I agree! It felt like they were supposed to be a big part of the show, at least for that season. But it ended up just being a reason for Logan and Rory to connect over something. I wish it was more prominent, because I love Colin and Finn. And I think it could’ve helped explore some different themes
I wonder if this feeling of expecting it to be a big part of the show comes from the fact that they used one episode to set up the Life and Death Brigade and a separate episode to reveal it. If it was all done in one episode, then I think it would have given the audience lower expectations. Granted, I experienced the show in a different way. I went into Season 5 expecting the Life and Death Brigade to be a more prominent storyline in the season.
I think the life and death brigade was reduced, because the show never figured out WHAT they actually wanted to say about the class divide and the wealth gap. They switched between: rich ppl are snoby, superficial and don't care, to, they are actually hard working and nice if you get to know them. Same is true with the privilege. On the one hand they try to claim "it's all hard work and study" but then they show all the slack those rich kids get.. They never firmly take a side and neither does Rory. If they spent more time with them they might have been forced to.
I can't help but agree. Did you see the video that came out recently by J.R.R. Talking about Gilmore Girls? In the video, the person said that the show usually doesn't take a position and that point resonated with me. The show brings up serious topics, but it often doesn't pick a side. So, we decide whether or not we like the Life and Death Brigade. They wanted to portray the L&D Brigade as interesting, but they didn't decide whether or not we should judge them.
@@PensiveWhiskers no, i didn't see the interview. But..while it's fine that the show doesn't want to take a stand on it may be fine, but that the lead never does is irksome. In my headcanon, that's the reason she failed as a journalist: she was a brillant writer, but she held no passionate opinion and had nothing to say.
I love how this show doesn’t force people into all good or all bad. It’s more realistic in that people have layers. No one is all good or all bad. And even “bad” characters have vulnerabilities that give them motivation to continue on in their path. 😊
I actually thought that sequence in the revival was kind of a metaphor rather than reality - it was what was going on in Rory's mind - going through her memories - so where things are a bit fantastical that relates to her emotions of that person in that event in her mind. That was the process of her letting go of that life and saying goodbye to Logan and that whole friendship community. Her process of growing up and letting go. That's how I had to interpret it so I could get through it because it didn't really suit the tone of the show. I only watched the revival once and now refuse to admit it exists because it just didn't vibe with the tone of the original and the characters seemed like different people.
I have seen several people share a similar perspective. I think one theory about the AYITL sequence is that it was Rory's dream or that it was partly imagined in her mind.
I completely agree with you I didn’t like the way it was all rushed, but I feel like her little sit into something completely different than what she’s used to would’ve been perfect
I totally agree that the Life & Death Brigade should have had a bigger role than it had. Especially when you consider how it could've nuanced Rory's character. In my opinion the LDB should've been what triggered her "darker" impulses, for example making her slowly want and lust for the lifestyle that her mother ran from (not that that's a bad thing, but I feel that since she lacks experience in that world it would be easy for her to lose herself a little). I feel like they should have made the LDB a main plot for season five because it would have made Rory more compelling as a character, to see her working to solve a mystery that no one else has while trying to balance school, family, and I guess her developing feelings for Logan; which might've been a great way to make their relationship more complex too. Maybe give them more of a (forced?) friendship first as she delved deeper and deeper into the intruiging life of the elites, learned and investigated, and at last joined. Besides, as mentioned in the video, Rory did want to become a journalist, and giving her a taste of what kind of work that might entail would've been fantastic because it would highlight the lengths she would go to to get what she wants, and maybe give some perspective on whether or not that was what she wanted to do in the long run. Not to mention that the LDB storyline would've been the perfect opportunity to fully flesh out all those side characters. It could've showed that while Logan, Finn, Colin & co were rich jackasses with too much time on their hands, the world of wealth and privilege took a toll on them too. We know that Logan had a bad family situation, but what about the others? So many different issues and themes could have been explored here. (Colin's hatred for his family, Jillian's eating disorder, Finn's escapism etc etc.)
I loveeee the vibe of the life and death brigade and was so excited for more I wish you had been in the writing room so we could have seen more of them. your ideas are so great!!
Hahahaha, if I was in the writing room, it would have been havoc. It's so much easier to criticize from the sidelines. 🙃 I appreciate the vote of confidence!
I watched that episode just the other night. I love the way their stunt looks, very whimsical. But how the hell did Rory climb that tower in an evening gown? I would have slipt and fallen to my death.
In the scene, as she is climbing, we can see that Alexis Bledel is attached to a wire, although I don't think that we are supposed to think that Rory is attached to a wire. I would have also fallen to my death. I'm afraid of heights, even if I managed to get up there, I would have had a heart attack before jumping.
yea frankly Rory isnt so great either. just bc she gets great grades, a small town girl, pretty but doesnt care, etc isnt that normal really? but at the time it WAS refreshing to see a smart girl not be a zero. she was well liked, wasnt obsessed w/ looks, wasnt a super popular cheerleader or a alternative girl or total nerd outcast, just a normal girl. most of the time normal girls and guys people in general can be wrong and can be flawed however she was worshipped unfairly. she wasnt special she was normal and could have a happy life w/ her friends and family. nothing wrong w/ it but the townspeople think shes so perfect!
That's something that bothered me about the show starting with the fifth season. It always seemed unrealistic to me that 1) these rich kids would even take much of an interest in her and 2) that some ridiculously wealthy good looking guy would decide to be a committed boyfriend to her after she was willing to casually sleep with him for a few months. The show really put her on a pedestal that didn't seem deserved. Everything just always worked out for her. She sleeps with her married ex and breaks up his marriage then he leaves his wife for her and she suffers no consequences. On the contrary, she "levels up" from a good looking boyfriend to a really rich good looking boyfriend. And she still manages to graduate on time after taking a whole semester off to do nothing.
I love the aesthetic of The Beatles scene as well! My issue is that so many shots are VERY posed. It takes away from the idea that this is really happening. If they had kept more movement and less “stand and pose” shots it would have worked better for me. It made me feel very aware of the camera direction and set pieces. That’s why the Tango Club shots work better. There’s still an air of magic and whimsy but it still feels like it could be a real place and a real experience.
I love The Life and Death Brigade! This is one of the episodes of Gilmore Girls that I watch the most. Like you, I wish they had dragged it out over lots of episodes - it should have made Rory really need to be an investigative journalist.
I'm glad you're enjoying them! I hope to keep getting better at this (I think there are a lot of small topics on this show that don't get discussed often enough).
I love your analysis in this video! I think that a great solution/explanation for revealing the Bridage so quickly would be showing that Richard or the Gilmores in general were members of it. It could be not only a great way to perform the Rory decline (as you pointed out) but also it would have given another great story to explore in the show, specially when short after that the whole Huntzberger's rejection of Rory happens... and that's when she says "My ancestors came over on the Mayflower!"... it would have given more historical context of the Gilmore's family (and it would have highlighted the discussion of Rory as "false" middle class, taking into consideration that she is part of the US elite)
I like your point! The L&D Brigade could have been another way to show the Gilmore's status, particularly Richard's. It would have been interesting if the group let Rory in because she is a legacy, thus cementing her status as part of the elite.
Haha this is great! In addition to agreeing that there could've been a much bigger puzzle made out of the Brigade to be solved throughout the season, I can also confirm a couple of things about being in weird secret societies: 1. The impact can definitely feel outsized compared to the actual amount of time spent in the society. Whether positive (the crazy hijinks, the incredible experiences, the friends we made along the way) or negative (the trauma, the mistakes, the friends we lost along the way), being highly involved in a secret society can be a bright flame in one's life, for however briefly it may bur. 2. Many of the people involved in secret shenanigans like this are absolutely huge f'n nerds! The same people throwing huge, extravagant, wild parties in the woods are also in a weekly DnD game and geeking out about audio equipment. They are ready to go hard on some one-off character for a party, never breaking character while dressed in a stunning handmade costume and game they designed to play at the event - just for the funsies. More often than not, being highly involved in the production end of a secret society can just feel like a combination of LARPing and event design. As far as GG is concerned, I would've liked to see them explore more about the darker side of some of the more Ivy League-centered secret societies, especially as it relates to race and politics - that was so noticeably absent. I also like your ideas about how Rory's character could've descended - I would've enjoyed that more. Thanks for an enjoyable video!
It would have been interesting for them to explore the darker side of these societies, but I get why they didn't go there. They didn't want to change the tone of the show. I'm totally with you on your second point; my friends and I were huge nerds in high school and college and it's the type of thing that we used to do; throw on themed parties and play nerdy games.
While I think giving more depth to the Life & Death brigade would have been interesting, it didn't feel short-shifted to me since I didn't think the point of the brigade was the brigade itself. I had read the Life & Death Brigade as being more an exploration of and metaphor for Logan's character. Logan, like the Life & Death Brigade, is shiny, opulent, and dangerous and he pushes Rory out of her comfort zone. To me the brigade seemed like Logan's backstory in a way.
