Welcome to week three Gilmore girls friends! An especially warm welcome to those that are watching this series for the very first time with this blog! This episode was particularly hard to get through as it was the first episode that I did not love. I promise, it gets better. First seasons of most shows have a period of self-discovery and figuring out what works (and what REALLY doesn’t). The best part of this episode was knowing that next week’s is one of my favorite. At least it used to be. We shall have to wait and see.
Please enjoy the rest of this article. I would love to hear your thoughts on the episode! You can comment below, or join the Facebook community @noneplusfive5 to discuss this week’s episode and more!
Adam Nimoy
Welcome to season one episode three titled “Kill Me Now.” Its original release date was 19 October 2000. We officially have our first episode that was written by someone other than ASP, and let me tell you, it is absolutely apparent that it is not her writing. This week, Joanne Waters has stepped into the writer role. This is the only Gilmore girls episode she writes; however, she was a producer for last week’s episode, and is also a consulting producer for this one. Waters’ only other credits are one episode of Dawson’s Creek and one episode of To Have and To Hold. This episode was directed by Adam Nimoy. He has also directed for the following shows: Ally McBeal, Party of Five, The Practice, NYPD Blue, Sliders, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. He only directed this one episode.
Have you ever been interested in the actual set locations for the show? Check out this great website that details the filming locations for each episode of Gilmore girls!
Liz Torres as Miss Patty
Sally Struthers as Babette Dell
Alex Borstein as Drella, the great harp player and watcher of Michel walking away
Meagen Fay as Mrs. Shales (the twins mom)
Eileen Barnett as Mrs Leahy/Nanette
Charles C. Stevenson, Jr. as Reverend Wilder/Julian Edwards
Jay Gerber as James Edwards
Friday night, dinnertime.
Lorelai the first discussed.
Team sport, time to play.
Richard, you’re taking Rory to the club!
Absolutely not!
Serious glare, yes ma’am.
Wedding bells. Seeing double.
Tulle. Not pink, not blue. Violet
Take the blueberries!
Kirk, but not. Yet.
Swans.
Michel screams.
Fear of band.
Nsync?
Take a steam.
Gossip, gossip.
Most odious woman alive.
Big lunch, quite good.
Quite?
Really? Really. Really?
Stop it!
Jealousy.
Stealing sweaters.
Stretching out.
Your boobs are totally bigger than mine!
Dancing commences, double double twins moving away
I’m sorry!
I got a fungus.
Emily was right.
Again.
Lorelai looks like an outsider here.
Let’s start with the good stuff, because this week, it seems as though the bad out-weighs the good. I love the progression of Rory’s relationship with her grandparents. I enjoyed the tension that brought between Rory and Lorelai, and I enjoyed Lorelai’s discovery about her jealousy of the relationship Rory is starting to build with them, and that she kind of feels left out. I liked that she was able to work through those feelings with Sookie and be able to admit them, however hard. To me this showed that she is not a perfect person, and that makes her easier to relate to. For a show to be successful, I truly believe that connection not only needs to be there, but it needs to be strong.
Can you feel the love tonight?
I love the interactions between Sookie and Jackson. To me, it’s clear that there is a budding flirtation there, and it is expressed through their banter. When Jackson brings her the blueberries, it’s because he knows that his strawberries weren’t good enough for her, and he wants nothing but the best for her. Yes, the scene in front of the strawberries at Doose’s market is a little over the top, but it is evident that Sookie thinks a lot of Jackson too. I think that is shown nicely at the end that even though she definitely had access to strawberries, she chose her relationship with Jackson and made blueberry shortcake. And let’s be honest friends, doesn’t that sound delicious?
Was it just me or did the cold opening drive anyone else nuts?! That is mostly directed toward those of you that have seen the show before.
Rory was talking about how the plate was nice during Friday night dinner, and Emily says, “They WERE your great grandmothers.” Not long after that Richard says, “Lorelai the first WAS my mother.”
And okay, **SPOILER ALERT FOR THOSE JUST WATCHING THE SHOW FOR THE FIRST TIME*** Lorelai the first is alive and kicking, yet they spent the entire cold opening talking about her as if she had passed away already.
I will be the first to admit that I know nothing about directing. What I do know is this: As a viewer, I should be taken into the world and kept there for the entire length of the episode. The way a camera blurs out, or awkward camera angles that give me a cringe face and take me out of the show I am watching are not good. This happened on multiple occasions throughout the episode, especially during the scene between Sookie and Lorelai as they are walking through the town.
At first I thought that Alexis Bledel’s acting was off/awkward in this episode; however, I think that she simply wasn’t directed correctly… or that a scene was accepted where she was awkward that should have been re-shot.
“Now you look just like Tiger Woods.” -Emily Gilmore How do they look anything alike? Because he’s a golfer and she’s going golfing? Talk about a stretch! Because they’re both wearing hats? Emily might as well be saying she looks just like half the population. This is the first failed Gilmore-ism for me!
I am a little embarrassed to be honest with you. Just last week I was bragging about how I didn’t think there were any bad episodes of the show. I was wrong. Of the first three, this episode pales in comparison. There were barely any book references and this show thrives on those. I even thought most of the Gilmore-isms fell a little flat.
I am missing Lane and the dynamic she brings to the show. I’m missing more of Luke. I am quite surprised that the real Kirk Gleason hasn’t shown up yet. As much as I love Miss Patty and Babette, they both got on my nerves this episode. The non-Gilmores (Sookie aside) are still over exaggerations of their stereotypes and I’m waiting for reality to set in, because as of right now, I don’t have the same connections that I used to with these characters. That is worrisome.
My biggest fear right now is this: I have loved this show completely for seventeen years. I have always viewed it from an entertainment standpoint. Now that I am going through with a critical eye, I am noticing the cracks. What if by the end of this journey I actually ruin the show for myself? I’m not stopping, so only time will tell. Fingers crossed.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate this episode. I just know how good this show can be (and is) and this episode is just one that I do not love.
Episode Rating: 
A strange sense came to me as I watched this episode, that something was just off. A tonal change from the first two episodes that left this episode feeling out of place. My wife explained to me that this was the first episode that ASP neither wrote nor directed and that was definitely an “aha!” moment for me. Something just wasn’t quite right in Stars Hollow.
The first thing that stood out to me was a noticeably sharp decline in the quality of the character dialogue. I noticed this especially with Lorelai’s early interactions with her mother, much of Lorelai’s dialogue seeming like forced one-liners with little emotional punch and a lack of conversational flow. I’ve also found that characters outside the Gilmore family are just generally given substandard development and dialogue and these problems seemed to have compounded in their prominence within the confines of this episode.
Another problem I have with the episode is that the side plots that are developed just have no purpose in the overall narrative of the episode. The wedding at the inn seems to serve little purpose other than to remind us Lorelai has a job and to give her something to do while Rory is away. Even little things happening within the A plot of the episode seem pointless, such as the sauna scene/s at the club. There is a lot within this episode that could be trimmed away and the overall story of the episode would lose nothing for it, and I’m a definitely believer in less is more.
Given all that, I don’t want to give the impression that all I want to do is throw shade at this episode. I don’t regret my time watching it. Some enjoyment was found with many of the character interactions, particularly involving the sharp and witty Emily Gilmore, but also within the burgeoning relationship between Rory and her grandfather. There were definite moments of wit, humor, and heart that stood out to me and it seems that here Gilmore Girls as a show continues to deliver with consistency if not always the same level of competency.
Things That I Loved
– Rory’s growing relationship with her grandparents. Particularly her grandfather. Rory has been missing a fatherly figure in her life and I believe they handled showing that with deft subtlety.
– Lorelai’s jealousy of Rory. This is developed very well and it is easy to see why Lorelai would have such a hard time seeing Rory get along with her grandparents. Lorelai feels both guilt for keeping Rory from them and jealousy that her parents seem to like Rory more than their own daughter. I feel Lauren Graham portrays this conflict of emotions perfectly.
– Richard Gilmore’s character was fleshed out and given some more depth in this episode and I quite enjoyed that.
– Emily Gilmore. Her character is consistent, well written, and beautifully portrayed by Kelly Bishop. A shining star in a rather dim sky.
Things That Went Wrong
– Nearly all the jokes in this episode fell flat or were cartoonishly over the top. Sookie chasing Jackson down the street, Patty dancing with the twins, and other eye rolling attempts at humor had me shaking my head in bewilderment.
– Noticeable drop in dialogue quality and narrative structure from the first two episodes.
– Pointless scenes such as the aforementioned sauna scenes (I do not care who took your golf cart), and the delivery of swans (sorry Kirk). This episode is chock full of pointless scenes that really do nothing but pad the running time.
In Summary
Overall I have to say I am still enjoying my first viewing of Gilmore Girls. Despite this episode’s shortcomings I can definitely still see why it is so beloved and I’m excited to continue this adventure with my lovely wife and all of you that have been joining us on this journey!
I give this episode 4 and a half “used” blueberry shortcakes.
Cassoulet, a rich, slow cooked casserole from southern France that is made with meat, pork skin, and white beans. There was also some sort of chocolate cake hanging around in the kitchen, yummy! -Friday Night Dinner
Fruit, cheese, and wine baskets. Cute basket. Giant ugly white ribbon. -Independence Inn
200,000 tons of Jordan Almonds. I would like to point out that, 200,000 tons is 400 million pounds. That is all.
-Independence Inn
Blueberries from Jackson, because the strawberries just aren’t good enough for Sookie! What was that smell? Love in the air perhaps? -Sookie’s Kitchen
Chocolate cake perfectly sliced for Rory after her rough day at the club with her grandfather. -Sookie’s Kitchen
Soup! Salad! Why not soup OR salad? – Sookie’s Kitchen
Largest cheeseburger in the world. Record breaking? With fries. -Luke’s Diner
Strawberries! Sookie and her clumsiness! Sookie and Jackson! -Doose’s Market
Blueberry Short Cake. It’s left over, not used! There is a difference… Friday Night Dinner via the wedding from the Independence Inn
“But in so many other things, I was a trailblazer.” -Lorelai Gilmore
A trailblazer is a person who makes, does, or discovers something new and makes it acceptable or popular.
Bob Barker. Born 12 December 1923. He’s 93, y’all! He is best known for hosting CBS’s The Price is Right from 1972-2007. This is the longest running daytime game show in American TV history.
“I’d rather, um, get my face surgically altered to look like that lunatic rich lady with the lion head than go to the club with you.” -Lorelai Gilmore
Jocelyn Wildenstein (b. 5 August 1940) is a Swiss born American socialite who is known for her extensive cosmetic surgeries to appear more feline. In 1999 she and her billionaire businessman husband Alec Weildenstein divorced. When figuring out alimony, one stipulation was that she could not use the money on more plastic surgeries.
“I have everything under control. Why don’t you go up to your room and have a fabulous bubble bath, and I’ll send up some wine and a masseuse who bears a remarkable resemblance to Antonio Banderas.”
-Lorelai Gilmore
Jose Antonio Dominguez Bandera. Born 10 August 1960. Banderas is a Spanish actor, director, singer, and producer. You may have seen him in one of these films: The Mask of Zorro (1998), Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) or Puss in Boots (2011).
“I don’t want anything I don’t deserve, [but] if they offer me more money, I’m not stupid.” -Antonio Banderas
“To me, you are the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoon.” -Michel
“It’s like a really snooty double mint commercial.” -Lorelai Gilmore
“Now you look just like Tiger Woods.” -Emily Gilmore
Eldrick Tonet “Tiger” Woods. Born: 30 December 1975 is an American professional golfer who is among the most successful golfers of all time.
“Oh no. Not being attacked by a band of swans. Was it an all boy band? Kind of a scary, feathery, NSYNC kind of fiasco?”
-Lorelai Gilmore
NSYNC was an American boy band formed in Orlando, Florida in 1995. The band was active until 2002. Members were: Justin Timberlake, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, and Lance Bass. Once the band officially split, Timberlake was the only one to continue to become a superstar in the music industry.
“Hey, Pepe le Pew, you wanna give me a hand with this?” -Drella
Pepe Le Pew is a fictional character from the WB Looney Toons and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons that was first introduced in 1945. He was depicted as a French skunk that was constantly searching for love and appreciation. I think Drella was searching for the love, Michel just wants to feel valued and appreciated for the things he does.
