Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5 Review: Chapter Eighty-Six

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The choice between Michael and Rafael is becoming more impossible by the minute Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5.

Just when it seems like Jane made a choice, she goes back on it, and we're all back to square one.

And by the end of the episode, I was convinced that Jane didn't deserve, nor did she need, either of them. 

You Did What? - Jane the Virgin

I can't be the only one over the whole back-and-forth between Michael and Rafael? I'm leaning towards #TeamJustPickOne after this episode. 

Turning the big 3-0 is a big deal for people. 

It's a time of reflection; a check in on how far you've come and how much you've accomplished thus far.

Related: Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 3 Review: Chapter Eighty-Four

Three weeks ago, in the era I'll refer to as BM (before Michael), Jane knew who she was, what she wanted out of life, and with whom she wanted to spend it. She couldn't wait to have her big birthday bash with Mateo and Raf by her side.

What's that phrase they always say? Man plans and God laughs. 

It couldn't be truer in this case. 

Little did Jane know, three weeks later, everything was going to get flipped upside down. 

I Can't Believe You - Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5

For starters, Jane didn't have either Raf or Mateo by her side during the party she no longer wanted to attend. 

Heck, even Michael wasn't there.

Could this possibly be foreshadowing? The three most important men in Jane's life weren't around for such a major milestone.

Mateo will always be her son, but maybe this is a hint that neither Michael or Rafael are supposed to be part of her future.

Maybe the endgame has always been Jane's journey of self-discovery and self-love. 

But, since the show wants us to entertain the Michael or Rafael triangle, if I had to choose based solely on their actions in this episode, I'd have to go with Michael. 

Rafael's immaturity was striking, as was his encouragement of Mateo's tantrums and his distaste for his mother.

Was that Bad? - Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5

Understandably, he's going through a world of hurt because he feels like he lost Jane, but acting like a child and throwing a temper tantrum isn't helping anyone. 

I thought he grew from this -- he shouldn't be regressing this much. 

Rafael is an adult and should know that regardless of what transpires between him and Jane, co-parenting always comes first.

Related: Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 4 Review: Chapter Eighty-Five

Mateo is at an age where he seemingly grasps what's happening around him and his worries of his family breaking up are manifesting after Jane and Raf's abrupt split.

Honestly, I feel ya kid. 

Raf should have taken this as a moment to reassure his son that no matter what transpires between him and Jane, they will always be a family that loves him unconditionally. 

But instead, Mateo lashed out at Jane and Rafael protected him.

I'll Do Better - Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5

Come on, Raf. You are better than this. 

It's also upsetting that Mateo now considers Michael an enemy, especially when you remember how great their dynamic used to be.

They were friends, Michael loved Mateo like his son, and Mateo reciprocated that love. 

Mateo has surely picked up on the awkwardness Jane's feeling, but I think isolating him from Michael is only encouraging the resentment he's feeling.

And while I don't condone hitting children, man, I would have understood if Jane resorted to a little slap on the butt after he ran away and told people she was a stranger. 

Sure, the scene was humorous, but can you imagine it happening in real life? 

It's worthy of a proper reprimanding. Sadly, because of Rafael's attitude, Mateo thinks he can get away with this kind of behavior.  

It seems that Rafael is going down a dark and dangerous path once again, and while relapses are common, I'm disappointed that the writers are once again making things unnecessarily difficult for him just as they were getting delicious.

You Did What? - Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5

Raf got a new job; they were moving in together, they had plans for a future -- it was all good. 

Why did they have to give us a piece of the pie only to snatch it back from us?

And why the heck did they bring Michael back? Was it simply to divide the ships for one last laugh?

Michael was barely present during this episode aside from that one swoon-worthy moment when he came to give Jane her adorable birthday present. 

Related: Get CBS All Access via Prime Video Channels for Hit Shows, Exclusive Originals & Live TV!

