Hey guys. I wanted to apologize for not having written a GG blog yet on the series finale. It's not that I've been in denial (lol), it's just that I've been so unbelievably busy. Everything with school work, finals, family emergencies, etc.

And I also want to make it really good since it is the very last GG episode. So I didn't want to post anything prematurely. So again, I apologize for being several weeks late, but I do promise to have it out as soon as summer vacation starts (which is this Thurs!). I'm sure none of you are actually waiting for it, but I felt bad since I promised it in my bday blog.

Thanks for understanding,

~Smiley

ETA: Aw thanks for understand guys. Haha, no pressure....surrre. Well unfortunately I'm going on a week's vaca and I was too busy packing to be able to type it up. But I PROMISE to post it once I get back (next Saturday).

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer vacation so far!

Hey everyone, today is my 17th Birthday!! I'll turn 17 at 9:55 AM.

17 seems to be the in-between birthday.  I'm no longer a Sweet 16 (I've been listening to that song a lot, lol).  My friends and I have decided that the only thing you get out of being 17 is being able to see R rated movies, lol. 

I celebrated my birthday yesterday in school and a couple of my friends brought in balloons for me to carry around throughout my day.   And one of my friends who's as equally obsessed with GG as I am, made me a really cute card complete with a drawing of a sliver of the World's Largest Pizza (from "Happy Birthday, Baby").  She also gave me this really pretty blue bracelet because Luke gave Lorelai a necklace in the finale and Luke got the huge blue bracelet from April.  I love my friends!

And the townies of Stars Hollow seem to have an important message to tell me:

(Click here to see full sized!)

Hope everyone has a great day!

~Lauren

P.S. GG Series Finale blog post/review is coming, don't worry I haven't forgotten about it!  I watched it on Tuesday but my week has been so hectic and crazily emotional that I haven't had time to type it all up yet.  And I want to give the last GG episode the sendoff it deserves.   Stay tuned.

P.P.S. Heh, I'm so cool because I posted this at exactly 12:00 AM!

Well this is it, the penultimate episode of Gilmore Girls.  Second to last episode. 

(I typed this last night but it was so long that I didn't get a chance to finish.  And I wanted to make it verrry detailed! Most of it is a plot summary with my thoughts dispersed throughout.  If you don't feel up to reading through paragraphs and paragraphs of info, skip along to the end where I summed up my thoughts on the episode).

I wore my pink shirt that says "Gilmore girls" on it to school today and all my friends just gestured at my shirt and asked, "That's on tonight right? 2 more episodes left?" And I nodded my head and confirmed, "Yup." Always nice to have the support of your friends in RL, in addition to the great Internet ones.

(I'm going to attempt to make this recap in chronological order.  Bear with me since I haven't had a chance to rewatch most of it and I'll probably confuse the order of some scenes).

The teaser starts out with Sookie and Lorelai.  This scene was so cute.  I loved Sookie's excitement when Lorelai finally brings up the Luke topic and makes Lorelai admit that she did serenade him with "I Will Always Love You."  And as Lorelai tries to figure out whether these are 'old' or 'new' feelings (hello, they never went away!) Sookie gushes over the LL love and comments how it's the talk of the town.  Lorelai also tells Sookie about Logan asking for Rory's hand in marriage and that Lorelai said "Yes" because you can't very well say "No" in that situation.  And Sookie makes up the cute mnemonic device to remember Lorelai's long to-do list.  Something about Chad teasing Polly about footballs? lol.

Next, Luke visits Liz (sans TJ).  Oh, this might be our last Luke/Liz scene. *sniff* Liz reveals that she too heard the news of Lorelai's karaoke song and asks Luke what he did about it.  Liz insists that Lorelai is waiting for him to make the first move while Luke says that if it meant something, she would have come into the diner and talked about it with him.  The reason he's there is to find a graduation gift for Rory.  Liz helps him pick out a pair of beautiful earrings for Rory.  And while he's browsing, Luke finds a beautiful, blue necklace that reminds him of....Lorelai/Rory.  Liz gets all excited and tells him that he should get it for Lorelai and he says he'll get it as a "backup gift for Rory."  Yeah, okay.