Lorelai: You know what I was thinking?
Rory: That Madonna and Sean Penn should get remarried?
Sean Penn (b. 17 August 1960): American actor and film maker.
Madonna (b. 16 August 1958): American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman.
The got married in 1985 and divorced in 1989.
“In this age of MTV and a hundred television channels, who would have imagined that a young girl could still get a thrill from spending a simple afternoon with her grandfather.” -Emily Gilmore
Founded 1 August 1981, MTV is an American cable and satellite TV channel owned by Viacom Media Networks. Originally this channel was created to host the first 24-hour video music channel; however, that sort of ended a long time ago.
“Physical fitness is as important as intellectual fitness. So says Plato, and so say I.” -Richard Gilmore
Plato was a philosopher in Classical Greece and the founder of the Academy in Athens, which was the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Some of his influences were: Socrates, Pythagoras, Heraclitus, and Homer. One of his most popular books his book titled Republic. They are not easy to read, but they are full of philosophical gems.
“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” -Plato
Book: A Mencken Chrestomathy by H. L. Mencken. Originally published in 1949, it is a selection of his out-of-print writings, mostly coming from books—the six installments of the Prejudices series, “A Book of Burlesques,” “In Defense of Women,” “Notes on Democracy,” “Making a President,” “A Book of Calumny,” and “Treatise on Right and Wrong;” however, there are also magazine and newspaper pieces that were never published that are also included.
“Not only did I find that copy of “Mencken’s Chrestomathy” we discussed, I also found a first edition of his memoirs as well.”
-Richard Gilmore
Samuel Barber: Born: 9 March 1910. Died: 23 January 1981. American composer of orchestral, opera, choral, and piano music. Barber is one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. Here is “Agnus Dei”
John Cage: Born: 5 September 1912. Died: 12 August 1992. American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher, and artist. He was a trailblazer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments. Here is “In A Landscape” from 1948.
Phillip Glass: Born: 31 January 1937. American composer. Glass is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the late 20th century. Here is a beautiful piece called “The Hours” from 2002.
“Man! I Feel Like A Woman” by Shania Twain. Twain was born 28 August 1965 (Happy almost birthday!). She is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 90 million records, which makes her the best-selling female artist in the history of country music, and one of the best-selling music artists of all time. This song was released in 1997.
“But Morey was playing some Theonious on the steinway and when Morey plays I go into this trance where all I can see is blue and moon and stars.” -Babette Dell
Thelonious Monk (d. 1982): American Jazz Pianist and composer. Known for his unique improvisational style. This is a piano solo of his 1944 song “’Round Midnight.”
The first wedding song for the double twins is “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” by Louis Armstrong in 1951.
The follow up song was “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge. 1979.
In honor of the launching of MTV, here is the first video they ever aired (at 12:01am) “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.
I’ve also included Pentatonix’s acapella version of the song because I love it so much. Starts at 1:30
“Here They Go” by Sam Phillips. This song plays as Rory, Richard, and Emily walk out of the sitting room to look at a book while leaving Lorelai with her glass of wine—alone.
After three viewings (because I couldn’t believe my eyes), this episode only has Lorelai drinking two cups of coffee, which she got from Sookie’s Kitchen toward the beginning of the episode while Sookie and Jackson were arguing over the blueberries, and from Luke’s Diner when she met up with Rory at the end of their day. Consider me officially disappointed. Two cups of coffee for Lorelai is disrespectful to the essence of the character. I hate to even ask this question, but—Is there an episode where Lorelai actually has no coffee? I know, I have the heebie-geebie’s too.
Swan deliverer, but just two of them. This is Kirk’s second appearance on the show; however, he is still unnamed. To Lorelai he’s just the guy with the swans. Clearly his character hasn’t yet been developed enough in the show. He’s still just a guy, and not the Kirk that we love. I simply cannot wait until he gains his true personality and everyone suddenly has know him all of his life. Soon.
Lorelai: I’m sorry, uh Dad, How do you mix up Anton and Sophia?
Richard: What do you mean?
Lorelai: Well, one is a man and one is a woman.
