Man. It feels like it's been forever.
Previously on Gilmore Girls: Sookie tricked Lorelai into a blind double date with Rune (Jackson's cousin, played by Max Perlich). Lane found a nice Korean boy at a dance. Not only does he want to be a doctor, but she likes him. Now she's faced with a boy that her parents are going to approve of and it's driving her crazy. Rune earned the nickname "Loon" by acting repulsed at Lorelai's "freakish" height. Lorelai and Luke continued to flirt until Rachel showed back up, ruining everything. Rory tried to get Lane out of having to see Henry, the Korean dreamboy, but Lane's too doe-eyed to resist his charms. Rachel played nice-nice with Lorelai, but there's clearly some concern between the two of them. Lorelai asked Luke whether Rachel was staying. He said he didn't know. She asked whether he wanted Rachel to stay. He said again that he didn't know. Lorelai gave a tiny smile and sigh of relief.
It's Friday night again, and Richard's been pulled for May sweeps. Rory asks Emily whether she may have some baby pictures of her and Grampa. Emily asks why. Rory says it's for a school project. Emily says that she can do it if it's for school. Rory suspiciously looks at Lorelai and tells Emily that she'll need some of Lorelai as well. Lorelai says that there aren't any baby pictures of her. Rory says that she doesn't believe her. Emily says that she doesn't have any baby pictures of Lorelai. Except for the ones in that photo album they were all looking at a few weeks ago. ["Do you mean the one with the Richard and Emily wedding photos and the shot of Lorelai in her coming-out dress? To be fair, in those scenes, they didn't show any baby pictures." -- Wing Chun] Emily says that Lorelai burned all of her own baby pictures when she was seven. Rory asks Lorelai why she'd do such a thing. Emily says that Lorelai was a very cute baby. Lorelai glares at Emily and counts backwards from four. "In most respects," Emily finishes on cue. Rory asks what Emily means. Lorelai says that it's nothing. Emily says that Lorelai "grew into it" eventually. Rory asks what Lorelai grew into. Emily explains that Lorelai had "an unusually large head." Lorelai says that the best thing about it was that Emily would tell her that constantly: "My first complete sentence was 'Big head want dolly.'" Rory smiles and says she can't imagine it. Emily says that it was no big deal, but that it affected Lorelai's balance a little. Lorelai asks to change the subject. Rory immediately asks Emily whether the chairs are new. Emily says that they are. Lorelai says they look exactly like the old ones. Rory says that they are nice. Lorelai asks if Emily's sure that they are new. Emily says she's sure; she bought them. Lorelai and Emily bicker back and forth about whether these new chairs are different from the old ones. Emily says that these chairs are very rare, and that she spent three years combing every antique store on the east coast looking for them. Emily complains about a woman named Peg Bosley. Emily made the mistake of telling Peg what she was looking for, and Peg swooped in and bought everything Emily wanted. Emily says that she's desperate for new sources. Rory asks Emily about Kim's Antiques. Lorelai stops all chewing. Emily asks what Kim's Antiques is. Lorelai: "Didn't that burn down?" Rory explains that the store belongs to her friend Lane's mom, and that it's in Stars Hollow. Emily asks Lorelai why she's never told her about it. Lorelai suggests that it got lost inside her giant head. Rory says that she can take Emily there on Saturday and show her the town. Lorelai says that she can't go. Emily says that she wasn't asking Lorelai to go, and that it's something she's doing with Rory. Emily tells Rory she'd love to spend Saturday with her. It's settled. Lorelai apologizes and says she's going to miss it. "Eat your artichoke, Lorelai" is Emily's only reply.
I missed the opening credits.
Luke hands Lorelai and Rory their breakfasts. Lorelai complains that her eggs are on top of her pancakes. This makes the pancakes look like they have eyes, which is very bad news for Lorelai. Luke says that Lorelai orders the same thing every day. Lorelai says that the eggs are usually on the side, which doesn't bother her, but that with the egg eyes staring at her, she can't eat the food and has to send the plate back. Luke asks whether he has to make all new food for her, or if he can just move the eggs off to the side and bring them back to her. Lorelai says that she won't know which one he does, as long as he does it in the kitchen, away from her. Luke takes the plate and says he'll bring her a new one.
