Previously: An I love you and a break-up.
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The Breakup, Part 2
Stephanie: We open this episode with Lorelai holding Rory in the entrance to their home. Lorelai wants to know what happened, so Rory just says “we broke up” and after Lorelai insists for details, Rory rushes through the step by step of their night but pauses for a really long ramble about leaving Lorelai’s meatball from a restaurant in the car. IDK what kind of crazy meatball this is since I didn’t watch last episode. Is it like… a fist sized… meatball… or like… a normal… whatever.
Lorelai’s like “pls stop and tell me what happened” and Rory just says “he broke up with me okay?” Whatever you (and I) have to say about this show, Alexis Bledel is doing a great job of internally screaming while attempting to be blase about this whole thing. (S: She does panic pretty well, it’s true.) Lorelai is not really comprehending this because Dean is CRAzy about Rory and Rory rushes to her bedroom, saying she’s going to bed. While Lorelai pesters her for details at the sheer IMPOSSIBILITY of the whole thing, Rory starts loading things in a box that Dean has even looked at and everything he’s given her. It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced a break up but I kind of get this.
Samantha: YEP. The day my high school long term bf broke up with me, my sister and dad very kindly emptied my room of him for me.
Stephanie: That is legit so sweet. I suffered hard and silently because my mom hated all dating forever (this is why I’m Team Lane).
Anyway, Lorelai is still reeling but is also like “okay but calm down” and starts guessing all kinds of things as to why he broke up with her. Rory is still like MOOm SToP. She hands Lorelai the box and tell her to burn it or just move it far far away. Lorelai tries to tell her to chill and that some of that stuff is really meaningful to her outside of Dean (Colonol Clucker, an actual adorable stuffed chubby chicken for example) but Rory is like “NOPE. GET IT OUt.” Lorelai tries to make Rory promise to talk about it in the morning and Rory reluctantly agrees. Before Lorelai leaves the room with the box, Rory firmly reminds her that it needs to be super out of the realm of their home. Lorelai agrees, says good night, and puts the box of rejected Rory Room Things in a hall closet instead.
WHERE YOU LEAD <skip intro>
Rory barges into Lorelai’s room and tries to wake her up. She’s written a list! A list of all the things that they say they’ll do but never actually gets done. She’s talking about this for days while pulling clothes out of Lorelai’s closet while Lorelai still tries to actually wake up, comprehend what’s happening, and finds her clock. It’s freaking 6am. On a Saturday.
Oh NO.
Stephanie: One hundred percent more helpful.
Rory breezes by the fact that it’s an UNGODLY HOUR and insists she wake up with an annoyingly chipper “Up, please!” and leaves Lorelai to change. Lorelai comes down the stairs, dressed, bless her heart, and does a slow pan of the living room before sauntering into the kitchen. Rory has apparently rearranged the furniture. (S: Oh. Oh, I see.) I guess she did that quietly? Lorelai wants to know what’s going on with that and Rory says that it was there so it seemed like a good thing to do (even though the couch is facing away from the TV). Lorelai sits down with Rory at the kitchen table and says that’s she’s pretty concerned and that she wishes that Rory would talk to her. I feel like this is the most direct and honest mothering I’ve seen from Lorelai, but it’s been a couple years since I’ve seen this show so I’m sure I’m wrong.
Rory says that she can’t deal with the break up right now and Lorelai understands and says a good solution here is to wallow. Rory’s pretty doubtful about that and Lorelai defines herself more: ice cream, pizza, jammies, movies, crying. The whole Wallow Shebang that I am far too familiar with now. Rory says no but Lorelai says this is a first break up and it’s huge and you need this for yourself. Rory says no and Lorelai says to just try it for a day. Rory gives a speech about how she’s more than a girl without a boyfriend, she is a student, she has goals, and things that she needs to focus on like college and grades and extracurricular activities. Lorelai tells her that she has a pulse and that Harvard is three years away and tries to sneak in Old Yeller as a cry movie and Rory says no, she is not wallowing, she will not be That Girl and that Lorelai can’t make her. Lorelai says fine and looks at the list Rory has been working on, saying they don’t need a garden hose, and eventually adding wallow to it so that it “has to be done.” Rory crosses it off.
Samantha: I’m just going to interject and say that this was a very memorable episode for me, as a wee 10 year old lass. I had never heard the world “wallow” before and the whole concept of it as a way to deal seemed very Grown Up and Legit to me for some reason.
