binge watched 'Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life' (2016)

[orangerful]

Better than I expected...spoilerly thoughts under the cut...mostly the things I as nit picky about...



It was interesting how much they made Edward Hermann's death a key plot point, the loss of Richard really propels a lot of the story.

I felt really bad for Paul. I know the joke is that he is so forgettable but...damn, that is harsh! There wasn't anything about him that felt forgettable except that he didn't fit into the GG world yet. But was that his fault? (and I knew that he was going to have to break up with her as soon as he was introduced as the hilariously forgettable guy).

The writing felt right. Graham and Bledel fell into the rhythm very quickly. You could tell the creator of the series was back at the helm.

The thing with Logan was kind of icky but I understood it. I mean, I could sense Rory's logic, the idea that she felt she could be detached enough that his engagement didn't bother her. But it was still kinda icky, though a very Gilmore thing to do.

Paris was a hot mess, as usual, though I really wish that after all these years she had maybe gained some more confidence. You can still be a crazy, hardcore worker type without being an awful mother who abuses her maid and ends up divorced. And we barely got to spend any time with her and Doyle (who I still refer to as Johnathan from Buffy, even though I know his name is Danny (I wrote a few of the Hunger Games movies and some other award winning films) Strong.

The "Wild" thing was kinda random but pretty amusing even if I felt that the bit went on a little too long. Also, Lorelai was spending money like crazy, flying all the way to California on a whim? Buying hiking gear? I feel like her asking Emily for money at the end was just ridiculous because she clearly has a lot of extra income to throw around if she can do that without a second thought!

The scene with Christopher felt very weird. The way it was filmed, never putting him and Rory in the same frame until the hug...for a moment, I thought maybe the actor couldn't make it to the set to film and they were faking it all ala Arrested Development.

I think Jess and Emily were the "move improved" of the series. Jess managed to not get into any fist fights with anyone and Emily freed herself from a life she was no longer happy in. I loved her outburst. It felt surreal, I was worried it was going to be all in her head.

I was enjoying it all immensely until the last 3 second. When Rory said she was pregnant. And suddenly I was really upset with the show. Rory is smarter than that. I don't believe that a girl who was flying all over and having sex with an engaged man on a regular basis would not be on birth control of some kind. And in my head, I assume it was from the "one night stand" and not with Logan.

I feel like they were trying to be all cute (or maybe attempting to create a need for more seasons?) but it just pissed me off that we had a woman focused on her career who pretty much spirals and ends up settling for no real job (??? the Gazette doesn't pay ???) and moving back in with her Mom?

Sylvia said that Amy Sherman-Palladino said she always wanted to end the series that way, which just bothers me so much. Lorelai spent the whole series trying to get Rory to a better place than she was and instead Rory is about to be in the same spot. Except she is 32. But still, no partner, no job - pretty much ending her life.

I wanted this to be a four episode final farewell. It was fun to revisit Stars Hollow, see the little tweaks they made to make it feel like 2016 but still keep the little callbacks to 2000-2007. And it felt like it was all going to wrap up nicely, except suddenly they decided to have Jess look at Rory longingly through the window as he left, the strange elopement not-a-wedding (I'm so confused, did they not have a wedding at all the next day? Where was Emily in her dress?), and then that last sentence that made me feel tricked - like this wasn't a revival but a pitch for a Rory spin-off because, like her tv counterpart, Alexis Bedel has been unable to top what she did as a teen and has come back to Stars Hollow to survive.



So long Stars Hollow. It was nice visiting you again.

Comments

[hanorganaas.livejournal.com]

For the most part I loved the series. I loved that Luke and Lorelai have gotten married. I love how Jess and Emily who improved and made me love them more.

But I think Rory admitting she was pregnant was nto a good place to end. It makes me think that they are going to make another season or two or so. Honestly I don't think they would leave us with such a question of what will happen next. [Also the Inn? Emily?] Without having some plan for it.

But we'll see. I am happy Luke and Lorelai aka Modern Han and Leia are Mr and Mrs. Backwards baseball hat though XDD

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Yes, I really enjoyed the four episodes and I felt it was really well done, but I just felt very disappointed in Rory and sad that they thought that was a good way to end the show. But, then again, as someone else pointed out to me, if that original run had ended that way, the show would have been ruined. So this is more just an annoyance.

When Jess through Luke's hat away LOL favorite moment?

Also...little bit concerned about the amount of day drinking Rory was doing! Scotch for lunch????