Lorelai asks Rory when Emily arrives. Rory says she'll be in Stars Hollow at noon. She asks again whether Lorelai wants to have lunch with them. Lorelai says she doesn't. Rachel walks over and tells Lorelai not to move from the table. Lorelai says she won't. Rory asks why Lorelai won't have lunch. Lorelai says that she has very important things to do. "Like what?" Rory asks. "Well, at noon I have to not have lunch with my mother," Lorelai starts. Rachel walks back to the table holding a stack of photographs. She says she developed her film from the Firelight Festival, and she's starting to think there's a book there, of small-town faces and places you don't want to visit. Rachel wants to show Lorelai the last shot on her roll. It's of Lorelai and Luke sitting on the bench, when they were talking about Rachel. Lorelai uncomfortably asks when Rachel took the picture. "When you weren't looking," Rachel smiles. I don't like or trust this girl. Luke walks up at this moment and asks what Lorelai is looking at. "It's a picture of us," Lorelai smiles, uncomfortably holding out the picture. "Us," Luke repeats, equally as uncomfortably. Rory tells Luke that Rachel took the picture. Rachel reminds Luke that it was at the festival. "Ah, sure. Yeah," Luke says, and then gives Lorelai some severe Manson Lamps. He hands her the plate of food. Rachel asks Lorelai whether she wears contacts. Lorelai says she doesn't, even though she already told us that she did. ["She did? I did a search on the site but I couldn't find an instance where she said so." -- Wing Chun] Rachel snips that Lorelai has amazing eyes, and asks Luke whether he thinks so. I really think this bitch is asking for trouble. She waltzes in here and then has the nerve to try to figure out just how interested Luke and Lorelai are in each other? Luke stammers that he guesses Lorelai has nice eyes; he says they're "placed good." Hee. I like Luke. Rachel already won here, so I don't see what she's trying to prove. Lorelai smiles, and Luke continues to stammer that Lorelai's eyes are "symmetrical." Rachel can clearly see Luke's love for Lorelai now, so she lets him walk away. Rory holds up a picture of an old house. Lorelai asks what it is. Rachel says that it's an old abandoned inn she ran across while she was taking pictures. Lorelai says that it's "Dragonfly" and that she "totally forgot" about this place. How do you forget an old house in a place as small as Stars Hollow? Rachel says it looks like it hasn't been used in years. Rory gets a page and says it's Lane. She excuses herself and says goodbye to Rachel.
Rachel tells Lorelai that Rory is one "really not annoying kid." Lorelai thanks her. Rachel says that she'd have a kid if she could be guaranteed she'd get one just like Rory. Lorelai says you can get them at Sears. She asks Rachel where that inn is, again. Rachel says it's behind the mill, adding that she's heading out that way in a little while, and that she can show Lorelai where it is. Luke walks back up and asks where they're going. Rachel puts on a fake innocent face and says that she and Lorelai are going to cruise the docks. Lorelai tells Rachel that she has to check in at the inn first; Rachel says she'll pick her up there. Rachel leaves.
Luke asks Lorelai what that was all about. Lorelai says that they're going to check out this old inn Rachel found. Luke looks like he ate something that didn't agree with him. Lorelai asks him what's wrong. He says he didn't imagine that Lorelai and Rachel would be friends. Lorelai says that they aren't really friends, adding that Rachel seems really great. Luke says that Rachel is really great, but that he just didn't think that they'd get along because they're so different from each other. "'Cause I'm not really great?" Lorelai teases. Luke stammers around that Lorelai is great, but in a different way. Luke says that they're both great people, and that he's just surprised that their "different types of greatness" are getting along. Lorelai asks whether this is bothering him. "This conversation, yes," Luke says. Lorelai asks whether it's a problem for him that she's seeing Rachel. "Why would it be?" Luke asks. Lorelai says that she can't think of a reason. Luke says then it's not weird. She asks Luke to pour her coffee. As she says she's glad it's not weird for him, Luke accidentally pours coffee all over the table.
Lorelai is talking to a group of Japanese businessmen as their translator translates over her. It goes on way too long as Lorelai winds her way down to Michel. She's about to tell the businessmen to ask Michel if they have any problems, but Michel drones a "no" before she gets a chance. Somehow they've hired my friend Jeff to be the other desk clerk in this scene and it's just strange. It can't be him, but it really looks like him. And he's a desk clerk right now in New York, so it's all very strange. Lorelai points at the new guy and pegs him as Roger. Roger now turns towards us and gives a smile. Jeff Long, is that you? How did you get on Gilmore Girls and you didn't tell me? Bastard. Lorelai stumbles back through the lobby without the tour group, pauses, hides her head behind her folder, and sighs off. The camera follows her gaze to Rune sitting on the couch. He checks a centerfold.
Lorelai slams into the kitchen and over to Sookie. Sookie starts gushing about all of the great food she made for Lorelai that she likes so much. Lorelai asks why Rune is in the lobby. Sookie says that Rune is still staying with Jackson. Lorelai says that she thought it was only for a weekend. "The lost weekend," Sookie moans. She says that Rune won't leave Jackson's house, and that it's driving her crazy. Jackson won't kick Rune out because Rune's family and Jackson feels responsible. Lorelai says that Jackson should meet Rune, since it might change his opinion of him. Sookie says that Rune had a rough childhood, and that his entire family doesn't talk to him. She says that Jackson is determined to stand by Rune, so she has to respect his decision. Lorelai asks why Rune's in the lobby. Sookie says that she doesn't know; she's about to keep talking, but she's interrupted by Jackson's walking into the kitchen, beaming. He brought fresh strawberries for Lorelai. He also made her some jam. Sookie stands behind Lorelai and starts gesturing frantically for Jackson to stop talking; he keeps smiling and babbling on about how grateful he is to Lorelai for helping out Rune. Sookie drops her flailing spoon and stares. Lorelai turns to her and repeats, "Thanks for helping out Rune." Sookie tells Jackson she was doing the Flailing Spoon Dance, and that he totally ignored it. Sookie and Jackson talk in Mamet sentence fragments for a bit and then Jackson excuses himself. Lorelai asks Sookie about the "thank-you jam." Sookie tells Lorelai that Rune recently lost his job. "Attitude problems?" Lorelai asks. Sookie says that it was something like that. Since he lost his job he can't pay rent; now he's stuck at Jackson's because he can't seem to make any money to get his own place. She says that if Rune gets enough money to get his own place, Sookie won't end up "stabbing him in the neck with a grapefruit spoon." "Wow," Lorelai says. "It's gonna happen," Sookie says. Lorelai can't believe that Sookie wants her to give Rune a job. Sookie says that it doesn't have to be an important job. Lorelai says that she was going to put him in charge of Legal. Sookie says she knows it's a lot to ask, but she can't think of anything else. Lorelai asks what Rune can do. Sookie says that she's pretty sure Rune can use some tools. Lorelai says that she couldn't pay him very much to be a handyman. Sookie mumbles that he could just work for room and board. "You want him to live here?" Lorelai asks, stunned. "No!" Sookie says. "Well, what about the old potting shed?" Lorelai whines that the old potting shed is where she and Rory lived when Rory was a baby; it has lots of memories in it and she doesn't want it Runed: "I don't want Boo Radley touching my rosebud wallpaper." Sookie says that the job is enough for him eventually to save up enough to move out. Pouting. Pouting. Lorelai says that Rune can move into the shed. Sookie tells Lorelai that she loves her. Lorelai says that the minute the guests start complaining or disappearing, he has to leave. Lorelai says that the jam is really good. Sookie knows.
Emily shows up (she drove herself?) to Rory's house. ["Didn't she drive herself in 'Rory's Dance'?" -- Wing Chun] Rory meets her at the car door. Emily takes a step and gets her heel stuck in the lawn. She asks whether Lorelai ever considered putting in a walkway. Rory says that Lorelai thinks about it every morning when she's running late for work. Rory pulls Emily out of the mud and toward the house.
Inside the house, Rory asks whether Emily's shoes are okay. Emily admits that they are just a bit muddy. Rory asks for them and says she has a great cleaner that will get off all of the mud. Emily gives her the shoes. Rory offers to make Emily some tea. Emily accepts. As Rory goes to clean the shoes, Emily opens the refrigerator door and is shocked at how empty it is. Rory says she knows it's "a bit sparse." Emily says that it's The Grapes of Wrath. Rory says that they eat just fine. Emily asks whether they even have plates. Rory says that they do. Emily pulls a plate from the cabinet. Rory explains that they're Charlie's Angels plates, and says how hard it is to buy plates featuring Farrah or Tanya Roberts. Emily says that she was silly for worrying, and puts the plate back. Rory has finished cleaning Emily's shoes. Emily asks what Rory used to clean them. Rory says that they bought the cleaner after they saw it in an infomercial. She goes on about the other things the cleaner can do. "Well, isn't that nice," Emily smiles. Rory says that she can give Emily a walking tour of the town by starting at Kim's Antiques, since that takes them by all of the important spots. Emily says that she doesn't think she wore the right shoes to go walking around all day. Rory says that she can borrow a pair of Lorelai's. Emily resists and says she doesn't want to wear a pair of Lorelai's shoes. Rory says that Emily will miss the "true Stars Hollow experience" if she doesn't walk. Hasn't Emily been in Stars Hollow before? I mean, I know she's at least been inside this house and met CuteDean and Sookie and a few other people. ["She's been to the house (that we've seen), but she hasn't been around town or even to the Inn (that we've seen)." -- Wing Chun] Rory runs upstairs to get some shoes, and Emily declares: "All right, but I won't wear anything with rhinestones or zebra stripes or anything that has batteries or that sings or make animal noises or moves on its own." Rory says she understands.
At the abandoned Dragonfly Inn, Rachel and Lorelai are in awe over the empty building the town forgot. Lorelai says that it must have been something when it was all fixed up and nice. Rachel asks what Lorelai's fascination is with the building. Lorelai tells her that she and Sookie have been thinking about opening up their own place together, but that, right now, they're still saving up. Rachel asks whether they're close. Lorelai says that they aren't even close to being close. Rachel asks whether Lorelai always wanted to own an inn. Lorelai admits that she really just wanted to own a red Camaro when Rory appeared on the scene. Lorelai says that it's a pretty new idea, actually. She asks whether Rachel always wanted to be a photographer. Rachel says that she wanted any job that required her to be anywhere but where she grew up. "Oh! That was you in the other room!" Lorelai shouts. Rachel says that she likes it because it requires her to move constantly. Lorelai says that it sounds exciting. Rachel says that it is, but that now that she's in Stars Hollow, she's thinking about settling down. Planting some roots. She wants to get serious with Luke. She tells Lorelai that it's "pretty damn scary." Lorelai, scared, agrees as we fade to black.
Pan up on Rory and Emily walking through Stars Hollow. Emily is sporting tennis shoes and socks. "I feel ridiculous," she whines. Rory tells her that she looks comfortable. Emily says that people are staring. Rory says it's because she looks great. Emily says that it's a shame Richard couldn't be there to see her and fall in love with her all over again.
They enter Kim's Antiques, and Emily says they must have entered through the storeroom. Rory assures her that they're in the shop. As Emily complains that you couldn't possibly find anything in the mess, she instantly finds something she loves. Rory points out another piece of furniture and comments on how pretty it is. Emily agrees. Rory asks whether it's "something special." "Do you like it?" Emily asks. "Yeah," Rory says. "Then it's something special," Emily smiles. Lane walks up at this point, and Rory introduces her to Emily. "I've heard a lot about you," Emily tells her. Lane says it's nice to meet Emily, and asks to talk to Rory for a second. Emily tells them to go and talk because she has lots of looking to do.
Lane and Rory walk away from Emily. Lane says there's a problem: it's been a week since the party, and Henry still hasn't called. I'm going to ignore the time line problem here. Lane says that Henry might have a tiny, perfect, Korean girlfriend that his parents approve of. Rory says that Lane is a tiny, perfect Korean girl that Henry's parents would approve of. Lane says that Henry's parents would know that she listens to the wrong music and that she wishes she could be a blonde without looking like an idiot. Lane says that she's fine, and that he's just not going to call her. She'll be okay and she'll go off to college and be fine: "Unless my parents get their way and then it's, 'I take thee, Jesus, to be my lawful wedded husband.'" Hee. Rory: "Lane, with all due respect to your fiancé, Henry will call." Rory points out that Henry talked to Lane all night long and followed her around wherever she went and kept asking her to dance, so of course he likes her and of course he's going to call. Lane is all giggles and smiles. Rory says that Henry wouldn't have asked Lane to dance six times just because she's a good dancer; as much as it hurts Rory to say and as much as Rory loves her, Lane is not a good dancer. Lane thanks Rory for being such a good friend.
MamaLane is telling Emily that the piece she's admiring is made of four different kinds of wood.
Emily: Is it missing an inlay?
MamaLane: No.
Emily: I thought it was missing an inlay.
MamaLane: Perfect condition!
Emily: How much?
MamaLane: Thirty-five hundred for the pair.
Emily: You must be joking!
MamaLane: No. No joke.
Rory and Lane slowly walk up to watch the smackdown.
Emily: Well, they're nice, but they're certainly not that nice.
MamaLane: Not a better pair on the East Coast.
Emily: Two thousand.
MamaLane: You're from Hartford.
Emily: Yes.
MamaLane: Ah.
Emily: It hardly matters where I'm from. I know these pieces are overpriced.
MamaLane: Look on the bottom.
Emily: They're not signed.
MamaLane: Look on the bottom.
Emily: Are they signed?
MamaLane: Look on the bottom!
Emily leans down and looks.
MamaLane: They're signed.
Emily: How do I know that's authentic?
MamaLane: You have my word.
Emily: And a letter of authentication?
MamaLane: That too.
Lane: It's like watching the Williams sisters.
Rory: I wish we had some popcorn.
Emily: I won't take it.
MamaLane: Then someone else will!
Emily: Eventually, maybe.
MamaLane: I can wait.
Emily: So can I.
MamaLane: That's my last offer.
Emily: I'll think about it.
MamaLane: I'll waive the tax.
Emily: And throw in delivery.
MamaLane: [sighing] We appreciate your business.
Great scene.
Outside the shop, Emily smiles and says she really likes MamaLane. She adds that she really likes the tennis shoes. Rory says that Emily is becoming "one of us," which sounds way too scary. Emily goes on, saying she loves the street.
Independence Inn. Michel is groaning. Rune walks up and asks Michel to tell him where his room is. Michel gives Rune the once-over and asks if he's sure he's in the right place: "Perhaps you want the YMCA or the local bus station?" Rune: "Do you speak English?" Ha. Michel asks whether Rune has a reservation, and Rune says he works at the inn. Michel walks behind the counter, laughing. He says that they have standards at the Independence Inn, and that even if they were "much, much lower," Rune wouldn't have a chance. Rune says that he knows Lorelai, and that he used to date her. Michel finds this tidbit of information entertaining. Rune tells Michel not to spread that around, because he's not proud of it. Rune calls Michel "rude" and Michel calls Rune "teeny-tiny-man." Lorelai walks up at this point and tells Michel that Rune is going to be their new handyman. "Go build us another statue," Rune says to Michel. Michel asks Lorelai whether she used to date Rune. Lorelai says they didn't date, they just went out one night. This isn't helping Michel at all, and Lorelai says she'll explain the whole thing to him later. "Oh, I cannot wait," Michel Frenches. Lorelai tells Rune to follow her to his living quarters. Rune calls Michel "the bellboy" and asks him to carry his suitcases. Lorelai tells Michel to relax and says that she'll carry the bags. As Rune leaves, Michel stares with the stink-eye.
