Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Gilmore Girls: 7.16, "Will You Be My Lorelai Gilmore?"

Rory's got a meeting with a guy from the New York times and she's trying to plan the perfect baby shower for Lane. To relieve a bit of the pressure (because, Rory, not so good with pressure) Lorelai offers to take over baby shower duty.

Despite her inability to spot the appropriate bald guy at their meeting spot and the fact that she's acting like an elf on speed, Rory's meeting with the New York Times guy goes very well. Unfortunately, she goes home to find that her perfect boyfriend has regressed to old school Logan.

Yes, remember how Logan was kind of decent for five minutes? The moment is gone, people. He tells Rory about losing all of his and his investor's (that includes Papa Huntsburger) money but not before staying out all night drinking and then snapping at her. Then he blows off Lane's baby shower in favor of a weekend in Vegas with Colin and Finn. Was Logan hanging out with Christopher when we weren't looking? Rory is insanely supportive of Logan throughout all of this jackassery and I'm hoping that doesn't last much longer.

Meanwhile, Lorelai is trying to help Lane and Mrs. Kim reach a truce in the great fried shrimp debate. Lane wants to raise her kids all willy nilly and let them eat fried shrimp and not go to church. Mrs. Kim is aghast. But, Lorelai works her Gilmore charm like crazy and gets them to compromise and admit a grudging respect for one another.

Lane is put on bed rest so the Gilmores, Zack, and Mrs. Kim haul her whole bed to Miss Patty's and party as crazy as you can party when the main activity is painting onesies. At the party, Lane asks Rory to be her kids' Lorelai Gilmore, "You know, when they're hiding their Bibles and they can't stand me." Rory says yes. Rory, I think that means you are going to have to ditch Logan and find yourself a nice flannel clad boy.

Speaking of flannel, Luke and Lorelai run into each other outside the baby shower. They reminisce about Rory and Luke tells Lorelai about selling his boat and buying a new one so he can sail around with obnoxious April this summer. Lorelai can't believe he bought a boat in one day when it used to take him a week to pick out a shirt. His response, "Yeah, well, things change." (But, not the fact that I want your sex.) What, was I the only one that heard that?

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Gilmore Girls: 7.15, "I'm a Kayak, Hear Me Roar"

Lorelai shows up at Rory's to tell Rory about her breakup with Chris. She interrupts a little early morning Paris and Doyle yoga action. Doyle! I've missed you, my man! And the fact that you reappear doing some wicked yoga makes it all the better. In a car ride reminiscent of their first drive to Chilton in the pilot, Lorelai tells Rory that she and the Chris are heading for the big D-I-V-O-R-C-E. Rory pretty much says, "Duh-hey, Mom. What did you expect?" but in a sweeter, more supportive way. Really, was the car shot a shout out to the pilot or am I smoking the crack?

Lorelai is worried about telling her parents. She doesn't have to tell anyone in Stars Hollow because Babette saw the moving truck take Christopher's stuff away and what Babette knows Stars Hollow knows. Well, except Kirk. It turns out that Lorelai doesn't have to worry about telling her parents either. They are so busy bickering about Richard's healthy post-heart post-heart attack diet and his newly discovered love of classic golf games, that she doesn't get a chance to mention her impending divorce.

Luke get some surprise house guests when Liz and TJ's place gets taken over by moths. Liz and TJ are, as we might have imagined, the worst house guests ever. They have loud conversations about Luke's love life in the middle of the night, make jewelry out of his fishing tackle, and flood his apartment. Liz, however, does make the brilliant suggestion that he call Lorelai. Luke doesn't do it this week but I have my fingers crossed for some Luke/Lorelai action next week.

Rory tries to give Logan the birthday celebration he never got because he didn't have a kick-ass mom like Lorelai. Nope, Logan got stuck with cranky Mitchum who doesn't believe in birthdays. When Logan steps away from an awkward birthday dinner to take a phone call, Mitchum tells Rory she needs to forget the fact that her crushed her journalistic dreams a few years ago causing her to have a major breakdown and they need to work together to plan the rest of Logan's life. Understandably, Rory is a bit thrown.

Emily seems to start to see Lorelai as an actual competent human being when Lorelai helps her figure out how to handle the taxes while Richard is sick. Lorelai tells Emily about the divorce and Emily is strangely supportive. She tells Lorelai how lucky she is to be an independent woman who can take care of herself sans husband. They've been hitting the booze but it is still a pretty touching moment. Unfortunately, Emily ruins the mother/daughter bonding by reverting to bitch mode the next morning. I don't know if this is more or less upsetting given the glimpse of humanity we just got from her. From Lorelai's perspective, I'm going to go with more upsetting.

Speaking of upsetting, Logan's birthday extravaganza is interrupted by his colleague calling to tell him that the company they just sunk millions into is worthless and they're getting sued. Happy birthday! Seriously, the guy tells him that and then says "Happy Birthday." Not funny, coworker whose name I forget. Well, Rory, maybe Logan does need someone to run his life for him after all.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Gilmore Girls: 7.14, "Farewell, My Pet"

Can you beat an episode that has Zack forced to play a Celine Dion song, a dog funeral, lots of Paris, and Lorelai and Christopher breaking up? I don't think so.