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

I feel like they were trying to be all cute (or maybe attempting to create a need for more seasons?) but it just pissed me off that we had a woman focused on her career who pretty much spirals and ends up settling for no real job (??? the Gazette doesn't pay ???) and moving back in with her Mom?

I agree with you there - it just feels like a step backwards.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's like, it's 2016, Rory was raised by a woman who got pregnant by accident, she should be taking all the precautions! And the idea that becoming a teacher was "giving up" felt a little insulting too!

[place-to-hide.livejournal.com]

Yeah. It was weird that Rory ended up with no real job by the end of it. Because the Gazette doesn't pay and all. I mostly enjoyed the episodes. I just want to stay in Stars Hollow. Hehe.

That Rory & Dean moment within the last 30 minutes, feels. :P
And Jess looking for long time back at Rory taking care of Kirk through the window. Aww. More feels there too.

And Rory waking up Lorelai and hugging each other before Rory hands her the first three chapters. More feels there too.

And Sookie. I wanted more Sookie and Dean (Not together. ) just simply greedy and wanted more of them in the show than there was.

But I know Jared was busy with Supernatural when he did his scene. And Melissa McCarthy probably doing a movie or something.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

LOL Dean looked like he had walked over from the SPN set. But it was a very sweet moment. As was the moment with Jess.

I know that there was a big hullaballoo with McCarthy "not being invited" back to the show and then she was suddenly back. Not sure what was going on there! Glad she made it though, it was a very sweet moment and it really made me miss that chemistry between her and Sookie.

[place-to-hide.livejournal.com]

He really does. It was. I agree.

Yeah, there was. I didn't know how much Melissa McCarthy would be in it. it really was. I know! It makes you want to go back and re-watch the show.

[aliens.livejournal.com]

i'm really looking forward to watching it :D

[erychan86.livejournal.com]

I was up until 3 am lasn night watching the show and here's my take on it: http://erychan86.livejournal.com/123820.html

To answer your review:

I felt really bad for Paul. I know the joke is that he is so forgettable but...damn, that is harsh!
I felt very bad for that guy too! I understand it was funny but I didn't like the way Rory treated him! It could have been still fun if she ended it after the scene at Luke's Diner when she comes back for him. I didn't like the whole Logan thing because I was expecting more of Rory after she did what she did with Dean, and when Lorelai found out she didn't say a word (the only thing she said was "Logan, the guy you can't quit" when they were fighting for the book)

Having Rory coming back home, being jobless and then pregnant (definitely Logan's) seems like mirroring Lorelai back when she was 16. She was a mess and Rory made her better, so I think that's where they're going... The kid will help putting Rory's life together. The parallelism is there. Lorelai had a kid with Christopher -> Rory has a kid with Logan, Lorelai ends up with Luke -> Rory will end up with Jess.

I am a Rory/Jess shipper, but it seems like the only guy for her... Dean has his life and he moved on... In his scene he looked like he's at a good point in his life, and he doesn't want to be sucked up onto Rory's life. Logan is definitely NOT the guy for her. How can you trust someone like that?

I think the scene with Christoper wasn't about Rory as a kid but about what Rory wants to do with her baby! She goes to him to understand his point of view because she is going to do the same thing with Logan.

I don't think we'll have a new season because - as Sylvia said - ASP wanted to finish the show with these 4 words since the beginning. (I'm having a HIMYM flashback here).

I liked it. I loved Emily. I loved Lorelai storyline and even if I didn't enjoy completely Rory's it was still good! Loved the Book thing and the "drop the the, just Gilmore Girls, it's cleaner" KILLED ME

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

I kinda felt like they were trying to mirror Lorelai but...why? Doesn't that make Lorelai's parenting a failure now, after spending so many years trying to create a smart woman who wasn't going to make the same mistakes and they end the show by having her make the same mistake? Also, if you're having an affair with some random guy in the UK, I'd assume you were using all the protection, plus birth control etc. so it just made me frustrated with the writers to think that was a cute way to end the show. I dunno.

LOL someone else online referenced the HIMYM finale so at least this is not the original show finale because that would have been awful. I just wish Rory had been in a better place. Or had shown some inkling of wanting a kid earlier, that maybe she knew she wanted a family but couldn't find the right guy. Kind of like Ann in Parks & Rec. Have the baby first, then find the guy LOL.

I had fun the rest of the time though! That moment with Jess tossing Luke's stupid baseball cap. And the whole WiFi password thing! The musical was a bit much, but I still enjoyed it. And Kirk's film. LOL.

