One is the Loneliest Number: Unpopular GG Opinions

[Kohola3]

Does anyone think we were ever supposed to actually like him?  Or was he deliberately shown as a dolt.

Edited June 18, 2018 by Kohola3

[andromeda331]

12 minutes ago, marineg said:

Exactly. It would have been perfect. Either to keep as her "own", or as amazing experience to go write for a bigger newspaper. Running you own paper, and taking it from crap to actually worth something would get her a few interviews at least. But again, Rory never really applied herself to anything. ASP tried to make us believe she did, but she didn't.

It really would have been a perfect fit. Its a small town newspaper so she could have probably made it her own. She had editing skills from her time as an editor and was very organized. She could have expanded the newspaper and done a lot with it. Or again it could got her writing juices flowing and she realized she wanted to be out their covering stories. But no she never applies herself. She never really tries. Way back when the series started she seemed like someone who would try. She was so excited to go to Chilton. She tried to be nice to Paris the first day of school and when that failed she took her on by answering the question instead of Paris.  In the end Rory ends up no a brilliant journalist or the next Christine Amanpour only because she never tries. 

[Frelling Tralk]

It did seem like Rory had a few ideas for changes with the newspaper at first, but then everyone made such a big deal about the poem no longer being on the front page, so she gave up after that and return to the status quo 

[Guest]

6 minutes ago, Frelling Tralk said:

It did seem like Rory had a few ideas for changes with the newspaper at first, but then everyone made such a big deal about the poem no longer being on the front page, so she gave up after that and return to the status quo 

Very Rory to have good ideas but give up at the slightest obstacle.

[andromeda331]

1 hour ago, deaja said:

Very Rory to have good ideas but give up at the slightest obstacle.

Very true. And such a small obstacle. Keeping a poem. Why not get really into it and put in a poem from different poets? That could be fun. Poe, Browning, Dickinson. Have contest of people sending in their own poems? Have children send in their poems.  

[junienmomo]

19 hours ago, steff13 said:

Yes, but Max also expressed concerns that he might come in on a situation when Lorelei wasn't home (Rory being drunk, Rory and Dean making out in the dark on the couch), and how he should handle it, and she told him he wouldn't, he would wait for her.  It kind of feel like she wasn't going to allow him to have any sort of authority in the household.  

Don’t forget that Max had already assumed the parental role, probably hubris from his authoritative persona as teacher.  When Lorelai goes inside after the double date, Max warns them it’s after eleven. Really not his place, as observed on the faces of the younger couple. A few minutes later, Lorelai verifies his lack of authority. 

That must have really irked him, the all-powerful teacher, a role he loved. At the same time, he had experience that he could talk Lorelai into anything. I’m sure he believed he could change his step-parent authority. 

[marineg]

19 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

Very true. And such a small obstacle. Keeping a poem. Why not get really into it and put in a poem from different poets? That could be fun. Poe, Browning, Dickinson. Have contest of people sending in their own poems? Have children send in their poems.  

Again, that would require she had one original thought in her life, that she applied herself for once, and that she tried to make something of herself instead of expecting everyone around her to give her a handout. She was SO privileged and never did anything with it. Not even recognising it. She complained and pushed back whenever someone showed privilege but never thought one second about her own. Just the fact that this woman with no real experience apart from a college paper and 3 good articles was given the keys to a newspaper, even a small town one, was privilege. She was so beloved in that town, they would have made her mayor if she asked. She was already the ice cream queen after all. She constantly rested on her unearned laurels.

Edited June 19, 2018 by marineg

[junienmomo]

16 hours ago, marineg said:

Again, that would require she had one original thought in her life, that she applied herself for once, and that she tried to make something of herself instead of expecting everyone around her to give her a handout.

First, LOL, marineg for this statement. It was weird, though, that she didn’t really have to ask for the handouts. 

She was fairly colorless, having only reading as a hobby, and not even anyone she could discuss things seriously with. Sure, her grandfather read as well, but I can’t imagine her ever seriously defending an idea he disagreed with. He was used to being right and expected it. Talk about privilege. Trix set him up for that. There was also Jess, but the relationship was too short for it to benefit her much. Logan had the potential, but I don’t recall them having too many deep conversations.

Rory was a good sidekick, which harkens to Mitchum’s opinion. Pop culture was Lorelai’s hobby. Music was Lane’s hobby. Rory could comment, but didn’t often initiate her own deep opinions.

[marineg]

4 hours ago, junienmomo said:

First, LOL, marineg for this statement. It was weird, though, that she didn’t really have to ask for the handouts. 

She was fairly colorless, having only reading as a hobby, and not even anyone she could discuss things seriously with. Sure, her grandfather read as well, but I can’t imagine her ever seriously defending an idea he disagreed with. He was used to being right and expected it. Talk about privilege. Trix set him up for that. There was also Jess, but the relationship was too short for it to benefit her much. Logan had the potential, but I don’t recall them having too many deep conversations.

Rory was a good sidekick, which harkens to Mitchum’s opinion. Pop culture was Lorelai’s hobby. Music was Lane’s hobby. Rory could comment, but didn’t often initiate her own deep opinions.

She didn't have to ask because she always expected it from others. And everyone around her was more than happy to oblige. For some godforsaken reason.

Mitchum was an ass. He didn't talk to her in any way that was remotely professional, and he didn't want it to be. He wanted to hurt her. But he was a 100% right. Before the revival, where she apparently sold 3 articles in 10 years, she had never been praised for a single article. No, I'm lying, she was praised for her article on "the re-paving of the faculty parking lot [turned] it into a bittersweet piece on how everybody and everything eventually becomes obsolete" She literally turned a supposed-to-be-semi-professional article and turned it into a 16yo's philosophy lecture. Christiane Amanpour would be proud...

[stan4]

5 minutes ago, marineg said:

 

Mitchum was an ass. He didn't talk to her in any way that was remotely professional, and he didn't want it to be. He wanted to hurt her.

How was he an ass or unprofessional?  As someone who employs people and manages them, I don't see anything he said in this that was unprofessional or ass-like.  And it was 100% true and what we've all been thinking the whole time:

 

MITCHUM: You know, you and I haven’t really sat down and talked about the situation, about how you’re doing here, and all.
RORY: Well, you’ve been busy.
MITCHUM: I’ve meant to. Offered you the job, took you under my wing. It’s part of the deal.
RORY: Great! I’d love your feedback.
MITCHUM: Go on and sit.
[They sit down, Rory with a notepad.]
MITCHUM: I’ve worked with a lot of young people over the years. Interns, new hires. I’ve got a pretty good gut sense for people’s strengths and weaknesses. Whether they have that certain something to make it in journalism. It’s a tough business. Lot of stress.
RORY [smiling]: Definitely.
MITCHUM: And I have to tell you. You don’t got it.
[Rory is stunned.]
MITCHUM: Now, guts can be wrong. Mine’s been wrong before. But not often.
RORY: I thought I was doing okay.
MITCHUM: I just don’t really think that you have the drive to put yourself out there, to be honest. To get a story. To dig. I mean, just now in this meeting, I encouraged everyone to say whatever they wanted. You said nothing.
RORY: I wasn’t sure if I should.
MITCHUM: Exactly. I mean, you saw Harry. He jumped right into the fire. You didn’t.
RORY: But Harry’s not an intern!
MITCHUM: Doesn’t matter.
RORY [near tears]: I’ve always done what’s asked of me.
MITCHUM: See, the thing is, in the real world, it’s not always good enough to do just what’s asked of you.
RORY: But I thought I was in a really good rhythm with everyone here.
MITCHUM: I’m not saying you’re not competent. You’re smart. You’re terrific at anticipating needs. Actually, you’d make a great assistant.
RORY: Oh.
MITCHUM: I’m sorry. It’s not my pleasure to disappoint someone like you. Especially you. What with the extenuating circumstances. But it’s healthy. I don’t know any other way. I don’t B.S.
RORY: I should get back.
[She gets up and heads for the door. Mitchum stands up.]
MITCHUM: Hey, listen. I know this is rough, but, uh, I may have just done you a big favor.
RORY: Oh. Okay. Thanks.

4 hours ago, junienmomo said:

First, LOL, marineg for this statement. It was weird, though, that she didn’t really have to ask for the handouts. 

She was fairly colorless, having only reading as a hobby, and not even anyone she could discuss things seriously with. Sure, her grandfather read as well, but I can’t imagine her ever seriously defending an idea he disagreed with. He was used to being right and expected it. Talk about privilege. Trix set him up for that. There was also Jess, but the relationship was too short for it to benefit her much. Logan had the potential, but I don’t recall them having too many deep conversations.

Rory was a good sidekick, which harkens to Mitchum’s opinion. Pop culture was Lorelai’s hobby. Music was Lane’s hobby. Rory could comment, but didn’t often initiate her own deep opinions.

Yeah, I never understood how she got into Harvard (or Yale, etc).  I know plenty of people far more accomplished than she was/is (perfect grades, music, sports, committed volunteer work, debate, multiple awards, etc) who don't get into Ivies.  And she did NOTHING besides get good grades and be on the paper for like five seconds and show up to a debate.

 

It sets people up for  a hard fall when they get tons of stuff they never really earned.

[Katy M]

25 minutes ago, stan4 said:

How was he an ass or unprofessional?  As someone who employs people and manages them, I don't see anything he said in this that was unprofessional or ass-like.  And it was 100% true and what we've all been thinking the whole time:

I don't think he was unprofessional either. I do think it would have been more constructive if he had said something to her at some point about what was expected of her, though.  Although, had I been her, I would have asked at some point.  One of, if not the, most important thing you should know going into a job, is exactly what is expected of you, and what kind of behavior will not be appreciated her.  There are lots of places who would not want an intern jumping in with her opinions.  But, to the best of my knowledge, there is no company that would discourage you asking a few questions privately to determine what your role is supposed to be.

28 minutes ago, stan4 said:

she did NOTHING besides get good grades and be on the paper for like five seconds and show up to a debate.

