Huzzah to 'Producer Lauren Graham'

January 30, 06:39 PM

Congrats to Lauren Graham on her newly obtained status as credited "producer" on Gilmore Girls, a title she received for the first time before Tuesday (Jan. 30) night's episode. Graham has been so routinely under-valued by awards groups over the years that it's nice to see her get her due in other ways, even if the common conspiracy theory (very likely correct) is that the "producer" nod was meant as not-so-subtle encouragement to sign back up for another season.

Graham was actually multi-tasking all over the episode, titled "To Whom It May Concern," even hosting a commercial break sponsored by her upcoming chick flick Because I Said So. I wonder what kind of finagling went on to get that special treatment for the Universal release and what it would take to make me pay money to see it.

Overall, the episode was less bad than I feared it would be given that it was built around the letter-of-recommendation Lorelai wrote last week for Luke's custody hearing and Christopher's subsequent negative reaction, a device so contrived the producers of Three's Company would have said "Nah, too contrived." While I didn't approve of the way the writers set up the letter as a clunky device, nor did I understand the ridiculous way they let him find the letter (searching for a carpenter's level misplaced when Lorelai was trying to hypnotize Paul Anka), I absolutely got why he reacted the way he did under the circumstances. The letter wasn't all that romantic, but it sure was written in a way to be entirely a slap in the face to Christopher. Even the judge at the custody hearing looked ready to say to Lorelai, "Young lady, you'd better hope your new rebound husband never sees the handwritten notes upon which you based this letter."

Some highlights of the episode:

It's good to have Paris back. "Operation Finish Line," a multi-dry-eraseboard plan to maximize their last five months at Yale, was exactly what my friends and I had at the end of college, except that it was less about oceanographic fellowships and LSATs and more about bars we hadn't visited in Philly.

That was one prodigious tracking shot they used with Lorelai and Sookie discussing the pros and cons of pregnancy. Could it be the show's longest tracking shot ever?

Post-break-up Lucy is much less annoying.

The cold-open with the quail was a hoot.

I want Christopher's new flat screen TV.

And some lowlights:

If a character of a certain age who hasn't been around for a while suddenly plays a central role in an episode where all he or she does is utter sentimental and loving platitudes, that can only mean one thing: A heart attack's comin' round the bend. Glad to see nobody wanted to buck that convention.

So that out-of-character thing earlier in the season where Lorelai rushed to the hospital for April's appendectomy was really just there to set up Luke's rushing to the hospital to be with Lorelai? Sigh. Watching the show this season has been like watching Marionette Theater and constantly being distracted by the strings.

Nope. Not buying that custody decision at all. Good for Luke, but the show was far more realistic when Luke's lawyer and Anna told him he didn't have a chance.

I wasn't happy with the number of roving moppets last week, so this week's episode was without Gigi or April. But why did we need to meet Sookie and Jackson's kids?

Sound off on the episode's brilliance (or lack thereof)...

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Comments (58)

Comments

I agree that the way Christopher found the letter was contrived. And his reaction was overdone. Paris was over the top as usual and funny as usual. Also agree that Lucy was bearable this week. The show could have used a visit from Logan. He is totally underused so far this year. Hopefully they will correct this error in the coming weeks.

Sue | Jan 31, 2007 12:37:42 AM | #

Perhaps we needed to meet Sookie and Jackson's kids in order to watch Lorelai's maternal instincts at work?

I wonder if this ep really was less horrible than the show has been lately, or if we're all just unconsciously comparing it to this week's "Studio 60." The comparison benefits GG immeasureably.

Jon88 | Jan 31, 2007 6:31:52 AM | #

i dearly loved this show for many years. Now...not so much. The unpredictable nature is gone. There was a time when you could never guess what was going to come out of any characters mouth. Now i could mime every line practically.

You could see Christophers foot out the door a mile away. Sad, so sad.

I continue to watch, like a deer in the headlights...but I am never delighted afterwards.

kate adler | Jan 31, 2007 8:21:15 AM | #

I was glad to see Luke win custody only because Anna is such a bitch. They've really written her to be completely unsympathetic. And also kind of unrealistic in my opinion, but whatever.

I actually liked that Christopher was the one to walk out on Lorelai. All season long I've been waiting for Lorelai to come to the realization that she didn't really love Chris. Having him be the one to figure it out and to end things actually came as a bit of a surprise and was a clever move on the writers' part.

Mike | Jan 31, 2007 8:51:42 AM | #

I disagree with you about the outcome of the custody hearing. As a law student I know that Luke had a much better shot of winning then the lawyers told him he did. Because he was never told that he had a daughter he never gave away his right to custody. Since he never gave his right away the arguement that he is unfit is minute. Shared custody is exactly what I would have expected in the real legal system.