Emily and Rory walk into the front lobby of the Inn. Rory asks what Emily thinks. Emily says she thinks it's very nice. Rory starts babbling about all of the places inside the inn that Emily needs to see. Emily asks whether Rory spends lots of time at the inn. Rory says she works there a couple of afternoons a week, and that she helps out with special occasions. Rory says she'll find Lorelai. Emily says she doesn't want to bother her, but Rory says that Lorelai would want to say hi. She walks over to Michel and asks where Lorelai is. "Off with her boyfriend," he replies. "What boyfriend?" Rory asks. "Small, dark, wanted in four states," Michel clarifies. Rory introduces Emily. Michel and Emily start speaking to each other in French. They are both charmed and happy to talk about Paris. ["The city, not the girl." -- Wing Chun] Rory interrupts and says they should go find Lorelai. "What a charming man!" Emily smiles to Rory. "Um. Okay," Rory says. I love how Emily is bonding with all of the difficult people of Stars Hollow. Lorelai walks out and is stunned to see Emily. "It's quite a place you've got here," Emily says. Lorelai mumbles that it's not really her place, and that she just works there, which is strange. Normally Lorelai is quick to point out that she doesn't just work at an inn, but that she runs the inn, which comes with more responsibility and nobility. Emily tells Lorelai they had lunch at "Teriyaki Joe's." Lorelai says she can't picture Emily inside that place. She looks down and sees Emily's tennis shoes. "What's up, working girl?" Lorelai sasses. Emily says she hopes Lorelai doesn't mind that she borrowed her shoes and socks. Lorelai says she wishes she had a camera, but that she doesn't mind Emily's borrowing them. Rory excuses them so that they can finish their tour of the inn. Lorelai walks over to Michel. "I just love your mother!" he smiles. Lorelai sneers.
Outside the inn, Rory is walking Emily past a pond. She points out where the tennis courts are and such. "And this is my favorite place," Rory says. Emily laughs, "A tool shed?" "No, this is where we used to live," Rory says. Emily is not laughing anymore. Rory opens the door and says she knows it looks small, but that it's really pretty. Emily stands in the doorway as Rory walks around the tiny room showing how she and Lorelai lived together there. She points out the spot where the bed was, and the curtain Lorelai put around the bathtub for privacy. She says they used to sit outside at night to listen to the music from the parties at the inn. Emily looks breathless. She turns around and stumbles out of the house. Rory follows her, calling her name: "Did something happen? Are you sick? Is it the teriyaki?" Emily says that it's getting late and she has to go. She walks away. I never really understand how people in television shows and movies can always just run away from a situation or a place. I don't think I've ever left someone somewhere because suddenly I didn't feel like being there anymore. Do people really do that? Rune walks up and tells Rory that he's living there now. Rory is still concerned about Emily as we fade to black.
Luke's. Lorelai has just somehow gotten upstairs, where Luke lives. Rachel answers the door. Rachel says that Lorelai got her message. Lorelai says that answering machines still work. Rachel invites her in. She wants to show Lorelai the pictures of the Dragonfly she just developed. Lorelai looks around and says she's never been in Luke's apartment before. Rachel asks how long they've known each other. Lorelai says that they've known each other for years, but that their relationship tends to consist of arguments over how much coffee Lorelai is allowed to drink. Rachel offers a tour, opens her arms, and says, "This...is it." Lorelai says that it's not how she pictured it. She then stammers that she doesn't sit around picturing what Luke's place looks like, but that it's just different from the way she would have imagined it if she were the kind of person to imagine it. Lorelai runs her hand down some curtains and says, "Nice touch." Rachel says that they aren't hers, and that Luke hung the curtains. Lorelai says she will commence curtain teasing immediately. Rachel stiffly tells Lorelai to have a seat. Lorelai says they're living in "pretty tight quarters." Rachel says that this place was originally Luke's dad's office, so it was never meant for people to live in. Lorelai asks whether Rachel thinks they might get a bigger place. Rachel says she doesn't think so. Lorelai stumbles that of course they'd want a small place, because that's romantic. Rachel says it's actually because she's not sure she's going to stay in Stars Hollow much longer. She says she can't make Luke believe that she really wants to stay this time. Lorelai says that Rachel just has to keep telling him until he believes her. Rachel says she's given him no reason to believe her so far. Lorelai asks whether Rachel's told him she's thinking of leaving. Rachel hasn't. Lorelai asks whether she's going to tell him. Rachel says she doesn't know; she's trying to make everything good, but she feels like everyone in the town is just waiting for her to screw up. Lorelai says that's not true. "Miss Patty?" Rachel asks. "Oh, well, yeah," Lorelai says. It's not just Miss Patty. Everyone reading this recap is just waiting for Rachel to screw up. I mean, how hard was it for CuteDean to date Rory? Wait a minute...is everyone in Stars Hollow single? I don't think Jackson lives in Stars Hollow, so he doesn't count. But if they aren't single, we never see them together as a couple. Even Grampa's been gone for weeks, and he doesn't even live there. This town is a bit scary, huh? Rachel says she feels like she doesn't have a friend in the world. Lorelai says that if Rachel can French-braid hair, Lorelai will be her friend. Rachel doesn't even offer to try to learn, and just says that she can't. Lorelai's all, "Oh." So, no friendship there. Rachel says she can't find the pictures, and guesses they're in the bathroom. Lorelai mutters that she doesn't want to know why they'd be in there. Rachel then does the unthinkable and asks Lorelai to say nice things about her to Luke so that maybe he'll believe her when she says she wants to stay. Rachel knows that Lorelai is holding Luke back from her, so if she gets Lorelai to push him to her, then she doesn't have to worry anymore. See? This is why we hate Rachel. Lorelai says she'll do it if it "comes up." Rachel leaves. Lorelai thinks, "Why do I do stupid things like that?"