I'm not disagreeing that it was unrealistic for her to have been accepted to both Harvard and Yale.  Maybe not Yale as she was a legacy and her grandparents donate money regularly.  But, she was on the paper the full three years.  Not five seconds.  And, I feel like she was actually on the debate team, it's just not something the show bothered showing a lot of.

[tarotx]

High school Rory was also in a lot of Stars Hollow events. College interviews and written essays are crucial parts of the process.  I want to guess that she had to have had a great entrance essay. She had good SAT. Plus both sides of her family have Ivy League heritage. That would have helped her application process even at Harvard. And she was Legacy at Yale and Princeton. I

Revival Rory was still in the middle of her quarter-life crisis when dealing with the Newspaper. The show really should have had Rory fall in love with the process of running the hometown newspaper (and bringing it into the modern age or at least taking it out of the 70's). Asking to keep open and be the editor was really the only thing she took initiative during the revival. But nope. It was more or less just to do the delivery musical montage and give Rory and Jess a setting so he can tell her to write a book about her mom. 

[scarynikki12]

We get several interns each year at my work (pharmacy) and the most successful are the ones who ask me or my boss what they should prioritize at the start. Rory absolutely should have asked Mitchum or someone else about what was expected of her and what she could do to make the most of the internship. 

The revival would have worked best if it were set a year after rather than ten. Too late now. 

[Anela]

He could have told her what was expected, without telling her that she doesn't have "it". Stealing a yacht after that, was excessive, but "the" man in the industry, telling her that she wasn't going to make it, would have been a huge blow. The thing is, I think younger Rory WOULD have had it. It bugs me, that they turned her into a fangirl around him, a nervous one, instead of her taking on the challenge, the way she would have before. 

[Crs97]

I assumed Mitchum was testing her.  Do you want your journalists to wait to be told what is expected of them so they can do what they are told, or do you want your journalists to see something and dig in?  She was a great assistant, but didn’t take initiative.  I would think he would want journalists to be people who don’t just follow orders.

[stan4]

3 hours ago, Anela said:

He could have told her what was expected, without telling her that she doesn't have "it". Stealing a yacht after that, was excessive, but "the" man in the industry, telling her that she wasn't going to make it, would have been a huge blow. The thing is, I think younger Rory WOULD have had it. It bugs me, that they turned her into a fangirl around him, a nervous one, instead of her taking on the challenge, the way she would have before. 

Um.  She couldn't even make a phone call to set up an alumni lunch.  

 

The girl had no gumption.  If "it" is drive and gumption, she does not have "it."  He really did do her a huge favor by being the only person around who didn't just blow sunshine up her arse.

Edited June 20, 2018 by stan4

[bracebridge]

First of all, this thread is everything! It’s extremely gratifying to read all of your opinions, even when I don’t agree with them, because you guys get your point across so well. :)

I apologize beforehand for the rant below:

My UO is that I liked season 4 way better than season 3. Actually, 4 is my favorite season, although 2 is objectively better. I think Season 3 while having some brilliant episodes (“They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They?”, “A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving”, “The Big One”), just dragged out in some parts, not to mention that I disliked the aimlessness of Lorelai’s arc up to “A Tale of Poes and Fire” late in the season - and felt that there were a little too many filler episodes for my taste. And don’t get me wrong, Season 4 has its share of filler episodes as well, but I liked how they were mostly set against the backdrop of Lorelai and Rory adjusting - and floundering - to the big transitions of their life. Lorelai’s Dragonfly arc, in particular, is a big highlight for me - it’s such a fulfilling storyline for her character. And the buildup to Emily and Richard’s separation was incredibly well-written, as was the Rory/Dean stuff (interestingly, I disliked both of these storylines in season 5).

In regards to Jason, I liked him as a character - he was quirky and quick witted, and it was compelling to watch Lorelai hitting it off with a rich guy of her parents’s world. I do think that he brought out a more entitled and carefree side of Lorelai (moreso than, let’s face it, she already is), such as on their first date at the grocery store, when Jason bribed a guy to allow them access to the stockroom, and they both made a mess in there and punched random employees in on the time clock. Not the shining moment of either of them, tbh. 

I wished we would have seen him interact with the townies (Babette, Miss Patty, Taylor, Luke) because it’s always intriguing to watch Lorelai’s two worlds clash.

Thematically speaking, I enjoyed the parallels that were drawn between him and Lorelai, and how his character was a sort of foil to hers - both have a similar sense of humor, are stubborn and self-absorbed to a fault and have a tendency to manipulate people into doing what they want then to do, yet whereas Jason has a vindictive streak and acts on a vendetta against his parents, Lorelai feels more protective of hers than she’d ever like to admit, and ultimately chooses them over him, and imo, is overall more kind-hearted, selfless and willing to set aside her wants for the people she truly cares about when push comes to shove. 

[marineg]

29 minutes ago, bracebridge said:

Thematically speaking, I enjoyed the parallels that were drawn between him and Lorelai, and how his character was a sort of foil to hers - both have a similar sense of humor, are stubborn and self-absorbed to a fault and have a tendency to manipulate people into doing what they want then to do, yet whereas Jason has a vindictive streak and acts on a vendetta against his parents, Lorelai feels more protective of hers than she’d ever like to admit, and ultimately chooses them over him, and imo, is overall more kind-hearted, selfless and willing to set aside her wants for the people she truly cares about when push comes to shove. 

