MovieChat Forums > Jane the Virgin (2014) Discussion > The problem with both premieres thus far

The problem with both premieres thus far

posted 8 years ago by ithinkimdeck
14 replies | jump to latest

Season 2 and Season 3 premieres resolved the cliffhanger TOO DAMN QUICK and too neatly. If you're going have Sin Rostro kidnap Mateo, then go there. Make Mateo's kidnapping an actual plotline of season 2 that lasts as least a few episodes. If you're going to shoot Michael and possibly kill him, then go there. Make Michael go into a coma, or forget Jane or even die.

These premieres have both been highly anticlimactic and do nothing to advance the plot in anyway. They've both merely dealt with the various cliffhangers, and in the case of the big cliffhanger, they just wrapped it up right away. Why even bother with the cliffhanger, if there will no real consequences?

[–] BellaItaliana89 8 years ago

i didn't watch the episode yet. ugh michael didn't go into a coma? what the hell? that's what i thought was going to happen! so what does happen?

[–] JaneThree 8 years ago

It's a cliffhanger to bring people back for the premiere, the end. A kidnapping story that went on and on would have been boring. "Will Michael live or die" would have been boring. Years ago the show "Dallas" had the biggest cliffhanger of all time. "Who shot J.R." they told us on the next season premiere. That's how you do it.

[–] jstitely1 8 years ago

Exactly! No one wants a drawn out mystery unless it can be done really well, and jtv isnt a mystery show or one where death/kidnapping fits the overall tone. They can have instances of it, but to drag it out wouldnt work.

[–] kaasein 8 years ago

I don't remeber having this problem with previous premiere, but with this it is so true.
First, after the s2 finale, I was glad that he died. I didn't think it was possible he'd live ater being shot right in the heart. But, unfortunately, since s3 premiere started and he was in surgery, I knew he would live. I knew that because the show is favourizing him so hard. I just didn't know he would wake up so soon. And after I had to watch an episode which was basicly a tribute to Michael, he wakes up being all stable and healthy. And then this coacroach ruins Petra's chance.
It would be much more intersting and telenovela style if he'd at least forgot who Jane was - I think it is really a missed plot opportunity.

[–] Eva_Marrie 8 years ago

the show is favourizing him so hard

Because he can act, which is very useful in a prestige TV show.

[–] kaasein 8 years ago

You know I meant the character, not the actor, right?

I can see that Baldoni is worse actor and still like his character better. But it's not what I meant. I wasn't talking about Michael/Rafael competition. I just meant that the show is like 'oh saint Michael he's so great and he can do no wrong and he's so perfect and romantic bla bla'. I feel like he's being pushed down our throats.

That being said, I think that JtV has been well casted overall. Sure, some are better and some are worse, but generally they all match their roles.

Ps. I know you're right calling it 'prestige' because it is due to all the wins and nominations, but I honestly couldn't call that a show like this.

[–] Deana_beepbeep 8 years ago

I really like the Michael character. Which is why I don't agree with your comment. I like that it was resolved quickly. But I feel like those who don't like Michael, would probably agree with you.

I don't think it is a matter of how the story is paced or structured. And think both season finales were resolved well. But I do think that those who prefer Rafael would have preferred for Michael to be out of the picture for a little longer.

[–] ithinkimdeck 8 years ago

I can only speak for myself and say, I do not have a preference as to who Jane ends up with.

I was in the small minority of people who felt very torn since the beginning over who Jane should end up with. I was open to the show exploring either avenue. For now at least, it seems they have settled on Jane and Michael. I'm ok with that. I love Jane and Michael, and I love Jane and Raf for different reasons. That's part of the reason why the show was so good in my opinion in it's first season because there were times when I really wanted Jane to go back to Michael and times when I was hoping she'd work it out with Raf.

My complaint was the lack of consequences, this had nothing to do with whether or not Jane would end up back with Raf.