I totally agree that we should have seen more of the Life and Death Brigade. I've heard it said that Rory was made a teenager because the WB/CW was aiming for a teen audience, but that the show is really more about Lorelei, and Rory should have been faded out when she went to college. The person who said this also said that not enough work is done to develop the people in Rory's "teenage," world throughout high school and college, beyond her love interests. She should have had more high school friends than Paris and people we saw only briefly in the background who had no character development. She should have had more college friends than Paris and people we saw only briefly in the background who had no character development. TL&DB was a vehicle to start her relationship with Logan, but it wasn't a vehicle to give Rory friends. We see her hanging out with these people, and while they are interesting in the moments we see them, we don't really ever get to know them. In the scene in the Revival, it's made very clear that Rory has kept up with Logan's friends as though they are her own, they jokingly call her mother and say they will miss her. This implies a very close relationship, which could exist, but we don't necessarily see it. It would have been fun if the show spent more time on Rory's younger world and life, as opposed to just how Rory fit into her mother's world and how she fit into her grandparents world. Also, TL&DB just seem like a fun group and it would have been cool to see more of them and their adventures. As for the Revival seen, I enjoyed it, I just found it very confusing. The party in season five looks like it would be expensive and require some planning, but it didn't seem unrealistic. The montage in the revival however just didn't feel like something that could actually happen, even if you have a ton of money. I don't remember all the details because I only saw the revival a couple of times, but from what I recall, there were just too many fantastical aspects to it even though it was presented as reality, and I found myself wondering how they were actually able to do this in a non-sci-fi/non-magical world. Great video.
Hey! You're right, when it comes to Rory's friendships, we really only get 1 friend for each period of her life; in the early seasons, Lane is the only friend who is developed and once we reach the college years, Paris is the only character who truly becomes Rory's friend. It would have been interesting to have more side characters develop and have friendships with Rory. The L&D Brigade scene in the revival was unrealistic, so I understand why people were bothered by it. Given the order in which I watched the show, I didn't have the same reaction as a lot of people. I honestly just assumed the show went in this wild direction in the later seasons. I would agree that it is hard to imagine how that scene would play out in a realistic manner. Thank you for sharing your opinion!
i mean...people can feel Colin, Finn and Robert werent that much in the show, but for as long as Rory was with Logan, those dudes were in her life, even if we didnt see them. They love her, she is their friend too. and if they are so remembered even if they werent "that much" on the show, it means they were actually iconic, funny and loved
The aesthetics are beautiful. I think they had Alice in Wonderland in mind when they designed the set. The letter game, the human polo, the dress Rory wears, Finn's behavior - I think the intention was to show Rory falling into another world with different and bizarre rules. I agree with you in everything you said and it is a very beautiful thought. I think that in general the series is not good at writing drama. It is fun and funny, but in long or dramatic storylines it fails miserably. Each time she rocks the boat and makes telenovela moves to create power drama, then doesn't sink her teeth into them. For example: Lorelai is dating Max, Rory's teacher - Rory gets used to it in a second. (Good drama: to show the struggle it creates for her). Lorelai runs away from Max before the wedding. No response. (Good drama: show Max's emotional reaction to this, show Rory's emotional reaction to this). Lorelai marries Christopher(!) after many years, divorces, again, no response (Rory is upset that she wasn't invited to the wedding but not upset that the opportunity to be part of a whole family was taken away from her). Rory feels insecure about what Mitchum said - there is a lot of reaction against Mitchum, and also against the decision to drop Yale, but *nobody* not Lorelai, not her grandparents, not Logan, not Lane, no one talks to her about how that she feels and gives her tools to deal with it. Lorelai and Luke both have a fear of commitment but they never talk about it. No one talks to Lane about the difficult situation she found herself in at the end of the show, and how to deal with it. There are probably more examples, but you get the idea. Relative to a program where there is so much talk, every time there is something real to talk about they run away in the other direction. It really annoyed me in the first few seasons until I realized that I should just lower my expectations on this issue. On the other hand, in Buffy - they don't let a single drop of blood spill without noticing ;) There is wonderful drama writing, and a demon always appears to show us what our heroes are dealing with on the inside.
I think for a a couple of The Life & Death Brigade members joined as an easy to blow off steam‼ Maybe not Colin, Finn, and Robert, but they are gain for anything. Logan is under pressure to live up to Huntsberger name, where as the girls Rosemary and other one are under pressure to look good‼
I understand your feelings about The Life & Death Brigade if you are first exposed to them through the revival but the problem with the sequence is that it is not rooted in reality which the show is. It is quirky and over the top but it's still possible to do a hay bale maze or dance marathon.
Yeah, I completely understand why people don't like it, it's definitely not realistic. My viewing of Gilmore Girls was impacted by the order in which I saw the show (at least the later seasons). After watching the revival, I assumed the show took a bunch of mushrooms in season 5-7.
About Julienne and other fat-shaming - I think the hypocrisy of it is supposed to be part of the humor, and maybe it's funny in the home cultures of some of the writers. Like, they hired a model to play Rory, and have her eat a lot as a character trait. Yet Julienne seems to be the only person in the world, as far as I recall, who has an eating disorder.
Julienne was the best example of the show's humor when it comes to food issues. When we hone in on her, it's rough, it's very clear that she suffers from an eating disorder and it's brushed aside.
great video!! i never really considered the life and death brigade too deeply but after this i definitely agree that they laid a good base for something really interesting, then kinda just let it falter fun to watch as always; your cadence, delivery, and editing get better and better with every video you make and your output lately has been impressive! keep it up:)
I could have been happy with the appearance of the Life and Death Brigade in the revival - it was kind of surreal and separate. The part I hated most about the revival was the Stars Hollow musical. So much time spent on something that didn't matter at all. It seemed like an act of vanity. I loved your ideas of how to better use the L&DB in the original series.
@@PensiveWhiskers And with all the audition bits for the musical, too. Too much and pointless. I wish Netflix had been committed to keeping the revival and working to make it better.
That was my mistake. I realized that I messed up the audio on a few videos. I figured out what it was so I reuploaded my most recent one and now I know how to verify the issue beforehand. Sorry about that!
Hmmm -- i think it could've/should've been made more use of, too, for interesting storylines at Yale and for Rory's character development. It does highlight some of Rory's "weaknesses" etc. and introduces her to new people. With the way the writers used it, it seems like it also shows that she doesn't belong there. While they accept her, she can't really hang with Logan / Colin / Finn like that ongoingly. She doesn't lean into the chaos like they do, even when given the opportunity. Maybe this again highlights that investigative journalism isn't the right fit for her.
Yes, I absolutely agree. The L&D Brigade did highlight some of Rory's weaknesses and how she is afraid to take risks. It would have been interesting to dive into that a little bit more.
I love the LDB! Would I like them in real life? Absolutely not! But those scenes (and any part of the show with Colin, Finn, and Robert) are some of my favorites to rewatch! I actually don’t feel like the LDB scene was overblown in the revival. After 3 other episodes of character cameos, I was dying to see if they would bring Colin, Finn, and Robert back too. Now, it’s almost the only scene I want to rewatch from the revival. (If we want to hate on a revival scene for being too long and out of place, let’s jump on “These Boots Were Made for Walking”-sooooo cringy!!!)
The life and death brigade musical in the middle of the revival was a waste of almost entirely a whole episode and there were only four episodes! They didn’t have time to waste!
I agree! It felt like they were supposed to be a big part of the show, at least for that season. But it ended up just being a reason for Logan and Rory to connect over something. I wish it was more prominent, because I love Colin and Finn. And I think it could’ve helped explore some different themes
I wonder if this feeling of expecting it to be a big part of the show comes from the fact that they used one episode to set up the Life and Death Brigade and a separate episode to reveal it. If it was all done in one episode, then I think it would have given the audience lower expectations. Granted, I experienced the show in a different way. I went into Season 5 expecting the Life and Death Brigade to be a more prominent storyline in the season.
Their presence in the revival was the best part. "Rory...Rory" the crow squawks 😂😂
I think the life and death brigade was reduced, because the show never figured out WHAT they actually wanted to say about the class divide and the wealth gap.
They switched between: rich ppl are snoby, superficial and don't care, to, they are actually hard working and nice if you get to know them.
Same is true with the privilege. On the one hand they try to claim "it's all hard work and study" but then they show all the slack those rich kids get..
They never firmly take a side and neither does Rory.
If they spent more time with them they might have been forced to.
I can't help but agree. Did you see the video that came out recently by J.R.R. Talking about Gilmore Girls? In the video, the person said that the show usually doesn't take a position and that point resonated with me. The show brings up serious topics, but it often doesn't pick a side. So, we decide whether or not we like the Life and Death Brigade. They wanted to portray the L&D Brigade as interesting, but they didn't decide whether or not we should judge them.
