Gilmore Girls

Rory and Lane are sitting in the living room discussing Lane's new CDs. They put in the CD of Claudine Longet. As they listen, Lane asks a favor of Rory. She has developed a crush on Todd, one of Dean's friends. She asks Rory if she would ask Dean if he would ask Todd out for her. While the girls chat, Lorelai, who is studying for her business exam in the kitchen, joins the girls. She complains that she has 6000 pages of case studies to read for her business exam on Friday but because she has a grown up life, unlike the teenagers in her class, she is behind. Rory posits the music is too loud and turns it down. Lorelai thanks her and goes back to her studying. The girls continue chatting about a possible double date on Sunday. Lorelai returns a second time complaining that now it is too quiet. Rory obliges by turning the music up a bit. Once again Lorelai goes back to her studying. Lane continues to plead her case to a skeptical Rory hoping to arrange a date with Todd. Lorelai returns for a third time.


Lorelai: Ok so, (Rory turns off the music) how important is this whole business school thing anyway? I mean, so what if I never run my own inn? I like my job, I like my house, I like my life. And I certainly don't want to be one of those people who's never satisfied with what they have, you know? I mean some people don't have legs or arms. I have legs and arms. What more could I possibly want than legs and arms? I mean, I could take all the s in the world, that's still not going to give me what I already have.

Rory: Legs and arms.

Lorelai: Yes…am I sounding completely crazy?

Rory: Yes you are.

Lorelai: Wal-Mart is boring!

Rory: Study!

Lorelai: Aaw! (She leaves again)


Rory finally agrees to talk to Dean about Todd and Lane. Obviously having lost the battle with her books, Lorelai returns. She plops down between the girls and asks them what they are doing.



The next day, Lorelai is studying at the front desk. Michel is as surly as ever. He informs Lorelai of an overbooking problem. When Lorelai gives him a solution, he continues to grouse, driving Lorelai into the kitchen for looking for coffee. There she finds Sookie contemplating a change in the dessert menu. While they chat, Jackson comes in with the vegetable order. Lorelai stands, watching in confusion at the awkward exchange between Sookie and Jackson. As soon as Jackson rushes out of the inn, she questions Sookie about what just happened. Sookie explains that since she expressed interest in Jackson by suggesting they go out sometime, he hasn't taken the next step and asked her out. Lorelai simply suggests that Sookie make a definite plan, call him and set up a dinner date for Sunday. Sookie worries that he will say no but Lorelai allays her fears and encourages her to call immediately. Sookie gets his voice mail and leaves a rather rambling message asking him to call back.



On a bench in front of Stars Hollow High, Dean finds Rory sitting, reading a book. Rory has gotten out of school early because of teacher meetings. After a bit of small talk, Rory broaches the subject of Todd and Lane. When she suggests a double date, Dean expresses some hesitation but eventually agrees.



Back at the Inn, Lorelai slams her books shut in frustration while Michel attempts to provoke her in any way possible. Sookie comes running out of the kitchen announcing excitedly that Jackson had called back. She said that she had asked him to go to dinner at Chez Fleur on Sunday and he said he'd love to but his cousin, Rune, was in town. To Lorelai's horror, Sookie set up a blind date for her and Rune. Although Lorelai tries to get out of the blind date, Sookie plays the best friend card and Lorelai reluctantly agrees to go.



The following Sunday, Lorelai is helping Sookie with her hair and make-up for her date with Jackson, while Rory and Lane are getting ready for their dates with Dean and Todd. Sookie is very nervous. She worries that she is making a fool of herself and that she may compromise her professional relationship with Jackson by dating him. Lorelai calms her. She tells her that what she is doing is a good thing and she should relax and enjoy it. Rory and Lane are getting ready in her room. Lane also seems a little nervous. Rory asks her what she told her mother about the evening outing. Lane explains that she told her that she was going to spend the evening at home with the Gilmore girls. In case she calls the house, Lane told her that they might go out to get a video to explain any absence from the house. Lane suggests they tell Lorelai that they are just going to the movies with Dean and they just happened to bump into a friend of his at the movies and invited him along. Rory is concerned about lying to her mother but decides to think about it. As they leave, Lane tells Lorelai that they are going to a movie. Lorelai tells them to avoid anything dirty, violent or French. Sookie joins them with her hair all done up and looking beautiful. Lorelai gets her a pretty shawl and they are ready to go as soon as Jackson and his cousin arrive. After the girls leave, Sookie thanks Lorelai for helping her out. Sookie models her new look as there is a knock at the door. Sookie nervously follows Lorelai as she answers the door. Jackson is clearly as nervous as Sookie and their greeting is very awkward. Finally Jackson introduces his cousin Rune to Lorelai. Lorelai politely acknowledges Rune and offers her hand, which he rudely ignores. Rune drags Jackson aside and berates him for setting him up with such a tall woman. Jackson tries unsuccessfully to reason with Rune and finally insists that Rune behave and try to be pleasant for the evening. After the uncomfortable meeting, the four head out to Chez Fleur, a very fancy restaurant.



At Chez Fleur, Sookie is too nervous to talk to Jackson and babbles not stop to Lorelai. Jackson has difficulty keeping the conversation going and Rune continues to spew his vitriol. Lorelai tries desperately to tolerate Rune and to calm Sookie and Jackson, with little success on both fronts. Finally she takes Sookie aside and suggests perhaps if they go to Luke's she will be able to relax and enjoy her date with Jackson. Sookie agrees. She literally lets her hair down and the group heads to the diner.



At the bookstore, the four teens are in line for the movie. Lane is talking non-stop, attempting to draw Todd into a conversation. It has become quite clear to Lane that she and Todd have very little in common.



At the diner, Lorelai goes straight to the counter and talks to Luke. Rune's behavior deteriorates and after a mini temper tantrum, he leaves the diner in a fit of pique. Jackson and Sookie relax and their date begins. Lorelai decides to give the couple some time alone and stays at the counter chatting with Luke. For fun, Luke pulls out a deck of cards and begins to play poker with Lorelai. Both glance over at Sookie and Jackson with a little envy at their "beginning of the romance glow". Luke seems about to ask Lorelai out on a date when Mrs. Kim storms into the diner demanding to know where Lane is. Trying to calm Mrs. Kim, Lorelai explains that the girls went to the movies with Dean. This only infuriates Mrs. Kim further and she leaves to find Lane. Lorelai decides it's best to follow.



Meanwhile, the movie has ended and Rory, Lane and the boys are outside the bookstore. Lane realizes that Todd, the reality, doesn't quite measure up to Todd, the fantasy. When Todd suggests they go for ice cream, Lane declines, suggesting it is late and she has to get home. At that moment, the moms show up. Lane is absolutely panicked knowing her mother has discovered her deception. Mrs. Kim drags Lane home, leaving Rory to explain to Lorelai why she lied.




Lorelai: (Walking away from the boys) And what were you thinking?

Rory: I know.

Lorelai: You lied to me…me! What is that nonsense all about?

Rory:: I shouldn't have done it. I know I shouldn't have done it.

Lorelai: Damn right you shouldn't have done it.

Rory: But Lane really wanted to go out with Todd, and of course she could tell her mother so I didn't tell you so you wouldn't have to lie for us.

Lorelai: You lied to me so I wouldn't have to lie to Mrs. Kim?

Rory: Yeah.

Lorelai: Oh my God you really are my daughter.

Rory: I'm sorry.


A few days later, Rory climbs the tree outside Lane's bedroom and has a chat with her imprisoned friend. Lane has been grounded indefinitely, allowed out only for school and church. While the girls chat, Lorelai enters Kim's Antiques to speak to Mrs. Kim. Lorelai apologizes to Mrs. Kim for the teen-age shenanigans a few days earlier. She reassures Mrs. Kim that it was safe for Lane to come to their house. She tells her that she has done a wonderful job raising Lane and that Lane is a great kid. She argues that severe restrictions on a child can lead to rebellion and uses her life as a case in point. Although Mrs. Kim is initially resolute in her decision regarding Lane's restrictions, she seems to soften as Lorelai pleads her case.



A little later at the diner, Rory praises Lorelai for getting an A- on her business As they chat, Rory's pager goes off. She gets Lorelai's cell phone and rushes off to speak to Lane. Mrs. Kim has allowed Lane to stand in the front yard and the girls have a visit. At the diner, Luke asks about the incident with Mrs. Kim. Lorelai tells him everything turned out okay and comments that she had a good time playing cards. Luke agrees and seems almost ready to ask Lorelai out.


Lorelai: You know, I had a good time the other night…with the cards.

Luke: Oh yeah, yeah…me too.

Lorelai: Good.

Luke: Yeah, if fact you rushed out of here before I had a chance to…(He pauses, searching for the words)

Lorelai: A chance to...? (Looks at him expectantly)

Luke: (Seems to lose his nerve) Kick your ass in poker.

Lorelai: (Chuckles) You wish.


Although he lost his nerve, he suggests that maybe they could play poker again sometime and Lorelai readily agrees.