Luke walks in with some ice. "What are you doing here?" he asks her. Lorelai tells him that Rachel invited her up to look at some pictures. He goes to the safe. Lorelai tells him that he has a nice place. "Thank you," he says, most uncomfortably. She compliments the curtains. Luke says that Rachel did them. Lorelai says that Rachel has good taste. Rachel walks back in and Luke's all, "I just had to put something in the safe" to explain why he was crouched down near Lorelai's thighs. Lorelai says that she already told Luke she and Rachel went through his underwear drawer. "And the baseball cap fashion show?" Rachel asks. Luke says he's going to leave. He does. Lorelai thinks he's off to buy a rug to match the curtains.
Lane and Rory are sitting on Rory's bed listening to music. Rory says she doesn't like the song that's playing because it makes her gloomy. Lane asks if it's a Joy Division kind of gloomy, Nick Cave gloomy or Robert Smith gloomy. Rory decides it's a Johnny Cash gloomy. Lane goes into a long, gratuitous sentence about what that kind of gloomy is like, involving San Quentin and horses getting shot. Lane says she's deep in a Charlie Parker kind of gloomy. Henry called. She didn't talk to him but he left a message; she listened to it eight and a half times before she had to erase it. She was so panicked about her mom coming home while she was listening to the message that she accidentally broke the machine. Lane says it was a good message the first couple of times she listened, but once she started parsing it for subtext, it got depressing. He said, "Hey, Lane. It's Henry." Lane says this is not a good start; it's gender-neutral, no different from the way you'd start a conversation with "a bowling pal." "He asked you bowling?" Rory says hopefully. Lane continues that Henry said it was fun meeting her "the other night": "He didn't say which night. Like he didn't remember which night. Like he's mixing me up with another girl with another night. For all I know he thought he was calling the hot blonde he met at a hot night at Balthazar's." Rory: "He's a sixteen-year-old Korean boy!" Lane says that if he calls again she'll have to talk to him, and then they'll inevitably date and have a good time, and then she'll have to introduce him to her parents. Then they'll like him, and then it'll be over; they'll like him and she'll hate him. Lane pouts back and says she's a Lou Reed gloomy. The phone rings. It's Emily. She asks Rory for her favorite color. Rory says she doesn't really have one, but she guesses it's blue. Lane listens intently. Emily asks Rory's favorite flower -- roses or lilies. Rory says sunflowers. Emily asks about music: "'NSYNC or 98°?" Rory asks Lane. "What kind of sick joke is this?" Lane asks back. Rory says she couldn't choose. Emily: "Well, what about that other group? The Backside Boys." Rory sneers and says if she really had to choose she'd say 'NSYNC. See? We are all Rory. If we really have to choose, we'd choose 'NSYNC. Rory asks whether Emily is writing all of this down. Emily says she might be. Rory asks why. Emily says she's looking forward to dinner on Friday. Rory hangs up and asks Lane what all that was about. "Sounds like some sick take on the Gallup survey," Lane says. Rory tells Lane to call Henry. Lane says she already left him a message: "He's probably parsing it right now."
Lorelai stumbles down behind the counter at Luke's. He offers her some coffee. She thanks him, and says that the diner looks different from behind the counter. She apologizes for making him leave his apartment so quickly. Luke says he didn't want to interrupt "girl talk." She asks if he didn't like her being up there. "No big deal," he says, and then walks into the back.
Lorelai follows him to the storage room, where he starts unpacking boxes. He asks why she's back there, adding that his insurance only covers him, and that it's not safe for her to be there. She says he doesn't like her hanging out with Rachel. He says that she can hang out with anyone she wants. Lorelai says that's not what she was asking him. She then says that they are eight. Luke tells Lorelai not to get too attached to Rachel, since she usually leaves without saying goodbye. Lorelai says that people break habits. Luke says that's exactly what she's going to do. Lorelai asks whether it's possible that Rachel will leave Stars Hollow this time because she doesn't think he wants her to stay. Luke asks whether Rachel and Lorelai have been talking about him. Lorelai: "No. Yes." Luke says he doesn't mind their hanging out, but he doesn't want to be the topic of discussion. Lorelai says it's fun. They wear plaid and take turns not shaving. Lorelai asks whether he wants to know what she thinks about all of this. He says he doesn't. Lorelai asks whether he's sure. He says that if she's going to tell him anyway, she could at least help him unload boxes. Lorelai asks whether she may use the "fun cutter thingy." Luke says she can't use it if she's going to call it that. There is much discussion over the Exacto knife and the fun involved in cutting open boxes. Lorelai says she doesn't know exactly what Rachel thinks, but that she's pretty sure that Rachel's serious this time about staying in Stars Hollow. Luke says he bets that Rachel said she wants to put down roots and she realizes everything she has here and she's tired of being on the road. Lorelai says that's pretty close to what Rachel told her. Luke says he knows the speech by heart. Lorelai says she thinks she means it this time. Luke says Lorelai doesn't know Rachel like he does, and asks why she's taking Rachel's side. Lorelai says she isn't. Luke says she's practically pushing Rachel on him. Lorelai says she just wants Luke to be happy. Luke says that Lorelai doesn't know what makes him happy. Lorelai agrees that she doesn't, but says she knows that Luke has been "carrying a torch" for Rachel for a long time. He says that he hasn't. Lorelai says he wanted this to happen. Luke says she doesn't know what he wanted to happen. Then he breaks and says that he maybe wanted this to happen. Lorelai smiles and says he got what he wanted; he just has to take it. Rachel could be ready. He just has to believe her. She asks if there's some other reason he might not want to. Luke asks what that might be. Lorelai says she doesn't know. Luke sighs and says there's no other reason. Lorelai says that, then, there's no other reason. He says he'll think about it. She leaves. Luke sighs as we fade to black.