Stephanie: “Wallow” sounds like a mistake of a word. Like an incomplete “swallow.” Maybe it also sounded like an SAT word so even more extra Grown Up and Legit!
Rory and Lorelai walk through a bustling town center. It kind of looks like a farmer’s market but without people lining up for food trucks. Lorelai is surprised that people are actually awake early on a Saturday morning (same, girl, same) and doesn’t believe Rory when she says that people do that regularly, voluntarily even. Rory pauses their conversation and stops in the street. Lorelai is trying to get to Luke’s for coffee and Rory gives her all the reasons that they can’t take normal routes to Luke’s because they could all intercept with Dean in one way or another. Lorelai says they’ll find other ways to get to the happy coffee then. Cut to them climbing over boxes in a fenced alleyway with Rory apologizing. Lorelai says this is like an adventure! Rory goes on a tangential talk about trash being reflective of people’s lives. Okay.
Samantha: This episode presents trying to deal with a breakup in such a honest and real way. Like. I remember doing shit like this.
Stephanie: Dang, my ex-bfs were never in my direct proximity during break ups. They were always long distance break ups or we didn’t go to the same school by the time it was over with. I was weird.
There are a BILLION people in Luke’s. I… I can’t with this episode. I’m tired right now and the thought of being up at 6am on a Saturday, taking the long route to a coffee shop, and sitting in a loud room full of strangers sounds like the worst. I’ll make my own coffee at home, thanks. But I wouldn’t be up in the first place so I might be a bad future mom. IDK.
Lorelai says she doesn’t even recognize anyone there. Luke’s Ex-But-Current-Maybe-GF pops up and starts serving coffee and says that she let Luke sleep in and wants to help around the restaurant since she’ll be around for a little bit. Lorelai is quietly uncomfortable with this. They find a table and Rory says everyone is staring at her and that THEY KNOW. Lorelai says it’s 6am, how could they know. Rory says they know she’s been “dumped.” Lorelai brushes it off and says she’ll go order them food.
On her way to the counter, she runs into Miss Patty who is all smiles and small talk and Lorelai just gets to the “you know, don’t you” part of the conversation. Miss Patty says yes and feels bad because she kind of encouraged Dean and Rory to get together and that it’s all her fault. Lorelai says to please not bring it up with Rory and to spread it around. Rory doesn’t want to talk about it. Miss Patty says of course and to give “the little angel” a hug. Miss Patty exits. Luke comes down the stairs and Lorelai calls him Sleeping Beauty and asks about Ex-But-Current-Maybe-GF sticking around. Luke’s all “yeah that’s her way” or something. Lorelai asks for extra chocolate chip pancakes and tells Luke that Dean broke up with Rory. Luke gets super protective and is all WHAT! I KNEW THAT GUY WAS TROUBLE! Lorelai’s like “Shh, shh, yes, sure, just pancakes please.”
Lorelai suggests wallowing again because Rory looks miserable. Rory says no and asks Lorelai if it helped her get over Max. I am pretending to remember who Max is. (S: Rory’s teacher who Lorelai attempted to date.) Lorelai doesn’t answer and instead says that it’s an important part of the healing process of a break up. Rory tries to get Lorelai to tell her how long it took to get over Max and Lorelai is super dodging the specifics of this. Luke interrupts with coffee and eagerly says he’ll put strawberries on Rory’s breakfast because she likes them. Rory is annoyed that he knows about the break up, and we pan to Luke walking to the counter but noticing something Not Good outside. It’s a Dean! Just doing his floppy haired thing and looking to get some caffeine.
Same, bro, same. *Takes a coffee break* (S: *sips tea*) *Contented sigh*
Luke runs out in this huffy manner and tells him he can’t go into the cafe. Dean isn’t having this because, of course, it’s sudden and uncalled for and rude. They get into a weird struggle because Dean tries to push past him. The whole thing is extremely inappropriate but Stars Hollow Small Town Charm!
Samantha: It is inappropriate, especially since Dean is a minor, but I laugh every damn time.
Stephanie: Lorelai takes a while but eventually sees them out the window and the girls both run outside to stop it. The guys are separated and Rory apologizes to Dean, who won’t look at her. Dean says he has to go and walks away. Lorelai sees Luke off, sees Dean’s exit, and approaches Rory with renewed vigor for their list in an attempt to cheer her up.
