7.04 - `S Wonderful, `S Marvelous

[Burtnnator07]

I actually liked this episode. It did seema little slow and disjointed, but overall it was good.

*The Anna/Luke scenes were cute. She was so nervous and he was being reassuring...it was cute. It does seem like there is a blossoming romance there.

*I also liked the Luke/April scenes. However, it does seem rather like the Jess storyline, besides the fact April is a good kid. Hopefully, she will be good for Luke.

*I'm glad Luke is a Target man. He would lose some brownie points if he was a Wal-Mart kind of guy.

*Wow, Rory's friends...ick. I know all the side characters are supposed to be over-the-top but so far there are no endearing qualities to help balance the obnoxiousness. Hopefully they will grow on the us if they are to stick around.

*I, too, am glad that Rory isn't going to just sit around waiting for Logan to call. Yes, it was kind of sad, but her days can't revolve around his phone calls.

*Well, Chris isn't anything if not charming. He seems thoughtful and sweet and his standing may have improved if it weren't for his drive to spend the night with Lorelai. I know he feels "it was right" blah blah blah, but Lorelai didn't feel it is right yet. His reaction to her not wanting to go there just yet seemed a little teenage-boyish to me. Lorelai never seemed completely comfortable either. He is doing all these wonderful things but it still seems like they haven't completely gelled yet. It doesn't bode well for their future as it appears to just be setting up the return of Luke and Lorelai. While I'm definitely a L/L fan and I eagerly await the day they grow up and wake up, poor Chris and Anna.  

*"Son, I don't know where that thing has been, but it's certainly not coming anywhere near my mouth!" I LOVED Emily getting arrested.

*Stars Hollow is back and I also noticed a clip of the fun music. Perhaps things are looking up  

[miss_zabone]

Dude tonights episode was the bomb! Who knew Rosenthal had it in him? Certainly not I. The last few weeks have urked me somewhat because I found characters doing things that ASP never would have had them doing. Like last week when Michel was dancing with Lorelai (eww creepy) and how Luke was such a d*ck to Lorelai in the street. ASP might have created tension between Luke and Lorelai but she never would've allowed Luke to be so mean to Lorelai - he's curmudgeonly, but not catty and petty like he was in that episode (well you're the one who asked me to marry you anyway. i'm over it....ewwww!)

With that all aside I thought Rosenthal did a fantastic job with tonight's episode. Did anybody notice that almost the entire cast was in it (except for Lane and the guys and Mrs. Kim)? That's pretty rare for an episode of GG's lately. At any rate say what you want about Lorelai and Christopher getting together - it was still pretty well-written and VERY FUNNY! I loved Rory's joke in the beginning about not knowing what people do when their mom dates their dad. And honestly, I never thought I'd hear myself say this, being the HUGE Luke fan that I am, but I don't hate Lorelai with Christopher together. It's definitely weird that she just kinda up and got over Luke, but Lauren Graham and David Sutcliffe have great chemistry. I think it's very believable.

Did anybody think when Rory was at the art show that she was going to run into Marty? I totally was expecting her to (lol!)

[miss_zabone]

Oh and one more thing. I know everybody was into the Luke/April dialogue but c'mon. What 13 year old girl wouldn't be totally creeped out sharing a one bedroom apt. with her dad she's only known for a year? I LOVE LUKE DONT GET ME WRONG, but there's still reality. Even if you are as sweet as April I think it would have been funnier if she asked him to put up a partition or something so she could have some privacy. Like remember how weirded out she was by him in the field trip episode - I think that's a funnier and more realistic vibe between a 13 year old and her dad especially when they have Luke acting like such a geek around her. I know it's endearing 

[Dani257]

Question about April staying with Luke.  I know it was necessary for the plot, but realistically, would Anna have called Luke in a situation like this?  I mean, he hasn't known her for long.  And, this isn't about whether or not he'd be the right person to call, I just assumed that in 13 years, Anna would already have a support system for taking care of April, like a neighbor or April spending a few days at a friends house.  Probably couldn't work it in gracefully (not that grace was a high point in this episode) but I think it would have made sense if there was a scene where Anna said that she needed him to do it because the people she would normally ask were unavailable, or she mentioned that she was going out of town and he volunteered because he wants to spend time with April and do the father thing.  

What's the policy on spoilers that were supposed to happen in the current episode but didn't?  Are they fair game, or do we not talk about them because they could happen in a later episode?  Something was supposed to happen in this episode, but didn't.  Although it could be put in later.

And, sometimes I forget that Rory is tall.  I don't know why, but it shocked me to see Rory towering over Paris.

[flex151]

Oh and one more thing. I know everybody was into the Luke/April dialogue but c'mon. What 13 year old girl wouldn't be totally creeped out sharing a one bedroom apt. with her dad she's only known for a year? I LOVE LUKE DONT GET ME WRONG, but there's still reality. Even if you are as sweet as April I think it would have been funnier if she asked him to put up a partition or something so she could have some privacy. Like remember how weirded out she was by him in the field trip episode - I think that's a funnier and more realistic vibe between a 13 year old and her dad especially when they have Luke acting like such a geek around her. I know it's endearing 

Don't worry, I thought about that too. I would have been creeped out at that age. Sure he's her father, and technically there's nothing wrong with it, but you're right, they haven't known each other that long. It would be one thing if she had her own room to stay in, but Luke's apartment is pretty much one big room, excluding the bathroom and closets. And girls that age are definitely neurotic about their privacy. Sure April is a "special" kid (not, "Stop eating the paste!" special), but she's also a teenager who has crushes on boys and likes sparkly purple face paint, and would probably want her own space.

[MikeinLA]

Okay, for people who don't like anything negative said about Gilmore Girls, cover your eyes.  I felt this episode was very weak.  Not because of any plot (because read my signature, an epiosde isn't bad for me because L/L aren't together) although there were some issues.  My problem was, instead of a storyline with some subplots, it felt like a lot of disconnected things without a coherant thread.  

Now, on to some specifics.  Lets see if I remember them.  The artsy girls?  My first impression, total annoyance.  I put in the spoiler thread that they came off as cartoon monkeys on speed.  I didn't even get any joy out of their adoration of Paris, which was what I was looking forward to when I read the spoilers.

April also seemed off.  Just more hyper than I remembered her.  Not really anything she said or did, her movements and the cadence of her speech just seemed off.  I think the actress is taller.  That comment on her height isn't part of my critique, just an observation.

The Funny Face date (I like the movie well enough, but it's not my favorite of Hepburn's.  I prefer My Fair Lady or Roman Holiday.  Although, neither fits the romantic mood - amd frankly, my heart belongs to Gene Kelly) I didn't get the impression that the movie and such was Christopher trying to get into Lorelai's pants.  I thought at least that part was just him trying to make them have a good experience with seeing a movie, since they had talked about how every movie they had seen together had been bad.  I mean, he was open to spending the night with her and actively pushed for it, but I saw the movie as separate from that desire.  I also wish Lorelai would talk.  It's frustrating especially for her because she has always talked before.  Although she did after the movie, even if she inexplicably changed her mind afterwards.

The Emily subplot?  Okay.  See, if there had been an actual story, this would have made an amusing subplot.  But, it seemed to be just one subplot in an episode that was nothing but subplots.  A round of skits.  Nothing wrong with it in and of itself.  Like I said, in another episode, it would have been fine.  But, hasn't Lorelai talked on her cell phone while driving?  And, I think she's done it in Hartford.

The most interesting thing was Rory telling Logan to call her back because she wanted to spend time with her new aquaintances (she just met them, they're not friends yet).  I said I wanted to see the other side of their problems where Logan is on the insecure, lonely end.  We know he does miss her, but still from a confident point of view because he is self assured enough to tell Rory that he misses her because he knows that she needed to hear it.  But, we haven't gotten it from his pov.  I kind of wish there could have been a split second of him looking sad.  Then, go back to Rory having fun with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (sorry, bad first impression).

Overall, I was surprised when the episode was over because most of it felt like a really long teaser than an episode.  I kept thinking there was more depth coming.  

I'm bringing Dani's post from page 2 forward because it is pithy and right on and will save me a lot of typing.

Christopher and Lorelai again don't seem like the same people. They act like kids on a second or third date who aren't even comfortable with each other. As Dani notes: April didn't seem right, either. She's suddenly kind of a Stepford Kid or something. I thought much less of the Emily subplot, however, than Dani did. It was ludicruous! Emily has lived all her life in Hartford and doesn't know if it's illegal to use a cell fone whilst driving? The premise and script were so lame, even Kelly Bishop couldn't sell it, and it stank. Stunk. Whatever.

And Rory blows Logan off and hangs up on him?

Who writes this crap? Did they get PAID for this, or did somebody lose an election bet?

 

[Dani257]

I'm bringing Dani's post from page 2 forward because it is pithy and right on and will save me a lot of typing.

As Dani notes: April didn't seem right, either. She's suddenly kind of a Stepford Kid or something. I thought much less of the Emily subplot, however, than Dani did. It was ludicruous! Emily has lived all her life in Hartford and doesn't know if it's illegal to use a cell fone whilst driving? The premise and script were so lame, even Kelly Bishop couldn't sell it, and it stank. Stunk. Whatever.

And Rory blows Logan off and hangs up on him?


 

Just quoting what I'm responding to.  First, I think Stepford Kid describes very well, how April seemed here.  It was almost robotic. 

As for Emily, I took this as the comedic portion of the show, and I just assume that when logic gets in the way of comedy, logic hits the road.  Like half of Kirk's plots on this show.  Which isn't a ringing endorsement because more and more I hate Kirk.

And, again, I like that for once Rory is caught up in something and can't give Logan her undivided attention.  Just because it's showing that she's living her life and not "the girl by the phone"  Would have come off much better if it wasn't the Tweedles (those girls were rummaging all in Logan's things and Rory didn't say anything?  They were rude and obnoxious).  I don't want this to be a common thing, though.  I want Rory to still be available for their scheduled phone call, and later, if the Tweedles stick around, for them to know that that particular time is reserved for Logan.  But, as an example that other times, she would be doing something without thinking about Logan -like I'm sure he's making friends and sometimes an hour might pass without him longing for Rory.  It still does come off badly when it's a choice between Logan and the Tweedles.  Actually, Kirk, TJ, and Taylor together come off better companions than the Tweedles.  I'm just shy of saying that the *expletive* Troubador would be a better companion than the TWeedles, although I don't know if I'd go that far yet.

[MikeinLA]

The appearance of the (bleeping) troubadour would definitely finish off this turkey of a season! The Tweedles are nowhere near as interesting as Madelyn and Louise, altho the tall one has decent legs.

I'm OK with Rory not being Logan's Stepford girlfriend. I just think that scene and sequence were very poorly done, like most of the rest of the ep.

Lorelai still seems the most changed to me. I hate to break out of the characters and into the actors, but Lauren Graham is no longer playing the same character. Lorelai is a different girl, kind of a more bland version of her old self. It isn't just the pacing or the wisecracks. It just isn't her somehow.

The entire feel of the show is still off. The basic creative oversight has changed. It's just plain not as good any more.

 

[SleepyTroubador]

I think I liked this one *a little* better than MikeInLA, but I do agree the new art show friends were very weak - I say bring back Madeleine & Louise! "-)

As I watch the "Lor & Christopher" (ew...) story unfold, I just don't buy it. I remember that great episode from a few years ago where Lorelai's pregnancy is told in flashback and I don't think Christopher held her interest much even at age 16. Why would he hold it now twenty years on? If anything, Lorelai has spent most of her life trying to break out of the well-heeled, do-nothing society he comes from (and just what does he *do* anyway? Buy toys with his money and schlep his kid off to boarding school? Weak.)

At least Luke, for all his faults and flannel shirts, has some SUBSTANCE! L/L forever!

~SleepyTroubador

P.S. Looks like Paul Anka and April are back, I thought they'd been unceremoniously dumped. I actually kind of like April this time around...

[Heidi]

Screencaps:  http://www.gilmoregirls.org/screencaps/episode704/index.html

Get 'em while they're hot.

~Heidi

[nikki]

You have a right to refuse to take the breathalyzer, so that was no excuse to arrest her.

Well, you're half right...

I can't take the arrest of Emily Gilmore for driving a car with a cell phone seriously. On either count. The policeman arrested her for being annoying, and he should be sued. And I intend to use the line about a community breathalyzer the next time a policeman pulls me over just to meet his quota.

She didn't get arrested for talking on her phone.  When I was in drivers ed, they told us that "refusal to take a breathalyzer constitutes failing the breathalyzer."  So she got arrested because she "failed" the breathalyzer, a very real situation to be taken seriously.  The policeman was completely valid in his actions and should not be sued.

I was a little unsure if my memory was correct (or if it was just a PA thing), but I found this information on the website of a lawyer with "25 years of experience with Connecticut criminal law"

"Q: Can I refuse a Breathalyzer?

A: Although the answer can vary by state, in many cases, a refusal is itself a criminal violation subject to stiff penalties. In addition, if the case against you is proven, there may be additional penalties for the refusal, above and beyond those for the drunk driving offense."

Feel free to use Emily's line though, just be prepared to be put up for free by your local county officials.

[sweetchica0403]

i loved this episode!!!!!!! it was so funny to see emily get arrested, i have to say that this was the highlight for me of this episode. who would of ever thought that would of happened!!!! rory's new friends are.....well intresting. they are kind of random in the plot line. i am not yet sold on the whole Lorelai and Chris relationship. they are cute together but given chris's track record i am not so sure.

oh also, since lorelai at at lukes all the time.....where in the world is she eatiing now that they are broken up? that has kind of been a highlight of the show is like her morning breakfast somewhere if not a lukes. it is kind of strange.

[Gilmore_Lover]

WOW WOW WOW.
The Gilmore's are back and better than ever!

I know this episode sparked tons of contreversy, but let me just say:

             April
 Um I think the dialouge between Luke and April HAS been better, but I just loved the whole target thing. We practically live at target and my friends and I always call it Tajay...

 
             Chris and Lorelai
  Ok hold the pitchforks but I just LOVE it. I think maybe she could have waited a little longer after the break up with Luke--but then again maybe not? It seemed to me that in one episode the whole summer went by---cause Rory is already back at Yale.
Did is seem strange to anyone else that Summer lasted a whole one episode? WEIRD.
Ok back to Chris and Lorelai---I think the movie thing was terriffic. And make way for the witty dialogue cause it's back! The whole snakes on a plane thing? I think everyone has had that conversation at some point, and it was done so well.
As for the end when everyone else was throwing things at their screen I issued a huge "awwwwwwwwwwww".
I always have loved Chris. That's not to say I didn't hate him for a while. But I do think they are right for eachother, and the two of them on the porch seemed so right to me.
 
          Rory's new friends
  I know everyone hated them, but I thought they were just done SO well. They seem like a cross between madeline and louise and colin and finn. AND THAT is one interesting cross!
It could be that I liked it so much because I'm and artsy theatre type myself. But I also think it's great for Rory to have some college girlfriends (you know what I mean) to kick back with and hang. Cause it seems like she never really had that--she just hung out with Logan's friends...or....Paris.

BUT on another note I was dissapointed that she didnt talk to Logan and ran off to make popcorn.

        On Emily and her arrest
You know the only thing I kept thinking was wow, now the elder and the younger of the Gilmore Girls has been arrested....yet Lorelai stays clean. I mean it was so stupid and ridiculous but HYSTERICAL.
Lorelai: Am I  smiling to much? I'll bring it down a notch. HAHHA laugh out loud funny.
And I was confused for like a while, cause in L.A. there are no laws about driving with cell phones so i was like WHAT is going on? It was proposterous, but well done.

       Kirk and his women problems

"Bagels are hip."  'nuff said.


MR. ROSENTAHAL:
I had my doubts. I really and truely did. But you made a fresh, witty comeback to a rocky start an i just loved it. I'm once again 100% Gilmore loving. (rather than the 99.9% you had me down to.=) I can't wait for the rest of the season! And and interesting one it will be.

[FlyGrl0609]

I can't take the arrest of Emily Gilmore for driving a car with a cell phone seriously. On either count. The policeman arrested her for being annoying, and he should be sued. And I intend to use the line about a community breathalyzer the next time a policeman pulls me over just to meet his quota.

While nikki is right that refusal to take a breathalizer is the same as failing it and Emily could be arrested for that, it is also true that here in CT it is illeagle to talk on your cell phone while driving w/o a hands free headset. They passed the law last year or the year before so Kudos to the writers for knowing (or finding it out). I don't think you could be arrested for it unless you do give the officer attitude which Emily is very good at.

I also forgot to mention earlier, since when is Lorelai the kind of girl who would wait to see if her boyfriend wanted to do something before making plans with her best friend? That scene really bothered me. Sookie should be important to her and she is just saying well you are good enough to hang out with if Chris doesn't call. Totally not the Lorelai I know and love. Makes her seem immature and childish, a and I don't like it!  

[star007]

I also forgot to mention earlier, since when is Lorelai the kind of girl who would wait to see if her boyfriend wanted to do something before making plans with her best friend? That scene really bothered me. Sookie should be important to her and she is just saying well you are good enough to hang out with if Chris doesn't call. Totally not the Lorelai I know and love. Makes her seem immature and childish, a and I don't like it! 

I thought that myself. Reinforces my feelings that I don't like Chris and Lorelai together. Even though the movie date was really sweet and romantic, it just makes me sad.

Rory's new friends didn't really seem like the kind of girls Rory would be friends with. They came off being really flaky and kind of snotty (and maybe just plain annoying ) It wasn't weird for her to ask to call Logan back. It would have been rude to talk on the phone while she had guests. I think Logan was surprised but also pleased that she had some new friends. He is secure enough in their relationship and is happy that she's living her life and missing him, but not moping.

While I really enjoyed this episode the most so far this season, I have to agree with MikeinLA. It's just not the same; that gilmore spark is missing. However , I will continue to watch til the end. I'm emotionally invested.