While every episode of theGilmore GirlsrevivalA Year in the Lifehas its ups and downs, the show’s four outings can easily be ranked from best to worst. Almost theentireGilmore Girlscast of charactersreturned for 2016’s Netflix revivalA Year in the Life, although the miniseries only ran for four hour-long episodes.Sookie and Dean barely appearedinA Year in the Life, but this was at least in part caused by the revival’s limited screen time.
Although these missing characters irked some viewers, the main issue with theGilmore Girlsrevival was the debate over its tone. Some viewers felt that, while surprisingly cynical and downbeat,Rory’sA Year in the Lifestorywas relatable for millennial viewers and reflected cultural and social shifts in the decade since the original series ended its run. Others felt that Rory’s flippant attitude toward cheating and lack of professional motivation betrayed her original character, although everyone agreed that some episodes of the miniseries were more successful than others in recapturing the original show’s feel.
4Summer
Summer Is The Nexus Of A Year In The Life’s Biggest Issues
“Summer” is undoubtedly the worst episode ofGilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, both because it tries too hard and doesn’t try hard enough. The never-ending “Stars Hollow: The Musical” sequence is a very trite, self-aware attempt at recreating the small-town quirkiness of the original series, and it tries far too hard to be effortlessly charming. Meanwhile, the decision to film a summer installment at all jars with the cozy atmosphere ofGilmore Girls, and facilitates a body-shaming scene between Rory and Lorelai that is both unfunny and a profound misinterpretation of their original characters.
3Spring
The Revival Recaptured Some of the Original Show’s Appeal Here
While Rory and Lorelai were always sharp-tongued, they also had big hearts. This is what made the mean-spirited comments from “Summer” stand out, and it is what ensures that the lackadaisical installment “Spring” feels stronger despite its flaws.Paris’ return to Chilton perfectly encapsulates what makes the scene-stealing supporting character so funny, even if Chad Michael Murray’s Tristan doesn’t make an on-screen appearance, and the rare pairing of Luke and Emily is a welcome surprise.
Rory is the worst victim of the revival’s inconsistent writing.
That said, the character arcs have not quite come together by this second outing and, once again, Rory is the worst victim of this inconsistent writing. While “Spring” does update one ofGilmore Girls’ funniest scenes everwith a nod to “a film by kirk,” the infamous subplot about Rory sleeping with a Wookie at Comic-Con truly goes nowhere.
2Winter
Winter Finally Feels Like Gilmore Girls
In “Winter,”A Year in the Lifestarts to truly feel likeGilmore Girls. Granted, it feels like a lesser episode from the later seasons, but it’s hard to complain when the emotional drama around Richard’s passing and the comedic relief of Kirk’s antics align so well here in terms of tone.“Winter” recaptures the feel ofGilmore Girls, including the original show’s somewhat twee aesthetic and occasionally ungainly tonal lurches. Lorelai’s flashback to Richard’s funeral is superb, and her frosty confrontations with Emily afterward are vintageGilmore Girlsdrama.
The miniseries starting with Rory getting an article published in The New Yorker turns out to be confusing and misleading.
That said, not everything about “Winter” works. Rory’s boyfriend, Paul, is a non-entity, so the revelation that she is cheating on him with Logan hardly lands. Emily and Lorelai’s therapy session should be a stellar opportunity for the pair to engage in their usual verbal sparring, but their conversation is surprisingly muted and flat. Finally, the miniseries starting with Rory getting an article published inThe New Yorkerturns out to be confusing and misleading as viewers soon discover her journalism career isn’t going as well as it seems
1Fall
A Year in the Life’s Finale Is Its Strongest Gilmore Girls Episode
While “Winter” is stronger than many critics gave it credit for,“Fall” is fittingly the best episode ofGilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Since the original series is often touted as a quintessentially autumnal show, it makes sense that this outing is the one that feels the most likeGilmore Girls. There is also plenty of shameless cathartic fan service, from the unlikely return of the Life and Death brigade sequence to Luke and Lorelai’s wedding. Seeing Rory end things with Logan is overdue but still a positive step, as is Lorelai’s failed hiking trip.
Rewatching Gilmore Girls, I Found Rory’s Worst Moment Is Painfully Obvious 18 Episodes Before It Happened
Although Rory’s lowest point came as a shock, Gilmore Girls did foreshadow this fall from grace for a long time before it actually occurred onscreen.
She may not make it far along the Pacific Crest Trail, but Lorelai does learn that she is content with Luke in Stars Hollow despite her doubts. Add in Rory writing her book in Richard’s office, Emily’s new island home on Nantucket, and thephone call between Lorelai and Emily, and the finale of this flawed revival ends up providing some of the most emotional moments of the entire show’s history. AlthoughA Year in the Lifedoesn’t measure up to the originalGilmore Girls, “Winter” has a place on every fan’s re-watch list.
