[Header Image: Gina Rodriguez as Jane Villanueva and Andrea Navedo as Xiomara Villanueva | The CW]
This post contains spoilers!
Recently, after five seasons, Jane the Virgin came to an end and I can safely say it’s one of my favourite shows of all time. It’s just incredibly well done and there’s something so comforting about it. That’s not to say it’s perfect because it’s not. There are definitely a handful of episodes (at least) that completely miss the mark but even those episodes are entertaining to watch. Regardless, with the show having finished with 100 episodes under its belt, I thought I would put together a list of my top 15 episodes.
This wasn’t easy at all because it is a gem of a show but somehow I managed to pull it off. That being said, before we get into it, I want to list 10 honorary mentions. These episodes only just missed out on being in main list and they’re definitely worth checking out as well. Those are episodes 4, 7, 19, and 21 from season 1, episodes 7, 11, 17, and 18 from season 2, and episodes 1 and 9 from season 5.
Now, without further ado, here are my top 15 Jane the Virgin episodes.
15) Season 5 Episode 3: ‘Chapter Eighty-Four‘
This episode was a rollercoaster. It was definitely interesting to see Jason (Michael) interacting with Jane. The two really don’t mesh as well as they did before he got amnesia but there was still that hint of a spark deep down which was nice to see. The best part, however, was when he got his memories back at the end. It was just the cheesiest and most perfect way for it to happen. It was very Jane the Virgin. I’m also always interested in seeing some bonding moments between Jane and Petra, the two of them have come so far and them talking about being sisters in this episode was really beautiful.
14) Season 1 Episode 17: ‘Chapter Seventeen’
Watching Jane try to prepare for motherhood with some help from Xo (and Lina) was really wonderful but I did also adore watching Jane babysit. It worked so well that she wasn’t instantly good at it but instead learnt along the way. This episode also makes it onto the list for the scenes between Michael and Rogelio aka one of the best friendships on the whole show. Jane the Virgin really loves to put emphasis on different types of relationships and Michael and Rogelio was one that just worked surprisingly well.
13) Season 3 Episode 3: ‘Chapter Forty-Seven’
It was honestly just so comical to watch Michael and Jane struggle to find time to have sex for the first time and then even once they do, it’s not exactly smooth sailing. This episode was a great example of how the show can handle things so carefully while still making them really funny. I enjoyed watching Jane and Michael’s journey of trying to figure out why sex just isn’t working for them while also seeing her go through no longer being a virgin. This episode also makes it onto the list for the scenes in which we dive into Alba’s past. Those were really fun and I adore seeing Gina Rodriguez act out the characters in Jane’s novels!
12) Season 1 Episode 12: ‘Chapter twelve’
I’ll admit that this one made it onto the list for two main reasons. The first, was Petra pretending to get her throat cut so she could see if her mother was really lying. I remember how shocked I felt when I saw that scene for the very first time and it’s still just as good. The second reason this episode is on the list is because of the end. Rose being Sin Rostro is by far one of the best reveals of the whole show. Just the way it’s done and the addition of the whistling, even if you worked it out before then, it’s still super fun to watch play out.
I also enjoyed seeing Jane going through the trouble of having to kill of Rogelio’s character and how it all leads to her finally calling him ‘dad’ for the first time. It was a really fun journey with a great, emotional payoff.
11) Season 5 Episode 17: ‘Chapter Ninety-Eight‘
As a Michael fan, I did appreciate that we got to see that he was happy. Although I do wish he had been used more in season five (considering they went to all the trouble of bringing him back), I do appreciate that his ending was a positive one and we got to see him before the show officially ended. That being said, this episode actually makes it onto the list because of the final confrontations with Rose. Her holding Jane hostage was way more intense than I was expecting and the final scenes between Rose and Luisa were fantastic. I’m so happy that Rose lasted throughout the entire series and her ending was actually really well done. Also, Luisa’s acting during those final interactions where she pretends to sacrifice herself were downright hilarious and absolutely perfect.
10) Season 2 Episode 14: ‘Chapter Thirty-Six‘
This one is on the list mostly for Petra. Every scene with her throughout this episode was just so wonderful. It was really great to see her helping Jane out and for those tables to be turned when Petra went into labour and Jane helped her through it. Also, it provided the first part of an interesting storyline which was Rogelio being held hostage by a super fan.
9) Season 5 Episode 19: ‘Chapter One Hundred‘
This was a perfect way to end Jane the Virgin. It was all about family and romance, two things that sit at the heart of the show and it was nice to have a final episode that focused primarily on them. While I do think the show is at its strongest when it combines those elements with the shows darker twists, closing up on a much happier note felt far better. It really did feel like everything was wrapping up and we, the audience, were just allowed to enjoy ourselves. It was also great that there some really wonderful scenes between Jane, Alba, and Xo, that we got a Petra and JR reunion (they both deserved happy endings!), and that they managed to incorporate a bus into the episode in such a big way, that last one in itself was so perfect.
