I was wary. I've seen the Netflix remakes crash and burn (see: Arrested Development and Fuller House). I've been a lifelong Gilmore Girls fan and I just wanted it to be done right.
Gilmore Girls: A Day In The Life takes place at a point in time where Rory is the same age as her mother was when the series began. Jet-setting between London and Stars Hollow while trying (and failing) to keep hold of a burgeoning journalism career, Rory draws deep contrasts between 32-year-old Lorelai and herself.
The reboot is split between Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn, and wastes no time throwing viewers back into the lives of a post-Richard Gilmore Girls universe. The issue of Edward Hermann's death was bound to weigh heavily on the reboot but I'm sure I've never seen an actor's death handled quite so beautifully.
Many times, when a central character dies, they are explained away with a clunky story arc or replacement actor. The death of Richard Gilmore, however, is made a central theme. We are confronted with realistic depictions of grief, heartbreak and humor in the face of deep sadness.
Lorelai, as the only daughter Emily and Richard, realistically depicts the emotional complexity of the loss of a parent with whom a relationship is strained.
Despite having the huge responsibility of handling the death of a major character, Gilmore Girls holds firm to its deeply original brand of humor. We are re-introduced to characters like Kirk, Lane, Taylor, Babette, Michele and others.
We also get updated pop culture references that are, at times, ham fisted (Zoella?!) but always a reminder that this is Gilmore Girls gen 2.
Of course, the internet has been alight with accusations that Rory and Lorelai may not actually be good people, and to that I say, "so?". As far as the Gilmore Girls are concerned, I don't think they have ever intended to portray these women as moral pillars. Rory did sleep with a married Dean, and Lorelai constantly demonstrates poor judgment throughout the show's 7-year run.
The point is not that these women should be perfect. It's that, anyone with delusions that fictional characters cannot be anti-heroes (see HTGAWM), or in this case just deeply flawed, has a lot to learn about....everything probably.
Gilmore Girls: A Day In The Life is thoughtful, funny, sweet, and a perfect reminder that nothing beats strong female leads. As a lifelong GG fan, and one who cried intermittently throughout A Year In The Life, I couldn't have imagined Netflix doing a better job with it.
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