Richard is getting better. While he is recovering from his heart attack, his class is being taught by a mildly handsome TA who make Rory feel all giggly and girly.

Paris is still attempting to bring Rory around to her particular brand of insanity. This week her final semester plan includes 21 different resumes and a belly dancing class. I am so bummed we didn't get to see the belly dancing because I recall Paris' hip-hop dancing earlier this year being pretty sweet.

Michel's dog Chin Chin passed away and Lorelai and Sookie, neither of whom liked the dog, volunteer to plan a memorial service without even knowing it. Michel insists on fancy programs, flowers to match Chin Chin's fur, and, of course, Zack playing Chin Chin's favorite song, "My Heart Will Go On."

In the midsts of all the doggy death drama, Christopher pops back up to remind Lorelai how much he doesn't like Luke and that everything is all her fault. For some reason, Lorelai gets mad and tells Chris they'll have to talk about it later. The woman does have a dog funeral to plan, Chris. Michel would be majorly grumpy if he knew you were interfering.

Rory, on the other hand, seems to have lost the Gilmore spark. She's been consulting her copy of How to Keep Your Man While Having No Self-Esteem of Your Own and is apologizing to Logan for even speaking to the mildly handsome TA. Rory, have you forgotten that Logan sleeps with someone else every time you break up for five seconds or more? In comparison, your flirting in the bookstore isn't looking so bad.

Maybe Rory is just relieved that Logan isn't a complete jackass like her father. I know that 4 or 5 episodes ago I was all asquee over Christopher and Lorelai. I am willing to admit that I was oh so wrong. Watching Chris and Lorelai break up was sad yet satisfying. Lorelai tells him Luke isn't the only problem, although you know she's probably jazzed that she'll be able to get good coffee again, and that he's right about their marriage not working. Christopher is actually pretty calm about this perhaps because he's relieved Lorelai isn't bringing up what a crappy husband he is. Regardless, Lorelai and Christopher are over with. And, I smell some uncomfortable yet sexual tension filled Luke and Lorelai encounters coming up soon! Woohoo!

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Lucy Lawless to Star in Footballers' Wives

Am I the only Xena fan all asquee that Lucy Lawless has signed to play the lead role in the American version of Footballers' Wives? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't watch the series if she wasn't in it but I'll watch just about anything to see some Lucy on my TV. Seriously people, I watched Tarzan.

Info from Lawless Ink.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

SOD's Top Ten Tad & Dixie Momments

Soap Opera Digest has a list of the best Tad & Dixie moments on All My Children. They have had so many fantastic scenes. Reading the list makes me want to simultaneously watch old clips and beat up the person(s) who decided to let Cady McClain go.

SOD's The Heart of Tad and Dixie

And, remember, if you want to write the show about Cady's departure, you can find addresses at TadnDixie.com. You can also sign the Save Dixie Petition.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Gilmore Girls: 7.13, "I'd Rather Be in Philadelphia"

Richard has suffered a heart attack. Rory calls Lorelai and Emily to the hospital. They both rush there but Emily takes a bit longer due to the staff at her country club having the "combined IQ of a grapefruit". Yes, Emily can still be oh so Emily in a crisis.

Logan flies in on a helicopter to support Rory while her grandfather is in the hospital but Christopher is nowhere to be found. You know what Chris, when Logan Huntzberger is making you look bad, it ain't good.

Luke is training Zack in the art or waitering when Babette gives him the news about Lorelai's father. Luke rushes to the hospital because he's Luke Danes and that's just how he rolls. Every man on this show is gaining major points on Christopher.

When Richard ends up needing open heart surgery, the Gilmore women express their stress in a variety of ways. Rory purchases insane amounts of snacks and carts half of Richard's belongings to the hospital. Emily orders fish, reviews Richard's will, and cancels dinner reservations. Lorelai can't seem to stop listing cheeses.

Emily and Lorelai share a touching mother/daughter moment when Emily finally cries about Richard and Lorelai steals kleenex for her. Fortunately, Richard makes it through the surgery and is expected to recover fully.

Lorelai compliments Rory on her relationship with Logan and admits that she has no idea where Christopher is. Luke, though, is back at the hospital with food for everyone. He now has way more points than Chris who finally comes strolling up to the nurses station and is ticked off to see Luke. You know what, Chris, if you don't want another man to be spending time with your wife, maybe you should try, you know, spending time with your wife - especially when her dad might die. Just a thought, Chris.

I think next week might be the end for Lorelai and Christopher and I'm not terribly disappointed. Christopher and I are not so much friends anymore.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

All great love affairs must end? Say it ain't so.

There is nothing quite like a soap opera. Loyal soap watchers get to see characters, families, an relationships grow over time. Soaps become a part of our lives in a way no other TV show can ever quite match. I've been a soap addict since my elementary school days when I would watch The Young & The Restless with my Grandma. In recent years, my soap of choice has been All My Children.

This weekend I've been watching tons of old All My Children episodes featuring Tad and Dixie because I'm still in denial over All My Children killing Dixie off. She's as real dead as you can get on a soap. We saw the death and the body. There was no car crash or fall off a bridge with a mysteriously missing body, no hope of a return from the dead. And, please, do not get me started on the indignity of her death by poisoned pancakes.

