Gilmore Girls – S1E5 – Cinnamon’s Wake
This is always a fun episode to watch. Stars Hollow as a community really gets its moment to shine.
First things first though, let’s start with Friday night dinner. Emily actually had a really great moment which came in the form of her joke. I have to give her props for pulling one over on Lorelai. Even Rory got a kick out of it. The other moment of Emily’s I enjoyed was the debate regarding cousin Claudia. Her disbelief at the end of the episode, that Lorelai would miss cousin Claudia’s funeral, for a cat funeral is so funny, and so Emily. I really love the phone conversation with Lorelai and Emily. One question about that scene though. Clearly Rory knows better than to tell Emily the truth about Cinnamon, so how is it that Lorelai makes the mistake of telling? Emily’s reaction was worth it though. Racoon’s wedding. Classic.
Okay, now let’s talk Stars Hollow. Babette, Morey and Cinnamon are kind of the big focus of the episode. Cinnamon’s got a sweet ride at the beginning of the episode. Morey can build things and play piano like a god? I’m beginning to think Morey might be my perfect man. Unfortunately, Cinnamon passes away of old age, or possibly because he ate bad clams from Al’s Pancake World. I love that they managed to take this concept of a pet wake and make it seem genuinely serious in the eyes of the the townspeople, but also add in a layer of humor without detracting from it. Babette and Morey are seriously the sweetest couple ever. Morey’s face when Rory says she won’t eat clams again was so precious, and Babette’s fear of losing Morey resulted in a really sweet conversation with her and Lorelai. I nearly cry whenever I see the scene where Morey asks Babette to stay outside awhile and look at the stars. Adorable. Just so freaking adorable. To me, Cinnamon’s wake is the epitome of what it means to be a resident of Stars Hollow. The town is full of these very different and eccentric characters, but when one of them is in need, everyone drops what they are doing to be there, regardless of how bizarre the circumstances may be. They are truly a community.
In other news, our two leads both officially commence the romantic relationships which the previous episodes have hinted at. The most controversial one is obviously that of Lorelai and Max. Initially, Lorelai is still a little bitter about the test incident from last episode. I appreciated that the situation wasn’t just forgotten, and that it takes Max a little while to break down the walls from that before he can successfully have a productive conversation with her. Their pre-date at the coffee shop was sweet, and I enjoy the bit with guy who interrupts their conversation in the middle of Max’s smoking line. Unfortunately, the whole dating Rory’s teacher is a really tricky situation. I think Lorelai is right to be sincerely concerned about Rory’s reaction, which becomes especially evident when Rory spots him at the house ready to pick Lorelai up for the date. On the one hand, it doesn’t seem like a healthy situation for Rory to have to deal with, but on the flip side is the fact that Lorelai and Max seem to genuinely like each other. So, given that Rory seems okay with the situation by the end of the episode, I guess I can get on board.
The other relationship that seems to officially spark is that of Rory and Dean. All of their moments are cute, from him jumping on the bus to surprise her, to when she goes into the store just to see him. Lettuce and a mousetrap. Funny. I think her awkwardness around him is pretty typical of a teenager interacting with the first guy she’s ever taken interest in. I can see where it may seem over the top to a certain degree, but it comes off in an endearing way. In the end, she finally admits that she likes him, and his reaction is so great. I also love the song that is playing when she walks away. Truly, Truly by Grant Lee Buffalo, aka the town troubadour. Such a great song. I love the music on this show.
There were a few other fun scenes worth mentioning in this episode. Sookie goes all out for the Chilton bake sale in true Sookie fashion. Of course, her setting fire to the tablecloth doesn’t win Lorelai any more friends as far as the other parents go. Perhaps that had more to do with her choice of fire extinguisher than anything else. Lorelai and Sookie at Luke’s was great as well. I really enjoyed the running bit of Luke and Sookie clashing over cooking styles. Despite their differences, there does seem to be a certain level of mutual respect for one another. Another fun scene was Michel faking a Texas accent to get out of dealing with the French guests. I loved the joke that Michel thinks all French people are annoying and difficult to get along with, and in saying so he essentially describes himself. Oh Michel. Kirk also gets his official introduction in this episode. It always bugs me that they act as though he’s new to town even though we learn later that he has lived there his whole life. The one downside to future knowledge I guess.
There is just such a charming and endearing quality to these first season episodes. You can almost tell that the world was still in this wonderfully 90s state of mind where life was good. I love it. Specific to this episode, I always love anytime we get a story which involves the Stars Hollow townies. They are such a great asset to the show. Overall, I have to say this episode is well worth the rewatch.