It's old movie night at the Black/White/Read Bookstore. Lorelai and Rory are sitting in the back waiting for the movie to start, discussing Emily's phone call earlier. Lorelai says that she once made Emily listen to a Prince song and she looked like she was having a stroke. Kirk sits down behind Lorelai and Rory and gives them a glare. Lorelai says she's figured out what's happening: Emily is trying to be Rory's pal. She wants to chat about boys with Rory and for them to paint each other's toenails. Kirk loudly clears his throat and Lorelai turns around. "Oh, hey, Kirk! You getting a cold?" she asks with concern; she offers some pharmaceutical advice and tells him not to drive a forklift while he's medicated. Rory giggles. Luke and Rachel walk into the room, holding hands. Rory wonders when was the last time Luke went to a movie. Lorelai says they probably cranked the projector by hand. "Do you mind?" Kirk asks. Lorelai turns around to tell him that the movie hasn't even started yet. Kirk says he likes silence before a movie starts to cleanse his "mental palate" and achieve calm before watching the motion picture. ["Kirk, is that you?" -- Wing Chun] "Oh, you got that out of a book," Lorelai flirts. She turns back around. Lorelai and Rory watch Luke snuggle into Rachel's forehead. Lorelai says that Luke looks happy. Rory agrees. Lorelai asks Rory whether Luke and Rachel look right together. Rory says they do. Lorelai says that Luke deserves it, adding that she did the right thing by butting in. Rory says that she butted in for all of the right reasons. The B-movie starts with all ten people in the audience captivated. Lorelai leans over to Rory and says that if Rachel turns out to be an evil fembot who murders Luke in his sleep, then Lorelai's not responsible. Rory says that Lorelai would only be responsible in an intergalactic court. Lorelai leans over to say that she thinks Rachel is really great, but Kirk leans in and says, "You are now officially disturbing not only me, but everyone else in this theater." It's a bookstore, Kirk. But yeah, you're right. But Lorelai always does this. Why would anyone see a movie if she's in the room? Lorelai turns back around and sits quietly as an obnoxious cell phone kicks off its crazy show-tune ring. It's Kirk's cell phone, and he excuses himself, most embarrassed. Lorelai is outraged, shouting at him to shush, acting appalled. Lorelai and Luke share a glance before he turns back around to the picture.
It's now Friday night and Emily answers the door with a "hello, hello, hello!" Lorelai tells Rory to check the rubbing alcohol. Emily is incredibly cheery and says she has a surprise for Rory. She pulls her into the house. Lorelai shuts the door, acknowledges her unimportance at this event, and says she'll follow them.
Emily opens a door and turns on the light in the room. "Oh, my" is Rory's response. A bedroom (I wonder if it's Lorelai's old room?) has been turned into a princess parlor. There are sunflowers everywhere, a huge bed with lots of pillows, blue things, and giant stuffed animals. The best part: the gold framed posters of 'NSYNC. Hysterical. My mother wanted to frame some of my posters. I thought she was insane. Emily says that since Rory's been spending so much time over lately, she thought she should have her own special place. Rory says it's beautiful. Lorelai points out the 'NSYNC poster. Rory thanks her. Emily tells her it's time to go check on dinner. Rory leaves. Emily asks Lorelai if she's coming. "You bought her CosmoGirl," notes Lorelai. Emily says that "the young girls" like the articles. Lorelai says that Emily bought boy-band posters and Hello Kitty notepads. Emily says that a young girl at the store helped her to pick them out. Emily asks Lorelai what her problem is. Lorelai says it's just a little weird. I don't actually think that it is, but Lorelai gets upset when Emily does nice things for Rory. Rory does go over there all the time and sleeps over occasionally, so it makes sense that Emily would need a project and would want to give Rory a little place in the house. Emily asks why it would be weird for her to do something for her granddaughter. Lorelai says that she doesn't know: "I mean, it's not like you bought her a car. (By the way, don't.) It's, uh, a room and...you know, you're right. It's nice. I'm sorry. I'm just being silly." Emily says that maybe Lorelai has a problem with the fact that it isn't inside Lorelai's house, and now Rory has another place she can go. Lorelai says that she was fine with it. Emily needles, "Or, maybe it's because it's so large and spacious and has four solid walls around the bathtub." Lorelai: "Excuse me?" Emily: "I mean, it may not be exciting or Bohemian, but at least it doesn't have shovels propped up against the sofa, now, does it?" Lorelai says she missed the checkered flag, and she didn't know the fight started. Emily asks if it's because it's not a shack in the woods or because it's close to Emily that Lorelai has a problem: "You hated us that much? You had to take that little girl away, that was bad enough. But to that? To live there in a shed like a hobo?" Lorelai asks who uses the word "hobo" anymore. Emily's not done: "I saw it! I saw that horrible little pit you so proudly ran to. I saw what you chose over your own family. You would have lived in the gutter, in the street, in a cardboard box -- anywhere as long as you didn't have to be near us. Isn't that true?" Lorelai calmly says that she was very young and unhappy and that she needed to be someplace that wasn't Emily's house. Emily leaves before she starts to cry. Lorelai takes a moment and then leaves.