Paris is packing up the apartment and talking to Doyle about their plans to go to India during the summer.  Aww, Paris and Doyle are all lovey-dovey again.  And...Rory walks in on them mid-kiss.  Rory gets sentimental and starts taking pictures of her roommates and their possessions, like a toaster.

Lorelai finally does go into the diner and sits alongside Miss Patty and Babette who are sitting on stools at the counter.  (Have those two ever both been at stools before? Kirk's going to be mad when he sees them in his spot...lol).  Patty and Babette are all smiles and are trying to prod Lorelai for information about the love song.  Lorelai denies the importance of the song and just says that she was just singing a karaoke song and that it doesn't. mean. anything.  And as soon as the words leave her mouth, Luke walks down the stairs.  Oops!  He gets this really sad and disappointed look on his face and then serves her coffee very cordially.  He ignores her banter about a muffin vs. a donut and walks away upset (while Lorelai's still oblivious).

*I really wish Luke could have had the chance to actually confront Lorelai on it rather than just take her word for her when she was talking to Miss Patty and Babette.  Because clearly she was just trying to keep the rumors at bay and admitted to Sookie that it did mean something.

Seems the newest problem is that Miss Patty, Babette, and half of Stars Hollow seems to think that they will be attending Rory's Yale graduation.  And Lorelai doesn't know what to say.  She's interrupted by Rory's phone call and announces that she has big news.  Lorelai prepares herself for the proposal news, but Rory just talks about the speaker at graduation.  Lorelai asks her if it's possible to get more than 4 tickets and Rory says that students have been trying to do that since Sept.

Oh no it's...*sniff* possibly our last town meeting.  Taylor has a cast around his foot/ankle because he injured it while "soaking his bunions." Ick!  Kirk announces to everyone that he wishes to be suspended 20 ft above the square in a box and the town agrees to this.  Hilarious!  One more Kirk-stunt to remember. : )  The discussion of Rory's graduation is brought up and after the townies find out that they're not officially invited, they decide to throw Rory a HUGE party and re-enact the whole thing in the town square.  Lorelai looks less than pleased.

Another funny moment: During the town meeting when the townies are planning their party for Rory, Kirk pipes in, "Lulu could play Rory! She's a great actress!" And then Miss Patty quickly, and forcfully, replies, "No that would be stupid. Rory is gonna play Rory!"  Lol.

Rory and Lorelai are at the grandparent's house for a celebration party in Rory's honor.  Lorelai and Chris take a quick moment outside where they talk about their amazing daughter and Lorelai tells him that Logan asked permission to marry Rory.  (I can't stand that Christopher is back on my screen again but he's almost bearable in this episode).  Richard and Emily decide to express themselves...in song form!  Seems everyone is just breaking out into song on this show!  They sing cutely off-key and Rory thanks them for the song, and for their love and support and for making this all possible.  After a toast has been made, Logan takes the spotlight and begins to confess his love and congrats towards Rory.  And then, to the astonishment of Lorelai, Chris, Emily, Richard, and anyone else in attendance, Logan produces a small ring box and asks, "Rory Gilmore, will you marry me?"  Rory is understandably speechless and just says "Wow" a lot.  Logan asks if there's a yes somewhere in there and Rory requests to speak with him outside.

Meanwhile, Lorelai's face is crestfallen after hearing Logan's proposal.  Emily is almost jumping up and down and keeps wondering what the couple is discussing outside and why Rory didn't immediately accept the "Huntzberger proposal."  I couldn't gauge Richard's reaction to the proposal and the mulling it over afterwards.  He just seemed to have a perplexed face and didn't voice his own opinions, just said that Rory needed time to think things over.

Logan tells Rory all the wonderful things about Cali. and tells her that he got the job, and that she can work at some newspaper out there.  Oh, and that she'll get an avocado tree in her backyard.  Rory still doesn't say yes or no.  Logan makes a nice reference back to "You Jump, I Jump, Jack" and tells Rory that she has to take a risk and jump with him.  Rory calls her mom and the two of them take the horse drawn carriage and have a heart-to-heart about the unexpected proposal.  Lorelai reveals that she already knew and Rory begs her mom to tell her what to do.  Lorelai remains steadfast and tells Rory she must make her own decision on this one.  And I agree.