Best Moments:
-Everyone gathered at the wake
-Emily’s joke
-Rory finally admits she likes Dean
Best Quotes:
Emily: We went to her house in Groton to see the first moon landing. She'd just gotten a new Philco.
Lorelai: I have no memory of this whatsoever.
Emily: Rory, correct me if I'm wrong, but men have walked on the moon regardless of whether your mother remembers it or not.
Rory: That's the rumor.
Emily: Oh wait -- Rudolph Gottfried.
Lorelai: Another cousin?
Emily: No, a Nazi that we knew. I'd forgotten. We stayed with him once in Munich. Nice old man. Interesting stories.
Lorelai: Mom you socialized with a known Nazi? That's despicable! That's heinous!
Emily: No, my dear, that was a joke.
Rory: Wait -- shouldn't you be baking?
Lorelai: I don't know. Shouldn't you be knitting?
Michel: I shall be French but I shall not be happy.
Lorelai: Then you will be yourself. Good choice.
Max: Good to see you, Lorelai.
Lorelai: Good to see you, Mr. Medina.
Max: Max.
Lorelai: Mr. Medina.
Max: Max.
Lorelai: Mr. Medina. Meet Sookie, the cheft at the inn. Sookie, Mr. Medina.
Sookie: What's your name again?
Lorelai: Mr. Medina.
Sookie: I know, you've said it like a zillion times
Max: OK, OK. Um...how about coffee? You like coffee?
Lorelai: Only with my oxygen.
Morey: Bad clams.
Babette: This doesn't reflect well on Al's establishment.
Lane: You had clams at Al's?
Rory: Al's Pancake World?
Babette: Yeah, well we had a coupon.
Miss Patty: Rory! Hello! Try a plum They're better than sex.
Rory: Um, no, thanks.
Miss Patty: Fresh fruit always has such a sensuality about it. Are you too young for this?
Rory: Definitely.
Cashier: Is this all you want, honey? A head of lettuce and a mouse trap?
Rory: That should do it.
Dean: That's a couple of must-need items there.
Cashier: $2.27.
Rory: I only have a dollar.
Dean: I could loan you the rest.
Rory: Uh, no, I'll just take the lettuce.
Dean: Perfect. You could use half of it for a salad then use the other half to clobber the mouse with.
Luke: Sookie!
Sookie: Hey. I was just looking for your paprika.
Luke: What have I said about the counter?
Sookie: I know.
Luke: How the counter is a sacred space. MY sacred space. You don't do yoga on the Dalai Lama's mat and you don't come behind my counter, period.
Sookie: I was trying to help.
Luke: (to Lorelai) You bring her again and I want her on a leash. I mean it.
Sookie: He does make a damn find burger though.
Lorelai: He does at that.
Lorelai: Do you know him?
Rory: No.
Lorelai: No?
Rory: Well, he goes to my old school, so I see him there sometimes but I go to Chilton now.
Lorelai: Thanks for the update.
Rory: You're welcome.
Lorelai: No you're memorable. I've been memorabling you all week.
Sookie: Is that meatloaf?
Luke: Uh-huh.
Sookie: You use ketchup?
Luke: You gonna make fun of my mother too?
Miss Patty: Stop sweating. And close your pores, Kirky, I always forgive.
Kirk: Thank you.
Miss Patty: Once.
Sookie: OK, calm down. It's not that big of a deal.
Lorelai: Her teacher showed up on her porch to take out her mother.
Sookie: She'll understand. You're crazy. She knows that.
Lorelai: Enough with the comforting, Sookie.
Lorelai: That man on the porch was your teacher.
Rory: Mom, I'm a little behind in school but not so far behind that I don't know who the teacher is.
Lorelai: But of course I'm totally open to suggestions.
Rory: Here's one: get some help.
Emily: You skipped your own cousin's funeral for a cat's funeral?
Lorelai: Not my cousin, mom. My father's grandmother's sister's girl who I've never…
Emily: You said you couldn't be away from the inn.
Lorelai: Well I couldn't at the time but I worked it out.
Emily: For a cat?
Lorelai: It's late. I have a big day tomorrow, Mom.
Emily: Oh, what? You're going to a racoon's wedding?
References:
-Dolly Madison
-Bangles
-Philco
-First moon landing
-Rancid
-Henry the 8th
-M. Night Shymalan
-Sixth Sense
-Jim Carrey
-Jean Paul Satre
-Valley of the Dolls
-Iran-Contra Scandal
-Fawn Hall
-Oliver North
-Angelina Jolie/Billie Bob Thorton
-Big Dipper
Episode Total: 16
This is always a fun episode to watch. Stars Hollow as a community really gets its moment to shine.
