Why I love ‘Jane the Virgin’ and you should too!

Our story begins about 5 and a half years ago, when I was stumbled upon the trailer of a show called ‘Jane the Virgin’. The title was enough to entice me and the opening trailer had me in giggles, intrigue and mystery – right away it went on my list.

Fast forward to today, the final season is dropping on Netflix this weekend and while I already watched as every episode dropped – I am ready to binge again! So, if you haven’t gotten on the Jane-parade – I’m here to convince you to start! We are at home, with nowhere to go – when can be better?

It’s a telenovela – which is basically a tv-show with a limited-run time and done in a typical Latin-American fashion. Meaning it’s dramatic, it’s surprising, it’s intriguing, its… its… its ADDICTIVE!

So, we begin with Jane. I mean, after all, the show is named after her. Jane is a virgin – who gets accidentally artificially inseminated by Rafael’s sperm by Rafael’s sister, Luisa instead of Rafael’s wife Petra. But, Jane is dating the cop Michael – who is looking into the murder of Rafael’s best friend’s murder – the same guy that Petra is having an affair with. Confused? Unconvinced? Okay, I will just list out reasons so you can start watching.

Jane

Jane is super relatable as a character – she’s not dangerously attractive that makes you wonder if you can ever relate. She’s cute – she’s your girl-next-door. She’s intelligent, charming, trustworthy, super competitive – all the qualities that make her so real.

Her obsession with grilled cheese sandwiches, her very real confusion between one extremely hot baby daddy and one kind of cute cop fiance or when she’s trying not to take sides between her mom and Abuela. She has her flaws too – especially when she’s about to get really angry. Oh, and did I mention she’s a pregnant virgin? That’s basically what the show is mostly about.

The Hot Men

I’ll be honest, quite a significant part of why I watch the show is because of the men on the show. Adding in the romance and mystery, there are three essential dreamboats that you need to know about – Rafael (Jane’s baby daddy) , Rogelio (Jane’s daddy) and Michael (Jane’s boyfriend/fiancé). If you are wondering, I’m on #TeamRafael all the way.

My favourite person on the show is The Narrator – better known as the Latin Love Narrator. Never before have I seen a show where the narrator had such an important role – his snide remarks, comments fit in seamlessly in every scene – collecting not only his thoughts, the characters’ thoughts but also the viewers!

Which brings me to –

Rafael Solano

I can’t be objective about this – it is what it is. I love Rafael. I wanted Jane to be with Rafael from the very moment they first kisses – five years before the show’s timeline – she should have always chosen Rafael. I am not sure what it was – the shirtless scenes, the sensitive side, the love he has for Jane and the kids or the way he always wanted the best for her – even if it was his expense – emotionally, mentally, economically.

While Jane was always the heroine we knew she is, Rafael’s character grew by the episode. From being the rich playboy to the joyous baby daddy to the man in love complete with the grand romantic gestures – there’s nothing you will not love about being on Team Rafael.

No Dull Moments!

Whether it’s Jane’s birthday with her mum Xiomara dancing seductively, or her favourite TV star turning out to be her dad or the fact that Rose wasn’t who she was or Petra had a twin. To say that the show is dramatic – is but of an understatement. On Jane the Virgin – there are no dull moments.

And while our dear Latin Lover Narrator adds a lot of intrinsic drama to the already dramatic scenes – Jane the Virgin has very unexpected cliff hangers – that aren’t just there for the sake of being dramatic. (I feel like this paragraph can be a drinking game for the word Drama).

There’s twists and turns and threats – that in on way or another affect and complicate every single character’s life. Some of the biggest arcs on the show that are often threatened and complicated are – Jane’s relationship with her mom, her ability to trust Rafael. It’s not just about #TeamRafael or #TeamJane – but conflicts that help the show grow more and kept me coming back on the edge of my seat episode after episode.

Relationships on the show

When it comes to relationships – they really did nail it. They showed all sides of all kinds of relationships – the mother-daughter relationship that Jane and her mom (Xiomara) have or the Xiomara and Abuela have or the one Petra has with hers. They are real, raw, messed up and just so entertaining for the most part. It sounds like a jumble as I’m saying it out loud – but the Latin Lover Narrator is really good at reminding/explaining/clearing out any doubts. My favourite relationship is the friendship of Jane and Petra – by the end of season 5 – that’s one of the relationships everyone ends up caring most about.