Dude wasn't wrong to sue Richard. That was a d**k move. He came across as entitled because Lorelai and Rory hated entitlement and privilege in others, but never saw their own.

7 hours ago, stan4 said:

How was he an ass or unprofessional?  As someone who employs people and manages them, I don't see anything he said in this that was unprofessional or ass-like.  And it was 100% true and what we've all been thinking the whole time:

I did say that he was a 100% right. I just think that saying straight up "You don't got it" to a 20yo. There are ways to say the same thing while being encouraging like "You've done good work here, but I think you should take the time you have left at school to work on your investigative journalism, go on the field, seek out stories and learn to write thought-provoking articles." Something like that. She was just an intern and barely 2 years into college.

Yes, most people at 20 are a hell of a lot more invested in their work than Rory was, bu I have also met a lot of really stupid 20yo in college. Like a lot. I just think when you take on a college student as an intern, you have to be a bit more pedagogical than that.

7 hours ago, Katy M said:

Although, had I been her, I would have asked at some point.  One of, if not the, most important thing you should know going into a job, is exactly what is expected of you, and what kind of behavior will not be appreciated her.  There are lots of places who would not want an intern jumping in with her opinions.  But, to the best of my knowledge, there is no company that would discourage you asking a few questions privately to determine what your role is supposed to be.

My God Yes. I mean you get that info during the job interview and on the first day. How can you do a job when you don't know what the job actually is. That very first day of Rory's at the paper, when she was running around trying to follow him, a shoe in hand, that was insane. What did she think she was supposed to do? Get him coffees and follow him with a pen and paper? And why did it look like she couldn't keep up? She's a 20yo woman in pretty great shape, he's a 50yo man. How is she not keeping up with his brisk walk up an down the hallway?

[stan4]

I've just never found value in sugar-coating.  He showed examples of how she sat back and let things happen instead of jumping in the fray.  Yes, he could have said, "And that is what you need to work on" ( I am also a fan of absolute clarity in performance reviews). That would have been more useful.  

 

Season 4 is also my favorite.  Minus the Yale episodes.

[Anela]

She pulled the writers at the Yale paper together, when they left Paris to it, and the issue wasn't going to be printed. She had a bit of Logan's help, but she showed initiative there. Then Mitchum used her name as an example of someone who had done well after working with him, after he told her that she'd make a really good assistant.

She was never going to be Christiane Amanpour. She wasn't going to be covering war zones. I said on the FB group, that she could have talked to Rachel about the work, since Rachel was a photo journalist, who covered war (and the people affected by it). But they got rid of Rachel, early on.

[tarotx]

Earlier in the season Doyle had more or less not trusted Rory's gut, Paris questioned her choice of story and if she had a new angle and Logan more or less questioned rather or not Rory could put herself into the fray to get the best story. It stunted with that LDB article but the groundwork was there for Rory to question herself. 

With the internship, Rory basically had one job - to shadow Mitchum. It started off on the wrong foot because Mitchum asked her to bring a pencil and she came without one. Instead of watching and observing Mitchum, Rory stopped and called Logan to asked about Mitchum. Instead of taking notes and thinking of questions to ask Mitchum she started doing the small stuff in the newsroom. Meaning she wasn't shadowing Mitchum. Let alone preparing to use this opportunity like interview and prep. Then she couldn't even stand up and say the idea of hiring college students was a good idea and hint that she would be open to the idea herself. And she couldn't even talk one of one with Mitchum when she had him the little bit of time before the meeting happened. 

Back when I watched the OS as it aired, I thought when Rory comes back to Yale we were to see this wasn't the same Rory that Mitchum evaluated. Or at least that is how I always thought we were to take it. This is the one who dealt with community service, "mom mode" Emily and all the DAR ladies and the work she did at the DAR. Rory learned how to deal with people better and how to own her own skills that made Mitchum say she would be a good assistant to use to manage the room. We are to think Rory learned to be Rory and be a Journalist even if it was as an editor.

[stan4]

Paris once states she needs Rory at school bc Rory is her rabbit.

Beg to differ.  Paris is the the rabbit.  Paris set the bar.  Paris was the go-getter.  Paris showed Rory where to go and how to do.

[junienmomo]

13 hours ago, Katy M said:

I don't think he was unprofessional either. I do think it would have been more constructive if he had said something to her at some point about what was expected of her, though.  Although, had I been her, I would have asked at some point.  One of, if not the, most important thing you should know going into a job, is exactly what is expected of you, and what kind of behavior will not be appreciated her.  There are lots of places who would not want an intern jumping in with her opinions.  But, to the best of my knowledge, there is no company that would discourage you asking a few questions privately to determine what your role is supposed to be.

It’s a management technique. Not a nurturing technique, but it was representative of how a person in a highly competitive field like journalism should behave. She did investigate aggressively. She investigated all the wrong things, namely how to please Mitchum personally rather than how to be the best journalist. 