All My Children has done a lot of dumb things in the past but this one I really don't get. Dixie has been a part of the All My Children universe since 1989. Dixie was a beloved character. We saw Dixie grow from a scared pregnant 18 year old into a self-assured, independent, and loving woman and mother. She brought heart and goodness to All My Children. Cady McClain portrayed Dixie as adorably quirky, loving, and complex. She was one of the nicest characters in Pine Valley, but not so nice it was obnoxious. Even when you questioned her actions, it was impossible to not love her.

Dixie's romance with Tad started not long after she arrived in Pine Valley. Tad (played by Michael E. Knight) and Dixie have had an amazing relationship from the start with all the drama and romance you'd expect from a soap couple but they had several things that set them apart - amazing chemistry, humor, devotion to each other that defied all logic. Tad and Dixie are a prime example of a soap super couple. When you have a true super couple, you keep them. It's not rocket science, ABC. When you have a couple who can be sexy, romantic, hilarious, dramatic, and always completely lovable, you keep them. Tad and Dixie currently had a great storyline building. They were working their way back to each other after a long and bitter separation, Dixie's faked death, and their missing child. Their daughter Kate was alive and they were searching for her and slowly realizing their love for each other all over again.

Tad and Dixie had one of those great epic romances that fans could get swept away in. They overcame all sorts of obstacles to be together - sickness, marriages to others, infidelity, amnesia. If you can think of it, chances are Tad and Dixie have been through it. And they still had this beyond all common sense kind of love for one another. Take this quote from Dixie when Tad was married to Brooke for example, "Do you know by now that I would just curl up and die inside if anything ever happened to you? Even if this is it, even if we don't go any further than this, even if we're not together, and even if you and Brooke and Jamie move off to the hind end of nowhere, I wouldn't want to live in a world without you in it." That, my friends is true love. True 'I'd follow you to Canada or anywhere and get shot at and nearly drown for you even if you are married to another woman' kind of love. It's the kind of love that sets us soap fans all asquee.

Despite their often larger than life circumstances, Tad & Dixie always seemed real. The wished on stars together and shared a love of chicken fingers. Tad proposed for the first time by donning a chicken suit and putting the engagement ring in a bucket of chicken fingers. Tad and Dixie had a sense of humor and fun together and they bickered about random things like Tad putting candy bars in his cereal. Dixie would call Tad names like "royal jackass" and "a big fat stupid head" and moments later they'd be making up. Their love didn't seem too fictional; their love didn't seem unattainable. Watching them almost made me think that kind of love was possible in real life.

Even when the writing wasn't great or the plots were semi-absurd, Cady and Michael as Dixie and Tad could pull it off. They were never anything but amazing too watch. All My Children had an awesome thing, and they threw it away. None of the young couples have that "thing" that Tad and Dixie did. Heck, not even any of the older couples have comparable history and chemistry! Watching old clips now, I am struck how Dixie and Tad had that magic from their first moment on screen together. And with the way All My Children is going, they are never going to have a couple like that again.

So, farewell AMC. Thanks for the memories, but your golden days are obviously in the past. If you find some miraculous way to bring Cady back to the show and Dixie back from the dead, I'll tune in. Until then I'm done.

If anyone wants to write the show, you can find addresses at TadnDixie.com. You can also sign the Save Dixie Petition.

Working on Old Posts

Howdy all. If anyone looks at the old posts, I'm trying to get all my old Gilmore reviews up but a few are incomplete or missing. I'll post them if I can find them! The Primetime Page was shut already and I can't seem to find all of the old posts on my computer.
New stuff will be up soon, too!
Thanks,
Mammoth

Gilmore Girls

Ever since they started showing that promo of Luke and Christopher about to throw down, I just knew I wasn't going to be in the holiday spirit until I saw their rivalry come to fisticuffs. Happy freaking holidays, people!
Before we get to the fighting, Chris and Lorelai spend about two seconds looking at houses before Christopher intelligently deduces that Lorelai's not so hot about leaving her house and Stars Hollow.
In good old Stars Hollow, Kirk is in a wrapping paper sales turf war with some middle school students. And he's making more money but the middle schoolers are definitely winning the intimidation round.
Lorelai sees Luke out walking with Liz and TJ's new baby. As she holds Doola and they chat about the weird name, she and Luke remember that they kind of like each other. Christopher sees them together and I'm pretty sure he also remembers Luke and Lorelai kind of like each other. Soon after, Christopher develops a sudden urge to procreate with Lorelai. He's offended when Lorelai wants to wait.
Logan finds out that Rory is hanging with Marty again and pretending to Lucy that they've never met. At dinner, jealous Logan blows the whistle on Rory and Marty's past friendship. Lucy's not entirely jazzed about the lie and runs off. Rory tells Logan he's obnoxious and he goes home early.
Emily is throwing Christopher and Lorelai a wedding party as only Emily can. The party is causing even more friction between Lorelai and Christopher. Lorelai scoffs at exchanging vows. Christopher grumps about the fact that it's all about Lorelai. He didn't realize that before?
Luke tries being reasonable about April but Ana is determined to keep April away from him. Luke goes to see a lawyer to seek custody of April. He has a pretty rough meeting with the lawyer and heads home. Christopher's been drinking after his argument with Lorelai.
And now, the moment I've been waiting for all season... boy fight! Christopher walks out of the bar; Luke gets out of his truck. They spot each other and - bam! - it is on. They get in a few punches and pretty much destroy the town's holiday decorations.
Rory attempts to apologize to Lucy but Lucy and Olivia want nothing to do with her. And, as if Lorelai didn't already have a few clues, Emily stops by to tell her that her marriage isn't going so well. The Gilmore girls are not having the best luck in love, people.

