Aired: March 15, 2001
Written by: Amy Sherman-Palladino
Directed by: Nick Marck
Special Appearance: Edward Herrmann – Miss Patty
Guest Starring:
Liz Torres – Miss Patty
Jared Padelcki – Dean Forester
Liza Weil – Paris Geller
Sally Struthers – Babette Dell
Lisa Ann Hadley – Rachel
Chad Michael Murray – Tristin Dugray
Jackson Douglas – Jackson Belleville
Places in this Episode:
Gilmore House
Luke’s Diner
Sookie’s House
Madeline’s House
Max’s House
Summary: Rory spends her Saturday trying to get her mind off of her breakup with Dean. She runs errands and attends a party that Madeline hosts for Chilton friends. At the party, Rory kisses Tristin and then rushes home, finally choosing to grieve and wallow in her pain.
Smile in a Cup for this Episode — Rather than pushing off grief, we must embrace it and sit through it. It is in pressing through the pain that we come to know ourselves and our resiliency better.
Keeping Count–
Cups of Coffee in this episode: 2
References to Literature, Movies, or Pop Culture — Nancy Drew, Godfather, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Love Story, The Champ, An Affair to Remember, Ishtar, Old Yeller, Footloose, Gi Jane, Sesame Street, Sleeping Beauty, It’s a Small World, Robin Leach, Jennifer Lopez, Avon
Noteworthy Lorelai-Luke Moments:
- Luke is protective of Rory when he finds out Dean broke up with her. He also adds whipped cream to her pancakes! Luke, you old softy! “I’ve got some strawberries back there. You like strawberries, don’t ya?… I’m gettin you strawberries!”
Noteworthy quotes:
“I think what you really need to do today is wallow. Get back in your pajamas, go to bed, eat nothing but gallons of ice cream and tons of pizza. Don’t take a shower, shave your legs, or put on any kind of makeup at all. Just sit in the dark and watch a really sad movie, have a good long cry, and just wallow. “ – Lorelai Gilmore
“You gotta go through a lot of bad relationships to get to that really good one.” – Babette
Observations & Questions:
- Colonel Clucker — don’t get rid of him, Rory! Anyone else have a beloved doll or stuffed animal from their childhood?
- To deal with grief Rory has: rearranged the furniture, created a list of errands, forced Lorelai to wake up at 6 am on a Saturday, went shopping, attended a party, and kissed Tristin.
- I have also struggled with Rory’s line of thinking. “I don’t want to be the girl that falls apart. That’s what it will be if I wallow.” How do you allow yourself to fully grieve, but also protect yourself from shame in “not being strong enough”?
- Haha! “On reflection, yes, I think it was the floppy hairstyle.” Kirk. Love it. He is being kind and protective of Rory in his own way.
- “Turn around, bagboy.” HA! Luke is such a dad at this moment. I love it.
- Lorelai did a great job trying to project and care for Rory. She gives her space and patience.
- Of course Rory stuffed a book in her bag for the party.
- We see Lorelai’s boy box. Such a sweet tender insight to her heart. I remember creating my own boy box after watching this episode. Did you keep a box of memories with your significant other?
- Sookie is so anal about her kitchen, but completely fine giving her car to Lorelai to travel to an undisclosed location for a vague amount of time.
- “It’s like a teenage Sodom and Gomorroah.”- Lane I appreciate that Lane’s reference is Biblical.
- Ewwww… those frosted tips on Lousie’s guy!
- It is sweet that Rory shares her breakup with Paris, it shows that their friendship is growing. Of course Paris turns it back onto herself.
- We hear that Paris’ dream career path is to become a Cancer Research Scientist.
- Woa. Max and Lorelai did not waste any time. I weirdly enjoy seeing Lorelai with Max, in the same way as I do Christopher — all while cheering for Luke, of course. Maybe it is because it shows different stages in her life, and her growth in loving herself more authentically.
- Rory feels compassion towards Tristin because she can relate to a sudden breakup. She puts her own past, harsh feelings aside to try comforting him.
- It’s about time Tristin apologizes for teasing Rory all this time. It is admittedly nice to see this tender side of him.
- Rory. Sweet girl. We can all relate to the fresh, deep heartache of a first love.
- We all need a friend like Lorelai who will rub your back while you cry and order a pizza — no questions asked.
Smile in a Cup 