Cannot say this enough, "good" boy Dean literally told "Dristan" (lol i cannot thank you enough for making this lame comeback make sense) he would kill him. KILL HIM. Seriously my dude, you couldn't be more right. He was supposed to have some bad boy flavor.
Overall this episode is a hit. I love that it all starts with a Friday night dinner. That Lorelei defends Rory's choice to not go to a dance. And one of the rare good moments of parenting we see from Lorelei where she talks to Rory about her being a bit too socially nervous to go to a dance. The will they wont they boyfriend girlfriend stuff is another great encapsulatation of the nervousness for early dating you mentioned in the first date ep.
Also the dress Lorelei made was GORGEOUS, but also believeable in terms of skill. It's a little thing, but it means a lot. And really, everything with Emily this episode is pitch perfect. Her passive agressive need to come over, her controlling nature when Dean honks the horn, her desire to take care of Lorelei, her kind remark "you did a nice job--with rory and the dress", the mashed bananas on toast, the Barbara Stanwick love, the panic when Rory doesn't come home causing her to make cutting over the line remarks. I defy you to find a better episode to sum up all that Emily is and all that motivates her. And the fight with Lorelei and Emily was so well done. Emily yelling about how she cant find the phone in the mess, Lorelei's insistance that they hear Rory out before losing it, Lorelei kicking Emily out of the house for speaking ill of Rory and her parenting as well. Only to scream at Rory that she's going on the pill, and have Rory (rightly) point out that a lot of this anger has nothing to do with the situation. It's so well done-- a perfect snapshot of how trauma works itsway through the generations.
However, I must ADAMANTLY disagree with your read on Rory not getting that Tristian has a crush on her is unbelievable/inconsistent with her character. Lots of smart people out there are very slow to understand social cues. I think Rory is one of tose people, and the show reinforces this time and again. Rory's narrative arc is largely about her growing out of her shell. She's book smart, but not people smart. Her whole life has been spent with her mom, Sookie, and Lane. That's about it. We see her pathetic attempts at talking to Dean. He straight up thinks she hates him for a while there. I don't think she has ever had a boy crush on her before Dean. And the ways he shows is very different than with Tristan. I don't think she had any clue that someone would treat her like that if they had feelings until both Paris and Dean tell her. This kind of thing comes up time and again for Rory. She's not good at reading people. For instance, she regularly gets duped by her grand parents manipulations. Or when she doesn't know how to deal with the fact that Jess isn't reliable like Dean, or how to have small talk on a date, or when she doesn't know how to socialize at Yale without her mom, or like how she wanted to watch a documentary at Spring Break, and how she basically be taught how to like party and have fun by Logan. I think the idea is that up to this point in the show, she has basically just done bizzare Stars Hollow pagents and read books. Now she's getting out there in the world, and she can't learn that from a book (like she tries to when its time to sext Logan in future seasons). Honestly i think that Lane is meant to be a contrast to this. She's even more sheltered than Rory, but she is a keen observer of people who get to live the lives she wishes she could. Whereas Rory never wanted for more, she had her mom, her town, her one friend, and her books. She never concerned herself with more until she had to go out of her comfort zone with dating and Chilton and getting closer with her grandparents.
That's what makes Paris a fun foil. She's supposedly the Rory without any fun in her life. She doesn't have a loving fun mom or the one friend like Rory. All she has is achievement, and she's incredibly protective of that. Which makes her a pill a lot of the time (so fun to watch). But it also teaches Rory how to compete, too. Something she never had to do. And later, it's so charming to see her do things like help Paris prepare for a date--all of a sudden she's the one who knows how the social world works. Which is basically an upper hand she has on exactly no one. Except the only bigger nerd than her on earth.
Also i couldn't agree more that Madeline and Louise seem like "popular" girls and in some ways its weird that Paris is in their coaterie. But its hinted at several times that they have been friends since childhood, and that if not for Paris their grades would be bad. Also, i don't think they are ever seen together outside of school--Paris doesn't go on dates or go to parties like the other too. And really, every popular group I have ever known has always had one outlier that is less attractive, or less cool than the others. I think it's just one of those things that makes sense in a weird way.