She was using her sidekick skills. That’s not what he wanted. Good sidekicks can be good assistants. The funny thing is, I expect Mitchum would have responded positively if Rory had taken his feedback and aggressively gone after the missing skills and kept after him like she kept after the job at that small paper. 

I have a feeling that’s how Mitchum treated his own son as well. Letting him do whatever he wants without clear expectations up front. 

[marineg]

Logan did say that when he left his dad's company, Mitchum had a bit of pride in his eyes. Mitchum pushes people to get the best out of them. He doesn't coddle. Rory needed to be coddled. There wasn't one instance when she didn't need it. The only time someone said she wasn't a perfect angel who could do anything without ever trying, she broke. 

Yes, she pulled people together when Paris had her dictator moment. But all the articles were written, it was just about how to cut and paste the paper together. Being an editor, as good and hard a job it is, is not the same as being a journalist. She always talked about being on the field and writing articles. She even said herself to someone that while she was an editor, she didn't that much time to write. Again, she is a good people person, knows about newspapers run, and supposedly is a good spell-checker. She just doesn't go out and actually tries to seek out stories.

[Katy M]

1 hour ago, marineg said:

Rory needed to be coddled. There wasn't one instance when she didn't need it. The only time someone said she wasn't a perfect angel who could do anything without ever trying, she broke. 

She didn't need to be coddled.  She was used to being coddled.  A lot less coddling and few more criticisms, she would have been fine with it.

[stan4]

She also broke when she was told to drop Game Theory.

[Anela]

4 hours ago, marineg said:

Logan did say that when he left his dad's company, Mitchum had a bit of pride in his eyes. Mitchum pushes people to get the best out of them. He doesn't coddle. Rory needed to be coddled. There wasn't one instance when she didn't need it. The only time someone said she wasn't a perfect angel who could do anything without ever trying, she broke. 

Yes, she pulled people together when Paris had her dictator moment. But all the articles were written, it was just about how to cut and paste the paper together. Being an editor, as good and hard a job it is, is not the same as being a journalist. She always talked about being on the field and writing articles. She even said herself to someone that while she was an editor, she didn't that much time to write. Again, she is a good people person, knows about newspapers run, and supposedly is a good spell-checker. She just doesn't go out and actually tries to seek out stories.

Ah, you've reminded me of what I wanted to say. I thought about this, this morning, but wasn't at my computer. I was saying that he was a hypocrite. He didn't tell the New York Times, that Rory Gilmore was one of the feathers in his cap, and admit that he told her that she would make a great assistant. He name-dropped her as someone to watch, really, as a recent accomplishment of his own.

[stan4]

2 minutes ago, Anela said:

Ah, you've reminded me of what I wanted to say. I thought about this, this morning, but wasn't at my computer. I was saying that he was a hypocrite. He didn't tell the New York Times, that Rory Gilmore was one of the feathers in his cap, and admit that he told her that she would make a great assistant. He name-dropped her as someone to watch, really, as a recent accomplishment of his own.

Technically he didn't say anything about her except that he gave her an internship and that she was editor at YDN.

 

It was gamesmanship, and slimey at that. 

 

But nothing more...which is why the whole conversation with the reporter about clarifications, etc.

[Anela]

10 minutes ago, stan4 said:

Technically he didn't say anything about her except that he gave her an internship and that she was editor at YDN.

 

It was gamesmanship, and slimey at that. 

 

But nothing more...which is why the whole conversation with the reporter about clarifications, etc.

Yeah, but using her name as an example of someone who went on from working with him, to do well at something else in his field. For anyone else, it would have been a (good) big deal.

[stan4]

5 hours ago, Anela said:

Yeah, but using her name as an example of someone who went on from working with him, to do well at something else in his field. For anyone else, it would have been a (good) big deal.

Since he left the wording so vague, we could even assume he meant, "I worked with her, she was nonsense, but just being around me got her the editorship of the YDN."

 

I mean, it could be more about his golden touch than the competence of his mentees.

[JAYJAY1979]

I do agree Rory didn't have drive, and I think she ended being a better editor than a reporter because she was cautious and safe.. never wanting to break the rules.

A lot of people have always said Rory and Lorelei were alike.. but I actually thought they were very different.  Lorelei was impulsive, emotional, and had street smarts (which Rory wasn't).  She also was very driven with her dream of owning an Inn and finally achieving that through hard work and careful planning.  She knew in season 1 that she found the perfect property (thanks to Rachel), and even though the owner wouldn't sell.. she/Sookie waited for the right time.. and once that time came, she and Sookie made it happen.  

