Amy Sherman-Palladino Movies

If nothing else, the extremely shortlived Fox comedy series The Return of Jezebel James will make a nice answer to the trivia question "In what 2008 TV show did the title character never appear?" Indie-film favorite Parker Posey starred as Sarah Thomkins, a successful editor of children's books. Recently divorced and presently involved with with handsome business executive Marcus Sonti (Scott Cohen), Sarah wanted more than anything to have a baby, but the doctors had told her that she was unable to conceive. In desperation, Sarah sought out her long-estranged younger sister Coco (Lauren Ambrose) and asked her to be a surrogate mother. At first the freespirited Coco refused, but finally acquiesced when Sarah informed her that she had transformed "Jezebel James", Coco's childhood imaginary friend, into the heroine of a new series of kiddie books. In one fell swoop, the nonexistent Jezebel went from the wedge that had driven the sisters apart, to the link that brought them back together. Outside of the above mentioned actors, the only other series regulars of consequence were Ron McLarty as Sarah and Coco's dad Ronald and Michael Arden as Sarah's obsequious assistant Buddy. Quirky to the point of irritation, The Return of Jezebel James was cancelled three weeks after its debut on March 14, 2008. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Health issues dominate this episode, as Lorelai (Lauren Graham) becomes Emily's (Kelly Bishop) chauffeur after the latter's eye surgery, and Rory (Alexis Bledel) tends to Logan's every need upon his return from the hospital. Though physically on the mend, Logan (Matt Czuchry) suffers emotionally when he reads a scathing newspaper interview granted by his father Mitchum. Elsewhere, Luke (Scott Patterson) finds out that his sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) is pregnant; Jackson (Jackson Douglas) and Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) must quickly dispose of a marijuana crop left behind by his former employees; and a surprise gift from her parents knocks Lorelai for a loop. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hoping to make amends to her parents for accepting Christopher's help in paying for Rory's tuition, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) suggests that Emily (Kelly Bishop) reinstate her traditional Friday Night Dinner. Meanwhile, Lorelai has trouble pretending she doesn't mind that Luke (Scott Patterson) is spending more time with his daughter April (Vanessa Marano) than with her; and the Yale newspaper staff walks out on the insufferable Paris (Liza Weil), forcing Rory to break her reconciliation date with Logan (Matt Czuchry) in order to meet the deadline. Thus, by the time the first of the "new" Friday Night Dinners gets under way, there are plenty of hot potatoes on the table. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Picking up where the previous season left off, season six of Gilmore Girls begins as Stars Hollow innkeeper Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) takes the initiative in her love life by proposing marriage to taciturn diner owner Luke Danes (Scott Patterson). Although he accepts, his subsequent hemming and hawing whenever the subject of a wedding date is brought up will dictate much of the action this season, culminating in a jaw-dropping cliffhanger finale involving Christopher Hayden (David Sutcliffe), who as everyone knows, is the father of Lorelai's college-age daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel).
Unfortunately, Lorelei and Rory aren't on speaking terms as the season begins, mainly because Rory has decided to drop out of Yale University -- and, incidentally, has run afoul of the law for the first time in her life, requiring her to perform 300 hours' community service. Happily, Rory finally agrees to return to Yale, taking over the editor's post at the campus newspaper when her roommate Paris (Liza Weil) is ousted in a "coup." Throughout the season, the relationship between Rory and her wealthy student boyfriend Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchry) is a shaky one, especially after she learns of his various infidelities while speaking to the bridesmaids at his sister's wedding. Rory and Logan are reunited when she nurses him back to health after he is seriously injured in a stunt performed for the secret campus clique "The Life and Death Brigade." However, the couple's future is placed in jeopardy when Logan's father, powerful publisher Mitchum Huntzberger (Gregg Henry), forces the boy to take a job at his London newspaper. In other season six news, Lorelai's estranged parents Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) have decided to give their marriage a second chance -- and, much to their daughter's dismay, have elected to move to Stars Hollow; Lorelai's business partner Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) again copes with her responsibilities of new motherhood; Luke's ditsy sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) becomes pregnant by her oafish husband T.J. (Michael DeLuise); and Rory's rock-musician friend Lane Kim (Keiko Agena), now reconciled with her conservative mother Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda), weds Zach (Todd Lowe), a member of her band, in the oddest ceremony of the 2005-2006 season. This year represents Gilmore Girls' last stand on the WB network; henceforth, the show would be seen on the brand new CW hookup. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Although Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson) have split up, the two quarrelling sweethearts are forced into close proximity by a high-school production of Fiddler on the Roof, for which Luke is building sets and Lorelai is sewing costumes. Meanwhile at Yale, Logan (Matt Czuchry) invites Rory (Alexis Bledel) to dinner with his friends; will she accept, or will she choose instead to spend her time watching Marx Brothers movies with Marty (Wayne Wilcox)? Oh, and did we mention that the mercurial Kirk (Sean Gunn) has gotten himself "married" to a ten-year-old? (It sounds far worse than it is.) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rory (Alexis Bledel) faces her upcoming 21st birthday with sadness, resigned to the fact that mother Lorelei (Lauren Graham) will not attend. Meanwhile, her grandfather Richard (Edward Herrmann) wants Rory and to make up with Lorelai -- but only so that Rory will be persuaded to return to Yale. Meanwhile, the depth of the relationship between Rory and Logan (Matt Czuchry) continues to be a source of anxiety for both Richard and his wife Emily (Kelly Bishop). Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright appears as herself (in a nightmare sequence!). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Still reeling over the negative comments of Logan's father, Rory (Alexis Bledel) impulsively steals a boat -- but this act of rebellion pales in comparison to her decision concerning her future at Yale. Elsewhere, Luke (Scott Patterson) frets over the possibility that the Dragonfly may be sold; Lane (Keiko Agena) receives help from an unexpected source when her band is on the verge of breaking up; and Stars Hollow is invaded by bikers. This final episode of Gilmore Girls' final season ends on a cliffhanger, as Lorelai (Lauren Graham) asks Luke a very important question. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

While spending spring break in Florida, Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Paris (Liza Weil) are unexpectedly reunited with their former Chilton classmates Louise Grant (Teal Redmann) and Madeline Lynn (Shelley Cole), both seasoned veterans of the traditional student bash. Back in chilly Stars Hollow, Jason (Christopher Eigeman) surprises Lorelai (Lauren Graham) with a token of his affection, even as Luke (Scott Patterson) is in sight of a final breakup with Nicole. But it's not a friendly breakup -- "breakup" being literally the case when Luke takes revenge upon Nicole's newest sweetie and ends up in jail as a result. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Newly divorced, Luke (Scott Patterson) realizes with startling suddenness that there is only one woman in the world for him (guess who?) Elsewhere, Rory (Alexis Bledel) worries that she might be the cause of the disintegrating marriage of Dean and Lindsay. Luke's daffy sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) and her oafish beau T.J. (Michael DeLuise) decide to tie the knot in Stars Hollow. And when Professor Fleming (Michael York) is rushed to the E.R. with chest pains, Paris (Liza Weil) begins to question the wisdom of continuing her romance with him -- not so much because of the difference in ages, but because she appears to be the latest in a long line of casual campus affairs for the good professor. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is so preoccupied with getting the Dragonfly up and running, and Rory (Alexis Bledel) is so busy trying to catch up with her college class work, that the two Gilmores keep missing each other on the phone. Nor is this the only problem facing the main characters in this episode: for example, Lorelai's dad Richard (Edward Herrmann) is shocked when his mother Trix (Marion Ross) suddenly treats him as disdainfully as she does his wife, Emily (Kelly Bishop). And having been kicked out of her own house, Lane (Keiko Agena) is making a total nuisance of herself on the Yale campus. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Unhappy about the relationship between Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Dean (Jared Padalecki), Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) briefly reunite to find a more "suitable" beau for their granddaughter (whether she likes it or not). As for Rory's mom Lorelei (Lauren Graham) her hopes for a quiet dinner with Luke (Scott Patterson) are dashed by the misbehavior of Luke's sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) and her husband T.J. (Michael DeLuise)--who, horror of horrors, have moved next door to Luke! And Zach (Todd Lane) begins to have second thoughts about his romance with Lane (Keiko Agena) after sampling the tyranny of Lane's uber-conservative mother (Emily Kuroda). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The title of this episode is barely relevant to its action, beginning with the visiting Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) having unpleasant confrontations with Luke (Scott Patterson) and Lorelai (Lauren Graham) -- all the while trying to avoid a similar confrontation with Rory (Alexis Bledel). Elsewhere, Luke has a lot of trouble adjusting to his sister Liz's new boyfriend, T.J. (Michael DeLuise in his first series appearance). And Emily (Kelly Bishop) prevails upon Lorelai and Jason (Christopher Eigeman) to pretend to be a couple at a charity event -- unaware that the couple has long since stopped pretending. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi