After a semi-disappointing last season (the show just wasn't the same without Amy Sherman-Palladino), Netflix has answered the pleas of unsatiated fans everywhere and "Gilmore Girls" is officially back for a four-part revival set to release some time in 2016. Given the copious amounts of cliffhangers and the length of time it's been since the show last aired, it's no surprise fans are abuzz with curiosity and expectations for the reboot. Because Sherman-Palladino and many of the actors from the series are confirmed to be reprising their roles, there is no doubt such high expectations are warranted. I'm not typically one to get excited about reboots, but where Alexis Bledel leads, I will follow. Here's some of the questions fans hope to see answered in the reboot:
1. Who will be Rory's love interest?
The entertainment industry hasn't seen such stark divisions in a fan base since the infamous Team Jacob vs. Team Edward schism until now, when "Gilmore Girls" fans are coming out of the woodwork pledging their allegiance to one of Rory's three prominent love interests: Dean, Jess, and Logan. With a new era of Gilmore upon us, its time that we shed our devotion to whichever guy we previously heralded as Rory's One True Soul Mate and acknowledge the fact that they were all criminally unworthy of her then, and most certainly are now. Palladino herself said that each of the guys in Rory's life were good for her during a specific point in her character development. Dean was the perfect shaggy haired new-boy-in-town to Rory's shy, bookish 16-year old self. Jess (my former fave who will always hold a special place in my heart) served as the perfect bad boy with a heart-of-gold trope to test Rory's potential for rebellion. Logan satisfied what Tristan was only able to give us inklings of: the high brow jokester that allowed Rory to explore her place in her grandparent's world that Lorelai so resented following Rory's collegiate transition. While it's unlikely a love interest won't be introduced at all, it's about time we acknowledge that Rory's plot line is plenty riveting without a love interest. I think we could all appreciate a new character introduction or at least some official acknowledgment of the romantic tension between Paris and Rory that we all know deserves to be end game.
2. Where Are They Now: Lorelai and Luke
I know I just got off my soapbox about how the Gilmore Girls are incredibly interesting despite the existence of a love interest but when an entire series builds up to a relationship between two characters and then leaves us with a cliffhanger, you can bet what question everyone is hoping to see answered. Although it remains unclear, everyone seems pretty confident that Luke and Lorelai will still be together in the series reboot, even Lauren Graham thinks so!
3. Will Sookie Be Returning?
Now that Melissa McCarthy has officially made it big, it's unclear as to whether or not she will be returning as her beloved character Sookie St. James in the revival of "Gilmore Girls". While many of the other main cast members have confirmed their return, fans are left guessing what will happen with Lorelai's best friend and business partner. Will she make the occasional guest appearance? Be written out entirely? Or will Sookie be played by a different actress all together? With such a devoted fanbase, the latter two options would likely not meet the high expectations fans have for the show. I've never been a fan of blatant actor replacements, although I understand they are necessary in a pinch. If McCarthy won't be returning whatsoever, I have full faith that Sherman-Palladino will handle the situation skillfully.
4. Will Rory Have Children?
Ever since Rory ran off to campaign for Barack Obama, fans have been curious where she would be now. While many reboots start off with the characters that were formerly children having kids of their own, I think it would be a crime to start off the new edition of "Gilmore Girls" with Rory already having become a mother. Although many lament the thought of Rory as a mother because they hope to see her explore career developments and love interests, if "Gilmore Girls" has taught us anything, it's that motherhood and independence are not mutually exclusive. If Rory were to start the show with children, it could deprive the audience of witnessing the endlessly interesting plot lines that could occur with Rory's first pregnancy. Also, I have a feeling such a sentimental occasion would call for a rare Lorelai flashback to her teen days, which were always some of my favorite episodes.
5. Will the Infamous "Four Words" Finally Be Revealed?
Due to contract issues, Sherman-Palladino wasn't involved with "Gilmore Girls" for its seventh and final season. She's expressed disappointment in not being able to end the show on her own terms and had always hoped for a call to come on for the last episode. One of the most difficult parts of the show's resolution for fans was that we never did discover the final "four words" Sherman-Palladino always planned on ending the series with. Although the fact that she never did reveal what those four words were was excruciating, the reboot provides hope for an anticipated reunion and second chance at a resolution.
The fact is that Sherman-Palladino and many of the original cast suggest that longtime fans of the show will be more than satisfied by the "Gilmore Girls" revival. Now all we have to do is wait!
What are you hoping to see in the new episodes?
