I don't know who was more stressed out on Jane the Virgin Season 5 Episode 14, me, Rogelio, or Xiomara.

Rogelio and Xiomara both had valid reasons for being on edge -- a pilot pickup and waiting to hear if you got into nursing school are huge turning points in both of their careers.

But the narrator's warning of an upcoming storm that would potentially ruin Jane and Raf's episode loomed over the episode like a dark and stormy cloud.

Thankfully, the storm never came. Not really.

We anticipated the worst, but Jane and Rafael did an incredible job at avoiding the bumps in the road and dodging all the curveballs.

Instead, the usual issues that would have lead to their demise were overcome by communication.

It's about damn time they learned to go with the flow, dance in the rain, and come out on the other side.

When Jane's officiant plan fell apart, she didn't dwell on it, nor did she take his comments about Raf not being present or committed as a sign that they shouldn't get married.

Jane proved herself by defending her fiancee and celebrating how far he's come.

Jane: So, yes. I'll give you my eggs.
Lina: Wow, thanks so, so much, but actually, I don't want them.
Jane: What? Why not? I mean, they're really great eggs. I got pregnant literally the first time sperm even touched one.

Permalink: What? Why not? I mean, they're really great eggs. I got pregnant literally the first time...

It's moments like these that highlight how strong this relationship would have been if they believed in each other from the beginning.

If they keep supporting each other and most importantly, learn how to talk things through, there won't be any dealbreakers; nothing will be able to get in the way of their big day.

And you know what, it's a good thing that the Unitarian minister didn't work out because there's no better choice for the job than Alba!

She was practically born for this.

Jane's approach to marriage the second time around is more in line with the woman she's become and the woman she is with Rafael.

Sure, she's still making lists and values planning, but she's not tied to doing things in a traditionally Catholic way.

Even bringing in a Unitarian minister means she's acknowledging Raf's beliefs.

Her open-mindedness even trickles down to her wedding dress, which is going to be a little less conservative. Sorry, abuela!

In a way, this different approach with Rafael is the only way the series could respect her wedding to Michael.

Jane's choices aren't tarnishing her wedding to Michael because they are so drastically different.

Both weddings had and will have their own special moments and will highlight what made their love special.

Jane's mermaid-style dress, designed by Lina, is a cute nod to when she first "connected" with Raf at the Marbella.

As we near the end, the episodes are packing in a huge punch and things are changing so rapidly, my mind was going in circles just trying to keep up with all the moving pieces.

Since this is my second wedding, I was thinking I could go a little non-traditional. But not too non-traditional, I don't want to scare my Abuela.
Jane

Permalink: Since this is my second wedding, I was thinking I could go a little non-traditional. But not...

In order to find some balance, Jane's narrative in the current moment mirrors her experiences from season one.

Lina's return was overdue -- man, I've missed those besties.

Petra has done a fine job of filling Lina's shoes, but there's just something so authentic about Lina and Jane's friendship.

From the moment Lina walked into the Marbella, it seemed like Jane and Lina hadn't missed a beat.

That is until Lina asked Jane to be her egg donor and revealed she'd been struggling with infertility. Why didn't Jane know about any of it?

The series continues to tackle important real-life scenarios even in the homestretch, and for that, they deserve a round of applause.

Hearing Lina talk about her struggles and the pain of shots and doctor visits was heartbreaking but a reality for many women.

Lina asking Jane for her eggs not only also parallels the artificial insemination storyline that the series built its foundation on, but it also allowed for fun callbacks like "it's not a milkshake, it's a baby."

Jane may have convinced herself that she'd be able to let go of this child and allow Lina and Danny to raise it, but in reality, you know she'd never be capable of it.

Jane is too attached, and though she loves Lina and believes she'd be a good mother, she can't help but judge and put her two cents in.

She's always been a meddler, it's why we love her, but it's also why Lina's decision not to use Jane's eggs made sense.

