(S07E05) Even though Gilmore Girls fans have complained about everything that has occurred from the beginning of Season Six until now, they have to admit that the best thing to come out of this somewhat fallow creative period of the show is a character that was introduced early last year: Paul Anka.That neurotic dog has been the source of a lot of comedy the last year and a quarter, hasn't he? Hearing Lorelai reel off all his fobiles in the opener of this episode made me laugh; he likes chewing a certain shoe, and will only catch tennis balls of a certain brand and color. How Lor keeps these things straight is anyone's guess. And then, as she rattles them off, and Chris grows weary of the litany of doggie quirks, Paul Anka just lies there, like any dog, probably contemplating where he's going to sleep later on that day. It's a contrast that I've always found to be very funny.
This episode was very "Classic Gilmore," wasn't it? I think it's because they stayed away from the wreckage that is Luke's life right now -- like I've said before, seeing Luke's life play out without Lor in it, even as a customer in the diner, is just sad to me -- and concentrated on the couples of the moment, Lor/Chris and Rory/Logan. There was lots of flowy dialogue that had a certain lightness and rhythm that the writers have come close to getting this year but haven't really captured until this week. We could especially see it in the obligatory Lor/Rory phone call, where Lorelai keeps talking about the pickle stink that has invaded the town, and then gets chagrined when Rory tells her that Logan showed up out of the blue, so chagrined that Lor went "Brring, Brring," and pretended to start the entire conversation over again. Good stuff.
OK, on to Rory and Logan. Those annoying "Aerie girls" that yammer about the episode in an ad immediately following the show actually made a good point this week: if Logan loves Rory so much, why does he only manage to come back and visit when he happens to be making a business deal at the same time?Think about it; as romantic a gesture as his surprise roof appearance was, he essentially squeezed her in between meetings, didn't he? And when he closed the deal and invited her to New York to celebrate, she had to put up with dinner with "the guys" on his team... one of whom, Bobbi, happens to be a leggy, gorgeous blonde (with that oh-so-sexy British accent); Logan conveniently never mentioned Bobbi's lack of an Adam's apple to Rory, if you recall. Then, when Rory rightly expresses her disappointment in the evening, Logan somehow manages to get her turned around to the point where she's blaming herself for being such a Neurotic Nelly. Damn. He's good.
Rory's got a problem: she loves the fact that Logan's becoming more responsible, but the problem is, he's now becoming more like his a-hole father. Wouldn't be surprised to see this play out more over the next few weeks.
The Great Stink was a nice way to get the town involved in things, even if it was barely involved. At least we got a glimpse of Luke (wearing an adjustable CT Defenders cap this time). It also gave us an excuse to see a town meeting, which we haven't seen on GG in a while. And it got Sookie and Michel out of the Dragonfly for a change. But it really didn't add much to the show beyond an interesting joke at the end, as the reunited Gilmore family drives back from Friday Night Dinner. The pickle-smell-complementing pastrami Sookie was making did sound delicious, though...
As I said last week, as much as we hate to see Chris and Lor together because it ruined Luke and Lor, you have to admit the two of them have a great chemistry. Lor is not blameless in the breakup of her old relationship, but that's not what you're seeing here. Here, Luke is a dope who wouldn't listen to Lorelai, while Chris, who's "changed," is now open and honest about everything. Yet, we don't really hear anyone tell Lorelai that she spent the entire year last year not telling Luke how she felt; by the time she did spill out her feelings, their relationship was beyond repair. So, if Lorelai thinks that telling Chris that he shouldn't send off his daughter Gigi to stay with her mother (and Chris' ex) in Paris is the same thing she did with Luke, she's sadly mistaken. What I'm not sure of is whether the writers aD
- Dave Rosenthal must like Lisa Weil, because he and the staff gave Paris another funny speech. As Paris lobbies Rory for temporary control of the paper while Rory is out seeing Logan, Bill tells her that they didn't give Captain Bligh another after the mutiny on the Bounty. She replies, "Of course they did. Multiple ships. And by the time he died they promoted the guy to rear admiral. Do you think the British Royal Navy was able to rule the world in the 19th century by letting that much natural talent and leadership capability go to waste because some whiny complainers wanted more grapefruit and less scurvy?"
- Richard's story about his mistaking a student's reference to Franz Ferdinand as a true interest in historical assassinations and not an interest in alternative rock was funny, if a little forced.
- Also forced was the banter between Emily and Richard. I think they were just so delighted to see Lor and Chris together they decided to just babble on and on. Emily thought Lor was being "delightful", but Lor was just pissed at Chris. When they resolved their argument -- they're going with Gigi to Paris -- then, incorrigible Lorelai comes back, breaking out the pictures of Emily at the police station. Nice.