Gilmore Girls

Richard and Emily are ecstatic that Lorelai, some twenty odd years later, has finally married Christopher but they are not so excited that she told them via answering machine message. Lorelai is more concerned about opening her wedding present than anything else resulting in a "Yes, Lorelai, you may open your present. For heaven's sake, you're like a dolphin at feeding time." from Emily. Lorelai shouldn't have been so eager to open the present which turns out to be the most hideous piece of art ever.
Rory's moving into Paris' apartment and Lady E is a happy lady because Doyle is there to help Rory, Logan and Paris with the move! Paris makes Rory sign a contract complete with formulas to figure how much water, energy, and internet time Logan uses while visiting Rory. I heart Paris! Paris and Doyle also find occasion to fit in some mean hip-hop dancing moves.
Lorelai is afraid her friends in Stars Hollow don't accept her marriage to Christopher. They're being far too cordial. Perhaps it's because they remember that he left her raising Rory all alone years ago or perhaps it's because he's not a loveably grumpy guy in flannel and a backwards hat.
Speaking of Luke, he's about to be an uncle. That's right, Liz and TJ's baby is on the way. Watch out world! Luke's life isn't all hugs and babies, though. April's back living with her Mom and Anna wants to cart her off to New Mexico and away from Luke.
Attempting to win some points for Chris with the Stars Hollow crowd, Sookie and Lorelai set him up on a "man date" with Jackson. Chris does pretty well on the man date. He then backtracks quickly when he brings an abrupt end to the Stars Hollow knit-a-thon by donating all of the money they are trying to raise. Lorelai forgives him for his ignorance of Stars Hollow logic because he's just so darn adorable.
Rory is still hanging out with Lucy and Olivia, which is unfortunate for people like me who are irritated to no end by Lucy and Olivia's every appearance. Marty is still pretending not to know Rory so she gives him a good talking too. As Paris and Doyle bust out even more bad-ass dance moves, Marty and Rory make up. Marty then makes it very obvious that he still has feelings for Rory. Welcome back, Marty. Way to spice things up!
Luke sees Liz and TJ's baby being born and realizes how much of April's life he's missed out on. He marches straight to Anna's house and tells her he'll fight for custody of April if he has to.
What did you think about tonight's episode? Stop by our new forum and discuss!

Gilmore Girls

Chris and Lorelai invite Rory over for an 'Oops. Sorry we got married and didn't tell you.' dinner under the guise of wanting to cook snails for her. Rory acts completely cool when they break the news but, as soon as Chris leaves, the gloves come off and she yells at Lorelai.
Logan's back in the states and planning to move to Manhattan while letting Rory keep his old apartment. He invites Rory to the launch party for his new company. The launch party is full of obnoxious socialite types who Logan is perfectly happy to dis with Rory
But, when Rory writes an article she wants to submit for publication bashing the people at the party, Logan gets upset. He accuses Rory of moral superiority (Yeah, I'm sure no one's ever done that before.) and throws it in her face that she's living in his apartment rent free.
With a well deserved "Screw you, Logan." Rory heads over to Lucy and Olivia's. They console her but confirm that her article is actually mean. Rory apologizes to Logan. They make up but she starts looking for her own apartment.
Chris and Lorelai have some fun times and witty banter while Chris moves in until Chris tries to rearrange Rory's room for Gigi. Lorelai objects and admits to Chris that Rory's upset about the marriage. Chris is confused because he apparently still doesn't understand Lorelai and Rory's freakishly closes yet somewhat emotionally dysfunctional bond.
On the night she's supposed to go to her first boy/girl party April gets sick and throws a major fit when Luke tells her she can't go. Luke calls Lorelai in a panic when April gets really sick. April has appendicitis but she's okay. Luke, on the other hand, doesn't look so good when Lorelai flashes her wedding ring while visiting him at the hospital.
Lorelai drops in on Rory and after a little bickering they make up. Wow, did they just have a fight that didn't last several episodes? Way to go, Gilmores! Lorelai happily heads home to help Christopher move Rory's things out to make room for Gigi. Luke, meanwhile, sits in the hospital looking miserable.

