Gilmore Girls – S1E4 – The Deer Hunters
Another great episode. I definitely like it better than its predecessor. There is actually quite a bit I want to talk about, so I’m just going to jump right in.
As I believe that there are some parallels between Rory and Sookie’s stories in this episode, I want to discuss those first. Let’s start with Sookie’s review. What’s interesting about this whole story, is the fact that it really has nothing to do with Sookie wanting a better review. I mean, she did get a great review to begin with, even with the “fine” risotto. It is more that Sookie feels like the reviewer was deprived of the wonderful experience that is the magic risotto, and she wants to make sure that she finds a way to rectify the situation. Were it another dish that got called “fine,” I can see Sookie maybe questioning it, but I don’t think she would have gone to such lengths for a dish that didn’t hold such sentimental value. It is a pride in protecting the legacy of the magic risotto. Side note, Sookie feeding Lorelai spoonful after spoonful of hot risotto was funny. Poor Lorelai puts up with a lot when it comes to Sookie’s intensity in the kitchen, but she’s a good sport about it.
Obviously, Rory’s D was kind of the big kicker of the episode. She’s new, she’s behind, and that grade is reasonable given that she is in a period of adjustment. However, like Sookie and the risotto, Rory is a perfectionist with something to prove. She needs some kind of affirmation that switching schools was the right choice, and that she can make it at Chilton. This story leads to some really great moments with her and Lorelai. We get the impression that Lorelai has never really had to pay too close of attention to Rory’s school work, as Rory is pretty diligent in that area of her own accord. This leads to several jokey Lorelai moments, both at the store picking out school supplies, and then with her begging Rory to go get ice cream. If anything, Lorelai thinks that Rory sometimes puts too much focus on school, and I think these moments, apart from being natural Lorelai-esque moments, are in some respect her way of making Rory take a step back and rejoin the real world for awhile. Lorelai’s not used to the idea of Rory struggling in school. When she does learn that Rory is having problems, the joking goes away (for the most part), and she is fully focused on doing whatever it takes to help Rory succeed.
One of my favorite moments of the episode is the talk Lorelai and Rory have in the woods as Rory goes searching for the deer. Again, Lorelai only wants what is best for Rory, and she really expresses this by telling Rory that it’s okay if she wants to follow a different path than the plan of going to Harvard. Too often, and especially in an environment like Chilton, success isn’t necessarily measured by finding something in life that you are truly happy doing, but rather by going to the best schools and getting some high end, well paying job when you graduate. This is why I love Lorelai for saying that Rory should only follow the Harvard plan if that is what she really wants to do. Lorelai’s measure of success is based on Rory being truly happy in life.
Rory’s classmates are all as charming as ever. I get that this school is competitive, but I think Lorelai has a valid point in arguing that the school fosters very negative relationships amongst its students. What Paris, Louise and Tristan have been doing to Rory is bullying, something that should never be okay, regardless of how prestigious the school believes itself to be. Combining the bullying with academic struggles, adds up to stress. Therefore, Rory’s freakout in class seems totally understandable. It’s not a healthy situation, and I think Lorelai is right to be concerned, but everyone reaches a breaking point once in awhile. I know I’ve done it. Just ask my 8th grade art class.
Continuing with the Chilton story, Max Medina gets his grand introduction in this episode. Rory’s English teacher, and a potential love interest for Lorelai, Max seems like a pretty decent guy. He automatically makes himself likable by being the only person at the school who seems to believe that Rory actually belongs there. Honestly, in terms of everything that went down with the test, he did nothing wrong by not allowing Rory to take the test. He followed the rules he had laid out, and so you really can’t fault him for what happened. In fact, he went out of his way to try and figure out a way to rectify the situation. Unfortunately, he gets caught in the crossfire of a rant which I believe Lorelai was actually aiming at Charleston following his rude comments about Rory making excuses for her situation. What is perhaps most frustrating about that whole situation is the fact that no one at the school seems concerned when Rory says she got hit by the deer. Yes, she’s obviously okay, but you would think a car accident of any kind would be cause enough to consider forgiving her tardiness. Instead, Charleston chalks it up to the equivalent of a “dog ate my homework” excuse, which is so not okay in my opinion.