But Paris is the literal best character ever on tv, accept no substitutes.
okay, you make a compelling argument for the fact that Rory did not realize Tristan was crushing on her. You’ve converted me!
Also, I meant to mention as you had that this is a shining moment of good parenting from Lorelai!! Her attempt to protect Rory from her grandmother at dinner re: the dance, and then later, in a more private moment in the car asking her if she really doesn’t want to go to the dance or if she’s just scared— such a wonderful thing to do as a parent. Giving her the option of going or not, but also challenging her to try something out of her comfort zone.
"The older I get, the more things I forget, which I thought was just this annoying thing adults said as an excuse for not paying attention to stuff." Yes, it's real! Lol!
Deans insults were so NOT clever so it’s really funny that you’re trying to dig deep to give his insults some meaning. He also called Jess “the glad man” just because he was carrying a trash bag soooo care to analyze that? LOL Sorry but Dean has never been deep or clever
I literally said the insults were bad! However, they *did* have double meanings--the writers of the show wrote the jokes, not Dean the ficitonal character, after all. I would actually venture to say "the glad man" is kind of a good joke because he's 1. calling Jess a trashman (although this is charged with classism--I didn't say Dean was a good person, I'm just making the case for this particular insult!!) and 2. it's ironic because Jess is absolutely not glad. But of course you are totally entitled to hate Dean's dialogue, I totally respect that and you are correct, the insults in this episode were very lame.
Oh man, Celebrations! What a time to be alive. You inspired me to look up a few old bangers, and 504 Boyz “Wobble Wobble” is definitely worth a re-listen! Remember the word wodie?
Everything about Dean’s attitude this episode was unpleasant. He’s “not a big joiner” so doesn’t really want to go to the dance, even though the dance is just an excuse for a different setting to spend time together in. A true bad boy would be unfazed at new, unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations. He makes a huge scene at the dance, threatening to KILL Tristan, and comes off as possessive and jealous. Someone earlier in the episode even insinuates that Dean is lurking around in trees outside the Gilmore home (and not Max Medina, per my stalker scenario prediction last episode. I knew someone was out there!). He also reads some poetry at the end of the episode with a really mocking tone in his voice. Dean is just not a joy to be around!
I also missed the social cues that Tristan was actually crushing on Rory. I thought of him as a guy who sexually harasses the new/shy/loner easy victim of the month until he either gets what he wants, or moves on to the next girl. Nothing about his behavior really jumped out as being specifically attracted to Rory. That’s why he was also rude to Paris— he probably did the same routine to her at some point when they were younger prep schoolers together (or whatever little kid version of it applies), and she shut him down quick back then. This is a problem for Paris now though, since they’re older and she’s got the hots for Tristan, and she knows he’s unlikely to circle back and casually harass her again.
Paris is indeed a joy to watch, as she doesn’t censor herself. I see her as a student who has always had a certain level of respect from her peers, both for her intelligence at a school that prizes and rewards that, but also for her position as a liaison between the student body and the faculty. She runs the newspaper, likely runs student council, and the adults listen to her. This is prime currency in a rigidly run, hierarchical, and competitive school. She isn’t cool, she’s highly influential.
The tension across the generations of women is fraught! I was on the edge of my seat as they navigated communicating with one another. Hey all had such valid points, coming from such different perspectives and stages of life. Fraught!!
What do you think about the banana toast? I think there’s real potential. Extra toasty potato bread with butter, honey, bananas and a touch of salt. Mmmm
i am SHOCKED you did not see that Tristan liked Rory!! I feel like it's classic pulling-on-pigtails playground scenario. Not sayin' it's right, just saying Tristan is falling into a very popular expectation of boys treating girls who they have a crush on like shit.
Re: the banana toast, I was surprised they both treated it with such disgust. Like, sure, maybe plain mashed banana on toast isn't the best thing to eat, but I hard think it warranted that reaction. Honey and sea salt make all things better, and I have a feeling Emily Gilmore likes Maldon.
