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Gilmore Girls S7: Mrs. Kim’s Redemption Gone Wrong

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A Year in the Life, Emily had undergone a remarkable change for the better, finding her true self.

To this point, prior to Gilmore Girls’ season 7, another character had been on a path to claim the title of the most impressive redemption arc. Mrs. Kim, with her multi-layered moral complexities, showcased a truly moving redemption storyline. However, things took an unexpected turn in the final season of Gilmore Girls.

Mrs. Kim Was Set Up For The Best Redemption Arc In The Original Gilmore Girls

Initially in the series “Gilmore Girls”, Mrs. Kim and Emily Gilmore appear to have the most potential for personal growth, given their overbearing and controlling natures towards their children. They frequently discipline their kids when they deviate from expectations, limiting their actions, hobbies, and individuality. Both women are convinced that their actions stem from a place of doing what’s best for their children, based on their respective backgrounds and experiences. Nevertheless, certain instances in the early seasons of “Gilmore Girls” make Mrs. Kim appear more overbearing and strict to me compared to Emily.

When Lane finds herself in a predicament, Mrs. Kim removes her from school for two weeks, an action that not only seems questionable legally but is detrimental to her child’s wellbeing. This decision also ruins her daughter’s unbroken attendance record. Moreover, Mrs. Kim openly confesses to confining her daughter in her room after Lane breached the household rules by attending a double date. Subsequently, she…

Regrettably, some viewers often overlook Mrs. Kim’s hurtful actions as merely cultural, failing to perceive that Mrs. Kim might embody a strict parenting style due to her cultural background, yet still engage in mental abuse. The effects of generational trauma are evident in this scenario. However, it’s worth noting that Mrs. Kim occasionally displays kindness and understanding towards Lane, suggesting she may be open to change, in contrast to Emily who persistently resists growth.

How Mrs. Kim And Lane’s Relationship Changed Over Time

In the series Gilmore Girls, the relationship between Lane and her mother, Mrs. Kim, showcases the notion that situations can worsen before they improve. Over the course of seasons 1 to 3, Lane goes to great lengths to defy her mother’s disapproval while still avoiding direct confrontation, and Mrs. Kim remains stubbornly inflexible in most instances except for Dave Rygalski. Their relationship reaches its lowest point midway through Gilmore Girls season 4 when Mrs. Kim insists that Lane move out of the house after discovering her daughter’s passion for rock music, makeup, and clothing that displeases Mrs. Kim. Despite Lane’s efforts to find a middle ground, her mother refuses to accept change.

By the finale of season 4 in Gilmore Girls, the relationship between the two main characters improves as they both come to understand that they yearn for each other and aren’t content with their current circumstances due to the distance apart. Mrs. Kim’s love for her daughter grows stronger than her pain and inflexibility. She becomes anxious about Lane living with boys, but Lorelai provides guidance in helping her accept this situation. Despite disliking that her daughter is part of a rock band, she refuses to discourage her from pursuing her dream. In fact, Mrs. Kim uses her connections to arrange Hep Alien’s inaugural tour.

In the sixth season of “Gilmore Girls,” Mrs. Kim displays her finest self. After Hep Alien splits up, she offers Lane a place to stay, and refrains from criticizing her for her sullen demeanor. Mrs. Kim sets aside her maternal facade and shares drinks with Lane at the kitchen table, making a powerful statement. Though she maintains her principles, she doesn’t force them upon her daughter. Additionally, Mrs. Kim assists Zach in composing music to help him become a musician, recognizing that this band is Lane’s dream. This way, she ensures he can support her as an artist.

Lane’s Wedding Episode Is The Peak Of Mrs. Kim’s Redemption Arc

In essence, I believe that Mrs. Kim’s character development reaches its pinnacle in the nineteenth episode of Gilmore Girls season 6, titled “I Get a Sidekick Out Of You”. Previously portrayed as aloof and strict, Mrs. Kim is now deeply engaged in planning Lane’s wedding. The wedding itself serves as a symbolic moment of harmonious compromise between Lane and Mrs. Kim. Interestingly, they decide on a church ceremony for Lane, despite it seemingly unnecessary to Lane. It seems that Lane agrees to this, understanding its importance to Mrs. Kim.

Instead of trying to regulate Lane’s actions post-wedding, Mrs. Kim makes an exception for Lane. This is despite the knowledge that there will be alcohol and dancing involved – activities that go against Mrs. Kim’s religious beliefs. A remarkable gesture indeed, as she plans to wear noise-cancelling headphones while sleeping to avoid any potential disturbance from Lane’s activities. Such leniency was unthinkable from Mrs. Kim in Gilmore Girls’ first season.

As a devoted Gilmore Girls fan, I must admit that the discussion between Mrs. Kim and Lane about sex felt quite uncomfortable and seemed to carry a negative connotation towards sexuality. It wasn’t one of the show’s most proud moments, but it was clear that Mrs. Kim’s words stemmed from a place of care and concern for her daughter. Unlike earlier seasons, Mrs. Kim didn’t come off as trying to shame Lane, which was a refreshing change in their dynamic.

Mrs. Kim’s Redemption Arc Was Ruined By Lane’s Pregnancy In Gilmore Girls Season 7

If “Gilmore Girls” had concluded after Season 6, Mrs. Kim’s character development would have culminated in a moving transformation and atonement. Regrettably, the final season compromised Lane Kim’s narrative and even reverted some of Mrs. Kim’s growth from earlier seasons. In the storyline where Lane becomes pregnant with twins, Mrs. Kim reverts to being overly controlling, critical, and oppressive once more, although not as extreme as in Season 1.

Mrs. Kim imposes strict dietary rules on Lane to an extent that forces Lane to secretly store a Snickers bar beneath the floorboards. She unilaterally moves into Lane’s apartment and evicts Bryan, disregarding Lane’s preferences. Furthermore, she insists that Lane raises her grandchildren in the same religion as she raised her daughter, threatening to boycott the baby shower if not complied with. This represents a significant regression from Mrs. Kim’s tolerance displayed during Lane’s wedding regarding alcohol and dancing. However, she demonstrates a minimal amount of character development by participating in the baby shower organization, though she is far from the character we knew from Gilmore Girls season 6.

Essentially, the significant change observed can be attributed to the fact that Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creator of Gilmore Girls, and her husband Dan Palladino, who served as executive producer and writer, were let go from the show. This is particularly noticeable in the character of Mrs. Kim in the revival series, which they wrote, as she appears more like the version from season 6. Regrettably, the creative duo didn’t have enough time to fully rectify the issues from season 7 in A Year in the Life, resulting in a near-perfect redemption arc for Mrs. Kim that fell short at the last moment.

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2025-05-01 04:45

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