About a week ago, I was perusing Netflix trying to find something to watch. Scrolling, scrolling, scrolling. You know how it goes. Anyway, I finally just did that thing we’ve all done—I gave up my aimless search and clicked at random. I’d heard about "Jane the Virgin" for a while, but to be honest, I totally judged it as having a stupid name and proceeded to ignore all of the hoopla about it. Then, I started to notice something. The hoopla was growing, expanding into more serious discussions about how the show was invoking commentary on a variety of social issues that span everything from the general (being a young working woman) to the very specific premise the show balances so wonderfully on: a young, working, Latina woman with an identity and dreams that are forever under construction because the routes she takes keep becoming impassable. While the issues of virginity, single-motherhood, family, and woman-to-woman relationships serve as complicating factors in the constantly evolving plot, they are also, paradoxically, the foundation that Jane’s character is supported by—and amidst all the absurdities that drive the plot line forward, the telenovela-style of the show creates the perfect ambiance for an ongoing social commentary that is capable of both engaging and retaining our attention. So, if you’re not watching, here’s why you should be:
1. A Latina heroine!
(Source: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)
Gina Rodriguez is an incredible actress, with a history of dedication and hard work leading up to her breakout moments. While she’s currently the face of Jane the Virgin, her breakout role was actually in a role for a film festival. Oh, and she’s a proactive celebrity, using her platform in a myriad of ways, not the least of which include being a strong, commanding voice for the Latino/a community and co-founding Naja, a line of lingerie dedicated to female empowerment in every aspect of the company, from the women it employs to how it’s advertised to who the proceeds benefit.
2. It’s impossible to totally hate any of the main characters.
The show’s writers do such an amazing job developing the tragic complexities of each character’s background that by the time the credits roll, you can’t hit the play button for the next episode fast enough because THERE HAS TO BE A REASON (insert character name) JUST DID THAT.
3. There's never been a love triangle this beautiful.
Essentially, it simultaneously teaches us unrealistic expectations in that if we get accidentally-artificially knocked up, we’ll have two gorgeous dudes fighting to be with us. But, it also addresses very realistic lessons about how there’s rarely a concrete, obvious right answer to the big questions in life.
4. It reminds us that fighting and making up is just how it goes.
In a day and age where everything is offensive to someone and everyone has an opinion, there’s no better way to satirize this than in a Latin-American household. Latinas are feisty, fiery, and fierce, and we learn early on that conflict (especially with female family members) is just a part of life. As such, so is the importance of reconciliation, which is something exemplified over and over again in the Villanueva household.
5. Because this scene is everything.
In a 2:15 clip, every feeling you've ever had about the guy or girl you love runs you over like a rhinoceros. Thanks for the guest appearance, David Bisbal.