Cannot say this enough, "good" boy Dean literally told "Dristan" (lol i cannot thank you enough for making this lame comeback make sense) he would kill him. KILL HIM. Seriously my dude, you couldn't be more right. He was supposed to have some bad boy flavor.
Overall this episode is a hit. I love that it all starts with a Friday night dinner. That Lorelei defends Rory's choice to not go to a dance. And one of the rare good moments of parenting we see from Lorelei where she talks to Rory about her being a bit too socially nervous to go to a dance. The will they wont they boyfriend girlfriend stuff is another great encapsulatation of the nervousness for early dating you mentioned in the first date ep.
Also the dress Lorelei made was GORGEOUS, but also believeable in terms of skill. It's a little thing, but it means a lot. And really, everything with Emily this episode is pitch perfect. Her passive agressive need to come over, her controlling nature when Dean honks the horn, her desire to take care of Lorelei, her kind remark "you did a nice job--with rory and the dress", the mashed bananas on toast, the Barbara Stanwick love, the panic when Rory doesn't come home causing her to make cutting over the line remarks. I defy you to find a better episode to sum up all that Emily is and all that motivates her. And the fight with Lorelei and Emily was so well done. Emily yelling about how she cant find the phone in the mess, Lorelei's insistance that they hear Rory out before losing it, Lorelei kicking Emily out of the house for speaking ill of Rory and her parenting as well. Only to scream at Rory that she's going on the pill, and have Rory (rightly) point out that a lot of this anger has nothing to do with the situation. It's so well done-- a perfect snapshot of how trauma works itsway through the generations.
However, I must ADAMANTLY disagree with your read on Rory not getting that Tristian has a crush on her is unbelievable/inconsistent with her character. Lots of smart people out there are very slow to understand social cues. I think Rory is one of tose people, and the show reinforces this time and again. Rory's narrative arc is largely about her growing out of her shell. She's book smart, but not people smart. Her whole life has been spent with her mom, Sookie, and Lane. That's about it. We see her pathetic attempts at talking to Dean. He straight up thinks she hates him for a while there. I don't think she has ever had a boy crush on her before Dean. And the ways he shows is very different than with Tristan. I don't think she had any clue that someone would treat her like that if they had feelings until both Paris and Dean tell her. This kind of thing comes up time and again for Rory. She's not good at reading people. For instance, she regularly gets duped by her grand parents manipulations. Or when she doesn't know how to deal with the fact that Jess isn't reliable like Dean, or how to have small talk on a date, or when she doesn't know how to socialize at Yale without her mom, or like how she wanted to watch a documentary at Spring Break, and how she basically be taught how to like party and have fun by Logan. I think the idea is that up to this point in the show, she has basically just done bizzare Stars Hollow pagents and read books. Now she's getting out there in the world, and she can't learn that from a book (like she tries to when its time to sext Logan in future seasons). Honestly i think that Lane is meant to be a contrast to this. She's even more sheltered than Rory, but she is a keen observer of people who get to live the lives she wishes she could. Whereas Rory never wanted for more, she had her mom, her town, her one friend, and her books. She never concerned herself with more until she had to go out of her comfort zone with dating and Chilton and getting closer with her grandparents.
That's what makes Paris a fun foil. She's supposedly the Rory without any fun in her life. She doesn't have a loving fun mom or the one friend like Rory. All she has is achievement, and she's incredibly protective of that. Which makes her a pill a lot of the time (so fun to watch). But it also teaches Rory how to compete, too. Something she never had to do. And later, it's so charming to see her do things like help Paris prepare for a date--all of a sudden she's the one who knows how the social world works. Which is basically an upper hand she has on exactly no one. Except the only bigger nerd than her on earth.
Also i couldn't agree more that Madeline and Louise seem like "popular" girls and in some ways its weird that Paris is in their coaterie. But its hinted at several times that they have been friends since childhood, and that if not for Paris their grades would be bad. Also, i don't think they are ever seen together outside of school--Paris doesn't go on dates or go to parties like the other too. And really, every popular group I have ever known has always had one outlier that is less attractive, or less cool than the others. I think it's just one of those things that makes sense in a weird way.
