Coffee at Luke's: An Unauthorized Gilmore Girls Gabfest (Smart Pop Series) (22 page)
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Authors: Jennifer Crusie,Leah Wilson
Tags: #Humor & Entertainment, #Television, #History & Criticism
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Books, we begin to learn, do have their limitations. Lorelai and Rory are invited to Sherry’s baby shower, where Lorelai responds to Sherry’s query about what books she read when she was pregnant with Rory with “Judy Blume’s
Deenie
,” a staple of high school girls everywhere in the 1980s (“Take the Deviled Eggs . . . ,” 3-6). Sherry is looking to books to help her in the months ahead, but pregnancy and giving birth cannot be learned from books alone. The same proves true of fishing; despite Lorelai’s efforts with the fishing volumes from the library, it’s Luke’s hands-on teaching that prepares her for her date with Alex (“Lorelai Out of Water,” 3-12).
Deenie
,” a staple of high school girls everywhere in the 1980s (“Take the Deviled Eggs . . . ,” 3-6). Sherry is looking to books to help her in the months ahead, but pregnancy and giving birth cannot be learned from books alone. The same proves true of fishing; despite Lorelai’s efforts with the fishing volumes from the library, it’s Luke’s hands-on teaching that prepares her for her date with Alex (“Lorelai Out of Water,” 3-12).
That doesn’t mean books still don’t have their uses. When Lorelai struggles with a gift for Richard’s birthday, Rory rescues her by wrapping the volumes of the
Complete History of the Peloponnesian War
in a bow tie. If only Emily had done the same; she, with her gift of a very nice humidor, is once again one-upped by her mother-in-law, the original Lorelai, who arranges for her son to receive his father’s humidor, once owned by writer Victor Hugo (“That’ll Do, Pig,” 3-10).
Complete History of the Peloponnesian War
in a bow tie. If only Emily had done the same; she, with her gift of a very nice humidor, is once again one-upped by her mother-in-law, the original Lorelai, who arranges for her son to receive his father’s humidor, once owned by writer Victor Hugo (“That’ll Do, Pig,” 3-10).
Lorelai and Rory also find a few books particularly useful in preparing for their backpacking trip to Europe—their
Rough Guide
travel guides. After Rory’s high school graduation (where Rory’s valedictorian speech is filled with admiration for “Jane Austen, Eudora Welty, Patti Smith,” the women who were responsible for her upbringing, through their writing, as much as her final figure of admiration, her mother), they end the season in a last-minute negotiation over packing for Europe—Rory will leave a few books behind, in exchange for Lorelai losing some of her boots (“Those Are Strings, Pinocchio,” 3-22).
Rough Guide
travel guides. After Rory’s high school graduation (where Rory’s valedictorian speech is filled with admiration for “Jane Austen, Eudora Welty, Patti Smith,” the women who were responsible for her upbringing, through their writing, as much as her final figure of admiration, her mother), they end the season in a last-minute negotiation over packing for Europe—Rory will leave a few books behind, in exchange for Lorelai losing some of her boots (“Those Are Strings, Pinocchio,” 3-22).
Rory and Lorelai return from Europe just barely in time to transport Rory, her books, mattress, and other goods to New Haven. At Yale, Rory is studying Hemingway and Fitzgerald, and delighting in the atmosphere and the chance to discuss “good books, bad books, really thick magazines” (“The Fundamental Things Apply,” 4-5). But this season the show begins to move away from reading and towards writing, though unfortunately, Rory’s first college attempts at writing rather than reading don’t go as well as she would have liked. She and Paris are undergoing the intern process for the
Yale Daily News
, and while Paris despises the process but is confident in her own abilities, Rory struggles until she finds her own critical voice—a critical voice that leads a ballerina to write “Die, Jerk” on Suite 5’s message board in response to an unflattering review.
Yale Daily News
, and while Paris despises the process but is confident in her own abilities, Rory struggles until she finds her own critical voice—a critical voice that leads a ballerina to write “Die, Jerk” on Suite 5’s message board in response to an unflattering review.
