Lee Shallat Chemel Movies

Returning from London, Rory (Alexis Bledel) has a belated Christmas holiday with her family (cue the snow!) Unfortunately, her mind is still on her strained friendship with Lucy, who now "knows all" about her boyfriend Marty's previous relationship with Rory. Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson), still locked in a custody battle over his daughter April (Vanessa Marano), asks Lorelei (Lauren Graham) to write him a character reference--which proves to be yet another wake-up call for Lorelai regarding her not-so-dormant feelings about her former fiance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A minor issue causes friction between Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson), ultimately erupting into a big fight, just like in the "old days"--but that's a good thing as far Lorelai is concerned! Elsewhere, Paris (Liz Weil) is forced to break up with Doyle (Danny Strong) so that she can clear her mind and choose one of the many graduate schools that have accepted her. And Rory (Alexis Bledel) may well hold her entire future in her trembling hands, courtesy of a letter she has just received. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Emily's efforts to curtail Richard's diet is the topic of conversation at Friday Night Dinner--much to the relief of Lorelei (Lauren Graham), who would rather not discuss her breakup with Christopher. Elsewhere, at a birthday dinner for Logan (Matt Czuchry), Rory nervously seeks advice from Logan's dad Mitchum (Gregg Henry), while the "birthday boy"himself digests some bad news about a recent business venture. And Luke (Scott Patterson) gets a taste of "family togetherness" while temporarily bunking with new parents T.J. (Michael DeLuise) and Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the series finale of Gilmore Girls, Rory (Alexis Bledel) has shed herself of Logan and is planning a summer post-graduation trip with Lorelai (Lauren Graham). Those plans are abruptly shelved when Rory is offered a dream job as a political reporter--an event prologued by a surprise meeting with her idol, CNN correspondent Christian Amanpour. Faced with the inevitability of life without her daughter, Lorelai tries to keep busy so she won't break down. Elsewhere, the likelihood of a heavy rain finds Luke (Scott Patterson) making extra-special preparations for Rory's outdoor graduation party--and in the process, Lorelei at long last comes to her senses regarding her relationship with Luke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

At first balking over the notion of attending her mom Emily's annual cotillion dance (it'll be her first time ever!), Lorelei (Lauren Graham) changes her mind after realizing that her lifelong struggle to do exactly the opposite of what her parents want her to do may be the cause of all her troubles. Meanwhile, Christopher (David Sutcliffe) makes a confession to Lorelai that will shape the events of the coming weeks. In other developments, the distance between Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Logan (Matt Czuchry) may be a lot wider than the distance between Stars Hollow and London; and both Lane (Keiko Agena) and Zach (Todd Lowe) come to terms (sort of) with their impending parenthood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Though she puts on a great show of being happy about the marriage of Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Christopher (David Sutcliffe), Rory (Alexis Bledel) is seething with anger, which erupts during a bitter confrontation with Lorelai. Given the dark mood she's in, will Rory be able to handle the unexpected arrival of Logan (Matt Czuchry), who has some big news about his fledgling internet company? And later on, a medical emergency awakens Lorelai to the positive changes in the personality and behavior of her ex-fiance Luke (Scott Patterson). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Christopher (David Sutcliffe) takes daughter GiGi (Nicolette Collier) to Paris to visit her mom, Lorelei (Lauren Graham) goes along for the ride. The City of Light casts its inevitable romantic spell upon the visitiors--and when Lorelai and Christopher return to Stars Hollow, do THEY have a surprise for everyone! Meanwhile, Rory finishes her duties at the Yale Daily News and comes back home with friends Olivia (Michelle Ongkingco) and Lucy (Krysten Ritter) in tow. . .only to discover that Lucy is deeply involved with Rory's old friend Marty (Wayne Wilcox), whose behavior is off-putting to say the least. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Still another Friends wannabe, the UPN sitcom Random Years was set (where else?) in contemporary New York City. The focus was on three lifelong friends who, each seeking his own notion of lasting success, shared an apartment above a Chinatown restaurant. Alex (Will Friedle) worked as a low-level magazine researcher in hopes of someday becoming a music critic; Wiseman (Joshua Ackerman) was a woman-hungry dental technician; and Todd (Sean Murray) was the resident slacker, who preferred to watch (and analyze) cartoons 24 hours a day than to pursue any sort of meaningful occupation. The trio's lives were galvanized somewhat with the arrival of attractive next-door neighbor Casey (Natalia Cigliuti), an N.Y.U. Business School student. Random Years debuted March 5, 2002, in tandem with another new half-hour UPN series, As If. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, a heavy fog forces Danny (Bob Saget), Joey (David Coulier) and the girls to cancel their trip to Disneyland. Unfortunately, Jesse had hoped to take advantage of everyone else's absence to spend some quality time with his girlfriend Samantha (played by Chelsea Noble, who later became the sister-in-law of series regular Candace Cameron). Complaining over his utter lack of privacy, Jesse decides to move out and find a place of his own. (Trivia note: in this episode, the Olsen twins, who normally share the role of Michelle Tanner, appear together on-camera for the first time). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When "Wake Up San Francisco" goes on location to a horse farm, host Danny (Bob Saget) brings daughter DJ (Candace Cameron) along. Upon arrival, DJ is enchanted by an elderly horse named Rocket. Determined to have Rocket for herself, DJ and her friend Kimmy (Andrea Barber) secretly make arrangements to earn enough money to buy the horse; then, and only then, will she tell her dad about the purchase. Unfortunately, this requires DJ to spin a web of falsehoods to prevent Danny from finding out what she's up to. Nathan Nishiguchi makes his first series appearance as Stephanie's friend Harry Takyama, who insists upon calling her "Chief." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide