The last episode of Gilmore Girls explained: How it ended and what it meant

Gilmore Girls is seven seasons of caffeine, fast talking, and chaos. The show was about a mother-daughter duo who were less mother and daughter and more sarcastic BFFs. After having a baby at sixteen and running away from her rich and snobby parents in Connecticut, Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) comes to Stars Hollow for a fresh start.

Her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bladel), is an academically gifted teenager who is also a champion at juggling different schools, three boyfriends, and constant existential crises. If Gilmore Girls needs to be described in a single line, then it is a show about living life, making mistakes, learning from them, enjoying Chinese food, and savoring mega liters of caffeine.

In May 2007, after seven years of endless drama, emotions, and entertainment, Gilmore Girls waved a final goodbye to its fans in its final episode, 'Bon Voyage.' Fans were finding it hard to say goodbye, and rumor has it that many are still seeking closure, asking "Was that it?" from time to time.

The finale was emotional and was the perfect end to an outstanding TV series. So, let's dive into all that took place in the series finale and break down every moment.

The series finale of Gilmore Girls explained

Whether you team Jess or secretly had a thing for Logan, you must have asked yourself once, "Why are all the boys talking like they are in a Shakespeare play?" But by the end of the series, a little part of you did miss that. Gilmore Girls was many fans' comfort show, and most of them watched the series finale while clutching their Luke's Diner mugs.

Let's break down the episode and relive the memorable TV show again. Let's see how many moments you remember from the last episode.

"Bon Voyage"

The episode starts with the sound of a ticking clock, teasing something big that's about to happen. Rory has landed a job at an online magazine and is covering Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Rory, being herself, continues her tradition of arriving early everywhere, but this time there is a catch.

She has to start in three days. But, come on, this is Gilmore Girls; everything is rushed here. She is trying hard not to look like she is stressed about her move, but inside, she is finding it harder to say goodbye to the town. She is like a duck, calm on the surface, fluttering under the water.

Lorelai, on the other hand, has finally come to terms with her feelings for Luke; still, right now her only worry is finding a way to say goodbye to her only daughter, her one true best friend, and the only person who understands her '90s references without judgment.

While the Gilmore Girls are wallowing in their troubles, the townspeople decide to throw Rory a surprise farewell party. Everyone steps up to make the party special: Taylor Doose, Kirk, and even Luke. Yes, the same Luke who had the emotional quotient of a chair throughout the series got up at the crack of dawn, in the rain, to set up a huge tent with his bare hands for Rory's party. He sewed the whole thing by himself.

This spoke volumes and washed away all his sins of the seven seasons. It was his way of showing Lorelai that he would always be there for her. When Rory comes to the town square, she is surprised to see the entire town gathered under glowing lights, and of course, coffee cups in their hands.

Everyone was laughing, eating, and occasionally crying, so it was safe to say that the party was a hit. Lorelai and Rory shared some tender moments, and life came full circle for them as they sat in Luke's Diner, just like in the first episode.

What did the ending of Gilmore Girls mean?

So, what did the ending of Gilmore Girls mean? For the show's fans, it meant heartbreak, the end of an era, and the time to unsubscribe from the cable network. Besides that, there were some important takeaways from the show, and they are discussed below.

1) Rory's New Beginnings

Rory gets her happily ever after, not with some guy but with her career and endless opportunities that were waiting for her. She turns down Logan's proposal, choosing her career and adventure instead. She leaves the town with her passport and notebook, taking with her sweet memories, the love of her mom, and the people of Star Hollow.

2) Lorelai takes control

Lorelai and Luke finally end up together after giving their fans seven seasons of slow-burn romance. There are no Hollywood romance gestures or divine interventions, but instead, in a sweet, tender moment, they realize that they belong together. Lorelai realizes that Luke is steady, rational, and deeply in love with her, and Luke understands she doesn't want to fix him; she wants him to show up for her.

The Takeaways

Gilmore Girls beautifully reinforced life's important elements in the final episode. Everyone should focus on at least one of them in their life. Female independence is a must in today's world. Rory didn't settle, and so shouldn't you. You must make your own choices; they may go south sometimes, but you will learn from them and become better.

It is important to grow as a person throughout your lifetime. You must strive for it. Emily Gilmore taught everyone that, and that's why, by the end of the series, her relationship with Lorelai was mending. Friday dinners were still on, but with less chaos now.

Hollywood and rom-coms have ruined romance for everyone. People need to understand that love doesn't have to be violins and firecrackers; it needs to be steady and consistent.

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In conclusion, the final episode of Gilmore Girls didn't have any mind-bending twists or grand dramatic endings, but it was exactly what it should have been: a sweet goodbye. It showed us how to say a perfect goodbye to our loved ones and the place that shaped our lives.