This isn’t the only time the written word has unintended consequences for a Gilmore: the original Lorelai, after moving into the neighborhood (much to Emily’s dismay), dies. Lorelai and Emily find a carbon copy of a letter to Richard among Lorelai the First’s things that expresses her dismay at Richard’s choice of brides, a final straw that leaves Emily on the sofa in her dressing gown, reading
The Crimson Petal and the White
(a novel about a social climbing young prostitute and the hypocrisy of the upper class, appropriately) and abandoning all the very specific funeral arrangements outlined in her mother-in-law’s will to her daughter (“The Reigning Lorelai,” 4-16).
The Crimson Petal and the White
(a novel about a social climbing young prostitute and the hypocrisy of the upper class, appropriately) and abandoning all the very specific funeral arrangements outlined in her mother-in-law’s will to her daughter (“The Reigning Lorelai,” 4-16).
Back in Stars Hollow, books still feature heavily in Lorelai’s life. She’s buried in design books and magazines as she, Sookie, and Michel work towards opening the Dragonfly Inn. The stress of the undertaking wears on Lorelai, although she is excited at having a grown-up excuse to buy a pony, leading Luke to call her “National Velvet.” But Luke’s literary allusions can’t hold a candle to those of Richard’s new business partner and Lorelai’s new flame, Jason Stiles, whose guest room is filled with hundreds of books. Still, while Jason may have the smarts to keep up with his Gilmore Girl, he also has more quirks and eccentricities than all the denizens of Stars Hollow put together, and ends up being an alienating factor between Lorelai and Richard and Emily. Not even his books can make up for that.
In the aftermath of her breakup with Jason, and Luke’s recent divorce by mail, Lorelai tells Luke, “I see Dr. Phil books in our future” (“Luke Can See Her Face,” 4-20). While Luke scoffs that it’s not likely unless Dr. Phil starts appearing in home repair stores, after a challenge from Jess to address his love life, he picks up the
You’re Not Alone/You Deserve Love
book, workbook, and tape set from Andrew’s bookstore. Not only does the book help
him
take action, first asking Lorelai to be his date to Liz and T. J.’s wedding, then kissing her on the porch of the Dragonfly, but it also helps Jess voice his appreciation for Luke and his love for Rory (if clumsily), after Luke passes it on to him.
You’re Not Alone/You Deserve Love
book, workbook, and tape set from Andrew’s bookstore. Not only does the book help
him
take action, first asking Lorelai to be his date to Liz and T. J.’s wedding, then kissing her on the porch of the Dragonfly, but it also helps Jess voice his appreciation for Luke and his love for Rory (if clumsily), after Luke passes it on to him.
Emily, on the outs with Richard despite Lorelai’s efforts at reuniting them, is off to Europe at the beginning of season five, and invites Rory to accompany her. Lorelai endorses the idea, hoping it will give Rory some perspective on her and Dean’s newly ignited adulterous affair, but Rory perceives it as Lorelai shipping her off to Europe like a character in a Henry James novel (“Say Goodbye to Daisy Miller,” 5- 1). With the Atlantic between them, Rory puts her thoughts on paper for Dean’s eyes only—too bad Lindsay finds the letter and ends the marriage. There are risks involved in putting things in writing, Rory learns—something Lorelai could stand to learn as well: despite having a daughter who is studying journalism, Lorelai is unguarded in her tales of Emily during an interview about the Inn, and creates another rift between her and her mother.
At least Lorelai has Luke. When Richard invites Luke golfing to get to know his daughter’s new boyfriend, books act as a yardstick for acceptability: Luke excuses his lack of golf skills to Richard by claiming he prefers reading—but he can’t come up with “science fiction guy” Philip K. Dick’s full name and is sent home with assigned reading of the
Iliad
and
Odyssey
, books that, presumably, would make him a more worthy addition to the Gilmore family (“You Jump, I Jump, Jack,” 5-7). Luke’s life, like his chosen reading material, is a far cry from what the Gilmores would have wanted for their daughter.
Iliad
and
Odyssey
, books that, presumably, would make him a more worthy addition to the Gilmore family (“You Jump, I Jump, Jack,” 5-7). Luke’s life, like his chosen reading material, is a far cry from what the Gilmores would have wanted for their daughter.
