Where they led, we followed: Goodbye, 'Gilmore Girls'
“Gilmore Girls” is — gulp — ending?
I’m fully aware that I was among the voices calling for an end to “Gilmore Girls.” Yet I can’t believe the final episode is actually here.
After negotiations to give the show an additional season broke down, fans recently learned that, as of Tuesday’s episode (appropriately titled “Bon Voyage”), that’s that. No more Gilmores, no more Stars Hollow.
Truth be told, after seven seasons of many ups and downs, I’m sad that the show has come to an end (as necessary as that ending is). There will be (sniff) things I’ll miss about the show, and here, in honor of the show’s seven seasons, are seven of them:
- Richard and Emily Gilmore: No matter how rocky, how implausible or how irritating “Gilmore Girls” could be — and longtime fans know the show frequently ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous — Lorelai’s parents, Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop), never failed to salvage a story line, prop up a plot or, in their own blue-blooded way, get to the emotional heart of a situation. Richard could have been a bow-tie wearing stuffed shirt, and Emily could have been just another WASP witch, but thanks to these actors’ lively yet precise work, the senior Gilmores were often the best thing about the show. (More on Kelly Bishop here.)
- Paris Geller: Another character who could have been supremely annoying, but in the hands of a skilled actor, emphatically was not. Liza Weil helped you see the struggle and insecurity at the heart of Paris’ often bewildering intensity, and she was wickedly funny to boot. You can certainly see why Rory stuck by the driven, socially clueless Paris all these years.
Those pop-culture references (more on them here): Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) had a poster of Noam Chomsky on the wall of her college apartment. Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) named her dog Paul Anka. Much of one episode was devoted to a loving re-creation of scenes from the indie rock documentary “Dig!” Guest stars included Sebastian Bach of Skid Row, Carole King and Sonic Youth. Tuesday’s finale features a guest appearance from Rory’s idol, journalist Christiane Amanpour. Oh, and then there was the dialogue, which was so jam-packed with references to movies, TV shows, current events, past events and goofball pop-culture oddities that the WB included a booklet called “Gilmore-isms” in the show’s DVD boxed sets. There’s no way to even attempt to give a flavor of the best “Gilmore” dialogue in this space: Try the Web site wikiquote.org/wiki/Gilmore_Girls for a taste of the magic.
Kirk’s endless array of jobs: If there was a job that needed doing in Stars Hollow — or even if there was a job that didn’t need doing in Stars Hollow — chances are the town oddball Kirk was doing it. Thank you, Sean Gunn, for seven seasons of delightfully deadpan comic work.
- Rory’s friend Lane Kim: “Gilmore Girls’” passion for (and good use of) music was exemplified by Rory’s best friend Lane (Keiko Agena), who disobeyed her strict mother’s rules to acquire the coolest record collection in Stars Hollow — and Lane even became a drummer for a rock band, Hep Alien. Lane was always an excellent (and much-needed) reality check for Rory, and I must also give a shoutout to Todd Lowe, who was spot-on as Lane’s slightly ditzy but loving guitar-playing husband, Zack. (Trivia note: To me, Adam Brody is not that guy from “The O.C.” — I’ll always remember him as Dave Rygalski, Lane’s guitar-playing first love).
- Michel Gerard’s constant snobbery: Forget that whole idea that TV characters should grow and change over time. For seven seasons, the voice of bed and breakfast employee Michel (Yanic Truesdale) dripped with constant condescension and witty sarcasm. What could be more fun than French-accented hauteur? Don’t go changing, Michel.
Lauren Graham: Well, what’s left to say? Hordes of TV critics and commentators over the years have tried to get the Emmy dolts to notice the amazing actress who played Lorelai, to no avail. So I say, harrrmph, the Emmy bigwigs are dummies. Besides, anyone who saw her sing a drunken karaoke version of “I Will Always Love You” to Luke Danes (Scott Patterson) knows that this woman is the real thing. There wasn’t a dry eye in the bar, or in my house, during that scene. Wow.
So long, “Gilmore Girls.” Thanks for everything.
Photos: All images from "Bon Voyage," the May 15 series finale of "Gilmore Girls." Rory (Alexis Bledel) at Rory Gilmore Day in Stars Hollow; Christiane Amanpour visits Rory and Lorelai (Lauren Graham); the residents of Stars Hollow at Rory Gilmore Day; Lauren Graham as Lorelai.