Speaking of Max though, he and Lorelai seem to take an instant liking to one another. Their conversation at parent’s night was sweet. Quick question on parents night - why does Lorelai want to attend the AP test? Believe me, they are not that exciting. I took some in high school, and my parents never expressed any desire to come watch. Seems like a bizarre request, especially coming from Lorelai. Anyway, back on topic. As much as I liked Lorelai and Max’s interaction, I kind of feel a little bit bad for Rory after hearing the message he leaves on the answering machine. That last comment about it being a pleasure encountering Lorelai, to me, moved past friendly and into flirty territory. If a teacher said that to my mom, I’d be totally freaked out. Too comfortable, too soon.
Back in Stars Hollow, for the first time we get to really see Mrs. Kim in action as a saleswoman. The scene with Lane and Rory being shuffled from table to table as furniture is being sold out from under them is fun to watch. I also enjoyed their Marco/Polo bit as Rory tries to find Lane in the maze of tables and chairs. Elsewhere in the Kim house, we get to see Lane’s closet, which, if I might add, is really cool. It is her own little world hidden away from the watchful eyes of Mrs, Kim. Lane is a good friend to Rory, however, like Lorelai, Lane doesn’t immediately seem to get that Rory is struggling in school. It’s just assumed that because she was the smart girl at Stars Hollow High, that she’s doing well at Chilton. You get the impression that Rory kind of feels alone in terms of the academics. She doesn’t want to disappoint Lorelai by telling her she’s struggling, and Lane kind of brushes it off as no big deal. Like I mentioned before, combine that with getting picked on by Paris, and she’s in a pretty stressful situation. One positive note that comes of her conversation with Lane though is that we find out Dean has been asking about Rory. Her awkwardness when they met didn’t seem to scare him off.
Luke didn’t play a very big part in the episode, but I love when he brings Rory a slice of pie after her “violent pencil tossing.” It is one of the first moments where we really get to see that Luke has a soft and fuzzy side somewhere beneath that tough, grumpy exterior. Other small character notes included the continuation of Drella and Michel’s disdain for one another. Pairing those two off is always great comedy. Jackson also returns in this episode and is tasked with trying to cheer up Sookie….which he kind of fails at, but he was fun to watch anyway.
I have one nitpick for the episode, and I only bring it up because it bothers me every single time I watch. Rory driving. So, two episodes from now, Rory celebrates her 16th birthday. That means that in this episode, she is only 15 years old. There is no way she would have her license yet, and even with a permit, she would be required to drive with a licensed adult. Due to that fact, whenever I see Lorelai hand her the keys, I cringe. I mean, you could argue that given the extreme circumstance they chose to screw the law and just go, but as there is no discussion, it is just really obvious to me that someone didn’t think the age thing all the way through when planning the first six episodes. So, it completely takes me out of the episode. Adding to that, why doesn’t Lorelai go to bed after waking up and seeing Rory asleep in the kitchen. Sure, let Rory sleep and cover her with a blanket, but one of you needs to be near an alarm clock if you really expect to wake up on time. Granted, even with an alarm clock, Lorelai doesn’t have a great track record thus far. Remember the fuzzy clock that didn’t purr? All that being said, I think the deer gag (which is a result of the driving thing) throughout the end of the episode was well done, and entertaining. As someone who lives where deer frequently roam about, I can attest that deer actually are stupid enough to run into vehicles. Sadly, that’s not an exaggeration.
Generally speaking, I think this is a really solid episode. I think it really establishes Rory’s academic determination, which is a running theme throughout the series. The side bits from the Stars Hollow characters continue building on the quirky charm established in the prior episodes as well. Apart from the continuity issue, I really don’t have anything negative to say. Final verdict – Definitely worth the watch.
Best Moments:
-Deer gag
-Lorelai voices over the news headlines
-Lorelai and Rory talk as they walk through the woods.
-Lorelai meets Max
-Rory’s meltdown, mostly because it was shocking to see Rory so outspoken
Best Quotes:
Lorelai: You need 3 highlighters?
Rory: Yes.
Lorelai: Three?
Rory: Yes.
Lorelai: That’s a very random number.
Rory: Three is not a random number.
Lorelai: No but I mean how did you get to the number 3?
Rory: One dries up, one gets lost, I have one left.
Lorelai: You have really thought this out.
Rory: Yes, I have.
Lorelai: Sweetie you’re never gonna find the deer.
Rory: Well I’m gonna try.
Lorelai: Well I’m in heels!
Rory: Well stay in the car.
Lorelai: It’s dangerous in the car with all the kamikaze deer running around.
