DVD Update.

How I Met Your Mother, Season 2 - October 2
Gilmore Girls, Season 7 - November 13

Random comment: I watched The Starter Wife today while continuing to unpack and organize my apartment. Good stuff. Entertaining, if a little cheesy at times. I liked it. And I get why Debra was nominated for the Emmy.

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: 7x21

Gilmore Girls
7x21
Unto the Breach

Soooo... I cried.

It's ridiculous, but I did. And I can only imagine what this means for me next week. Good grief! I knew I'd be sad, but I wasn't expecting this! I totally had to "take a moment" before I moved on to Veronica...

I was glad to see...

1. Lorelai and Christopher "okay" with one another. Don't get me wrong, I was never, ever a fan of their relationship, but he is Rory's father, which means he'll be around forever. They've got to get through the weird and into the comfortable. (I do hate we won't get to see he and Luke 'fleece it out' or peek in on family gatherings 20 years from now when Luke and Lorelai, Rory and her man and Chris and whoever he ends up with are all there together. I'd love to be part of that family, too.)

2. The promise of Rory and Paris in the future. I really don't think they can get rid of each other - even if they're thousands of miles apart. I LOVE friends like that. Seriously, the scene between the two with Paris and her, "unto the breach" comment... well, let's just say there was some wetness behind the eyes. (I'm guessing this means no Paris in the finale.)

Calling up the emotion...

Here's what I love about a show that does its job (and believe me, Gilmore has had moments it completely missed the mark): people feel something. The writers or the actors touch on an issue or a time or place in life and the audience "gets it." I've had issues this season with Rory's college ups and downs - and I've been there, but it just didn't always hit for me. Tonight, however, with graduation, friends parting ways and packing up to move out of the place you've found yourself (literally and figuratively) in for the last four years, was a rush of emotions. Excitement, sadness, nostalgia, hope... and I got a little glimpse of all those things for Rory. She's right, the world's wide open, and I remember that feeling with fondness. This episode really took me back.

On the Logan front. I hated it. Really, truly hated it for them. I loved Logan. I loved him with Rory. From start to finish their relationship was fun to watch. Somewhere in my mind, I'd love to think they cross paths again someday, but for now, I'm glad they took this road. Rory IS young and she has a whole life out in front of her. Settling her romantically has never been on top of my list. I wanted to know/see Rory go after her dream and her life... and I think that's where they're leaving us. And hey, now we can "choose our own adventure" for her love life. Either she ends up with Logan and that guacamole tree, or she finds another formidable, amazing accomplice later on down the line. Either way, I'm proud of her, too.

Lorelai, on the other hand, DOES need to get her man. (And it looks like she's gonna.) Luke and Lorelai are the only couple on this show that are (or ever have been) "make or break" for me. I think they've shown us from the beginning those two belong together, and even through all the shite we've had to endure, there's never really been any other choice. I'm all about full circle, here. It's time. Lorelai has gone through a journey - one I wasn't always a fan of - but she's FINALLY figured a few things out. Tonight's very thinly veiled argument about "leaning away from yes" and "others need time" or "they're never ready" and "taking a leap of faith" - all that aside, to be able to settle her life, know what she wants, be with Luke... that's a better ending for Lorelai than I could hope for. Like she told Rory, "Someday you'll meet someone and you'll just know it's right. You want want to hesitate, you'll just... know."

I'm interested to see how it all shakes out (the preview gave us a little glimpse) next week, but more than anything, I want to leave my girls knowing they're happy, and where they want to be.

God, I'm getting choked up again.

Gilmore Girls: 7x20

Gilmore Girls
7x20
Lorelai? Lorelai?

I'm at a loss as to the reasoning for this episode title... anyone have an idea?

(Edit: Kudos to Sarah. I didn't even consider Logan's, "Lorelai? Lorelai?" at the end of the episode. Good call!)

Well, it appears Rory's still working the job crisis storyline. So much so, that she's reverted to Chilton nightmares where Lorelai needs a "break" and the Gellar's (I feel certain Paris would make Doyle take her name...) inhabit her home. On the bright side, she could still angle for Emily and Richard to get that apartment in New York. Consolation prize, anyone? Okay, so I feel for her, I do, but most people go through this sort of thing at some point in life. Good she's getting it out of the way now... not at, say... 26 or 27. Ahem...

Aaaaannnyway. As familiar as I might be with Rory's plight, I think it was sort of formulated (in this episode) for the purpose of getting Lorelai on the karaoke stage so she could sing "I Will Always Love You" to Luke. Not that Rory's story is unimportant (but compared with Luke and Lorelai, it sorta is...) because she's gonna have way bigger fish to fry next week! Like mega big. Get the girl a job so she's not in career AND relationship crisis all at once! Whatever would we do??

Moving on to the important things in life, like Luke's blue hat.

"Today I walk into the diner and... there it is! Atop his head!"

The only thing I love more than the fact that Lorelai said the word, "atop," is that she's so nervous around Luke right now. Sorta cute. And his face when she was singing was very sweet. Maybe I'm biased by my love for Luke, because I'm usually totally cheesed out when guys get all "soft" on TV. You know what I mean... their voices shift, their mouths change and they look all woolly in the eyes. I call it the Chandler Syndrome. (Love me some Matthew Perry, but he was the worst at this in Friends. I know I can't be the only one who's noticed this...)

