8 Key Areas Gilmore Girls Season 9 Must Address for a Successful Comeback

Article Overview

The revival of Gilmore Girls did not fix the show's previous mistakes, instead creating more confusing and frustrating storylines.

The show failed characters like Sookie St. James and Lane Kim, leaving their story arcs unsatisfying and underdeveloped. Furthermore, the humor in the revival became increasingly offensive, and Rory Gilmore made frustrating decisions that contradicted her previously established character.

Amy Sherman-Palladino's Gilmore Girls is the ultimate fall comfort show, but it has its flaws. Throughout its original seven-year run, some characters had disappointing storylines, which were only amplified in the revival miniseries, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. While it's expected that not every viewer will be satisfied, when the entire audience agrees on problematic storylines, it's a cause for concern. Unfortunately, some Gilmore Girls characters, like Rory's best friend Lane Kim, were let down by the show, making her story arc one of the most frustrating aspects of the series.

Though the Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life revival offered nostalgia, it failed to rectify most of the original show's mistakes – in fact, it only added more confusing plots. Throughout both shows, Rory Gilmore, the main character, transformed from a lovable teenager with big dreams to a bewildered woman in her 30s who consistently made poor choices. This is something that a potential Gilmore Girls season 9 absolutely needs to address and improve. And it's not just Rory who requires fixing; her mother is also struggling.

8. Sookie St. James' Minimal Role

Blame: Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life

7. Long Failure Of Lane Kim

The presence of Melissa McCarthy's Sookie St. James was absolutely essential to the heart and soul of the iconic series Gilmore Girls. Her dynamic and cherished relationship with Lorelai Gilmore served as the epitome of relationship goals. However, due to McCarthy's ascension to A-list stardom since the show's initial run, her appearance in the revival was unfortunately limited. This left viewers yearning for more Sookie in Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life. The revival's treatment of Sookie's story arc was undoubtedly frustrating, as it felt like a mere glimpse. While it was heartwarming to witness Sookie grace the Dragonfly Inn's kitchen once again, it is undeniable that for a potential Gilmore Girls season 9, Sookie must reclaim her full-time presence. Her lively banter with Lorelai and comical complaints about Jackson are essential and would be sorely missed without her constant presence.

Blame: Gilmore Girls & Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life

Gilmore Girls managed to strip away all the charm and essence of its greatest supporting character by sacrificing Lane's vibrant personality. She was swept off her feet and tied the knot with the dim-witted Zack Van Gerbig, not to mention becoming a mother of twins at the mere age of 22. Being raised in a strict Korean household, Lane was the rebellious spirit of the original series. Her relationship with her boyfriend Dave Rygalski was a truly delightful match, one that Lane truly deserved. However, in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Lane is still stuck in Stars Hollow, taking care of her children, with her music career going nowhere. It's a disservice to Lane Kim, and it's about time she shines in season 9.

6. Offensive Dated Humor

Blame: Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life

Gilmore Girls, which aired in the 2000s, has aged surprisingly well compared to other shows of that time. However, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life crossed some offensive boundaries with its humor. The pool scene, where Lorelai and Rory engage in body-shaming, was uncomfortable to watch, and Taylor's comment about "borrowing gays" from a nearby town fell flat. But perhaps the most problematic aspect was Emily's decision to hire a new maid. If there ever is a Gilmore Girls season 9, it is crucial to leave behind the humor that was popular in the 2000s.

5. Rory Gilmore's Frustrating Decisions

Blame: Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life

Formerly a gifted child and aspiring journalist, Rory found herself in her 30s, experiencing a significant decline in her career in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. This unexpected turn of events was disappointing, considering the inspiring conclusion of the original series. Despite having limited job opportunities, Rory casually dismissed two perfectly acceptable offers without much consideration. Additionally, she appeared to have not learned from her past mistakes, engaging in an affair with Logan while still dating her forgettable partner, Paul. In Gilmore Girls season 9, it would be gratifying to witness Rory reclaim her former self and regain her moral compass.

4. Logan Huntzberger Being Rory's Baby Daddy

Speaking about Rory's questionable decisions, one of them led to an unexpected pregnancy. Although Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life left viewers with a cliffhanger regarding the father's identity, it was later confirmed by the show's costume designer that Logan Huntzberger was indeed the father. Rory and Logan's relationship was problematic in the original series, and it only intensified in the revival due to their complicated affair. While it may seem logical for Logan to be the father, it may not be the optimal direction for either character. Therefore, in Gilmore Girls season 9, there should be a shocking revelation that Rory is not pregnant or that Jess is the actual father.

3. Paris Geller & Doyle McMaster Divorcing For No Reason

Blame: Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life

Throughout both shows, Paris Geller undergoes a remarkable transformation from being Rory's tormentor in high school to becoming a highly accomplished businesswoman, endearing herself to the audience as one of the most adored characters. Before finding her perfect match in Doyle McMaster, she faced a series of romantic ups and downs. However, in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, the writers made the regrettable decision to break up this beloved couple without providing a sufficient explanation for their impending divorce. Consequently, if there were to be a season 9, it would be essential for Paris and Doyle to reconcile and reignite their romance.

2. Luke Danes & Lorelai Gilmore's Communication Troubles

Blame: Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life

Luke and Lorelai in Gilmore Girls formed the quintessential will-they-won't-they couple. However, their constant lack of communication throughout the last two seasons became tiresome. Despite the original show's finale uniting Luke and Lorelai, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life undid all of their progress by once again resorting to dishonesty and avoiding important discussions such as the surrogacy process. Considering all they have been through, Luke and Lorelai deserve a more stable life. If Gilmore Girls season 9 fails to portray them without drama, it suggests that they are not meant to be together.

1. Jess Mariano & Rory Gilmore Not Being Endgame

Blame: Gilmore Girls & Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life

The debate surrounding Rory Gilmore's ideal partner has long been a hot topic within the Gilmore Girls community, with Jess frequently entering the conversation. Their past relationship was filled with tumultuous teenage emotions, perfectly representing their youthful nature. Initially, Jess was seen as the rebellious type who didn't deserve the innocent and kind-hearted Rory. However, timing issues arose, and in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, the tables turned as Jess became successful and level-headed, making him seemingly too good for Rory, who had lost her way. Despite the ups and downs, Jess remains a positive influence in Rory's life, and it is crucial for season 9 to bring forth their long-awaited happily-ever-after.

Editor's P/S

As a Gilmore Girls fan, I have mixed feelings about the potential for a ninth season. On the one hand, I would love to see more of the characters and their stories. On the other hand, I am worried that a new season could ruin the legacy of the original show.

I think that there are a number of things that the writers would need to address in order to make a successful comeback. First, they would need to fix the mistakes that were made in the revival. This includes the offensive humor, the unsatisfying character arcs, and the confusing plotlines. Second, they would need to find a way to bring back the magic of the original show. This means capturing the warmth, humor, and heart that made the show so popular in the first place.

I believe that it is possible to make a successful ninth season of Gilmore Girls. However, it will be a challenge. The writers will need to be careful not to repeat the mistakes of the past. They will also need to find a way to keep the show fresh and relevant for a new generation of viewers.