Gilmore Girls – S1E3 – Kill Me Now
Weddings, golfing, and the boob fight. It’s occurring to me that the last bit probably deserves a better label, but for now that’s all I’ve got. Anyway, this is another good episode. However, for some reason, it is not one that I often go back to. I’m not really sure why that is. I guess the best way to figure it out is to break down the episode and discuss it. Shall we?
Ah, Friday night dinner. There were several fun little moments in the opening dinner scene that held some of the episode’s, and Lorelai’s, best quotes. These moments included Lorelai questioning how Richard could possibly confuse Anton and Sophia, her quip about the “charming little inn” becoming “rude and large,” her suggestion that the Gilmores make debating look like a sport, and I believe this was also the first mention of Richard’s mother, referred to as the first Lorelai. She apparently was the original owner of the dinner plates they are using as well. It is interesting to find out that Lorelai’s idea of naming Rory after herself was, in a certain respect, not as original of an idea as they led us to believe in the first couple of episodes. Instead it is more of a continuation of tradition.
Unfortunately, the dinner scene also contained the episode’s most annoying element as well. Once again, Emily’s aggressive means of getting what she wants drove me up a wall. What is probably most frustrating about it, is that in this particular case, she isn’t even really doing it for Rory’s benefit. It’s entirely self seeking. She wants to brag to her friends. It’s not about Rory enjoying it, or even about Rory having the opportunity to get to know her grandfather. It’s about making Emily happy by proving something to all the rich snobs at the club. Richard and Rory are just pawns in her little game. Sorry Emily, but you’re just proving to me that Lorelai was right to run away when she had the chance.
Despite the manipulative process by which it comes about, I really enjoyed having the opportunity to watch the grandfather/granddaughter bonding that goes on between Richard and Rory. I think Richard’s initial expectations of Rory were that she shared Lorelai’s disdain for him and Emily, and that she would have no interest in actually trying to get to know him. Essentially, he saw her as teenage Lorelai. When Richard finally does open up to Rory, their connection is kind of like magic. Suddenly, Richard can see her for the kind, sweet, and intelligent kid she is, and someone with whom he can share a pleasant conversation. It was sweet to see how proud he was to show her off to his friends at the club. With everything that happens in the show’s seven season run, I always love the relationship that exists between Richard and Rory. To see it in what is really its beginning stage is truly a noteworthy moment.
Of course, this unexpected new relationship understandably throws Lorelai for a loop. I honestly do get the jealousy factor that comes into play. She starts to feel like if Rory has a good relationship with Richard and Emily, that might somehow mean that they are pulling Rory away from her and into the world that she has fought so hard to keep Rory away from. I get it. I really do. However, Rory is her own person, and should have the opportunity to form her own opinions about her grandparents and whether or not she wants to be a part of their world. This, of course, leads to the infamous boob fight. This is such a classic Gilmore Girls moment. It really is kind of hilarious to watch. Funny as it may be though, I think it really shows an immaturity in Lorelai's ability to expression emotions in a healthy way. At least it is something she recognizes as a problem, which we see both in her conversation with Sookie, and later in her apology to Rory. It’s not that she doesn’t want Rory to have a good relationship with her grandparents, it seems like more of a fear of what it might mean for her own relationship with Rory, were Rory to want the life that she ran away from. That being said, I don’t think Rory wants that life. I think she wants a relationship with her grandparents, but I think she is perfectly happy with the life Lorelai has given her in Stars Hollow. Her thanking Lorelai for not putting her in the fancy dresses shows that she does appreciate her mother’s attempts to give her a better childhood than the one she had. After all of this, it was really kind of sad the way that Lorelai was left by herself in the living room of the Gilmore mansion, while the rest of her family went off to see the book Richard found for Rory. I feel like it just goes to show how disconnected she is from her parents’ world. We’re no longer just hearing about the disconnect, we physically see it.
On to some happier notes though. Back in Stars Hollow, romance is in the air, as Lorelai is in charge of planning a big wedding at the inn. The fact that it is a double twin wedding is just fantastic. I love the conversation Michel, Lorelai, and Sookie have about telling the twins apart, and Michel resorting to posting sticky notes on their backs to keep himself out of trouble. Given the high maintenance nature of the parties involved, I thought it was really a great way for them to display Lorelai’s managerial skills. She really is good at what she does, and she proves that in this episode. The funniest moment of all of the wedding planning stuff though was learning of Michel’s fear of swans. Oh, Michel. Good comedy right there.
There were a few other little Stars Hollow moments worth mentioning. Let’s start with strawberries. I love how Sookie gets so intense about finding the strawberries that she basically forgets that Lorelai is there. Her dedication is unmatched. She trips the guy on the bike, and then only regains focus when she hears Lorelai say something about a strawberry costume. Sookie chasing Jackson down the street as he zig zags around was so funny. The notion that by buying another man’s strawberries she was essentially cheating on him was great, because in their world it is a totally legitimate offense. I loved every minute of it. Sookie and Jackson’s interactions are so fun to watch. Babette and Morey also make a second appearance, along with a mention of their cat, Cinnamon. Turns out Morey is quite the pianist. I have to say, I wouldn’t mind a guy that could play Thelonius like that.
