6.22: "Partings"

And there it was.

First off, let me respond to the cliffhangers. The Luke/Lorelai/Chris cliffie at least left room for David Rosenthal to write his way out of the corner next season. There's a little bit of wiggle room; let's just see what he does with it.

The Rory/Logan cliffhanger was, to me, less of a "oh, no; how's this scene going to play out when it finishes" (like last year's proposal, where the scene was obviously not finished, and would pick up at the exact moment it left off) as it was a "how's this going to affect next season?" We know that Matt Czuchry has signed on for 13 episodes next season--same as this year--so he'll be a constant presence. Whether that's because Logan comes back early, or Rory spends time in London when she can, or they visit lots, or there are lots of phone calls... that's more the cliffhanger.

Now. A few favorites?

Best comic moment: Emily's line to the maid. "Have I fired you yet?" "No." "Hmmm." That was priceless!! I laughed so hard, I think I missed the entire opening of the next scene.

Best sweet moment: Logan and Rory's "I love you, Ace." "That's so much better than, 'Say hi to Will and Harry.'" But more on Logan and Rory in a minute...

Okay. Seriously. Why does Taylor get significant C-plots for the past two season finales? First the bike race, now the troubadors? There must be something in Michael Winters' contract, because I can't explain it otherwise. I'd rather have seen a C-plot with Lane, Paris, Sookie, or even more Colin and Finn. Any of those options would have been far preferable... Although I did enjoy seeing Danny P. in what must have been one of Amy's stolen hats.

I missed my Lorelai/Rory scenes. They had so little interaction during this episode--and I suppose that reflects the season as a whole, but I still wanted to see more. I understand the lack--it didn't really fit into either of the main plots--but it would have been nice. I also wanted to see Logan in his cap and gown. Not necessarily walking across the stage, because that would be too big of a scene for a secondary character, but with all Rory's pictures, I wanted her to try and get a picture of the proud girlfriend and her graduate.

As for Luke and Lorelai--I thought that Lorelai's speeches, both to Lynny (Lynny?! Is this a reincarnation of Lynny Lott?) and to Luke were excellent--but they needed to happen about 6 episodes ago. This is what we've been waiting to see, and if she had dealt with it earlier, it wouldn't have become such a showdown or an ultimatum.

I did like, though, that the first conversation was a summary of their relationship, as well as her fears and trepidations--the past, if you will; the second was the push into the future. Again, I wish it had taken a less disastrous turn, but it was a good summary.

I found it interesting that she said that she realized that Luke loved Rory during his rant in 5.22. I would have thought that she'd seen it before, and that was just an example of the depth of his love for both of them, but apparently, that was the first time she saw it? Maybe it was just the heat of emotion talking, but I wasn't sure I bought that.

Honestly... I don't have too much to say about them. I'm holding onto my optimism until next season, because it has to get better, but I'm not going to beat myself up over it all summer. I'll keep acting like they're going to happen, and like it's an inevitability, but I probably won't analyze it to death, or write fics about it, or whatever. I'll read them, and I'll cling to the hope that some of those very talented writers can portray, but in some ways, they're losing me.

I won't go so far as to say that I hope that Lorelai and Chris get together, because that would be the worst thing that could happen to her, but as much as I love Luke and Lorelai, I'm not as invested in Lorelai as a person, and therefore not quite as invested in her relationships.

Now, for the other two... I've got to say it. Logan is growing on me a lot lately--I didn't outright hate him at first, although at the beginning of season 6, he was probably my least favorite character. Lately, though, I've been impressed with what I've seen, and with their growth. Logan has grown on me because I love Rory--because she's like my friend, and I want to see her be happy, I'm okay with Logan. He's working at their relationship, and lately, he's been pushing her to work at it, too.

Favorite Rory/Logan moment of the finale? Most significant, actually, as opposed to "favorite": Logan paying for another year on the apartment for her.

That was the biggest commitment yet on his part--even more, in some ways, than him asking her to move in with him. It was his declaration that this was their house, and that he didn't want her to go back, either to Stars Hollow, or to Paris' apartment, or to some other place--he wanted her to stay there, even if he wasn't. Not because it was convenient, or because she needed a house, or because there was no other place to go, but because it's the start of building their life.

It was a huge investment in their relationship, on his part, and it was a tangible demonstration of his commitment through the year of their separation. She's still in their place until she graduates, and then... who knows. There's the possiblity that they could live in that apartment together again, or that they could go somewhere else, or... it's open from there. But that commitment said more than just that he wanted to make sure she had a place to live--it said that he wanted her to stay in the relationship, and that he was going to be there, too, even when he wasn't physically there.

To me, the difference between Rory/Logan and Luke/Lorelai was that, while R/L's scenes were heart-wrenchingly sad, they were hopeful, too. This is the most adult we've ever seen them, and that made me hopeful for their future. It was closing the door on one chapter of their relationship, and now we'll have to wait to see what the next chapter holds. That kind of transition, or "parting," if you will, is the kind that comes naturally with growing up, and it holds all kinds of bittersweetness. It's an end, but not nearly as traumatic as... well, you know.

And Alexis and Matt were on last night! Seriously--they had some of the best chemistry I've ever seen from them, as well as the strongest acting individually. I bought them both completely, and comparing Rory's breakdown at the end of 5.22 to the end of 6.22 was like night and day--some of her worst vs. some of her best acting.

But, that's that, and hopefully what is widely considered to be the worst GG season yet is behind us. I didn't think that it was quite as craporamic as some people thought, but it was definitely weaker than some. Just repeat after me: "There's nowhere to go but up." After that first week in September, everything will be back on track, and things will get back to normal.

End of Season...

... and the cliff-hanger didn't hang enough for me. I feel like I know how season 7 will start.

Reaches way down deep

And tonight is it.

The much dreaded, much anticipated, much discussed season finale.

I'm too spoiled for my own good, even though I tried to reform my ways about a month ago, but in the interest of not spoiling anyone else, let me just say...

It's called a "cliffhanger" for a reason. The story isn't finished yet.

Now--I think I'm less distraught over the possibilities because I care more about Rory than many Luke/Lorelai shippers do. There are many people, especially where I hang out, for whom Lorelai and her relationships (especially with Luke) are the be-all and end-all of the show. Don't get me wrong--I love Luke and Lorelai as much as the next person, but they're not the whole show for me.

To me, though, Rory is like a friend. I love her dearly, even when she's making dumb choices, and I really resonate with her, and for that, I'm as invested in her storylines as in Lorelai's.

Someone commented that she's completely unrelatable--that they don't know any young adults who have committed adultery with a married ex, or who have committed a felony. For me... I agree--I've never done that--but I can totally relate to the underlying issues. I can relate to being a college student, finding a new sense of "home," losing first loves, trying to find a niche, dealing with disappointment, searching for that perfect career, reshaping dreams... those are all parts of her underlying conflicts that are expressed in extreme and maybe unbelievable ways, but still--the core is there, and that's what I relate to.

So, with that... I'm looking forward to tonight, with a mix of apprehension and excitement, and I'll try and be better about posting my thoughts on the finale and the season in general, as well as my hopes for season 7!