4 words: Kirk in a box. Was he really dangling from above the square? That whole scene was awesome.

And now the LL scene.  Lorelai tells Luke about Logan's proposal and he is as equally surprised as everyone else who's heard about it.  They then then proceed to have conversation "in code" because they are really talking about themselves.  Logan is compared to Lorelai, and Rory is compared to Luke.  Lorelai reitereates Logan's leap-of-faith philosophy while Luke insists that "Rory" needs time to think this through since it's important to know what "she's" getting into.  This scene mirroed their discussion in "Partings" and they were standing in almost the same location, just under a year ago.  Lorelai almost slips up when she says:

Lorelai: God, how could you still be unsure?

Luke: Who?

Lorelai: Uh..Rory.

As Lorelai prepares to head home, Luke tells her to hang tight for a moment and says he needs to get something.  He goes up to the cash register and we see the 2 gifts side by side, the earrings for Rory and the necklace for Lorelai/Rory.  Luke looks back and forth between Lorelai outside and the necklace box and casts it aside, as he brings Lorelai the Rory box.  I think that he should have given her the necklace because it would have proved (and confirmed for Lorelai) that he does still have love her and she would have been touched by the gesture.  When Luke gives her the box and says "For Rory" Lorelai lets out a slightly disappointed "oh" as she tries to mask her feelings.  They say goodnight to each other and Lorelai calls goodnight to Kirk, who is going to sleep in his box.

Rory is alone in the apartment, finishing up her packing.  She takes out Logan's ring box, puts the ring on her finger, and then takes it off again.  Yes or no, Rory?

The Yale Graduation ceremony is finally here!  Emily is still upset that Rory has not made a decision concerning Logan.  Lorelai tells her mom to give Rory time.  When Lorelai realizes she didn't grab enough programs for all the SH townies, Richard calls her "sweetheart" and tells her that they can pick up some later.  That moment made me tear up because I always love when Richard visually shows his love for Lorelai and it makes their moments together ten times sweeter.  Plus, he has never used a term like that before in reference to Lorelai.

A funny Lorelai/Emily moment was Emily fanning herself with her program saying "I'm sha- vitzing."  Oh, Emily's attempt at Yiddish made me laugh.  Lorelai corrects her saying "It's shvitzing, mom.  Shvitzing."  (Which means "to sweat" in Yiddush in case you were wondering).

It was kinda nice to see Rory, Paris, Olivia, and Lucy talking about their college experience.  And the shot of them walking away with their arms around each other, showing that they're ready to embrace their future.

Lorelai, Richard, and Emily find seats.  Chris arrives late (shocker!) and Emily continues to pester Lorelai about her not knowing whether Rory will accept or not. This line made me laugh:

Emily: I thought you two were Bosom Buddies.

Backstage, Rory and Paris are lining up with the other G's.  They share a really sweet moment and Paris wonders when they'll see each other again.  Rory says that she hasn't been able to shake her for the past several years so she thinks they're going to be friends for a long time!  Paris starts to tear up and tells Rory that she will go on to do great things.  She then attacks Rory in a biiig hug and Rory smiles over her shoulder.  I tear up as well because Paris and Rory have made quite a team over the past 7 years.  Paris then shouts the episode's title, "Unto the breach!"

Lorelai takes a picture of Paris graduating (sweet gesture!) while Emily now complains about the chairs.  Richard, who was amazing throughout this entire episode, stops the bickering, tells Lorelai that he will take pictures, and then tells her to relax:

Richard: This is your daughter's graduation, Lorelai.  You should enjoy it because it's as much your moment as it is hers.

Awww!!

Rory proudly walks onto the stage as the man reads, "Lorelai Leigh Gilmore."  Lorelai and Chris stand and clap.  Lorelai and Rory share a moment as their eyes lock and Lorelai has tears dripping down her face.  (And my eyes start to water too).  I was wondering if they'd do some sort of gesture like the stick-your-tongue-out from the Chilton graduation, but I'm glad that the Yale one was more serious.  I wish we could have seen the classic throw-your-grad-hat-in-the-air after Paris and Rory graduated though.

