6.06 - Welcome To The Dollhouse

[yankeeandcanuck]

I work at night so I end up recording all the episodes and watching them the next day.  Last night my archaic VCR decided to go on the fritz with only a few minutes left in the show. 
Can anyone tell me what happened right after Logan tried to come in to the pool house through the kitchen window?

[White Onyx]

Richard (Edward Herrmann) tries to get information from Logan (Matt Czuchry) about Rory's (Alexis Bledel) future plans, but Logan mistakenly thinks that Richard is asking when the two of them plan to marry. Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is in favor of Taylor's (Michael Winters) plan to change all the Stars Hollow street names back to their original historic names, until she learns that the street where the Dragonfly Inn is located was once known by a disgusting name. Rory makes a surprising confession to Logan. Richard finally faces the fact that he should never have let Rory drop out of Yale, and shows up at Lorelai's house to talk things over.

[Capsicum]

Well, hardly anything happened in this episode... But unfortunately for you the two things worth noticing both happened after Logan at the window:
*Rory explains how Richard wasn't trying to get him to propose and then tells Logan she loves him, he can't/wont say the same.
*Richard turns up at Lorelei's house (as she is packing up all the stuff Emily sent her, to give to the salvation army) to give her her dollhouse and talk about Rory. End.

[nikki]

Ok, I either hate Logan in this episode, or I’m really frustrated with the writers.

What the H-E-double-hockey-sticks is Logan’s problem?  Ok, let’s pretend Logan is a random boy who is dating Rory and had that nightcap with Richard.  I can understand how Random Boy would think Richard was implying “are you going to get married” but I would also expect Random Boy to consider giving Richard the benefit of the doubt.  Since Richard didn’t out and out SAY anything about intentions or marriage, perhaps he didn’t mean that.  Plus Richard is allowed to ask about his intentions without meaning marriage.  Just trying to see if his granddaughter is getting played by a playboy is legitimate for Richard.

However, this isn’t my beef with Logan.  So he doesn’t give Richard the benefit of the doubt the way Random Boy might.  Ok, I can force myself to accept that.  Let’s pretend Logan was right about what Richard meant…

My problem is that Logan isn’t Random Boy, he is little Huntzberger.  You know, son of the big Hamburgers who came to the conclusion of marriage between Logan and Rory MUCH earlier and MUCH harsher than Richard did.  How dare he show Rory how upset and wigged he is when his family was so much worse to her.  And how dare he let her baby him.  When she said things like “I can’t believe he would do that, I’ll talk to him, it’s not ok for him to treat you that way,” shouldn’t he have said something like “Hey, my family treated you much worse, so it’s only fair.  I can handle it, it’s ok”?

And of course you can probably guess I am none to pleased with Rory’s jelly spine.  Actually I take that back.  It’s not her spine that was the problem this time.  It would be her spine’s fault if she thought “uh, hello, YOUR family’s reaction to marriage?” and didn’t say anything.  The problem is it didn’t even occur to her that his reaction was ridiculous considering the circumstances.

Besides, the Gilmores lightly alluded to marriage during that one dinner a long time ago and he didn’t freak out then.  He secretly smirked at them, at how silly they were and how they were sucking up and groveling at the feet of a richer rich.  So why freak out now?  Because the tone wasn’t silly this time, more serious?  It just doesn’t make sense.

I think it was a stupid plot and is further evidence that the writers don’t watch their own show.

Plus how annoyed is everyone with Evil Promo Guy (EPG)?  Emily’s “Oh my god!” over seeing the BAG in person, and not some more scandalous item?  Richard only going over to see Lor at the END?

Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t think I’m naïve.  I’ve known of EPG’s ways for a long time now.  I was a PREE for a while.  But I passively watch them now, and never accept what I see due to EPG’s history.  So I wasn’t surprised about those two items.  I knew it would be something stupid, but I didn’t think they would be THAT dumb.

Ugh, enough negativity.  What did I like about the show this week?  I like how they showed Richard and Lor were on the same side with the newspaper articles + sad faces.  They are finally seeing Rory’s situation the same way.  While I was annoyed with Emily over the dollhouse (she shipped an urn/vase for goodness sake, how hard would it be to ship a doll house?  Could she be any more obvious?  “Richard got to see you, I want to see you.”) I vocalized my “Awwwww” when Richard unveiled the dollhouse.  It wasn’t a bribe or a hostage the way Emily would use it, it was a peace offering.  I think it represented “I’m starting to see things your way now.”

