Tune in Tonight: Jane the Virgin

Tune in Tonight: Jane the Virgin

• Sep 18, 2015

I've always loved talking about movies and TV shows on my blog, but it wasn't until I guest posted for Book People Talk Movies (created by Lindsey from Bring My Books) that I even thought about making it a regular thing. But now I can't wait to share my absolute favorites - both old and new - with you every month!

The Stats

Jane the Virgin: The Complete First Season

TV Network: The CW
Length: One Season (2014-)

Genre: Comedy
Creator: Jennie Snyder Urman
Buy on Amazon | Buy on iTunes | Watch on Hulu

The Story

Set in Miami, Jane the Virgin details the surprising and unforeseen events that take place in the life of Jane Villanueva, a hard-working, religious young Latina woman whose family tradition and a vow to save her virginity until her marriage to a detective is shattered when a doctor mistakenly artificially inseminates her during a checkup. And to make matters worse, the biological donor is a married man, a former playboy and cancer survivor who is not only the new owner of the hotel where Jane works, but was also her former teenage crush. +

The Stars

Gina Rodriguez as Jane Villanueva

Andrea Navedo as Xiomara Villanueva

Ivonne Coll as Alba Villanueva

Jaime Camil as Rogelio De La Vega

Justin Baldoni as Rafael Solano

Brett Dier as Michael Cordero Jr.

Yael Grobglas as Petra Solano

Anthony Mendez as Narrator

The Sneak Peek

The Sell

If you haven't heard anything about Jane the Virgin, you're probably a little thrown off by the name and premise. Maybe you're questioning my recommendation skills, but you've got to trust me! If you want a show with great acting, smart writing, tons of emotion and hilarious drama, this show is for you. Let me explain:

Source

1. A CRAZY PREMISE THAT WORKS.

I'm a fan of The CW, but I was more than a little skeptical when I saw the trailer for Jane the Virgin. I mean, the title alone was enough to make me pause. A TV show about a virgin who gets pregnant after being artificially inseminated? That's asking for trouble. But I have to give credit to the show's creator and writers because they make the premise work. It sounds crazy, and it is, but it works in a way I never expected. I love the voiceover narration - it's so clever! The show is charming and has so much heart. It makes me laugh every episode, and sometimes I tear up too! If you ever needed a reminder that you can't judge a show just by its title, this is it.

Source

2. GINA RODRIGUEZ.

I adore Gina Rodriguez! She's perfectly cast as Jane, and I was immediately invested in the character because of her. She captures Jane's strengths and weaknesses in a way that makes the character so believable and so relatable. For a show inspired by a telenovela - and containing much of the drama of one - it's so refreshing to see the honesty and stability Gina brings to the show. I rarely watch awards shows, but I was thrilled when Gina won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Comedy. Her acceptance speech was AMAZING, and I particularly love the line in the gif above. I think it's because the show's diversity is so fantastic!

Source

3. YOU'LL ROOT FOR THESE RELATIONSHIPS.

Goodness gracious, I love the relationships on this show! Jane's relationship with her mother and grandmother is probably my favorite, but they're all so interesting and complex. Family is really important to Jane, and it's so evident in the show. They love each other so much, and they've got each other's back even when they don't see eye to eye. It's so refreshing to watch! I love Jane's relationship with her best friend, and I'd love to see more of their friendship. She's got a complicated relationship with the men in her life - her longtime boyfriend, her boss and biological father of the baby, and her absent father. They each bring something special to the show! 

Source

4. SHOCKING TWISTS!

Jane the Virgin is inspired by a telenovela, and you can definitely expect a bunch of crazy (and shocking) surprises on the show! There's something unbelievable in almost every episode, but it never feels melodramatic or annoying. I can't explain it - just give it a shot, and you'll see what I mean. I was trying to pick my favorite twist, and I realized there are too many to choose from. Plus, I don't want to spoil any of them. Sometimes I'll see one coming, but more often than not I'm just as surprised as the characters are by what happens next!

Source

5. IT WILL KEEP YOU LAUGHING.

A serious as this show could be, the tone is absolutely hilarious! Certain characters are more comedic than others, but there's a healthy dose of humor in every episode. I love that it doesn't take itself too seriously but still manages to infuse a lot of emotion into the show. I always look forward to the narrator's voiceover, but I think Rogelio wins the award for best lines. He cracks me up! If you want something that will make you happy every time you watch it, give Jane the Virgin a shot. (And then report back so we can discuss it!)

The Snippets

"Life is full of tough moments, you have to fight for what you want."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[Jane falls in the pool and Rafael jumps in after her]
Jane: “It’s FOUR FEET, Baywatch!”
Rafael: “I didn’t know if you could swim!”
Jane: “But I could stand!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  

“I made a vision board, but I didn’t think it would manifest so quickly. As father and daughter, we will conquer Hollywood together, much like Jon Voigt and Angelina Jolie. Only we will not be estranged. And I will be the much more famous one."