The Tease: 'Gilmore Girls'

September 25, 01:48 PM

At the beginning of last season, Lorelai and Rory went through a period of estrangement that was just wrong, wrong, wrong. Sure, they've had their arguments in the past, but having the girls physically parted -- left to gaze longingly at their silent cell phones or hit up mutual acquaintances for second-hand updates on each other -- was just downright depressing. It's supposed to be them against grandparents, decaffeinated coffee and the world, not each other.

Thankfully, that dark time passed, and mother and daughter were once again free to exchange multi-syllabic, reference-laden banter while sharing their troubles. And that's a good thing since as the season closed, both were having issues in their respective relationships. Logan's dad put him on a plane to London to begin his duties in their newspaper empire, parting him from Rory who only recently overcame Logan's inadvertent infidelity.

Meanwhile, Luke was still waffling on setting a wedding date, claiming that he needed time to adjust to being a dad to his newfound 12-year-old daughter April. Finally fed up by her fiancee's indecisiveness, Lorelai gave a now-or-never ultimatum, which angered Luke enough to let her walk away. Distraught, she turned to her ex-boyfriend/Rory's father Christopher for comfort.

Somehow, I hoped Lorelai was past making huge mistakes like this, but it appears that when a big, life-changing decision is to be made, Christopher is there to lead her astray. Then again, Rory made a few bad choices when it came to men also, especially when she lost her virginity and became the "other woman" in one fell swoop by sleeping with a very married Dean. What's with these girls?

As the seventh season opens, a zombie-like Lorelai powers through the awkward morning after and avoids discussing details -- of the fight and her sleeping arrangements -- with anyone in Stars Hollow. In fact, she elects not to do the talking thing in general, which understandably throws Rory. Instead, they make a lame attempt at playing racquetball and flirt briefly with trash talking (which the writers really ought to revisit).

When Luke finally wakes up to the fact that he doesn't want to lose Lorelai -- a realization that hits him after a disaster involving Taylor, Kirk, a Ford Thunderbird and a red light -- he rushes over to talk to her. Ah, but is it too late considering Lorelai's nighttime activities?

Meanwhile, Rory's relationship isn't on the rocks, but this long-distance thing is going to be difficult, especially since she and Logan don't have the best track record when it comes to communication. Case in point is his parting gift to her: a 2-foot tall model rocket. Huh? Somehow, it doesn't spell romance to Rory, but she doesn't let on to Logan over the phone that she doesn't "get it." Instead she puts her journalistic sleuthing skills to work and -- thanks to the wonders of the internet and "Twilight Zone" fanatics -- discovers it's a reference to a "Gift of the Magi"-type sci-fi story about the true love under temporally challenged circumstances. Awww, rockets rule.

As expected, wacky supporting characters comfortable in their idiosyncrasies balance all this mushy stuff. We learn about Babette's underwear, the secret to Sookie's arm-wrestling mastery and Paris' latest venture heading up an SAT prep course in which she browbeats students and their parents into believing that her help is all that's standing between the college-bound and the future doughnut vendors. Lorelai observes, "Paris is always there for you in the most unfortunate ways."

We're counting on it.

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Comments (19)

Comments

I am so NOT looking forward to this show tonite. Although I understand that Lorelai always seems to turn to Christopher when things get tough for her, for her to sluttily jump into bed with him minutes after a fight with her FIANCE (not just a man she was seeing but her FIANCE) makes me lose all respect for her. Now she is with Christopher (they go to Paris together later in the season) and Rory is with Logan--both are with men who do not deserve them.

Our two supposedly stron woman are, in reality, very weak.

pam | Sep 26, 2006 5:48:45 AM | #

I am with Pam for the most part. I read this article in hopes of deciding whether or not we were going to be watching this year. My wife already said no, I had been undecisive just in case it was a dream sequence or something. It was slutty for Lorelai to do what she did. When you have true feelings for someone, even after a major fight, you never just jump into bed with another. Regardless of who they are. At least thats how I and those close to me see things as well. Oh well, perhaps this show should have already run its course....

Eric | Sep 26, 2006 7:28:00 AM | #

I stopped watching this show after last year's awful Valentines' Day episode - you could see them beginning to really alter the characters at that point to fit their ugly storylines to come - particularly, the spectaculary degrading finale.
They actually made me dislike the lead character, Lorelai, who for over five years I always rooted for - now, I could care less about such a pathetic, cruel character - so, why on earth would I watch?
I keep reading reviews, etc to see if there is anything that will make me want to watch.
And now, other than an upcoming scene of Luke in a bathing suit and going on a date with the swim coach - there's nothing I want to see.
I really do miss it.

Lee | Sep 26, 2006 7:43:33 AM | #

We know a lot of people who watch Gilmore Girls. We have yet to meet a single person in real life who is upset about the directio of this show. It is ALL internet griping done in private. No discussions in person think the show is off track. It is as much a drama as it is a comedy. People forget that. The show remains one of the best on TV and we are really looking forward to this season. If the show had gone the way of the online gripers it would have no storylines left to explore. Relax people. Enjoy a well written, beautifully acted show and really find something more in life than griping about a tv show. The griping is the thing that bothers us about the show. Not the show itself.

Debbie | Sep 26, 2006 8:35:24 AM | #

Personally, I think the 6th season was a waste, but I remain a devoted GG fan. I'm angry with ASP/DP for what they did to the show, but at this point, I HAVE to see how it all ends up. (Though how I'll watch Christopher for several episodes, I don't know since I truly, from the depths of my soul, hate him!!!)However, I will be watching the season premiere, but sedatives will be on hand if necessary!