The Gilmore family takes pictures after the ceremony.  Rory then excuses her self to go talk to Logan, who had been sitting with some friends during graduation.  She tells him that she is sorry and that she loves him, but then rejects his marriage proposal.  She thinks that they're too young and wants her life to be "wide open and full of possibilities."  Logan tries to talk up Cali. again but Rory's mind is made up.  However, she doesn't want to totally end things with him.  Logan tells her that they can't regress back to a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship and that he's not interested in doing the long-distance thing again. 

Rory: Does it really have to be all or nothing?

Logan: Yes, it does.

They both look at each other and then Rory silently gives him back the ring.  No tears are shed.  Logan then says in a solemn voice, "Goodbye, Rory" and walks away from her, and out of her life.  Forever.

Rory and Lorelai are now standing in the nearly empty apartment.  Rory admits that she's really upset and that she already misses him.  Lorelai tries to console her and tells her that she thinks she made the right choice.  Rory is most upset that her memories of her graduation day will be tainted by her break-up and proposal rejection with Logan.  (But she didn't have to reject him that day? Why not wait till the following day?)

Lorelai tells her that someday she will meet the right guy and she won't hesitate when answering (or asking) the proposal *COUGH Luke and Lorelai COUGH*.  And with a final reference to Peanut trees, the episode fades to black.

___________________________________________________

If you're still with me, or you skipped ahead, thanks for still reading!  Here's a few of my thoughts on things:

*Episode in general: After the emotional high of Lorelai's song to Luke the week before, I don't think this episode delivered as much as it could have.  Combine that with everyone now knowing that this began the official countdown to the end, and you'll get a mixed reaction from me.

I was really glad that we got to share this huge milestone in Rory's life.  Rory started off the show as a sophomore at Stars Hollow High with dreams of one day attending Harvard.  And we had Lorelai right beside her every step of the way, pursuing Rory to reach for the stars and ensuring that her daughter get the Ivy League education that she deserved.

The Chilton graduation episode can always bring a tear to my eye during the "No crying" part and Rory's speech.  I think Rory's walk was slightly ruined by Emily's incessant complaints.  I'm sure the other families also wanted to hear their kid's name called. 

All in all, I'm glad that we saw Rory's educational journey from start to finish.

*One of the main things that bothered me about Rory's graduation was Luke not being there.  No matter what his relationship with Lorelai currently is/was/will be, Rory's always come first in his life and it just felt wrong that he wasn't there to share this moment with her.  I know they kept stressing that they could only get 4 tickets, but you think Richard or Emily might have been able to get one more (per Rory's request if she asked)?  I mean Richard's an alumni AND was a professor there this year.  I know they were setting up the contrast of Chris being a part of Lorelai's Hartford/her parents world and Luke being apart of the Stars Hollow world but he was there for her Chilton graduation and was always there for her during her last 4 years at college.  Despite all this, it was incredibly sweet that he wanted to get something for Rory to show how proud he is of her.

*It seems that were were also a TON of parallels to "Partings" in this episode.

1. Rory's light blue shirt that she wore when she said goodbye to Logan and now when she's looking at the ring.

2. Luke and Lorelai's discussion outside the diner in the same location the ultimatium was delivered while they not-so-subtly talk about "Rory."

3. Lorelai's ultimatium: Now or never, and Logan's: All or nothing

*The Logan/Rory proposal rejection and break-up: I knew it was coming and I do agree with Rory's decision.  But did they have to make that final scene between them so cordial and Rory appear to feel indifferent?  She sobbed uncontrobaly when he left for London but didn't seem that sad when Logan told her "All or nothing" and ended their 3 year relationship.  I sympthatize with all the R/L shippers who were looking for some closure.

*Luke and Lorelai: They shared some great scenes together in this episode.  The past few episodes have kept reaffirming their love for each other (though these two just seem to be happy being oblivioius) and I think there will be a big moment in the finale.

