Summary
The Gilmore Girls revival, A Year in the Life, was met with critical praise and allowed viewers to catch up with the main cast after the show ended.
The absence of Richard Gilmore, played by the late Edward Herrmann, was keenly felt by many. However, his widow and daughters found solace in the way his character was honored in the show. Despite struggling to watch the revival initially due to the emotional pain of their loss, Edward Herrmann's widow eventually believed that he would have cherished it.
The late Gilmore Girls star Edward Herrman's widow shared her thoughts on the revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Released on Netflix in 2016, this much-anticipated miniseries reunited viewers with Rory and Lorelai years after the original show aired. Remaining true to the essence of the beloved series, A Year in the Life brought back nearly all of the original cast, with a few exceptions. Edward Herrmann, who portrayed Lorelai's father Richard Gilmore, tragically passed away before the revival.
Receiving critical acclaim (according to Rotten Tomatoes), the four-part story both served as a conclusion to Gilmore Girls and provided additional insights. A Year in the Life addressed unanswered questions about the characters and allowed viewers to catch up with the main cast, discovering what had occurred in their lives after the show's finale. Although the ending of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life may not have satisfied everyone's expectations, it was a delightful return to Stars Hollow. However, the absence of characters such as Richard Gilmore was deeply felt, despite the series meeting many expectations.
Star Herrmann Couldn't Watch The Gilmore Girls Revival For "A Very Long Time"
Edward Herrmann's loss in 2014 had a profoundly personal impact on his wife, Star Herrmann. In her conversation with Bustle, she finally expressed her feelings about the Gilmore Girls revival and her late husband's legacy. Due to her deep emotional connection, Star Herrmann disclosed that she was unable to watch it for an extended period of time, as it was too painful. However, she ultimately found solace in the finished product and believed that Edward would have loved it.
The essence of A Year in the Life centered around the Gilmore family acknowledging their patriarch's absence, which influenced Lorelai's bond with her mother. Recognizing this dynamic, Star Herrmann emphasized in her interview that Edward would have been disappointed by his inability to participate. She also touched upon the significance of Gilmore Girls in his life, despite his numerous accomplishments throughout his illustrious career. Understanding her husband well, she concluded that he would have wanted the show to continue without him.
Edward & Star Herrmann's Daughter Emma Thought Gilmore Girls Honored Richard
Edward and Star Herrmann's two daughters also spoke in the same Bustle interview and expressed their satisfaction with the tribute given to their late father. The resemblance between Edward Herrmann and his Gilmore Girls character made the funeral scene exceptionally challenging for everyone involved since he was deeply adored. Emma Herrmann, his daughter, commended the episode's writing, describing it as "truly exquisite," providing catharsis for the grieving real-life family. Although the absence of Herrmann's character, Richard Gilmore, created a void in the Gilmore Girls revival, it was ultimately filled with affection and remarkable storytelling.