Texan Mosaic

by CHANEY ARNEY//Staff Writer

Grab your coffee.  The Girls are back.

After 16 years since the first episode and nine since the TV series ended, the “Gilmore Girls” are back.  The all-star cast has reunited for a four-part Netflix original series, “A Year in the Life,” and the wait was worth it.  Amy Sherman-Palladino, the writer, creator, and producer of the show, did not disappoint. 

The series opens with winter, then spring, summer, and finally fall.  Throughout the series, Stars Hollow still has the beloved citizens, including Lane Kim (played by Keiko Agena), Kirk Gleason (played by Sean Gunn), Miss Patty and Babette Dell (played by Liz Torres and Sally Struthers), Paris Geller (played by Liza Weil), and Taylor Doose (played by Michael Winters). But there was a noticeable absence of the late Edward Herrmann, who played Richard Gilmore.  However, there were some characters I would have liked to see more of, such as Sookie St. James (played by Melissa McCarthy), Dean Forester (played by Jared Padalecki), Jess Mariano (played by Milo Ventimiglia), or Paul Anka, Lorelai’s dog.

There were also tributes to past seasons as well.  The opening line from Lorelai Gilmore (played by Lauren Graham) in the winter episode, “I smell snow,” was a great way to start the series.  Winter is Lorelai’s favorite season, so there is that feeling of familiarity.  Also, from season two, there is the Basket Auction in the spring episode, and in fall, Rory Gilmore (played by Alexis Bledel) and Dean Forester run into each other at Doose’s, which is where they first met.

There were some things I’m glad they kept, such as Stars Hollow’s weekly town meetings, and Luke’s Diner’s no cell phone rule.  But I enjoyed the new modern rules that were added, such as no man buns, no headphones, and no texting while ordering, though Luke still wears his plaid shirts.  Also, in the new series, Rory’s old room with her Yale memorabilia, the Dragonfly Inn’s décor, the fast talking, and the diet of the Gilmore girls are still icons for the show.  Another great similarity is Taylor and his never-ending goal of making Stars Hollow great.

The new season did a better job of being more diverse, something they didn’t do so well during the first seven seasons. However, they made the revival a little more adult.  The language and themes were slightly more adult than the original seasons.  That could be because it’s more accepted in today’s times, or because they are trying to appeal to the original “Gilmore Girls” viewers who are in adulthood.  Whatever the reason for the adult themes and language, I was disappointed.

Another disappointing factor of the four new episodes is that not one of them had the theme song, “Where You Lead” by Carole King, which was an icon of the show.  Sherman- Palladino, originally wanted four specific last words to end the original series.  But with the revival, she was able to end it the way she wanted.  However, I was not a fan of the last four words.  I didn’t like the story line around the words.  I wish there was a little more to see how the words play out.  But, overall, it put a bad taste in my mouth.

The last episode left me with more questions than answers.  Also, Rory’s character in the revival was disappointing.  Rory’s morals and attitudes in the new episodes were different than they were in the original series.

Even after all this time, “Gilmore Girls” is still relatable.  The revival was nothing short of a success.

I give “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” 4 out of 5 stars.