Rogelio and his DRAMATICNESS!

Gifs would be enough for him, honestly:

So, why don’t you join me and get on the Jane-parade!

Love is Blind, so is Mark and here are some GIFs

I’m not a big reality TV buff – my one guilty pleasure is ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’. I’ve watched it for more than a decade – and the first couple of seasons still crack me up. So when everyone got on the ‘Love is Blind’ train, I was just like oh this is another ‘Love Island’ record and didn’t really give in. Then my PT, Devinder Bains convinced me that I should just watch 1 episode – while cycling in the gym.

So, there I sat, with one episode downloaded. And as I started – I cycled the entire episode without a break. And straight away, I went home and watched the second episode and the third and the fourth. Then I had to wait for a whole 4 days for the next episode. And I was hooked.

Obviously, like most people, I was shipping Lauren and Cameron; – SPOILERS – and was shocked when Barnett said ‘I do’; and not at all shocked when Jesssica didn’t. Although my mouth fell to the ground when I saw Gianina just speed off. That was brilliant, I would do that.

I would like to say I inspired many. I convinced friends, colleagues, family – everyone on my Love is Blind train. I found “like-minded” people watching the show – it obviously is starting to sound like a cult – but here’s a show that you didn’t know you needed.

For those who don’t know – it’s people – in an arranged marriage setting. No, no – I’m being very serious. You know how like in olden Indian times where you don’t get to see your fiance till you are actually engaged – I’d like to think that’s where they found the inspiration. So, basically it starts with 15 men and 15 women – all kind of speed dating – without seeing each other. They are in these pods – so they are essentially sitting on a couch and talking to a wall – that talks back. Nope, nothing cuckoo here.

Then, based on who you like – you “meet” them more often until like the dude proposes – at which point the girl says yes, unless you are Gianina (Gigi) – where you tell him ‘no’ and then propose him anyway. He should have run then – oh well.

So this happens, once they say yes – they finally meet each other. And then whisked away to Mexico for a “pre-honeymoon”. And then they live together in an apartment – with the speedy wedding basically in 4 weeks of getting engaged. Crazy, right? BUT – IT’S SO ENTERTAINING!

So, “inspired” and excited, the gifs are everywhere. And I had to my favourites that I’m already making very good use of.

Gianina running away – and then falling.

JK, I’m not running away from men – I’m so single it hurt!

No, not all memes are Gigi.

Anytime some says something gossipy!

Talking about that girl hitting on my friend’s boy – “bitch you shiesty”!

Yeah, okay – so they are all Gigi.

Me – when I saw Jessica (in the gif) give her dog a sip of wine and then continue drinking from the same glass…

Simpson’s version of hiding in the leaves…

After an evening out…

Realizing that maybe this didn’t need to be an article, but its too late for that…

OKAY – WATCH IF YOU HAVEN’T!

Life Lessons I Learnt from Jab We Met

Don’t know if you know, but Netflix loaded my favourite movie- Jab We Met. The movie starring Kareena Kapoor-Khan and Shahid Kapoor is one of the best and most relatable movies ever made. A first by Imtiaz Ali shows India as the perfect tourist location- highlighting Rajasthan and Shimla.

I’m not going to tell you the plot, because if you’ve stumbled here without watching the movie- I strongly advise that you get a pack full of popcorn and bundle yourself in for an amazing 3 hours. The music score of the movie is top notch- with all my favourite songs ever being from the movie.

Here are a few life lessons that I learned from Geet and Adi.

1. Be your own favourite

   

   Loving yourself is so important- because if you are not your own favourite- then how do you expect someone else to make you their favourite. You know what I mean?

2. Make your own decisions and get ready to bear consequences

   

   Whether it was running away, or staying away- Geet stuck to her decisions. Her reasoning behind everything she did was she didn’t want to blame somebody else and would know whatever life is because of her own decisions. She stuck to her decision of running away and bearing the consequences of the rejection that followed. She could have gone back home but decided to stay.

   “Aagey kya hone wala hai, is pe kisi ka control nahin hai. Toh aise mein main wahi karti hoon jo mera dil kehta hai. Meri life jo bhi hogi, mujhe pata hoga ki meri wajeh se aisi hai. Toh I’ll be happy.”