[erychan86.livejournal.com]

That's a good point though... But I see the biggest mistake being the fact she was having an affair with an almost married man... She got pregnant with his child, definitely when he came to the States to "cheer her up" (again... beautifully done scene visually and great dialogues, but still... Logan is still the douchebag he was years ago! I'm glad both Dean and Jess grew up to become good men)... She was weird.. Ready to let him go. To be free again... And BAM pregnant... Was it a silly prank from the Universe? Or was it intended? (It seems insane but I am loving analyzing this show for some reason). The baby is going to be Rory' special person, and he/she will make her life better, like Rory did for Lorelai... Lorelai and Luke now have a deal with Emily and it feels like the end brought us right to the start... But I agree... Rory made a lot of mistakes and that definitely drops a shadow on Lorelai' skills as a parent... Emily would definitely blame Rory's pregnancy on Lorelai as well as her decision to make it on her own!

I hear you... They could have dropped an hint like the fact that she wanted what she had with her mother... They could have make us see Rory working on the book and maybe talk to someone about the fact she wanted to have the same her mother had... We're assuming she got pregnant with Logan, but what if she got pregnant with some other help? Paris probably has connections since she deals with surrogate moms... Maybe Rory decided to do it that way and raise he/she by herself (so the meeting with Christopher would still make sense) and when Lorelai said "you're going to find your special person" she decided to tell her she is pregnant with her special person!

Jess was amazing! I loved all his scenes with Luke and Rory... I'm so sorry Lorelai seems not to like him still!

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I binge-watched all four episodes yesterday as well. It felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster.

Richard's death hit me pretty hard. I know he's only a fictional character, but it reminded me how my dad is also a mere mortal. As a daddy's girl, I'm super scared to lose him some day.

I don't exactly agree with Rory's motives with Logan, but I suspect his engagement to Odette is not occurring out of love. It's a marriage about a money.

I adored seeing Paris again, even if she's a total hot mess.

I read a review about the scene with Christopher that suggests that Rory didn't go there to write about the book. She went because she already knew she was pregnant and was trying to figure out if Logan should have a role in that. It felt like a plausible theory.

The one night stand wouldn't have worked with the timing. She would have been showing. It has to be Logan's.

I enjoyed the little callbacks as well.

I'm not sure if we'll see a return to Stars Hollow or not. It's certainly a possibility, but I've also seen Amy Sherman-Palladino admit that the 4 words were intended for the end of the original series. I think it's supposed to be some sort of full circle thing? Lorelai had Rory as a teen and now Rory is pregnant during a crucial time in her career?

*shrugs*

The ending made me scream a lot.

I'm just trying to process.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

YES! I had those same thoughts, especially since it was the day after Thanksgiving so I had just spent so much time with my parents, talking about our family history, grandparents and such so I felt myself holding back tears a few times.

That picture was hilarious though. I loved how it went from being shocking to just part of the decor.

Yeah, I made the full circle connection, I just didn't approve LOL. I think that many parents work hard to keep their children from making the same mistakes they did, that Lorelai stated that several times in the original series, so for Rory to actually make the same mistake, albeit not as early on in her life, was a little depressing to me. Not as depressing as it would have been if season 7 ended that way, but still, wtf Rory, it's 2016 and you're sleeping with an engaged dude, you should be using all the protections.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I'd like to think Rory is smart enough and educated enough to use protection (or that Logan would be heavily invested in the idea.)

However, even in 2016, there are still people in this world who don't use protection, who aren't educated about it, and/or they don't care because it feels better not to use it.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know that is true, but I feel like it was out of character for Rory.

[penderies.livejournal.com]

I loved a few bits of it but it felt so depressing compared to the show. I watch the show over and over and over and this just felt gloomy. And Rory became kind of a bitch? Poor fucking Paul. And why didn't Logan just break up with the girl? And Jess still can't tell Rory how he feels?

ARGH. I didn't hate it. I actually liked it. But it 100% felt like a pitch to a show centred around Rory. GG 2.0 basically.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

HAHA I feel like a lot of people are reacting this way. When you just watch it and sip your coffee, you feel fine. Then you start to discuss it and think about characterization and then you're like "OH WTF WAS THAT?!?" LOL.

[girlwhowaited.livejournal.com]

It was pretty much a 4 episode farewell for Lor. I was quite upset that Rory would get pregnant, but at least she's in a far better spot for it compared to what her mother went through. She should have just gone for her Master's and taught at Chilton. :/

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

LOL your icon <3 I almost felt like Paris was pregnant, she made that random comment about missing her period. Again, a missed opportunity for the writers to give us some hint that maybe Rory was interested in having kids?

