Gilmore Girls Series Finale Recap: Bon Voyage

A round of applause and a very special thanks to Whirl for her weekly recaps of GILMORE GIRLS.  Sadly, this is the last recap as the world of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore ends…well as least as we know it.  They will always live on in our hearts.  Where you lead…I will follow.

I haven’t yet had a chance to watch last night’s episode, but I will later on tonight…armed with a box of kleenex, because there will be crying – oh yes, there will be crying.

Title: “Bon Voyage”
Original Airdate (Season Finale Date): May 15, 2007
GMMR Recapper: Whirl

Well it’s hard to believe but it’s true, Gilmore Girls has ended. After 7 years, amazing characters, a rocky season and the beauty that was Luke Danes it’s time to say goodbye. I’m happy to say they did it better then I imagined, so let’s get to it shall we?

Lorelai drives up to the Dragonfly Inn pulling along a pajama clad Rory. Seems Christina Amanpour, a fancy CNN correspondent is staying at the Inn and Lorelai wants to show Rory.  Too bad her daughter didn’t believe her so she didn’t change out of said pajamas. Michel begs Lorelai not to embarrass herself by approaching Amanpour but she does it anyway. It goes smoothly and she introduces her to Rory who is awe struck. Of course Mz. Fancy Newspaper Lady is impressed by the young prodigy so she hands over her card and suggest Rory send her some writing samples before she heads out to catch her cab. Okay really…I want Rory’s life.

Back at home Rory is stamping envelopes and Lorelai is planning their road trip. Mother and daughter are heading cross country to ride on different roller coasters. I wasn’t aware of their speed fascination but okay then. That is why Rory is stamping envelopes, she’s sending out over 70 resumes so she can relax on the trip. The ladies turn their attention to the status of their love lives. Rory is having a hard time with the Logan break-up, the heartache is coming in waves, but Lor promises it will only get better. I haven’t broken up with a lot of millionaire heartthrobs who wanted to marry me so I’m no help on this topic. As for Luke (sigh) Lorelai is certain they’re done because he hasn’t reciprocated to any moment where she’s put herself out there. She wants a guy who can show that he loves her, and beside they’re better as friends. Oh and Lor has just told Rory about her big town square graduation reenactment ceremony/party. To say Rory isn’t happy about it is putting it mildly.

Liz has come into the diner to see Luke, because Doula has missed him. Who wouldn’t?  Actually she wants to pawn off her kid for a couple hours and get something nice to wear to Rory’s party. Luke’s too busy ordering the food and getting things ready so he can’t look after his niece. Liz wants to know what the deal is with him and Loreali, but he insists that nothing is going on. If those two aren’t married with 2.5 babies in the next 45 minutes I will be most unimpressed.

Friday night dinner and Rory’s not there, at least not yet. She met with that online magazine guy Hugo Gray for drinks, hoping to make more contacts on the job scene. Emily is not impressed about it and hopes the girls will stick around for after dinner drinks to make up for it, Lorelai gives a maybe…which universally means no. Also Emily thinks that Lor should add a spa to the services they have at the Inn, but Lor says she’ll “think about it”. Again this means no.

Before they can chat anymore Rory rushes inn all excited, she got a job. Say wha? Not only that but she leaves in 3 days of Iowa. One of Hugo’s writers dropped out of following Barak Obama on the campaign trail so Rory took the job, so she’ll be traveling the country on Obama’s campaign trail. Fancy! Richard is excited, Emily is nervous, and Lorelai puts on a brave face but she just looks scared. Lor promises that they’ll stay for drinks after dinner.

In the morning the girls stop in at Luke’s before hunting for all the things Rory will need for her tour of duty. When Lorelai lets Luke know that the party must be cancelled Kirk overhears and is crushed. Actually everyone is crushed by it. I think more crushed that there is no party then the fact that Rory’s leaving.

Luke’s at the Inn to see Sookie, he wants to throw the party anyway the next night as a surprise for Rory. And for Lorelai? Yes, and for Lorelai too. This gets Sookie very excited, not only for the party but for Luke’s grand gesture. Think he doesn’t love you now Lorelai? Just you wait.

Lorelai and Rory are working on their to do list and decide to stop by Miss Patty’s to see if she has a seat cushion Rory can borrow. The girls are surprised to find the door locked and Miss Patty reluctant to let them in after making up an excuse. Confused the girls head on their way, no realizing most of the important town folk are hiding in the darkness. It’s an impromptu and unofficial town meeting to get this party started. Everyone bands together willing to do whatever it takes, well everyone except Taylor but that is to be expected.

In the town square Rory and Lorelai are having a lengthy debate over whether or not Rory should take a fanny pack with her. Oh God no. Meanwhile people have started carrying things in for the party, realized the girls are standing right in front of them and moved them out again. The ladies never notice as they head their separate ways, Lorelai to do more errands and Rory to spend some time with Lane.