It may not last (goodness knows how many times it seemed like Emily finally understood something about her daughter and then went right back to her own ways), but I thought it was sweet.  A very daddy’s little girl moment.

Taylor is Taylor again   Wonderfully annoying instead of psychotically annoying (like in the bike race).  His behavior reminded me of the initial inspections of the Dragonfly.  Which made me believe he was trying to manipulate Lor into doing a favor for him and I kept waiting for it but never got it.  I don’t think the $100 donation was it.  If it were I would think he would have said “donate $100 and you can have <insert wonderful historic street name here>” since he was so bent on using historic names.  If that were his ploy I don’t think he would have settled with Third Street in the agreement.

By the way, how would Taylor pat Lorelai on the head?  Is anyone else trying to picture this?  She’s pretty tall, and while he’s no dwarf he’s no Paul Bunyan either.  Of course this is assuming they were standing on the same level.  Is the podium on a riser?  I can’t remember.  Why Lor would be standing next to the podium on the ground is beyond me, though.  Oh well, I still would have paid to see him pat her on the head.  The look on her face must have been infinitely better than what my imagination is concocting.  Do you think she made a move to punch him and Miss Patty had to hold her back, so the only thing she could do was snarl and kick her legs in Taylor’s general direction?

By the way, when did Jackson stop being in charge?  I’m sure he stepped down, he was stressed out as it was, and now he has 2 kids, but they never mentioned it.  I agree it’s not worthy of a scene, but I would think they would at least have mentioned it.  Perhaps I’m giving too much credit again

I didn’t quite get the humor of Emily’s shipments.  I agree with Lor that she was just doing it to force Lorelai into calling her about it (hence why she upped the anty with the dollhouse) but I was still like “Hey Em, I don’t get it.”  However, I did find it very funny that, when Lorelai was driving in her jeep, parked, and walked passed what looked to me like a fountain, I was under the impression that she arrived at the Gilmore mansion (having given in to her mother’s manipulations).  Even when she keeps walking and we see boxes now, I thought “haha, those are all Emily’s shipments, waiting to get on a truck to go to Stars Hollow.”  It wasn’t until she made it to her steps that I realized I was all wrong.  And then I had to laugh at myself.  That fountain type thing really threw me off.  I didn’t notice what type of road/driveway material there was, so I just assumed that was the fountain/sculpture at the center of the Gilmore cul-de-sac.  Silly me

That’s all for now!

[luv2watch]

Hi Nikki,
You give a captivating and entertaining commentary. I agree wholeheartedly wtih your rant about the Night Cap and the Berk bag. I bow to your attention to detail and accurate Gilmore-like recount of the happenings.

I was a bit of a dumby last night, though, and taped the episode on a tape that didn't have enough room and missed the last ten minutes. No TEVO in my house.  Almost, everything you so eloquently spoke about, I saw. But if you have a moment to fill me in on what happened during those precious minutes I missed I would be eternally grateful. What was Rory's surprise announcement to Logan?  What was Lor's reaction to Richard's visit? Oh, and maybe I'm a little slow, but what is an EPG and a PREE you spoke of in your comments, if you have another minute to educate me.

Thank you for your help, oh Guru of Gilmore Gossip,
Kim

[Capsicum]

I vote frustrated with the writers. The whole episode was bad, not just Logan. Sores and Boils Alley? Seriously? A leper colony in the garage? Even Michel was boring, how did they do that, I didn't think it was possible!?! (Although the home shopping network addiction was funny).
Everything was totally pointless. Was the intercom-nonsense supposed to be funny? The bag? The missing maid? The many, boring, packages sent to Lorelei? And was Rory's I love you-scene supposed to be sweet, romantic, ominous, uncomfortable, what? It just came off as uninteresting. Even the actors seemed bored in this episode. Michel couldn't even be bothered with his accent...
Just think about the spanish name Sookia, and that pretty much sums up the pointlessnes and unfunnyness of this episode. I'm gonna have to watch at least a whole season on DVD now to get any of my old enthusiasm back. 

[Shanksta]

I agree, not the greatest episode. And that stupid promo! 

I was expecting Emily to find condoms or Logan's underwear; anything shocking for a grandmother to find in her granddaughter's room. Stupid bag.

