Jane the Virgin recap: 'Chapter 35'

No, that concluding scene in last week’s episode of Jane and Michael confessing their love for one another wasn’t a fake-out: The two old flames are 100 percent back at it — at least, as soon as Rafael gives them his blessing. That, as this episode proves, is not so easy, though

But let’s bask in their sweet reunion a little longer before Rafael enters the picture. After exchanging I love you’s, Jane and Michael stay up all night catching up and making googly eyes at each other (when they aren’t making out on the back porch, of course). The montage of these moments is a reminder of how undeniably compatible these two are, and a welcome development in Jane’s love life. That professor, no matter how hot he is, was never going to last anyway.

But all good nights must end, and theirs is no exception. Jane points out that Michael and Rafael need to make up before they move forward officially, something Michael is in complete agreement with. Despite the great entertainment Michael and Rafael’s tumultuous relationship has brought to the show, its time for it to end — or to at least take a break.

While Jane is simultaneously glowing about her revived relationship and stressing about whether or not it will actually work, Xo is nursing a broken heart and trying to hide it. You see, she and Rogelio decided they would consciously uncouple. Translation for those who don’t keep up with Goop: “Conscious uncoupling” is the euphemism Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay’s Chris Martin famously used to describe their divorce. According to Rogelio and Xo’s definition, it involves skipping past all the “negativity” usually associated with breakups and going straight to the post-romance friendship. Because that sounds easy.

It’s not. Xo and Rogelio continue acting like a couple, even having some spontaneous sex. Xo’s doing it because she loves him, and as she explains to Jane, breakups are complicated. Rogelio’s doing it because he’s holding out hope that Xo will change her mind about wanting to have kids, he tells Jane in a heartbreaking moment. Could it happen? Sure. But the likelihood is small, and waiting for something that might never happen is a miserable way to live.

Jane reveals what Rogelio told her to Xo in an attempt to help them move forward in their breakup. It works. Xo and Rogelio have a second breakup of sorts and decide that they have to take a step back so they can truly get over each other. It’s rational and smart and the right thing to do. It’s also sad — especially after Rogelio previously told Jane that the true love he shared with Xo was rare and special.

This brings us back to Jane and Michael, a pair Rogelio is overjoyed about potentially seeing back together. After some pushing, Jane gets Rafael to go to lunch with them. Michael sincerely apologizes for everything — including that time he punched Rafael — and it seems like things might be okay. Then Rafael tells Michael he doesn’t like or trust him, and things escalate from there. Boys, right?ew,youtube