Gilmore Girls

Gigi is back and it seems Lorelai's little intervention from last season helped. She appears to no longer be a screamer. She's well behaved plus she's got braids and a cute pink coat! Flipping adorable! Lorelai teaches her some Frenglish on the way to the airport. Lorelai and Chris are off to reunite Gigi with her Mother in Paris.
Speaking of mothers, Lane is having twins! Zack is a little freaked out until he realizes they are not siamese twins. Lane is freaked out because she's going to have to tell her mother. Her Mom takes it surprisingly well but insists Lane and Zack move in with her. They say no and she surprisingly takes that well too. We find out why later when she kicks Brian out of the house (Best scene ever!) and moves in with Zack and Lane.
Rory is facing the end of her term as Editor of the Yale newspaper. Sweet, nerdy Bill is taking over. Poor Rory, now where will she utilize her skills as the worlds cutest despot? The news team holds a going away party which Paris, of course, uses as an excuse to bring up her own firing and call the news team a bunch of "cowardly backstabbers".
Chris and Lorelai are thrown off by the time change and the rude concierge and end up wandering the streets of Paris at 4 a.m. looking for food. They don't find any food but they do get all romantic and nostalgic about their past. Eventually Christopher remembers that he's loaded and bribes someone to open a restaurant for them.
Rory's obviously worried about her impending graduation from Yale. Her new friends from a few weeks ago, Lucy and Olivia (Paris refers to them as Rory's Girls Gone Wild friends.), are back to help take her mind off her uncertain future by commiserating and dying her hair pink. Still not so fond of the new friends though I'll admit they were more helpful than Paris.
It turns out Lucy is dating Marty. Remember Marty, the cute boy who had a crush on Rory when she first started at Yale? She picked Logan over Marty. It's still debatable whether that was the best choice. Rory is shocked that Marty pretends not to know her when Lucy introduces them. Really, Rory? I vaguely remember you dropping ol' Marty pretty quickly when you and Logan started hooking up.
Back in Paris, Christopher, king of the impassioned speeches, asks Lorelai to marry him. Lorelai is hesitant at first but apparently she was so excited that he wants to marry her without the 365 day plus waiting period (Ahem, Luke) that she said yes because she comes home wearing a wedding ring. I feel how I'll assume Lorelai feels about this one; somewhere, in the back of my head, I know this can't end well but it's just so darn romantic that I don't care.

Gilmore Girls

Am I the only one planning to try Lorelai's 'I think you're the answering machine' trick on someone? Lorelai can't waste time talking to her Mom on the phone because she and Chris are practicing their French. You know, for their trip to Paris to reunite Gigi with her deadbeat Mom. And Chris has talked Lorelai into visiting Rory for parents day at Yale.
Speaking of kids, Luke's still got that daughter and her pushy swim coach is making Luke take swimming lessons. Swim coach proceeds to totally feel Luke up during breathing lessons and ask him out. I personally wouldn't go out with her just for the horrible haircut but Luke says yes.
Parents weekend is all sorts of wacky. Christopher actually wants to go to lectures and Lorelai just wants to make sarcastic comments about everything including the too green grass and the placement of Christopher's name tag. All is going well until the other fathers' comments seem to remind Chris he didn't actually participate in Rory's parenting.
Just as things are starting to go downhill, the Gilmore's show up. Lorelai is surprised to spot Richard and Emily. "Yes, it is a surprise." she says. "You know why? 'Cause you guys aren't parents!" She and Emily argue about whether grandparents are a type of of parent and she learns that Richard and Emily have been attending parent's weekend every year Rory has been at Yale. Lorelai looks a little bummed that Richard and Emily have been filling in on some of the traditional parenting duties while she's been doing the Lorelai version of parenting.
Sookie and Michele are arguing about who is in charge of the Inn while Lorelai's away. And Sookie's cheating on Jackson by using another man's vegetables. She tries to talk to Michele about it. He responds with, "I will listen to you on one condition. Call me captain." Sookie and Michele are the best bickerers ever!
Kirk wants to dump Lulu and hang with Luke. Luke, showing some sense in the romantic department (huh?), tells Kirk he's lucky Lulu has anything to do with him and he should appreciate what he has. Too bad Luke didn't think up that gem last year when it might have done him some good.
Lorelai and Chris get a chance to see Rory in action at the newspaper. Lorelai thinks she's the "cutest despot ever." Chris invites the whole newspaper staff to an incredibly awkward lunch which Rory describes as "lame-o." Luckily for Rory, the staff is called away to cover a student protest.
Lane (Yay!) is watching April while Luke goes out with the swim coach. The swim coach is a total weirdsmobile! She makes Luke sit next to her in the booth and she's taken him to a vegan restaurant. I bet somebody's regretting neglecting Lorelai a whole lot right about now. Lorelai would never ask anyone to eat soy steak.
Christopher realizes he was overcompensating for his absenteeism earlier in Rory's life and apologizes to her and Lorelai. Unfortunately, he doesn't apologize early enough to get himself and Lorelai out of the revenge dinner Rory has set up for them with Richard and Emily. You've got to watch those Gilmore women.
Tonight was certainly a night for realizations. Christopher realized he couldn't make up for the past but he could be a father to Rory now. Luke learned that dating non-Lorelai women sucks but he'll always have April to go home to. Sookie realized that the lure of another man's vegetables isn't worth compromising her marriage over. And, Lorelai learned that doing normal parent stuff isn't so bad and, if it is, she can always continue to make snarky remarks. Richard and Emily didn't seem to learn any lessons but they rarely do.

