All the caffeinated, book-reading and junk-food-eating souls rejoiced on November 25th when Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life was released to Netflix for our streaming pleasure. As I sat through Winter, Spring, Summer, and finally Fall, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic and wanted to go give my Mom a hug. The relationship between Lorelei and Rory is something most of us can only dream about. It makes me wish my Mom could stay awake long enough to share their story with me. While watching the original series, I always wanted to be like Rory and even saw parts of myself in her. She seemed to have it all though. I mean, who wouldn't want to go to Yale and be a renowned writer when they grow up?
PSA: Spoilers lie ahead.
Back in October, I went to a Luke's Diner pop-up coffee shop in Raleigh and it was so cool to see all the fans that loved the show just as much as me. #CoffeeCoffeeCoffee. What's even more special is that shows like Gilmore Girls aren't just television shows, they mean something to people. As I viewed the revival, I was taken back to moments in my life where I related or transported to places I want to go. Art is about perspective and being the admirer I am, the goodbye between Logan and Rory moved me. The final four words sent emotional disbelief through my body. And the continued corkiness of Stars Hallow made me laugh with warm-fuzzies. That is what its all about, getting the audience to feel something. Writers, Amy and Dan Palladino did a beautiful job once again of creating a script that made me have to catch my own breath after a dialogue with the Girls.
First I was Team Dean, quite frankly because there weren't any other contenders. And then I was Team Jess... and then I was most definitely NOT Team Jess. Along came The Life and Death Brigade and I've been Team Logan ever since. Their secret club is straight up magical. I was super happy to see Logan still in the picture for the revival and was shortly deflated after discovering he was engaged to another woman and playing nice with the family business. Even so, there is something about Logan that I think makes everyone swoon. Not just his looks, but the way he pushes Rory to be her best self and gives her the resources to do it, despite everything they have been through. That has to be some magic-type of love to experience with someone. "If you jump, I jump, Jack."
Some might criticize Rory for where she is in her life at 32, but isn't that reality? Even an Ivy league graduate can find themselves not knowing what comes next. However, I was not expecting Rory to not have a job with child on the way. But, who am I to judge? I found it surprising that Jess randomly came up with the idea for Rory to write a book about the story of her relationship with her mom. It was clear from his last scene that he will also always love Rory. He left me feeling like he had more to say to her.
Was anyone completely and utterly bored during the play? I'm still really confused as to why that was such a long part. I didn't think it was funny, more weird than anything. I suppose that is the definition of Stars Hallow. A little different, sometimes annoying, but always heart-warming. And Kirk never seems to disappoint... Oooober.
The amount of original actors and actresses in the revival was incredible. Even characters with the smallest parts made an appearance and I was quite pleased to see all of the Parenthood people too! ALL THE FEELS. Lauren Graham (Lorelei) was probably giving that whole-hearted smile (you know the one: where you can physically feel her love) of hers just as I was.
If you haven't already, go back and binge the first seven seasons of Gilmore Girls and then sip your way through the revival. All are on Netflix. For those of you who have already seen both, what did you think? Will we see more of Lorelei and Rory in the future? I selfishly and respectively vote "YES!"
"Where you lead, I will follow..."