- My favorite Emilyism? "Derelicts. The word is derelicts."
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-24-2006 @ 10:31PM
beanspants1 said...
i didn't like this episode much, after liking the last few. lor and rory were both really grouchy about small things. the pickle thing seemed like a funny idea that should have had more than 5 minutes of show time.
and logan can't come back because running a company is a 70+ hour a week job. he probably doesn't have any free time to run back and forth since the concorde is gone.
the logan business banter was kinda funny though. it's what tv writers think business people talk like when discussing serious transactions.
the ausiello spoilers have me pretty bummed out too, so since i know where it's going, i don't like the journey that much.
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 10:35PM
Joel Keller said...
That's why I don't read Ausiello's spoilers, especially his GG ones. Why ruin my enjoyment now by telling me the show's going in a direction I'm not going to like?
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 10:52PM
Kristine said...
I loved this episode. It was funny and interesting and really showed why Lorelai and Christopher are good together. I couldn't imagine any disagreements she had with Luke ending so well and honestly. And the last scenes when they were a family again and everyone was finally happy? Very moving. I know it can't last and eventually the writers will smash their lives to bits again. But for now I am happy.
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 11:06PM
Gigi said...
I don't hink we watched the same episode because this is nowhere near the classic episodes of OLD Gilmore Girls.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 12:11AM
tiffany said...
I'm now hooked on Gilmore Girls again. I never really was a Luke&Lor fan to begin with, so the new plotline with Lor and Chris may be the reason why. As a former fan who only watched for the first 3 seasons or so, I have to admit the show's good again. My sister has been a longtime fan, and so I know how out of character last season was. I just hope the series will end for the best, meaning Chris and Lor together.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 12:19AM
Cheryl said...
The Girls are back and I'm loving Tuesdays again. Luke was just not cutting it last season and I hope this season he learns. C&L have tons of chemistry. While I think L&L are probably the end game, I'm sure liking the romance and the trust that C&L are sharing.
Really didn't miss Luke tonight.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 1:03AM
GG Fan For Life said...
Hi All,
i am a true- die hard Gilmore Fan and have been since the shows' beginnings. I have three of the six seasons on dvd(season 1,2, and 5) which I have watched numerous times. So I think I have the athority and insight to say that tonight's episode was very close to what I have been used to seeing and that rosenthal and the writing team did a great job in capturing the spirit of Gilmore Girls.
I have also been a Chris and Lor fan - I think they have good chemistry- especially in season two...but lately in season seven I have not really felt like the dialog between them has been up to par with what we GG fans have grown acoustom to and have come to appreciate and love. But tonight's episode seemed to bring the relationship back into a bit of normality.
However, I do think that the Luke and Loreli chemistry was amazing- and very beliavable. i enjoyed watching them together as an on screen couple and don't feel like the chemistry between she and Chris is as good (particularly in season 7)...but....the moment on the couch @ Fri night dinner when they decided to go to Paris together- and the ride back in the car with the "whole family" scene--was actually touching for me. It's what they have been just on the verge of having for so long...
and the final moments with the radio and the exchange there between Rory, Chris, and Lor...excellent!
as for logan- he's been Logan since he entered the scene--but he's cute, charming, and I actually enjoy watching the two together.
Ok..so I normally don't review shows (nor do I watch many either) but this show is one of my all time favorites...so I thought I would put my two cents in.
Any Questions or Comments e maiil me @ gilmoregirlsfan2006@yahoo.com
Happy Viewing!
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 8:13AM
courtney said...
Lorelai once again giving Chris a pass for being a deadbeat dad to Rory for 20 years is just yet another reason for me to not care for this new version of a once smart, delightful character.
So, this is Lorelai's big "journey" the writers have gone on and on about - she races into this thing with Chris without a hint of caution or reflection? There was an opportunity to do something interesting here - even if they had her alone for a few episodes (god forbid) - but, they chose to go this classic, predictable melodrama route.
Nothing about this show resembles early GG - all those episodes and story arcs were so beautifully constructed and thoughtfully written.
Oh, well. I'll miss not watching it but its so much easier now that I've seen what they did to Lorelai and this creepy storyline and because I know what's coming. It really does get easier.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 8:16AM
valerie said...
Well, I must say that even though Lor&Chris seem to be happy together, it feels a little off for me. The episode was definitely better than the preceding ones - I just hope we'll soon get back to the "GG feel" that we are used to. :)
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 9:13AM
mamaloo said...
