Gilmore Girls: The Complete Fourth Season

The series TV Guide once called “the most winningly witty and winsome dramedy on the air” took a real gamble in the 2003-04 fourth season by separating its previously inseparable mother-daughter protagonists. After finally graduating from her upscale private school, Rory (Alexis Bledel) heads off to Yale, which isn't that distant but seems like a world away to her mother/best friend, Lorelai (Lauren Graham). Rory adjusts to her cranky roommate Paris (Liza Weil) while trying to maintain her link with mom, who begins a relationship with childhood friend Jason “Digger” Stiles (Chris Eigeman), now her father's business partner. Later, the season takes a dramatic turn when Lorelai decides to open an inn in Stars Hollow, where both mother and daughter find themselves once again attracted to residents: Lorelai renews her friendship with diner owner Luke (Scott Patterson), while Rory gravitates to old boyfriend Dean (Jared Padalecki). In watching these 22 episodes back to back, it's apparent that the show's stewards miscalculated in keeping the girls apart (their chemistry is what made the series a hit to begin with), so bringing Rory back to Stars Hollow more frequently reinvigorates the show. Highlights include “Girls in Bikinis, Boys Doin' the Twist,” which tracks Rory and Paris on their spring break; and “Luke Can See Her Face,” which finally sees Lorelai making romantic progress. DVD extras are disappointingly slim with a pop-up factoid feature available on one episode, two deleted scenes, a collection of Gilmore-isms, and a quiz game. Recommended. (E. Hulse)