Lorelai: You did! You got hit by a deer.
Rory: It just came out of nowhere.
Lorelai: You couldn’t just run into a wall like other kids?
Rory: I missed my bus! Get up.
Lorelai: Sweetie, mommy can’t get up right now. Mommy’s been sleeping at a right angle all night.
Rory: A ‘D’ at Stars Hollow is like an ‘F’ at Chilton. It’s worse, it’s like a ‘G’ or a ‘W’.
Lorelai: So I’m guessing the spelling test didn’t go well either?
Lorelai: I hate when I’m an idiot and I don’t know it. I like to be aware of my idiocy - to really revel in it, take pictures. I feel we've missed a prime Christmas card opportunity.
Rory: What’s that?
Luke: You look like you need pie.
Rory: I do?
Luke: Violent pencil tossing usually signals the need for pie.
Rory: What if I’d thrown a pen?
Luke: I would’ve brought you a trout.
Rory: What?
Luke: I don’t make the rules, I just carry them out.
Lorelai: She’s eating pie? Did she even have dinner?
Luke: You raised her, I just serve.
Lorelai: For our top story tonight, a grisly horrible thing that happened in a small town where no grisly horrible thing has ever happened. Everyone’s shocked. House slides down hill. Liposuction kills, stay fat.
Lorelai: Alright, fine. Here is your serious paper.
Rory: Thank you.
Lorelai: Ooh and here are you somber highlighters, your maudlin pencils, your manic-depressive pens.
Rory: Mom
Lorelai: Now these erasers are on lithium so they may seem cheerful but we actually caught them trying to shove themselves in the pencil sharpener earlier.
Rory: I’m going home now.
Lorelai: No wait! We’re going to stage an intervention with the neon post-its and make them give up their wacky crazy ways.
Rory: You’re never coming shopping with me again.
References:
-Shakespeare
-McDonald’s
-Versace
-Marco Polo
-Black Sabbath
-Steely Dan
-Boston
-Queen
-Mozart
-Artie Shaw
-Joan of Arc
-Marlowe
-Bacon
-Ben Jonson
-John Webster
-Scotch-Tape
-B-52’s
-Saved By the Bell
-Pat Benatar
-Il Duce
-Gauchos
-Flashdance
Episode Total: 22
Another great episode. I definitely like it better than its predecessor. There is actually quite a bit I want to talk about, so I’m just going to jump right in.
As I believe that there are some parallels between Rory and Sookie’s stories in this episode, I want to discuss those first. Let’s start with Sookie’s review. What’s interesting about this whole story, is the fact that it really has nothing to do with Sookie wanting a better review. I mean, she did get a great review to begin with, even with the “fine” risotto. It is more that Sookie feels like the reviewer was deprived of the wonderful experience that is the magic risotto, and she wants to make sure that she finds a way to rectify the situation. Were it another dish that got called “fine,” I can see Sookie maybe questioning it, but I don’t think she would have gone to such lengths for a dish that didn’t hold such sentimental value. It is a pride in protecting the legacy of the magic risotto. Side note, Sookie feeding Lorelai spoonful after spoonful of hot risotto was funny. Poor Lorelai puts up with a lot when it comes to Sookie’s intensity in the kitchen, but she’s a good sport about it.
Obviously, Rory’s D was kind of the big kicker of the episode. She’s new, she’s behind, and that grade is reasonable given that she is in a period of adjustment. However, like Sookie and the risotto, Rory is a perfectionist with something to prove. She needs some kind of affirmation that switching schools was the right choice, and that she can make it at Chilton. This story leads to some really great moments with her and Lorelai. We get the impression that Lorelai has never really had to pay too close of attention to Rory’s school work, as Rory is pretty diligent in that area of her own accord. This leads to several jokey Lorelai moments, both at the store picking out school supplies, and then with her begging Rory to go get ice cream. If anything, Lorelai thinks that Rory sometimes puts too much focus on school, and I think these moments, apart from being natural Lorelai-esque moments, are in some respect her way of making Rory take a step back and rejoin the real world for awhile. Lorelai’s not used to the idea of Rory struggling in school. When she does learn that Rory is having problems, the joking goes away (for the most part), and she is fully focused on doing whatever it takes to help Rory succeed.
