants to focus on Jane. He doesn’t respond to Michael’s taunts. He doesn’t deny the criminal activity, but he does look a little puzzled. I love how the show and actors give us these somewhat ambiguous reactions to keep us guessing!

We rarely have to guess about how Rogelio is feeling, however! Camil’s performance continues to delight. I love how excited he is over the Palomas and his delight in creating multiple hashtags for the event – and that the hashtags come up almost every time he mentions the award! His rivalry with Esteban (Keller Wortham) is hysterical. Once again, the episode is tied to its telenovela roots – Wortham is a veteran of El Capo and Alla Te Espero. The two play off each other perfectly, clearly hating each other until they appear on the red carpet as best friends!

I also loved the scene when Rogelio tells Xo and Alba that they will be his guests at the awards, and Alba immediately asking if Esteban will be there. Rogelio immediately disparages his acting ability saying he can’t even do a proper “I’m longing for you and can’t have you face” which Rogelio immediately demonstrates with Xo. Once again, the Narrator jumps in to make sure we understand: “I should point out that right at this moment Rogelio is not acting. He is, in fact, longing for Xiomara. But alas, these two had agreed not to date so as not to complicate Jane’s relationship with her father.” Camil is simply brilliant here as we see him slip from honest emotion to the slightly over the top delivery we associate with Rogelio.

We get to see a real change in Rogelio. He is excited about the awards, but still able to focus on Xo. In the scene in which he tells Alba and Xo he’ll be sending hair and makeup to them, he asks why Xo isn’t more excited and even asks about her meeting, and Alba tells him the executive said Xo was too old to be a pop star. Rogelio immediately says it’s ridiculous, jumping to Xo’s defense. Alba then sings “Libre” – Paulina Rubio’s song, which Rogelio recognizes, and Alba tells Rogelio that Rubio is Xo’s hero. This sets us up for Rogelio arranging for Rubio to “bump into” Xo at the after party.

Paulina Rubio is yet another terrific guest star. Rubio has won numerous awards for both her pop music and her acting in telenovelas. I loved the use of her for the magic realism too. It’s hilariously ironic when she says she’ll do anything except appear on Rogelio’s telenovela! But she also gives Xo the pep talk she needs to keep trying for her dream. However, Rubio also comments on how this is so totally out of character for Rogelio – to do something so nice for someone and not want any of the credit – almost like the recognition being better than the award…

Just a few final thoughts. I loved Rogelio offering Xo a hug for good luck because his hugs are just like a rabbit’s foot: “lucky, rare, and soft to the touch.” Petra’s surrogate contract is a complete non-starter because Jane never signed it. There is no contract unless both parties sign. Still, by the end of the episode, it would seem that Petra has been dealt with, Michael has a lead on the Serbian and maybe Sin Rostro, Xo and Rogelio seem to have a chance at happiness, and Jane and Rafael share another kiss!

Have I forgotten the cliffhanger?! No! In the final scene, we see a slightly tipsy Alba head to Petra’s room to give her a piece of her mind. She manages to hear Ivan calling for help, and Magda follows her and pushes her down the stairs to silence her! Magda is clearly the bad guy! And doesn’t need the wheelchair! Is Alba dead? Severely injured? Is this another lawsuit for the hotel??!

What did you think of the episode? Are you thrilled that the show and Gina Rodriguez have been nominated for Golden Globes? Still think Rafael might be Sin Rostro? Is Ivan secretly in love with Petra? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!! And don’t forget to watch the next episode on January 19, 2015 – 9pm on CW. The Golden Globes will be telecast on January 11, 2015 – check local stations for times.

About the Author - Lisa Macklem

I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.