One dead pet, one dead relationship on 'Gilmore Girls'

February 13, 08:32 PM

When Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino left Gilmore Girls this past spring, they stuck the new caretakers with a pretty untenable situation: After spending six years talking viewers into believing that Luke and Lorelai were soulmates, a couple destined for happily-ever-afters, the departing Palladinos plunked Lorelai into an emotionally backwards one-night stand with her ex-boyfriend and baby-daddy Christopher. How, we all wondered, would the new producers fix Amy and Lorelai's mistakes?

It took 14 frequently maddening episodes, but maybe we're back to zero again? Viewers were forced to suffer through Lorelai's improbably fast rebound relationship with Christopher and then an equally improbably fast marriage during which we were very briefly talked into believing that Christopher had changed and that maybe he was supposed to be Lorelai's soulmate, her happily-ever-after. Then they tore the two of them apart without any regard for organic plot details or character histories. As Luke was dealing with his relationship with his newfound daughter and coming to recognize which things in his life were of true importance, Christopher was buying a fantastic flat-panel TV and reverting to the type of insubstantial cad he was for the series' first few years.

His decision to storm out on Lorelai over a poorly hidden character reference she wrote for Luke was contrived and badly handled and his decision not to answer his cell phone last week while his father-in-law was on the verge of heart surgery was a desperate attempt to kill off whatever supporters Christopher still had in the fan community. Well, Lorelai-Christopher 'shippers have probably just stopped watching the show rather than falling for Luke, but that's the price of doing business. Christopher got minor redemption at the end of Tuesday (Feb. 13) night's episode in a touching scene in which Lorelai declared, "You've always been this possibility for me, this wonderful possibility. But it's just not right." That was followed by the extensively teased line, "I need you to know that you're the man I want to want." Christopher didn't get to add anything, but it wasn't really about him. Even he had to admit that he was little more than another obstacle on the road to Luke-and-Lorelai.

Other thoughts on the episode:

Anybody want to offer their explanations for the Michel's Doggy Funeral subplot? Was it to parallel Michel's difficulty with saying farewell to a loved one to Lorelai's inability to leave Luke/Christopher? Was it to show what a true friend Lorelai was that with Michel going on about his petty problems, she never slapped him? Was it to show that Michel was able to find comfort at Luke's, just as Lorelai will in the next couple weeks? Or was it just a stupid waste of time?

And who is that guy Rory is dating and what did he do to Logan? Do we like Super-Boyfriend Logan? Or is he getting sweet just in time for their relationship to fall apart? And is Logan to Rory what Chin-Chin was to Michel?

Good to have Kirk back after a couple episodes away. And who is this Christy chica who now seems to be working at the inn?

Rory's TA is named Tucker Cobertson? Were Anderson Stewartberg, Wolf O'Reillyman and Matthews Larrykingsenstein already taken?

Thoughts on this week's episode?

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Comments (24)

Comments

We need more Kirk and a lot less Michel. He is the most annoying character in the show. If I was Lorelai I would have fired him a couple of seasons ago.

Suzette | Feb 14, 2007 6:17:57 AM | #

FINALLY Christopher is gone, dead, outta there!!!!! I never liked the guy, even though he is Rory's true father. If the relationship doesn't work out don't force it. Luke and Lorelai are MUCH better together and Luke is a man's man that's how we men handle our problems. We don't talk about it we just move on.

Paulie | Feb 14, 2007 7:21:30 AM | #

It's time to move one. And to Paulie, a true man's man learns to communicate and 'talk' about situations, not just 'move on.' Luke is the tender and kind-hearted character he always was, just because he enjoys fishing and his uniform of choice is a backwards baseball cap, jeans, and a flannel shirt doesn't mean he's rugged... he's simply self-sufficient.

Thanks!!

J09

Judles09 | Feb 14, 2007 10:50:11 AM | #

I like Michele!! and I hope Rory's crush on the creepy TA is quickly forgotten.

Mary | Feb 14, 2007 10:59:14 AM | #

Sorry, I'm done with this show. The handling of this whole storyline with Luke/Christopher/Lorelia is horrible. She marries Chris, because she wants to love him but really loves Luke who can't commit to her. Just pathetic writing. These characters are all over the place and none of their behavior is believable anymore. Plus, I hate Luke so much. Goodbye.

