‘Gilmore Girls’ Caps Its Perky Season

The rapid repartee and cute quotient can be trying at times, but more often than not “Gilmore Girls” puts a smile on our face.

Tonight’s charming season finale, which features one wedding proposal and two declarations of love, is no exception. It’s a typically fast-paced evening with sassy single mother Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and her adorable 16-year-old daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel).

Lorelai has reunited with lit professor Max (Scott Cohen), while Rory decides to pursue her ex-boyfriend Dean (Jared Padalecki). Meanwhile, Lorelai’s longtime friend Luke (Scott Patterson), who owns the local diner, is hiding from his girlfriend and getting a bit territorial with Max.

As usual, there’s plenty to like here, including the pert performances by Graham and Bledel, but the show occasionally overplays its hand, laboring a bit for the whimsical, wonderful tone of Hollywood’s vintage screwball comedies. In most episodes it works, but in others it can wear a bit thin.

But there’s always a witty line or two to keep us coming back for more. For example, Lorelai to Max: “You dated?” Max to Lorelai: “A little.” Lorelai: “You dated a little person?”

And there’s one other chirpy exchange. Lorelai to her friend Sookie (Melissa McCarthy): ‘What’s the opposite of ennui?” Sookie: “Off ui?”

See what we mean?

* “Gilmore Girls” can be seen tonight at 8 on the WB. The network has rated it TV-PG-D (may be unsuitable for young children, with an advisory for suggestive dialogue).