At night, walking through the street, Rory says that Lorelai has been silent all night long. Lorelai jokes around with some lies about the proper positioning of hands on a steering wheel until Rory prods her. Lorelai says it'd be great if she could just get Emily to really listen to her just once. Rory says that she shouldn't have taken Emily to the shed; she thought that if Emily could see it, she'd feel included. Lorelai says that there's nothing Rory can do to make Lorelai's running away an easier subject between Emily and Lorelai. Rory asks whether Lorelai thinks she and Emily will ever be able to talk about all of those painful things they've gone through. Lorelai says they can't, and that it'd be like the first fifteen minutes of Saving Private Ryan. Rory says Lorelai hasn't even tried. Lorelai says she's tried her entire life, but that she and Emily speak two different languages. She says she speaks calmly and thinks she's making sense, but all Emily hears is "blah, blah, blah, Ginger." See? Right there is why I love this show. That Far Side cartoon is easily fifteen years old. Maybe more. And it's not like it's the most famous Far Side cartoon. I wasn't even sure at first if I really heard that or if I was making it up. "Blah, blah, blah, Ginger." It's brilliant. The use of tiny pop culture phrases in this show and not dumbing them down for us -- I love it so. Okay, for those of you that are wee: The Far Side was a comic strip written by Gary Larson. He doesn't write it anymore, so we're mad at him. This quote comes from a strip where it shows a man talking to his dog ("That's very bad, Ginger. You can't eat these shoes,") or whatever, and the panel shows what the dog hears ("Blah, blah, blah, Ginger. Blah, blah, blah.") Rory asks how anything will ever change if Lorelai and Emily can't talk. Lorelai whispers that she doesn't know.
Lorelai and Rory enter Luke's. It's kind of dead and people are leaving, so Lorelai asks if the place is closed. Luke says it wouldn't change the outcome even if it was closed, so they sit down for coffee. I wonder if Rachel is going to start imposing on Luke's place, like making him close it early on Friday nights so they can be together upstairs or something. Or opening late on Sundays for church or whatever. Rachel asks whether they want pie. They do. Rachel thanks Lorelai for talking to Luke. Lorelai says it wasn't a big deal. Rachel says it was: Luke emptied a drawer for her and gave her a set of keys. Lorelai is happy for her. Rachel says it's all because of Lorelai. Lorelai says it's really all because of Rachel. Rachel says she won't screw it up this time. Lorelai asks whether Rachel is going to be in Stars Hollow for a while. Rachel says she'll be here for "quite a while." "That's great," Lorelai lies. Rachel says she'll put hot fudge on Lorelai's pie if she can talk Luke into giving her part of the closet. Y'all, that's gross.
Rory comes back with coffee. They sip. The coffee mugs are empty, so when Rory asks if the coffee tastes different, I have to giggle. Lorelai says the coffee does taste different. She pouts and watches Luke flirt with Rachel.
Dragonfly. Rory and Lorelai sit on blankets and look at the building. They talk about how nice the place is. Sookie walks out of the building and says there's no kitchen space. She's freaking out. She says there can't be a bed and breakfast if there's no place to make breakfast. She says they'll have to charge half-price. Sookie keeps going on about all of the things they'll have to build and renovate if they're going to make the place work. She says she'll make floor plans. She wanders off to check the plumbing. Rory says that this is going to be a big job. Lorelai jokes that she'll get Rune to help run the place. Rory asks how that's going. Lorelai says he put a tip jar on the reservation desk and Michel tried to beat him up with the reservation book. Rune got away because Michel can't run in new shoes. Rory asks how long it'll be before Lorelai owns the building. Lorelai says it'll be a very long time. Rory asks whether she thinks the building will still be here when she's ready. On cue, the front door falls off the building. Lorelai says she thinks she's got a shot. Fade to black.
time Rory runs away to her new home at Emily's. Man, if I found out my mom was seeing Mustang Max again, I'd run as fast as I could as well.