Episode Report Card Al Lowe: A+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Sing It
By Al Lowe | Season 7 | Episode 20 | Aired on 04.30.2007
Back at Lane's, she ably handles a dual diaper change with Brian's help while they both continue to gush about Zach's recent call up to the medium leagues of rock. Kwan, by the way, does not like to be naked. He protests loudly when his onesie is open. "Uh-oh," Lane says as she finally gets him changed. She employs the time-tested mother technique of SNIFFING the baby's BEHIND, and determines that Kwan is in need of another change. While she starts the unbuttoning process all over again, Brian talks about Zach's tour. Apparently, the drummer of this Vapor Rub band is only sober for two hours a day and, while they're on tour, Lane might get called upon to fill in. "Wouldn't that be something?" Lane trills, all excited. At this moment, she has reached Kwan's ground zero and realizes his diaper is free and clear. "Oh," Brian says. "Steve is now emitting a very foul odor." Ah, the ol' switcheroo. He brings Steve back over as Kwan launches into his next round of protests, setting off Steve in the process. "Ugh," Brian says, "I hope the tour bus comes equipped with a nanny." A flicker of doubt crosses Lane's face as he wonders aloud at her ability to handle all this baby stuff. "My mom," Lane says, slightly surprised at herself, "has actually been really helpful." When Brian says that maybe the bassist's girlfriend will be good with kids, the furrow in Lane's brow deepens.
At Luke's, Lorelai and Rory engage in some diner food therapy while Lorelai tries to cheer Rory up with examples of people who overcame struggles to be successful. The best she can come up with are Alanis Morissette ("she dated Dave Coulier!") and Jackson Pollack ("from Heaven, he'd tell you he was glad [he struggled]!"). Yeah, somehow, Rory is not feeling cheered, even when Lorelai busts out an awesome homespun Successory: "A setback is really just a set-up for future accomplishment!" Rory scowls, but Lorelai lays it on the line: "Most of the things you've gone for, you've gotten," she tells Rory. "A setback might help you have some perspective." Rory very reluctantly agrees and digs deep to come up with her own struggle-to-success example: Mark Twain. When she gets a call from Logan and goes outside, slightly cheered, Luke comes by to ask Lorelai how things are going. "She's okay," Lorelai shrugs. "Rory's used to getting what Rory wants." Luke smiles sweetly and says he knows. He tells Lorelai he took all her advice about the April trip -- even making a reservation at Barnacle Billy's. "Bring me a to-go box," Lorelai says. She smiles so big and so beautifully, I don't understand how Scott Patterson doesn't hit a knee and propose. Instead, Luke goes on a bit about the trip, saying again how excited he is about it and how even though it's a six-week trip, it should be a lot of fun. Lorelai seems glad for him, though I detect a certain sadness when he mentions that "six weeks" part. She says that she and Rory have plans that night to go see Miss Patty and Babette at Kacey's. "It should be a hoot!" she says, totally cute, but Luke kind of pshaws, saying he isn't in the mood for going. "Yeah, uh, no..." Lorelai stutters, trying to indicate that she wasn't saying he should go with them. Awk...ward. Luke shrugs again, saying that maybe if he has free time, he'll stop by, and Lorelai flutters uncomfortably until he is called back to the kitchen.