@@PensiveWhiskers no, i didn't see the interview.
But..while it's fine that the show doesn't want to take a stand on it may be fine, but that the lead never does is irksome.
In my headcanon, that's the reason she failed as a journalist: she was a brillant writer, but she held no passionate opinion and had nothing to say.
I love how this show doesn’t force people into all good or all bad. It’s more realistic in that people have layers. No one is all good or all bad. And even “bad” characters have vulnerabilities that give them motivation to continue on in their path. 😊
"I hate Robert!"
"He's *your* friend"
"So what I still hate him!"
🤭 that part made me giggle
Yes! That part is great! Robert is just fun overall.
I actually thought that sequence in the revival was kind of a metaphor rather than reality - it was what was going on in Rory's mind - going through her memories - so where things are a bit fantastical that relates to her emotions of that person in that event in her mind. That was the process of her letting go of that life and saying goodbye to Logan and that whole friendship community. Her process of growing up and letting go. That's how I had to interpret it so I could get through it because it didn't really suit the tone of the show. I only watched the revival once and now refuse to admit it exists because it just didn't vibe with the tone of the original and the characters seemed like different people.
I have seen several people share a similar perspective. I think one theory about the AYITL sequence is that it was Rory's dream or that it was partly imagined in her mind.
i loved robert. need a freak like him in my life
Hahahaha, I'd happily take a Robert in my life.
Oh yay- I LOVE Robert, glad he’s recognized here!!
I just couldn't leave Robert behind. He was the inspiration behind this video.
I completely agree with you I didn’t like the way it was all rushed, but I feel like her little sit into something completely different than what she’s used to would’ve been perfect
Perhaps the show writers didn't think that the audience would be into the mystery aspect of the society.
1:26 I looove Robert! I'm neurodivergent, so I think I'm attracted to his blunt, direct manner, and his ridiculous goals.
He's definitely something else. I think he was a little underutilized.
I totally agree that the Life & Death Brigade should have had a bigger role than it had. Especially when you consider how it could've nuanced Rory's character. In my opinion the LDB should've been what triggered her "darker" impulses, for example making her slowly want and lust for the lifestyle that her mother ran from (not that that's a bad thing, but I feel that since she lacks experience in that world it would be easy for her to lose herself a little).
I feel like they should have made the LDB a main plot for season five because it would have made Rory more compelling as a character, to see her working to solve a mystery that no one else has while trying to balance school, family, and I guess her developing feelings for Logan; which might've been a great way to make their relationship more complex too. Maybe give them more of a (forced?) friendship first as she delved deeper and deeper into the intruiging life of the elites, learned and investigated, and at last joined. Besides, as mentioned in the video, Rory did want to become a journalist, and giving her a taste of what kind of work that might entail would've been fantastic because it would highlight the lengths she would go to to get what she wants, and maybe give some perspective on whether or not that was what she wanted to do in the long run.
Not to mention that the LDB storyline would've been the perfect opportunity to fully flesh out all those side characters. It could've showed that while Logan, Finn, Colin & co were rich jackasses with too much time on their hands, the world of wealth and privilege took a toll on them too. We know that Logan had a bad family situation, but what about the others? So many different issues and themes could have been explored here. (Colin's hatred for his family, Jillian's eating disorder, Finn's escapism etc etc.)
I loveeee the vibe of the life and death brigade and was so excited for more I wish you had been in the writing room so we could have seen more of them. your ideas are so great!!
Hahahaha, if I was in the writing room, it would have been havoc. It's so much easier to criticize from the sidelines. 🙃 I appreciate the vote of confidence!
I watched that episode just the other night. I love the way their stunt looks, very whimsical. But how the hell did Rory climb that tower in an evening gown? I would have slipt and fallen to my death.
In the scene, as she is climbing, we can see that Alexis Bledel is attached to a wire, although I don't think that we are supposed to think that Rory is attached to a wire. I would have also fallen to my death. I'm afraid of heights, even if I managed to get up there, I would have had a heart attack before jumping.
yea frankly Rory isnt so great either. just bc she gets great grades, a small town girl, pretty but doesnt care, etc isnt that normal really? but at the time it WAS refreshing to see a smart girl not be a zero. she was well liked, wasnt obsessed w/ looks, wasnt a super popular cheerleader or a alternative girl or total nerd outcast, just a normal girl. most of the time normal girls and guys people in general can be wrong and can be flawed however she was worshipped unfairly. she wasnt special she was normal and could have a happy life w/ her friends and family. nothing wrong w/ it but the townspeople think shes so perfect!