*The Promo.  I had cried during earlier parts of this episode (most mentioned above) but as soon as I saw the words "SERIES FINALE" flash across my screen, I completely lost it and started crying.  I probably missed most of the dialogue the first time I watched the promo but I did not miss Luke and Lorelai's BIG KISS.  And yes, I did the appropriate squeeing over it, but let me tell you, I got Very angry at the promo people over there at the CW.

Do they really think that the words "Series Finale" won't attract all of the loyal fans and those who say that they will be watching the last episode because it is the last episode??  But noooo, the stupid promo people think that they need to totally ruin any anticipation fans might have had for the kiss / Luke and Lorelai getting back together by showing it in the promo.  They've barely put a single L/L scene in the last several promos, but this they decide to pimp.  *sigh*  I was just looking forward to having something to look forward to next week.

And to conclude the longest blog in my blogging history:

Here's a list of characters that we most likely will have had to say goodbye to in this episode:

Goodbye to Paris, Doyle, Logan, Liz, and Christopher.

I wish the actors and actresses continued success in their careers after Gilmore Girls.

1 week till the end.  I'm going to be a mess.

P.S. Would you believe me if I told you that I only watched this episode once so far? Yeah, I have a pretty good memory, lol.  I did use a brief outline of the episode to know the order of the scenes.  I'm not that good, hehe.

Wow.  I just turned on my computer, opened up the TWoP forum and read a thread entitled: "Luke's Diner is Going Out of Business: The GG Cancelation."

My heart literally sank in my chest. Then I checked and rechecked the several websites that have the official press release from the CW.  So...it's true.

I don't know whether to cry or just hide under the covers (a la Rory).   I think I'm still in shock right now. 

I definitly was not prepared to think of this as the final season of GG. The shortened season 8 seemed like such a great idea and we had multiple sources telling us to 'keep the hope alive.'

On the (very small) bright side, I am happy that we found out before the *gulp* series finale airs, so we will be prepared to say goodbye when we watch it and watch the reairing on Sunday.

I hope all the relationships on the show get the closure and ending they deserve.  And I'd really like to see the Luke and Lorelai relationship have a "we're going to be alright" vibe to it in the end.  This show deserves a proper send off.

What sucks even more is that we didn't get months (or even a full season) to prepare for the end.  I realistically wasn't expecting them to make their decision till the Upfronts on May 17th which would have been after the episode aired.  Now we have 2 short weeks to get ourselves ready for the end.

I have so many emotions coursing through me right now.  Still in shock (and possibly denial) because this just doesn't feel real to me.  I haven't watched Gilmore Girls since the very first episode, but I have seen every episode multiple times and have developed a complete obsession with this show.  This show is also the only one I watch religiously and I have no idea what I'll watch on Tuesday nights next year.

And an aside note, the Gilmore Girls series finale is 4 days before my birthday.  What a downer way to start off the week.  It's a good thing I have a teacher inservice day on that Tuesday because I have a feeling that I will be crying a lot that day.

As for the big picture, we did have a great 7 years of this show and my expectations are very high for the *gulp again* final 2 episodes.

In misery, sorrow, and confusion,

~Lauren

Another amazing episode of Gilmore Girls!  I'm sure I'll be adding much more onto my thoughts but here's what I've got so far:

I was so utterly baffled by the dream sequence (though I also knew that was coming).  Paris and Doyle + kids was pretty funny.  And was Lorelai suddenly rushing off to Hawaii some sort of anvil?  I almost thought she'd say that she and Luke were going on their honeymoon!  (*wishful thinking*)  It was fun to see Rory in her Chilton uniform again.  And I liked how they built the fake Chilton set right next to the Gilmore front door set/wall.

Oh...my...god! Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson just knocked that scene waaay out of the park! The song, Lorelai slightly drunk, dedicating it to Rory, and then never losing eye contact with Luke once he walked into K.C.'s. And did LUKE have tears in his eyes towards the end of it? I have to admit, huge lump in my throat. So emotionally beautiful.