I was only mildly interested in Lane and Zach's dilemma. But considering I live with a person who's gone more than half the year touring with his band, two months didn't really strike me as a long haul...

Lastly, Logan. Tsk, tsk, tsk. The boy has to know this is a bad idea. HAS to. I get not wanting to lose Rory, but he knows she's not ready for this - not with the career she wants! It's not gonna be pretty. I love those two together, but I have a feeling this could throw them to an early grave. *sigh* However, Lauren's face was priceless in the last frame of the episode! And Logan's voice during the credits was a nice touch.

Those Gilmores have a flair for the dramatic!

Gilmore Girls: 7x19

Gilmore Girls
7x19
It's Just Like Riding a Bike

In the words of Better Than Ezra, "I love it when we fight/It makes me think at least you still care."

I know I felt a little bubble of happiness (that's long been absent) when Luke and Lorelai started bickering. Surely you did, too! From ceiling tiles, to "of course," to the Paper, Rock, Scissors game and everything in between... total bits of cotton candy fluff. And I loved it. Especially in the end, when Luke (in classic Luke form) came through, totally giving in to Lorelai's craziness, loving (begrudgingly) every minute of it.

He can't help himself.

And kudos to LG. That woman kills. Her facial expressions, the little, secret smiles. I'll miss the girls if they don't come back for Season 8. I really will.

Paris amused me for about 2 seconds screaming over all of her acceptance letters. I knew then that Rory wasn't getting the fellowship. Maybe that's why I'm still sort of bored with all of her, "getting out of college woes." Blah, blah... we all have to deal with it, moving on.

However, I loved, loved the Doyle scene at the end. Changing his mind about being broken up with Paris. Too sweet. I enjoy Doyle... even though I'm always afraid Buffy will come out from around a corner and zap him.

I know Sookie and Jackson were tonight's C Story, but I just don't have much to say. I did laugh at her comments about him annoying people and how to behave, but otherwise... eh.

Next week, on the other hand, looks to be quite an interesting turn in the Rory/Logan story. FINALLY! And I know a bit about some Luke/Lorelai happenings, but I'll keep it zipped as I'm not here to spoil you.

Unless you ask.

Nicely.

In the form of a song...

Gilmore Girls: 7x18

Gilmore Girls
7x18
Hay Bale Maze

Let's get the basics out of the way.
Or: Things you should know about me and Gilmore Girls.

1. I love Lorelai. If I had to save one character on the show (and since there is no receptionist), it would be her. And I'd stuff Luke in my purse on the way out the door.
2. I don't care who Rory ends up with, if anyone at all.
3. Emily Gilmore cracks me up and pisses me off at the same time. That's talent.
4. I'm fiercely loyal to this show. I think it is, at it's peak (hello, Season 5), one of the smartest shows on TV. Well written, funny, heartfelt, etc., etc.
5. As much as I love it... there's a time to let something go. In the Season 8 debate, I'm all for closing it out well this May. *closes eyes to avoid the pelting*

And about last night...

I was getting about as pissy as Spring Fling Michel waiting on a new episode - not that I don't get that way with EVERY hiatus - but after what went down at the end of last year (Season 6 will always be, for me, the worst), waiting to see how they plan to repair the damage, makes me less than patient.

I'll admit, I've been angry. Very, very, angry at Lorelai (and she's my favorite). I thought what they did with her character this season - jumping from fiance to old stand-by, being in love with Luke, but marrying Christopher - was the worst possible choice. She should have had the Christopher thing out of her system ages ago. Plus, the Lorelai I know doesn't need a man to complete her identity. She does not fall into a puddle at someone's feet or step aside without a fight - but she did. And I didn't like it. Alas, they didn't ask me if it was believable, or whether it made sense... they just did it.

Lorelai's, "You're the man I want to want," speech that ended things with Christopher, sums up their entire history. And is the most honest thing she's ever said to him. Thank God people like Sookie, and even Rory, reminded her in the early stages of Christopher-Gate, that she was moving too quickly, not over everything with Luke, etc. Someone should have hit her upside the head, but I guess we all have to make our own mistakes. Which she did.

And now we clean up the mess. I'm not sure last night's apology is enough for me... I'm hoping for a bit more of "showdown" - if you will - between the two. Nothing like a good fight to prove you still care, right? Plus, honestly, I know Luke was a bit distracted and stupid about the April thing last year, (and he copped to it last night), but if I were him, I'd be hard pressed to forgive and forget what Lorelai ended up doing. She needs to grovel.

In other news, Rory's about to graduate, Taylor's as ridiculous as ever and Logan looks nice without a shirt.

Ok, so I shouldn't be bored by Rory and her job hunt, but I am. And Logan has lost all of his mystery. I loved Season 5's snarky, smarmy, jackassy Logan (the same holds true for VM's Logan). New Logan is a little whiny and, dare I say it... dull. Not saying I don't like Rory and Logan together, because I do, but their story needs a little spice. (And I read spoilers, so I know they'll get some.) I did, however, enjoy Logan's introduction to the craziness that is Stars Hollow. And his interaction with Lorelai. She has concerns, rightfully so, and it was fun to see Logan under fire.

Not much else to say in the way of town shenanigans, etc. Kirk is Kirk. Taylor is Taylor. What more can you say, honestly?

Next week looks good, what with Lorelai's return to the diner and all! Veddy, veddy interesting...

Cheers!

Here's hoping Peter Petrelli flies in before the season's over. (Hey, a girl can dream.)