First things first though, let’s start with Friday night dinner. Emily actually had a really great moment which came in the form of her joke. I have to give her props for pulling one over on Lorelai. Even Rory got a kick out of it. The other moment of Emily’s I enjoyed was the debate regarding cousin Claudia. Her disbelief at the end of the episode, that Lorelai would miss cousin Claudia’s funeral, for a cat funeral is so funny, and so Emily. I really love the phone conversation with Lorelai and Emily. One question about that scene though. Clearly Rory knows better than to tell Emily the truth about Cinnamon, so how is it that Lorelai makes the mistake of telling? Emily’s reaction was worth it though. Racoon’s wedding. Classic.
Okay, now let’s talk Stars Hollow. Babette, Morey and Cinnamon are kind of the big focus of the episode. Cinnamon’s got a sweet ride at the beginning of the episode. Morey can build things and play piano like a god? I’m beginning to think Morey might be my perfect man. Unfortunately, Cinnamon passes away of old age, or possibly because he ate bad clams from Al’s Pancake World. I love that they managed to take this concept of a pet wake and make it seem genuinely serious in the eyes of the the townspeople, but also add in a layer of humor without detracting from it. Babette and Morey are seriously the sweetest couple ever. Morey’s face when Rory says she won’t eat clams again was so precious, and Babette’s fear of losing Morey resulted in a really sweet conversation with her and Lorelai. I nearly cry whenever I see the scene where Morey asks Babette to stay outside awhile and look at the stars. Adorable. Just so freaking adorable. To me, Cinnamon’s wake is the epitome of what it means to be a resident of Stars Hollow. The town is full of these very different and eccentric characters, but when one of them is in need, everyone drops what they are doing to be there, regardless of how bizarre the circumstances may be. They are truly a community.
In other news, our two leads both officially commence the romantic relationships which the previous episodes have hinted at. The most controversial one is obviously that of Lorelai and Max. Initially, Lorelai is still a little bitter about the test incident from last episode. I appreciated that the situation wasn’t just forgotten, and that it takes Max a little while to break down the walls from that before he can successfully have a productive conversation with her. Their pre-date at the coffee shop was sweet, and I enjoy the bit with guy who interrupts their conversation in the middle of Max’s smoking line. Unfortunately, the whole dating Rory’s teacher is a really tricky situation. I think Lorelai is right to be sincerely concerned about Rory’s reaction, which becomes especially evident when Rory spots him at the house ready to pick Lorelai up for the date. On the one hand, it doesn’t seem like a healthy situation for Rory to have to deal with, but on the flip side is the fact that Lorelai and Max seem to genuinely like each other. So, given that Rory seems okay with the situation by the end of the episode, I guess I can get on board.
The other relationship that seems to officially spark is that of Rory and Dean. All of their moments are cute, from him jumping on the bus to surprise her, to when she goes into the store just to see him. Lettuce and a mousetrap. Funny. I think her awkwardness around him is pretty typical of a teenager interacting with the first guy she’s ever taken interest in. I can see where it may seem over the top to a certain degree, but it comes off in an endearing way. In the end, she finally admits that she likes him, and his reaction is so great. I also love the song that is playing when she walks away. Truly, Truly by Grant Lee Buffalo, aka the town troubadour. Such a great song. I love the music on this show.
There were a few other fun scenes worth mentioning in this episode. Sookie goes all out for the Chilton bake sale in true Sookie fashion. Of course, her setting fire to the tablecloth doesn’t win Lorelai any more friends as far as the other parents go. Perhaps that had more to do with her choice of fire extinguisher than anything else. Lorelai and Sookie at Luke’s was great as well. I really enjoyed the running bit of Luke and Sookie clashing over cooking styles. Despite their differences, there does seem to be a certain level of mutual respect for one another. Another fun scene was Michel faking a Texas accent to get out of dealing with the French guests. I loved the joke that Michel thinks all French people are annoying and difficult to get along with, and in saying so he essentially describes himself. Oh Michel. Kirk also gets his official introduction in this episode. It always bugs me that they act as though he’s new to town even though we learn later that he has lived there his whole life. The one downside to future knowledge I guess.
There is just such a charming and endearing quality to these first season episodes. You can almost tell that the world was still in this wonderfully 90s state of mind where life was good. I love it. Specific to this episode, I always love anytime we get a story which involves the Stars Hollow townies. They are such a great asset to the show. Overall, I have to say this episode is well worth the rewatch.