Richard, meanwhile, is reading a little too much. The first indication that he is not truly happy living in the poolhouse apart from Emily is when he tells Rory he has recently completed the six volumes of
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
in addition to reading P. G. Wodehouse and Proust, revealing that he is
very
lonely indeed (“We Got Us a Pippi Virgin,” 5-5). Still, Emily, eating a lonely omelet with only
The Portable Dorothy Parker
for companionship, is unyielding, until a stray dog brings them back together.
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
in addition to reading P. G. Wodehouse and Proust, revealing that he is
very
lonely indeed (“We Got Us a Pippi Virgin,” 5-5). Still, Emily, eating a lonely omelet with only
The Portable Dorothy Parker
for companionship, is unyielding, until a stray dog brings them back together.
Rory’s quest to become a journalist continues as she returns to Yale and her new room in Branford College, which has a courtyard that was praised by no less than poet Robert Frost. Branford College is also where she meets and immediately dislikes Logan Huntzberger. She is dismayed to then find him on staff at the
Yale Daily News
, where things are back in full swing, with Rory on features and Paris on religion. Logan, as heir to the Huntzberger newspaper empire, is on whatever he feels like doing—which, largely, is nothing. Rory is determined to make her mark and stumbles on the secretive Life and Death Brigade—but she can’t get access for the scoop without Logan’s help. Logan gets her full access to an LDB extravaganza, where she really comes into her own as an investigative reporter for the first time.
Yale Daily News
, where things are back in full swing, with Rory on features and Paris on religion. Logan, as heir to the Huntzberger newspaper empire, is on whatever he feels like doing—which, largely, is nothing. Rory is determined to make her mark and stumbles on the secretive Life and Death Brigade—but she can’t get access for the scoop without Logan’s help. Logan gets her full access to an LDB extravaganza, where she really comes into her own as an investigative reporter for the first time.
It’s also through Logan that Rory is able to obtain an intern position at the
Stamford Gazette
with Logan’s father, Mitchum Huntzberger, that ends with a performance review in which Mitchum tells Rory she doesn’t have what it takes to have a successful career in journalism. While Rory’s relationship with Logan began in part because of her love of words and her desire to make her living with them, because of him Rory ends up questioning her journalistic ambitions and deciding not to return to Yale against her mother’s wishes, instead moving her books and clothes into her grandparents’ poolhouse, vacated since Richard and Emily’s reunion.
Stamford Gazette
with Logan’s father, Mitchum Huntzberger, that ends with a performance review in which Mitchum tells Rory she doesn’t have what it takes to have a successful career in journalism. While Rory’s relationship with Logan began in part because of her love of words and her desire to make her living with them, because of him Rory ends up questioning her journalistic ambitions and deciding not to return to Yale against her mother’s wishes, instead moving her books and clothes into her grandparents’ poolhouse, vacated since Richard and Emily’s reunion.
The first significant sign to Richard that perhaps Rory is not going to end up back at Yale by living in the poolhouse? When he brings up great books at dinner, and she hasn’t read anything more significant than the DAR menu (“We’ve Got Magic to Do,” 6-5). Despite his and Emily’s best intentions and Lorelai’s tough love approach, it takes a visit from Jess just after her twenty-first birthday to give Rory the perspective she needs to regain her purpose in life: Jess has published a short novel,
The Subsect
, and is working for the small press that published it, while Rory parties with Logan and mirrors her grandmother’s life of social obligations. Rory hasn’t just had a taste of Logan’s world of hedonism and wasted talents; she is embracing it full-time. Jess’s book, a reminder of her lost ambitions, is enough to trigger a break with Logan and her grandparents, and a return to Yale as well as a solid relationship with her mother.
The Subsect
, and is working for the small press that published it, while Rory parties with Logan and mirrors her grandmother’s life of social obligations. Rory hasn’t just had a taste of Logan’s world of hedonism and wasted talents; she is embracing it full-time. Jess’s book, a reminder of her lost ambitions, is enough to trigger a break with Logan and her grandparents, and a return to Yale as well as a solid relationship with her mother.
