A Year in the Life

“One of the things I like about the show is it redefines the idea of what it is to be a mother, which at its most basic level is to take care of a child. It doesn’t mean you have to look like the ladies in the Lysol commercials.” ~ Lauren Graham

I feel like I have just been on an emotional rollercoaster. All due to binge watching Gilmore Girls. Don’t worry I won’t give spoilers.

Christmas came early this year. Or perhaps it is a Thanksgiving Day Delight. Whatever it is the revival of Gilmore Girls: A year in the Life was released Thanksgiving night (technically the morning after) on Netflix. For the last year fans (myself included) have been anxiously awaiting to see what happened to characters we have invested in so much.

I, like any millennial, grew up with the quirky quick-witted mother daughter duo living in the fictional Stars Hallow. As a teenager I watched and rooted and re-watched until I could recite lines from episodes.

It was a show that really channeled it all and let anyone watch including guys, though they may have been quiet about it. I can’t tell you the number of times a male friend or relative will pass a quip having to do with Gilmore Girls. It is a show that has become that iconic for my generation.

While yes it had angst, it was relatable. For me, Rory WAS me. Intelligent witty, but also shy, quiet, and yes a bit insecure, unsure of her place in this world, of where she fit in. She loved her family and friends, and was close to her mother, which growing up was another irregularity. In school I constantly heard people complaining about their parents.

Gilmore Girls was and IS as relatable as any television show can be. What is more, it was done in a witty, lighthearted way. Of course it took on serious issues, as well as broke down misconceptions about single mothers and women. But it also showed that no mater the hand life deals you, you can always rise above it, hopefully with a fast paced commentary.

It was the perfect ending to a Thanksgiving weekend where it is typical to eat your way into a food coma to end it with binge watching the new episodes.

While many people are calling it a revival, I call it a continuation. It is all the same actors even if it is just a cameo (Sookie!) And while yes some characters we had to say good bye too due to real life death (Rest in peace Richard) Amy and Dan Palladino made sure to honor them in the way only they could.

While many people seem to have mixed emotions on it, I personally loved it. It was like going back to visit my home town and say hello to old friends. It had everything that Gilmore Girls is known for. It even had more. I laughed. I cried. I gasped. I was amazed. And it came full circle in a way that if you know the Paladins, you know is a trademark of theirs. My only regret is that now we have to wait for the next installment.

For I am sure there will be another one. They can not, NOT have more episodes.

And okay I lied. I am posting one tiny spoiler. If you watch nothing else, you have to watch it for Emily’s potty mouth. That alone is gold and deserve’s Kelly Bishop an Emmy. Thank you Netflix lacks profanity laws.

Have you watched Gilmore Girls? Have you seen the “Revival?” What are your thoughts on it?