Gilmore Girls

Logan's in Stars Hollow for a quick business trip and he starts the trip well, planning a romantic rooftop dinner for Rory. He keeps impressing Rory. He's in town on a business deal to buy a website. He's become a total "work dork" and she's loving it.
Lorelai and Paul Anka are spending their first night at Christopher's apartment and Lorelai's got some questions about Christopher's TiVo choices. Sherry, Gigi's Mom, has sent Christopher a long apology letter to Christopher the highlights of which are she's dating her yoga instructor (In Lorelai's words, "She's doing downward dog with some French Yoga instructor.") and she wants to be a part of Gigi's life. She invites Gigi to spend a few months with her in Paris. Christopher seems like he couldn't be more happy to ship his four year old daughter off to another country with the twenty-five year old nanny in order to see the mother who abandoned her when she was a baby. Lorelai looks miffed about this. Bottle it up for a while Lorelai. I'm sure it will make things more interesting later.
A train wreck spilled tons of pickles which have been baking in the sun for three days and, now that the wind has shifted, the smell has invaded Star's Hollow. Unfortunately, Lorelai misses the fascinating town meeting to discuss the pickles because she's afraid of running into Luke. Awww. Hey, wasn't it Lorelai who opened Luke up to the exciting world of town meetings in the first place?
Rory and Lorelai have a long rambling phone conversation about the current excitement in their lives and then, when that doesn't go well, a quick redo of the conversation. "Oh, you're a filthy child. I will disown you. Bringing your father to dinner. Pickles, pickles, pickles. Smell. Pickle train conducting." I heart Lorelai Gilmore.
Oh, Logan was doing so well. And then... Rory shows up to their dinner (He's only got six hours left in the country.) to find they are eating with his coworkers! Dumb, dumb Logan. This isn't quite as boneheaded as when you slept with all those women when you and Rory were "broken up" and then let her find out about it at your sister's wedding. But, it is still pretty darn boneheaded. Rory gets increasingly irritated as the dinner goes on and as Logan's hot blond coworker gushes about just how super Logan is.
Lorelai breaks down on the way to Friday night dinner and tells Chris her reservations about him sending Gigi off to Paris with the eighteen year old nanny. I love the way the nanny gets younger and younger as the episode goes on and as Lorelai gets more pissed off. Chris doesn't take Lorelai's assesment of his parenting choices too well and this leads to a tense dinner with Richard and Emily. Lorelai and Christopher use thinly veiled food metaphors to discuss their love life. Lorelai pulls Chris into the bathroom to give him a big 'what you did to me isn't the same as what Sherry did to you' speech which only serves to make him more angry at her.
Rory blows up at Logan for the dinner and for not telling her Bobbie was a girl only to backpedal and apologize. Don't apologize Rory! He was a bonehead! Logan heads back to London and Rory heads off to catch the end of what's turning out to be quite the Friday night dinner.
In the middle of a long winded speech about tennis from Emily including the gem, "Well, if I wanted to play ping pong, I would kill myself.", Christopher apologizes to Lorelai and asks her to come to Paris with him. She says yes and suddenly gets her spunk back. She starts annoying her Mom again and busts out the photos she took of Emily at the police station last week. The night ends with Rory, Lorelai, and Christopher rocking out to some golden oldies in the car and enjoying a nice family moment until they enter Stars Hollow and are assaulted by the scent of rotting pickles.

Gilmore Girls

What's the protocol when your Mom is dating your Dad? That's Rory's concern this evening. Considering her parents haven't had the best relationship track record, Rory's got reason to worry. Sookie sees the flashing red lights surrounding the Lorelai and Christopher reunion too. Both Sookie and Rory seem to think Chris will hurt Lorelai. Should someone remind them that Lorelai not exactly easy on her significant others either?
Luke's got April for two week's while her Mom is away and he's a total Nervous Nancy about it. April introduces Luke to the joys of Target and tries to fix him up with her hot recently divorced teacher. She also spends the majority of the episode carrying an avocado pit around for reasons I can only guess at. Is it just me or has April gotten obnoxious? Was she always obnoxious?
Rory's once again editing the Yale newspaper. Paris hangs around the newsroom still grumpy that Rory took over after she was ousted from the editorship last year. We hear more mentions of Doyle but he's still nowhere to be seen. Where is he? Help me out here, people, is the actor on another show or something?
Christopher is proving Rory and Sookie's relationship predictions wrong so far. He takes Lorelai to a private outdoor showing of Funny Face to make up for their recent string of bad movies. Can they really complain about the movies being bad? They were asking for it with Snakes on a Plane. Although, Lorelai's analysis of the film was completely adorable. "Snakes are gross. Snakes are scary and slithery and do you know where snakes do not belong?"
Rory is experiencing some way weird art at the show she's covering for the paper when she runs into one of the artists and her friend. Holy cow, the friend is Gia from Veronica Mars! And, she's wearing the shortest dress I've ever seen in my life. Rory invites her new friends to her apartment. Logan calls and sounds just an eensy bit jealous that Rory is having actual fun without him. Yes, Logan, you do what you want but heaven forbid Rory should do anything fun. Meanwhile, I'm concerned. Does Rory need new friends? We've got Lane and Paris who we don't see enough of as it is. And, we could bring Doyle back. Sure Paris and Lane aren't exactly wild and wacky like the new friends but I don't want new friends!
Richard will be guest lecturing at Yale this year. Do I sense some wacky Richard and Rory campus run ins coming up? While talking to Richard about his first day on the job, Emily gets pulled over for talking on her cellphone while driving. She is her usual snippy self resulting in an arrest. It's nice every once in a while to see evidence that Lorelai isn't the only person Emily thinks she's too good for; it's pretty much everyone.
Lorelai's pretty pleased with the arrest. She snaps camera phone pictures of all the officers when she and Chris go to pick Emily up form the jail. Lorelai seems to think that Chris understanding her amusement at her mother's arrest is a sign about their relationship. She reflects on how nice it is to have someone fun who understands her (If we read between the lines, we might hear, "Unlike Luke, who was grumpy and didn't get me at all."). Lorelai finally gets over her hesitancy about their relationship and invites Chris to stay the night.
Are Rory and Logan doomed? Are Lorelai and Christopher doomed? Will April and Rory's new friends continue to be irritating? Will Lorelai find new and inventive ways to bring up Emily's arrest at every possible opportunity? Will Doyle ever again grace our TV screens? Tune in next week to find out!