Generally speaking, this episode does have some great moments in it, but there is still something about it that always prevents me from really wanting to watch it whenever I revisit the series. Even after all this discussion, I can’t quite place my finger on what it is. Whatever it is, it lies within the Hartford story. Maybe it’s just that I really can’t get past the Emily thing. All the wedding stuff, I really do enjoy watching. It really emphasizes the quirkiness that is Stars Hollow, and I mean that in the best way possible. I guess that all of this is just a long way of saying the episode is definitely worth watching, especially for first time viewers, but I can’t say that it is by any means my favorite episode.
Best Moments:
-Lorelai’s dinner quips
-Michel’s fear of swans
-Richard’s newfound pride in his granddaughter
-Boob fight
-Lorelai and Rory reconcile
-Sookie and Jackson
Best Quotes:
Rory: Hey, Grandma, these plates are really pretty.
Emily: Thank you, Rory. They were your great-grandmother's.
Richard: Lorelai the first.
Rory: I thought Mom was the first.
Emily: Not in the name.
Lorelai: No, but in so many other things I was a regular trailblazer. Just finishing your thought, Mom.
Emily: So, Lorelai, how are things at that charming little inn of yours?
Lorelai: They're still charming and little. We're just crossing our fingers it doesn't assert itself and become rude and large.
Emily: What sport are you going to pick?
Rory: I'm not sure. I'm not really the athletic type.
Lorelai: I told her she should go out for the debating team.
Rory: It's not a sport.
Lorelai: It is the way the Gilmores play.
Michel: I hate the swans.
Lorelai: These particular swans?
Michel: No, all swans. I was attacked by a band of swans in the Luxembourg Gardens when I was a boy. No one forgets that.
Lorelai: Oh no, not being attacked by a band of swans. Was it an all-boy band? Kind of a scary, feathery 'N Sync kind of fiasco?
Lorelai: Your boobs are totally bigger than mine!
…………..
Rory: You're cracked!
Lorelai: You're...bigger.
Lorelai: Sookie? Hello? Do I have to put on my strawberry costume to get your full attention?
Sookie: No, I'm sorry. You have a strawberry costume?
Emily: You brought us used dessert?
References:
Bob Barker
Lionhead Lady
Charlie Brown
Thelonius Monk
Mencken’s Chresthomothy
Mark Twain
Doublemint
Madonna and Sean Penn
Peyton Place
Pepe Le Pew
Shania Twain
Samuel Barber
John Cage
Phillip Glass
Antonio Banderas
N'Sync
Episode Total: 16
Weddings, golfing, and the boob fight. It’s occurring to me that the last bit probably deserves a better label, but for now that’s all I’ve got. Anyway, this is another good episode. However, for some reason, it is not one that I often go back to. I’m not really sure why that is. I guess the best way to figure it out is to break down the episode and discuss it. Shall we?
Ah, Friday night dinner. There were several fun little moments in the opening dinner scene that held some of the episode’s, and Lorelai’s, best quotes. These moments included Lorelai questioning how Richard could possibly confuse Anton and Sophia, her quip about the “charming little inn” becoming “rude and large,” her suggestion that the Gilmores make debating look like a sport, and I believe this was also the first mention of Richard’s mother, referred to as the first Lorelai. She apparently was the original owner of the dinner plates they are using as well. It is interesting to find out that Lorelai’s idea of naming Rory after herself was, in a certain respect, not as original of an idea as they led us to believe in the first couple of episodes. Instead it is more of a continuation of tradition.
Unfortunately, the dinner scene also contained the episode’s most annoying element as well. Once again, Emily’s aggressive means of getting what she wants drove me up a wall. What is probably most frustrating about it, is that in this particular case, she isn’t even really doing it for Rory’s benefit. It’s entirely self seeking. She wants to brag to her friends. It’s not about Rory enjoying it, or even about Rory having the opportunity to get to know her grandfather. It’s about making Emily happy by proving something to all the rich snobs at the club. Richard and Rory are just pawns in her little game. Sorry Emily, but you’re just proving to me that Lorelai was right to run away when she had the chance.
Despite the manipulative process by which it comes about, I really enjoyed having the opportunity to watch the grandfather/granddaughter bonding that goes on between Richard and Rory. I think Richard’s initial expectations of Rory were that she shared Lorelai’s disdain for him and Emily, and that she would have no interest in actually trying to get to know him. Essentially, he saw her as teenage Lorelai. When Richard finally does open up to Rory, their connection is kind of like magic. Suddenly, Richard can see her for the kind, sweet, and intelligent kid she is, and someone with whom he can share a pleasant conversation. It was sweet to see how proud he was to show her off to his friends at the club. With everything that happens in the show’s seven season run, I always love the relationship that exists between Richard and Rory. To see it in what is really its beginning stage is truly a noteworthy moment.
