Adventures of a Pregnant Virgin: Why You Must Watch Jane the Virgin
When the first episode of “Jane the Virgin” began with the lovable Latin narrator saying, “ Our story begins 13 and a half years ago, when Jane Gloriana Villanueva was a mere ten years old. It should be noted that at a mere ten years old, Jane’s passions include in no particular order, Her Family, God and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches”
I knew this was destined to be at the top of my list of indispensable TV Shows. “ Jane the Virgin” which debuted in 2014, is a loose adaptation of a Venezuelan telenovela in which a poor teenager has a shocking pregnancy. Following through on it, JTV takes a fascinating approach in satirizing the melodramatic genre by setting such “out of the world” incidents that is the norm in Telenovelas and adding the show’s trademark twist by setting them in a realistic backdrop.
Jane is a 23 year old working in a hotel to support her studies and owing to her fiercely religious grandmother’s persistent lessons on the importance of virginity, Jane is saving herself for marriage. However, her life topples over when she is artificially inseminated by a distraught doctor. And surprise, surprise, the father of the child is the boss of the hotel she is working at! What follows next is a riveting drama that is sure to have the audience in tears and knots.
Romance stands out brightest on the show’s colourful palette. Rendering it its uniqueness is undoubtedly the fact that at its center the love story is between Jane, her mom and her grandmother. The female relationships are rooted in reality with the women toughening through the pain, joy and thrill there is in life. Jane is a combination of her mother and grandmother. She contains within her the piousness and discipline taught by her abuela and the free spiritedness learned from her mother. The three generations of Villanueva women have their differences but they are dependably there for each other through thick and thin.
The reality of living pay check to pay check is very directly dealt with in the show. Despite everything the Villanueva women have to endure, from a virgin pregnancy to fighting for your citizenship, and battling cancer, their hearts roar with a passion that we find to be in abundance in the resilient human. Time and again, they prove themselves to be intelligent and capable. The relationships they share with their selves and each other brims with love, adoration and most importantly, respect. Boundaries were a difficult concept for the Villanueva women to grasp but over the course of five seasons, they learn the place of boundaries among other things.
Often, I feel as though the wisdom the characters espouse is a manifesto for good living. It is entirely possible that the creators were monitoring for the slightest hints of didacticism as they were doing this. A sense of good living, far from the idea of worldliness, instead one that shows you without coming off as sermonic, the nobility there is in forgiveness, compassion and honoring imperfections. The cast of characters suffer from their own pardonable weaknesses. Surprisingly, some of their flaws are caused by their known qualities. Jane wants to do good but often ends up being nosy with an urge to please everyone around her. Alba’s faith stops her from enjoying the joyfulness of life. Xiomara’s free spiritedness causes her to be impractical and rash. Their selves are not rooted in cement. As the seasons pass, we see them gracefully coming to terms with their flaws and gradually working their way around managing it.
Though, this is the story of the Villanueva women, the spotlight is frequently enjoyed by other wonderful characters without whom JTV would be dreadfully incomplete. Rogelio, a personal favorite is a larger than life character who lends the show its charm. In fact, my mother binge watched the show mainly for Rogelio. He is a well-rounded character who works his way to the top. Even though, he has always been a career man, with his set of newly earned relationships, he settles to find the sweet balance. He is kind, generous and undoubtedly dramatic. If Rogelio is on screen, prepare yourself to burst into laughter. Jaime Camil who plays Rogelio is an expert at comic delivery and his effortless charm has gained him many other fans like my mother. Innocent to the point of being stupid and narcissistic to a fault, Rogelio is forgiven because we and his family understand that his heart is in the right place. Michael and Rafael, Jane’s love interests have caused much debate among its fans anticipating Jane’s final decision. However, they are not merely limited to the roles of being Jane’s lovers. Intricate, meaningful storylines for the two were established from the outset. In fact, when we first meet Rafael, he is a rich playboy but he grows and matures for Jane. When it comes to character transformations, with Alba securing the first position, Rafael closely follows. His transformation is deftly written and executed. He becomes a better man, comfortable with his vulnerabilities, and brave enough to embrace the downs. Michael is humble, thoughtful and deeply understanding. His cop story line is extremely thrilling and satisfying with promise fulfilled. As it happens, writing about Michael, Rafael and their love triangle with Jane is incredibly difficult without accidentally spoiling some major twists.
Apart from the beautifully fleshed out characters why I love the show is because of its ability to do so much. They cover a lot of topics that other series have overlooked. From representing the under-represented to showing the reality of the immigrant crisis in America, it has been so refreshing to see the inclusiveness. Except for the villain, Sin Rostro , everyone alike are represented as human.
The representation was never forced and always authentic showing that people, women, especially can be different in many ways. Despite Latino Americans being the second largest ethnic population in the United States, they were rarely depicted in mainstream media. And those that were represented fell into stereotypes. They are typically presented in a manner that attacks the entire ethnic group’s dignity and intelligence. Latino men are shown as being aggressive and inclined to committing crimes. Latino women are depicted as being lazy and verbally aggressive. However, the effective writing of the show gives a fresh twist to this old stereotype. The characters of JTV show people being people while addressing the cultural differences that often put them at a disadvantage. Except for Sin Rostro, nobody is thoroughly good or bad. A balance is maintained in that grey area where several backstories, perspectives and traits merge. The outcome is a humanitarian approach to even the most seemingly harshest of characters.
What kept me hooked among other things was undoubtedly Anthony Mendez’s superb narration. It goes unsaid, that the show signs you up for a roller coaster of emotions and the omniscient narrator voiced by Mendez feels like that friend who gives you shoulder support while you blubber. The narration lends the show its good humored nature, acts as an important tool in transitions, flashbacks and suturing together multiple POVs and stories. The narration stands out unique because of Mendez’s comedic timing and punch. He does not dampen his accent instead plays it to the show’s advantage! Ah how I miss it.
I say Jane the Virgin is a must watch because it is written with depth and remarkable taste. Some might disapprove of the flourishes but it gives the show character, and the symmetry maintained throughout makes you fall in love with it. Even if you finish the show, you are sure to go back to the start and see those episodes a few more times because who can resist this colourful world which takes you away from reality yet manages to stay very grounded! Sounds like magic to me!