Gilmore Girls

The Gilmore's particular brand of dysfunctional is so very entertaining. Lorelai's concerned about Friday night dinner with her parents. She hasn't told them about Luke and they always find new and interesting ways to react to and meddle in her personal life. Lorelai doesn't get what she expected. Not only are she and Rory sharing their weekly dinner with a ten year old girl who Emily is teaching table manners, her parent's have no reaction at all to her breakup with Luke. Lorelai is, as always, unable to let it go and basically chastises her parents for not busting out the 'I told you so'.
The next morning finds Lorelai wondering if she only likes the things she does because she anticipates her mother's negative reaction. (For those of us who have been watching the show for the past seven years, the answer is a pretty obvious absofreakinglutely.) The revelation comes via ramble Lorelai style about eating her first Pop Tart which "tasted like freedom" because she knew her parents would never approve. Rory manages to get her ramble on too about her awkward phone conversations with Logan which are corroded by the ocean salt between them. Ah, the Gilmore women - unlucky in love but so gifted in simile and metaphor.
In supporting character news: Paris about as good an SAT tutor as she was a newspaper editor last year. When she's done yelling at her employees for the day, she suggests Rory send Logan dirty text messages. She and Doyle are having text sex as she speaks to Rory. (Where the heck is Doyle? I miss him! Remember Paris and Doyle taking care of injured Logan last year while talking about March of the Penguins? That was good stuff!) Patty and Babette can't figure out what's different about the reopened Luke's. And, Lane finally breaks down and tells Zack she's pregnant - with a baby. They avoid each other until they both admit that the whole thing totally sucks. Then, they make-out like crazy. Oh, the poor child. Am I the only one who is concerned for her or his future well-being? Even in the womb, it can't be good to hear your parents say you suck.
Calling in an old IOU written on post-it notes, Michel forces Lorelai to take him to the cotillion party her mother is hosting and she actually has a good time. Has she proven her Pop Tart theory? Maybe she really doesn't like the things she likes!
Lorelai returns home from her fancy dance just as Rory and Christopher are coming home from their dinner. Rory escorts Paul Anka (I'm always jazzed about a Paula Anka sighting.) out of the room so her parents can have some privacy. Christopher gives Lorelai the best 'I only want you' speech ever and leaves her standing stunned. The episode ends on a high not for both our girls. Rory and Logan finally do some naughty text messaging and Lorelai calls Christopher.

