At the beginning of the new millenia, WB was bringing in a flourish of new shows that I, at the time, was not interested in during my preteenish years. I do not remember the era that was Gilmore Girls but as an adult, I have heard it referenced more than a few times and did not know what the big deal was about. Last year, Netflix brought a whole new season to streamers and it seemed as if the world exploded with Gilmore frenzy.
In my quest of watching shows that I missed out on in my formative years, I decided to jump on this train and see where it leads me. First stop, Stars Hollow?
That is quite a name.
Lorlei is a single mother that has an addiction to coffee and Luke is the offbeat owner of a shop. I bet they date somewhat later in the series. Her daughter, Rory, borrows her makeup while Lorlei borrows her Macy Gray CD. This is all very cute as they get hit on by a guy who is too old for Rory and too young for Lorlei. Gag.
At Lorlei's office, a very interesting french man does not care for the customer while the harp player is snarky and sarcastic. I think I will enjoy these two. The French man is named Michel. He reminds me of Carlton from the Fresh Prince. If Carlton was French.
We get a glance at Rory's world and meet an Korean friend who isn't allowed to listen to rock music and gets set up on dates with other good Asian boys who will become doctors. Well, that's a nice stereotype wrapped up in cute pink shirt. But then, this is early 2000s. Rory is also that sweet looking girl that doesn't notice a cute boy checking her out. In class, girls paint their nails and wonder what Rory could be writing. It is the assignment. A not so obvious way of saying that she is a sweet, studious girl and is not like the rest.
So much cheese.
Back with Lorlei, I am introduced to a clumsy and bleeding chef named Sookie (Melissa Mccarthy). I do enjoy her from time to time. Rory's friend's mother owns an antique store that is completely cluttered and filled with items. We find out that Mrs. Kim (I assume that is the woman's name) doesn't like Lorlei because she is an unmarried woman with a child. I guess there had to be one person like that. She also asks if anyone got pregnant and dropped out. The writers really want you to dislike this woman from the start.
Sookie needs help by everyone in the kitchen. It is amazing that this woman can even get to work without killing herself. Lorlei is ecstatic that Rory got into a preppy Protestant private school. Rory subtly states that her mom is somewhat promiscuous. She knows her mom's sex life. Lorlei works as an Inn. Got it. There's a financial hitch to Rory going to the school and sarcasm isn't going to help. Rory is probably the only girl that I know that is excited to be a private school kid. I didn't love mine and we didn't wear uniforms.
Lorelei visits her very surprised parents who make it very clear that she only drops in during the holidays. Due to the opulent furniture, I can come to the conclusion that they are quite wealthy. Rory is a big girl and asks the parents for assistance in paying the tuition. Her father, Richard, is ready to get the checkbook but mom, Emily, has conditions: Dinner at the big house every Friday and a call once a week on Rory's school and updates on Lorlei's life. Blackmailing to be a part of your child's life. Cool.
Rory cleans out her locker and meets a tall, cute version of Jared Palecki but his name is Dean (hehe) in this show. He's from Chicago. Cute awkward conversation ends with Rory showing Dean around town and continue on the awkwardness. It seems Dean has been watching Rory every day, notices what Rory reads, and chooses her last day at Stars Hollow High to tell her all the nice things about her.
Luke is a scream. 'Red meat can kill you' with the check. Rory freaks out on Lorlei because she met a guy, giving her all the reasons why she doesn't want to go to Chilton private school but that's all busted when they run into Ms. Patty, the local dance instructor. Ms. Patty brings up Dean in front of Lorlei and Rory walks away guilty. Cue mom and daughter fight where Lorlei accuses Rory of dumping a future for a guy like she did. Rory doesn'y want to talk about the guy or how she is the sensible one. Lorlei decides to act like a mom and tells Rory she is going to the expensive and that's final.
Sookie made a stove explode. I wonder how. So, Lorlei and Rory don't ever fight apparently. How is that normal? There's a lot references that I don't get but they must be of old pop culture. Dinner with the grandparents is weird. Who gives a teenager a glass of champagne? Rich people apparently. Richard brings up Rory's dad out of nowhere and insults his daughter. I thought that Emily is the mean one. Lorelai (I just got the right spelling lol) would rather wash dishes than take her parents' shit. Emily thinks Lorelai is overreacting. Mom and daughter fight again. So, Lorelai had Rory at sixteen, chose not to marry the teenage father, and went on to build a life for her and Rory without help from anyone. Emily doesn't think it was the right path and Rory finds out that Lorelai begged for money. Obviously Lorelai and Rory make up with Rory deciding to continue on with private school.
Pan out on the two not talking about the guy.
Not sure what to think of the show. I constantly have to remind myself it was written in 2000. Little me was still into Disney.
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