Aired: May 10th, 2001
Written by: Daniel Palladino
Directed by: Amy Sherman-Palladino
Guest Starring:
Liz Torres – Miss Patty
Liza Weil – Paris Geller
Jared Padalecki – Dean
Sally Struthers – Babette Dell
Michael Winters – Taylor Doose
Lisa Ann Hadley – Rachel
Chad Michael Murray – Tristin Dugray
Places in this Episode:
Gilmore Girl House
Independence Inn
Miss Patty’s for the Town Hall Meeting
Luke’s Diner
Summary: Luke begins to spend more time at the Gilmore House, creating solutions to minuscule problems Lorelai might have. Rachel infers that he cares for Lorelai and leaves town. Max and Lorelai’s relationship continues to grow deeper, and after an argument with Lorelai about Luke, Max proposes to her. In the meantime, Rory misses Dean and begins to work up the courage to express her feelings. At the end of the episode, after many failed attempts, Rory blurts out “Because I love you, you idiot!”.
Smile in a Cup for this Episode — There is joy to be held in met expectations. Let us celebrate and rejoice, but also remember to hold those gifts loosely, because they may only be ours for a season.
Keeping Count–
Cups of Coffee in this episode: 1
References to Literature, Movies, or Pop Culture: Blue Man Group, Margot Kidder, KFC, Matrix, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Peter Frampton, Blur, Nico, PJ Harvey, Judy Garland, Courtney Love, Lee Harvey Oswald, John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, Hare Krishna, Soul Train
Noteworthy Lorelai-Luke Moments:
- Luke came first thing in the morning to fix Lorelai’s porch rail. He then works on their roof on a separate occasion.
- Luke breaks into Lorelai’s house to continue repairing items. Lorelai confronts him about avoiding Rachel. He is clearly avoiding tiem with her. “You think having Rachel’s settling?” …. YES. Because he loves you, Lorelai.
- Luke and Max sizing each other up while Lorelai is in between them. “It doesn’t matter what time it is, I’ll always be around.” Luke YES.
Noteworthy quotes:
“ Because I love you, you idiot.” – Rory
“ A proposal has to be something more than a desperate desire to end a bickering match… No, it has to be planned. It should be magical. There should be music playing and romantic lighting and a subtle build up to the popping of the big question. There should be a thousand yellow daisies and candles and a horse…” – Lorelai
“You talk so good.” – Lorelai
“I love you, Lorelai Gilmore, and this I know to be true.” – Max
Observations & Questions:
- Did Lorelai hallucinate that Luke was fixing the porch rail, or was he actually there?
- The girls are not using bowls to eat their cereal. This is such an interesting approach at eating cereal that would work on the go. Eat a handful of dry cereal, drink the milk.
- La la la music is playing as Rory goes through her Dean box again.
- Lane is angry that someone suggested that she is cheerleader material; however, later on in the seasons, Lane becomes a cheerleader.
- Further evidence of my theory that Lane is an enneagram type two. She silently supports through stalking from the window, cheering Rory on. Lane also admits that she would lie to Rory about if she saw Dean with another girl, and she then provides Rory with affirmation that Dean is miserable and needs a haircut. She tells her whatever she thinks she needs to hear.
- I love that Taylor has 8 characteristics that help him identify shoplifters. I am curious as to what the other four characteristics are.
- “Thursday afternoon girls” HAHA. Rory. I think we’ve all been down those rabbit trails.
- Rory’s locker decor gives me hope in high school students. She has her “wall” of honorables that inspire her to press on in school.
- Tristin is so cringey. Why would he lie about taking Rory out, in front of Paris?
- Rachel asking Lorelai about Luke makes me believe that Lorelai is not hallucinating and that Luke is actually present at the Gilmore House.
- Of course the Stars Hollow Fire Department has cute dalmatian dogs!
- My Nana used to have Nilla Wafers every morning with her coffee.
- “You’re a pretty girl, Clara.. So is it has or had?” hahahaha I laugh every time Rory makes Clara cry and then runs off. “That girl scout made me cry.”
- Max wisely bought the girls ring pops. Is this his way of hinting at his proposal?
- Of course Kirk is carrying the town handbook.
- I am glad Rachel encourages Luke not to wait too long to tell Lorelai that he loves her. He is still in a state of denial.
- I’m proud of Lorelai for standing her ground with Max.
- Yes, Rory. Tell Tristin off. His Daddy did probably buy the tickets.
- Dean admits he has a Rory box! That is cute.
- Rory is so pained. Dean is so… hateful to Rory. I understand his ego was bruised. But geez, dude.
- I am proud of Rory, though. She took the time to process and knew how she felt. She took a step of courage to express her feelings.
- Kirk has another job! Delivering flowers.
- “ I love you a thousand yellow daisies.” — this phrase is never uttered, but I always see it in reference to this scene.
- All of those daisies! There has to be more than 1,000, but if that isn’t delivering a desired proposal I don’t know what is.
- Rory and Lorelai running to one another and sharing their news is one of my top favorite scenes. Then the perfect pan back through the Gazebo to them dancing in the street.
Smile in a Cup 