I know this came out forever ago but my god this sooooooooong, so so nice I want to scream.
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life - Thoughts
Before I begin, there are spoilers galore ahead, be warned.
So many thoughts, so I'm going back to bullet point here. I love bullet point.
Winter
• Stars Hollow should always be set in winter. It couldn’t look more perfect.
• It’s weird how Rory’s voice is so different, but maybe that makes sense since she’s an adult now?
• I wish we could’ve seen Rory’s apartment in Brooklyn.
• Caesar’s hair made me gasp.
• Tom Waits was such a fine choice for Richard’s funeral scene.
• Holy shit, is Digger 93 years old now? Wow.
• I love that Berta is being played by Gypsy. It’s so funny and great.
• Zack looks like a young Jim Gaffigan.
Spring
• Rory constantly saying that she has to leave has become increasingly annoying.
• As of the middle of this episode, KIRK has gotten 8000% more screen time than Jess and nothing is right in the world.
• Hey Rachael Ray, why didn’t you learn how to pronounce “Sookie”?
• RAFI!
Summer
• It’s infuriating that I know so much about Logan's life right now.
• Where the hell is Ms. Patty?
• Am I overthinking this, or has Luke somehow became MORE of a grump? He’s become almost intolerable. Why can’t this man be happy, ever? I understand that he has these sweet moments, but honestly? THEY HAPPEN ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS. 95% of his character is an old, grumpy man who never smiles. I can’t bare it.
• There’s no way that Taylor would allow that poem to be left off the front page – KNOW YOUR CHARACTERS, GODDAMNIT.
• Can you call me Elizabeth Roundbottom from now on?
• I’m in a loving, long-term relationship, but the sight of Jess Mariano’s arms made me quiver in regions that I didn’t know I had.
• If I had complete creative control, I would’ve nixed the whole Stars Hollow musical scene and replaced it with ten minutes of a straight pan up and down of Jess’ entire body.
Fall
• Remember how I said winter was always the best season of GG? So wrong. Definitely fall.
• Okay, I was maybe into the whole life and death brigade scene. MAYBE. You can’t prove anything. Look, I get the Logan attraction. I really do. But at the end of the day, THINK OF JESS’ LONG UNTAMEABLE HAIR AND CHEST WIDTH.
• I also take back what I said before about Luke. Yes, he’s grumpy a lot of the time but his big declarations do count for something. Also, Lorelai is typically a pretty dreadful character, so they're matched well together.
• Emily being so happy at the thought of Jack leaving her new house is such a sweet moment, I thought. Just how she really seems to be enjoying her new life and not having to rely on anyone else for anything and having a sort of freedom that she’s never had before. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I really liked that.
• Rory roaming the old Gilmore house made me weep in a way I didn’t expect.
• I know he’s in one scene, but there’s too much Christopher in it.
• The song played during the gazebo scene? So glad they brought it back. It’s been on my iPod since I first heard it during the Luke/Lorelai dancing scene at Liz/TJ’s wedding and it couldn’t be more perfect to play now.
• Perfect ending, though every ounce of my being wanted Jess to be peering out of a bookstore or a car or a fucking garbage can for all I care so I can see the way he looks at her one more time.
Overall Thoughts
- Thank you God for not including any screen time for TJ & Liz.
- Also appreciated? The short and sweet April scene.
- I think the whole boyfriend Paul storyline was intended to be funnier, but wasn’t.
- Too much Kirk.
- Too much Michel.
- Way too much Logan.
- I've read some pieces about the body shaming moments on the show (yeah, this whole mini series is going to be analyzed to DEATH and I'm totally gonna get on board with that) and to be honest, no one should find it that surprising that these fictional characters aren't exactly the greatest/kindest people. I mean, remember that episode when Rory made that comment about some girl who she said had "fat thighs" to Paris' old professor boyfriend? These fictional people have definitely said some things that prove they're not of the highest character, so why would this be surprising? And on that note, would you ever want to actually befriend Rory or Lorelai if they existed in real life? Don't they seem obnoxious as hell for the most part? I do admit, I love watching them as characters (well, Rory more than Lorelai), but I don't think I could stand to have a conversation with either of them if reality ever permit me. And I think that would be a common thought amongst fans (or I'm completely wrong and way off base). It's similar to the way I feel about any of the Girls characters - I love watching them, but find each of them reprehensible beyond repair. Anyway, it just seems silly to write (and even read, ha!) an article about the body shaming in the series.
- I could write sonnets about Jess Mariano. And it might come to that.
- The idea that Logan is Rory’s Christopher (the rich, spoiled, romantic who is never there when she needs him) and that Jess is her Luke (the obvious partner who supports who she is fully and is hopelessly in love with her, literally always no matter what). Was this idea so obvious before and I was just blind to it? In which case, wow.
The best things I’ve read so far about the revival were these three snippets:
"Logan was shirtless and looked... sexless. But Jess? FUCK YES" - my friend Julia, haha
“Emily Gilmore finding happiness on her own in Nantucket, with Berta, and the whale museum is just so beautiful. For 50 years she was Richard’s wife, and for the first time ever she’s Emily. How fucking cool.”
“I can’t decide if that was Amy Sherman-Palladino saying, “I’m not done with this story, stay tuned,” or, “FUCK Y'ALL I’M OUT.””
So many thoughts. I've already watched it twice. And I can't comment on how many times this bitch is getting watched again. (Re-reading this post makes it seem like I actually loathe the show, but I think it's just that we're most critical of things we love deeply.)