One of my favorite moments of the episode is the talk Lorelai and Rory have in the woods as Rory goes searching for the deer. Again, Lorelai only wants what is best for Rory, and she really expresses this by telling Rory that it’s okay if she wants to follow a different path than the plan of going to Harvard. Too often, and especially in an environment like Chilton, success isn’t necessarily measured by finding something in life that you are truly happy doing, but rather by going to the best schools and getting some high end, well paying job when you graduate. This is why I love Lorelai for saying that Rory should only follow the Harvard plan if that is what she really wants to do. Lorelai’s measure of success is based on Rory being truly happy in life.
Rory’s classmates are all as charming as ever. I get that this school is competitive, but I think Lorelai has a valid point in arguing that the school fosters very negative relationships amongst its students. What Paris, Louise and Tristan have been doing to Rory is bullying, something that should never be okay, regardless of how prestigious the school believes itself to be. Combining the bullying with academic struggles, adds up to stress. Therefore, Rory’s freakout in class seems totally understandable. It’s not a healthy situation, and I think Lorelai is right to be concerned, but everyone reaches a breaking point once in awhile. I know I’ve done it. Just ask my 8th grade art class.
Continuing with the Chilton story, Max Medina gets his grand introduction in this episode. Rory’s English teacher, and a potential love interest for Lorelai, Max seems like a pretty decent guy. He automatically makes himself likable by being the only person at the school who seems to believe that Rory actually belongs there. Honestly, in terms of everything that went down with the test, he did nothing wrong by not allowing Rory to take the test. He followed the rules he had laid out, and so you really can’t fault him for what happened. In fact, he went out of his way to try and figure out a way to rectify the situation. Unfortunately, he gets caught in the crossfire of a rant which I believe Lorelai was actually aiming at Charleston following his rude comments about Rory making excuses for her situation. What is perhaps most frustrating about that whole situation is the fact that no one at the school seems concerned when Rory says she got hit by the deer. Yes, she’s obviously okay, but you would think a car accident of any kind would be cause enough to consider forgiving her tardiness. Instead, Charleston chalks it up to the equivalent of a “dog ate my homework” excuse, which is so not okay in my opinion.
Speaking of Max though, he and Lorelai seem to take an instant liking to one another. Their conversation at parent’s night was sweet. Quick question on parents night - why does Lorelai want to attend the AP test? Believe me, they are not that exciting. I took some in high school, and my parents never expressed any desire to come watch. Seems like a bizarre request, especially coming from Lorelai. Anyway, back on topic. As much as I liked Lorelai and Max’s interaction, I kind of feel a little bit bad for Rory after hearing the message he leaves on the answering machine. That last comment about it being a pleasure encountering Lorelai, to me, moved past friendly and into flirty territory. If a teacher said that to my mom, I’d be totally freaked out. Too comfortable, too soon.
Back in Stars Hollow, for the first time we get to really see Mrs. Kim in action as a saleswoman. The scene with Lane and Rory being shuffled from table to table as furniture is being sold out from under them is fun to watch. I also enjoyed their Marco/Polo bit as Rory tries to find Lane in the maze of tables and chairs. Elsewhere in the Kim house, we get to see Lane’s closet, which, if I might add, is really cool. It is her own little world hidden away from the watchful eyes of Mrs, Kim. Lane is a good friend to Rory, however, like Lorelai, Lane doesn’t immediately seem to get that Rory is struggling in school. It’s just assumed that because she was the smart girl at Stars Hollow High, that she’s doing well at Chilton. You get the impression that Rory kind of feels alone in terms of the academics. She doesn’t want to disappoint Lorelai by telling her she’s struggling, and Lane kind of brushes it off as no big deal. Like I mentioned before, combine that with getting picked on by Paris, and she’s in a pretty stressful situation. One positive note that comes of her conversation with Lane though is that we find out Dean has been asking about Rory. Her awkwardness when they met didn’t seem to scare him off.
Luke didn’t play a very big part in the episode, but I love when he brings Rory a slice of pie after her “violent pencil tossing.” It is one of the first moments where we really get to see that Luke has a soft and fuzzy side somewhere beneath that tough, grumpy exterior. Other small character notes included the continuation of Drella and Michel’s disdain for one another. Pairing those two off is always great comedy. Jackson also returns in this episode and is tasked with trying to cheer up Sookie….which he kind of fails at, but he was fun to watch anyway.
