I am always shocked at how few people have watched my absolute favorite show of all time: Jane the Virgin. And I get it. When I first saw the commercials years and years ago, I thought it looked kind of dumb. But this absolute masterpiece of a series is on Netflix, is incredibly bingeable, and has something for absolutely everyone. Watch. This. Show.

To start the plot is fantastic. So much happens in this show that even major twists and turns slip through the cracks in your memory, making every rewatch still feel new. The story follows Jane, a 24-year-old teacher, waitress, and aspiring writer from Miami. She lives with her mother, who had her at 19, and her deeply devout grandmother, a Venezuelan immigrant. In keeping with a promise she made to her grandmother - and as the title implies - Jane is a virgin who is waiting for marriage. About to get engaged to a man she loves (a police officer named Michael ) Jane is accidentally artificially inseminated and falls pregnant. The father is the attractive young owner of the hotel she works at - and someone Jane had a crush on in high school, and suddenly everyone's lives are turned upside down. Yes, I know it sounds dramatic. And it is! But while the love story is the hook, the show also follows crime lords, tv stars, murder plots, drug fronts, and above all relationships with family. There is seriously something for everyone in this show, and the drastically different genres are woven together humorously by a narrator, creating a telenovela for American audiences.

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The characters are also some of the best I've ever seen. Each character feels like a real person, even the ones who are slightly exaggerated. They each have consistent character traits and flaws that are refreshing to see on screen. Jane, the main character, is incredibly well developed. She is optimistic, romantic, imaginative, and loves to be swept up in the rosy pink sides of life. This is cleverly reflected in the story's narrative, as often the cinematography will suspend realism to reflect this. It also makes sense for her character, as she's an aspiring romance novelist who grew up watching dramatically romantic telenovelas with her family. Jane is also incredibly organized, studious, and likes to be in control, which makes sense for her. She grew up with a promiscuous mother who, being so young when she had Jane, never really entirely grew up into adulthood, and her grandmother, whose undocumented status made her hesitant to handle certain matters. Jane's organized personality and tendency to do a lot of research are consistent in every episode and make sense for the background of her character. She is also a flawed main character, like how she is consistently judgey, which gets her into trouble consistently. Every character is like this, with incredibly consistent positive traits and flaws that make them more interesting to watch and root for, but still allow for growth. The show also consistently handles its characters' identities well. For example, Jane's immigrant grandmother always speaks Spanish unless she absolutely must speak English, which makes sense considering she would want to speak her native language in her own home. I love that the show makes their characters realistic, and in doing so, the writers make the world they create so much more engaging.

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While the show deals with murder, drug busts, and kidnapping, the drama that ensues is carefully blended with realistic problems. While sometimes these can be small things, like a broken laptop or Jane trying to get into grad school, there are also serious issues. The show responsibly handles more realistic topics like teen pregnancy, absent parents, immigration, documentation, and more. There are also episodes dedicated to topics that people sometimes have misconceptions about, like ADHD, bisexuality, and trauma, allowing a safe space for questions and understanding.
The acting is also incredible. Gina Rodriguez's portrayal of Jane can make me laugh or cry, as her acting is some of the best I've seen on TV. There is one scene, in particular, I always go to in season three that I will not provide any spoilers on, but will simply say that it gives me chills just thinking about it, and I sob every time I watch it. There are no subpar performances, and the actors are also simply good people. Justin Baldoni, who plays Rafael, has dedicated much of his life to using his platform to speak out about women's rights. He published a book called "Man Enough," which discusses his journey working through what he grew up learning about masculinity and his attempts to recognize his privilege, encouraging other men to do the same. The cast is full of talented actors and genuine people, making the characters easy to support on and off-screen.
Jane the Virgin is truly the best show I've seen, and I rewatch it at least once a year. With a 100% score on rotten tomatoes and my own personal love for it, I can guarantee it's a must-see. The entirety of the show (a very satisfying 100 episodes stretched over five seasons) is on Netflix. Despite 45-minute episodes, I guarantee you will finish it quickly because you'll be enthralled once you start. Interesting, funny, and altogether moving, this show will make your heart glow.

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