3. Never settle

   

   Decisions bring me to a third lesson- of never settling. We make our own happy ending- and it’s simply by choosing what really makes us happy- and not giving into thinking what we think our hearts want.

4. Childish madness is sometimes a necessity

   

   Sometimes the best way to dealing with things is through the utter childish madness. Whether it’s burning and flushing a picture of your ex, or you know, casually calling them up and screaming every imaginable swear word you know. Trust me- it works.

5. Keep talking

   

   It’s okay to be that person who keeps talking- even when she’s sleeping. You don’t need a special occasion to keep talking endlessly (and filter-free). Although- do add some filters.

6. Be thoughtful

   

   Be your own favourite, keep talking, make your own decisions but in all that, always be thoughtful about others. The whole plot of Jab We Met revolves around Geet missing her train because she went to get Aditya back to the train. She supports his case in front of the ticket collector in the train and literally stops him from falling to his death.

7. Everything will eventually be okay

   

   This is something this movie teaches me every time I forget, or need hearing it again- that it might take a while till things are better, but they will get better.

Favourite TV Couples

1. Monica and Chandler

   

   Everyone’s who ever seen Friends have them on their list. A long time ago, my best friend, Sonia and I created an entire list of reasons for everything we know about ‘love’ was from Chander and Monica. Reasons included their characteristics- funny and OCD, friends first, lovers second and the perfect match- they are my favourite TV couple. I don’t know about you, my favourite episode is ‘The One Where Everybody Knows’. ( THEY DON’T KNOW, THAT WE KNOW, THAT THEY KNOW THAT WE KNOW!).

2. Chuck and Blair

   

   When at first they got together- I was weirded out. I thought Blair should be with Nate and not the creepy Chuck Bass. But, come season 2, my opinion changed. Chuck brought out the best and worst of her- and enough to still want to be with her. Blair gave it everything to bring out the best of Chuck. Minus all the expensive presents, dinners, “rich people drama”- the couple was quite realistic when it came to the relationship. I loved when in Season 4 beginning, they’re in Paris at the train station- and Blair drops everything when she finds out Chuck’s there and tells him to come back to New York. I, ESPECIALLY, loved it when they finally got married and how!

   

3. Uncle Jesse and Becky

   

   I spent a lot of time watching Full House- and while the coolest relationship on the show was of Danny and his cleaning supplies (just kidding, it was Michelle and Uncle Jesse), Uncle Jesse and Becky were a pretty awesome TV couple. They used to support each other’s insanity, careers, goals, family and each other.

4. Logan and Veronica Mars

   

   I was SOOOOOO upset when Duncan ran away with the baby- that definitely meant the end of Duncan and Veronica, but as Logan and Veronica started their relationship- it became pretty clear who she really suited with (read: Logan). Their relationship had a different dynamic- slightly messed up, but it suited their characters. That said, this is one of the best detective shows I’ve seen- you should REALLLY watch it.

5. Bones and Booth

   

   I stuck through all the 12 seasons. I started watching Bones during their 4th season- and couldn’t miss an episode. Every episode, to me, was the most fascinating thing- and I literally wouldn’t do anything for the hour (especially eat when the body was still being “recovered”). Seeley Booth and Temperance ‘Bones’ Brenan’s relationship was the highlight of the show. Of how they eventually went from being partners to a couple.

6. Ross and Rachel

   

   They were on a break, but Ross shouldn’t have slept with the photocopier girl. I wanted to slap the man’s idiot face when he did. And all the missed opportunities of being with Rachel- stupid, stupid man. But, despite all the flights, fights and longing looks they shared- Ross and Rachel were made for each other.

7. Jane and Rafael

   

   I know, I know so many people who supported Jane and Michael- but. I’ve always been Team Rafael. Oh, the man is way too sexy. I wish he didn’t break up with Jane when he did- then they’d still be together. I got on the whole Michael and Jane boat when he recovered from the hospital after the shooting. But, then they went and killed him. So, I swam back on the Team Rafael boat. Rafael and Jane, especially now, have a beautiful relationship and co-parent the cutest toddler, Mateo.

8. Barney and Robin

   

   The only reason I stuck with this mind-numbingly silly show, How I Met Your Mother was to watch Barney and Robin get together. Only for the writers to ruin it in the last 3 minutes of the series. Robin and Barney complemented and completed each other in a way nobody else would have.

