Episode Report Card Al Lowe: B- | 1 USERS: A+ YOU GRADE IT Not So New, Not Especially Improved
By Al Lowe | Season 6 | Episode 1 | Aired on 09.12.2005
At the Dragonfly, Michel is uncomfortably standing at his post while an exceedingly sweaty guy from the bike race leans on the desk, looking over his bill. The biker is so pleased with the great night's sleep he enjoyed at the Inn that he just had to get up early and take one more ride around town. He's going on and on about it while Michel gets more and more icked by the sweat. Finally, Michel has to ask him to move his arm, and when the guy stands up, Michel immediately sprays the desk down with cleaner. Lorelai walks up to save the day, distracting Sweaty and asking if his bill looks okay. It does, and she offers to put it in an envelope while he waits by the door. She turns and dresses down Michel for being so obvious with the spraying. "He was sweating all over the desk," Michel says, indignant. "I have to work at this desk, and I have no intention of catching jock itch on my forearm just because Mr. Breaking Away over there can't shower before he invades my dance space." How do I love it? Let me count the ways. Lorelai can see Michel's point, but asks him to chill with the spritzing. He tells her that Emily has called to say she'll be at Lorelai's house at 11 to pick up the rest of Rory's things. Lorelai says, "Fine," and springs over to a settee just in time to stop Sweaty from sitting on it. When he finally leaves, she throws away the magazines he's sweated on and has Michel spray down everything he's touched.
Over at Lorelai's house, Emily knocks on the door. It is answered by...Michel. The same Michel we just saw at the Inn. Listen, between these scenes, I really need a transition of some kind. The same thing happened earlier when we had scenes of Rory waking up, followed by a cut to a scene of her in a meeting, followed by a cut to her getting ready to go out that night. Throw in a little Lane or Skokie, or hell, even Kirk in between. Anything to keep the brain from automatically wondering how Michel made it over to the house in a split-second. Anyway, Michel says he has "been sent to open the door, like a servant." Emily is confused that Lorelai is not there. "No," Michel says. "I am here and not at the Dragonfly Inn, which I theoretically run when I'm not busy answering doors like Benson." (God, Benson was an awesome show. Miss Kraus!) Emily continues with her sputtering, and is outraged to find that Lorelai has not packed up all of Rory's things to be left for Emily to pick up. "Where are Rory's good clothes?" she asks. "I don't know," Michel answers, flipping through a magazine, "but I will continue to search for them, frantically." Now Emily's really mad, and asks Michel if he's just going to sit there. He says he was instructed to stay until Emily leaves. "Like I need to be watched," she rants. "Like I'm a meth head stealing a television set to support my habit." Her anger reaches a fever pitch when she yells that Rory needs something to wear to court. "I'm sorry," Michel says. "If you're talking to me, you'll have to do it in woofs." Brilliant. Michel is Emily's perfect foil. "You've been working with my daughter way too long," she tells him, after a pause. Michel: "Don't I know it."