[andromeda331]

On ‎6‎/‎20‎/‎2018 at 9:20 AM, stan4 said:

How was he an ass or unprofessional?  As someone who employs people and manages them, I don't see anything he said in this that was unprofessional or ass-like.  And it was 100% true and what we've all been thinking the whole time:

 

MITCHUM: You know, you and I haven’t really sat down and talked about the situation, about how you’re doing here, and all.
RORY: Well, you’ve been busy.
MITCHUM: I’ve meant to. Offered you the job, took you under my wing. It’s part of the deal.
RORY: Great! I’d love your feedback.
MITCHUM: Go on and sit.
[They sit down, Rory with a notepad.]
MITCHUM: I’ve worked with a lot of young people over the years. Interns, new hires. I’ve got a pretty good gut sense for people’s strengths and weaknesses. Whether they have that certain something to make it in journalism. It’s a tough business. Lot of stress.
RORY [smiling]: Definitely.
MITCHUM: And I have to tell you. You don’t got it.
[Rory is stunned.]
MITCHUM: Now, guts can be wrong. Mine’s been wrong before. But not often.
RORY: I thought I was doing okay.
MITCHUM: I just don’t really think that you have the drive to put yourself out there, to be honest. To get a story. To dig. I mean, just now in this meeting, I encouraged everyone to say whatever they wanted. You said nothing.
RORY: I wasn’t sure if I should.
MITCHUM: Exactly. I mean, you saw Harry. He jumped right into the fire. You didn’t.
RORY: But Harry’s not an intern!
MITCHUM: Doesn’t matter.
RORY [near tears]: I’ve always done what’s asked of me.
MITCHUM: See, the thing is, in the real world, it’s not always good enough to do just what’s asked of you.
RORY: But I thought I was in a really good rhythm with everyone here.
MITCHUM: I’m not saying you’re not competent. You’re smart. You’re terrific at anticipating needs. Actually, you’d make a great assistant.
RORY: Oh.
MITCHUM: I’m sorry. It’s not my pleasure to disappoint someone like you. Especially you. What with the extenuating circumstances. But it’s healthy. I don’t know any other way. I don’t B.S.
RORY: I should get back.
[She gets up and heads for the door. Mitchum stands up.]
MITCHUM: Hey, listen. I know this is rough, but, uh, I may have just done you a big favor.
RORY: Oh. Okay. Thanks.

Yeah, I never understood how she got into Harvard (or Yale, etc).  I know plenty of people far more accomplished than she was/is (perfect grades, music, sports, committed volunteer work, debate, multiple awards, etc) who don't get into Ivies.  And she did NOTHING besides get good grades and be on the paper for like five seconds and show up to a debate.

 

It sets people up for  a hard fall when they get tons of stuff they never really earned.

I agree Mitchum says everything that's been talked about Rory. She has zero drive. She doesn't dive in, she doesn't go looking for a story, the closest we ever got was the LDB and she only found out about them when she saw one of the girls in the bathroom. And so much of what says does reveal. He brings up drive and jumping in. She says she wasn't sure she was. But journalists need drive. She dreams of being someone who is in the middle of warzones, has crawled through foxholes and other dangerous situations. Does she really think Christine Amanpour just sits and waits? No. He points out that in the real world its not good to just do what's ask of you. Which is true. But not only that Rory has been told that repeatedly since season two! She was told she needed to do more to get into Harvard/Yale, she was told it again in college to be a journalist, and now once again Mitchum has told her she needs to do more. Does she listen? Nope. She falls apart, then when she comes back to school nothing's changed and he's a big meanie. Should he have been nicer or sugarcoat it? No, because why? Why is it his job to sugarcoat it and coddle her even more? Rory needed to hear what he said. He was right. She didn't have it. She was never going to chase a story or come up with her own no she needed to be assigned articles. Even then it wasn't always a guarantee she would do the article if the revival is anything to go by. If she doesn't like it, if she's not interested, she's not going to do it. But instead another opportunity for her to grow and learn or even decide if she really wanted to be a journalist or not passed by.  

[junienmomo]

4 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

I agree Mitchum says everything that's been talked about Rory. She has zero drive. She doesn't dive in, she doesn't go looking for a story, the closest we ever got was the LDB and she only found out about them when she saw one of the girls in the bathroom. 

Well said. So this young woman is lost, commits a felony, and what does her family do? One side goes all Emily on her, giving an ultimatum (Lorelai), and the other side coddles her, probably thrilled at the prospect of a re-do daughter. 

No one sat her down and helped her deal with the problem. What a terribly misguided family.

[readster]

4 hours ago, junienmomo said:

Well said. So this young woman is lost, commits a felony, and what does her family do? One side goes all Emily on her, giving an ultimatum (Lorelai), and the other side coddles her, probably thrilled at the prospect of a re-do daughter. 

No one sat her down and helped her deal with the problem. What a terribly misguided family.

That's exactly it! There was no addressing the problem at all. Mitchum was right about Rory's drive and had no passion for her chosen career path. I always found him an asshole, especially in his short appearances in the revival. However, was he right? Yes, he was. So much could have been handled if they all would have sat down and had Rory talk about everything that happened. From the dinner to Mitchum telling her she was delusional. Would the confrontation between Emily and Logan's mother still have happened? Oh, I'm sure it was, she was a bitch and as they say: "pot calling kettle." Was Mitchum's father a person who didn't get the reality of the world in the 21st century? Sure. The one thing for Mitchum I didn't take is he never gave Rory any advice or alternatives. His character was: "Sharp truth, deal with it or get out!" That's what I hated about his character and even his smugness about it. Other wise, I think he was a well develop character, but fell in the constant GG writing trap of: "I'm rich, and nothing bad happens to me and I'm always right even when I'm proven wrong."  

