Presenting Lorelai Gilmore – Season 2: Ep. 6

Aired: November 6th, 2001

Written by: Sheila R. Lawrence

Directed by:  Chris Long

Special Appearance: Edward Herrmann – Richard Gilmore 

Guest Starring:
Jared Padalecki – Dean Forester
Milo Ventimiglia – Jess Mariano
Liz Torres – Miss Patty
Jude Geeson – Natalie Swope
Jacqueline Schultz – Sunny
Samantha Shelton -Libby Doty
Susan Bjurman – Vivian Lewis
Millicient Martin – Debut Presenter
David Sutcliff – Christopher Hayden

Places in this Episode:
Emily & Richard’s House
Luke’s Diner
Gilmore House
Miss Patty’s
Debutante Ball

Summary: Emily invites Rory to participate in a Debutante Ball, at which she will be presented by Christopher.  Surprisingly, Dean attends and escorts Rory.  While preparing for the ball,  Lorelai learns that Emily and Richard have been experiencing conflict due to Richard’s work stress.  He believes the company is trying to push him to retire; therefore, he is working harder than ever in order to earn their favor.  The episode ends with Lorelai surprising Emily to let her know she is always there if she ever wants to talk. 

Smile in a Cup for this Episode — We never truly know what someone may be going through.  Even the people we argue with most may need us. It is in bending down to listen or lend a hand that we experience the beauty of reconciliation. Love can soften even the hardest relationships. 

Keeping Count–

Cups of Coffee in this episode: 4

References to Literature, Movies, or Pop Culture – Brigitta and Gretl, George and Martha, Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Lion King, Metallica, Spinal Tap, Lily Tomlin, John Travolta, Cinderella, Endless Love, Kate Spade, Neil Young, George Lucas, Michael Jackson, Dirty Dancing, Brady Bunch, Rapture, Jeeves, Journey

Noteworthy quotes:

“…she has a mother who will hunt you down like a half-priced Kate Spade purse if you disappoint her.” -Lorelai

Observations & Questions:

• Emily has a new maid named Leisal, and she opened the door. Has Emily officially stopped answering her own door?
• Poor Emily. She must feel so unappreciated and as if Richard does not respect all that she does. 
• Lorelai is loving every minute of Richard and Emily’s argument. Hahaha the clap. 
• “Didn’t you hear? Katie fell off her horse and there’s a scab on her face.”
  Haha yikes. These ladies do not mess around. Poor Rory does not know what she is getting herself into. 
• Yay! Christopher gave Rory’s Oxford English Dictionary! 
• “12 pairs of pantyhose.” -Lorelai
  “It’s going to be a long night, she’s bound to have a run!” – Emily
  “Mom, there’d have to be a 12k run and a jujutsu demonstration for her to go through twelve pairs of pantyhose.” – Lorelai
  Honestly, I think Emily’s advice to have back up pantyhose is a great idea here.  I can think back on many inopportune times I have gotten a run in my pantyhose. 
• Richard has gotten so stinkin’ sassy! Poor Emily. Is it because of the stress of his job, or is it because he is having a hard time thinking of how Lorelai never made it to her Debutante Ball? 
• I love the scene of Miss Patty teaching Rory and Dean to ballroom dance. I hate to admit it (Because well… Luke), but I adore Chris and Lorelai dancing. They fit so naturally and the way they look at each other… swoon. 
• “Hello, Sailor.” – Miss Patty … I forgot the context of this line. Haha
• Emily HAHA. She is so dramatic. “…Look at these flowers. Baby’s breath. What is this? Country General? I wanted my granddaughter to be presented to society in a beautiful elegant ballroom, not a Shakey’s” (In case you are like me and didn’t know, Shaky’s is a pizza restaurant chain.)
• Rory has a fantastic sense of humor. “Wow, what if you trip? I mean, not that you would. You wouldn’t. I might. Probably will actually. Could be a real Cirque du Soleil kind of night.” 
• “Do me a favor? Don’t let me fall.” -Rory
  “Right back at ya.” – Christopher
  This was honestly the conversation between my dad and I before I walked down the aisle to get married. 
• Richard is belligerent. What on earth! 
• Christopher is so charming in this episode… but I cannot believe he got his life together finally and then he has a girlfriend. I just want to hug Lorelai. 
• I love that Lorelai is beginning to think through how Emily might feel. The garden scene is so tender and sweet. Emily is so pleased that Lorelai just dropped by.  This is a big step in their relationship and a perfect way to show redemption happening in their broken relationship (which started at the time of Lorelai’s debutante ball).