California Dreamin' and all that other stuff...

It's official. The summer slump has begun. It's slightly (read: completely and utterly) depressing, and it's not like I don't have things I could watch. There's an episode of Studio 60 (with a little Jenna Fischer sprinkled in) and that new show... Traveler (is that the right name?), which I taped purely out of curiosity, on the TIVO. But I haven't gotten around to either. Anyone have an opinion? I need the motivation that comes with my regularly scheduled programming. As it is at the moment, I've got lots of "other," non-TV related (gasp) things going on.

1. I'm moving to California in three weeks. Yeah. I found this out Wednesday. Very excited, don't get me wrong, it's just all sort of happening at once. Quickly. (That's what she said.)

2. In the three weeks between now and the move, aside from life and work, I have a week long beach trip (starting Sunday), a Bachelorette Party to host and the task of finding a place to live. Easy, right? I need to be sedated or something.

3. I feel like Rory in the final episode of Gilmore Girls. I thought I had a month to ride roller coasters...

All that "life" stuff aside, I'm not shirking my duties. Netflix delivered the first two discs of House to my house (hahaha) yesterday, and I'm planning to start catching up at the beach... so if you're already a fan of House, or you really, really want to be, get ready!

And just to make this even more random... I saw Knocked Up tonight. Hilarious movie. Actually pretty smart... not uber generic or campy. It's consistently funny, which I appreciate, and of course some things were over the top (I could have done without all the body parts and neverending F-bombs), but the emotions weren't processed. It felt very... real. My only issue? I wanted (and really expected) to see a License to Wed trailer. *pouts* It was like being shot down with no Harry Potter at Pirates last week.

Enough. It's 2:15 a.m. Time to fall asleep watching Pride and Prejudice. Oops! I'm sorry. Is that picture not of Colin Firth? I really thought it was. I meant for it to be... dang it. I guess I'll just have to leave this one...

Gilmore Girls: 7x22

Gilmore Girls

7x22
Bon Voyage
SERIES FINALE

So, I have this friend, Ellen. I love her for many reasons... she's funny and fabulous, yadda, yadda... but one of my favorite things? I can always count on her for a good TV cry.

Almost 4 years ago tonight, I was a year out of college, living by myself in Louisiana (yikes), sitting on the floor of my one bedroom apartment watching the Series Finale of Dawson's Creek. As much as I loved DC when it started, I was only hanging on at the end by force of habit. I'd watched the show's writing decline and disappoint, and to this day, I still only own Season 1 (I like to pretend it stopped at 13 episodes.) - of course, it took me a while to come to this conclusion, and on this particular night I was rather disheveled. Like, sorta crying my eyes out. I'd grown up with that show. It started my senior year of high school and my friends and I were rather obsessive about it in college, gathering in a room (usually mine) every Wednesday night to watch - NO TALKING (except during commercials)!

Anyway (I have a point, I swear), Ellen and I called each other during commercials throughout the whole 2 hour finale - and when the credits started to roll, we were kinda blubbering. It didn't end how we wanted, and we were still totally wrecked. I think it had more to do with all the memories of college and friends and being apart, than Dawson and the gang, but whatever it was, it got me good. By the time El and I ended our chat, we were laughing at how silly we were, but we were also reminiscing about our favorite episodes and things we loved... and remembering our friends.

We did that tonight with Gilmore Girls.

Ok, so I wasn't sitting alone in my apartment (which I still contend made me more emotional at DC's end), and I wasn't really blubbering, but there were tears. And they started coming about the time Lane and Rory sat down on the porch... and continued popping up 'til the end. Afterward, just like that night four years ago, Ellen and I discussed how much we loved the girls, how it was sort of funny and silly to get sad over the end of a TV show - and yet, how it's cool to have it be part of your life, something steady and there... like a good friend you hang out with every Tuesday night (even if they're pissing you off). And hey, by the end of our chat, we were laughing again as I coached El on all things The Office - she's just finished Season 1 and I felt the need to prepare her for the depth of this new obsession.

Still, our focus was The Girls.

The episode was obviously written to be a finale. Sure, they could have come back for more, but there was a definite "final tribute" flair to the script and the characters. I even noticed a little extra emotion from some of them, especially in the party scenes (Melissa).

Lorelai killed me, going into Rory's room while she was sleeping, and then, Rory's speech at the party, the look between she and Lorelai was amazing. I felt sort of like I was seeing Lauren and Alexis say, "Ok. We're good."

I'd have loved a hug or something between Emily and Lorelai, but again, those two characters will continue to see each other every week in that world. They weren't saying "goodbye," so I have to get over it. Richard's comments to Lorelai were very sweet and her promise to continue Friday Night Dinner a testament to how far they've all come.