I wish she hadn't bad-mouthed becoming a teacher. I felt like she really looked down on the idea. I would have preferred a scene where maybe she wrestled with the idea but in a more positive tone, maybe concluding that it was not giving up, but that she was ready for a more steady career rather than the roller coaster she was on. If the series had ended with her deciding to get her Masters and get on that track and THEN revealed the pregnancy, I would have felt better.

[girlwhowaited.livejournal.com]

Paris is my spirit animal. She is everything I want to be! That kicking the door scene was AMAZING. I need to watch it again xD Which episode was it in again - Summer?


I honestly never got the vibe that Rory was ever interested in kids. When she had to look after GiGi in the one episode she was flailing about. With Paris, extreme stress can cause you to skip your period (I know that first hand and have been dealing with it since I was 15 - I get it only a couple times a year). I couldn't see it happening for them to randomly give Paris a baby. I'd rather her and Doyle have a massive fight and then explosive sex to where Rory is running out of the house with the kids XD But, oh well.

I would have liked that better too. Or she could have had a part-time job on the side. Why would she honestly take up the paper in Stars Hollow if she couldn't get paid for it? I get it was more for sentimental reasons, but really? Also, after work on the Obama campaign back in 2007 was it - almost 10 years later and she has no connections aside from Logan's father? I don't get it. What was she doing all that time? Bouncing around and just being happy to get a job here or there? So many things about Rory's storyline bothered me.

[blakmagjick]

I have mixed feelings for a bunch of the stuff..but overall I really enjoyed it, and glad i got to see more Stars Hollow.
I agree with a lot of the things you said here :)

I *really* wish the musical wasn't a thing...that whole part...ugh.
I guess just the additional song was important...but otherwise, ugh.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it was REALLY LONG! I kept thinking they should have just shown a few clips and then maybe have the whole musical on the DVD on YouTube or something! Maybe they were having trouble padding out the 90 minutes that day?

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed it :)

And regarding the last four words, I definitely think that Logan was supposed to be the father, she had the one-night stand back in the Spring episode, so the timing wouldn't fit. I assume that she got pregnant on the farewell night with Logan. I don't think that she wasn't using birth control necessarily though, I just figured that it failed her that one time?

[jediknightmuse.livejournal.com]

I was enjoying it all immensely until the last 3 second. When Rory said she was pregnant. And suddenly I was really upset with the show. Rory is smarter than that. I don't believe that a girl who was flying all over and having sex with an engaged man on a regular basis would not be on birth control of some kind. And in my head, I assume it was from the "one night stand" and not with Logan.

I was assuming it was from the "one night stand" and not from Logan, too, because she was dating Paul while also seeing Logan AND she did the "one night stand" thing while seeing Logan, and then was still with Logan after that, so initially I thought it was the Wookiee guy's too...but now that I think about it, the timeline doesn't really match up, I think, since it all takes place during different seasons.

But I 100% agree that Rory is smarter than that. I mean, come on. She has no job, she has no place to live, she has no money for underwear, but she could AT LEAST have been taking birth control to try and keep this from happening, but nope. :| I thought she'd learned her lesson after the whole thing with Dean, too, but apparently not.

I agree with you about the final farewell. The elopement not-a-wedding was really cute but it would have been nice to see Emily actually THERE for it. And I loved the reunion with Sookie, but honestly I think it would have been cool if she'd reunited with Lorelei for the actual wedding and we could have seen her standing with Lorelei as she and Luke got married.

[hermionesparkle.livejournal.com]

I felt really bad for Paul too. Like you said, I get why he was the way he was but it is just icky.

I thought everyone stepped back into their roles very well!

Paris is very insecure and I really didn't expect her personality to change much. I really would have loved to have seen more of her and Doyle. Funny because I got into Buffy late so he is always Doyle to me when I watch him in that series. It is just funny how he ended up being in my 2 favorite shows of all time.

Jess managed to not get into any fist fights with anyone - I busted up laughing at this!!!

If you read my recap, we completely disagree with the ending. Rory is smarter than Lorelai academically but not life wise. She seems to be a train wreck when it comes to men much like her mother was until she and Luke got their acts together. Logan is definitely the father since her one night stand was in the Spring episode, I believe. I would think she would be on birth control but she could have missed taking it with all her traveling/life messing up issues. Things happen. I am just glad this ending happened now and not when it was originally intended to when she was 9 years younger. I would have agreed with you back then.