Lane and Rory are spending some quality time on Lane’s porch reminiscing about their younger days. Zack pulls her inside saying that they need to get Rory home because they can’t set up the town square for the party if she’s sitting outside. Lane isn’t getting pushed around, because it’s her last night with her best friend, so if it has to wait it has to wait. When Lane goes back outside Rory has had 2 minutes to digest what is happening and she’s starting to freak out. Also she’s upset that Lorelai isn’t upset, shouldn’t she be sad that her daughter is leaving? God Rory, don’t you know your mother at all? It’s classic Lorelai behavior. Lane assures her that Lorelai is probably holding it in and that Rory will do wonderful. Rory hates that everyone assumes that she’ll do amazing, it’s too much pressure. What if she is a horrible reporter? Well people know you and they know that if you aren’t great at first that you’ll work at getting better. Rory thanks Lane for her friendship and that even though she doesn’t technically have a sister, she’s always felt like she had one. Lane agrees. No I can’t start crying already, do not do this to me already!

Rory comes home to find Lorelai ironing all of her daughter’s clothes so they’ll all fit in her suitcase. Rory tells her mother that she doesn’t get how she can be okay with everything. Lorelai just says that it’s too soon. If she starts to think about it she’ll fall apart and she can’t do that right now. It’s too soon. Rory helps her mother iron and I just clutch my Kleenex box a little tighter.

Everyone in town is setting up for the party and Luke is running the show. Babette comes running up saying that her ankles have swelled up so you know what that means! She’s pregnant? Nope, it means rain and her ankles never lie. There is no where to move the party and its 1am, too late to find a tent to use. Looks like the party is off, but it was a nice idea.

In the middle of the night Lorelai has come into Rory’s bedroom. She sits on the edge of her bed, tucks her in and just touches her daughter. The range of emotions that go across her face is beyond moving and I’m sobbing at this point.

Luke’s in the diner sewing what looks like tents together. Are you kidding me? The man is making a giant tarp. Why oh why are you a fictional character? He reaches into a drawer to find some scissors and pulls out the box containing the necklace he got for Lorelai. Looking thoughtful he sticks the box in his back pocket.

True to Babette’s ankles it’s pouring down rain. Rory is upset that she can’t get a hold of anyone in town. They realize why when they drive up to the square. There is a patchwork tarp and everyone in town is underneath clapping, holding signs and cheering. Rory asks her mother if she did it but she admits she had no idea. The camera pans to the faces of all the towns’ people we love and I can’t help it I’m a blubbering mess. Kirk presents Rory with a sash that bares her name. He made it himself out of some of his mother’s nightgowns and poor Rory is delighted/disgusted. Ladies and Gentleman may I present Kirk, hands down one of the greatest characters of all time!

Lorelai spots her parent so he heads over to talk to them. Richard thinks the whole event is not only a testament to Rory but to Lorelai as well and the life she has built in this town. Richard says that he regrets…Emily interrupts telling him not to get too emotional blah blah but Lorelai gets what he is trying to say. We all do. And it’s beautiful. Will I ever stop crying? Emily wants to know if Lorelai thought anymore about the spa idea but Lorelai says it’s just not her thing.

Rory takes the stage to make a speech but has a hard time talking about the town as thanks them for all they’ve done over the years for her. But really she wants to thank her mother, who is everything to her. Lorelai just cries along with her daughter. Speech finished its time to get the party going.

The party is well beyond full swing so Lor tries to get some food but is pulled aside by her mother who says its time for her and Richard to go. Emily suggests getting an outdoor tennis court for the Inn, her and Richard would even lend her the money for it. Oh I see what Emily is doing. Lor suggest that they discuss this topic at Friday night dinner. Emily is surprised and delighted her daughter is still going to come but Lor says she’s just gotten used to it. Richard approaches with Rory and they get ready to say their goodbyes. Any hope of my tears stopping is vanished when Emily says: “It’s a pleasure to be your grandmother Rory Gilmore.” This episode is just too perfect, why must it end?

Once Lorelai is alone Sookie lets her know all that Luke did to make this party happen. Right away Lor heads to find him passing all our great Star’s Hollow characters doing what they do best, being themselves. Where have these writers been all season long? The rain has stopped and Lor catches Luke as he exits the diner. She thanks him for everything but he says it was nothing. She just gives him that look and he says that one thing every woman wants to hear:  “I just like to see you happy.” After that they gravitate into a kiss (Hallelujah) as the camera pans to the crowd partying away in the distance.

The next morning at 5am and Rory is packed and ready to go. Lorelai admits that she feels cheated; she thought that she had all summer to instill some wisdom into her daughter about the working world. She starts spouting off information: Don’t be to shy. Don’t wear shorts. Don’t sit at the front of the bus. Rory stops her, assuring her mother that she’s given her everything that she needs. Lor says its time to head out but Rory says it’s too early. Actually they have one last stop to make.

The girls are sitting at Luke’s, thanking him for opening just for them. Luke and Lorelai flirt with each other and Rory (and the entire world) can’t help but notice. As Luke heads to the back to fix their food Rory compliments her mother on the necklace she is wearing. Awww…it’s the Luke necklace! The camera pulls out as we watch mother and daughter banter away one last time and Luke in the backround. End scene/season/series.

That’s a wrap folks. I have to admit it ended a lot better then I had anticipated. It’s nice to know that the last episode was able to hold up to the shows original standards. Star’s Hollow was an amazing place to hang out in for an hour every week and it will be greatly missed.

In the meantime thanks to any and everyone who ever read the GG recaps. It’s been a blast to do and I enjoyed ever moment of it. Well mostly 😉 And certainly a massive thank you to GMMR for the faith and the fun. Now I need to figure out something to do on Tuesday nights. Maybe bowling? See you on the flip side.