Summary
Another
Gilmore Girls
revival could answer the question of who is the father of Rory's baby and provide closure to
A Year in the Life
's big twist.
Continuing the show with Rory as a single parent might feel repetitive and risk boring viewers, as it would mirror Lorelai's storyline in the original series.
If done well, a
Gilmore Girls
revival could give Rory a satisfying and contented ending.
Gilmore Girls, despite ending in 2007, remains a beloved series with a loyal fanbase. In 2016, Netflix released a revival called A Year in the Life, which provided a satisfying conclusion for some characters but left questions unanswered for others. Specifically, Rory's future was left uncertain. This ambiguity opens up the possibility for Gilmore Girls to continue in some capacity, though whether or not a second revival is necessary is a topic of debate with valid arguments on both sides.
Should: Another Gilmore Girls Revival Can Reveal Who The Father Of Rory's Baby Is
The ending of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life reveals Rory's pregnancy, without disclosing the identity of the father. Although not crucial to the storyline, it is implied that Rory will single-handedly raise her child, following her mother's footsteps. Nonetheless, with the array of romantic pairs in the show and the appearances of Rory's former boyfriends, fans, particularly those favoring specific relationships, are eager to know the father's identity. A potential future revival of Gilmore Girls could provide answers and tie up loose ends concerning this significant twist in A Year in the Life.
Shouldn't: Rory's A Year In The Life Ending Would Make A Revival Feel Repetitive
While confirming Rory's baby's father on-screen may be satisfying, it could become redundant to follow her as she navigates motherhood after the original Gilmore Girls series. Although this is the most logical choice for a second revival, it closely resembles the original storyline. Unlike Lorelai's turbulent relationship with Emily, Rory's bond with her mother is more stable at the start of Gilmore Girls. However, her experiences as a single parent and the challenges of balancing career aspirations with parenthood echo Lorelai's character development. Unless another revival introduces fresh elements to Rory's journey, it runs the risk of venturing into overly familiar territory and losing the interest of viewers.
Should: Rory Gilmore Deserves A Happy Ending
If a Gilmore Girls revival can bring a fresh perspective to Rory's parenting journey, it would be satisfying to witness Bledel's character finally finding a happy ending. Throughout Gilmore Girls and A Year in the Life, Rory grapples with her aspirations for the future, yet the latter fails to provide a conclusive resolution to her dreams. In fact, A Year in the Life unveils that Rory's career never quite reaches the heights she desires. While a relationship is not essential for a fulfilling ending, it would be gratifying to learn whether she discovers companionship or ultimately finds contentment on her own.
Rory's conclusion in A Year in the Life lacks the sense of fulfillment and resolution that viewers might anticipate from the Netflix revival. Another reboot of Gilmore Girls has the potential to offer a more satisfying outcome, both for Rory personally and for devoted followers of her journey over the years.
Shouldn't: A Gilmore Girls Revival Could Ruin Lorelai's Happy Ending
While another revival of Gilmore Girls could provide a more satisfying conclusion for Rory, it runs the risk of jeopardizing Lorelai's hard-earned happily ever after. Throughout the original series, Lorelai endures numerous obstacles and struggles with her career and love life. However, A Year in the Life finally brings closure to these aspects as she marries Luke Danes.
Considering Lorelai's journey thus far, it seems unnecessary to introduce more drama for her to handle. She already confronts countless issues in the original series, most of which are resolved by the end of A Year in the Life. Therefore, carrying on with the show would only revisit old storylines and potentially disrupt her newfound peace. The key to successfully continuing Gilmore Girls would be to shift the focus towards Rory and her child, rather than Lorelai and Rory.
Should: Lane Kim Deserves Better Than What She Got
If a potential follow-up to Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life primarily focuses on Rory, it presents an opportunity to expand the roles of her friends and peers within the story. This would address one of the major shortcomings of Gilmore Girls, which is Lane Kim's (played by Keiko Agena) storyline. Lane, who is Rory's rebellious and sensible friend throughout the series, initially had grand ambitions of living a rock and roll lifestyle. However, as the show progressed, Lane finds herself remaining in the small town of Stars Hollow, settling for a life that deviates significantly from her dreams.
