Is Jane still a virgin? How does the Season 2 finale poke fun at that question?
Quick Answer: In the Season Two finale of Jane the Virgin, Michael and Jane finally tie the knot. Now that Jane is married, it seems as though her time as the eponymous virgin will soon come to an end. As the wedding ceremony comes to a close, the choir and Jane’s family break out in song, singing, “Go have sex, Jane!” This comedic and dramatized scene gently mocks the media speculation surrounding the future of Jane’s virginity. Indeed, the team behind Jane the Virgin smartly uses the finale as a self-reflexive opportunity to poke fun at the anticipation it has built up among viewers over the last two seasons.
In Season Two finale of Jane the Virgin (2014 - ), Michael and Jane get married. The marriage proves to be a culminating moment for the show, not only because it touches on numerous storylines and character arcs but also because of its implicit connection with the show’s title. Now that Jane is married, it seems as though her time as the eponymous virgin will soon come to an end. After Jane gives flowers to a statue of Mary—a common ritual at the end of Catholic weddings—it comes to life and says to Jane, “Great job! You waited! You’re a rockstar! Now go have sex, Jane.” Suddenly, the choir breaks out in song, singing, “Go have sex, Jane!” Jane is understandably startled as the choir and her family continue to encourage her to have sex with Michael. This comedic and dramatized scene gently mocks the media speculation surrounding the future of Jane’s virginity. Indeed, the team behind Jane the Virgin smartly uses the finale as a self-reflexive opportunity to poke fun at the anticipation it has built up among viewers over the last two seasons.
Gina Rodriguez in Jane the Virgin
The hyper-dramatized song also points to the expectation built into the show’s title. Admittedly, Jane the Virgin backed itself into a corner with its title, yet the show uses Jane’s defining characteristic to its advantage. By suggesting that Jane’s virginity won’t last forever, the audience hangs onto the inevitable question: when will it happen? The showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman has confirmed that Jane will lose her virginity, thus strengthening the fans’ rampant speculation. She has stated, “When Jane gets married she’ll lose her virginity, at which point we’ll put a line through [the title]—it’ll say Jane the Virgin and you’ll see a line crossed through the ‘Virgin.’” These comments led many to believe that the Season Two finale, already known to be a wedding episode, would end with the inevitable.
The relatively dilemma-free wedding ceremony functions as a sort of timer for Jane. Though viewers should be interested in the wedding itself, the writers playfully acknowledge what is on everyone’s mind: the wedding night. By minimizing the ceremonial and religious importance of her wedding, the writers mock the emphasis that the viewers put on sex. When Jane finally ties the knot, the chorus mirrors the reaction of the audience watching at home, albeit in a much more melodramatic manner; they rejoice in the likely possibility that Jane will consummate her marriage.
Brett Dier, Gina Rodriguez, Ivonne Coll, Andrea Navedo and Jaime Camil in Jane the Virgin
The scene’s absurdity reflects the unlikelihood that Jane’s thoughts would be focused solely on sex during that moment. For Jane, waiting until marriage isn’t just a religious march to the bedroom. Rather, her wedding is a ceremonial public pledge of her love for Michael. As opposed to ruminating over her wedding night, it is far more likely that Jane would be focused on her wedding day and the prospect of building a life with her husband.
While the finale may gently mock the viewers, it also highlights the writers’ ability to understand and empathize with them. The show has been successful at making Jane relatable and sympathetic to audiences. It found a way to conceptualize the confusion and temptation that occurs while waiting until marriage in a way that all viewers could understand. Each false lead and potential lover made the viewers’ hope and disappointment mirror Jane’s. Ultimately, Jane the Virgin thrives on keeping viewers hooked during moments of utmost absudity. As each character’s story evolves, viewers become more invested in and connected to their struggles. This trend can only continue on into the heavily anticipated third season, where Michael’s fate—and, of course, Jane’s virginity—will be revealed.