In this age rife with stale remakes and reboots, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (now on Netflix) is a welcome relief. The four-part miniseries catches up with Lorelai, Rory and all the usual suspects living in Stars Hollow, Conn. — yes, even Melissa McCarthy’s Sookie — over the course of four seasons, starting with winter. It’s a timely start for the series, and perhaps the most perfect program to watch while trimming the tree.
As the series opens, fans are reunited with Rory (Alexis Bledel) and her mother Lorelai (Lauren Graham), as the characters themselves reconnect after some time apart. They quip back and forth with breathless banter until finally Rory gasps, “Whew, winded.”
“Haven’t done that in a while,” Lorelai says.
“Felt good,” Rory responds without a beat. Indeed it does. Swoon!
The ever-picturesque town Stars Hollow remains virtually unchanged in the decade that’s passed, still populated by quirky characters and quaint landmarks old (Luke’s Diner, Miss Patty’s School of Ballet) and new (a secret bar — called the Secret Bar!). And it wouldn’t be Gilmore Girls without the signature mile-a-minute dialogue sprinkled with movie quotes, in-jokes and other pop culture references — from Wild to Lena Dunham to Hamilton.
But the focus remains on the titular girls. Writer Rory jet-sets between Stars Hollow, New York and London as she works on a book and freelance gigs, balancing boys and attending seasonal hometown festivals. The 32-year-old is at a crossroads, resembling more of a stereotypical meandering millennial than her perpetually put-together perfectionist self. Rory and Lorelai have more in common than we might have thought, as we see them both hide relationships from their mothers.
As for the elder Gilmore, Lorelai is content with a romantic relationship and her job at the Dragonfly Inn — until she isn’t. Her father’s death sparks uneasiness in the typically breezy cool-girl. The series deals with the passing of Edward Herrmann, who portrayed patriarch Richard Gilmore, with grace. The death forces Lorelai and her mother Emily to hash out their lifelong issues — lest we forget the third Gilmore girl, Grandma.
So brew up a big pot of coffee, order in some pizza, maybe Chinese — oh and donuts! — and snuggle in for a cozy winter visit to Stars Hollow.
Picks of the Week
Black-ish (9:30 p.m. Wednesday, ABC) – Bow confronts her own biracial identity when Junior reveals he’s dating a white girl; Dre calls on Charlie to help him relate to a white woman at work.
Incorporated (Series Premiere, 10 p.m. Wednesday, Syfy) – From Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, this new drama depicts a dystopian future in which corporations control the government and a giant wall separates the haves from the have-nots. Wait, this sounds vaguely familiar...
The Great American Baking Show (Season Premiere, 9 p.m. Thursday, ABC) – Baking season is upon us! The bakers cook up cakes and cookies in this double episode.
Saturday Night Live (11:30 p.m. Saturday, NBC) – Emma Stone hosts with musical guest Shawn Mendes.
Westworld (Season Finale, 9 p.m. Sunday, HBO) – This 90-minute finale explores the 1970s theory of the bicameral mind. Look forward to a second season next year or in early 2018.
The Walking Dead (9 p.m. Sunday, AMC) – Fans get a better look into the Sanctuary and the reality of the Savior’s lives; Alexandrians search for supplies in this 90-minute episode.
Divorce (10:30 p.m. Sunday, HBO) – Frances is offended when a lawyer insinuates negligence on her part; Dallas hits it off with a guest at Nick and Diane’s party.
The Great Christmas Light Fight (Season Premiere, 8 p.m. Monday, ABC) – Competitors get their Clark Griswold on, decking out their homes with intricate holiday displays.
CONTACT JAC KERN: @jackern