9. Schmidt and Cece

   

   The best thing about New Girl might be Jessica Day, but the best romance on the show is Schmidt and Cece. The crazy levels that Schmidt went through to be with Cece are brilliant- even crashing her mass Indian “date” thing in an Indian groom’s attire. They have an amazing chemistry, understanding, and relationship.

7 Reasons why I binged watched Netflix’s ‘The Crown’

After hearing people rave about Netflix’s The Crown, and watching all the trailers on YouTube, I decided- let’s watch this show. I do enjoy period dramas, after all.

I had little knowledge of what it was going to be about- mostly how Queen Elizabeth the second was crowned. Think the title and the picture gave it away.

Anywhoo, last weekend, I binge-watched the show. From the very first episode, I was gripped. I didn’t want to pause and take a break. That’s always a good thing when a show can do that to you- also not really because then that’s all you are going to do for the next 10 hours. (It’s 10 episodes, and each is about an hour long).

If you ask me, I can argue for the many reasons you have to watch the show- especially, if you are a history enthusiast. But, in 7 quick reasons (complete with gifs), here’s why I binge watched it.

1. Matt Smith
   
   If you’ve seen Doctor Who, you’ll know him. And while many argue that David Tennant was the best Doctor- I strongly disagree. It was Matt Smith for me. His eccentric expressions and being was the perfect doctor. But, in The Crown he plays Prince Phillip. His expressions (and bum) are worth the 10 hours.
2. The entire cast
   
   Netflix chose Britain’s best when they decided to cast for The Crown. Whether it’s Claire Foy as the Queen, Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret and John Lithgow as Winston Churchill- it is a stellar selection.
   And the real fact is, Claire Foy could have done the show by herself, and I would have still watched it.
3. The grandeur
   
   It isn’t just the Buckingham Palace I’m talking about, but the general scale of the show was magnificent. While it is also Netflix’s most expensive show (and I’m talking 130 million pounds), the costumes, the interiors, the coronation crown were delicately selected- down to the smallest detail of the flowers in her wedding bouquet.
4. How Elizabeth handled patriarchy
   

   

   

   

   

   Patriarchy is something that has been long prevailing in our world. Even the Queen of England was subject to it. She torn between her family, her husband and the State.My favourite part has to be when she called in the Prime Minister and the Lord to give them a hearing of their lives.

5. The Romance
   
   
   While there’s a lot to learn about Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip’s 69 year old romance, the show gives a lovely insight on the ups and downs of their relationship. While their romance forms the backdrop to the show’s story line, it’s Princess Margaret and Captain Townsend’s romance you need to watch out for.
6. Obsessions with the Royals
   
   Okay, I won’t call it obsession, but if you are intrigued by the Royal family-  I mean I have always been. I watched Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding religiously while it aired live- and I read every article leading up to the wedding and after. SO, if you are anything like me, you will enjoy watching the show and how real their lives can be.
7. The Drama
   
   One always wonders and paints it like a fairytale that being a Royal would be fantastic and rosy. The Crown puts into light the best and the worst of Britain’s Royal family. Like the wedding of Queen Elizabeth to Prince Phillip- that no one actually approved of, Princess Margaret’s affair with Captain Townsend and how it played out, the arguments between the Queen and Prince Phillip, and such.

 

23 Rom-Coms You Must Watch

Right, so since we are all thinking and talking about love and romance, and I am a self-acclaimed romance enthusiast, who loves watching romantic movies, there are some favorites that are ALWAYS on my list- and with an obvious reason, they are amazing.

While there is a long list of movies that I can watch again and again, these ones are when I want to feel some love and giggle through my tears.

Tell me some of your favorites!

1. When Harry Met Sally
   

   

   
2. Love Actually
   

   

   
3. Pretty Woman

   

4. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge

   

5. Silver Linings Playbook
   

   

   
6. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
   

   

   
7. 50 First Dates

   

8. Sleepless in Seattle

   

9. 13 Going 30
   

   

   
10. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
    

    
11. Dirty Dancing
    

    

    
12. Pride and Prejudice- Colin Firth one. He is the ONLY Mr. Darcy

    

13. Sweet Home Alabama
    

    

    
14. The Notebook
    

    

    

    
15. Letters to Juliet
    

    

    
16. You’ve Got Mail
    

    

    
17. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
    

    
18. Barfi!
    

    
19. Jab We Met
    

    

    

    
20. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
    

    

    
21. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

    

22. Hum Tum
    

    

    
23. Hasee Toh Phasee
    

    

    

    

18 Life Lessons from Gilmore Girls

I just binge watched Gilmore Girls and in less than a month- and this is something I’m very proud of- finished the entire series. Yes, that’s right. I watched 7 seasons and the Year in Life Netflix special and I finished it all- in less than a month.

