When Jane the Virgin began, I was a firm member of Team Rafael. Rafael was the father of Jane’s baby. He was her onetime crush who had popped back up in her life in the most telenovela of ways. Jane’s chemistry with Raf was off the charts, and that dreamy first kiss sealed the deal for me.
I was initially very opposed to the idea of Jane being with Michael, the man she had started out the series engaged to. He seemed like the typical nice guy, but I was turned off by his actions after finding out Jane was pregnant. The way he manipulated her into almost giving her baby to Petra and Rafael, even though he knew about their marital problems, was unforgivable.
I’m a sucker for a love triangle and usually choose sides without wavering. But when Jane boss Jennie Snyder Urman revealed that in Season 2 Jane would choose a man and stick with him, I figured I was going to have to live with it, whether the situation went my way or not.
Jane picked Michael, and at first I was upset. Once they were solidly a couple, their love story grew on me, though. From their playful nature to their tearjerker of a wedding, I was wholeheartedly on board with Mr. and Mrs. Cordero.
Then Michael was shot shortly after marrying Jane, and I panicked. I saw Jane and Michael’s pairing as one of the brightest spots in an already glowing show.
Since this cliffhanger left Michael’s life hanging in the balance for an entire five months, I had plenty of time to think about the show without him. I rationalized that I’d survive if he didn’t.
Michael did pull through, and I was surprised by my relief. It wasn’t so much that I wanted Michael to live—I just didn’t want him to die. Even when I longed for Jane to end up with Rafael, I didn’t want Michael to be erased from the show. I had hoped his fun, lighthearted presence could remain a part of this universe.
As Season 3 continued and Jane and Michael’s marriage grew stronger each week, I came to adore their relationship even more. Whether Jane was losing her virginity or Michael was trying out his stand-up comedy routine, this couple had legs. They were built to last.
So in this week’s episode, when Michael died suddenly of complications from being shot, I was devastated. Just when I thought he was safe, a permanent part of Jane’s world, he was gone.
It’s going to take me a long time to get over Michael’s death. I don’t know where the show is going from here, and I wasn’t always Michael’s biggest fan. But his absence—and the loss of Jane’s love-filled, happy marriage—will surely be felt.