[–] Eva_Marrie 8 years ago

But it's quite possible that the writers push Michael BECAUSE they can rely on the actor to carry anything they throw at him. They might've given the bromance with Rogelio story to Raf, but then Jaime Camil would've just wiped him off the screen (Baldoni looked scared in both of his scenes with him😂). Why would writers favour a character that is so badly acted?

And this most definitely is a prestige show: low ratings, high critical acclaim, very dedicated fans, doesn't belong to a genre, unique premise, tackles brave subjects.

[–] JaneThree 8 years ago

Yes, I think the reason Michael "won" the triangle is Brett can act, and Baldoni sometimes comes off constrained and amateur. Agreed this is why they push Michael. And, since Michael is now Jane's husband, they did a backstory to strengthen the connection. In JTV premiere, we were told that her kiss with Rafael five years previously was amazing. So they went back to a flashback and showed us her first kiss with Michael was "magical". They need to establish that he truly is her soulmate. I think a lot of the Michael "push" has been filling in the blanks to let us know he's always been important, since the first two seasons set up Jane/Rafael more. And honestly, I don't think Gina R has amazing chemistry with either guy, but Brett is so damn talented his scenes are great with EVERYBODY, and since they are both likeable, it works. When I look back at when Rafael and Jane were giving it a go, the scenes just stayed there and died. Like when he was rocking the baby ... zzzzzzzzzzzzz. Or they were driving around. Baldoni was just so lifeless.

Let's not forget this show is very much a comedy, and Justin Baldoni is not that good at comedy, while Brett is wonderful at comedy but can also switch to drama. He's versatile. Hell, he has better chemistry with the kid playing Mateo than Baldoni has.

AND I am certain that like all television shows, it pays attention to fan mail and to focus groups. Whatever one thinks of focus groups, shows pay attention to them, and Michael must be very popular with both.

That said, I think this season sets up well for Rafael. Baldoni is more relaxed outside the love triangle, and he is more relaxed playing off Yael Grobglas than he is anybody else on the show, IMO. Petra is becoming popular, and when I go on twitter, JTV fans are pushing for Rafael to rescue Petra.

[–] forksforrests 8 years ago

I definitely agree that Baldoni seems more at ease outside of the triangle, and the writers are playing to their strength. I've always liked Petra/Rafael (even though narratively, I don't think they really work anymore), and your theory about Baldoni playing off Grobglas well would explain why.

ETA:

They need to establish that he truly is her soulmate. I think a lot of the Michael "push" has been filling in the blanks to let us know he's always been important, since the first two seasons set up Jane/Rafael more.

Something never quite fell right in the second half of s2 and this ^^ may be why. Rafael/Jane seemed to be built up as the 'true loves' of the show, and the baby would bring them together in a big way. When that didn't work, they writers seemed to retcon a lot more backstory into the Michael/Jane relationship to make them more 'meant to be'. It always felt a bit forced with how much they were laying on the soulmate crap, and this may be exactly why.

A rose is just a rose.

[–] forksforrests 8 years ago

But it's quite possible that the writers push Michael BECAUSE they can rely on the actor to carry anything they throw at him. They might've given the bromance with Rogelio story to Raf, but then Jaime Camil would've just wiped him off the screen (Baldoni looked scared in both of his scenes with him😂).

 very true. Seeing Baldoni interact with the Villaneuva family on a regular basis would become such a chore to watch because of Baldoni's lacklustre skills. While as Dier is great in his comedic timing, his chemistry with all the cast members, and generally comes off as a rounded character.

 it's nice to know we agree on both Jess Mariano and Michael Cordero.

A rose is just a rose.

[–] Eva_Marrie 8 years ago

it's nice to know we agree on both Jess Mariano and Michael Cordero.

Lol, yes! You know, I started watching Gilmore Girls after hearing that it had parallels with JtV. Well, no wonder that they do - Jennie Snyder has worked on both. Both turned out to be outstanding shows.

[–] angelblueqt 8 years ago

Totally agree! I was shocked to see them wrap up that storyline so quickly. I was expecting a coma or amnesia...something!! And yet the Petra storyline is still happening? I would have liked it better flipped. More Michael drama, less Petra.

Trolls Need Not Apply