Back in 2015, the relatively unknown Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez surprised everyone when she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Show. Her first nomination and win has translated into two additional Golden Globe nods. But the Emmys haven’t been as kind, failing to nominate Rodriguez despite the series remaining just as popular in its third season as it’s ever been. With that, let’s look at 10 scenes from the third season that will hopefully convince Emmy voters to give Rodriguez the coveted award. Prepare to laugh, cry, and cheer.
Spoiler Alert: Plot details from season three are revealed below.
The 2017 Emmy Award nominations will be announced on July 13. Season three of Jane the Virgin is available on Netflix.
1
"Chapter 45" Jane Comforts Michael After Being Shot
Setting the Scene: Jane details the life her and Michael (Brett Dier) will have together as Michael awaits surgery.
Why It Deserves an Emmy: Audiences have always appreciated Rodriguez’s ability to convey emotion. This is one of several sequences where Rodriguez’s ability to turn on the waterworks is on full display, but it illustrates Jane’s imagination as well. As the scene flashes forward to events that will never come to pass, Rodriguez imbues them with authenticity. You can believe she’s improvising, that it’s not a scripted scene. Rodriguez’s scenes with Dier have a certain added nuance to them in hindsight, and with what happens after this scene is even more affecting.
2
"Chapter 47" Jane's Alter Ego
Setting the Scene: Jane discovers she looks exactly like her aunt Cecilia, whom Alba (Ivonne Coll) claims is horrible person.
Why It Deserves an Emmy: Rodriguez is great at playing different characters within the Jane universe – like her performance as “Lady Jane” in the first season. As Cecilia we revel in Jane embracing her inner sultry siren, and she gets to speak Spanish, of which there’s not nearly enough of from her. The character received some criticism for emulating Sofia Vergara and over-exaggerating the accent but it’s a testament to the actress’ comedic timing. Cecilia is memorable because she’s fun, and so unlike Jane.
3
"Chapter 47" Jane's No Longer a Virgin
Setting the Scene: Jane and Xiomara (Andrea Navedo) have a conversation about what Jane’s life is like post-virginity.
Why It Deserves an Emmy: This is an insightful moment between mother and daughter about how often a woman’s identity is bound up in her sexual status. Having been told her virginity is so precious, Rodriguez slays a scene where her character questions who she is now that her “worth” is gone. The show’s always been powerful about demonstrating that Jane’s virginity doesn’t define her and Rodriguez’s ability to go through the emotions and find herself is amazing.
4
"Chapter 51" Jane Questions Her Belief in God
Setting the Scene: Jane talks to a nun about why she’s avoided going to church.
Why It Deserves an Emmy: Many who watch Jane the Virgin enjoy its look at Catholicism in the 21st-century. This moment brought Jane’s Catholic religion back into the forefront and allowed her to figure out why she’s avoided going. Rodriguez shows off a moment of self-realization – that she’s angry at God – in a way that doesn’t feel like A Moment. Her self-doubt and actualization are provided in equal measure.
5
"Chapter 54" Jane Might Be Pregnant (Again)
Setting the Scene: Jane tells Michael she might be pregnant.
Why It Deserves an Emmy: Rodriguez is great at conveying happiness, and considering how this episode ends it’s a sign of talent that she really sells her and Michael’s dream. The script gives these two an adult conversation about having children and the way Rodriguez says “You’re excited?” brings tears.
6
"Chapter 54" Jane Loses the Love of Her Life
Setting the Scene: Michael’s death.
Why It Deserves an Emmy: Whether you were Team Michael or not, Rodriguez’s chemistry with Brett Dier helped perpetuate the belief that they were great together. When Michael dies, Jane’s world collapses and, boy, do we see it. Not only is this one of the best directed sequences in the season, but Rodriguez’s slow build is unbelievable. She gathers up an ounce of strength before collapsing into a puddle that’s so overwhelming it terrifies Rafael (Justin Baldoni). It’s a scene with enough power to make even the Grinchiest Michael hater sob.
7
"Chapter 55" Jane Tries to Not Drown in Grief
Setting the Scene: Alba tries to convince Jane that Michael’s death isn’t the end and Jane will soon lead “a beautiful life.”
Why It Deserves an Emmy: The show hasn’t really delved into the mourning Jane did in the wake of Michael’s death. This gives her a sequence to bond with her Abuela, also a widow, and find some means of getting out of bed and living her life.
8
"Chapter 55" Jane Tries to Hold it Together
Setting the Scene: Jane reads a passage from her book about Michael.
Why It Deserves an Emmy: We know many of Rodriguez’s best scenes this season were about Michael, but as Jane read a passage from her novel we see Rodriguez’s ability to grin through the pain. Watch the deep breath she takes when she starts to waffle in her speech. You can see her struggling to hold her composure.
9
"Chapter 63" Jane Hilariously Drunk Dials Rafael and Petra
Setting the Scene: Jane drunkenly calls Rafael and Petra (Yael Grobglass), imploring them to get together.
Why It Deserves an Emmy: Rodriguez is a comedic master, and though the laughs weren’t that abundant this season she still soared. This three-way conversation between Jane, Petra and Rafael was hilarious. Rodriguez knows when to deadpan things – such as her bald “so drunk” when asked – and simultaneously drunk cry.
10
"Chapter 64" Jane Officiates Her Parents' Wedding
Setting the Scene: Jane officiates Rogelio (Jaime Camill) and Xiomara’s wedding in the season three finale.
Why It Deserves an Emmy: At the end of the day Jane knows a thing or two about love. So it would make sense that she’d recount the story of her parents’ romance, and the pratfalls that brought them together. Rodriguez’s effervescence carries the heartfelt lines. No matter what Jane’s been through, she remains a sucker for romance. And with a smile from Rodriguez, the audience believes it too.