Breadfruit, not Grapefruit
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 11:54AM
ALLISON said...
I wish I could see these episodes as Amy and Dan would have scripted them. Maybe then they'd have some GG authenticity. Rosenthal's variation still misses the mark for me. The "pickle" phone call with Rory, for instance, just went on too long. They repeat jokes beyond the punch line -- very un-GG. Also, it's painful to see how Luke's been cut down to a bit player. It would still be interesting to see Lorelai go to the dinner for coffee -- even if they are over. I can't see Lorelai giving up the diner forever, especially if she's happy with Chris and has turned the page. So, spoilers suggest the story is going in a very radical way. I think if it does, it'll blow up in Lorelai's face.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 10:26AM
gail said...
Help?
I only used to watch GG on reruns until recently-Why is Chris back and what happened to his wife? or finance? Thanks!
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 11:06AM
David said...
His wife freaked out and ran away to Europe leaving Chris with the kid.
And is Marty aka Nake Guy still on the show? They need to bring him back and ditch Logan. I so hate Logan.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 11:38AM
Grim said...
I still think it is a great show, and I know that even though I am a Luke & Lor-shipper there has to be some rough with the smooth. I don't mind Christopher, but I can get over him being there, because we all know, that in the end Luke and Lorelei will be together, or it will end with the prospect of them finally being together.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 12:44PM
Karen said...
I found Rory unbelievably obnoxious last night--and a closet sexist, to boot. Why should Logan have to announce the gender of his team? Why should Rory have assumed they were all men? Why did she have to act like a childish little bitch as soon as she met Bobby? If I were Logan her conduct would have embarrassed me. Perhaps his referring to his team as "the guys" might have tipped her off that he thinks of his team as, well, GUYS. Bobby was nothing but charming to Rory the entire night, and was treated to sullen monosyllables in response.
And yes at least Rory had the decency to acknowledge at the end that she knew she was being an idiot and hated herself for it, but still--geez, the workplace is gender-integrated; get the hell over it.
Oh, and it was perfectly clear to ME as the viewer that he was asking her on the phone to celebrate with his team, not alone. So she's just being willfully idiotic.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 12:49PM
MrsEldubya said...
I feel like I must have watched a different show than you did, the one I watched was horrible. For me it's all a half of beat out of sync and just rubs me the wrong way. The dialog isn't up to GG standards, the banter isn't the same, the pop culture references are way too main stream. It's wrong, all wrong. I re-watched season 1 - 6 on ABC family this summer and as much as I didn't really enjoy season 6, the episodes were crafted better than what we have seen so far this season.
I use to be almost giddy over the thought of a new GG episode on Tues. It was appointment tv for me and I would suffer through commercials to watch it live and not on the Tivo. This season has been a huge disappointment for me. Maybe writers like Amy and David have spoiled me and I expect too much but this is now how I wanted it all to end. If it wasn't for Veronica Mars I would boycott the CW all together.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 1:18PM
Jimmy said...
This was a mediocre show at best. Everything just seemed forced. From the banter, to the fights Lorlei and Rory had with their men, to the excitement of the big sale. Is it me, or was the actress playing Bobbi the same one in the Orbit gum commercials? You know, the one who always says "Fabulous!" after someone does something stupid, but there teeth come out sparkling white? Also, is Lauren Graham getting fat, or am I being too catty?
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 1:31PM
Kathy said...
Wow! "Chris and Lor" sure got boring in a hurry. Their argument wasn't even interesting. What is interesting is that months later, Lorelai is still avoiding Luke at all costs. Hmm, maybe if she actually faced up to him, she would be able to see how she is transferring everything she feels for him onto Chris. I can't wait for L/L to finally have it out over where they went wrong. Now that will be some compelling television. Hopefully the current snooze-fest will come to an end, soon. the pre-Sweeps stalling is getting annoying.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 4:33PM
daverr said...
GG is like a very fast f1 race car, when you change the driver it will drive differently and the pickle show was DR’s first real fast lap at full speed.
For all you GG snobs (who are unhappy) this is the only good entertainment in this year of TV limbo.
This was good TV and I say to the CW order another 26 episodes before the price goes up.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 9:17PM
daverr said...
Family channel just showed the last episode of last year and It just hit me, maybe Luke was the WB and
Lor is AS-P both are trying to get them (LUKE / WB) to Commit to a long term relationship and Luke didn't say yes, just like the WB didn't say yes to AS-P and Lor said "I GOT TO GO" just like AS-P did with the WB ?
Reply