H.B. | Feb 14, 2007 11:02:04 AM | #

I thought the funeral subplot was just a parallel to the death of Lorelai's marriage. I think the whole Lor/Chris arc has been well-written. They've been dancing around each other for years. They needed to finally commit so they could truly see it's not meant to be. Sometimes we learn things the hard way.

Catherine | Feb 14, 2007 12:22:09 PM | #

I thought the Michel/Chin-Chin subplot was meant as a parallel to the end of the Lorelai/Chris relationship. It was about saying good-bye and moving forward with your life. Although in my case, I would have to add a "good riddance" to plot-device Christopher. What a waste of a half-season.

Kathy | Feb 14, 2007 12:26:09 PM | #

"What a waste of a half-season"

More that half a season has been wasted on plot contrivances to keep Luke/Lorelai apart. It began in seasons 6 and here we are more than half way through 7 and we are still dealing with this crap!!!

Goodbye Christopher, you got a lot better than you deserved.

Patty | Feb 14, 2007 1:10:15 PM | #

While I might be in the minority in liking both Christopher and Luke, I'm glad we seem to be heading back to Luke. I miss the diner scenes and the dialog between Lorelai & Luke and even between Rory, Luke and Lorelai. I liked Chris better when he and Larelai were just friends.

robyn | Feb 14, 2007 2:26:41 PM | #

Is there is season 8? If yes, that this season will be excused. If no, then I'm very upset that we had to go through 14 episodes of pure CRAP.

CONTRIVED is exactly what the Christopher and Lorelai Storyline was. Luke has always remained consistent (Thank God for that). The only Good thing this season was Luke's growing relationship with HIS daughter. I'll never understand the Chris and Lorelai 'shippers....The only thing that changed about Chirs is the money. So now he has money and we're all supposed to start feeling him? Give me a break! The best line last night was when Lorelai said "When you didn't show up, I wasn't surprised" (Of something to that effect). That basically sums up who Christopher is. I know putting them together was a way to get Luke and Lorelai back together but it is still unforgivable....having watch Christopher for 14 weeks. Unforgivable.

Sandy | Feb 14, 2007 5:13:08 PM | #

We love Logan. It is great how he is showing his intelligence and potential now. He is maturing and growing as a man and Rory's boyfriend. The "super" Logan, if anything, sets up additional storylines for Rory & Logan. Their relationship is growing beyond the jealousy phase into total trust. That doesn't mean that there won't be more drama ahead. But these two are definitely soulmates and seem to have a great future possible. We see no break-up this year and additonal stories if there is an 8th season. Logan & Rory make a beautiful and intelligent couple. They have terrific chemistry and are great to watch. We love how Logan has grown out of the playboy type into a responsible young man. Although the playboy was great to watch too! Love Rory & Logan together. That alone is reason enough for an 8th season.

Deb | Feb 14, 2007 6:24:16 PM | #

At least we're back on the road to Lorelai-Luke. Whatever happens with ending the show, whether it comes this year or next, I beg the writers to make it worthy of the best part of Gilmore Girls. Yes, Luke and Lorelai need to end up together, but don't be in such a hurry to end things that it is not done well. And don't "Mad About You" the end. I'm still not over their divorce years later! Give us a new classic and original ending, the same way MASH did, or St. Elsewhere and Newhart did. Does anyone else wonder how Lorelai's old doll house might play into the ending? It's just sitting there since Richard brought it, but it's too "present" to just be a nice bit of Lorelai's childhood. Is there some parallel universe going on in there? Hmmm...

Grace | Feb 14, 2007 6:36:57 PM | #

I want to know what was up with the Rory/Logan conversation. None of that felt real. It was one of the most confusing moments I've ever had. It might could have worked if the flirtation with the TA had gone longer or if Rory had acted more upset/neurotic. To me it just felt like the two of them were just reading dialogue that meant nothing to either of them.

Brandon | Feb 14, 2007 7:13:04 PM | #

Worse than wasted. We're left with a fake-Lorelai who forever 'wants to want' Chris - the selfish deadbeat who neglected his kid, who betrayed her in Partings, who always puts himself first.

I don't think they can ever bring Lorelai back for me, and that kind of ruins the show.

It feels like yesterday when we thought they'd go forward and tell more of her story. Most shows don't last long enough to get a chance. And they threw it all away.

Coming from a single parent family, maybe this was overly important to me - to see on screen that new family, to see Luke and Lorelai make it, how Rory fit in - and after the shock of April, there was still hope. I even looked forward to watching Lorelai and April share a crazy film evening. It would have been funny and it would have been heartfelt and now it's all gone and I don't think I'm over it yet.