I'll leave you with this.
The Best TV To Watch On Netflix
I haven't had cable for years and once it's gone, you really never miss it. The thing I do miss, though? Having old-ish television shows on in the background as I'm cooking or lounging or cleaning or, you know, living. Yes, there are certain shows that are better to sit down and give your undivided attention. But there are other shows that you can treat as some sort of comforting background noise to accompany your day. Maybe it reminds me of being younger, maybe I'm still not over the nineties/aughts, maybe I'm afraid of silence, WHO KNOWS. Whatever the reason may be, if you share any of these same feelings, these shows will fill that void.
- 30 Rock
- Assuming you've already seen the whole series (well, you really only need to watch the first four or five seasons, the final ones aren't that great), this is a perfect show to re-watch at your leisure. There are definitely jokes you've forgotten that were/are amazing.
- Freaks & Geeks
- Maybe the best thing James Franco ever did? I wish this were ten thousand seasons longer than it actually was.
- Gilmore Girls
- I realize I might not win any friends with this one, but this show definitely had its moments. And the fact that it's coming back (with Jess?!) is incredible so preparation for such an event is necessary.
- Frasier
- Hopefully, you already understand how great this show was/is, 'cause I'm not going to sit here and convince you. You either realize this or you don't. And if you don't? Get checked.
- 3rd Rock From The Sun
- This is an example of a show I hated when I was younger. Hated. Little did I realize that John Lithgow is probably the greatest living actor of our generation and he deserves all of the awards ever for how he portrayed this role. Too much? Nope! Go watch.
- Friday Night Lights
- Okay, if you haven't watched this before, then you need to include it first on your "Must Sit Down And Give Full Attention To" list. It's amazing television - and that's coming from someone who gives zero shits about football (I'm still allowed to say that even if I partake in fantasy football since I still don't actually understand how the game is played). But this show? Pretty, pretty great.
- Arrested Development
- I will never tire of this show. Well, the first three seasons of it. And I swear to God, you'll make other, non-believers love it, too. Even those who "claim" they never watch comedies.
- Friends
- All right, listen. I'm not even the hugest Friends fan, I swear to you. But it's a pretty decent show to unwind with from time to time. (Ugh, you hate me, don't you. I can feel it.)
- Futurama
- There is so much that is perfect about this show, that I refuse to simplify how great it is - other than stating that it's probably the next best thing to having The Simpsons on Netflix.
- Bob's Burgers
- I think we're all well aware of how much I endorse this program.
And you know how it takes you a million years to decide on what to watch on Netflix? If you're not in the mood for an entire movie, then these are the perfect options to get you through a meal or, like, an hour of living a life.
Rory & Jess
If you actually watch the whole fifteen minutes - you're as lame as I am AND THAT'S OKAY!
Listen, I know Gilmore Girls wasn't a good show. Sorta. I sorta know that. That doesn't erase the fact that I watched it to completion and still view Rory & Jess as one of my top two tv couples of all time. Even watching some of these scenes now makes me gush like a schoolgirl. I'm sorry?
And since we're talking about that show, two things:
- Lorelai Gilmore was probably the most irritatingly, unlikable lead character on any show in television history. Why wasn't that talked about more? Like you know how it took us all a few years to be like, "Wow, Carrie Bradshaw fucking sucks as a person" - why did that never happen here? Is it 'cause we all moved on so quickly after this show ended?
- It blows my MIND that Melissa McCarthy wasn't given better lines in any of her storylines. She was a moviestar waiting to happen and it took so damn long because this show never showcased her properly! That aggravates me a bit.
Anyway, big fan.
(And if you really didn't guess that my number one tv couple was Pacey & Joey, then kindly go jump in a lake 'cause y'aint a real friend of mine.)
The Heat - A Short Review
I really didn't think I was gonna like this movie. Not for any good reason really, just the dumb reasoning that I don't think I like any Sandra Bullock movies, never have. I try not to talk about that a lot infront of others 'cause not many people seem to agree with me (one of whom is my father and is convinced that Miss Congeniality is the hidden gem of the year 2000). But this is probably my first (and truthfully? Probably the last...) Sandra Bullock movie that's actually pretty great. But I don't want to dwell on her presence in it right now 'cause this was actually a pretty good time. I doubt I'd see it again, but it was definitely enjoyable.
Honestly, Melissa McCarthy is perfect and so good and smart at everything. It makes me kind of mad that she wasted seven years in a completely uncomedic role on Gilmore Girls (and I kind of liked Gilmore Girls! So that's saying something.) Woman's fantastic. And everyone loves her. What's that? You don't love her? Not possible. She's delightful! Infact, I don't think I want you in here. Get outta here, dummy.
Thoughts During The Movie
- OH MY GOD! BIFF!
- Can't really remember what the context was, but if you remember the scene where Sandra Bullock is in Melissa McCarthy's apartment and she says something about there not being any "poached eggs and rubies" - Man... I fucking lost my mind at that line, so funny.
Okay, so it turns out that those are my only real thoughts. There really were just a billion Melissa lines that were so fucking good and funny that I really couldn't keep up and write them all down for you to see, she's the main reason you should see this movie.
Conclusion? I will definitely make fun of Gilmore Girls with you if you want me to. Just 'cause I've seen the entire series does not mean I'm not aware of how bad it was.