Aired: May 21, 2002
Written by: Amy Sherman-Palladino
Directed by: Amy Sherman-Palladino
Special Appearance: Edward Herrmann- Richard Gilmore
Guest Starring:
Jared Padalecki – Dean
Milo Ventimiglia – Jess Mariano
Liz Torres – Miss Patty
Jackson Douglas – Jackson Belleville
Sally Struthers – Babette Dell
Sean Gunn – Kirk Gleason
Shelly Cole – Madeline Lynn
Teal Redmann – Louise Grant
Ted Rooney – Morey Dell
Beth Kennedy – Mrs. O’Malley
David Sutcliffe – Christopher Hayden
James Kiriyama-Lem – Dr. Sue
Inger Jackson – the Maid
Places in this Episode:
Independence Inn
Richard and Emily’s House
Luke’s Diner
Chilton
Summary: As Sookie and Jackson get married, Lorelai and Christopher rekindle their old flame and Jess surprises Rory. Unfortunately, Chris ends up leaving the wedding and Lorelai, while Rory is off kissing Jess.
Smile in a Cup for this Episode — When our plans and desires come crashing down around us, we can hold our heads high and keep moving forward. There is always a greater joy and hope ahead.
Keeping Count–
Cups of Coffee in this episode: 4
References to Literature, Movies, or Pop Culture – I Can’t Get Started – Ella Fitzgerald, Annie Sullivan, Hey Jude – Paul, Julian, Seasons in the Sun, Cats in the Cradle, Don’t Cry Out Loud, Girl Interrupted, Diff’rent Strokes, Bambi, Mr. Freeze, Garfield, Little Debbie, JFK, Sharon Stone, Basic Instinct, Randolph, Bobby & Peter Farrelly, Joel and Ethan, Damon and Affleck, Cinderella, Hillary Clinton, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Brigadoon, Gloria Allred, Hubert Humprhey, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Martha Stewart, Sleepless in Seattle, James Dean, Jodie Foster, Prince William, Patsy Cline.
Noteworthy quotes:
- In reference to Rory — “Because people think you’re nice. You’re quiet, you say excuse me, you look like little birds help you get dressed in the morning. People don’t fear you.” – Paris Geller
Observations & Questions:
- Lorelai and Rory have matching hairstyles in the first scene. I have noticed they do have similar colored outfits and hair throughout the series.
- Iconic phrase — Oy with the poodles already!
- Emily has replaced her English maid. I wonder what she did to get fired?
- Emily is ruthless about Sookie’s “pity invite” to the wedding. I think she is holding a grudge for no longer helping to plan the wedding.
- Dean really is such a great sport to give his pancakes to Rory.
- Dean counts that Lorelai has circled Luke’s twelve times – she then paces two more times before finally entering.
- Uhhh I can’t stand for Lorelai and Luke to be in conflict. It is so unnatural.
- Paris’ presidential candidate speech was as intense as Paris confronting Brad. “Snack cakes will not change the world. Cream filling will not decide our legacy. How will future generations of Chilton students remember the class of 2003? John F. Kennedy once said, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. Those eloquent words are just as relevant to here in this hall today. What can you, the future of Chilton, of America, of the world, what can you do for your school? I will tell you what you can do. You can vote for me, Paris Gellar.”
- Christopher always conveniently slides in when Lorelai and Luke are in a hard place. I do love that he has shown up for Rory, but come on!
- Lorelai is extremely talented at throwing together events.
- I guess Sookie and Jackson opted not to have a rehearsal dinner.
- Lorelai DO NOT. I repeat. DO NOT go upstairs……. I can’t take this.
- Oh, Sookie. Sweet thing. She is panicking and all in her wedding dress.
- JESS! I love that he came to see Luke first. I adore that Luke called him six times, is low-key excited that Jess wants to return, and didn’t pack up Jess’ things! Their relationship is precious. I think Jess is probably very similar to young Luke.
- Of course Miss Patty and Babette are the life of the wedding — entertaining everyone.
- I love the detail of the braid and tiny flowers in Rory’s hair.
- Rory is not afraid to warn her Dad. “What exactly are your intentions?… Yea? Because we have been waiting for this for a really long time and we take disappointment extremely hard. I mean it, property damage is often involved.” Ironically — we will see that they do actually damage property when it comes to matters of the heart (cue the deviled eggs).
- When the camera pans to Jess under the trees. Yesssss. La la la music begins to play. 🙂
- Ahhhh. Rory kissed Jess!
- “I have to go. I have to take care of something.” – Christopher
My heart is so broken for Lorelai in this moment. She put herself out on the line and now she is encouraging Christopher to make the right choice. THen she has to be the one to break the news to Rory. - Rory’s news about going to Washington for the Summer couldn’t have arrived at a worse time. Sweet Lorelai.
- Sookie deserved better than this. We needed a fun, quirky episode celebrating her wedding with Jackson. Instead, Lorelai and Rory’s dysfunctional relationships overshadowed the episode.
Smile in a Cup 