Best Moments:
-Everyone gathered at the wake
-Emily’s joke
-Rory finally admits she likes Dean
Best Quotes:
Emily: We went to her house in Groton to see the first moon landing. She'd just gotten a new Philco.
Lorelai: I have no memory of this whatsoever.
Emily: Rory, correct me if I'm wrong, but men have walked on the moon regardless of whether your mother remembers it or not.
Rory: That's the rumor.
Emily: Oh wait -- Rudolph Gottfried.
Lorelai: Another cousin?
Emily: No, a Nazi that we knew. I'd forgotten. We stayed with him once in Munich. Nice old man. Interesting stories.
Lorelai: Mom you socialized with a known Nazi? That's despicable! That's heinous!
Emily: No, my dear, that was a joke.
Rory: Wait -- shouldn't you be baking?
Lorelai: I don't know. Shouldn't you be knitting?
Michel: I shall be French but I shall not be happy.
Lorelai: Then you will be yourself. Good choice.
Max: Good to see you, Lorelai.
Lorelai: Good to see you, Mr. Medina.
Max: Max.
Lorelai: Mr. Medina.
Max: Max.
Lorelai: Mr. Medina. Meet Sookie, the cheft at the inn. Sookie, Mr. Medina.
Sookie: What's your name again?
Lorelai: Mr. Medina.
Sookie: I know, you've said it like a zillion times
Max: OK, OK. Um...how about coffee? You like coffee?
Lorelai: Only with my oxygen.
Morey: Bad clams.
Babette: This doesn't reflect well on Al's establishment.
Lane: You had clams at Al's?
Rory: Al's Pancake World?
Babette: Yeah, well we had a coupon.
Miss Patty: Rory! Hello! Try a plum They're better than sex.
Rory: Um, no, thanks.
Miss Patty: Fresh fruit always has such a sensuality about it. Are you too young for this?
Rory: Definitely.
Cashier: Is this all you want, honey? A head of lettuce and a mouse trap?
Rory: That should do it.
Dean: That's a couple of must-need items there.
Cashier: $2.27.
Rory: I only have a dollar.
Dean: I could loan you the rest.
Rory: Uh, no, I'll just take the lettuce.
Dean: Perfect. You could use half of it for a salad then use the other half to clobber the mouse with.
Luke: Sookie!
Sookie: Hey. I was just looking for your paprika.
Luke: What have I said about the counter?
Sookie: I know.
Luke: How the counter is a sacred space. MY sacred space. You don't do yoga on the Dalai Lama's mat and you don't come behind my counter, period.
Sookie: I was trying to help.
Luke: (to Lorelai) You bring her again and I want her on a leash. I mean it.
Sookie: He does make a damn find burger though.
Lorelai: He does at that.
Lorelai: Do you know him?
Rory: No.
Lorelai: No?
Rory: Well, he goes to my old school, so I see him there sometimes but I go to Chilton now.
Lorelai: Thanks for the update.
Rory: You're welcome.
Lorelai: No you're memorable. I've been memorabling you all week.
Sookie: Is that meatloaf?
Luke: Uh-huh.
Sookie: You use ketchup?
Luke: You gonna make fun of my mother too?
Miss Patty: Stop sweating. And close your pores, Kirky, I always forgive.
Kirk: Thank you.
Miss Patty: Once.
Sookie: OK, calm down. It's not that big of a deal.
Lorelai: Her teacher showed up on her porch to take out her mother.
Sookie: She'll understand. You're crazy. She knows that.
Lorelai: Enough with the comforting, Sookie.
Lorelai: That man on the porch was your teacher.
Rory: Mom, I'm a little behind in school but not so far behind that I don't know who the teacher is.
Lorelai: But of course I'm totally open to suggestions.
Rory: Here's one: get some help.
Emily: You skipped your own cousin's funeral for a cat's funeral?
Lorelai: Not my cousin, mom. My father's grandmother's sister's girl who I've never…
Emily: You said you couldn't be away from the inn.
Lorelai: Well I couldn't at the time but I worked it out.
Emily: For a cat?
Lorelai: It's late. I have a big day tomorrow, Mom.
Emily: Oh, what? You're going to a racoon's wedding?
References:
-Dolly Madison
-Bangles
-Philco
-First moon landing
-Rancid
-Henry the 8th
-M. Night Shymalan
-Sixth Sense
-Jim Carrey
-Jean Paul Satre
-Valley of the Dolls
-Iran-Contra Scandal
-Fawn Hall
-Oliver North
-Angelina Jolie/Billie Bob Thorton
-Big Dipper
Episode Total: 16