Rory’s Dance – Season 1: Ep. 9

Aired: December 20, 2000

Written by: Amy Sherman-Palladino

Directed by: Lesli Linka Glatter

Guest Starring:

Liz Torres – Miss Patty
Jared Padalecki – Dean
Liza Weil – Paris
Chad Michael Murray – Tristan Dugray
Teal Redmann – Louise
Shelly Cole – Madeline 

Places in this Episode:

Richard and Emily’s House
Doose’s Market
Gilmore House
Chilton
Chilton Dance

Summary: Rory and Dean attend her first dance Chilton. They leave the dance early to grab coffee and talk, but end up falling asleep in Miss Patty’s.  Rory wakes up the next morning and runs home to find Emily and Lorelai arguing.  She then argues with Lorelai, who is fearful Rory is making the same mistakes she did at her age. 

Smile in a Cup for this Episode —  No matter what mistakes are made, we always have the ability to rise from the ashes and make a better life for the future. 

Keeping Count–

Cups of Coffee in this episode: 3

References to Literature, Movies, or Pop Culture —
Sixteen Candles, 98 Degrees, Tom Waits, Blanche Devereaux, The Outsiders, Barbara Stanwyck

Noteworthy quotes:

“There’s no point in getting a boyfriend, if you can’t get him to go to the dance with you.” – Lane Kim

“You do not go running out the door when a boy honks.”
“It certainly is not fine.   This is not a drive through; she is not fried chicken.”
“Don’t rush. A lady never rushes.”

– Emily Gilmore

 

Observations & Questions:

• Dean —  I am screaming at you from the couch. When a girl you like works up the courage to ask you to a dance at her school — you do not … I repeat do not say that dances are lame or that it’s not the way you want to spend your time. 
• How did Lorelai get so skilled at sewing and making clothes?
• Why does Sookie have all of those pills?! — Is this pointing to all of her clumsiness in the kitchen?
• I cannot believe how smitten Paris is with Tristan. She usually does not handle these types of shenanigans. What about Tristan causes the blinders to go up?
• I had my hair fixed almost identical to Rory’s (even down to the baby’s breath) for my fifth grade graduation.
• Here goes Sookie acting completely clueless and reckless. She deserves better haha! How did I miss this side of her all these years? 
• Even though Lorelai is annoyed with Emily, I find it endearing that she stays to take care of her. She even makes her mashed banana on toast, which she claims she made her when she was younger. 
• They have so many mismatched lamps in the living room. 
• Points to Dean for giving Rory attention when Louise was flirty.  “Hey, you’re nice.” – Rory
• I get so sappy at the mother daughter scenes — I adore Emily telling Lorelai she did a great job with the dress and with Rory. 
• Is the green tape at 30:54 marking Emily’s spot on the couch? I didn’t notice it there before. 
• Is the dance in the same room that is used for Rory’s Debutante Ball? The staircase looks similar.
• I admittedly appreciate that Dean is protective of Rory and threatens Tristan. 
• Sweet Rory is so naive. 
• It is disappointing that Rory has to ask Dean if he is her boyfriend. Why is he so elusive about this?
• Of course Rory brought a book to the dance. Did anyone else carry around books when they were younger? I remember taking books when my family went out to eat. 
• Miss Patty uses her kind, grandmother voice with Rory and her angry Mom voice with Dean. 
• Emily’s biggest fears are seemingly coming into fruition the moment she finds out that Rory was out with Dean all night.  She becomes angry and critical in her anxiety — seeking to control. 
• Lorelai in turn yells at Rory the same way.  Is this the first time a conflict isn’t completely resolved in the episode?