Jane the Virgin, “Chapter Twenty-Four,” was written by David S Rosenthal and was directed by Ed Ornelas. Now that baby Mateo is back with his family, the episode turns to Jane’s (Gina Rodriguez) relationship dilemma. Michael (Brett Dier) or Rafael (Justin Baldoni)! Meanwhile, Xo (Andrea Naveda) and Rogelio (Jaime Camil) must make a big decision about their own relationship. There is also some developments with Sin Rostro and with the hotel. This was a fun episode with a lot of balls in the air. The special feature of the episode was Bachelorette Jane, trying to help Mommy-Jane make her choice.
The episode begins with a sweet flashback to Jane trying to get to know Michael and show an interest in the things he likes, such as books, movies and camping. Jane makes a valiant effort, but the camping doesn’t go well. Michael accepts that Jane doesn’t like camping and knows just how to comfort her when she feels uneasy – and he whittles her an adorable dorky giraffe. It really seems that this is Michael’s turn to shine again.
Jane thinks it may be possible for the three of them to get along, but it’s clear that the good will and happiness they all felt from rescuing the baby is wearing off. Once Xo and the rest of the family convince Jane to finally take a shower – which is hilarious – she decides that the three of them can go to lunch together. Rafael tells Michael this is his family – not Michael’s. Jane returns from the super awkward lunch, and we find out that Xo is still #TeamMichael while Alba (Ivonne Coll) is #TeamRafael.
Jane is plagued by nightmares about Rose (Bridget Regan) trying to kidnap Mateo again. Michael thoughtfully installs an alarm in the house – with the password giraffe – a nice throwback to the camping trip. As Michael holds Mateo on the couch, Michael confesses that Mateo is no longer just a theoretical baby. They’d never really talked about babies, but he assures Jane that he’s in! After Michael installs the alarm, some plaster falls, “snowing” on them – and that was the romance indicator between Michael and Jane last year! Nothing happens, though it’s clear they are both thinking about it.
Meanwhile, Jane has been feuding with her neighbors who have a band and like to play – loudly – late into the evening. Jane goes over to try to talk to them, but Annabelle (Kesha) won’t listen and simply complains the baby crying at 6am wakes them up. Jane ends up stealing the speaker they’ve placed facing her house.
Jane and Mateo go to Rafael’s to spend the night. He’s completely – and adorably – and with a huge Target product placement – “babified” the apartment! When the baby gets “opinionated” – Rafael insists he’s not fussy! – Jane and Rafael take him for a drive to fall asleep. Rafael tells her that this is what he wants a regular Thursday to look like – he’s not interested in going clubbing or anything else he used to do. Jane’s heart glows as he says this – and the Bachelorette in the back seat tells her to kiss him already! But she’s not ready to do that either.
During Jane’s camping trip with Michael, she confesses what she thinks may be a “deal-breaker” for him. She tells him that Alba is nervous around him because she is undocumented. This all comes to a head when Jane returns to the house to find the police are there, asking to see Alba’s papers because the neighbors have accused her of stealing the speaker. Jane immediately confesses to doing it, and then makes it up to the neighbors by getting them a gig playing at the Mirabella. Alba is completely freaked out by the cops but comes to a momentous decision. She’s going to apply for her Green Card because she doesn’t want it to hang over Mateus’ head the way it did over Xo’s and Jane’s. I love how the show can help to foreground real issues like this!
Meanwhile, when the alarm goes off, things come to a head between Michael, Rafael and Jane. Rafael can’t get the alarm off and is not happy when Michael turns up. Rafael says Mateo was only kidnapped because of Michael’s obsession with Jane that Rose knew about. He tells Michael to just move on. Michael asks Jane to tell Rafael how she feels, and she doesn’t make either happy when she tells them she loves them both! However, remembering telling Rose all about Michael, also leads to Jane remembering Rose’s knowledge of wine and that leads Michael to deduce that Rose may have fled to Switzerland! A break in the case!
Back at the hotel, Luisa (Yara Martinez) has deduced that Petra (Yael Grobglas) is pregnant. Scott (Wes Armstrong) knows about the stolen sperm and blackmails Petra to get him a promotion. This leads Rafael to think that Scott is the “poor sucker” who got Petra pregnant. Between Petra’s pregnancy and Mateo, both Petra and Rafael are somewhat distracted – I’m giving them an out here! Lachland (Michael Rady) shows back up wanting out of his contract and a $500,000 bonus! Rafael thinks the deal Lachland offers is a bad one, but it’s a double-double cross.
Luisa, who is trying to learn the hotel business, actually discovers Lachland is up to no good, but before she can tell Petra and Rafael, she is kidnapped by the thug with the mysterious woman! Could it be Rose trying to win her back? Is it the mysterious woman wanting to use her as leverage with Rose?
Rafael ends the episode with a lot of bad news. He learns that Lachland’s land deal with his new clients will mean a high rise will block the ocean view from the Mirabella. More importantly, he also gets a call from the fertility clinic and realizes that HE is the “poor sucker”! I loved the arrows all over his face!!
Xo and Rogelio find themselves at sea when their Las Vegas employers threaten to sue Rogelio for $500,000. They are being forced to perform on a cruise ship – and manage to get stranded on it. Personally, I loved their costumes and their routine! Camil and Navedo are excellent in this episode, showing off their singing, drama, and comedy abilities. Rogelio admits that his biggest fear is that his career will end up on a cruise ship. It’s adorable when Xo tries to prevent Rogelio from realizing the crowd is only getting enthusiastic because of the chocolate fountain behind them.
Even though they only have a closet for a room, they manage to have amazing sex and really seem to be coming together. Rogelio suggests that they stay married. Xo is all for it at first, but then realizes that Rogelio still has unresolved feelings for his ex-wife.
Lots more complications for everyone’s love life in this episode. I still can’t choose between Michael and Rafael!! Clearly, Xo and Jane have one more thing in common – the ex-wife who simply refuses to go away. Who did take Luisa? What did you think of the episode? Favorite scene? Team Michael or Team Rafael? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! I'm active on the Con scene when I have the time. 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.