Here's a quick recap to those who haven't seen it yet.  Rory convinces Lorelai to cheer her up by singing a song at K.C.'s.  They do a few shots and Lorelai gets tipsy.  She takes to the stage and begins to sing "I Will Always Love You" and dedicates it to Rory and says "Happy Graduation."  However, in the middle of the song, Luke walks in and he and Lorelai instantly make eye contact.  Lorelai goes from being all happy and singing it to Rory, to showing her vulnerable side and proclaiming her love for Luke.  The townies (and Rory) see Luke enter and know that Lorelai is basically singing the song to him.  She gets misty eyed during it and Luke also has to look down at one point and swallows hard before looking back up and smiling grandly at Lorelai.

And in honor of Lorelai's budding karaokee career: (This is the part she sang to Luke)

_________________________________
Bittersweet
Memories
That is all I'm taking with me
So good-bye
Please don't cry
We both know I'm not what you
You need

And I... will always love you
I... will always love you


I hope
life treats you kind
And I hope
you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish you joy
and happiness
But above all this
I wish you love

And I will always love you [repeat]
___________________________________

And the blue cap is back!! (I cheered...loudly. Even tho I knew it was coming, lol) 

It was nice to see Lorelai AND Rory in the diner and Luke finally interacting with both of them, and showing concern for Rory.  And the black hat being found in the dishwasher was great!  Loved how he instantly chose the blue one over the black one.

Loved that the minor characters each had their own storyline:

Emily and Richard:  Yay for their return and the return of FND!  Liked the continuity nod about them 'buying another building in Rory's honor.'  Harvard, Princeton, and Rory! lol. 

Lane and Zach: So great to finally meet Kwan and Steve!  And Brian as a "Manny" was great too.  Lane and Zach are so cute and I love how she wanted him to pursue his dream.

Babette and Miss Patty:  Haha, loved their Sound of Music bit in the diner and them 'saving their voices.'   Their voices compliment each other really well and loved their performance at Karaokee night.

Sookie and Lorelai: Loved their meatball discussion and their discussion on the significance of the blue cap coming back.

Small nitpick: Couldn't Lorelai also reciprocate by wearing the necklace and/or earrings Luke got her?  I know that she said she got rid of everything Luke-related, but you'd think she might hold on to a few items for sentimental reasons.  That was just the first thing that popped into my head when they were talking about Lorelai's metaphoric hat.

Kirk:  His performance was...interesting.  I initially thought that **r* (from the spoilers) stood for Kirk, and not Rory, lol.  Lulu, however, was cheering her little heart out.  Aw.

Paris: Haha, loved her random get-together with all the Harvard Med students (I guess she made her decision?).  And the pornographic cake from the Erotica Bakery, lmao.

Luke and April: Aw, just as he was getting all excited about the trip (and taking Lorelai's advice to heart too!).  But he handled it pretty well. (She told him that she was accpeted into a prestigeious science camp over the summer during the same 6 weeks as the boat trip). Their "Love you" and "Love you too" totally took me by surprise!  Where did that come from??

Lorelai and Rory: So great to see Rory turning to Lorelai for comfort, instead of going out and stealing a yacht.  Though I thought her not finishing her final was a parallel to 5.22.  I loved Lorelai re-convincing Rory that she can do anything and that she never, ever, ever, ever, could disappoint Lorelai.  Also liked Lorelai telling Rory that things have come easy for her before and that this is only a minor setback.  And that this setback might actually help Rory get some perspective on everything.  (For those who haven't seen it, Rory tells Lorelai, Richard, and Emily that she didn't get the Preston Fellowship.  She also found out that the Chicago newspaper isn't hiring and the Pro-Jo has already filled the position that was offered to her). 

Logan:  I had completly forgotten about his 'asking permission' from the promo last week (since I was so preoccupied with my LL love).  I think it is sweet that he asked her permission since he knows how close Lorelai and Rory are.  LG really nailed that final facial expression, a mix of realizing that her best friend might move across the country and might also be getting married, before her!  As soon as I saw her face I was like "And...SCENE!" and then remembered that we hadn't heard the episode title said yet.  And then Logan says, "Lorelai? Lorelai?"  Hee, I'm a mindreader.

And in the words of Zach and Caesar: CHILAQUIS!

Promo for next week looks good!  Rory's graduating from Yale and Logan is proposing...at Emily and Richard's graduation party!