Like so many other in preparation for A Year in the Life, I binged. I am a rather experienced Netflix binger, but this took things to an entirely new level. I am pretty sure my husband contemplated cancelling Netflix, getting rid of our TV, and moving somewhere without internet because of my Gilmore Girls binging. He has developed a deep hatred for Gilmore Girls, one that resulted in him muting his live stream of American Football and offering to watch a show with me instead of having to listen to as he calls them, "those annoying girls" in the background while watching football.
I've now, finally, after a rather painful journey, have finished A Year in the Life. And I have one burning question: Why Gilmore Girls, why? I. Just. Don't. Understand.
I've now, finally, after a rather painful journey, have finished A Year in the Life. And I have one burning question: Why Gilmore Girls, why? I. Just. Don't. Understand.
(Spoilers warning)
Rory is still awful. I think most of us in our re-watching have come to this conclusion. I'm not going to go into details of why she was awful in the original show, plenty has been written on that. But, let's look at a few new aspects.
- Paul. Do I have to say more? Well, obviously I do. I mean, I can get over most of her poor judgement decisions, sleeping with Logan, sleeping with a Wookiee. But just freaking break up with Paul already! It's like she went from bad to worse. I mean she was rather terrible, but she was kind of ALL ABOUT her boy toys. And now she can't even remember she has a boyfriend, let along to break up with him? I figured, sire after Winter, he'd be gone, especially when she's still sleeping with Logan (let's ignore that he's engaged, because honestly it's Logan, did we expect more). And then maybe in Sping, but then in Summer, (or was it the beginning of Fall, honestly the episodes were so long I have no idea) she writes a note still reminding herself to break up with him! What the hell, Rory, what the hell.
- I think we're not surprised she's a mess, it kind of makes sense when you think about it. But how did it get this bad? She doesn't seem to care. Where is the super-prepared Rory that freaked out because she had to meet someone at Yale in the wrong outfit and unprepared? She shows up for a crappy website and can't even pitch herself. Unprepared or not, she's got nothing. But then she finds out her beloved local newspaper is going under and she begs to take it back, she even pitches, and she dives in head first. I just don't really understand how as a Yale graduate with a long resume this is all she can manage to put her energy into.
- She still is kind of a crappy daughter. Not saying many of us haven't been guilty of some her the same crimes, but the whole premise of the show is their deep unique mother-daughter relationship. But it's all take. She doesn't seem to notice Lorelei is not doing well, going through a rough time. She is lying to her. Again. But yet she goes into details about her Wookiee night? Weird. And then the book. As usual, Rory loses it as soon as she gets told no or her mother say anything other than of course, whatever you want, dear. It's a very one-way street.
- I don't understand the panic of the newspaper delivery? Why was that so complicated?
- And then, going back to point 2. Jes comes in for all of 2 seconds, suggests she writes her own book, gives her the topic, and suddenly her life has meaning again. That's all it took? But she couldn't even find one meaningful thing to say at her interview?
- The play. That is 15 minutes of my life I will never get back. If you don't have enough material to fill a 90 minute show make it shorter.
- The pool. Since when does Stars Hollow have a pool? We have never seen a pool before. And Luke at the pool? Please. We get it, it's summer. And who are these children that are following them around with umbrellas? Where are their parents. I know it is a small town, but...
- Again the newspaper delivery issue. When did Stars Hollow get so big? Why was it so complicated? In the town that all came together and put a full buffet out for a cat's funeral, they really couldn't manage to get these newspapers delivered without chaos?
- Wild. Unnecessary.
- The little life or death brigade reunion. Once again we see Logan's charming side, ignoring that he's engaged to someone else. But the way it was filmed. The nice thing about the original Gilmore Girls was even if it was crazy it felt real enough. It wasn't trying to hard. They were dancing around the streets. Walking like they're in a music video. And Logan's little merry band just went off the deep end. Too far Gilmore Girls, too far.
Oh, but one last thing. She's pregnant? Is this a joke? It's Logan's I'm sure, because unless she slept with Dean in the 2 minutes they were together, or Paul (or was it Pete) that she couldn't remember she was dating, it must be his right. Does that relationship really need to get any more complicated? Does she really have to just continue making poor life choices?
Oh, but I did like that they finally said Michel was gay and is married. It was never blatantly mentioned in the original show. Good for Michel.