There were several things I enjoyed about the show- Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore) being my favorite. There were several moments when all I wanted was to stop watching it, I’m thinking Season 3 between Jess and Dean and Dean and Jess (if you are asking, I was Team Dean all the way- but that Logan fellow was pretty much meant to be). Although, in the revival, I was all about Team Jess. Never thought that would happen- but he’s turned out to be a pretty amazing dude, I would say. Anywhooo. 18 important life lessons I learned from Gilmore Girls:

1. Life is really short, so talk fast.

   As somebody who talks really fast- I really enjoyed watching Lorelei ramble on and on and on.

   

2. When in doubt, or when bored, or when uncertain- drink.

   

3. Dirty jokes are never not funny.

   

4. Sometimes you need to stop planning the future and just live in the moment.

   

5. Look out for silver linings

   

6. Be yourself.

   

7. Never be afraid to voice your feelings

   

8. Take time out for yourself- to discover yourself and to find contentment within you.

   

9. Just because you love him doesn’t mean he is good for you.(Read: Jess, then Dean and then Logan)

   

10. Coffee is everything.

    

    

11. It’s okay to hurt sometimes and cry into ice cream.

    

12. Do not steal a yacht.Repercussions are your mother bailing you out of jail.

    

13. Stop and smell the books!

    

14. And always bring a book – wherever you go!

    

15. Snow makes everything magical.

    

16. Pop-culture references are EVERYTHING!

    

17. You can’t control who you’re attracted to (Read- Jess, then a married Dean, then Logan, then an engaged Logan).

    

18. Make sure your best friend can bake.

    

La La Land- “What If”

What if. 

This has been my favourite phrase for as long as I can remember. With everything that happens, the trail that leads to “what if” always stirs a doubt in my head. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who wonders “what if…”.

La La Land is a movie of dreamers and for dreamers. When I watched the trailer the first time, I knew then that I wouldn’t miss this movie- mostly because it had my favourite, Ryan Gosling in it. And anything that Ryan Gosling does- can’t be bad. I mean come on, I watched that horribly violent movie, “Drive” for his sake. He looked so cute in that horrible violent movie. SOO- I couldn’t have missed this.

Anywhoo, after a month of the movie’s release, I found myself standing outside the cinemas, with my bottle of sparkling water and a big bucket of popcorn.

A musical- La La Land is a definite see. Especially, if you love Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Jazz, LA and just old school retro romance.

My favourite part was when they are sitting in the cinema- their romance just beginning- and they’re slowly trying to touch each other’s hands. It was so cute and reminded me of how love and romance starts in most relationships- in the cinema, holding hands in the dark and grinning like fools. Although, not many first kisses get interrupted by a burning film roll.

If you don’t want jumbled and confusing spoilers- do not read ahead.

It doesn’t have your regular happy ending- it doesn’t end with Mia and Sebastian together. But, it isn’t sad. I’m not going to explain the plot of the movie- because I am going to press on the point where I’d rather you watch the movie than just read about it.

It’s about regular people, who meet, fall in love, and move away- metaphorically and literally. But, years later, when they see each other again- what if haunts them. That haunting might have been only the last 5 minutes of the movie, but it was enough to make me watch it all over again.

I might be the only person, but the idea of haunting what ifs is quite poetic to me. To me, this movie ended on that note. It made me wonder, why do we spend so much time pondering over what if when we could have done that in the first place. Is it always too late to do anything? Or is it relative to what is being discussed?

With the girlfriends dancing in sync in the beginning (where did they go in latter half- is still a mystery!).

Or the running in giddy realization- and hoping it’s not too late.

And it’s not too late…

Or the first kiss all over again…

Oh wait- did I tell you there’s John Legend in it? John Legend singing and acting?

For the first time, even without the happy ending, I walked out of the theatre with the biggest smile on my face- it could have something to do with Ryan Gosling- or just to do with a really good movie.

Okay, watch the trailer again here: La La Land Trailer