I have one nitpick for the episode, and I only bring it up because it bothers me every single time I watch. Rory driving. So, two episodes from now, Rory celebrates her 16th birthday. That means that in this episode, she is only 15 years old. There is no way she would have her license yet, and even with a permit, she would be required to drive with a licensed adult. Due to that fact, whenever I see Lorelai hand her the keys, I cringe. I mean, you could argue that given the extreme circumstance they chose to screw the law and just go, but as there is no discussion, it is just really obvious to me that someone didn’t think the age thing all the way through when planning the first six episodes. So, it completely takes me out of the episode. Adding to that, why doesn’t Lorelai go to bed after waking up and seeing Rory asleep in the kitchen. Sure, let Rory sleep and cover her with a blanket, but one of you needs to be near an alarm clock if you really expect to wake up on time. Granted, even with an alarm clock, Lorelai doesn’t have a great track record thus far. Remember the fuzzy clock that didn’t purr? All that being said, I think the deer gag (which is a result of the driving thing) throughout the end of the episode was well done, and entertaining. As someone who lives where deer frequently roam about, I can attest that deer actually are stupid enough to run into vehicles. Sadly, that’s not an exaggeration.
Generally speaking, I think this is a really solid episode. I think it really establishes Rory’s academic determination, which is a running theme throughout the series. The side bits from the Stars Hollow characters continue building on the quirky charm established in the prior episodes as well. Apart from the continuity issue, I really don’t have anything negative to say. Final verdict – Definitely worth the watch.
Best Moments:
-Deer gag
-Lorelai voices over the news headlines
-Lorelai and Rory talk as they walk through the woods.
-Lorelai meets Max
-Rory’s meltdown, mostly because it was shocking to see Rory so outspoken
Best Quotes:
Lorelai: You need 3 highlighters?
Rory: Yes.
Lorelai: Three?
Rory: Yes.
Lorelai: That’s a very random number.
Rory: Three is not a random number.
Lorelai: No but I mean how did you get to the number 3?
Rory: One dries up, one gets lost, I have one left.
Lorelai: You have really thought this out.
Rory: Yes, I have.
Lorelai: Sweetie you’re never gonna find the deer.
Rory: Well I’m gonna try.
Lorelai: Well I’m in heels!
Rory: Well stay in the car.
Lorelai: It’s dangerous in the car with all the kamikaze deer running around.
Lorelai: You did! You got hit by a deer.
Rory: It just came out of nowhere.
Lorelai: You couldn’t just run into a wall like other kids?
Rory: I missed my bus! Get up.
Lorelai: Sweetie, mommy can’t get up right now. Mommy’s been sleeping at a right angle all night.
Rory: A ‘D’ at Stars Hollow is like an ‘F’ at Chilton. It’s worse, it’s like a ‘G’ or a ‘W’.
Lorelai: So I’m guessing the spelling test didn’t go well either?
Lorelai: I hate when I’m an idiot and I don’t know it. I like to be aware of my idiocy - to really revel in it, take pictures. I feel we've missed a prime Christmas card opportunity.
Rory: What’s that?
Luke: You look like you need pie.
Rory: I do?
Luke: Violent pencil tossing usually signals the need for pie.
Rory: What if I’d thrown a pen?
Luke: I would’ve brought you a trout.
Rory: What?
Luke: I don’t make the rules, I just carry them out.
Lorelai: She’s eating pie? Did she even have dinner?
Luke: You raised her, I just serve.
Lorelai: For our top story tonight, a grisly horrible thing that happened in a small town where no grisly horrible thing has ever happened. Everyone’s shocked. House slides down hill. Liposuction kills, stay fat.
Lorelai: Alright, fine. Here is your serious paper.
Rory: Thank you.
Lorelai: Ooh and here are you somber highlighters, your maudlin pencils, your manic-depressive pens.
Rory: Mom
Lorelai: Now these erasers are on lithium so they may seem cheerful but we actually caught them trying to shove themselves in the pencil sharpener earlier.
Rory: I’m going home now.
Lorelai: No wait! We’re going to stage an intervention with the neon post-its and make them give up their wacky crazy ways.
Rory: You’re never coming shopping with me again.
References:
-Shakespeare
-McDonald’s
-Versace
-Marco Polo
-Black Sabbath
-Steely Dan
-Boston
-Queen
-Mozart
-Artie Shaw
-Joan of Arc
-Marlowe
-Bacon
-Ben Jonson
-John Webster
-Scotch-Tape
-B-52’s
-Saved By the Bell
-Pat Benatar
-Il Duce
-Gauchos
-Flashdance
Episode Total: 22