Rory and Lorelai enter their home with smiles on their faces and bags on their arms. Rory says they were able to get almost everything on their list and Lorelai asks if she’s happy. Rory says she’s proud of a job well done and that she’ll go plug in her new air freshener in her room while Lorelai tries some new junk food to make them in the toaster. Rory closes the door to her room, and Lorelai gets a knock on their door. Their next door neighbor, Babette, pushes her way in to see if she can comfort Rory, but Lorelai pushes her right back out because Rory doesn’t want to talk about it already. Rory walks out of her room and hears their discussion on the porch, reminding her that hey, she broke up with her first boyfriend barely twenty-four hours ago! She closes herself back into her room and lays down on her bed and starts to cry a little while a melancholy guitar strumming kicks up with some emotional la la la’s. Rory catches herself almost wallowing, shakes herself out of it, and pulls up her backpack and a flyer. She walks out of her room and Lorelai is back, at the toaster. Rory shows her the flyer, which is an invitation to a High School Party, and says she’s going to go. Lorelai suggests taking Lane with her, and Rory says she’s going to borrow the car, Lorelai’s clothes, etc. Lorelai’s like Yup! Do whatever because I feel bad for you! (S: Solid parenting.)
Cut to Rory’s room with Lane. They’re dressed up and primping and Lane wants to make sure that Rory is okay, that she’s cool with just sitting in Rory’s room, listening to music, talking, not talking. Lane is the best. I am Team Lane. Rory’s says they’re going to the party and they’re going to have fun, dang it. Lorelai lets her borrow a necklace and tells them all the normal curfew/rules stuff. Rory finds some corn starch that reminds her of Dean because… (S: They had their first kiss in front of the corn starch at the market). Lorelai tells them to be on their way and to have some fun. She’ll “take care” of the corn starch. Take Care as in Kill. Assassinate. Murrdderrrr. JK I’m just bored.
Lorelai puts it in the box in the closet from earlier. She finds another box in the closet, and some guitar strumming picks up again because reasons. She opens it, digs around, finds a book, smiles to herself. (S: It’s the Max Box.)
Lorelai runs up some patio steps to someone’s doorway. It’s Sookie’s house. I also kind of like Sookie. Sookie opens the door and you can tell that Lorelai interrupted something because Sookie is frazzled and rushes her in and ignores everything she says. They go to a set of closed doors, which is apparently Sookie’s kitchen, and Sookie leans into it, trying to hear all the mistakes her boyfriend(?) is making while cooking her dinner in her own home. She tries to send Lorelai in to spy on him with a camera (like… an instant polaroid camera?) (S: Lol.) before Jackson pops out and tells her to let him cook this romantic meal! Alone! Gosh! Sookie! I also like Jackson. I think I like them as a couple in general. This scene is actually pretty cute and I laughed a little at Jackson yelling from behind closed doors that he’d run the dishwasher twice just because he can. Lorelai has already sat down and found some snacks to eat. She tells Sookie to relax because this is a nice thing. Sookie relaxes and Lorelai asks her to borrow her car because reasons. Sookie says yes, Lorelai leaves, then there’s crashing from the kitchen. Y I K E S. I believed in you, Jackson.
Lorelai runs *down* some stairs this time and approaches a doorway. She rings the doorbell and some suave professor like OHHHH this is Max. Max opens the door and is surprised to see Lorelai there. She’s all “blah blah daughter broke up, she won’t wallow, I’m not over you!” After she’s done with her word vomit, Max asks her inside.
Rory and Lane walk into Rich Person’s House and Lane is like whaaaaaat, this is amazing! This happened to me in high school too! I went to an open pool party my high school freshman year and my mom and I pulled up to this mansion and we couldn’t believe it was real. There was even a bridge! Basically, I’m Lane. Anyway, this is Madeleine’s house. Madeleine (I’m sure I chose the 200% more complicated spelling of that name) is one of the girls in the Paris trio. The trio come say hi to Rory and Lane, and The Blonde One Who Is Not Paris (S: Louise.) asks where Prince Charming is. Rory says he couldn’t make it and she’s all “You didn’t break up, did you?” Also I’m calling that girl Baby Spice from now on. (S: Excellent.) N’Sync Boys come up to the trio and want to know where the pool house is and start hugging up on Baby Spice and Madeleine. They go away together.