While A Year in the Life hints that Lane is content with her choices, it fails to truly rectify her storyline. If another reboot of Gilmore Girls were to happen, it could give Lane the career she deserves and rekindle her passion for music. Additionally, the reboot could explore Lane's journey beyond her hometown, or at the very least, help her come to terms with the sacrifices she has made.
Shouldn't: Too Many Gilmore Girls Characters Will Be Missing
Due to the limited availability of certain actors, such as Melissa McCarthy and Jared Padalecki, the characters of Sookie and Dean have smaller roles in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. This issue will likely persist in any future revivals. While some absences can be explained in new episodes, the absence of other characters will be more noticeable.
Even if most of the cast agrees to return, a second Gilmore Girls revival will face challenges in incorporating all the original characters into the story. A Year in the Life provided satisfying conclusions for most of them, making it less necessary for Rory to regularly encounter her exes, Dean and Jess. Additionally, Emily's move to Nantucket alters the dynamics of the close-knit Gilmore family.
Should: A Modern Take On Gilmore Girls Could Handle Certain Topics Better
The show, despite its enduring popularity in pop culture, faces several harsh realities when rewatched 23 years after it first aired. Being a reflection of its time, certain storylines have not aged well, with Dean's treatment of Rory being frequently criticized as toxic. Additionally, problematic behavior is not limited to just one character, as other characters also exhibit troubling traits. Another issue that persists is the lack of diversity in the show, and Rory and Lorelai often resort to belittling other women amidst their clever banter. Furthermore, the storylines involving April and Lindsay in the original series feel particularly discomforting from a modern perspective.
To address these concerns, a more contemporary approach to Gilmore Girls could rectify some of the problems with the original series by reevaluating how certain topics are presented. However, the revival, A Year in the Life, failed to make substantial improvements, raising doubts that another revival would fare any better.
Shouldn't: Gilmore Girls' Setting Is Perfect, But Modernizing It Could Ruin That
Gilmore Girls is situated in the charming town of Stars Hollow during the early 2000s, creating an ideal backdrop for the series. The absence of excessive technology usage keeps the characters engaged in personal interactions, enhancing the small-town ambiance and intensifying the emotional connections between them.
However, bringing Gilmore Girls into the modern era entails certain risks, as evidenced in A Year in the Life. Although the town in which the series is set is fictional, it exists within the real world. This poses a challenge in disregarding technological progress. Depending on the time period chosen for another Gilmore Girls revival, this could potentially undermine the familiar and comforting atmosphere the series is famous for.
Should: Gilmore Girls Still Has A Huge Viewership
Despite the potential drawbacks of another Gilmore Girls revival, there is no doubt that additional episodes will attract viewers. The original Gilmore Girls continues to have a large and dedicated fan base, with many fans rewatching the show every autumn. Considering the enduring popularity of the series, any new content will be warmly received, regardless of its subject matter.
Fans who annually revisit Gilmore Girls will undoubtedly embrace new content, and countless individuals have been eagerly anticipating a second season of "A Year in the Life" ever since the first revival premiered on Netflix. This alone suggests a strong demand for more Gilmore antics, making a follow-up series justifiable.
Shouldn't: More Gilmore Girls Risks Hurting The Original Show's Legacy
While there is a demand for a Gilmore Girls revival, it is not necessarily a good idea. The Netflix revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, provided creator Amy Sherman-Palladino with the opportunity to conclude the series as she intended, after its cancellation in 2007. However, creating more episodes runs the risk of undoing the creator's vision and diminishing the legacy of the original show.
Furthermore, A Year in the Life received mixed reactions from fans. The potential risks of continuing the original Gilmore Girls are evident, as is the case with any major series expansion. It may not be worth it considering the original show already has a strong legacy that consistently attracts fans year after year, regardless of the availability of new episodes.