Gilmore Girls’ Best Path Forward Means Leaving Rory & Lorelai Behind

Gilmore Girls fans got closure with A Year in the Life in 2016, but the Netflix revival hasn’t stopped viewers from wanting more of the series. Unfortunately, its best path forward would be controversial, as it would totally upend the premise that sold viewers on the show in the first place.

Even after seven seasons of Gilmore Girls, fans weren’t satisfied with the ending of the original series. Given that creator Amy Sherman-Palladino wasn’t involved in the final outing, this made sense. And the questionable choices made in the final season didn’t help. (We’re all still fuming over Lorelai marrying Christopher in Paris, right?)

Sadly, while Netflix’s A Year in the Life set out to deliver a better conclusion, it also proved divisive. It may have been better than Gilmore Girls season 7’s ending, but not everyone was satisfied with Rory’s fate. Rory and Lorelai’s struggles also started to feel repetitive, and that’s why another spinoff or sequel would be risky.

There’s a way around that problem, and it was highlighted during a clip from the upcoming Drink Coffee: Talk Fast documentary celebrating the show’s 25th anniversary. However, continuing the series this way would likely invite criticism as well, since it would involve de-centering the two main characters.

The Best Gilmore Girls Spinoff Or Sequel Wouldn’t Be About Lorelai & Rory

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The first clip of Drink Coffee: Talk Fast shows the cast of Gilmore Girls reflecting on the series (via YouTube). And the hosts of the Buffy the Gilmore Slayer podcast discuss possible futures as well. While there’s always a chance of returning to Stars Hollow again through the Gilmores, Stacey Kulow believes any potential spinoffs or sequels should shift the focus away from Rory and Lorelai.

“I don’t need to see Rory and her baby,” Kulow explained. “I want to see what Stars Hollow was like in the ’60s.” To be fair, she has a point. Although it’s difficult to envision Gilmore Girls without Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel’s leads, it would be the right path forward for the franchise, assuming it ever continues.

The biggest problem with reboots and revivals is that they often tread familiar ground, making them feel forced and repetitive. Moving away from Rory and Lorelai solves this problem, allowing viewers to have fresh experiences from new perspectives. This is harder to do with characters who have undergone seasons of character growth, especially without reversing it.

In order to return to Rory’s and Lorelai’s narratives, the writers would need to inject new drama into their lives. This means hurting existing relationships and grappling with regression, things viewers often find frustrating. This is why A Year in the Life isn’t more well regarded, and if another continuation ever happens, it can learn from the Netflix series.

This Way Forward Solves The Biggest Problem With A Year In The Life

While certain elements of A Year in the Life are satisfying, the Netflix revival does have a tendency to feel repetitive. For one, it sees Rory going through the same existential crisis she has when she’s about to graduate Yale. This suggests little growth on her part. With nine years passing in-universe between the main show and the revival, that’s not ideal.

Lorelai also faces similar challenges, like her fear of commitment, and this leaves viewers to wonder what the point of continuing her story is. At the very least, A Year in the Life is tasked with making up for the issues surrounding season 7. Another spinoff won’t even have that goal, rendering it riskier.

And despite A Year in the Life ending on something of a cliffhanger, there’s no way forward that doesn’t repeat beats from the original Gilmore Girls. Rory appears to be following in Lorelai’s footsteps, and that means a show about her relationship with her child would be similar. The only difference would be her relationship with her own mother.

None of this inspires confidence in more Gilmore Girls, unless the franchise takes a big swing and ventures into new territory. Even though the show takes place in a small town, its colorful cast of characters does offer options on that front.

How The Franchise Could Expand Without Lorelai & Rory

Expanding the Gilmore Girls universe without Lorelai and Rory may seem unthinkable, but there are enough interesting side characters in the original show to make it work. Some of the ideas discussed in Drink Coffee: Talk Fast include a prequel centered on Emily and Richard, a spinoff about Miss Patty and Babette, and even an exploration of Dean and Jess’ futures.

Although something focused on Emily and Richard might lack the charm of a story set in Stars Hollow, Miss Patty and Babette are certainly eccentric enough to carry their own series. Dean and Jess also have entire fan bases who adore their characters, so those are viable options. (Indeed, Jess Mariano almost had his own spinoff back in the day.)

While the end of Gilmore Girls butchers Lane’s character, a series about her could prove an opportunity to fix her conclusion. Even Sookie would make a compelling lead, though there’s no telling if a star as famous as Melissa McCarthy would be willing to take that on.

The point is, there are options if Gilmore Girls ever were to continue. And depending on how close the timeline is to the original show, a Gilmore Girls spinoff about someone else could still feature Lorelai and Rory. It would be able to update us about their lives from the outside, rather than placing us back in their shoes and, thus, their same old problems.

Such A Huge Shift Would Make A Gilmore Girls Spinoff Or Sequel Controversial

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Leaving Lorelai and Rory behind might be the best way to expand the world of Gilmore Girls, but it would also prove a controversial move. After all, the charm of the original series stems from its lovable and unique mother-daughter dynamic. A spinoff or sequel would need a standout concept to match the appeal of the main show.

Even then, it’s likely viewers would balk at the notion of carrying on the franchise without Rory and Lorelai. Diehard fans won’t be on board with leaving them behind, while more casual viewers might not recognize side characters or care enough to invest in them.

Needless to say, this approach to a Gilmore Girls continuation is still iffy, even if it’s stronger than another straightforward sequel. For some, it would be best to just leave Gilmore Girls as it is now. A Year in the Life gives us ample information to be satisfied, and it’s open enough for fans to still imagine other outcomes if they choose.

Release Date

2000 – 2007-00-00

Network

The WB

Writers

Amy Sherman-Palladino