That's something that bothered me about the show starting with the fifth season. It always seemed unrealistic to me that 1) these rich kids would even take much of an interest in her and 2) that some ridiculously wealthy good looking guy would decide to be a committed boyfriend to her after she was willing to casually sleep with him for a few months. The show really put her on a pedestal that didn't seem deserved. Everything just always worked out for her. She sleeps with her married ex and breaks up his marriage then he leaves his wife for her and she suffers no consequences. On the contrary, she "levels up" from a good looking boyfriend to a really rich good looking boyfriend. And she still manages to graduate on time after taking a whole semester off to do nothing.
@@JS-mg1mk well she didn’t exactly do nothing she was in the DAR and she had community service hours to fulfill
I love the aesthetic of The Beatles scene as well! My issue is that so many shots are VERY posed. It takes away from the idea that this is really happening. If they had kept more movement and less “stand and pose” shots it would have worked better for me. It made me feel very aware of the camera direction and set pieces. That’s why the Tango Club shots work better. There’s still an air of magic and whimsy but it still feels like it could be a real place and a real experience.
I think those are the parts that lagged for me as well. Overall, it looked very cool but some parts were a little too posed.
Duuude Gilmore girls in general has so many ultra staged moments !! Especially at town hall meetings w clapping and shit omg
I love The Life and Death Brigade! This is one of the episodes of Gilmore Girls that I watch the most. Like you, I wish they had dragged it out over lots of episodes - it should have made Rory really need to be an investigative journalist.
Right!? It would have been a lot of fun watching Rory solve a mystery.
I think this is my favourite vids of yours so far :)
From you, I take that as a very high compliment. 🙂Thank you!
@@PensiveWhiskers 🥰🌸
I love your videos so much thank you for making these analysis videos of my favorite show
I'm glad you're enjoying them! I hope to keep getting better at this (I think there are a lot of small topics on this show that don't get discussed often enough).
I love your analysis in this video! I think that a great solution/explanation for revealing the Bridage so quickly would be showing that Richard or the Gilmores in general were members of it. It could be not only a great way to perform the Rory decline (as you pointed out) but also it would have given another great story to explore in the show, specially when short after that the whole Huntzberger's rejection of Rory happens... and that's when she says "My ancestors came over on the Mayflower!"... it would have given more historical context of the Gilmore's family (and it would have highlighted the discussion of Rory as "false" middle class, taking into consideration that she is part of the US elite)
I like your point! The L&D Brigade could have been another way to show the Gilmore's status, particularly Richard's. It would have been interesting if the group let Rory in because she is a legacy, thus cementing her status as part of the elite.
robert's plan for life kinda sounds like "godfather" plot + hugh hefner life lol
Hahaha, I like your characterization of it! That sounds about right. 😆
Haha this is great! In addition to agreeing that there could've been a much bigger puzzle made out of the Brigade to be solved throughout the season, I can also confirm a couple of things about being in weird secret societies:
1. The impact can definitely feel outsized compared to the actual amount of time spent in the society. Whether positive (the crazy hijinks, the incredible experiences, the friends we made along the way) or negative (the trauma, the mistakes, the friends we lost along the way), being highly involved in a secret society can be a bright flame in one's life, for however briefly it may bur.
2. Many of the people involved in secret shenanigans like this are absolutely huge f'n nerds! The same people throwing huge, extravagant, wild parties in the woods are also in a weekly DnD game and geeking out about audio equipment. They are ready to go hard on some one-off character for a party, never breaking character while dressed in a stunning handmade costume and game they designed to play at the event - just for the funsies. More often than not, being highly involved in the production end of a secret society can just feel like a combination of LARPing and event design.
As far as GG is concerned, I would've liked to see them explore more about the darker side of some of the more Ivy League-centered secret societies, especially as it relates to race and politics - that was so noticeably absent. I also like your ideas about how Rory's character could've descended - I would've enjoyed that more. Thanks for an enjoyable video!
It would have been interesting for them to explore the darker side of these societies, but I get why they didn't go there. They didn't want to change the tone of the show. I'm totally with you on your second point; my friends and I were huge nerds in high school and college and it's the type of thing that we used to do; throw on themed parties and play nerdy games.
While I think giving more depth to the Life & Death brigade would have been interesting, it didn't feel short-shifted to me since I didn't think the point of the brigade was the brigade itself. I had read the Life & Death Brigade as being more an exploration of and metaphor for Logan's character. Logan, like the Life & Death Brigade, is shiny, opulent, and dangerous and he pushes Rory out of her comfort zone. To me the brigade seemed like Logan's backstory in a way.