And oh, my little Luke and Lorelai. The kiss was fabulous, solidifying it for us all. Sure, I'd have loved more action between them (say a little peck at the diner the next morning), and at the same time, I felt like they were saying, "This is it," with every action they took. No need for any big gesture because this is them, every day, from now on. If you knew me, you'd understand how monumental it is for me to say that... I'm a visual person, I like sight confirmation on things.

The last scene really got me. I'd heard it was a mirror of the Pilot, but still... so perfect, I think. Lorelai and Rory at Luke's, him working busily in the background. If I'd been Lauren or Alexis, I'd have burst into tears when they called cut.

Things like this always leave me thinking about the actors and the people who've been part of a show from the beginning, especially since this cast didn't get a group send-off. Maybe it's better that way, but I think I'd have wanted to say goodbye, no matter how many tears were involved. It changes their whole world in a way we, the audience, can't even comprehend. I can't imagine... lots of mixed emotions I assume.

It was a good run. Few shows are that lucky, and I'm glad I saw it all from the beginning. And a few years from now, I'll break out the DVDs and start all over again!

Gilmore Girls: A Tribute

I'll miss my girls.

Warning: Lots of Gilmore, lots of silliness... just me remembering a favorite, so if you aren't a fan, you'll probably just want to pass this post by...

Yes, it's corny. Yes, my husband is sitting here, making fun of me with comments like, "I know this is gonna take a lot out of you. Dig deep." Yes, it's just a TV show. But still...

I can't believe it'll all be over in less than two hours. Seriously, I get way too attached to things and my shows are no exception. And this one's been around for a while. Seven years. I've been a fan of this show for SEVEN years... and that's longer than I've known my husband, so he can kiss it!

When I first found Gilmore Girls, I was completely enamored. And for quite a while, it occupied the number one spot on my favorite shows list. Inevitably, it let me down, went ways I didn't like and made me want to run from the room screaming... but it also gave me tons of laughs, lots of heart and even a few tears now and then. I LOVE this show, cracks, faults and all, and I'll miss it terribly. I'm not sure the finale will do it justice, considering the last two seasons, but if I feel like everyone's okay and where they should be, I'll take it.

Lorelai,

You are, quite possibly, one of my favorite female characters ever. Strong, funny and full of imagination. Yeah, you made a few not-so-great, slightly out of character, choices along the way (*cough*Christopher Season6and7*cough*), but I think you're gonna pull through in the end - and that's why I love you. I'll miss your quippy, pop-culture self and every love-hate fight with Emily, but most of all, I'll miss seeing you with Rory and Luke every week. However, in my little corner of the world, you'll be working the Dragonfly with Sookie 20 years from now, talking on the phone with Rory, and going home to Luke's Diner every night, so... what am I getting all worked up over?

Rory,

What can I say, kid? You've got a really cool mom, you went to Chilton and Yale... I feel like I've watched you grow up and now I'm a little jealous of your "wide-open" life, but you deserve it. I'm proud of you. I hate we won't see you take over the world, because it's been a long road. You made some mistakes - dropping out for a semester, living with your grandparents... plus I wasn't exactly behind your whole sleeping with a married guy thing, and it was probably a big bad to break up with Jess (or am I just projecting my Milo love on Alexis?), but then you had Logan, and well, I think he was my favorite. Alas, one day, big shot reporter Rory will find herself a guy worthy of a Gilmore Girl... I hate I won't be there for family dinners when you take him home to meet Luke and your mom.

Luke and Lorelai,

Thank god you're cutting the crap. I don't expect anymore screw ups, so I feel okay leaving you tonight. Still... there's no other couple like you; the words "made for each other" come to mind. I'll miss all the banter-laden, flirty love... alas, now I have Jim and Pam to tear my heart out. *sigh* All the good ones do.

Emily and Richard,

You seriously make me laugh. Constantly. You also have the tendency to really piss me off, but generally, it's been a joy. And hey, I even wanted to hit up Friday night dinner sometimes, just to see what went down! That's power. Who will I count on for my weekly dose of guilt and manipulation? Wait, that's right, Nora Walker covers both nicely and when it comes to manipulation, there's always LOST and Heroes. Still, Sylar and Locke have nothing on you two when it comes to getting your way...

Sookie, Michel, Lane, Paris, Jackson, Kirk, Taylor, Miss Patty, Babette, Gypsy and the rest of the Stars Hollow Characters,

You made me laugh, every time you graced the screen. Mainly Michel, because I love a smart ass, but you were all priceless assets in my enjoyment of this show. I fully expect to see Kirk on a reality show someday...

God, I'm getting a little nostalgic, so I'll leave the last word to my husband, "Gilmore Girls: They talked fast. Sometimes... the French guy was funny."

You'll never know how hard it was for him to admit that...