(S07E22) This may not have been the way Gilmore Girls was originally supposed to end, but, as it turned out, it was a pretty good way for it to go out.
When I think about it, ending the show in such a "rip off the Band-Aid" fashion was best for everyone, including the fans. We had only two weeks to cope with the show's departure, knowing that the finale was already shot and ready to go. Nothing we could do or say was going to change how we were going to leave Lorelai, Rory, Luke, and the rest of the folks in the Gilmore world. Because of that, there was no speculation, no guessing. And there were also no grand moments, supreme life changes, and the obligatory scenes of someone looking back on an empty room before turning out the lights. It was very understated. And very satisfying.
So we didn't see Luke and Lorelai get married. So what? Yes, this finale was scripted to serve as a season finale if the show happened to go another year, leaving doors open and story possibilities to explore. But, you know, sometimes the best thing to do is to leave those possibilities unexplored. The only thing that's really final in life is... well, you know. So TV show finales don't need to be final either; they should assume the viewers would assume that these people's lives go on in some fictional land; we just won't be there to see it.
That's what we got here. Actually, there was quite a bit of finality in this episode and in the one or two before these, at least in the case of people making life transitions. Zack is going to go on tour while Lane stays home with the twins, for instance. Logan's history, off to San Fran to make his millions. Paris is going to Harvard med, with Doyle in tow. And, as we found out this week, Rory is going to follow the Barack Obama campaign around for an online magazine (though I thought it would have been more interesting if Rory was assigned to follow around Mitt Romney).
The only thing left hanging was Luke and Lorelai. But, then again, we already saw them engaged, and that was near torture to watch. Why have us go through that again? No, this was a good way to end; he goes the extra ten miles to get Rory's party together, she finds out, he tells her, "I just want to see you happy," they kiss, fade to black. We can assume the rest. Yes, Lor said earlier that she wanted a guy who knew how to feel -- and finally admitted that the karaoke performance she directed toward Luke meant exactly what everyone thought it did -- but I think what Luke demonstrated was more than enough to prove that he's at least trying to meet her half-way. Even though the kiss was ruined a bit by the CW's promotion hacks, who showed it during last week's coming attractions, it was still very satisfying to watch. It's too bad they didn't get to this a few weeks earlier.
The party was a good opportunity to bring the town together. Babette's ankles predicting rain. Kirk's DJ'ing and sash-sewing skills. Miss Patty and her Miss Pattiness. Jackson and his fruits and veggies. Sookie with her constant cheer. Taylor and his humbuggery. And it was a good opportunity to do a little goofy humor, like when Luke and the town tried to set up in the square, saw Lor and Rory talking about fanny packs, and tiptoed away in unison. Also funny was the Gilmore girls' attempt to quickly recreate the graduation for Babette, Patty, Lulu, and Kirk at the diner, right down to Rory's line that she graduated "summa cum Luke."
The party even got to Richard and Emily... well, at least Richard. He was actually moved by the fact that the entire town came out to pay tribute as much to Lorelai's raising of Rory than to Rory herself. And Emily... boy, I think I'm going to miss her the most. All the eye rolling and berating Richard about being a post-heartattack emotional mess didn't hide the fact that she was concerned that Lor was going to stop going to those Friday night dinners. Quite a nice way for the writers to tease that fact out, with Emily mentioning that Lor should add a spa to the Dragonfly, right at the top of the episode. By the end of the episode, though, we knew where she was going; proposing the loan, saying they could get together periodically to work it out. Give Lorelai credit for being mature and saying she'll keep coming because she's "used to it." Despite the blue-blooded bickering, back-and-forth snideness, and lack of outer emotions, we know that Emily wants to Lor to be in her life, and not just because Rory is around. I think that came full circle tonight.
Lane's speech to Rory about why everyone thinks she'll do great was well-done. Rory voiced what I think every viewer has thought about her at one time or another: why does everyone always think she'll do so well at everything? I liked Lane's answer: it's not because she'll excel at everything right away, but it's because she'll be able to know how to make the right adjustments in order to succeed. That's Rory in a nutshell; as hard a worker as she is intelligent. She may be freaking out over being on the campaign bus, but she'll do fine. Maybe she'll make a Obama documentary just like Nancy Pelosi's daughter made when she followed Dubya around on the campaign trail.