Garrett Marshall | Jan 31, 2007 9:45:35 AM | #

Yay for the return of Paris! It was a cold, cold winter.

Cat | Jan 31, 2007 9:46:02 AM | #

As much as I enjoyed this show in the past, I sure hope this is the last season. I can't remember a show being dragged out this far past its prime since "The X-files". The last two seasons have been nearly unwatchable at times.

Next weeks "Richard keeling over/Luke rushing to the hospital" storyline seems awfully familiar. Didn't we already see that episode way back in season 1?

Steve | Jan 31, 2007 10:05:56 AM | #

I agreed with the outcome of the custody hearing, though I didn't really understand how they got there based on what we were shown of it. How could Anna's lawyers claim that Luke was nothing more to April than a guy who works in a diner or that she's spent more time with her bus driver? What about all those weeks (months?) that April lived with Luke while Anna was in New Mexico taking care of her mother? And, wouldn't they try to get a statement from April herself, who clearly thinks of Luke as her go-to guy? She's definitely old enough to have her opinion be heard.

Jane | Jan 31, 2007 10:07:03 AM | #

YES! That was a little weird that April's opinion wasn't even considered. And I guess it was a little convenient how Chris found the letter, but it resulted in something I've been waiting for for a long time. I can't wait to see Chris go. He's an entertaining character and an okay dad, but he should NOT be a focus of the show. He should not be married to a main character and by extension become a main character! We've probably seen more about Chris, this season, than Luke, which is ridiculous!

But overall, I thought the episode was pretty good. One of the best of THIS season, anyway.

Roger | Jan 31, 2007 10:54:28 AM | #

Throught the custody hearing I was yelling at the TV [which I am wont to do] "Where's April?!" My folks split up when I was *nine* and I had a say in who I wanted to live with. Anna-the-devoted-mother not caring at all what her daughter wants? Totally unbelievable. This show is catering to the teeny-bopper crowd, and while the actors are adults their characters are written with the emotional maturity of their target audience. For shame.

Christa | Jan 31, 2007 10:59:36 AM | #

I couldn't agree more about the outcome of Luke's custody hearing. It did seem rather ridiculous that he would gain shared custody with Anna based on what little we saw of the case, especially with the lack of April's own opinion being stated. It's good to know Luke isn't secretly a horrible monster to her when her mother isn't around or something. If that's how custody hearings really went, I would be terrified for the children of today!

I did enjoy the episode though and I realize I'm probably in the minority by saying this, but I'm really sad to see Christopher go. I think he and Lorelai make a much better couple than Luke and Lorelai.

Joe | Jan 31, 2007 11:22:01 AM | #

In a word, AWFUL. Having watched every episode of Gilmore Girls since it's inception, I can only say that this season has been difficult to suffer through. The quality of the writing has simply evaporated. To say that Chrisopher's reaction was "contrived", is being polite. It was RIDICULOUS. The custody hearing was completely unbelievable as well. Sad to say, this was likely the last episode of GG I will watch.

Steve Gilmore | Jan 31, 2007 11:57:41 AM | #

I agree with the readers about Chris not suitable as Lorelai's partner. It would be nice to give Luke more of a personality, and for the mother to "lighten up" in some of the series, it's old hat that she continues not to "learn anything" from her family. Sometimes it's so hard to understand what Lorelai and her daughter are saying as the quips are so fast. When a show has been on for so long it does get to be weary when it becomes predictable.

Ronaye | Jan 31, 2007 12:01:57 PM | #

FINALLY! I've been waiting countless episodes for this Chris and Lor thing to end. Last weeks show was one of the best in a while. Hopefully we'll get back to the Luke/Lor nervous/funny dialogue that we loved so much before.

Paul Anka's level | Jan 31, 2007 12:36:50 PM | #

The only bad thing about the custody hearing is the lawyer should of hammered them when they kept saying he hadn't been in April's life. Well Who's fault is that??

Terry | Jan 31, 2007 1:02:13 PM | #

For the record we only saw Davey - not Martha.

As for Christopher and that letter hopefully it will bring home a few points to him. Luke was at two of Rory's birthday parties and her high school graduation. Christopher couldn't make it to any of those three major events but now he wants to jump right in.

Lorelai tells the truth and he doesn't like it - too bad!

