The Big One

Season 3, Episode 16, Aired

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Rory and Paris compete for the honor of speaking at Chilton's Bicentennial; Sookie and Jackson get some very good life (and diaper) changing news; Paris and Rory reconcile; Lorelai runs into Max and it's apparent that they're not quite over each other yet; Paris sleeps with Jamie and then has a meltdown on national television when she fails to get into Harvard, thinking her sleeping with Jamie is the cause; Rory's college acceptance letters finally arrive; Paris isn't sure what to think about the latest development in her relationship with Jamie.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (13)

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  • College acceptance and rejection letters start to arrive. Lorelai runs into Max. Great episode.

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By stewie1423, Jun 07, 2008
    Firstly I'll say how glad I was that Paris and Rory made up, because I like them as friends. it was good how Paris just asked for advice from Rory, for her opinion. I can't believe she didn't get into Harvard, that really shocked but her meltdown was very entertaining and fairly amusing, a bit sad if you think about it though.

    Lorelai and Max, they kissed at the end of the episode, I don't really care for this and would prefer if he just left the show for good, I guess we do need closure on the wedding - or lack of a wedding. It was funny how they kept running into each other. I do wonder if we'll see more of him, maybe an episode or two.

    Kirk and the post was funny, very irritating for the townspeople though, how many jobs can he get? Richard was amusing when he appeared, running off to the phones, saying how good Rory and Paris were with the speech. Strange to have Emily not in an episode and Richard being in one, never happened before.

    Sookie's pregnancy was enjoyable, how she told people to ban them from the inn for sending the food back. Jackson's reaction was amusing and slightly crazy, wanting to get rid of everything harmful for the baby. I'm glad he told her how happy he was at the end though, this should be a great storyline for them both.

    Paris scaring her classmates at the start was very good and funny. So, Rory got three acceptance letters, interesting ... which will she choose. Can't wait to see the outcome!moreless

  • Rory gets into the colleges of her choice, and Paris has a meltdown

    9.2
    "Superb"
    By leo23dc, Feb 05, 2008
    Lorelei runs into Max twice, and they end up kissing in a closet. Rory has a chance to write an essay that will get her on C-Span. Paris, of course, competes for it too. The Headmaster decides their two essays will be combined into one, and both of them must work together. Paris finally apologized to Rory for treating her so badly, and they reconcile. Paris sleeps with a boy (I forgot his name) and tries to get Rory to analyze it. Lorelei overhears Rory say that she is still a virgin. Lorelei is pleased and tells Rory she is going to take her shopping. At the public speaking event, Paris has a meltdown because she didn't get into Harvard, which she blames on having sex. Rory gets into Harvard, Princeton and Yale, and doesn't know how to decide between them. Both Gilmore Girls have some decisions to make.moreless

  • Well-written!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By bmlv29, Feb 04, 2008
    Lorelai and Max meet again and keep bumping to each other. Rory and Paris try to work together on an essay but Paris has a meltdown in front of national cable television telling the whole world that she had sex and did not go to Harvard. Rory comfort her and they become friends again. On the other hand, Jackson is going crazy that Sookie is pregnant. But the episode ends as the Gilmore girls find out that Rory is accepted to Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.

    Brilliantly plotted, though I wanted to see Jess and an arguement between Lorelai and Emily, but still a great episode!moreless

  • Today is the big news day!!!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By karatiz, Nov 27, 2007
    Today Rory is going to find out about Harvard, Brad is back again lol, Max is back, Rory and Paris prepare a speech and Sookie is pregnant!!!! The way they let us know about Sookie was really fun. The food tasting bad, the change of subject and suddenly Lorelai and Sookie have the same thought and run to each other. It was really funny.

    There is going to be an important speech and Paris is running for it, so is Rory. They both win and they have to work together to prepare the speech. TV is going to be there.
    The way Paris threw the news about her and Jaime was really a Paris thing lol

    Lorelai got worried about Rory...

    And on the day of the speech, the way Paris got there, it only could end up like that. She didn't got into Harvard...

    For who is over someone, that kiss Max gave to Lorelai is nothing but that...

    Rory got into three universities!! The hard part now is to decide which are gone and the one that stays...moreless

  • Paris! Gotta Love Paris!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Prowler86Kid, Aug 22, 2007
    Paris is my favorite character, hands down. This episode just made me like her more. What she said, on live tv none the less, I was speechless the first time I saw this. The second time I saw this episode I laughed, because it was classic Paris in a way. She was just that crazy, hurt emotionally or not. She didn't get in to Harvard, but she had sex. Well, I'm happy she didn't get into Harvard, because then she wouldn't have went to Yale with Rory, and there would be no more Paris. I loved all of Paris' moments, like when she began dating thatold guy and he died, and when she was throwing a ceremony for his death they had a keg, at the graduation, when she had that best friend, enemy relationship with Rory, and when she was dancin with Doyle to Hot In Here by Nelly. Plus more. She literally made the whole staff at the inn run away, including Michel and Sookie! Gotta love Paris!moreless
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  • TRIVIA (7)

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    • We learn that Sookie is pregnant in this episode.

    • When Kirk is in Doose's trying to clean up the spilled mail, he tells everyone not to touch the mail on the floor because it is the property of the U.S. government. It's not. While it is a federal offense to read or open someone else's mail without their permission, the mail is not the property of anyone except the intended. The U.S. Postal Service is not a government sanctioned business branch. It is private and the employees can be considered government employees if they're in a county post office. But the U.S. Postal Service in general is not part of the U.S. government. Indeed it is a felony to interfere with the delivery of the U.S. Mail, so he does have the right idea, just the wrong reason... which sounds about right for Kirk.

    • If the headmaster called Rory and Paris on 3-way line, wouldn't the girls have gotten disconnected when the headmaster hung up his phone? Explanation: No not necessarily. The call to Rory may have been long distance (Hartford to Stars Hollow) in which case the Operator would have set up the call. In this situation, any one of the participants may hang up while the others continued their conversation.

    • This is the third time that Brad has come to or returned to Chilton. He went there originally (1), then he switched schools and came back (2), and now he gets welcomed back again after returning from Broadway (3).

    • When Rory, Lane, and Lorelai notice that there are 3 new salads on the new Luke's menu, Rory said that one salad on the menu was enough. But in the episode "Haunted Leg" when Emily comes to Luke's Diner to have lunch with Lorelai, she looks at the menu for a while. She first considers having the Caesar salad, but then changes her mind and orders the Cobb salad. That would imply that there were at least two salads on the menu, not just one.

    • When Rory and Paris get up to go get pizza, you can see the reflection of a camera man in the television.

    • After the speech, Paris tells Rory that five generations of Gellers have been accepted to Harvard. However in the episode "Rory's Birthday Parties," she talks about ten generations of Gellers having gone to Harvard. What happened to the other five generations?

  • QUOTES (19)

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    • Max: How's Rory? Lorelai: She's good. Max: Same boyfriend? Lorelai: Different boyfriend. Max: Oh, you hate him. Lorelai: No, I-I don't. Max: You really hate him! Lorelai: I smile, I let him take the good cookies. Max: You want him killed! Lorelai: Only if I can get a good price!

    • Lorelai: I've got the good kid.

    • (Paris and Rory are reading each others speeches) Paris: Why did you use this font? Rory: Because I was on the crack... Paris: Did you check these facts? Rory: Yes, I did. Paris: And the spelling of these names? Rory: Yes, I did. Paris: Rory? Rory: What Paris? Paris: I slept with Jaime. (Rory looks shocked) Last night, after we talked. Rory: Was it something I said? Paris: I went over there to study and he lid a fire and we did it. What are you thoughts on that? Rory: My thoughts? Paris: Because I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it myself yet.

    • (Sookie's food is bad what is weird and Lorelai leaves the kitchen to talk with Rory. Suddenly...) Lorelai: Oh my God, oh my God... (She starts running towards the kitchen and Sookie comes out and they say at the same time...) Lorelai: You're pregnant!! Sookie: I'm pregnant!! (They jump up and down and laugh) Sookie: Oh my God I'm pregnant!! (Rory joins the celebration)

    • [Lorelai opens the mailbox. She pulls out a large envelope and hands it to Rory] Lorelai: The big one. Rory: Looks like Paris was right. [Lorelai pulls out two more large envelopes] Lorelai: Apparently, you are the biggest virgin in the world.

    • Richard: (to Rory) Now, did anyone ever tell you to picture the audience in their underwear? Well, don't do it. I did it once and I had nightmares for a week. Bulgarians in Speedos.

    • Lorelai: (about Luke's new menu and its changes) When I asked you to add chili-topped Pringles, you said no. Luke: And I stand by that.

    • (at the Chilton Bicentennial ceremony) Richard: It's quite a nice turnout you have here. Lorelai: Yes, well, we're very proud of the number of people who have nothing to do on a Friday night. Richard: Your mind never tires for a moment, does it? Lorelai: It will once people start talking.

    • Paris: I can't believe I slept with Jamie. I'm a slut. Rory: No, you're not. You love him. Paris: What if he doesn't love me anymore. What if he doesn't think I'm special anymore. How am I going to tell him I didn't get into Harvard. What am I going to do? Rory: Paris, I don't know why you didn't get into Harvard. But you are smart and so special and you'll see, everything's going to be fine. Paris: Well all I got to say is after all the trouble this sex thing has caused me. I had better have been good. Rory: That's the perspective I know and love.

    • Lorelai: Max is back for a little while. And I am happy to report that either he's forgiven me for treating him so badly or it wasn't that bad. I just built it up worse in my head. Rory: Oh no. You treated him like crap.

    • Richard: Three of your mother's friends from her DAR group had strokes. Now she is hopping from sick bed to sick bed offering whatever comfort she can. Lorelai: Three D.A.R. strokes? What's in the water they are drinking? Richard: Well, a little whiskey usually.

