No, Mia is not the same person. Not the same actress, and not the same character. In last week’s episode, Kathy Baker played Mia, whereas in season 2, Elizabeth Franz played Mia. Kathy is 9 years younger than Elizabeth.

The thing is, I might have been able to forgive subbing a different actress for the part, if it had really been the same part! I loved it in season 2, how Mia showed such a firm but loving moral strength. I wondered why Lorelai and Rory didn’t pick up Mia’s good relationship habits.

But the woman we met this year, showed none of that. This Mia was still nice, yes, but she was a different kind of nice. I guess I was just really looking forward to seeing Mia again, and I felt let down.

Rory’s dress… It was way too short to be 50 years too old for her. However, it was… uh… different for her. The baggy yellow fabric and big print play well with her dark hair and slim figure. So it’s the wrong dress for Rory. Doesn’t mean it wouldn’t look beautiful on the right woman.

Logan: I’m proud of him, too, for quitting. Not that quitting is the right option. But it is an acceptable option. I have a feeling Mitchum was proud, too. It doesn’t really matter whether Logan makes it work at his dad’s company, or whether he strikes out on his own. What matters is that Logan grows up. I was proud when he decided to give it a go with the Huntzberger group, because it meant he was no longer a childish frat boy. But Mitchum has not really been a good mentor… for anyone, including Logan. It seems Logan feels he must make it on his own, without the special privileges of being the head honcho’s son. That’s enough to make any dad proud.

Logan not messing things up: Everybody makes mistakes. And everybody fails, usually multiple times, before he succeeds. The exception that proves the rule is Bill Gates. Everyone else has to make a lot of stupid mistakes before he starts getting things right. That’s why it’s important to find a supportive mentor, a third party who will give good advice but still allow you to make your own decisions.

From what I’ve heard, I really doubt that the Palladinos will ever have anything to do with Gilmore Girls again. But I’m really looking forward to The Return of Jezebel James.

“things are much better when the boys take a backseat”: Hey! I resemble that remark!
-TimK