Gilmore Girls: Complete Second Season [DVD] [2003] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

The second season of "Gilmore Girls" is when a lot of things did not happen to Lorelai Gilmore. It started with Lorelai not marrying Max ("Red Light on the Wedding Night") and ended with her not marrying Christopher ("I Can't Get Started"), but Sookie got married so at least there was some progress in that area, although the duo's plan to open an inn together hits a major roadblock ("The Ins and Outs of Inns"). Of course, the most important thing that did not happen to Lorelai was that she manages to really notice Luke despite the fact he is pretty much there in front of her every morning at the diner. Clearly the creators of "Gilmore Girls" remember what happened to "Moonlighting" once Dave and Maddie stopped bantering and started kissing and other things, so the agenda is to put off the inevitable for as long as possible. So even if it is obvious to everyone else in Stars Hollow (to wit, Emily), does not mean that Lorelai has a clue.

As for Rory, her junior year at Chilton has its ups and downs. and not just because of Paris. The ups would be "The Road Trip to Harvard" and making her society debut ("Presenting Lorelai Gilmore"), while the downside would be the rift between her and her grandfather because of Dean ("Sadie, Sadie") and the problems with Dean because of Jess ("There's the Rub" and "A-Tisket, A-Tasket"). If anything, the common denominator is to make sure that none of the Gilmore women are happy, which means Rory is mad at Lorelai for blaming Jess for the accident ("Help Wanted," Lorelai is mad at Emily for arranging their going to a spa together ("There's the Rub") and Emily is mad at Richard for quitting his job without consulting here ("The Bracebridge Dinner"). What? You thought Emily was going to be mad at Rory? Are you kidding? Have you not been watching this show?

For me the fascinating part is watching the yang of Lorelai and Emily's relationship compared to the yin of the Lorelai and Rory dynamic. For me some of the most memorable moments from season two are when Emily orders Richard to make up with Rory because if their granddaughter ever gets married she to know about it (Lorelai did not tell her parents about her engagement to Max) and the look on her parent's face with Lorelai gets her business school diploma ("Lorelai's Graduation Day"). But then a good rule of thumb is anytime we see a chink in Emily's armor it is a moment that will be hard to forget. I am still trying to make up my mind as to whether or not Lorelai has an even more strained relationship with her father than her mother, given his visit to her place of work ("Richard in Stars Hollow") and her visit to his new office ("Help Wanted"). I am certainly leaning in that direction, but it is still open to debate.

But overall the two emotional highpoints of the second season finding Lorelai giving and then receiving as good as she gets. The giving happens in "Teach Me Tonight" when a totally distraught Lorelai goes after Luke because of the car accident where Rory gets hurt (slightly hurt, but hurt is hurt, and there is a cast on her arm, mister), creating a serious rift in their relationship. The receiving is two episodes later in "Lorelai's Graduation Day" when Rory misses the big event and offers the most high speed combined heartfelt apology and verbal self-flagellation in television history (I agree with her, I think she had a stroke or something).

My strong affection for high-speed dialogue can be traced from "Gilmore Girls" back to "Moonlight" and beyond to "The Thing From Another World" and any movie starring Groucho Marx. Equally as strong is my enjoyment of gratuitous pop culture references, especially as manifested in "The Simpsons" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." So to have a series that combines both of these elements and provides deleted scenes on the DVD is one of those absolute joys you hear so much about (although my wife is tired of me explaining all of the references, allusions, and impromptu name dropping). Then again, while I knew from the start that Carole King was singing the show's theme song "Where You Lead" with her daughter Louis Goffin, I only recently figure out they had re-recorded the song with some of the lines changed to better fit the show (No, I do not fast forward through the title sequence; I always listen to the song).

I am also pleased to see that the "Gilmore Girls" is being seen around the world, although I have to wonder how the pop culture references translate into out cultures (I have no doubt people can speak real fast in any language). But you can see "Gilmore Girls" now from Argentina (the current season is on the Warner Channel Thursdays at 21:00 with past seasons shown weekdays at 11:30 and 16:30) to the United Kingdom (Sundays at 18:00 on Nickeloden U.K.). It is nice to think that Stars Hollow's madonna and child have gone international.

This was such a great season for Gilmore Girls... But this isnt a review I noticed the page for this item is seriously lacking in the information department so here is what I know.

The 22 episodes (976 mins) will be released in a 6 disc set with full frame (1.33:1) video, and English stereo audio (English, French, Spanish subtitles). The set also sports some interesting special features:

!Deleted Scenes

!International Success - a look at Gilmore Girls in various territories.

!A Film by Kirk

!Gilmore Goodies & Gossip: On-screen factiods appear during one episode

!Who Wants To Argue: A montage of season two's greatest fights

More proof that entertainment can be great even without a lot of heavy sexual overtones. Thanks, Warner Brothers. A brief episode guide:

01 Sadie, Sadie: Lorelai considers Max's wedding proposal.
02 Hammers and Veils: While Lorelai thinks about her wedding. Rory's extracurricular activities interfere with her romance with Dean.
03 Red Light on the Wedding Night: Sookie has a bachelorette party for Lorelai. Emily's stories make Lorelai think about what she really wants.
04 Road Trip to Harvard: Rory and Lorelai go on a road trip to Harvard University.
05 Nick & Nora/Sid& Nancy: Luke's teenaged nephew comes to live withhim.
06 Presenting Lorelai Gilmore: Emily asks Rory to make her debut at a Debutante Ball.
07 Like Mother, Like Daughter: Rory gets into an exclusive clique; Lorelai and Emily model matching outfits at a fashion show.
08 The Ins and Outs of Inns: Lorelai and Sookie decide to open their own inn.
09 Run Away, Little Boy: Rory is cast as Juliet in a class play and Dean is not happy about Tristin being selected to play Romeo.
10 The Bracebridge Dinner: When a blizzard causes a group to cancel for a historical dinner at the end, Lorelai invites friends to take their place.
11 Secrets and Loans: Lorelia doesn't have the money to treat her home for termits. Rory tells Emily, who offers a loan.
12 Richard in Stars Hollow: Richard tries to get used to retirement.
13 A-Tisket, A-Tasket: At a picnic basket auction, Jess outbids Dean for Rory's basket.
14 It Should've Been Lorelai: When Christopher shows up with a new girlfriend, Emily is upset that Lorelai and Christopher's relationship didn't work out.
15 Lost and Found: Rory loses the bracelet Dean made for her and accuses Jess. Luke wants more living space.
16 There's the Rub: Emily and Lorelai go to a spa.Rory is home alone.
17 Dead Uncles and Vegetables: Luke has to make funeral arrangements for his uncle.
18 Back in the Saddle: Richard decides to start a second career after helping Rory with a school project.
19 Teach Me Tonight: Rory helps Jess with his study, but they go for a drive and get into an accident.
20 Help Wanted: Lorelai volunteers to help Richard set up his consulting business. Lane decides to become a drummer.
21 Lorelai's Graduation: Richard and Emily show up for the ceremony, but Rory goes to New York with Jess.
22 I Can't Get Started: Christopher comes to town and decides to stay for Sookie's wedding. Lorelai finds out that he and his new girlfriend have broken up.