[Guest]

I think Mitchum was a little unprofessional in that he offered Rory an internship without laying out goals, how she would know she was meeting those goals, etc. However, I think that was more about him being a high-powered guy who doesn’t usually manage interns than a huge character flaw.

[marineg]

1 hour ago, readster said:

That's exactly it! There was no addressing the problem at all. Mitchum was right about Rory's drive and had no passion for her chosen career path. I always found him an asshole, especially in his short appearances in the revival. However, was he right? Yes, he was. So much could have been handled if they all would have sat down and had Rory talk about everything that happened. From the dinner to Mitchum telling her she was delusional. Would the confrontation between Emily and Logan's mother still have happened? Oh, I'm sure it was, she was a bitch and as they say: "pot calling kettle." Was Mitchum's father a person who didn't get the reality of the world in the 21st century? Sure. The one thing for Mitchum I didn't take is he never gave Rory any advice or alternatives. His character was: "Sharp truth, deal with it or get out!" That's what I hated about his character and even his smugness about it. Other wise, I think he was a well develop character, but fell in the constant GG writing trap of: "I'm rich, and nothing bad happens to me and I'm always right even when I'm proven wrong."  

The problem is that no one thought that what Rory did (ie steal a freaking boat) was that wrong. Yes, Lorelai was mad when she learned, but she was more worried about what caused it. Emily and Richard are the stereotypical rich parents who sweep everything under the rug so their kids won't have any problems when they become titans of industries at 23 (I'm looking at you Logan). Any person without the "power" and money of the Huntzbergers or Gilmores would never have gotten into Yale after being kicked out of several private school and pulling all the pranks they pulled, after stealing and/or sinking boats, going on trips whenever they wanted etc. There are never any consequences to their actions, which for sure happens in our world, but still, ASP seems to be a the kind of person who would hate that in real life, and instead of condemning that kind of behaviour, she rewards it. That's just weird and inconsistent with the whole independent-women-who-struggle-to-get-what-they-want-and-never-ask-for-a-handout thing she is TRYING to do.

Also, can we talk about the fact that, following her arrest, Rory has a record? She's on probation for a few years if I remember correctly. When you apply for a job, they ask if you have a record, or check it you do. Why was that never mentioned at the end of Season 7? Why did no one think that would be an issue? Why wasn't it an issue at any point?

[andromeda331]

6 hours ago, junienmomo said:

Well said. So this young woman is lost, commits a felony, and what does her family do? One side goes all Emily on her, giving an ultimatum (Lorelai), and the other side coddles her, probably thrilled at the prospect of a re-do daughter. 

No one sat her down and helped her deal with the problem. What a terribly misguided family.

In the beginning I liked what Lorelai said when Rory told her she asked what he meant by that? Did he talk to her teachers or read any of her work? Which are good questions to ask. As hard as it is to hear honest criticism can be very helpful. It is how you know where your strengths and weaknesses are. Lorelai tries to talk to Rory when she tells her she's dropping out of school but Rory doesn't want to talk. She doesn't want to hear anything. Lorelai points out dropping out of school because of one review? Which yes that's exactly why she's dropping out. Because of one review. She takes it to heart but decides that means she can't be a journalist anymore. But they never talk about it again, Richard talks to Mitchum about it who is kind of a jerk in that calling Rory a drain which no she wasn't. She was an intern. She wasn't getting paid. But at the end which Mitchum points out if Rory had it she would have bounced back from it. Which is true. In the end Rory never bounces back from it. She goes back to Yale but we're suppose to think Mitchum is a meanie. Rory listens to zero of the criticism. Which honestly, she really needed too. She doesn't have it. Surrounded by people who are always praising her doesn't help but also her mother and grandparents they aren't newspaper people. When the rare time she meets criticism she can't handle it. Look at her reaction to Doyle telling her that her articles weren't any good in the beginning of season four. She ask if its hazing and complains endlessly to her mother, even remarks that she peaked in high school. Lorelai points out its a different environment and league. That's kind of the point she's now learning to write at a college level but Rory just complains and thinks it means she's not cut out to be a journalist.   

[Katy M]

5 hours ago, marineg said:

Also, can we talk about the fact that, following her arrest, Rory has a record? She's on probation for a few years if I remember correctly. When you apply for a job, they ask if you have a record, or check it you do. Why was that never mentioned at the end of Season 7? Why did no one think that would be an issue? Why wasn't it an issue at any point?

I realize you mean people on the show, but I remember when the final episode first aired, I questioned how Rory would get a job in the proximity of a Pres candidate  with a record.  

[marineg]

45 minutes ago, Katy M said:

I realize you mean people on the show, but I remember when the final episode first aired, I questioned how Rory would get a job in the proximity of a Pres candidate  with a record.  

That seems insane to me. I can't even imagine how Yale allowed her to get back, much less how she got a job right out of college, especially on a campaign trail.

Yet, no mention of it at all. Lorelai talks about it right after she steals it, and her fears of the record, but nothing later on. As I say, never any consequences for Rory's bad actions.