Speaking of journalists... who thought that Christiane Amanpour was going to be the one who eventually led Rory to that job? You know, meet the promising Yale grad, give her a business card, then all of a sudden Rory has an interview. That's how I thought it would happen. I'm glad it didn't, though; Rory's working for an online magazine, working her way up from the bottom (almost the bottom... she doesn't have to fetch coffee for anyone). It showed that not everything will be handed to her... and she's OK with that.
It was fitting that Rory's role model waited all the way to the finale to appear on the show. And it was also a good way to get Michel one last condescending monologue, this time reciting Lor's embarrassing behavior in front of celebrity guests. Who knew that many A- and B-listers came through Stars Hollow?
Nice job by Lauren Graham, as usual. What was going through her head in the scene where she finally lost it while watching Rory sleep? Was she thinking it was the end by that point? Anyway, she's been on fire acting-wise since at least the karaoke scene, if not before. Will she finally win an Emmy? Probably not. But damn if she didn't earn one tonight.
On to the final scene. Nice parallel to the first season (the pilot, maybe?) with the camera panning back on Lorelai and Rory talking over coffee in an empty Luke's, Luke happily serving them. Only this time, Rory's going to Iowa, and Lorelai is wearing that necklace Luke got from Liz. Very subtle way to show that connection; a "nice necklace" and a subtle glance between the rekindled lovers.
It was all very low-key and laid-back. It was as understated a finale as I've seen in many years -- probably because it was only semi-planned as a finale -- but in this case, I think it was appropriate. Funny, emotionally satisfying, and it leaves the viewer wanting to see what happens next in these people's lives. You really can't ask for more. Considering how hard I've been on the show all season, it's good to see it's going out on a high note. I'm giving it a 7.
I've been a fan of this show since the second season, and, recent flaws and all, I'm going to miss it dearly. Thanks to Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Kelly Bishop, Keiko Agena, Edward Hermann, Melissa McCarthy, and the rest of the cast for making Tuesday nights something to look forward to for seven years. And a special thanks goes out to Amy Sherman-Palladino for creating the warm, homey, quirky world of Stars Hollow and giving the show's stars such a river of great dialogue to say. A show as uniquely funny and emotional as Gilmore Girls won't come around for quite a long time.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-15-2007 @ 10:21PM
David said...
I only watched half of the episode, and the very end but I like what I see. It closes the show off, but still leaves things open for the parts we don't seem. West Wing did it the same way and I enjoy it. It doesn't try to be something it is not, and still gives fans closure. I'm happy with how it is going so far.
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5-15-2007 @ 10:33PM
Heather said...
I was very happy with how Gilmore Girls ended. It was sweet. It gave us a chance to say goodbye to Stars Hollow & it gave us hope that Luke & Lorelai will be happy forever in t.v. land.
I do wonder how ASP had planned to end the series. I remember her saying a couple of years ago that she had already written the final scene. I would love to know what that scene was.
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5-15-2007 @ 10:37PM
Diana said...
I believe Rory got the job from an entirely different contact. Amanpour was probably just a great confidence booster.
In recent weeks I've heard that this was written as a season/series finale but I thought it felt pretty much the way a season finale would feel. While I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have wanted, it's good that the show is gone. It stayed past its prime and needed to be put to sleep.
I posted my review on my blog
http://www.mediaobsessed.com
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5-15-2007 @ 10:48PM
Joseph said...
Your review is great, and I think you nailed all the memorable moments. Good work, Joel Keller. And thank you.
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5-15-2007 @ 10:49PM
Joel Keller said...
Diana, I said that in my review:
"That's how I thought it would happen. I'm glad it didn't, though; Rory's working for an online magazine, working her way up from the bottom (almost the bottom... she doesn't have to fetch coffee for anyone). It showed that not everything will be handed to her... and she's OK with that."
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5-15-2007 @ 10:54PM
Stevie said...
glad that's over with. there were some really dumb things in this, but i think the one that annoyed me the most was richard's speech of approval for lorelai. i didn't buy it. no matter how settled things get b/w lor and her folks, nothing about them ever made me feel that either of them was capable of such a speech. it was maudlin the whole thing was way too lorelai-centric. when in real life does anyone ever say the EXACT thing you want to hear? emily's ridiculous ranting about a spa just to get lor to keep coming to dinner was far more believable.
then again, in real life christiane amanpour doesn't give her card out to college grads and say 'call me.' not as far as i know, anyway.
why wasn't lane djing? she did it for lor's engagement party. oh, that's right, since dan palladino's gone the show isn't allowed to have good music anymore. and where was mrs. kim anyway? did anyone miss tj? not me. wish they'd forgotten taylor as well.
oh, and the scene where they re-enacted rory's graduation was totally lame. a lot of the jokes just completely fell flat in this. that was good tho, it reminded me of how unfunny the show got in the last 2 years.
i also liked the homage to the end of the pilot, although that was shot in a different luke's! it's always bugged me that the pilot was so different from the rest of the eps.
there were things about it i didn't hate, but i just really felt the need to bitch about the annoying parts. i'm just glad i can finally let this show go.
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5-15-2007 @ 11:08PM
Paul Little said...
Great finale. Frankly, the only way it could've been better is if Sebastian Bach had made an appearance. :P
It was understated, open-ended, and a very fitting finale to a show that, while not my current favourite, in its peak was probably my most-loved show of all time. I can't imagine how that episode could've come off as a *season* finale. It had way too much closure, and if it had come back for an 8th season, it would've felt weird and tacked-on.
Loved seeing everyone from the town, the final storylines, and the ending scene. Your thoughts are pretty much all dead-on, Joel.
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5-15-2007 @ 11:30PM
Tammy said...
Rory got the job through the online magazine she's been writing for all season. She met the guy either through Logan or at some event she went with Logan. I'm not sure if it was mentioned again during the season but the guy read her work, was impressed and asked her to write a few articles for him. That's why it was odd that she was having troubles getting a job... she was editor of the Yale newspaper as well as working for the online mag etc.
I admit I cried all through the end of the show. I told my husband I thought this was worse than when Buffy ended but he said I just forgot how I reacted to the end of Buffy. :) He said I was pretty torn up then too. I would rather have bad Gilmore Girls than no Gilmore Girls. :( I will miss them and I wish someone would make a GG comic book too so we can see the lives go on.
Anyway, it was a good way to end the episode. Lorelai and Rory being who they are and always have been. The show was pitched as two good friends who happened to be mother and daughter. Well that's what it was at the end too. I'm glad Richard and Emily realized that Lor did what was right for her and Rory. I'm glad we had no Christopher too. This should have been about our girls and Stars Hallow with a nice addition of Richard and Emily.
At least we still have reruns on ABC Family and the DVD's. I will miss my girls and I hope we get to see many of these actors again real soon.
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5-15-2007 @ 11:32PM
Tammy said...
oh one more thing........ Luke and Lorelai are so going on that boat trip this summer. :)
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5-15-2007 @ 11:46PM
David said...
I just finished watching it and it was very fitting. I don't know how they would have done a season 8 with the Rory story, luke and Lor would get married next season and have a kid the season after. :)
The party was awesome and they had everyone back, plus no stupid Luke's daughter.
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5-15-2007 @ 11:50PM
Colleen said...
They should show that episode to writers as an example of how to end a series. It was perfect. And to think they created it without knowing if they were coming back for an 8th season!
They gave us just the right amount of our favorite characters and managed to tie up story lines. I like that it didn't have that final feeling to it. It felt like things were going to continue on. The whole episode just rang so true. I'm going to really miss them (especially Lauren Graham) next season.
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5-15-2007 @ 11:52PM
Bill said...
I'm with most everyone. Simple, nice, didn't try to do to much, and a really fitting end for a nice series. So now everyone should watch Friday Night Lights, now clearly the best family friendly drama on TV.
http://popculturejunk.blogspot.com/
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5-15-2007 @ 11:55PM
beanspants said...
i thought the episode was good, i just wanted to say that it's funny that I think you mean "A-list" and "B-list" celebrities, but it came off looking like "A minus" list and B list celebrities. like "You've had your 15 minutes, former A lister, and now you're onto minute 16. See you on VH1 rather than the red carpet."
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5-16-2007 @ 12:20AM
Kyle Beabo said...
"At least they didn't do a spin-off with Luke's daughter..."
-My friend after watching the show.
It was a good end, I'm sad to see it go. Wish it had been a better season. But ah well, at least the gang was altogether again. Maybe Lorelai and Luke can go on the roller coaster trip?
http://kylebeabo.blogspot.com/
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5-16-2007 @ 12:28AM
Diane said...
I've watched the show from the beginning--the good--Lorelai, Rory, Emily, Richard, Luke--and the bad--Christopher and Kirk. It was an understated, classy way to end things. Well done.
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5-16-2007 @ 12:45AM
MORF1053 said...
Joel: I couldn't agree with you more.
think they did a great job.
The re-uniting scene of LL and Luke was simply brilliant in it's depth and romance made all the more so by its perfect lack of words. These two people have loved one another for 7 years, so what needs to be said, really?
The two of them coming face to face at the outskirts of Rory's party, LL having just found out that Luke put together the whole thing, including staying up all night to sow the tent. And here's the entire dialogue:
LL: Hey.
Luke: Hey.
LL: Thank you.
Luke: Aah . . . it's no big deal.
LL: Luke.
Luke: I just . . . like to see you happy.
(They slowly come together and kiss.)
They way LL says his name in this scene was worthy of the full 7-year run . . .
Good-bye G-Girls - what a wonderful, simple, heart-filled show. One for the ages . . .
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See what's free at AOL.com.
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5-16-2007 @ 1:24AM
Donna said...
Well, I cried. I will miss the girls and the others they were part of my life. My daughter and I watched together every Tuesday night without missing. It made us stronger to see a mother and daughter get along so well together. We are like that, and I hope we stay that way. the showed us that you could be friend with you kids, and didn't always have to be the parent. I hope that the CW don't put on a reailty show in it place, I got were I hate them things. I even had to pay extra for that one channel, so it up in the air weather I'll keep it or not. I'm not glad it's over, but it ended well. I hope the best for everyone one as they go on with there lives. I hope there will be another show as good as this one soon, but it not looking good. Thanks for listening. My heart is breaking. Donna
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5-16-2007 @ 2:38AM
Jay said...
it was very understated, and in that way, special. that being said, i'm a complete puddle right now -- and i immediately, through my tears cued up that episode that started it all on october 5, 2000. i'm not really a fan of what david rosenthal did to the first half of this season, but i thought this ep was a very nice, if completely unwanted, ending. nice writing. might be a little biased because the final scene was the one that i had in my head as the final scene for a long time. i read something earlier today: don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. and we have to. thanks to the entire cast and crew and especially amy for creating stars hollow -- next time i'm in connecticut, maybe i'll make a magical wrong turn and well, you know...
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5-16-2007 @ 4:49AM
Bash said...
*sob*
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5-16-2007 @ 8:19AM
dave said...
I only started watching last year, but I think this finale really really demonstrated one of the unique charms of the show: Star's Hollow is a real life cartoon world. The characters are so outlandish. The scene under the tent teased out all the visual character and quirks of these absurd characters - I was fixated on Sally Struthers's husband simply for his appearance, especially on the dance floor. It's two real people living in a fantasy world with others occasionally stepping out of the cartoon montage to interact with them. And I think that's why the understatement worked so well. The 'real' sentiment of "I just want to make you happy" stands out in front of the absurdity of a whole town that for some reason only cares about one resident graduating from college! The scene where the town brought in the party and then snuck back out while Lor and Rory were having a moment was such a good example.
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