At least the next episode is written by Amy, yay!

[tyger]

I thought the funniest line of the night was from Emily:

"Oh, you know what a Birken bag is, Richard.  I showed you a picture
of one, remember? Around my birthday?"



Btw. the Birken bag is a bad sign for Rory because in the most recent
Merchant Ivory film, LE DIVORCE, there is a lothario (a little like
Logan?) who goes from woman to woman and when he decides to break up
with them, gives them a Birken bag -- it is specifically called that
in the film -- and then just disappears...

[Blue]

Help! Can anyone help me? My husband set up the VCR to tape GG last night, and I missed the episode. He set the tape for November instead of October! Is there any way anyone can send me an electronic file? I'm really interested in this episode, as the synopsis seems to indicate it's a pivotal one (what with Richard going back to Lorelai). I knew I'm a newbie to the forum, but I've been a lurker at gg.org for a while. Any help is much appreciated!

[bookfreak]

It wasn't really a pivotal episode-- Richard came to Lorelai at the very end, told her they needed to talk, and the credits came up. Next week should have more of the actual talking.

I was really disappointed with this episode. I had to tape it last night, and I waited all day through school to watch it, only to find it rather uneventful. I completely agree about Evil Promo Guy, although it's not like they haven't done it before. I just hate when they take stuff out of context like that. I also thought Rory's "I love you" was pretty weak, kind of like her "no strings attached" speech to Logan, basically saying, "I like you against my better judgement, and even though this goes against my personality, I'll dive in without thinking I can get hurt". Because even though Logan said his response didn't come out like he meant it to, I can't see how it would have been a positive comment.

There were little good things about the episode. The two best moments were Emily's "UNDER the Tootsie Rolls" and Kirk's "If you look at it really fast then the gazebo might look normal size and I might look like a giant". Those, and it was really sweet of Richard to bring the dollhouse at the end.

I'm eager to see if things get better again next week (I'm trying really hard not to read spoilers). Also, I don't think I missed anything, but Richard and Emily still don't know about the L/L engagement, do they? That could be a sore spot after Max.

[whiffenpoof]

i was extremely dissapointed with this episode. logan disgusts me. i truly cannot believe the things rory has put up with. she has even dissapointed me a bit now. she has no... courage to say anything to that loser. he acted like a complete jerk saying that about richard, he had absolutely no right! i was looking forward to this episode very much, but the promo was misleading. o well its not the gilmores fault! even the name logan sickens me these days. maybe i just feel this way because i will always be partial to dean. first loves, you can never forget them!   

[~~Eternity~~]

I totally agree with you guys about this episode. It was crap... I say we should not watch those WB promo cuz the disappointment only gets worse. I was excited because as someone said, i thought things are gonna finally! get better, with Richard going to see Lorelai...

Well I was completely out of words when that was actually the last scene of the episode. What the hell!! lol 

Is it just me or is this season kinda very different from the others? I mean, usually I laugh so hard that my cheeks hurt. There's not one episode this season that has made me laugh for more than 5 minutes. The series has lost a bit of appeal there... I am sure next episode will be better! It has to be cuz GG rocks!! 

[Leenie]

 I had a similar VCR problem, I only got to see the first 10 minutes of the show. The other posted synopises helped, but I have two questions : what was it that Emily finds in Rory's room, and what was the new street name where the Dragonfly is located ? My VCR quit right as they were about to announce the name   I'd appreciate any answers I can get. Not knowing what happened is killing me.

[Shania]

I was also wondering when jackson stop being the hmm whatever it is taylor is

i saw the opening then when the credits started to roll i went downstairs to get my laundry out of the dryer and as i was folding it accured to me that jackson should have been running the town meeting.

 

by the way why did it take so long for someone to start a discussion on this episode?
i came on at 10pm et tuesday night expecting to find everyone sharing their view point and there wasn't even a thread for this show.

i tried to start one but i couldn't find the new topic button.
i hope next episode there will be a thread open for a tuesday night discussion.

[katnip]

A filler episode, in my opinion, that accomplished nothing save for, as previously posted, to get Richard (and Emily) to confer with Lorelai.

Taylor's annoying me more and more, along with Kirk.  Too much screentime for such annoying personalities.  Taylor playing the usual games with his position of authority and Kirk's eccentricities....been there, done that, seen it too much.  Blah.