'Jane the Virgin' season 3 episode 8 spoilers: Michael tries hand at stand-up comedy as Rogelio seeks spiritual growth

The midseason finale of "Jane the Virgin" has left a handful of loose threads to tie up once the series returns for its second half next year. And with several life-altering "bombs under the table" going off in the final few minutes of the episode, how different will the dynamics between the characters be in 2017?

"Jane the Virgin" will not be back until January, but when it does, it will come with more surprises for the new year. After failing his physicals and thus facing months of desk duty at the precinct, Michael (Brett Dier Jr.) quits his job as a homicide detective to pursue a possible career as a stand-up comic. But the sudden career shift goes through a rough patch when Michael is attacked by a serious case of stage fright on his first night up the stage.

Additionally, it looks like Jane (Gina Rodriguez) will witness Xiomara (Andrea Navedo) and Bruce's (Ricardo Chavira) rekindled romance firsthand. Will this create a rift between mother and daughter, or will Bruce prove himself to be the changed man that Xiomara has been touting him up to be?

On the other hand, the "baby business" arrangement between Rogelio (Jaime Camil) and high dollar love dealerâ„¢ Darci (Justina Machado) seems to be going smoothly, too, and has, for some reason, even led to Rogelio taking up an interest in protective Kabbalah red strings.

And although it was not hinted at in the episode promo, next year's installments will undoubtedly find Rafael (Justin Baldoni) in more difficult situations now that he knows he is not a Solano. Will he keep it a secret and continue paying for Mother Constantine's silence, or will he come clean with it for the sake of setting a good example for his son Mateo (Baby Adam) at risk of losing his rights and authority over the Solano family fortune?

"Jane the Virgin" season 3 episode 8 airs next year on Monday, Jan. 23, at 9 p.m. EST on The CW.