But Paris is the literal best character ever on tv, accept no substitutes.
okay, you make a compelling argument for the fact that Rory did not realize Tristan was crushing on her. You’ve converted me!
Also, I meant to mention as you had that this is a shining moment of good parenting from Lorelai!! Her attempt to protect Rory from her grandmother at dinner re: the dance, and then later, in a more private moment in the car asking her if she really doesn’t want to go to the dance or if she’s just scared— such a wonderful thing to do as a parent. Giving her the option of going or not, but also challenging her to try something out of her comfort zone.
"The older I get, the more things I forget, which I thought was just this annoying thing adults said as an excuse for not paying attention to stuff." Yes, it's real! Lol!
I do agree, I do like Paris. She is human!
Enjoyed the post!
Deans insults were so NOT clever so it’s really funny that you’re trying to dig deep to give his insults some meaning. He also called Jess “the glad man” just because he was carrying a trash bag soooo care to analyze that? LOL Sorry but Dean has never been deep or clever
I literally said the insults were bad! However, they *did* have double meanings--the writers of the show wrote the jokes, not Dean the ficitonal character, after all. I would actually venture to say "the glad man" is kind of a good joke because he's 1. calling Jess a trashman (although this is charged with classism--I didn't say Dean was a good person, I'm just making the case for this particular insult!!) and 2. it's ironic because Jess is absolutely not glad. But of course you are totally entitled to hate Dean's dialogue, I totally respect that and you are correct, the insults in this episode were very lame.
Oh man, Celebrations! What a time to be alive. You inspired me to look up a few old bangers, and 504 Boyz “Wobble Wobble” is definitely worth a re-listen! Remember the word wodie?
Everything about Dean’s attitude this episode was unpleasant. He’s “not a big joiner” so doesn’t really want to go to the dance, even though the dance is just an excuse for a different setting to spend time together in. A true bad boy would be unfazed at new, unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations. He makes a huge scene at the dance, threatening to KILL Tristan, and comes off as possessive and jealous. Someone earlier in the episode even insinuates that Dean is lurking around in trees outside the Gilmore home (and not Max Medina, per my stalker scenario prediction last episode. I knew someone was out there!). He also reads some poetry at the end of the episode with a really mocking tone in his voice. Dean is just not a joy to be around!
I also missed the social cues that Tristan was actually crushing on Rory. I thought of him as a guy who sexually harasses the new/shy/loner easy victim of the month until he either gets what he wants, or moves on to the next girl. Nothing about his behavior really jumped out as being specifically attracted to Rory. That’s why he was also rude to Paris— he probably did the same routine to her at some point when they were younger prep schoolers together (or whatever little kid version of it applies), and she shut him down quick back then. This is a problem for Paris now though, since they’re older and she’s got the hots for Tristan, and she knows he’s unlikely to circle back and casually harass her again.
Paris is indeed a joy to watch, as she doesn’t censor herself. I see her as a student who has always had a certain level of respect from her peers, both for her intelligence at a school that prizes and rewards that, but also for her position as a liaison between the student body and the faculty. She runs the newspaper, likely runs student council, and the adults listen to her. This is prime currency in a rigidly run, hierarchical, and competitive school. She isn’t cool, she’s highly influential.
The tension across the generations of women is fraught! I was on the edge of my seat as they navigated communicating with one another. Hey all had such valid points, coming from such different perspectives and stages of life. Fraught!!
What do you think about the banana toast? I think there’s real potential. Extra toasty potato bread with butter, honey, bananas and a touch of salt. Mmmm
i am SHOCKED you did not see that Tristan liked Rory!! I feel like it's classic pulling-on-pigtails playground scenario. Not sayin' it's right, just saying Tristan is falling into a very popular expectation of boys treating girls who they have a crush on like shit.
Re: the banana toast, I was surprised they both treated it with such disgust. Like, sure, maybe plain mashed banana on toast isn't the best thing to eat, but I hard think it warranted that reaction. Honey and sea salt make all things better, and I have a feeling Emily Gilmore likes Maldon.