Jane the Virgin — TV Series Review
Over the last month, I have had the pleasure of experiencing what I consider to be a masterpiece in both storytelling and representation of Latino culture: Jane the Virgin (2014–2019). Although I had heard about this show numerous times over the last few years, it was one that I honestly hadn’t given much thought to. When I was finally persuaded to give it a watch, I quickly realized why everyone seemed so in love with it. What starts as a kooky, American take on the “telenovela” soap opera genre quickly transforms into a heartwarming and thrilling story of family, perseverance, and love.
The following passage contains spoilers
We follow a 100-episode excerpt from the life of Jane Gloriana Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez), a Catholic, Venezuelan-American virgin who gets accidentally, artificially inseminated at a doctor’s visit. From there, we see Jane give birth to a son, become a published writer, fall in love with two different men, meet her father for the first time, get married, and have multiple run-ins with the authorities and various international crime-lords. And yes, this show is exactly as ridiculous as all of this sounds — but that is actually the entire point.
Modeled after the storytelling techniques employed by Mexican telenovelas, Jane the Virgin sets those classic “soap tropes” at the forefront. This means there is absolutely no shortage of cliff-hangers, murders, evil twins, and even the old “amnesia” plot line. While this often comes off as cheesy and eye-roll-inducing, it also provides the show a lot of comedic relief and room for creativity. This is where we see a lot of individually with the style of the show (day-dream sequences, non-linear storytelling, the “Latin Lover” voiceover narration, etc.) So while there are definitely heartbreaking, dramatic moments throughout, the show as a whole really takes you on this fun, crazy, entertaining ride that keeps you hooked in for five whole seasons.
What is truly important about this show, however, is the extreme amount of diversity and positive representation of women and Latino culture. Our primary setting is within the household of the Villanueva women (Jane; her mother, Xiomara; and Jane’s grandmother, Alba), three strong, independent women who stand up for what they believe in and fight for what they know is right. Beyond this, we have other representations of strong women, representations of Latino culture outside of the family, representations of Czech culture, multi-racial relationships, queer representation, religious representation, and the most refreshing of all — decent and supportive male characters who don’t outshine our leading women. I honestly learned so much about Venezuelan and Mexican culture from this show specifically.
Another unique technique that this American show utilizes is that many of the characters speak entirely in Spanish or are bi-lingual, providing the audience with subtitles when appropriate. This really deepens the investment viewers put into the show, in addition to allowing these characters to tell their stories in their own voices. Even in episode 99 of the series, we get a Behind-the-Scenes look at the making of the show and what it has meant to the actors. Hearing in their own words (and a few tears) that this show has given them an opportunity to allow viewers to see “people that look like them” on a hit TV show, as well as the emotion that comes along with that sort of accomplishment and fulfillment, is honestly extremely moving and gratifying to witness.
I honestly consider having access to a show like this, being able to learn from it, have fun with it, have empathy for its characters, and feel like a part of it, is almost like a great privilege. This show is nothing short of refreshing for storytelling and diversity, and it is one that I would recommend to anyone.
