Stopping by Stars Hollow: A Critic’s First Watch of 'Gilmore Girls' - Season 1, Episode 10

Here’s a fun little plug to start off this review. A lovely friend of mine, Val, will be launching a new media review website called They Have Thoughts on June 1. Yours truly has been asked to be a main contributor on the project so go check it out if you want to see more in-depth entertainment critiques from writers of various artistic backgrounds. We’re all very opinionated, very verbose, and very, very blunt.

Anyway, let’s move on from self-promotion and stop by Stars Hollow!

Season 1, Episode 10: “Forgiveness and Stuff”

Nothing teaches the importance of family like almost losing a loved one! Especially around Christmas!

This episode had some good acting and some good writing.

Taking off from the drama off last week's episode, “Forgiveness and Stuff” shows us the slow reparation between Lorelai and Rory, the stubbornness between Lorelai and Emily, and the deep unspoken nature of the love between Luke and Lorelai.

The first half of the episode is frustrating, but in a good way. Watching the stubborn nature of all three Gilmore Girls makes us want to scream “Just talk to each other already!” and while this is fun for a bit, if the episode had just been this endless cycle of non-conversation, I would have wanted to bore a drill bit into my skull. But luckily, Sherman-Palladino ends the cycle with the only thing powerful enough to stop a Gilmore Girl—the near death of their beloved patriarch.

But before we move on—can we talk about how weird it was that Dean talking to Lorelai is what helped her forgive Rory? Because that seems counter-intuitive. And also, why the heck are you taking advice from a 16-year-old boy that’s been dating your daughter like a hot month?

But I digress.

Richard’s almost death made me so teary-eyed there sometimes I barely could see what was going on. Richard has been a lovable character from the start and it’s no surprise that him being seriously ill would strike a chord with the audience. But this sequence of events isn’t just one ringing chord, it is an entire symphony, and the thing that makes it such a masterpiece is one thing: the use of silence.

There is such a heaviness and impact in every quiet moment, with the creme de la creme being the moment between Lorelai and her father. I had goosebumps, was on the edge of my seat wondering for the first time what the true complexity of Richard and Lorelai’s relationship was. The moment that Emily and the doctors walked in left me so upset and wanting. I want to know what she was going to say, I want to know what happened between them… but I guess it will have to wait for future episodes. Which is a good thing to feel when you’re watching a TV show.

This episode also showcases for the first time that Luke is much more than a passing crush/slow burn romance. Luke will be there for Lorelai no matter what. It was touching to see him try to sincerely talk with Emily, while trying to keep himself from passing out. It showcased that Luke will be around for the long haul, and will support Lorelai no matter the cost.

This episode was a great pallet cleanser to erase the past squabbles and transgressions of the episodes before in other to start the second half of the season with a clean slate. The family dynamic has shifted, meaning that the family conflicts will change as well and the vicious cycle of miscommunication will morph into something completely different.

With Richard eating healthier and all the Gilmore girls back on speaking terms…

On to Season 1, Episode 11: “Paris Is Burning”!