I don't think people hated the long duration in ayitl but a lot of people hated Kirk's play/movie
I also heard that about the town play. The length of the Life and Death Brigade scene didn't bother me.
Fantastic video as always. I wish they did so much more with this as well.
Thank you! I guess we have to resort to fanfiction. If there's ever a reboot, I hope they would consider incorporating this society in a new way.
robert's my fav
I support this statement.
I totally agree that we should have seen more of the Life and Death Brigade. I've heard it said that Rory was made a teenager because the WB/CW was aiming for a teen audience, but that the show is really more about Lorelei, and Rory should have been faded out when she went to college. The person who said this also said that not enough work is done to develop the people in Rory's "teenage," world throughout high school and college, beyond her love interests. She should have had more high school friends than Paris and people we saw only briefly in the background who had no character development. She should have had more college friends than Paris and people we saw only briefly in the background who had no character development. TL&DB was a vehicle to start her relationship with Logan, but it wasn't a vehicle to give Rory friends. We see her hanging out with these people, and while they are interesting in the moments we see them, we don't really ever get to know them. In the scene in the Revival, it's made very clear that Rory has kept up with Logan's friends as though they are her own, they jokingly call her mother and say they will miss her. This implies a very close relationship, which could exist, but we don't necessarily see it. It would have been fun if the show spent more time on Rory's younger world and life, as opposed to just how Rory fit into her mother's world and how she fit into her grandparents world. Also, TL&DB just seem like a fun group and it would have been cool to see more of them and their adventures.
As for the Revival seen, I enjoyed it, I just found it very confusing. The party in season five looks like it would be expensive and require some planning, but it didn't seem unrealistic. The montage in the revival however just didn't feel like something that could actually happen, even if you have a ton of money. I don't remember all the details because I only saw the revival a couple of times, but from what I recall, there were just too many fantastical aspects to it even though it was presented as reality, and I found myself wondering how they were actually able to do this in a non-sci-fi/non-magical world.
Great video.
Hey! You're right, when it comes to Rory's friendships, we really only get 1 friend for each period of her life; in the early seasons, Lane is the only friend who is developed and once we reach the college years, Paris is the only character who truly becomes Rory's friend. It would have been interesting to have more side characters develop and have friendships with Rory.
The L&D Brigade scene in the revival was unrealistic, so I understand why people were bothered by it. Given the order in which I watched the show, I didn't have the same reaction as a lot of people. I honestly just assumed the show went in this wild direction in the later seasons. I would agree that it is hard to imagine how that scene would play out in a realistic manner. Thank you for sharing your opinion!
i mean...people can feel Colin, Finn and Robert werent that much in the show, but for as long as Rory was with Logan, those dudes were in her life, even if we didnt see them. They love her, she is their friend too.
and if they are so remembered even if they werent "that much" on the show, it means they were actually iconic, funny and loved
The aesthetics are beautiful. I think they had Alice in Wonderland in mind when they designed the set. The letter game, the human polo, the dress Rory wears, Finn's behavior - I think the intention was to show Rory falling into another world with different and bizarre rules.
I agree with you in everything you said and it is a very beautiful thought. I think that in general the series is not good at writing drama. It is fun and funny, but in long or dramatic storylines it fails miserably. Each time she rocks the boat and makes telenovela moves to create power drama, then doesn't sink her teeth into them.
For example: Lorelai is dating Max, Rory's teacher - Rory gets used to it in a second. (Good drama: to show the struggle it creates for her). Lorelai runs away from Max before the wedding. No response. (Good drama: show Max's emotional reaction to this, show Rory's emotional reaction to this). Lorelai marries Christopher(!) after many years, divorces, again, no response (Rory is upset that she wasn't invited to the wedding but not upset that the opportunity to be part of a whole family was taken away from her).
Rory feels insecure about what Mitchum said - there is a lot of reaction against Mitchum, and also against the decision to drop Yale, but *nobody* not Lorelai, not her grandparents, not Logan, not Lane, no one talks to her about how that she feels and gives her tools to deal with it.
Lorelai and Luke both have a fear of commitment but they never talk about it.
No one talks to Lane about the difficult situation she found herself in at the end of the show, and how to deal with it.
There are probably more examples, but you get the idea.
Relative to a program where there is so much talk, every time there is something real to talk about they run away in the other direction. It really annoyed me in the first few seasons until I realized that I should just lower my expectations on this issue.