Of course, this unexpected new relationship understandably throws Lorelai for a loop. I honestly do get the jealousy factor that comes into play. She starts to feel like if Rory has a good relationship with Richard and Emily, that might somehow mean that they are pulling Rory away from her and into the world that she has fought so hard to keep Rory away from. I get it. I really do. However, Rory is her own person, and should have the opportunity to form her own opinions about her grandparents and whether or not she wants to be a part of their world. This, of course, leads to the infamous boob fight. This is such a classic Gilmore Girls moment. It really is kind of hilarious to watch. Funny as it may be though, I think it really shows an immaturity in Lorelai's ability to expression emotions in a healthy way. At least it is something she recognizes as a problem, which we see both in her conversation with Sookie, and later in her apology to Rory. It’s not that she doesn’t want Rory to have a good relationship with her grandparents, it seems like more of a fear of what it might mean for her own relationship with Rory, were Rory to want the life that she ran away from. That being said, I don’t think Rory wants that life. I think she wants a relationship with her grandparents, but I think she is perfectly happy with the life Lorelai has given her in Stars Hollow. Her thanking Lorelai for not putting her in the fancy dresses shows that she does appreciate her mother’s attempts to give her a better childhood than the one she had. After all of this, it was really kind of sad the way that Lorelai was left by herself in the living room of the Gilmore mansion, while the rest of her family went off to see the book Richard found for Rory. I feel like it just goes to show how disconnected she is from her parents’ world. We’re no longer just hearing about the disconnect, we physically see it.
On to some happier notes though. Back in Stars Hollow, romance is in the air, as Lorelai is in charge of planning a big wedding at the inn. The fact that it is a double twin wedding is just fantastic. I love the conversation Michel, Lorelai, and Sookie have about telling the twins apart, and Michel resorting to posting sticky notes on their backs to keep himself out of trouble. Given the high maintenance nature of the parties involved, I thought it was really a great way for them to display Lorelai’s managerial skills. She really is good at what she does, and she proves that in this episode. The funniest moment of all of the wedding planning stuff though was learning of Michel’s fear of swans. Oh, Michel. Good comedy right there.
There were a few other little Stars Hollow moments worth mentioning. Let’s start with strawberries. I love how Sookie gets so intense about finding the strawberries that she basically forgets that Lorelai is there. Her dedication is unmatched. She trips the guy on the bike, and then only regains focus when she hears Lorelai say something about a strawberry costume. Sookie chasing Jackson down the street as he zig zags around was so funny. The notion that by buying another man’s strawberries she was essentially cheating on him was great, because in their world it is a totally legitimate offense. I loved every minute of it. Sookie and Jackson’s interactions are so fun to watch. Babette and Morey also make a second appearance, along with a mention of their cat, Cinnamon. Turns out Morey is quite the pianist. I have to say, I wouldn’t mind a guy that could play Thelonius like that.
Generally speaking, this episode does have some great moments in it, but there is still something about it that always prevents me from really wanting to watch it whenever I revisit the series. Even after all this discussion, I can’t quite place my finger on what it is. Whatever it is, it lies within the Hartford story. Maybe it’s just that I really can’t get past the Emily thing. All the wedding stuff, I really do enjoy watching. It really emphasizes the quirkiness that is Stars Hollow, and I mean that in the best way possible. I guess that all of this is just a long way of saying the episode is definitely worth watching, especially for first time viewers, but I can’t say that it is by any means my favorite episode.
Best Moments:
-Lorelai’s dinner quips
-Michel’s fear of swans
-Richard’s newfound pride in his granddaughter
-Boob fight
-Lorelai and Rory reconcile
-Sookie and Jackson
Best Quotes:
Rory: Hey, Grandma, these plates are really pretty.
Emily: Thank you, Rory. They were your great-grandmother's.
Richard: Lorelai the first.
Rory: I thought Mom was the first.
Emily: Not in the name.
Lorelai: No, but in so many other things I was a regular trailblazer. Just finishing your thought, Mom.
Emily: So, Lorelai, how are things at that charming little inn of yours?
Lorelai: They're still charming and little. We're just crossing our fingers it doesn't assert itself and become rude and large.
Emily: What sport are you going to pick?
Rory: I'm not sure. I'm not really the athletic type.
Lorelai: I told her she should go out for the debating team.
Rory: It's not a sport.
Lorelai: It is the way the Gilmores play.
Michel: I hate the swans.
Lorelai: These particular swans?
Michel: No, all swans. I was attacked by a band of swans in the Luxembourg Gardens when I was a boy. No one forgets that.
Lorelai: Oh no, not being attacked by a band of swans. Was it an all-boy band? Kind of a scary, feathery 'N Sync kind of fiasco?
Lorelai: Your boobs are totally bigger than mine!
…………..
Rory: You're cracked!
Lorelai: You're...bigger.
Lorelai: Sookie? Hello? Do I have to put on my strawberry costume to get your full attention?
Sookie: No, I'm sorry. You have a strawberry costume?
Emily: You brought us used dessert?
References:
Bob Barker
Lionhead Lady
Charlie Brown
Thelonius Monk
Mencken’s Chresthomothy
Mark Twain
Doublemint
Madonna and Sean Penn
Peyton Place
Pepe Le Pew
Shania Twain
Samuel Barber
John Cage
Phillip Glass
Antonio Banderas
N'Sync
Episode Total: 16