Gilmore Girls 3.07 "They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?"

Gilmore Girls 3.07 "They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They?"
Original Air Date: November 12, 2002 (Recap date: January 22, 2008)
Photos, Recap & Discussion

Discussion Questions:

• Why didn’t Paris call Jamie?
• Why do you think Luke won’t participate with Lorelai?
• Why didn’t Rory and Dean enter the marathon together?
• Do you think Kirk’s partner is from Stars Hollow?
• Does Jess walk through the dance floor so that Rory will notice him? Why is he there?
• Is Rory oblivious to the fact that she is staring at Jess, and that Dean notices?
• Why does Luke want to correct Lorelai about his feelings about kids?
• Why does Dave stop by at 5am?
• Dave was very savy with Mrs. Kim. Do you think she doesn’t suspect him because he’s polite?
• Why was Rory shocked when Dean pointed out the truth to her?
• Where is Lorelai while Dean is breaking up with Rory?
• Why did Rory go to Jess’ spot? And how did he know to find her there?
• Jess hesitates to confirm Dean was right. Why?
• In the end, is Rory happy or sad?
• What does the title of the episode mean?

Gilmore Girls Episode Recap & Photos:

A 24-hour dance marathon is coming up. Lorelai is seeking a dance partner. She ignores Luke and proceeds to retell her story on how she almost one the year before. Her partner was enticed away by Kirk and his pie ploy. Kirk won. Luke tells Lorelai to keep looking – outside (not at him).

Taylor wants Luke to donate coffee to the event – the charity event is now to raise funds for a tarp, to cover the bridge repairs they finally financed. Luke points out that it will cost him a lot more to supply free coffee to hundreds of people than to buy the tarp.

Emily is annoyed by Lorelai’s good mood. She found a dance partner. New guy in town, who used to tour with Riverdance. Stanley, the guy, calls Lorelai. His wife won’t let him participate, after seeing a picture of Lorelai. Emily consoles her with a sarcastic offer to let Lorelai make her asparagus talk.

Paris is planning the 75th anniversary issue of the Franklin. Insists they work on Saturday. Paris gets an unexpected visit from the guy she went on a date with in Washington, Jamie. She’s a little hurt he never called. He says he was focusing on his first semester at Princeton. He holds her hand and won’t let her go. He tells her that he can’t stop thinking about her – not talking to her is more of a distraction. He takes Paris out for coffee.

Lane keeps calling and hanging up on Dave, just to hear his voice. Dean causes trouble by suggesting Dave could have a girl over. Lorelai has figured out who she wants as a dance partner – Rory! Rory has plans to watch it with Dean. But agrees.

Paris comes into class late, a first. And has no problem when Rory asks to move their Franklin meeting. Paris had a good date with Jamie. Though she doesn’t know why Jaime likes her.

Rory and Lorelai are walking to the 6am start of the marathon in their 40s style outfits. Sookie is freaked out because Jackson wants 4 kids in 4 years. And in her shock she said yes. Lorelai convinces Sookie to talk it over with Jackson – 4 years without a cocktail, no way!

The nurse at the dance is Stanley’s wife. Who heard from Stanley about Lorelai’s disfigurements and is shocked that they are not true. Taylor gives instructions on the marathon with 3 mins to spare. Lorelai and Rory seek coffee from Luke – it’s not ready, but Luke shares his private thermos. Kirk comes to wish ‘luck’ to Lorelai. Rory rationalizes that the marathon is the only thing Kirk has in his life, his last shred of dignity, so is it right if they win? Lorelai just wonders if he’ll cry. The marathon begins! Swing dancing.

6 hours in, Dean comes along to say hi and watch for a while. Jess and his girlfriend cut through the dance floor to the bleachers to watch. He sees Rory looking at him, so he puts his arm around his girlfriend Shane and kisses her.

14 hours in, people are looking tired. Lorelai steps it up every time Kirk passes by. Jess is still there, and makes it quite clear that he’s staring right at Rory. Dean notices. Time for a run-off – circling the gym running to eliminate people from the marathon. Jackson is angry with Lorelai for giving her opinion to Sookie about things in his marriage. Kirk tries to cut Lorelai and Rory off in the run. 10 minute break – they all fall to the floor.

Jess comes to bug Lane – ask why Rory is not dancing with Dean. Rory and Dean come for sandwiches and Rory immediately starts in on Jess for being there. Accuses him of trying to bug her by sitting there and staring. Dean does not buy the whole "I’m not staring at you" Rory says when Jess retorts the same thing. Shane comes in, and it gives Jess great pleasure to say Rory is "being territorial" tonight. So he puts his arm around Shane and stares hard back at Rory. Rory puts her arm around Dean, but he doesn’t want anything to do with that. Rory leaves, so Jess drops his arm from Shane and walks away.

Jackson confronts Lorelai – Sookie’s communication skills had made Lorelai out to be interfering more than she was. It doesn’t help that Luke chimes in about 4 in 4 being crazy – or even 1 in 4. Jackson quits the contest.

23 hours in and 6 couples left. Taylor is so tired he seems drunk – and he’s not the one dancing. Lorelai’s heel breaks off.

Lorelai uses her yellow card and pulls Dean in to help keep Rory moving. He’s glad for the excuse to be close to her. Luke goes to get glue to fix the shoe. Wants to clarify to Lorelai that he’s not as anti-kid as he sounded earlier. Lorelai says not everyone has to want kids. Luke says that if he "met the right person, it would be a discussion." Luke asks Lorelai if she’s thought about more kids. Sure, if she met the right person…

Dave comes to see Lane (though it is 5am). Dave says he missed her. Mrs. Kim pounces on Dave – but he comes up with an excuse. That he came to try the sandwiches. Mentions that his parents would love the sandwiches, but that they’re at Bible study. Finds a way to sneak in that he may be on the church steps in 30 mins – a signal to Lane.

Rory complains to Dean that Jess is still there. That he’s trying to bug her. And gets exasperated when Jess and Shane start to make out again. Goes on and on about it. Jess overhears and interrupts. So Rory tells Jess she’s sick of him sitting there. He refuses to leave and tells Rory to ignore him and pay attention to her boyfriend. Dean says:

"She can’t. I’m not her boyfriend anymore."

That has Jess’ attention. Dean says he tried to ignore "this" but says he doesn’t know what he was thinking. Dean says Rory does not want to be with him – though she insists she does. Dean points out that Rory has been into Jess since he moved there. That he has spent months trying to convince himself things were fine. But the truth is obvious – they are into each other. Tells Shane to listen to it too. And tells Rory that he is out. Nothing stands between Rory and Jess now.

Taylor notices that Rory has stopped moving – they are disqualified. Rory just walks off.

Rory is sitting on the bridge – Jess’ spot. He comes to her. Jess tells her Dean’s a jerk, by way of consolation. A jerk for yelling at Rory in front of everybody. Rory says Dean is not a jerk. He was right. All the things about Rory and Jess, about Rory lying to him and messing with his head. Jess is speechless. Rory asks,

"Well, wasn’t he?"

Jess doesn’t answer. So Rory yells "fine, he was right about me then." And tells Jess to go away. Jess says Dean was right. About all of it. Rory asks "What now?" And Jess wants to make sure Rory and Dean are definitely broken up. Rory says they are.

"Ok, I have to go take care of something then."

Kirk has won the marathon. Lorelai comes waving her yellow card and asks where Rory is. Miss Patty says she ran off. Kirk has won – for the 5th time in a row. Rory comes back in to get a hug from Lorelai, crying. Kirk does his Rocky-inspired victory lap.

Image: TheWB.com

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Image Credit: TheWB.com