Elaine | Sep 26, 2006 8:47:17 AM | #

Thank goodness, opinions are as individual as people. And thank goodness not everyone is as negative as what I have read so far on this review and posting. I, for one (and many like me), am truly excitedly anticipating tonight's new episode. No, I'm not happy about Lorelai's choice at the end of last season, but then again, it's life. And it happens. It's not the incident that will make or break the show, it's how it is resolved. Just like last year's separation. It was painful, but it was also true to life in relationships with mothers & daughters. It's the resolution that was wonderful, to see the love that had broken the hearts of both our heroines be re-established. I have faith that this year is going to be great. But then, I tend to look at the glass as half full, not negatively half empty. Give the show the chance it deserves ... at it's weakest episode, it is still better than alot of that stuff on TV.

Cindy | Sep 26, 2006 9:26:46 AM | #

I have loved this show since Day One, but last year made me crazy. Luke turned into someone I didn't know or like, Lorelei sleeping with Chris, egads, but as much as I didn't like last year I will keep watching and hoping for the best!

Joann | Sep 26, 2006 9:57:19 AM | #

Though I do not like the way things were ended with Luke and the fact that Lorelai went running back to Christopher I am still excited about the show. If it makes any sense I am excited and dreading it at the same time. I know it will be a tear jerker and I will want to throttle Chris and Lorelai, plus feel so horrible for Luke. At the same time it will be good. A good bad episode. Does this make any sense at all?

Ashley | Sep 26, 2006 10:10:15 AM | #

I am always amused at how people will complain about a television show. Some writer complains about a story and suddenly there is all this complaining on-line.
Gilmore Girls remains one on the best shows on tv. While I don't understand the wasted energy involved in the complaints I have to admit I would not be happy if they split Rory & Logan who I think are the best couple on tv. If they do, someone please remind me not to complain about it on-line!

Sue | Sep 26, 2006 11:43:26 AM | #

i love this show i would love to go to starshollow

Laura mcclay | Sep 26, 2006 4:01:22 PM | #

I watched Gilmore Girls from the very first episode, but the ending for last season was so stupid! It's hard to respect anyone who would jump from a fight with a fiance into bed with someone else. Not to mention that Logan is such a twit. I won't be watching this year.

oldcoot | Sep 26, 2006 4:20:15 PM | #

be glad you can watch it my satellight co. hasnt picked up the new cw channel and channel 5 it was broadcast on last year is no longer hope you all have better luck than me keep me posted i would love to see Lorli & Luke patch things up and still marry BUT after lorli being w/chris i dont know if its going to happen i was excited about the show but unless i can find it on a channel which i doubt (and yes i've already called twice just to doule check )i will be missing it completely i however have found some reruns on another channel i just love the jokes between rory & lorli so i will be missing it and hope & pray that my sat co will pick up station i can watch on otherwise i may have to go to cable

Anne | Sep 26, 2006 4:28:16 PM | #

WHAT CHANNEL IS IT ON

David | Sep 26, 2006 4:58:52 PM | #

It is quite obvious to me ( and maybe to others) that the direction of the show and its characters was made to extend the show for at least another season, even longer. Look at last year, they add a character(Luke's daughter) to either extend their engagement or break them up, which did happen. Whether you agree or disagree with Lorelai on what she did, it gave the writers some more material to write about and extend the show. When a show, especially a hour long show, has been on the air for a while they usually start to run out of storylines, and that maybe happening here.

R Morgan | Sep 27, 2006 6:10:37 AM | #

I guess the show has succeeded on one level: everyone is still talking about it.

Sue | Sep 28, 2006 1:17:50 PM | #

Yes, it bugs me that they had to find a reason to extend the suspense between Luke and Lorelai. They did this by making Lorelai completely irrational, having her make not one mistake in giving Luke an ultimatum, but two mistakes by sleeping with Christopher. Totally uncovincing character development for her if you ask me.
Also, I can't stand Logan and am starting to hate Rory because of him. This show better pull up it's socks - FAST.
- T.

Trish | Sep 28, 2006 2:18:06 PM | #

I can't believe it! I just watched the season finaly of the 6th season on DVD and I'm still in disbelief. To jump in bed with Christopher after a stupid fight is WAY overreacting. I think the writers are getting too influenced by Hollywood. The 6th season just seemed so different from the rest of the seasons. It lacked a certain quality that made the previous seasons unique. So I'm all ready to watch the 7th season, but I'm finding out that Gilmore Girls has been switched to the CW. I havn't even heard of this network before! I'm trying everything but I can't find the channel! What channel is it on?

Skyla | Oct 7, 2006 1:18:14 AM | #

Lorelai and Rory are a lot alike. This has created an incredible bond between the two of them but also is reflected in how they handle their love lives. Lorelai makes bad decision after bad dicision involving Chris & Luke. Rory continually sees Jess behind Dean's back. Dumps Dean. Later, ruins Dean's marriage and dumps him again (for Logan this time). Humiliates Marty. All for a rich, totally spoiled jerk. I hesitate to say it but they both may get what they actually deserve. Not in a good way.

Danny | Nov 27, 2006 5:54:00 AM | #

I find the phrase "Logan's inadvertent infidelity" amusing. Obviously the writer is a fan of the Logan character but please! It is a little hard to excuse his actions by adding the word "inadvertent". Did he accidentially slip and fall on several of his sister's bridemaids. Repeatedly.

Sam | Dec 28, 2006 8:30:36 AM | #