Rory has rediscovered her confidence in herself and remembered who
she
had intended Rory Gilmore to be. She returns to her old study habits, but with a stronger sense of self and a real desire to use books and words as tools to reach people rather than an excuse to isolate herself from them. When Paris’s tyranny over the newsroom as editor causes the
Daily News
staff to revolt and dismiss her, Rory is ready to rise to the occasion; she is voted in as the new editor after saving the paper from missing an issue, with Logan’s help, an act that mends fences between them after a long separation.
she
had intended Rory Gilmore to be. She returns to her old study habits, but with a stronger sense of self and a real desire to use books and words as tools to reach people rather than an excuse to isolate herself from them. When Paris’s tyranny over the newsroom as editor causes the
Daily News
staff to revolt and dismiss her, Rory is ready to rise to the occasion; she is voted in as the new editor after saving the paper from missing an issue, with Logan’s help, an act that mends fences between them after a long separation.
Rory’s journalism savvy reunites another couple as well: Lorelai and Christopher have a proud parenting moment when Rory shines on her Young Voices of Journalism panel, the beginning of a renewed contact that will prove significant when Luke, thrown by the sudden appearance of his previously unknown daughter April (whose fondness for reading causes more than one person to question her paternity), fails to rise to Lorelai’s marriage ultimatum at season’s end.
Throughout the seasons, we see characters’ personalities expressed and reflected in their relationships with the written word. Richard and Emily enjoy news periodicals and great works of literature suited to their station in life, but would not think to venture beyond those prescribed boundaries. Dean and Luke both think of books primarily as resources for information, and only secondarily as a form of entertainment, but they only ever flirt with reading, never engaging in a passionate relationship with it. Jess, in contrast, is defined by his relationship with books, first others’ works, then the creation of his own and his support of others’ through the publishing company. Paris is passionate about words in a different way, collecting knowledge like a finite resource and using her knowledge as a weapon to intimidate or impress others.
Lorelai’s reading is enthusiastic and quirky, with occasional moments of dedicated concentration, reflecting her approach to life in general. She is equally capable of appreciating the works of Shakespeare, the poetry of Sylvia Plath, and an in-depth interview with a rock musician, and of picking and choosing the shiniest bits to add to her cultural repertoire. Lorelai delights in exercising her mind in less-than-conventional ways and in meeting the challenge of keeping up with her best friend, her very bright and erudite daughter, Rory—whose relationship with the written word tells us not only about her, but about the ways she has grown since season one.
Between her sophomore year of high school and her junior year of college, Rory has transitioned from a young woman with a passion and admiration for other writers’ works to a young woman with the life experience and self-confidence to create and advocate her own. Sixteen-year-old Rory was invested in writing to meet others’ expectations; twenty-one-year-old Rory is capable of accepting constructive criticism, but also respects the value of her own opinions, and of providing guidance to others in her role as editor. This Gilmore Girl has grown into a Gilmore Woman, who may not yet have all of life’s answers but who will look to her beloved books as just one resource among many, including truths told through visual media, music, and her own adventures in the greater world, no longer shielded by the covers of a book.
Maryelizabeth Hart
is co-owner of Mysterious Galaxy, an independent genre bookstore in San Diego, California. She co-authored companion books to
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
and
Angel
with husband Jeff Mariotte and regular Smart Pop contributor Nancy Holder. Her regular writing jobs are editor of the store’s newsletter, and reviews contributor. She has been reading her whole life and remains passionate about books.
Kristen Kidder
“That’s What You Get, Folks, For Makin’ Whoopee”
RORY: They never invited their priest over to try and talk you out of having sex?LORELAI: Five times! And on the last one, they triple-teamed with a priest, a rabbi, and a Mormon missionary. I made so many jokes that night I should have had a microphone and a brick wall behind me. (“He’s Slippin’ ’Em Bread . . . Dig?” 6-10)You’d think a show based on an unwed mother and her teen-aged daughter would be a little loose around the moral edges, but the Gilmore Girls can’t catch a break in their sex lives. It’s not just that nobody in the show can maintain a relationship; as Kristen Kidder points out, when Paris, Rory, and Lane finally move on to makin’ it, the show makes them pay for it, too.
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