Gilmore Girls

This episode starts with Luke punching Christopher in the face and it only gets better from there. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Christopher and wasn't dying to see him get punched, but the whole scene was just awesome. Luke gets of the elevator, knocks on the door, Christopher answers, Luke punches him and gets right back on the elevator.
How could it get better? Kirk has opened up his own outdoor cafe, called Kirk's, right across from the recently decimated Luke's. If you watched last week, you may remember that Kirk is the one who crashed the car into Luke's. Kirk's new business venture leads to an argument between Kirk, now in backwards hat and flannel, and Luke which includes Kirk asking Luke about Chuck E. Cheese, "Luke, do you really think a gigantic mouse opened a national restaurant franchise by himself?"
Lorelai is bummed about breaking up with Luke but pretending not to be bummed about Luke. Did she learn nothing from the events of last season? Rory is upset that Logan doesn't want her to visit until December but she's not going to tell him. Good to see you've learned something from Mom, kid.
Lane's back! T.J. is back! Lane and Zach had a horrible honeymoon during which they had really bad sex only one time. They tried to recreate the sex scene from From Here to Eternity but were interrupted by sand, sea crabs, and a perverted snorkeler. And now they've both got parasites. TJ wants to fix the hole in Luke's by putting in a gigantic stained glass window of a "happy penguin" or "peaceful looking giraffe". Kirk, Lane, and T.J. end up having some of the best scenes in this episode. The supporting characters on this show rock!
When they run into each other in town, Lorelai takes a break from her usual pattern of repressing her feelings and actually admits to Luke that she's upset. Luke's insists to Lorelai several times that he's "fine" about their breakup. Good lord, what is it with people on this show? It's healthy to express your feelings, people! Let it out!
To cheer Rory up about the trip to Asia with Logan that never happened, Lorelai recreates Asia in their living room. Lorelai's Asia is complete with Hello Kitty products, Sandra Oh poster, desert sushi and the scent of Miss Patti's opium perfume. Things go just swimingly until Christopher calls and leaves a message about his and Lorelai's one night stand. Rory hears the whole thing and has a 'But, wait, how does this affect me?!' fit and storms off to Lane's house.
Sookie is apparently starting to pass her freakish fertility onto other supporting characters because Lane is pregnant. And she's freaking out. Rory gives her a mothers aren't perfect speech while, we'll assume, realizing she was just a little bit bitchy to her Mom. Rory, assures Lane she'll be okay by listing a slew of bad celebrity parents. My favorite quote of the season so far? Rory's "My sock drawer could be a better mother than Courtney Love."
At diner with Luke, Liz and T.J. use a series of crazy science fiction metaphors to explain to Luke how he and Lorelai were never in sync and poor Luke finally starts to look upset about the breakup. He and Lorelai run into each other in the supermarket and have this whole awkward 'I was a jerk', 'No, I was a jerk.' conversation. See just when I was starting to like Lorelai/Chrisopher, they give us this whole angsty Luke/Lorelai moment and I wind up torn. They are toying with our emotions. I don't know about you, but I kind of like it.
The episode ends with Rory coming home to comfort a crying Lorelai. Thank goodness they aren't going to drag this fight out. We don't need a repeat of last season's hostilities.
We're two episodes into the new season. What do you all think? I actually liked this episode even better than last week's season opener. The dialogue and plots were reminiscent of some of my favorite early Gilmore. I didn't love last season and, so far, I think this season might just be heading back to the good ol' Gilmore Girls we know and love. I'm a little wary of the Lane pregnancy storyline but we shall see. Let me know what your thoughts are!

Previously On Gilmore Girls

When last we visited Stars Hollow, Lorelai spent the night on Sookie and Jackson's couch because she'd spent nearly the whole season mad at Luke while pretending not to be mad at Luke. When your fiance discovers a long lost daughter, doesn't tell you about it, and then postpones your wedding after you finally find out about the daughter, you really need to express your anger. After months of repressed hostility, Lorelai's on the verge of a breakdown. The situation isn't helped by Sookie, Jackson and the kids attempting to play the "Super Quiet Game" while Lorelai sleeps. The "Super Quiet Game," not actually so quiet.

Meanwhile, much to Taylor's dismay, troubadours take over the town of Stars Hollow after hearing the town troubadour was recently discovered and wound up on Neil Young's tour. According to Kirk, Neil Young is "one of The Monkees." The first two or three troubadours are entertaining. Unfortunately, there are many more than two or three throughout the show. It's a minor complaint, this is a fabulous episode nonetheless.

Logan is graduating from Yale and Rory is snapping photos like a maniac. Rory and Logan's rocky relationship is in a happy place right now. That may not last long since Rory is going to spend the majority of the day with Logan's parents who she absolutely loathes and who loathe her right back. Plus, Logan's on his way to London to work in the family business for a year and Rory's staying at Yale. Rory ends up on an awkward elevator ride with Logan's Dad, Mitchum. She is angry at Mitchum for sending Logan off to London. Mitchum points out Logan's recent reckless behavior and the fact that he's a complete slacker then says Logan needs to get away from the States and his hooligan friends in order to grow up. Rory looks like she just might agree but still hates Mitchum too much to admit it.

Lorelai returns home and has Miss Patty tell Luke she's not home when he comes looking for her. No sir, nobody is mad at Luke here. Lorelai and Rory both head to Richard and Emily's for drinks and dinner. Richard and Emily unveil plans for The Rory Gilmore Astronomy Building at Yale. Poor Rory bemoans the size of her name on the sign. Christopher shows up in the middle of Rory's freakout. Rory ducks out and Linny, a friend of the elder Gilmores, shows up. It soon becomes evident that the Gilmores are attempting to set Linny up with Christopher. That's right, they're trying to set Lorlei's baby's daddy up in front of Lorelai. You've got to love the Gilmores. Lorelai and Christopher bond while attempting to get Christopher away from the crazy matchmakers. Elsewhere, Rory surprises Logan with a London themed going away party.

After an impromptu psychiatry session with Christopher's date, Lorelai runs to Luke's diner and demands Luke get his act together and flippin' marry her already. Lorelai points out that she's acted like she has no opinions on anything for months, comparing herself to Clarence Thomas. She says Luke marries her or it's over. Luke won't commit and Lorelai storms off and winds up at Christopher's door. The next morning, Rory says a teary goodbye to Logan but lets him go of to London with a "Say hi to William and Harry for me." And Lorelai wakes up. Naked. With Christopher. Ahhh! Season's over.

That's last season's finale of the Gilmore Girls. The new season premiers Tuesday, September 26th at 8/7c on the CW.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Introducing Mammoth Reviews

Howdy all! The Primetime Page is closing for now. Kendrah, the creator of Primetime Page, and I are going to come back in a few months with another awesome TV related project.

Until then, I'll be posting my Gilmore Girls reviews here each week and typing to you about any other TV related thought that happens to cross my mind.