On the other hand, in Buffy - they don't let a single drop of blood spill without noticing ;) There is wonderful drama writing, and a demon always appears to show us what our heroes are dealing with on the inside.
exactly! it had so much potential
I think for a a couple of The Life & Death Brigade members joined as an easy to blow off steam‼ Maybe not Colin, Finn, and Robert, but they are gain for anything. Logan is under pressure to live up to Huntsberger name, where as the girls Rosemary and other one are under pressure to look good‼
What an amazing video, thank you!
Thank you! ❤ I'm happy you enjoyed it!
I understand your feelings about The Life & Death Brigade if you are first exposed to them through the revival but the problem with the sequence is that it is not rooted in reality which the show is. It is quirky and over the top but it's still possible to do a hay bale maze or dance marathon.
Yeah, I completely understand why people don't like it, it's definitely not realistic. My viewing of Gilmore Girls was impacted by the order in which I saw the show (at least the later seasons). After watching the revival, I assumed the show took a bunch of mushrooms in season 5-7.
About Julienne and other fat-shaming - I think the hypocrisy of it is supposed to be part of the humor, and maybe it's funny in the home cultures of some of the writers. Like, they hired a model to play Rory, and have her eat a lot as a character trait. Yet Julienne seems to be the only person in the world, as far as I recall, who has an eating disorder.
Julienne was the best example of the show's humor when it comes to food issues. When we hone in on her, it's rough, it's very clear that she suffers from an eating disorder and it's brushed aside.
great video!! i never really considered the life and death brigade too deeply but after this i definitely agree that they laid a good base for something really interesting, then kinda just let it falter
fun to watch as always; your cadence, delivery, and editing get better and better with every video you make and your output lately has been impressive! keep it up:)
Thank you! I'm really trying, I get really frustrated with my progress, but that's ok. As long as there's progress :). I appreciate your comment!
I could have been happy with the appearance of the Life and Death Brigade in the revival - it was kind of surreal and separate. The part I hated most about the revival was the Stars Hollow musical. So much time spent on something that didn't matter at all. It seemed like an act of vanity. I loved your ideas of how to better use the L&DB in the original series.
Yeah, the musical lasted too long. I clocked that one too, the musical was 10 continuous minutes. I didn’t feel that the musical was purposeful.
@@PensiveWhiskers And with all the audition bits for the musical, too. Too much and pointless. I wish Netflix had been committed to keeping the revival and working to make it better.
For some reason, I can’t only hear your voice audio out of the left headphone. The music is both & your other videos are both.
That was my mistake. I realized that I messed up the audio on a few videos. I figured out what it was so I reuploaded my most recent one and now I know how to verify the issue beforehand. Sorry about that!
gillian is so real- normal people can't just eat whatever and be thin.
Hmmm -- i think it could've/should've been made more use of, too, for interesting storylines at Yale and for Rory's character development. It does highlight some of Rory's "weaknesses" etc. and introduces her to new people. With the way the writers used it, it seems like it also shows that she doesn't belong there. While they accept her, she can't really hang with Logan / Colin / Finn like that ongoingly. She doesn't lean into the chaos like they do, even when given the opportunity. Maybe this again highlights that investigative journalism isn't the right fit for her.
Yes, I absolutely agree. The L&D Brigade did highlight some of Rory's weaknesses and how she is afraid to take risks. It would have been interesting to dive into that a little bit more.
Personally, I'd like to think that the writer was trying something new and realised mystery is not her genre.
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You mean apocalyptic highlights 😂👏🏻
Yes! That's right. I misquoted her in that scene.
I love the LDB! Would I like them in real life? Absolutely not! But those scenes (and any part of the show with Colin, Finn, and Robert) are some of my favorites to rewatch!
I actually don’t feel like the LDB scene was overblown in the revival. After 3 other episodes of character cameos, I was dying to see if they would bring Colin, Finn, and Robert back too. Now, it’s almost the only scene I want to rewatch from the revival. (If we want to hate on a revival scene for being too long and out of place, let’s jump on “These Boots Were Made for Walking”-sooooo cringy!!!)
Yup! This might be an unpopular opinion but the LDB scene is the scene I would want to rewatch from the revival.
The life and death brigade musical in the middle of the revival was a waste of almost entirely a whole episode and there were only four episodes! They didn’t have time to waste!
They didn't, you're right. I might have felt differently if I saw Season 5 before watching the revival. It did take up a lot of time.
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i hated them