Well thus ends another season of Gilmore Girls. I’ve made it through the Chilton years. I’ve survived the Dean-Jess-Rory love triangle. Would Rory go to Harvard or Yale? “She’s going to Yale”, an excited Emily and Richard exclaimed when their loving granddaughter made her decision on what college she was going to attend. This season had some great storylines. But one of the best episodes was the flashback episode, “Dear Emily and Richard”, which showed young Lorelai and Christopher and the events leading up to her being pregnant with Rory. “Here, here”, says young Lorelai.
Senior year meant some surprising changes for the Gilmore girls, as both Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel) wrestled with their pasts in order to figure out what the heck they were going to do with their futures. In the wake of finding out that her relationship with Rory’s dad was not to be rekindled, Lorelai endured a variety of suitors as she attempted to keep her life on an even keel–not easy when her former flame’s girlfriend was pregnant (and clueless), her former fiancé shows up unexpectedly, and her beloved inn suffers some unforeseen damage.
If it was minor drama for Lorelai, it was full-fledged soap opera for Rory, who broke up with longtime boyfriend Dean (Jared Padalecki) in the wake of her attraction to the moody bad-boy Jess (Milo Ventimiglia), only to find her new relationship fraught with difficulties. Add to that the pressure of getting into college (Harvard or Yale?) and stressful senior class politics at the snooty Chilton private school, and it’s a wonder she still had time to crack wise at breakneck speed with her mom and the rest of Stars Hollow.
The center of the third season of Gilmore Girls was the Rory-Dean-Jess triangle, which played out with surprising sensitivity and not a bit of sadness; it all came to a head in the episode “They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They?” in which Rory and Lorelai’s quest to win a dance marathon ends in tears and break-ups. The year’s teen drama did have a tendency to put the adults on the back burner, but the luminous Graham made the most of her character’s dilemmas, whether gauging her growing attraction to diner owner Luke (Scott Patterson) or wrestling with her parents’ continuous meddling. While it is hard to pinpoint a specific compelling story arc for this season, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t filled with the charm, smarts, and rapid-fire dialogue that made Gilmore Girls one of the brightest shows on television.
Stellar supporting turns from Liza Weil as Paris, Rory’s friend and nemesis by turns, and a pre-O.C. Adam Brody, as a band member who falls for Rory’s best friend Lane (Keiko Agena), also punctuated the drama of the season with great comedy.
The end of the Chilton years means it’s likely the end for two of my favorite recurring characters. I always thought Madeline (Shelly Cole) and Louise (Teal Redmann) added a nice touch to the show. I personally liked them better than the annoying, whiny Paris. The three of them and Rory remind me of the movie Heathers. Corn nuts, anyone? I also had a crush on the two ditzy classmates. They make a couple of appearances in season four but that’s about it.
Alas, onto the Marty, Doyle, and Logan years. Oh, and I’m looking forward to meeting Asher in season four.
Gilmore Girls ran from 2000 to 2007. This mirrored my college years almost exactly. The Chilton years for Rory were my Johnstown years. I was attending classes at the local community college and living at the Hiram G. Andrews Center. I got to know most of the city during my time there. I ended up getting my Associates in the Spring of 2003, just as Rory finished up at Chilton. 2003 was The Year of the Graduation 🎓.
Choosing between Yale and Harvard for Rory was like how I chose between Slippery Rock and IUP. Eventually I fell in love with Slippery Rock and applied there. I got accepted that Spring and made plans for the next phase of my academic life. Looking back though, I wish my major would have been closer to hers. (I actually wanted to work in TV, something I’ve never told anyone). I tanked as an accounting major and didn’t do much better in finance. But in extracurriculars I could have went summa cum laude.
Time to close off this blog. You’re probably all stir crazy with nothing to do at home. I miss my Toastmasters family and am very disappointed that I’m not going to be able to attend the upcoming contests or the conference. But it is what it is. I’m enjoying every minute of getting you guys content and will continue to do so. I want to continue to grow this blog and I have aspirations of a motivational or inspirational speaking career.
You’ll see my Spring Wardrobe blog tomorrow night. I have plans to do head shots later this Spring, just not sure where yet. Christina recommended a great photographer in Allison Park who does wedding photography and also head shots. I might look into her studio. For now though it’ll be more of the same. Mirror selfies do make a blog.
Remember, Stylish DTM family, to live your best life. Be your best you. ROCK out because you are worth it. Don’t forget to laugh because laughter is the best medicine. A smile 😊 is the best accessory. Make it contagious.
Bye everyone. ❤️ you 💋 🤗.
Stylish 🍒 