    • (After some diners send back some of Sookie's food for tasting awful -- none of the staff say they agree with the diner, but Lorelai takes a bite of it to be sure before confronting the diner) Lorelai: Sookie, I love you and I love your food you know that. But I have to tell you that that bite I just had over there is one of the worst things I have ever tasted. And I have tasted some very bad things. Sookie: What? Lorelai: You sure you didn't accidentally drop something in the food tonight like, Oh I don't know Strychnine or manure?

    • Rory: Mom's a little crabby this morning. Lorelai: I am not crabby. I'm very very ill. Rory: With allergies. Lorelai: Deadly allergies. Rory: Sorry, I didn't mean to minimize your condition. Shall we make funeral arrangements now? Lorelai: Yes, and make sure you get your money back if these pills work. Rory: Where did you get these? Lorelai: Found them in your room. Rory: These expired in 1998. Lorelai: So...what I should take 4 then?

    • Paris: You're blocking the list. Rory: What's that? Will we please move so you may sign up for the speech contest? Why, yes, Paris, we'd be happy to. How kind of you to phrase it in that very respectful manner.

    • Rory: Aren't you supposed to go through the mail before you get here? Kirk: Some work that way. Personally, I think it takes the spontaneity out of the job.

    • Rory: A big envelope, not a little envelope. Lorelai: Yeah, a big envelope means she's in, a little envelope means she needs to marry rich.

    • Max: Lorelai look, I've always wanted to teach at a university like Stanford and finally the opportunity came up, I went and it was wonderful. And frankly, if we had been getting married, I wouldn't have been able to take it. Lorelai: You're welcome.

    • Paris: (to Brad, to the tune of "Into the Woods") Who's got the beans, the magical beans, we love the beans, let's go to Grandma's house... Brad: Shut up! Paris: Into the woods to Grandmother's house... Rory: Stop it, right now. Paris: Yeah, that is one annoying song. Brad: I played my part really well! The reviewers said I was 'refreshingly naive'. Rory: You'll do fine. Paris: Even though all he's talked to in the last year is a cow. Brad: There was a person inside that cow. How many times do I have to tell you?!

    • Lorelai: Excuse me, hi. I am not seeing my coat here, and it was very cute and it was on sale, and I will fling myself off a building if I lose it. Woman: We put some of the coat racks in the classroom over there. Take a look. Otherwise, the staircase to the roof is on your right.(Walks away) Lorelai: Thank you. Hmm. Took two hundred years, but somebody at Chilton finally cracked a joke.

  • NOTES (6)

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  • ALLUSIONS (8)

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    • Lorelai: Cobble yourself a new pair, Daniel Day Lewis. Outside of the movie industry, actor Daniel Day Lewis is a talented cobbler and carpenter.

    • Lorelai: I had made little doodles with my name hidden in them on each one of the old menus, just like Hirschfeld. The late Al Hirschfeld was a prolific caricaturist who specialized in theater illustrations for The New York Times. Every one of his intricate drawings contained at least one, and often several, occurrences of the name "Nina" hidden in the linework.

    • Paris: Even if I was the Billy Carter of the family, the name was supposed to carry some weight. Brother of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Billy was a self-professed "redneck" who had his own brand of beer, and was often a mild embarassment to the Carters when he was in office.

    • Paris: I'm only saying it won't be a totally satisfying victory just beating Jerome Robbins and the rest of the losers here. I'd really like to take you down also. Jerome Robbins is a well-known Broadway affiliate. He is a choreographer who won 4 Tonys and 2 Oscars for his work. He choreographed such shows as The King and I, On The Town, West Side Story, Peter Pan and Fiddler on the Roof. He passed away on July 29th, 1998.

    • Paris: I'm thrilled to hear it, Chita Rivera. Chita Rivera is a well-known stage actress, starring in such shows as Chicago, Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Nine.

    • Paris: Sit down, Mary Martin. Mary Martin is a well-known stage actress, often in vehicles created by Rogers and Hammerstein. She won Tony awards in South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Peter Pan and starred in many others. She also performed the title role in an early TV version of Peter Pan which was a yearly children's staple for two decades. Her son is Larry Hagman (I Dream of Jeannie and Dallas). She passed away in 1990.

    • Madeline: Unless he was in Les Miz. Louise: Yeah. Or Cats. Neither musical would have a costume anyone would love to have. Les Miserables, a pop opera based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo, featured costumes that were dirty and ripped, due to the fact that many of its characters are convicts, whores, urchins, etcetera. Cats features dancing people wearing Spandex unitards, untastefully decorated with faux fur and accompanied by tacky makeup.

    • Teacher: And we welcome back Brad, who's fresh from Broadway after a successful year's run of Into the Woods! Into the Woods is a wordy Stephen Sondheim musical exploring the fates of various fairy tale characters thrown together in the same woods. Quotes indicate that he played Jack (the one with the beanstalk and the cow).

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