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Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Melissa McCarthy, Keiko Agena, Scott Patterson, Yanic Truesdale

In a period when the television stations competed for the audience’s time, a successful TV series such as Gilmore Girls has managed to stay alive for three years. Much of the success of the show stems from the clever writing and the mother-daughter team, a relationship that many wish they had, or can relate to themselves, as they behave as siblings. Besides the successful relationship between the daughter and mother, the younger cast speaks both in an articulated and rapid manner, which generates a sense of maturation among them. Many of the younger viewers, might find this appealing as well. Despite the positives of the TV series, the fourth season displays that it suffers from lack of creativity, as it entered a tiresome and lengthy season regardless of some drastic changes within the season. ***

In the fourth season, the Gilmores, mother Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel), return from a vacation in Europe to Star Hollow, Connecticut, while things are not the way they were when they left. For example, Luke (Scott Patterson) tied the knot when he, himself, went on a vacation. However, he later signs the dotted line that breaks the matrimonial bond that he once tied earlier in this season. Yale University brings Rory her first year as a college freshman, which brings her the stress of a great education and separation from Lorelai, which is harder on Rory than she anticipated. Meanwhile, Lorelai keeps herself busy in both business and romance while her daughter keeps seeing the same old boys. ***

With the sixth season underway and the fifth season coming out on DVD in December, 2005, the well-versed viewers of this TV drama can, once again, experience the fourth season. Fortunately, the fifth season does rejuvenate the Gilmore Girls franchise, but this fourth season, as mentioned, does not deliver the same amusement and drama as previous and coming seasons. In a sense, this season is a little in the dark ages for Lorelai and Rory, in regards to entertainment. Nonetheless, viewers who have rigorously followed the Gilmore Girls will want to see this season too, even though it doesn’t reach its potential. *** ---

The image is superior to the analog signal that the television receives over the cable, but there are instances where the image presents some blemishes. For instance, the colors in some scenes in a few episodes seem a little soft while some minute edge enhancements were detected too. However, it does not remove much from the visual experience. A clean sound flows effortlessly from the front speakers, as no auditory distortions could be detected. The dialogues that help drive the story line flow with natural ease while the spoken words are smoothly rotated with the music in Gilmore Girls. It is not of the quality that one expects from a terrific feature film, but for a Dolby Digital 2.0 sound it is pretty good for a TV series. *** ---

Besides the 22 episodes the six DVDs present a few extras such as two additional scenes, Stars Hollow Interactive Trivia Game, Goodies & Gossip, and Who Wants To Get Together. The feature Who Wants to Get Together presents a montage of the most amorous moments in the 22 episodes, which could help some heartbroken viewers feel a little better. Semi-interesting facts will emerge in Goodies and Gossip, which presents itself throughout an episode. Then there is a trivia game and extra scenes from two episodes that is of average quality. *** ---

Personally, I was never a devoted Gilmore Girls follower, and never got into it. However, from seeing it, I can understand why some viewers find it appealing, and why it has been successful on the air for six seasons. It is worth viewing, if the viewer desires to see it, but if time is short then this lengthy DVD collection will feel like it is stealing your time. ***