Although there are plenty of imperfectGilmore Girlsepisodes, there is only one that I would implore even super fans to skip on every re-watch.Gilmore Girlshas a great cast of characters, but the cult comedy-drama isn’t perfect. There are plot lines that lead nowhere, like Lorelai’s short-lived love interest Alex Lesman who simply vanished without explanation after a few appearances, and choices that feel bizarrely out of character. Some of the 2016 Netflix revivalGilmore Girls: A Year in the Lifeepisodesfeel like bad fan fiction, vaguely recapturing the show’s style but missing its heart.
However, there are fewGilmore Girlsepisodes I could live withoutentirely. Even the show’s weakest outings tend to have a couple of fun scenes, be it a great bit of comedic relief from Kirk or Sookie or an emotionally charged encounter between the main cast members. That said, I can think of one episode that has no place in the show’s canon. Surprisingly, this outing isn’t part of the divisive revival. Unsurprisingly, it does arrive in the middle of the widely dislikedGilmore Girlsseason 7.
Why I Always Skip Gilmore Girls Season 7’s “That’s What You Get, Folks, For Makin' Whoopee”
Lane’s Pregnancy Was The Worst Gilmore Girls In The Show’s History
Season 7, episode 2,“That’s What You Get, Folks, For Makin’ Whoopee,” is the worstGilmore Girlsepisode of all timeand I don’t even think any other outings come close. The episode’s primary plot follows the fallout from Lorelai sleeping with Christopher after finding out that Luke was hiding April’s existence from her throughout season 6, a plot that was tiresome at best. However, it is another subplot that truly drags down this outing. For all ofGilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’s flaws, the end of Lane’s character arc in this episode might be its worst moment.
After spending years establishing Lane as a rebellious woman who yearns for independence after a traditional upbringing,Gilmore Girlsdashed her ambitions in favor of motherhood that she resented before her baby was even born.
Lane returns from her honeymoon having lost her virginity, and she informs Rory that the sex she had with Zach was traumatically painful. This scene is played for laughs, a bizarre choice that already puts me on edge, but the punchline is that Lane becomes pregnant from this unpleasant experience and feels compelled to carry this pregnancy to term. After spending years establishing Lane as a bright, rebellious young woman who yearns for independence after a strict traditional upbringing,Gilmore Girlsdashed her ambitions in favor of motherhood that she resented before her baby was even born.
“That’s What You Get, Folks, For Makin' Whoopee” Shows Why Gilmore Girls Season 7 Is The Weakest
Lane’s Inexplicable Fate Seems Precision-Engineered To Upset Fans
While not every character needs to have a happy ending, the outcome of Lane’s story seems designed to be as upsetting as possible. This is a show that, after the heroine slept with a married Dean in one ofRory’s worstGilmore Girlsmoments, went out of its way to clarify that Dean ended up content and happy in the revival. In contrast, Lane loses touch with her music and ends up becoming a beleaguered, unfulfilled mother with an immature partner in her final appearances.
A Popular Gilmore Girls Character’s Return Is Now Less Likely Thanks To A Year In The Life
One of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’s worst mistakes was the revival making an iconic supporting character’s future return less likely.
Lane gradually turns into a clone of her bitter, close-minded mother as this plot progresses, a revelation that the show plays for laughs but that lands more in the realm of tragedy.Gilmore Girlspulled off some intentionally devastating moments throughout its run, but depicting this storyline as anything other than a deeply sad situation makes it the worst plot in the show’s history. As a result, I’d tell anyone re-watchingGilmore Girlsto skip this one.