Also, that reveal of the narrator’s identity worked really well especially the fact that it wasn’t focused on too much. It was just a brief comment and then the show moved on. It was wonderful.
8) Season 2 Episode 16: ‘Chapter Thirty-EighT’
Jane and Petra bonding in this episode was so wonderful to see! I adore how the show handled Petra’s emotions over being a new mother and the fact that she might be suffering from postpartum. It was also such a huge moment to see Petra help to get Michael and Jane a home without taking any credit for herself. It’s definitely one of the bigger steps forward with her character and it really showcased a lot of the growth she’s been going through. Also, it was nice to see Alba go off on her ex this episode and the initial house hunting was actually quite funny to watch even despite all the hiccups that come along the way.
7) Season 2 Episode 1: ‘Chapter Twenty-Three’
It was great to see not only the aftermath of the season one finale but how that led into Jane finally having to cope with being a new mother after everything that happened. One of the highlights was seeing everyone come together to help get Mateo back, I always preferred when Rafael and Michael got on so to see them join forces in this episode was just wonderful.
6) Season 1 Episode 10: ‘chapter ten’
As a whole, the storm causes a lot of chaos and it was such an intriguing episode to watch but the main reason it makes it onto the list is for the Alba portions of the episode. It’s definitely one of the more intense parts and I really did love how everyone came together to help her out when she was too unwell to do it for herself.
5) Season 5 Episode 14: ‘Chapter Ninety-Five‘
I absolutely adore Jane and Lina’s relationship (not to mention the latter is one of my favourite characters of the whole show) so to see them spend a good chunk of this episode together was really great. Seeing them go dress shopping together and then also discussing Jane giving her eggs to Lina created so much variety for them. This episode also makes it onto the list for Rogelio’s live streaming, how his health scare was handled, Xo getting into nursing school, and Alba being chosen to officiate the wedding.
In general, there was a strong sense of family in this episode, an element that runs throughout the entire series so it was really wonderful to have such a focus on it.
4) Season 1 Episode 1: ‘Chapter one’
I mean, this one had to make it onto the list, right? Jane the Virgin is one of those shows that gets you hooked from the very first episode. It’s such an odd concept for a series but this very first episode shows you exactly why it’s actually kind of brilliant and gives you a really clear insight of what to expect for the rest of the series.
3) Season 3 Episode 1: ‘Chapter Forty-Five’
This was definitely one of the more intense episodes. We’re dealing with the aftermath of Michael getting shot and for most of the episode there’s no indication of where he’ll pull through or not. Luckily enough, there are sprinkles of humour throughout as we see flashbacks into what Michael and Jane’s relationship was like when they were in the early stages of dating. Emotions run high throughout this episode and it definitely is one of the more hard-hitting ones but there’s still an oddly fantastic sense of balance when it comes to the lighter and darker moments.
2) Season 1 Episode 22: ‘chapter twenty-two’
This episode was honestly a fantastic way to close up season one. Throughout the first season, we got to see Jane discover she’s pregnant then go through said pregnancy so to end it with her giving birth worked so well! Especially when, of course, there was a disastrous cliffhanger involving Mateo being kidnapped from the hospital. There were a lot of funny moments too, like Jane having to use a bus to get to the hospital when she’s close to giving birth as well as Michael making her playlist for when she goes into labour. There was a lot going on in this episode and it completely encompassed what the show is without going too over the top which worked so well considering this is the first finale of the series.
1) Season 2 Episode 22: ‘Chapter Forty-FouR’
This one was a really perfect blend of all of the amazing aspects of Jane the Virgin. We had the big romance thanks to Jane and Michael’s wedding and that also brings along the aspects of family that’s strong throughout the entire show. Those things also brought a lot of humour especially with Jane and Rogelio running late for the big day. However, this episode also had some dark twists that are also common in Jane the Virgin from the whole switch around with Petra and Anežka to the devastating cliffhanger with Michael getting shot. This one makes its way into the top spot on this list because it has the perfect balance of everything there is to love about Jane the Virgin as a show.
And that is it for my top 15 episodes of Jane the Virgin! This was incredibly difficult to do but also kind of fun. There are so many wonderful episodes that didn’t quite make it onto this list but I’m pretty confident in saying that all of these are firm favourites of mine. If you have any opinions I’d love to hear them. What are your favourite episodes? Are any of them in this top 15? Do you have your own list? Let me know!
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