Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016)

Number Rolled: N/A

Movie Name/Year: Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016)

Tagline: Live more. Laugh more. Eat more. Talk more. Gilmore.

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Length: First ep – 91 minutes

Rating: TV-14

Production Companies: Paragon Studios, Warner Bros. Television, Netflix (Distributor)

Producer: Dylan K. Massin, Helen Pai, Daniel Palladino, Amy Sherman-Palladino

Director: Daniel Palladino, Amy Sherman-Palladino

Writer: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino

Actors: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Kelly Bishop, Rose Abdoo, Keiko Agena, Matt Czuchry, Yanic Truesdale, Frank Gallegos, Sean Gunn, Todd Lowe, Michael Winters, Ray Wise, Aris Alvarado, Sally Struthers, Liz Torres, Milo Ventimiglia, Liza Weil, Alex Kingston, John Cabrera, Jackie Hoffman, Alex Borstein, Danny Strong, Melissa McCarthy, Jared Padalecki, David Sutcliffe, Emily Kuroda, Jackson Douglas, Carole King, Grant Lee Phillips, Roy Choi, Chris Eigeman, Gregg Henry, Paul Anka, Rachel Ray

Blurb from Netflix: First ep – Fresh from a career high, Rory pays a visit to Stars Hollow. Emily copes with Richard’s death. The inn keeps Lorelai busy as she ponders her future.

Selina’s Point of View:

I cannot even describe the amount of love I have for the original Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) series. I spent countless hours binge watching it and I still watch reruns whenever I see them on TV. That last season though…

Ugh.

That’s why, when I heard they were making something new, I squeed.

I followed the creation of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, very closely. Working for my previous employer, I wrote numerous articles on what was going on: who was signing on to play who, who was returning, etc. It was my favorite series of articles that I got to write.

Knowing that all the actors playing Rory’s previous top three love interests were returning, I began to speculate about which one she would wind up with. I’m a hardcore Jess girl… and not just because I love Milo Ventimiglia (The Whispers, Heroes, Rocky Balboa). I have always felt his smart bad-boy persona perfectly complimented her slightly neurotic good-girl personality. I know plenty of people ship her with Logan or Dean… I just think they’re wrong.

Of course, I am the Jess in my relationship and my husband is the Rory… so I might be biased.

Moving on.

This four-part event was absolutely amazing. I was glued to the screen. The actors had NO problem jumping right back into the feel and story that accompanied the original series. It was like no time had passed at all. Sure, people looked a little older… but that was it.

By now, I’m sure you’ve heard there was a cliffhanger ending. I heard the same thing before I watched. I pretty much thought everyone was being over-dramatic and that when I got to the ending I would be able to go back and figure out whatever the answer was.

To be fair, I do think I know the answer to the cliffhanger… but it still caught me WAY off-guard.

We were told that this four-part event would give fans the ending they deserved. I truly believe the creators of the Gilmore Girls delivered in spades.

Even saying that, I want MORE. I’m sure this is the end now, but if they put out another one, I’d follow it just as closely as I followed this one.

Cat’s Point of View:

I was excited when they first announced that this mini-series was going to be created by Netflix. Their original content has thus far been absolutely spectacular. I love the fact that they’re willing to develop nostalgia projects as well as their newer material.  Did the success of Fuller House (2016-?) have something to do with this? Maybe, but who knows – I’m just glad for the chance to traipse through Stars Hollow again.

I do have a confession to make, though. I wasn’t a die-hard fan of this show. Before you grab the torches and pitchforks – in my defense, I have always liked it and enjoyed every episode that I watched… I just didn’t catch the majority of them.  Out of the 154 episodes occurring between 2000 and 2007, I probably caught a dozen or two (ish).

My exposure might have been small, but that tiny picturesque town in Connecticut left a lasting impression on me. I wish I’d seen more of the original series – and that’s something that I do intend to correct in the future.

It doesn’t matter what I’ve seen this cast in since then – I always associate them with their roles in this show first and foremost. Lauren Graham (Evan Almighty, Birds of America, Max), Alexis Bledel (Sin City, The Good Guy, Parts Per Billion), and Scott Patterson (Saw V, A Beer Tale, Other People's Children) will always be Lorelai, Rory, and Luke in that split second of recognition before I filter them into the new role I’m watching them in. I think that says a lot about the relatability of this show.

Milo Ventimiglia (Pathology, Chosen, This Is Us) and Jared Padalecki (Flight of the Phoenix, House of Wax, Phantom Boy) are the exceptions to this. I associate them more with later iconic roles. I wanted a lot more of both of them in this story arc. I was, however, pleased with the time we did get to spend with them. They are busy men, and their schedules likely played a factor.

Watching the town characters of Stars Hollow with all their quirkiness felt like being wrapped in a warm comforting blanket. I loved the funny situations as much as the maudlin ones. I laughed and cried and palmed my forehead.

Even though he passed in 2014, Edward Herrmann (Factory Girl, The Good Wife, The Town That Dreaded Sundown) was still very much a part of this reunion project. I loved the way they respectfully wove his absence into the story – his presence permeates the entire story arc.

When the 4 episode run of this mini-series ended, I wanted more.

I’m pretty sure that I uttered the same aghast exclamation that many did when it ended.  (Shortly before I wondered where a good chunk of my day had gone, since the episodes are an hour and a half long, each.)

This just wasn’t enough. I am hoping that the cosmos can come together for Netflix to put together a second season. Seriously.

Netflix, get on it!

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 88%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 77%

Netflix’s Prediction for Selina – 5/5

Selina’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 5/5

Netflix’s Prediction for Cat – 5/5

Cat’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 5/5

Movie Trailer: