The Ins and Outs of Inns

Season 2, Episode 8, Aired
EDIT

Episode Summary

Lorelai and Sookie gear up their plans to open an inn, but encounter a roadblock when the owner of their dream location refuses to sell the property. The unexpected arrival of Mia, the absentee owner of the Independence Inn, complicates matters even further when Lorelai begins to experience pangs of guilt at leaving Mia with the responsibility of running the Inn again. Lorelai's emotional turmoil culminates with having her first ever argument with Sookie.

Emily decides to meet Mia, the woman who was such an important part of their lives then. Mia explains that she took them in to give them a place to feel safe, while Emily explains that she wanted Mia to send them home.

Also, someone has planted a fake murder scene at the front of Doose's market, complete with police tape and the chalk outline of a body. Naturally, this gets Taylor in a dither; after doing some investigation, he confronts Luke about Jess.moreless
9.0
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Superb
264 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate It

Watch Online

Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Episode Reviews (7)

See All

  • Covered alot of Interesting Storylines, and it Showed

    9.7
    "Superb"
    By Rocket_Man141, Jun 02, 2011 Report Abuse
    This episode delved into a lot of storylines that we really hadn't seen before. Even though they were storylines that I wasnt really calling for before, I found them very interesting and they opened up alot of new storylines for the future.

    Firstly the whole idea of buying an inn was a great way to replace Lorelai's tragic love story which I really would not have enjoyed after the fiasco the last one turned into. The inn - this brought in alot of new storylines and the two the episode delved into today were great as they not only focussed on what happened in the past but also what will happen in the future.

    The first bit of the episode delved into the old owner of the Dragonfly Inn who wouldn't sell her inn which Lorelai and Sookie desperately wanted because she felt like it was family to her. Even though he scene wasn't meant to be funny, the whole subtlety of Sookie asking what would happen to it if she died really was quite humorous.

    Then Mia was introduced and I didn't know what to think of her. Her interactions and thoughts, made this episode as good as it was however. She seemed a family figure and she seemed like the mum to Lorelai that Emily never was. There was history here, and at least I and hopefully the other viewers were dieing to find out more.

    So it was no surprise that Lorelai foung it hard telling Mia that she and Sookie were going to find a new inn. There was a great deal of character moments with Lorelai here and we were shown another aspect of her love for someone that wasn't with Rory. After telling Mia, Mia came up and told Lorelai that she would sell the inn then and that was it. Lorelai didn't know what she would do, risk letting her home go that she and Rory had had for almost 15 years just because she and Sookie wanted to open her own inn. Lauren Graham was just amazing during these scenes, and in my opinion she gave her best peformance of the series during the storylines in this episode.

    The expected fight scene then came with Sookie and then the talk with Luke (Scott Patterson was also amazing in this episode) and she finally realized that it was time to let go and think of the future. Simply terrific acting by all involved in this storyline.

    Rory on the otherhand was sort of light during this episode after her heavy part in the last episode, and instead we finally got more time spent with Jess and how his arrival was effecting both Luke and the towns people. The towns people didn't like him, as they accused him of all the terrible things he had done during his time in Stars Hallow (including the most recent prank which included a fake dead person and police tape). And here came the best peformance by an actor this season, as Luke had to stand up to the towns people and Taylor and fight back for Jess and show them that he really wasn't a bad person and that they needed to have hope in him. Rory told Jess bluntly what Luke was doing for him and that he needed to get his best foot forward for him, and Jess, the caring person he is (Yeah Right) helped Luke fix his toaster in the end to show or impress Rory that he actually was a good person.

    However this was all outshined by the galliant beformance by Kelly Bishop in the last scene as she stood up to Mia and asked for any photos of Rory's childhood. You could feel her love here and it really came through.

    Overall, a terrific episode that really didn't have many faults at all. Definitely the best episode this year for sure.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    3 0

  • Mia, the owner of the Independence Inn turns up for a visit. Brilliant episode, yet again.

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By stewie1423, May 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    I loved this episode, it focused a lot on Sookie and Lorelai's friendship, which is a great part of the show. We also got some Jess and Rory moments, which I'm starting to like. I really like the idea of Sookie and Lorelai opening there own inn, its very interesting. It was nice to see Luke giving Lorelai advice about it, the whole 'Rachel Property' thing was funny.

    Was very amusing when they were thinking of names for the inn, liked how excited Sookie was and Michel giving a few names was funny, he's a very amusing character overall. The scene when Sookie and Lorelai were talking to the old lady, Fran, was hilarious. She said she wouldn't sell them the inn, so they tried to ask her what would happened if she died, but made it nicer.

    I at first thought that Mia wouldn't be a nice person but I was mistaken when everyone, including Luke, embraced her the minute she arrived. Her not understanding Michel's accent was very funny, liked how Rory made a joke out of it 'He said you should go' amusing. The whole fake crime scene bit was ... weird, but good.

    Taylor and Luke's shouting matching are always entertaining, at how determined Luke is not to do what he asks. He is a pretty annoying character. It is interesting how Jess only really talks normally to Rory, he obviously likes her. It was good how she knew it was him to, just by looking at him.

    Very entertaining scene when Rory shouted at Jess and I think he was more amused and happy than put out. Liked when he asked if she though it was funny and she smiled. Then the brilliant scene, Dean walks out of the shop and the words LOVE TRIANGLE scream at you. To be honest, I'd actually like Rory to be with Jess, he seems more interesting.

    The town meeting was entertaining, as always. Liked that Lorelai jumped to defend Luke, in a very Gilmore way. Lorelai's disappointment at the inn being sold was done well. Then a highlight, when Lorelai basically talked down to Sookie, this was painful to watch, because there really good friends and Sookie is such a nice person. It was sad to see Sookie so upset, I was glad that she stormed off.

    Luke and Lorelai's scene at her house was good, another sign that they should be together but there nice as friends. Good to see Sookie and Lorelai make up, can't wait to see how this inn idea goes. it was very interesting to see Emily approach Mia, the woman that helped raise her daughter, as she put it herself.

    The sadness and jealousy was done very well. The Rory painting thing was amusing. The end was good, Rory smiling at the fact that Jess fixed Luke's toaster, which he denied but obviously did. Can't wait for more!moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    1 0

  • Lorelai and Sookie have a fight, and Loralai defends Luke

    8.0
    "Great"
    By leo23dc, Jun 27, 2008 Report Abuse
    Taylor finds there is a chalk outline of a body outside his store, and police tape so that nobody can get in. After some investigating, he blames Jess, and confronts Luke over what he's going to do about it. Luke won't give him any satisfaction, so he has a town meeting where the whole town is blaming Jess for different things. Luke blows up at them, Lorelai defends him and he leaves.

    Mia comes to town. She was Lorelai's refuge and gave her a job and a place to stay when Rory was just an infant. Lorelai and Rory are very happy to see her, but Lorelai is not sure she should tell Mia that she wants to own her own inn. Finally, she does, and Mia approves. Mia says she wants to sell the Inn where Lorelai works now, and Lorelai is freaked out by it. So she has a big fight with Sookie, and Sookie leaves. Then Lorelai apologizes to Sookie, and swears she'll never blow up at her again. Everything is back on track for them to buy their own inn, except for the fact that Fran, who owns it, won't sell the property they want. They will go ahead with their plans for it, though.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 0

  • Great!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By VGFreak8, Jan 08, 2008 Report Abuse
    Sookie and Lorelai start to pursue their dream of opening an inn. Jess pulls a prank on Taylor and the whole town goes nuts blaming Luke for everything that Jess does. Lorelai and Sookie offer to buy Fran's property, but she declines. After Mia, the owner of the Independence Inn, comes to town, things get crazy as she mentions that if Lorelai and Sookie leave, she will sell the inn. Emily seems jealous of Mia. Sookie and Lorelai have a fight, but make up.

    This episode was great! Sookie and Lorelai fighting was very different, but added drama! I like Jess a lot better than Dean! This episode gets a 10 out of 10 from me!moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 0

  • The world is crazy

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By karatiz, Sep 05, 2007 Report Abuse
    Well lets see...
    Emily wants Rory to pose for a painting,
    Lorelai and Sookie are going ahead with the plans for their own Inn,
    Mia, the Independence Inn, comes to a visit,
    There is a fake murder at the entrance of the grocery,
    And the hole town attacks Luke because of Jess.

    Mia, the woman who helped Lorelai when Rory was born, is in town for a surprise visit. She is like a mother to them, she gave Lorelai a job and a home.

    Lorelai realizes that she didn't tell Mia about opening a new Inn and when she does, Mia says that the only reason for the Independence Inn be open was because of Lorelai and now that she is leaving, Mia will sell the Inn.

    And it hits Lorelai, the place she called home for so long, the place where Rory gave her first steps was going to disappear because she was leaving to open her own Inn.
    She has a fight with Sookie because of it.

    Later they agree to open the Inn.

    Emily comes to meet Mia for the first time.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • Rory said she never saw a painted picture of Lorelai, and Emily said that it was never finished. The portrait of Lorelai with her parents when she was younger is painted and out in the open so Rory would have had to see it sometime. Possible Explanation: Rory was referring to never seeing a painting of JUST Lorelai because as Emily says, it was not finished. Edit
    • When Rory and Jess are talking in front of the market, a man walks behind Jess twice. Edit
    • When Rory and Lorelai take Mia to the diner, Luke leaves the counter where he is fixing the toaster and the screwdriver falls down into the toaster. However when he is arguing with Taylor, the screwdriver has mysteriously reappeared, and is perched leaning against the pliers. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • German episode title: "Zukunftsträume", meaning "Dreams Of The Future". French episode title: "Des projets sur la Comète", meaning "Building Castles in the Air". Edit
    • Edward Herrmann (Richard) and Liza Weil (Paris) do not appear in this episode. Edit
    • Music: "Spring Released" by Grant Lee Phillips "Nothing Is For Sure" by Grant Lee Phillips Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Lorelai: I just flat out panicked about the enormity of what we were getting into and it clobbered me, and I clobbered Sookie, and I was such a jerk. Hey, if I cry, will it freak you out? Luke: Totally. Lorelai: What if I whimper? Luke: How about you suck it up? Lorelai: Hmm, I'll try. Luke: I don't get it. You're as ready as you've ever been. Lorelai: Oh Luke, do not underestimate the complete and total lack of confidence I have in my abilities. Luke: What? You're the most confident person I know. Obnoxiously so. Lorelai: Thank you. Luke: I mean in a good way. You're good at what you do and you know it. Lorelai: Oh, no, no, no. I'm good at doing what I have to do. When I had to get a job, I got it. When I had to find a house for us and a life for us, I got it. When I had to get Rory into Chilton, I did it. But I don't have to leave the Independence Inn. I don't have to go into business for myself, I don't have to walk out on that limb and risk everything I've worked for. Luke: Then do it. Lorelai: What? Luke: Just stay where you are. Lorelai: What is this, reverse psychology? Luke: No, just stay at the inn. You're happy there. Lorelai: Oh, so you think I can't hack it. Luke: Of course you can hack it. Lorelai: Great, lip service, that's what I need. Luke: Hey, if I start to cry, will that freak you out? Lorelai: Ugh. I couldn't stay where I am if I wanted. Mia is selling the inn. And that hit me hard too, maybe harder than the other thing. I'm gonna be without a home. Luke: What do you mean? This is your home. Lorelai: No, I mean a home home. A memory home. The inn is where Rory took her first step. It's where I took my first step. It's more of a home to me more than my parents' house ever was. Luke: You're just scared. Just like everybody else when they're taking on something big. Lorelai: Well, then what does everybody else do to get through this feeling? Luke: They run in the back, throw up, pass out and then smack their head on the floor. Lorelai: What? Luke: That's what I did on the first morning I opened the diner. Look, there is no button to push to get you through this. You just gotta jump in and be scared and stick with it until it gets fun. Lorelai: How long 'til the diner got fun? Luke: About a year. Lorelai: Wow. And there's no button? Luke: Nope. Lorelai: How about a lever, can I pull a lever? Luke: Nope. Lorelai: Turn a knob? Luke: Nope. Lorelai: You just jump? Luke: You just jump. Lorelai: I wanna do it. Luke: You should do it. Edit
    • (At the town's meeting concerning the "Jess situation") Luke: I've never bothered anyone. I've kept to myself and I've done the best I could. I pay my taxes, and I help people when I can. I haven't pitched in on the decorative pageantry town stuff because it all seems insane to me, but I don't get in the way of that stuff either. Taylor: What's your point, Luke? Lorelai: His point is…(to Luke) Do you mind? Luke: Be my guest. Lorelai: His point is, that if there's a problem… Luke: And I'm not saying there's a problem. Lorelai: Right, he's not saying there is a problem, but if there it, give him time to deal with it before you storm his diner with torches and pitchforks. Luke: Right. What I'm dealing with, being a problem, that I don't necessarily agree that I even have. Lorelai: Right. Taylor: I didn't get that last part. Lorelai: Lay off him because what you're all doing stinks. Edit
    • Mia: Nice to see you Lucas. Luke: You're the only person in the world who can call me that, Mia. Mia: I know this. Luke: I'm saying it for others who plan to try it later. Lorelai: Whatever Lucas. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Lorelai: Yeah, the town's too dull to work up a real murder. Rory: But you're one 'Beam me up, Scotty' reference away from being the victim of one. "Beam me up, Scotty" is a catch phrase associated with the TV show Star Trek. Edit
    • Lorelai: It's great Mom, it's fabulous. It's just a notch below Rembrandt. Rembrandt is one of the greatest European painters from the 17th century. Edit
    • Emily: Oh, now you have a problem with swans and thrones. Lorelai: Because swans and thrones scream one thing Mom, Siegfried and Roy. Siegfried and Roy are longtime Las Vegas headliners who perform using magic and illusion. Their act was shut down in 2003 after Roy was mauled by a tiger. Edit

Show Forums

See All
Last Activity
Replies

Watch Gilmore Girls Full Episodes

See All

Related Shows

Season 2 Episodes

See All
Ep 22
I Can't Get Started
Ep 21
Lorelai's Graduation Day
Ep 20
Help Wanted
Ep 19
Teach Me Tonight
Ep 18
Back in the Saddle Again
Ep 17
Dead Uncles and Vegetables
Ep 16
There's the Rub
Ep 15
Lost And Found
Ep 14
It Should've Been Lorelai
Ep 13
A-Tisket, A-Tasket
Ep 12
Richard in Stars Hollow
Ep 11
Secrets and Loans
Ep 10
The Bracebridge Dinner
Ep 9
Run Away, Little Boy
Ep 8
The Ins and Outs of Inns
Ep 7
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Ep 6
Presenting Lorelai Gilmore
Ep 5
Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy
Ep 4
The Road Trip to Harvard
Ep 3
Red Light on the Wedding N...
Ep 2
Hammers And Veils
Ep 1
Sadie, Sadie

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings
BROWSE | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use