Jane the Virgin Season 3 Episode 9 Review: Chapter Fifty-three
Amanda Steinmetz
at
.
Nothing says relaxation like getting into an argument with your husband in the middle of a traffic jam.
Jane and Michael's marriage hit a minor speed bump as they found themselves unable to handle stress on Jane the Virgin Season 3 Episode 9, or "Jane the Super Stressed Mother-Wife-Writer."
Elsewhere in the episode, Rogelio attempted to romance Darci, and Petra sought to team up with Catalina against Rafael.
One of the greatest aspects of Jane and Michael's marriage is that despite whatever craziness surrounds them, their struggles are always grounded in reality.
It's impossible to avoid arguments in a relationship. What's important is how conflicts are resolved. Michael's new career path and Jane's uneasiness over her novel and Mateo's development are relatable.
Michael found himself struggling to prepare for the LSAT, and didn't want to hear Jane's worries. Conversely, Jane couldn't help but think about the possibility of extreme failure, both as a novelist and as a mother.
Their quest for Zen didn't go so smoothly as Catalina interrupted Jane's yoga session and Michael's eye got massively inflamed from the oils. Their moment of Zen didn't come until a moment of honesty in a tent.
Jane: It's not my fault that they shut down the highway.
Michael: I never said it was.
Jane: Then would you stop giving me dirty looks?
Michael: This is not dirty looks. This is just my swollen, puffy, melting, Mickey Rourke face.
I don't think Jane and Michael are going to turn to camping every time they argue from now on. We all know how Jane feels about camping.
However, time under the stars provided some much needed perspective and relaxation. We also got to hear Mateo add another word to his vocabulary. If that's not progress, then I don't know what is.
Elsewhere in the episode, Rogelio couldn't contain his feelings for Darci, and convinced her to go out on a date with him. This storyline is playing out exactly as I thought, but I'm not complaining.
There's something about Darci that really clicks with Rogelio. Both of them have strong personalities that bounce off each other in hilarious ways.
Darci isn't afraid to call Rogelio out on some of his narcissistic behavior. However, most of her criticisms on their date were a defense mechanism so she could distance herself from her feelings.
Rogelio: If we find ourselves overcome with desire and are unable to make it through the entrees, we can always finish our meal at home. I, for one, am always ravenous after lovemaking.
Darci: Darci Rule Number 12 - Never lay it on too thick. It makes you look desperate.
Rogelio: Rogelio De La Vega's not now, nor has he ever been desperate.
Darci: Classic narcissism paired with a third person reference. I see it all the time from my A-listers. I didn't think I'd get it from you though.
Rogelio: Are your trying to say I'm not an A-lister?
Darci: Are you trying to say that you are?
Despite their not so perfect first date, Darci and Rogelio shared a kiss by episode's end. If this relationship continues to move forward, I'm curious to see how a baby will be added to the equation.
If they end up truly falling in love, will that make them want to create a baby the old fashioned way. There's also the complicated relationship with Xo to consider.
Darci showed some insecurity by highlighting Rogelio's past with Xo. I have no doubt those fears about will play a role in upcoming episodes.
So as one relationship begins, another one ends. Sorry, not sorry, Catalina. I won't miss you at all.
It's unfortunate Catalina can't have children, and we got to see another side of her when she opened up to Rafael. Still, that doesn't change the fact that she's been deceitful and obnoxious.
Thankfully Rafael sent Catalina on her way even though she came clean about Petra. Rafael has enough on his plate.
I was genuinely surprised by Petra's actions. I couldn't figure out how she was going to use the addendum to the will against Rafael, but it turns out she wasn't going to use it against him at all.
Petra wanted to destroy it so her daughters' financial futures would remain in tact. For once she wasn't trying to blackmail anyone.
I was paralyzed, and I was forced to lie there and listen to what everybody really thought and said, and things are different now. I can't even tell what's real and what's not, but with the cameras I can. I can go back. I can rewind. I can make sure.
Petra
Unfortunately, Petra tends to go about her scheming the wrong way. Spying on Rafael wasn't the right thing to do, but she was scared.
After everything Anezka did, Petra couldn't trust her own mind. I also don't blame her for not trusting the actions of those around her.
Rafael and Petra need to get on the same page. They need to be united from here on out because Vests and Anezka are now married and up to no good.
Petra should have known better. You don't shred the addendum. You burn it!
Nuggets of Gold from Rogelio and the Narrator
Rogelio: Okay, I have a boner.
Darci: Rogelio.
Rogelio: Not a physical boner. An emotional one. An "emoner" if you will.
Rogelio: At this moment, I would love to grab you in my embrace and kiss you, but I must ask first since Donald Trump has ruined romance for all of us.
Narrator: Along with a lot of other things.
And give Petra her watch back, weirdo!
Narrator
Leftover Thoughts and Questions
- Vests is clearly about to blackmail Rafael. But for how much money will he keep quiet?
- Jane and Michael scheduling sex would normally come across as sad, but they managed to make it cute. How?
- I'm still convinced Alba's sister is going to make an appearance soon.
So over to you! What are your predictions for Jane the Virgin Season 3 Episode 10?
Sound off below, and don't forget you can catch up anytime when you watch Jane the Virgin online via TV Fanatic!
Amanda Steinmetz was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She went into retirement in June of 2027. Follow her on Twitter.