Robin | Jan 31, 2007 1:14:08 PM | #

I agree that the court's decision did seem a bit too easy and April should have been given a chance to speak. I am sorry to see Christopher go, if in fact he is gone. I find him a much better match for Lorelai mentally and physically than Luke. He also seems to have a similar sense of humor. This whole thing makes Lorelai look very indecisive and not really deserving of either guy. Luke would be a better match if he would get a shave, burn that baseball cap and tuck his shirt in. He is also beginning to look alot older than Lorelai which he is in real life.
Also, is it just me or does anyone else think Lauren Graham has put on a few pounds in the past year?

Vince Greene | Jan 31, 2007 1:57:11 PM | #

OK i agree that this has been the best episode of the season and that is not saying much. These season is killing the once great show. So many storylines have been reused and everything is so predictable.
Highlight of show Paris is back. Now if they will just bring Doyle back. *fingers crossed* Also that Lorelai and Chris finally might break up. Luke is so much beter for her. Hopefully this writer improves very very soon.

amanda | Jan 31, 2007 2:12:44 PM | #

Hopefully, this is the end of Chris? I hate that guy, like Lorelai much better when she was with Luke.

I like Logan, hopefully they will find something for this year.

Big Fan | Jan 31, 2007 2:32:24 PM | #

Man..y'all are really hatin' on this show! I've been a faithful GG watcher for about 4 years now and although these past two seasons have..well..sucked I think this season is getting better and better all the time. Last night's episode was the best of the season..and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. Whether this is the last season or not..I really hope the GG crew end this show the right way. It deserves it.

Kristen | Jan 31, 2007 2:42:31 PM | #

I must say that although I have not been a big fan of this season, I am disgusted with how people have been so negative towards the show and the actors. It seems that instead of placing the blame where it belongs, on the writing team, and not on the actors who play the characters. I believe that the actors have done an awesome job given what has been written for them. I am so disgusted that people who claim to be fans of the show, now are bashing the show left and right. I freely admit that I have not been a fan of this season, but it never was because of the actors or their performances. I think that Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel are truly wonderful actresses and should be commended for their performances under such difficult circumstances. They have continued to pour their hearts and souls into their characters every single episode and have delivered some great moments. I do not agree with how they have been written most of the season, but I have seen seeds of hope for the last 4 or 5 episodes. I have been a fan of the show from the beginning and will be till the day the show ends. I think the viewers should be supporting the actors and actresses of the show, not continually criticizing the show. I feel so sorry for the actors and actresses of the show because they have had to see and hear all these negative comments about the show in which they have very little control about what is written for their character.

| Jan 31, 2007 3:22:00 PM | #

The episode was not the best, but I actually laughed a few times and got a little nostalgic thinking about babies during Sookie and Lorelai's walk. And I was ticked at Anna so the whole custody thing worked for me, I also know that it was improbable, but it is escapist television people! I kind of enjoyed my escape.

Sam | Jan 31, 2007 3:22:36 PM | #

"..I really hope the GG crew end this show the right way. It deserves it." In my opinion they won't be able to (not enough time left in the season) if we don't get another season

Ruth | Jan 31, 2007 3:32:33 PM | #

Please give us Amy and Daniel back!! The writing on this season has been not been close to the level (and quality) it was when Amy and Dan were writing. This season is missing the quick banter and witt of all the other seasons - and the quantity of "Gilmorisms" is far lacking in this current season. They have lost all the things that made this the best family show on television. I hope they can talk Alexis and Lauren into staying another season by getting Amy and Dan back to write it.

Terry | Jan 31, 2007 3:33:38 PM | #

Lorelai was in love with the fantasy she's had since she was 16, of being married to the father of her child. After the breakup with Luke she ran to her past for comfort. Shame on Chris for taking advantage of her and then complaining about being the rebound guy.
I think many fans are complaining about this season because they miss the small town flavor of the show. We have to remember that Chris is an outsider and much of our discomfiture is because he doesn't belong in Stars Hollow or in Lorelai's life is such a permanent way.
I think it was right that Luke got some visitation rights with April but I sincerely hope that doesn't mean we have to see much more of her. This was an improbable story arc and I hope we have seen the end of it. I also hope we have seen the last of GG.
Writing that character reference has given Lorelai some light bulb moments. Luke has always been there for her and Rory. Their love and friendship is very deep and will hopefully survive this detour. Christopher is a charming man but does not have the strength of character that Lorelai deserves and that Luke posseses.
I really miss Grant Lee Phillips. He added wonderful color to the show. The Town Troubadour was such a creative way to add music to a show and the music was so great. Bring him back! I still love the show and hope that it will be back for an 8th season.

Brenda | Jan 31, 2007 4:26:39 PM | #