Richard: And your point being?
Lorelai: That one is a man and one is a woman.
“Now, go away, my Advil is wearing off.” -Mrs. Shales
Michel: Do you stage these events to torture me?
Lorelai: Yessss
Michel: Job well done.
“Richard, so help me god you will be sweet to this girl and make this a memorable day for her. This is the first time we’ve gotten to show our granddaughter off at the club and it means a great deal to my happiness and yours that this day go well. Are we clear?” -Emily Gilmore
Richard: What do you know about golf?
Rory: That… it’s a good walk spoiled?
“We can’t all just call everyone sweetie and get away with it.” -Michel
Gloria is “the most odious woman alive.” -Richard Gilmore
“I sweated out all my toxins and I stole a towel.” -Rory Gilmore
“Hey, Cinnamon is stuck under our front porch again. Can I borrow some vegetable oil and a shoehorn?” -Babette Dell
Lorelai: Do you want something to drink?
Rory: Are you trying to make up?
Lorelai: Noo! I’m trying to hydrate you.
“A crazy evil spirit obsessed with bra size took over my body.” -Lorelai Gilmore
“If it makes you feel better, I think I got a fungus from the steam room.” -Rory Gilmore
We hope you have an amazing week! Next week, we will be taking a deeper look at “The Deer Hunters”! I am particularly excited for this one. And never forever, “My name is RORY!”
~Kristin
I talk about this a little in the Kirk-of-all-trades section, but it throws me off so much that Kirk is being called Mick in this episode. I KNOW that he wasn’t originally cast for a reoccurring role. I know this. And it still bothers me. Will the real Kirk please stand up? I also acknowledge that Kirk is a much nerdier name than Mick, so once the decision came through to make him a regular cast member, it makes sense for the need to change it.
– Whipped cream out of the can is the best on Lorelai’s front porch while getting your toenails painted.
Daisy Mae Duke was a fictional character played by Catherine Bach in the American television series “The Dukes of Hazzard” which aired from 1979-1985. There were 146 episodes. Also, the short cut off shorts that we see Lorelai wearing heading into Chilton for the first time are considered “Daisy Dukes.”
Christiane Amanpour: Journalist that focuses on global affairs. She was born January 12, 1958 in London, England. She had won many awards for her writing for 60 Minutes, ABC World News, Nightline, and CNN Presents.
“Ooh, a dixie chick.” -Louise Grant (played by Teal Redmann).
“It looks like we’ve got ourselves a Mary.” -Tristan DuGray
Rory: I remember it being smaller…
Author: Honore de Balzac. Born: 20 May 1799. Died: 18 August 1850. French novelist and playwright. Best known for the series “La Comedie Humaine” which presents a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life. Published in 1842.
Author: Martin Luther. Born: 10 November 1483. Died: 18 February 1546. Luther was a professor of theology, composer, and author. He is most notable for rejecting several of the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
The first episode experience is finally here! I have had an absolute blast going through and re-watching (multiple times) this first episode of this series. Needless to say, I was completely surprised at how much more time and energy will need to go into this endeavor; however, if you’re willing to stick with me, I am more than honored to take this journey. Who knows what we will learn along the way!
– Peach Sauce (don’t let the maple syrup strangle that fruit!), Sookie’s Kitchen.
– Uneaten leafy greens then burger and fries, Luke’s Diner.
Lorelai and Rory arrive at the Gilmore house for Friday Night Dinner. They are still fighting; however, Lorelai begs for peace at least during dinner and then afterward Rory can “Pull a Menendez.” This reference shows the gravitas of Lorelai’s need for peace in her home front at least in front of her parents. In 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez brutally shot and killed their parents. They were convicted in 1994. 
Lorelai: Is he dreamy?
A little about me, your tour guide! My name is Kristin, I am in my mid thirties, and have been a Gilmore fan since it first aired in 2000. I own all of the DVDs and before Gilmore girls came to Netflix, I would watch the disc versions each and every year. I have been married for almost 10 years to my own version of Luke (named Steve) and that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. We currently reside in Nashville, Tennessee. No kids or fur babies yet, but I could definitely see a Paul Anka in the very near future.