Yes, Christopher got a lot better than he deserved. And viewers got a lot less.

Caf | Feb 15, 2007 3:57:41 AM | #

I don't blame David Rosenthal. He was painted into a corner with the whole L/L/C triangle. In alot of ways, the fast marriage and fast breakup makes sense. Chris said it best - he knew that giving Lorelai too much time to think would ruin their relationship. Probably because he knew he couldn't hold it together for very long. Also, for any hope of an L/L reunion, L/C had to be a definite thing of the past. At least by having L/C marry/divorce, that bridge is definitely burned. The dog funeral was an ASP-esque joke, but doubled as a device to soften Lorelai for the inevitable "talk". Overall, I'm okay with DR's handling of season 7. It's a whole lot more enjoyable than season 6 (oy vay, what mishegas!!)

Mara | Feb 15, 2007 8:05:46 AM | #

I agree with Brandon. The Rory/Logan conversation seemed really awkward and inconsequential. Logan was much more interesting as the party boy/player and I never really believed that she would stay with him. Maybe a fling but that was it. I can't even get started on the Luke/Loralei/Chris situation. I think this is the first season that I really don't like Loralei at all. She seems more annoying now than ever before.

Robyn | Feb 15, 2007 8:44:47 AM | #

The truth is stranger than fiction people - and this is still a tv show - watch it and love it or put your own life into dialogue and see how much sense it makes.

andrea DiMauro | Feb 15, 2007 1:39:48 PM | #

The possibility of L/C would have haunted the relationship with L/L, so it was nice that they explored that but did they have to shove Christopher down our throats for 14 freaking episodes? Completly Uncalled for. It got to the point where I was put my TV on mute whenever he came into the scene.

Rory/Logan - I have no idea what the writer are doing with this two. Last I checked, they're supposed to be in their early 20s, right? So what's up with the grandma and grandpa convo? I believe they may have mistakenly given Lorelai's script to Rory. I adore Alexis Bledel and I understand she might be burnt out but is it too much to ask that she infuse a little bit of emotion in her acting? She comes off like she's sleeping walking and it's more obvious in her scenes with the super talented Lauren Graham.

Scott Patterson will always have a spot in my heart. They given him really stupid dialogues this season, yet he made it work. Bravo.

Viewer | Feb 15, 2007 4:01:05 PM | #

Scott Patterson will always have a spot in my heart. They given him really stupid dialogues this season, yet he made it work. Bravo.

Viewer | Feb 15, 2007 4:01:25 PM | #

Viewer: "I adore Alexis Bledel and I understand she might be burnt out but is it too much to ask that she infuse a little bit of emotion in her acting? She comes off like she's sleeping walking..." Just a guess, but it could be that Alexis has had ZERO storyline this season beyond an occasional fight and makeup with Logan (all in one episode) and playing backup to the Chris/Luke/Lorelai show. I don't blame her for sleepwalking through the scenes--they are BORING! Want ratings? MORE LOGAN!

Mitten | Feb 16, 2007 11:04:22 AM | #

Rory and Logan are meant to be the contrast to Lorelai's messed up relationships. That's the reason they are shoving Super Logan down our throats (I miss Cocky Logan--he can still be a good boyfriend AND smirk, can't he?!) and Rory and Logan having trust conversations. My guess is that they will end up with "everything" whereas Lorelai will start at ground zero, building a friendship with Luke at the end of this season/series. As it should be. Rory was always meant "to have it all" according to her mother. I just want to see Lorelai make peace with herself and her parents before the end. I could care less what happens to Luke! Send him to New Mexico!

RLFan | Feb 16, 2007 11:07:55 AM | #

ok first what's with wanting luke to go to mexico, send christopher to mexico. I agree this was a really crappy season i used to love the show and now i'm like what were they thinking in season 7

used to be big fan | Feb 16, 2007 7:58:04 PM | #

Um, it's New Mexico and being the dedicated father he wants to be, he absolutely should move there. He has no ties to Stars Hallow and Anna needs to go to be with her mother. Luke should go. Chris can do whatever, but Luke needs to go.

RLFan | Feb 18, 2007 5:45:07 PM | #

RLFan -- No ties to Stars Hallow? You mean beyond the business his father built from the ground up that he's run his entire life? And beyond his sister, brother-in-law and new kid who just moved into the area?

Gavin | Feb 19, 2007 9:20:37 AM | #