Gilmourning.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to those of you who have lovingly offered me condolences upon hearing of the news that Gilmore Girls will not continue next season. I found out last night just before leaving work and, sort of surreally, the news has been popping up just about everywhere I’ve turned since. I can only equate the ubiquitous nature of this news to the fact that, as far as I know, there are no other long-running series that will be ending this season. And the notice is rather short. Just two episodes to go.
Now before you get all dismissive and opt out of reading the rest of this blog entry, let me explain that Gilmore Girls really has been sort of a rock for me. I first started watching the brilliantly conceived, superbly executed dramedy around the beginning of the second season, during the year that I had an apartment out in Los Angeles. I actually passed up a recurring invitation to watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer across the courtyard with AN ACTUAL BUFFY CAST MEMBER, because it conflicted with my own must-see tv. Then my pharmaceutically-enhanced downward spiral intensified and I got evicted. But even then, while I was living in my car or couch-surfing or whatever, I always made sure that I had access to a television at 8pm on Tuesdays. There were nights I’d hang out at the bar where I worked as a VJ one night a week, and I’d watch the show on the monitor in the booth because I had nowhere else to go. Oh yes, this show has been the one constant highlight throughout some very dark times.
And then, when I got shipped back to the east coast to get sober and live with my family, I got them hooked as well. We started watching the series together from the beginning on DVD, and we would all gather ’round on Tuesday nights to watch the current episodes when they aired, sometimes inviting a few select others to join us for a delicious mom-cooked dinner and some mmmmpeanut butter pie. When I moved into the city after a year and a half, we’d still all head out to the ‘rents most Tuesday nights, and if not, I always found someone to watch it with. [Hi Bryan! Hi Cub!] And I helped get some friends hooked on it too - Jackalyst, Marlon, Andrew, Nikki, even a begruding Joe W., whose reluctance to succumb to a charming show often perceived as too white-girlie was instantaneously vanquished in one unforgettable guffaw when Rory, freaking out about extracurricular activities for her college applications, blurted out this gem:
"I need to find a retarded kid and teach him how to play softball!"
Yes my friends, this is truly the end of an era. But please, don’t send flowers. I’m actually okay with it. Many people I know (as well as tv critics I respect) who’ve loved the show in the past were simply horrified and disgusted with the direction the show went in this year as new leadership took over. And me? Well, while I didn’t love all of this season, I think that last season (the final season under the show’s creators) was actually worse, with contrived plotlines and drawn-out out-of-character messiness from which this year’s writers would’ve had to work miracles to recover. The second half of this season was headed in the direction of a remarkable return to form, but I suppose it was just too little too late.
Besides, the girl is graduating from college. It was a fitting finish line for Felicity, and to me it seems to be one for Rory as well. Recently there were discussions of extending the run for a shortened 8th season, but apparently Alexis Bledel and the brilliant Lauren Graham opted out. And I’m kinda glad. A tacked on short season to me just reeks of desperation from the network, trying to wring a few more dollars out of a show that really should be allowed to go out with some sense of dignity. Kudos to the ladies for quitting while they’re at least a little bit ahead.
The most unfortunate thing about the news of the cancellation is that Lauren Graham never managed to get herself an Emmy, and now that the show is finishing up on the fledgling CW network, recognition for her this year seems highly unlikely. An unfortunate slight. Graham is the most exquisitely nuanced actress I have ever seen on tv, and I can only hope that she continues to find work that showcases her smarts, her wits, and her incredible range.
And so, for those of you who gave up on the Girls a while ago, or for those of who are still faithful weekly viewers, or especially for those of you who have never watched the Girls and who have looked at people like they’re crazy when they say they watch this show, I hope you’ll indulge me for a for a few more minutes by enjoying a handful of my favorite Gilmore moments.
Click here to see a classic and oft-quoted scene from the second season wherein a lovely new catchphrase is coined. I’m still hoping it catches on. I use it often.
Here is another priceless season 4 scene with four intelligent people discussing the whereabouts of anvils. Absurdly hee-larious.
Here is a clip from last year’s season finale, where Lauren Graham tears it up and I tear up.
Last but perhaps best of all, here is a clip from this week’s episode where Lorelai Gilmore karaoke-ing her way through Dolly Parton’s "I Will Always Love You". Pay special attention to the little shrug at 1:38 and the tremble in her voice at 2:32. Heartbreaking.
Moments like these are why I’ll miss the Girls. To paraphrase Sam Phillips (the show’s resident "strummy la la" singer who sings at the end of the third clip above), after Tuesday May 15, "nostalgia [won't be] what it used to be."
And how.