Paris is left behind and talks to Rory for a minute, expressing surprise that she’s there. Rory confides in her that she broke up with Dean, and Paris feels sorry for her and says that at least she had a boyfriend. Rory asks where the soda is and they go find some. It’s all French soda, wow. While they browse their foreign selection, an argument picks up from the background. Chad Michael Murray is after his girlfriend and wants to know what she was doing in a bathroom with another boy. Summer, the girlfriend, is all brazen and inconsiderate about his concerns, choosing to go dance and leaves him behind. CMM looks around and catches Rory & Co. watching him. Rory feels bad. He walks away. Paris confesses she’s staying at the party long enough to appease her mom’s social expectations and they talk about how Paris wants to be a cancer research doctor when she grows up. Lane freaks out because a Korean Boy (aka A Boy Her Strict Christian Korean Mom Would Approve Of) approaches her to dance and she goes off with him, telling Rory that she may need rescuing soon. Paris is put out because Lane instantly picked up a date and walks away. Rory holds their coats and watches Lane having fun, smiling to herself. The song switches and Rory pauses to see CMM sadly standing aside.
Lorelai and Max are furiously making out! They pull apart and Max says they need to stop and think about this for a second. They’re all out of breath and thirsty. You know. Thirsty.
Samantha:
Max says they need to calm down and put some space between them so they sit across from each other and put a coffee table in between. They evaluate their feelings for each other, confirm they still do have feelings for each other, and come to the conclusion that they don’t have a solution to their predicament still (the reason they broke up like.. he’s still a teacher or something) and that Lorelai probably shouldn’t have come by. They look at each other WITH A MIGHTY THIRST and Max pushes aside the coffee table and they draw up to embrace passionately. Mostly I noticed that Lorelai is super tall. Or that Max is exactly her height because they are just… right there.
Rory checks in on Lane for the seemingly nth time and Lane is good, slow dancing with her perfect guy. Rory wanders around and says bye to Paris, who eagerly runs out of the party after meeting her social time requirement. (S: #relatable.) She’s learning how to adult the correct way. Rory settles into a chair and pulls out a book like a good and confident introvert.
Lorelai and Max are in bed. They ask what happens now and Lorelai says she has to return Sookie’s car. Max says they need to figure something out because they still like each other, and after some discussion, they agree that they should talk on the phone regularly. More kissing.
CMM sits poetically at a piano, tinkering with the keys. I’m… I’m sad that Edward from Twilight kind of ruined the Boy and A Piano trope for me. It’s kind of a nice trope.
Rory walks in and apologizes for walking in on him. She apologizes again about Summer and the break up. CMM says he doesn’t want to talk about Summer and then Rory switches over to biology tests, a nice safe neutral topic for any teenager healing from a broken heart. CMM isn’t having it either, and eventually he says that Rory must’ve loved his humiliation. Rory says nah. She sits on the stool with him and answers his question about Dean, saying that they broke up because he didn’t want to be her boyfriend anymore. CMM says, “Idiot.” Why… did… are they gonna be a couple? Shrug. I don’t hate it.
Samantha: CMM is actually pretty gross and annoying (at least for me) but this scene doesn’t demonstrate it.
Stephanie: I remember him being The Worst in the beginning. I’m glad Jesse shows up later tbh.
They talk about the possibilities of getting back with their Very Recent Exes and both say it is very unlikely. CMM apologizes for being a jerk in previous episodes, and Rory accepts. They talk about the party and how Rory read some and CMM chuckles and calls her very odd. She says thank you and their gazes linger and they lean in for a kiss. They kiss hesitantly and Rory pulls away. CMM asks what’s wrong with one of the worst written lines of this episode (“What’s wrong, did I bite your lip or something?“) and Rory, now more visibly upset and on the verge of tears, says she has to go and rushes out. She finds Lane, and they leave the party. (For those of you following along, Lane does give her number to Henry, in that 2000s “find me in the phone book” kind of way.) (S: HA, a phone book.)
Lorelai walks into her house with a dreamy look on her face. She finds Rory on the couch in her jammies with a humongous container of ice cream in her lap. “I’m ready to wallow now,” she says miserably. Lorelai sits with her and holds her while she cries into her lap. Lorelai picks up the phone and quietly orders a pizza.
Samantha: That ending moment is seared into my brain for some reason. Not entirely sure why this episode made such an impact on young me.
Stephanie: I probably watched more Buffy than Gilmore Girls growing up, but it’s a nice message in general to give yourself a break so that you can process your sadness. Wallow is still a weird word, though.
Next time on Gilmore Girls: Grandma’s in town in S01 E18 – The Third Lorelai.
I'm a 28 year old graduated English major and almost librarian. I can often be found singing too loudly (poorly) in the car or spending some time (hours) on Tumblr. I am a lover of Harry Potter, the Spice Girls, and too many other things.