Even if you aren't a Michael fan, I'm sure your heart-fluttered when you saw the book of notes he made commenting on inside moments about their relationship.

It was cute, and a reminder that Jane and Michael have a lot of history, which is why this decision is such a struggle for her. 

But even though the grand romantic gesture was cute, it's not the equivalent to what Raf did for Jane daily. 

And how weird is it that Michael and Rogelio haven't had an epic reunion?

Mr. Sweetface - Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5

Their bromance was the crux of the show, so it's odd that Michael is being kept away from Ro and the rest of the family as if he wasn't a part of it.

Jane spent much of the episode trying to figure out the inner conflict inside of herself.

I'm surprised it took her so long to figure out she had feelings for Michael in the first place considering hiding Michael to avoid Raf's reaction made it quite obvious that she already made a decision. 

Though, I'll give her props for not rushing such an important decision. She cares about both of them enough to consider all of her feelings.

She realized that trying to run away from her potential feelings for Michael only intensified them so she owed it to herself and everyone else involved, including Rafael, to pursue them.

Who Did This?

And that meant, letting Rafael go. 

Sure, it hurt, but it's better than her realizing those feelings were buried deep inside sometime in the future when it would be even messier and more painful. 

In terms of Jane's decisions, this was one of the smartest decisions she's made. 

She's owning up to her decisions and accepting that if her feelings for Michael don't pan out, she may permanently lose Rafael. 

And at least she got her writing groove back and those pages! 

We're Good, Right? - Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5

The unicorn at Jane's party really stuck out to me. 

Jane herself is kind of like a unicorn; there's no one out there like her and all these weird, almost impossible situations, happen to her.

A unicorn is a mythical creature. Could this be a tease that the story of Jane Villanueva isn't real, that it could very well be a telenovela read by Mateo Jr. as an adult -- or even Rogelio?

Rafael wasn't the only one acting immature on Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5.

Rogelio has his good moments and plenty of 'wtf' moments. 

Getting Esteban a job to keep him away from Baby fell into the latter category. 

Understandably, Rogelio's ego is bruised because Baby has a stronger connection with Esteban. 

His jealousy over the fact that his daughter preferred her "stepdad" to her real dad got the best of him. 

It Was Innocent - Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5

Landing Esteban a gig on a Mexican telenovela would have been considered kind of Rogelio if it wasn't undermined by jealousy. 

Rogelio didn't consider the long-term effects that such a drastic move could have on his life, Baby's or Darci's. My first instinct was that Darci was going to grab the child and move to Mexico with Esteban. 

Instead, they broke up leaving Darci upset, Baby without a babysitter, and Esteban heartbroken. 

I'm not too invested in Darci's storyline, but it was fun to see Rogelio feel bad for his archnemesis and realize the error of his ways. 

Who knew these two would come so far from their on-set bickering days?

JR and Petra are trying to make things work, but it's difficult because JR doesn't trust Petra anymore.

I'm going to say this one time and one time only: you cannot have a relationship without trust!

You're My Person - Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 5

JR immediately assumed Petra was lying to her about conspiring with Milos based on her previous experiences; she's blaming her and shaming her for her past life. 

It isn't fair to either of them.

And while I initially liked Petra and JR together, I can't support this relationship anymore if Petra is going to continuously go out of her way to prove to JR that she's worth it.

Petra’s a strong independent woman who is raising two equally as strong and badass little girls. 

Seeing her this way, groveling for JR's affection and wanting to prove something diminishes everything that's made her great.

If JR is serious about giving this another shot, sure, she needs to trust Petra, but she also needs to trust herself enough to leave the next time her trust gets broken.

What do you think?

Did Jane make the right decision? Should Petra stick it out with JR? Are you over the love triangle drama?

Remember to watch Jane the Virgin online and share your thoughts/feelings/frustrations in the comments below. 

Chapter Eighty-Six Review

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Lizzy Buczak was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in June 2021..

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