[stan4]

On 6/12/2018 at 1:48 PM, ghoulina said:

I think it's interesting that Lorelai was so hurt about Luke not letting her get involved with April, when she basically told Max he was to have no involvement with Rory. Not saying either of them are right, but Lorelai seems to suffer from extreme tunnel vision sometimes. 

You know, I just watched an episode that clears that up for me more.

How she was more hurt and confused about why he kept all that information from her in the first place.

[FictionLover]

7 hours ago, stan4 said:

You know, I just watched an episode that clears that up for me more.

How she was more hurt and confused about why he kept all that information from her in the first place.

He not only lied by omission for two months but left her out of the biggest part of his life. It was a stupid storyline. I guess the writers thought this would be more realistic for Luke’s character to divide them than the original plan; Sheryl Lynn Finn being a rival for his affection. It still seems they could have come up with something better than the April story.

[junienmomo]

Not sure how unpopular this opinion is, but it seems to be a part of the GG canon that no other woman was ever good enough for the guys Lorelai or Rory rejected. Or maybe they were just incapable of a healthy relationship after they’d had a GG. 

Dean may have sort of been an exception, because he finally left Rory and in the revival was happily married. But she raked him over the coals more than once. LOL, there’s a guy who should write a self-help book: How to Survive a Gilmore 

Girl.

[stan4]

35 minutes ago, junienmomo said:

Not sure how unpopular this opinion is, but it seems to be a part of the GG canon that no other woman was ever good enough for the guys Lorelai or Rory rejected. Or maybe they were just incapable of a healthy relationship after they’d had a GG. 

Dean may have sort of been an exception, because he finally left Rory and in the revival was happily married. But she raked him over the coals more than once. LOL, there’s a guy who should write a self-help book: How to Survive a Gilmore 

Girl.

Maybe the takeaway is that if you are dumb/emotionally unaware/low EQ enough to pick/pine for a GG, you make other poor relationship choices.

[Kohola3]

13 hours ago, FictionLover said:

It was a stupid storyline.

It was started by ASP, apparently in a fit of pique because she knew it would be her last season.  She dumped that load of manure and walked away, leaving the new writers to try and clean up her mess.

[Taryn74]

16 minutes ago, Kohola3 said:

It was started by ASP, apparently in a fit of pique because she knew it would be her last season.  She dumped that load of manure and walked away, leaving the new writers to try and clean up her mess.

"Squee on this, bitches."

[ghoulina]

I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion, but.....Just watched the episode where Chris's dad died. I know a lot of people agree that Lorelai should have told Luke that she went over there that night. Told him right away. I'm of the opinion that she shouldn't have gone at all. It's unfortunate that Chris was hurting, but let someone else comfort him. I get that they had a past and a connection, and she understood his relationship with his father probably better than anyone else. But I think he lost the right to her comfort when he continued to bail on her over the years. She was in a serious relationship and I don't think it's cool to go spend the night drinking with your ex. Maybe if she had gone WITH Rory it would have been okay. But I don't think it was right that she went over there late at night like that. 

[readster]

6 minutes ago, ghoulina said:

I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion, but.....Just watched the episode where Chris's dad died. I know a lot of people agree that Lorelai should have told Luke that she went over there that night. Told him right away. I'm of the opinion that she shouldn't have gone at all. It's unfortunate that Chris was hurting, but let someone else comfort him. I get that they had a past and a connection, and she understood his relationship with his father probably better than anyone else. But I think he lost the right to her comfort when he continued to bail on her over the years. She was in a serious relationship and I don't think it's cool to go spend the night drinking with your ex. Maybe if she had gone WITH Rory it would have been okay. But I don't think it was right that she went over there late at night like that. 

Rory in my opinion would have worked out well. In fact, it could have lead to Rory talking about the horrible relationship they had. Something that finally happened in Fall, (which still wanted me to punch Chris). However, it came off as: "I'm Chris, I always get Lorelai back, no matter how shitty I am. I'm a winner!" Could have been a good plot point between Chris realizing he had become like his father: "It's how I see life that matters, and screw anyone or disagrees." Instead it came out once again from AS-P and her husband: "Poor Christopher, he has such a tough life." Please. 

[stan4]

I agree that Lorelai did not need to go over there.

 

Or she should have said UP FRONT.  Not after.  Not weeks later at the wedding.  Before.

[Kohola3]

8 minutes ago, readster said:

Instead it came out once again from AS-P and her husband: "Poor Christopher, he has such a tough life." Please. 

Man, they LURRRVVVED Christopher.  It was ridiculous. 

But then they loved the whole Poor Widdle Rich Boy trope (Christopher, Logan) vs. the dumb ass local yokels trope (Luke, Dean).

[readster]

5 minutes ago, stan4 said:

I agree that Lorelai did not need to go over there.

 

Or she should have said UP FRONT.  Not after.  Not weeks later at the wedding.  Before.

Yeah, just like Luke not telling Lorelai about April for almost 2 months and finds out by accident to have a season later told to Luke by Liz: "Who does that?"