Let me start this by saying, I never thought I'd be writing a preview for a show called Jane the Virgin. In fact, when Jane the Virgin was announced as a pilot in contention at the CW, I was sure Mark Pedowitz and Co. were trolling us. I read the Log-line and thought, soon to be disaster. So imagine my surprise when Jane the Virgin turned out to be quite good. Whether it has a long shelf life remains to be seen, but as far as charming, quirky dramas based on telenovelas go, Jane is the comfort food that you didn't know you needed but loved it all the same. In a sense it's similar to its Jennie Urman predecessor Emily Owens, M.D.(Which was also gold).
The Premise: It's not too hard to figure out what the show is about. It's right there in there in the title. It's about Jane, the Virgin. More accurately it's about Jane(played by the promising Gina Rodriguez) who is holder of many hats. She's a daughter, a hotel employee, a soap opera devotee and girlfriend. Jane, the virgin, goes in for a routine checkup, and ends up artificially inseminated by a doctor who is having a really bad day. (Trust me there is so much more to the story, but I can't spoil it too much, but trust me the twists keep coming). From here trouble ensues all around creating trouble for several players connected to Jane and it's glorious. The show doesn't pretend to be serious, it knows that it's camp-tastic and embraces it and that's the charm of it all.
The fact that Jane and her family are big into telenovela's contributes to the irony that her life has now become one giant telenovela. By hour's end, Jane is pregnant by someone she barely knows, engaged to a man who is not the baby's father, and still a virgin. She's also got a cute boss who is a cancer survivor though unhappily married to a very conniving woman and a surprise coming her way that will surely rock her world. Through all of this, the show simply works. It is something that people will flock to? I'm not sure, maybe they will. Maybe they won't. Maybe, but not without some nudging. So, if there any viewers out there missing Ugly Betty, or the charm of old WB shows, this is your nudge, I implore you to check it out.
The high: Jane, played by Gina Rodriguez. Rodriguez is not just lightening in a bottle, but every force of nature! If a show's success was based on an actor's charisma, then Jane would have a very long shelf life. The positive reviews and accolades you see from critic's is not just smoke being blown, its deserved. Rodriguez is the it-girl you didn't know you've been waiting for, and probably one of the stronger leading ladies on the network. If she doesn't win you over by hour's end, maybe you should get your heart checked, you grinch. This is not to say the rest of the cast isn't good, because they are. If they weren't all giving it their best, then the premise would ultimately fail. The show blends humor and heart in the best kind of way and never makes you feel like it takes itself too seriously. The writers have found a nice tone in the pilot and I have to say, this far into the TV season, it still remains the most engaging pilot I've seen this year.
The reality: The show has a lot of buzz, but is it good buzz or bad buzz? Some think it's a joke, some think it's the best thing since sliced bread, wile others simply don't care. How about just ignore what you've heard and check it out with an open mind. Form your own opinion. Jane will have an uphill battle given it's time slot and it's got a lot of expectations to fill, good or bad. But whether it explodes out the gate or fizzle's, just watching Jane juggle her job's new owner, her boyfriend, her strict grandma, her wildchild mother and the complications of her miracle(is it?) pregnancy will be enjoyable for however long the ride is.
There's a lot to like about the show, and the pilot definitely throws everything at you pretty fast, setting up a pretty good deal. So, my biggest worry is that in addition to a premise and title that generally seems disdainful to the viewing public, would the telenovela elements of the plot drive viewers further away? And with everything set up so soon, what will the show do to sustain plot should it get renewed? I can't imagine they would drag this stuff out too long, especially with the pace that it goes. But if you go in knowing what you're getting into story and tone wise, you won't be disappointed. Though I do feel the title and general log line has already alienated a lot of viewers from checking it out.
The bottom line: The show is worth checking out. The show is charming and sweet and funny and just simply entertaining. If it's not your thing, it's not your thing. But if you're the slightest bit curious then check it out. Gina Rodriguez is fire, and the cast clicks and the show just works. Yes, it's a show seemingly about an immaculate conception, but it's so much more than that. Given the chance, the show will make you smile and laugh and fill that dramedy hole in your heart the CW schedule seems to be lacking of late(But you can't fault them because genre shows seem to be working for them). You may not like the title, you may not like the premise, but I dare you to not like the girl, Jane.
Jane the Virgin airs Monday, 10/13 at 8c on The CW. Will you be watching?
