MATURE CONTENT? Netflix's Rating: TV-14 Why?: Language and sexual content
SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
After a 10-year hiatus, the much-anticipated return of the fast-talking, pop-culture-referencing Gilmore Girls returned, revived by Netflix itself. The return was formatted quite differently than the regular show: rather than several seasons made up of about 20 episodes with a 40ish minute running time, the return took an a streaming version of an EP album. Four episodes, but each almost movie-length with running times up to 100 minutes. And rather than each episode spanning a short period of time and hitting back-to-back on the timeline between episodes, the four episodes cover a full year - one season per episode.
The show jumps back into Stars Hollow according to the show’s real life timeline: 10 years later, and with Lorelai’s dad passed away (as the actor did recently). Luke and Lorelai are still steadily dating and living together, Rory is trying to make a career for herself as a journalist while juggling her love life and Emily trying to adjust her life to abruptly becoming a widow.
Just about all the original characters are back, from the stars to the one-liners. Even Melissa McCarthy, who got her start on the original show and since then has grown greatly in comedic fame, made it back for an appearance (even if it felt too brief).
CRITICAL REVIEW
These episodes are a self-conscious gift to the Gilmore Girl fan base, evident right from the beginning with a darkened screen and sound bites of quotes from old episodes that have become popularized within the fandom. That being the case, I would definitely suggest you watch at least some of the originals first before you push play on Netflix’s new spin on the Gilmores.
Netflix brought back Lorelai and Rory in all their fast-talking, dramatic glory. The mother-daughter duo don’t seem to have lost any chemistry in the long years between the revival and the last season in 2007 (nor have either of them seemed to age much — must be that hidden fountain of youth Hollywood has hidden for only the most elect actors).
The good: The unfortunate real-life death of the actor who played Richard Gilmore turned out to provide a great baseline for Emily Gilmore’s storyline. In fictional Gilmore Girl world, Richard has recently passed away, and Emily must not only deal with the grief of losing her long-time companion, but also must learn how to break the strict regimen of daily life she was used to when he was alive. Emily’s character development is by far the best out of all the characters in the revival episode. Plus, the producers somehow managed to get everyone back — all three of Rory’s main boyfriends (though Jess’s screen time never felt long enough and Logan’s far too long).
The bad: There were a lot of complaints among critics and fans alike over various aspects of the revival, though no one complaint seems to big on its own. Some had to do with out-of-character aspects. Many viewers did not appreciate the seemingly odd character turn Rory’s character took: originally formulated as a sharp, full-of-promise sweet young woman, 30s-version Rory is a bit sleazy, rude and whiny. Many also pointed out it was quite unrealistic for Lorelai and Luke’s characters to have been romantically together for so long without marriage even being considered. Plus, to have Lorelai choose to retreat to the wilderness for a ridiculously long hike when the relationship gets rough is straight up laughable — it’s something the Lorelai from the original show would have made fun of extensively (with some clever pop culture references thrown in, of course). And, let’s not even talk about the obnoxiously long, pointless skit added in to episode three. All it had us left thinking is: ‘Why? Is this seriously still happening? Still? When does it stop? Nope, it’s still going.'
All in all, sure, fans can nitpick all the little things they didn't like about the show. Maybe there's enough 'wrong' that makes them justified in doing so. Or, fans could sit back with lower expectations and enjoy being transported back to lovely Stars Hallow again.
WHAT MORMONS/PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
The main sources of Gilmore Girls's mature content come from sexual material and mild language. As for the sex - nothing is ever shown, but it is talked about (but not too vividly or in detail). A character has a one night stand.
As for language, the show mostly includes the mildest of swear words, with only one or two mid-range ones. It does take the Lord's name in vain several times.
On the other hand, the show strongly promotes positive messages of families, marriage, forgiveness, charity and even repentance in a secular way. Though Rory is definitely a better role model for younger girls and women in the original series, each character still has a good moral compass and develops in ways promoting bettering oneself, being more selfless and building one's talents.