When I first heard the log line for the CW’s “Jane the Virgin,” I have to admit, I did not have high expectations. Due to a series of unfortunate and slightly unbelievable events, a young, unmarried, religious woman becomes pregnant after being artificially inseminated accidentally.

If this didn’t already sound like a telenovela, there is a whole lot more. The doctor who made the error is actually the sister to the father of the baby. The father of the baby is married to a woman who is cheating on him with his best friend. The doctor is sleeping with her stepmother. The pregnant girl’s father? He is actually the star of a hit telenovela.

And that’s just what happens in the first episode.

Three months ago, if I was told ‘Jane the Virgin’ would be the best new drama on television this series, I would have laughed out loud. Now, I can barely wait the week between episodes because I am so excited to see what happens next.

In addition to the addictive plotlines, the cast all helps bring the show to a new level. Gina Rodriguez plays the titular Jane with both heart and a bit of snark. In anyone else’s hands, I think the utter ridiculousness of the storylines would have crushed the actress. Rodriguez carries the show with relative ease, not afraid to do most of the heavy lifting in scenes with Andrea Navedo and Ivonne Coll, Jane’s mother and grandmother, both of whom provide some of the most hilarious facial reactions of the cast.

There’s also Brett Dier as Jane’s fiance, and Justin Baldoni, the father of the Jane’s baby. Although the men’s main plot lines, and best scenes, are tied to Rodriguez, the duo also had some fun in the scenes relating to another event on the show, a spoiler so great, it is not forth ruining the surprise.

The CW just picked up ‘Jane the Virgin’ for a full season, but I hope this show manages to get the second season pickup. Rodriguez as the breakout star of the season, the characters are hysterical yet likable and although the plot is ridiculous, it is impossible not to get caught up in it.

Bottom Line: ‘Jane the Virgin’ delivers.

5/5