An Ode to Jane The Virgin

Hey everybody.

For the last few years, I was really touched by this particular series on Netflix. It was charming, funny and could really tug you on the heartstrings. It became something I looked forward to each week when a new episode was released and I, like so many others, felt a personal connection to some of the characters, so that was one of the reasons why it was physically painful to see it finish right before my very eyes.

The reason I am writing about my television watching today is mainly a) because I can but more b) because I really do miss this series. I also recently had to get ten people I know to fill out what they watched on TV/Netflix etc for a week (agonising) and I realised that I would have been a much more interesting candidate for this assignment :)

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I am of course talking about the excellent creation that is Jane the Virgin, a telenovela, comedy, drama kind of cross breed that I loved and adored for maybe four years of my life.

I won't go into much detail of what actually went down in the programme, because frankly you need to see it to believe it and I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone (though if you haven't watched it then you can kindly leave). Though I just need somewhere to vent my love for the show, so what better place than here?

My favourite characters (though I do love them all) was the devishly handsome Rafael Solano (GORGEOUS) and the one that thought he was devishly handsome (though gorgeous in his own way) Rogelio De La Vega.

Rafael (or more, Justin Baldoni) is an utter heart throb, he wears particularly tight shirts throughout the series which was amazing in a lot of people's books... including my own 😉 Outside of his looks, he also brings some sensitivity to the series and he obviously cares for Jane very much, which is lovely to see. I think we all deserve our own Rafaels... I know I wouldn't complain!

And then it's onto the hysterically funny yet ridiculously overdramatic Rogelio De La Vega. Wow. What an absolute character. He is a telenovela actor trying to make it big in America and I can't even fathom how much I adore him. I think it might be because I kind of see myself in Rogelio- I too am overdramatic as f**k, and if I had even half the star quality that he has, who knows, I could have made it big as a youtuber! (jokes). Rogelio's dramatic moments really made the series for me, I especially like his ringtone ('It's another beautiful day to be Rogeliooo) and the feuds he has with all sorts of celebrities, like Britney Spears!

The woman it's all based on is also incredible, Jane Villanueva is relatable and only slightly infuriating at some points (Team Raf or Michael amirite?!) but I especially love that the series is led by a woman who has such a strong network of strong women in her life. Jane's mum and abuela (purest soul on the planet) reminded me of my sister/mum/grandmother who are always there for advice but will also be real with me and tell me when I'm being stupid (yes even I have those moments!). It was refreshing for me to watch such a female led show from a culture that I have never been exposed to before, and it's striking how similar we all are. It makes me wonder why there is such racism in the world, we are all human, bloody hell!

After loving the show for several years and my family not understanding my obsession with it, I managed to convince my Mum to give it a go, and she fell in love with it too. It just goes to show that it's got something for everyone (Rafael heh). My Dad and sister don't quite understand our reaction to some of the bombshells and plot twists through the series, though I don't think it's truly for them (they don't understand greatness!)

I had a Jane whatsapp group with some of my friends who also loved it and we would anxiously wait until everyone had seen the latest episode so we could discuss. I also had a few guy friends who loved it and it helped me to make friends when I started college as we could all bond over how incredible it was. It truly did bring people together (cringe)

I've never watched another series quite like it, and to be honest, I don't know if I'd want to.

The show unfortunately came to a close in August 2019, to the great sadness of its fans and those actually in the show. It's not often that such a programme comes around and it will be sorely missed (by me and I would hope everyone who watched it.

In conclusion, it's been six months since the series finished and I have been having withdrawal symptoms every day since! I've thrown myself into other series, but nothing is filling the Jane shaped gap in my life. Maybe I will just have to re-watch it again!

I think I'm getting my writing mojo back, though I am fairly busy with college work/other commitments at the moment, so I don't know when you will next hear from me. I'll try to come back in a month, though I can't promise that the content will be as interesting as this gorgeous little post.

Have a good day/week/month!

xxxxxx