Involving Lina seemed to be an attempt at throwing us off the potential pregnancy storyline.

But alas, the narrator came through with the ultimate tease when he said Rafael would change his mind about having kids down the line.

Apparently, I'm the problem. Something's not working. Anyway, turns out, I could have been way sluttier in high school.
Lina

Permalink: Apparently, I'm the problem. Something's not working. Anyway, turns out, I could have been...

Yes, a baby brother or sister for Mateo would be sweet and romantic, but not if Rafael decided against having more kids.

Does he only change his mind to appease Jane?

His reasoning for not wanting anymore -- he's already spread thin -- was realistic, and I thought it was refreshing to see Jane accept and respect his choice without attempting to change his mind.

If we're calling back to the storyline of the first season, Rafael returning to work alongside Petra at the Marbella makes perfect sense.

Raf back in his office rocking those tight button-up shirts was a sight I've missed.

But attempting to parallel season one doesn't always work.

Raf and Petra have both grown personally and professionally since then, so seeing their working relationship go from collaborative and healthy to toxic in less than a day of working together was concerning.

It almost felt like being together in their previous roles reverted them to old habits.

And really, that's not what any of us wanted to see.

They are both above these petty fights or calling out each other's flaws to prove a point.

Similar to how Raf is better than putting work ahead of his family and his relationship with Jane, a relationship he's worked so hard to get back.

There were moments of concern -- especially when Raf was in the club -- that he'd go back to his old ways and this would be what ultimately ended their relationship.

Thankfully, he knows better!

Before this season, Jennie Snyder Urman teased a wedding (check), a pregnancy (kind of check), and a death.

Understandably, when Rogelio grasped his heart and fell over, I thought of the worst thing possible: he was going to die.

Plenty of fans assumed Rogelio would be the victim considering the heartfelt nature of Jane's tribute to her father a few episodes prior.

But a season that's already being held up by crutches would do itself a huge disservice by killing the only character that hasn't been a victim of lazy and sloppy writing.

It's important for Rogelio to de-stress not only for his health but also for the fandom -- his fake one and the real one (us!).

And, of course, Rogelio's heart issues happened just as Jane was wedding dress shopping.

In the past and in the present, Rogelio "ruined" Jane's wedding dress shopping experience, but we're thankful for it. The first time around, she found out he was her father, and this second time around, she was relieved that he was going to be just fine.

Jane the Virgin is probably one of the only shows that is able to get away with inserting religion into the narrative.

There's something so authentic about the way it's done that even if you aren't religious, you find yourself relating to Alba's prayers.

It's a nice reminder to always be thankful for what you already have -- good health, friends, family, love.

On a more frustrating note, there's been no movement on the Sin Rostro front, and I'm at the point where I don't even care about her masterplan.

I could also care less about Magda and don't understand why they keep bringing her back with the sole purpose of making Petra's life a living hell.

The only way I accept her return is if she's the one who dies in the crash at the end.

Mateo: I love your eggs, Mommy. I want more.
Narrator: Looks like everyone wants Jane's eggs these days.
Mateo: But not the Lina eggs, the scrambled ones.

Permalink: But not the Lina eggs, the scrambled ones.

I'm worried about Petra, but logically, it wouldn't be in anyone's best interest to kill off fan-favorite Petra either.

If anyone is going to die, it has to be Magda.

And to her, I say, good riddance.

Then again, this is a telenovela after all.

Other Marbella Musings

The image of 5-year-old Jane with Gina Rodriguez's face is the stuff of nightmares.

Lina and Danny agreed that if anything were to happen, Jane would be the baby's guardian. Was that foreshadowing? Is Lina's baby the one Jane and Raf adopt?

The only thing Raf and Jane's fairytale was missing up until now was a proper kiss in the rain. I was not disappointed.

Does anyone else still remain suspicious of Krishna? If I'm waiting for the other foot the drop, I have to be honest, I think she's the one who is going to drop it.