Gilmore Girls 3.13 "Dear Emily and Richard"

Gilmore Girls 3.13 "Dear Emily and Richard"
Original Air Date: February 4, 2003 (Recap date: January 30, 2008)
Recap & Discussion

Discussion Questions:

• Do you think the c-section invitation is weird? Would you go?
• Despite issues with her parents, do you think Lorelai would have followed their plan had she not gotten pregnant?
• Why is Paris still warring with Rory, after such warnings from the Headmaster?
• Do you think Lorelai is jealous of Nicole?
• Why hasn’t Luke dressed up nicely for Lorelai in the past?
• Do you think Emily is bored?
• Could you see Chris & Lorelai adopting Richard’s new plan?
• Is Chris aware that being there for Lorelai is painful?
• Why did Lorelai bring Emily the DVD player?
• Why did Lorelai leave home – was it for herself, her parents or for Chris’ sake?

Gilmore Girls Episode Recap & Photos:

Rory and Lorelai have begun planning their summer trip to Europe. Emily and Richard laugh at the thought of them backpacking and in hostels. Think its a joke. Offer to pay so that they don’t have to stay in cheap places. The girls want to do their spontaneous trip their way. Emily stayed at the Ritz on her first trip to Paris.

Dean is helping out the construction next to Luke’s. Sort of a gopher.

Luke is reading ‘Hidden Romantic Gems of the Restaurant World’ to take Nicole, the lawyer, to dinner somewhere special. Jess pokes fun at Luke being ‘pathetic’ he’s ‘in love.’ Not a fan of all the romance stuff.

Dean comes to the diner to place an order for the crew. Jess makes fun of Dean for being Taylor’s errand boy. Dean antagonizes Jess by making him repeat the whole order back to him.

Lorelai and Michel are annoyed by a guy who has changed the theme for his retirement party 4 times now. All decor needs to be changed, again. Rory cheers up Lorelai by showing her the invitation to Sherry’s c-section. Lorelai enjoys mocking the RSVP and gift requirement. Lorelai remembers to tell Sookie about the change – Sookie dumps the golf ball cake. New theme: Beanie Babies.

Emily sends over some old travel books to help with the Europe planning. Outdated and for a budget much higher than theirs. Lorelai flashes back to when she was a teen, in the house by herself with Christopher. She sees the books and does not look forward to another snooty vacation. Chris is dreaming of going backpacking with Lorelai right after high school. Lorelai worries about straying from their respective ‘plans’ their parents have for them. But sets it out as a plan to do together. They make out.

Madeline and Louise want to know all about Paris’ Jamie. Rory won’t talk. Paris brings in the yearbook photo for the Franklin group. Of all 90 pictures, Paris chose the one with Rory sneezing.

Sherry has gone into labor a week before her scheduled c-section. A friend of hers is trying to get everyone there (saying how much Sherry screwed up). Rory says she’ll take the train out.

Another flashback. Emily is setting up Lorelai’s ‘coming out’ portrait. Lorelai is upstairs and can’t fit into her dress. Emily tries to help, but the dress is too small. Despite a fitting only 3 months ago. Emily blames the dressmaker for bad measurements. Lorelai tries to zip the dress then has a look of panic on her face.

Luke is dressed up all GQ. Lorelai compliments him and asks the occasion. Nicole walks in; Luke introduces them. Nicole’s cell rings and Lorelai points at her wildly because Luke is not enforcing his rule.

Rory arrives at the hospital and learns none of Sherry’s friends are there - Sherry is feeling abandoned. The one friend there also leaves to go back to work. More about Sherry ‘screwing up’ – upsetting the schedules of her friends. Christopher is also out of town. Sherry is in a panic about it upsetting her schedule and about being alone.

Lorelai and Emily are alone for dinner. Lorelai decides to get to know her mother, so asks what she does all day and night. Emily’s nights seem lonely. Lorelai suggests watching movies – getting a DVD player.

Flashback. It’s Emily & Richard plus Chris’ parents reacting to news of Lorelai’s pregnancy. Christopher’s parents want to drop all blame on Lorelai and don’t see why Chris should sacrifice anything for her. Even suggests abortion. Emily refuses. Richard stands up and says they will get married, live there, and that Chris will work at his company.

Lorelai and Christopher overhear upstairs. Chris is ok to let their parents come up with a plan, but Lorelai wants to determine her own life. And refuses to let Chris drop all his plans to go to school and travel.

If Chris doesn’t make it, Rory will go into the delivery room with Sherry. That makes her nervous.

Rory calls Lorelai to say she doesn’t want to do that. Rory is over her head. Rory ‘needs her mommy.’ Emily doesn’t understand why Lorelai would go to ‘that woman’ or why Rory is there either.

Flashback to a very pregnant Lorelai going into labor. She goes by herself to the hospital. Listens to her walkman.

Rory was off doing errands for Sherry’s work when Lorelai arrives.

Lorelai walks in and takes control. Tells Sherry to stop working and prepare to have a baby. It will be hard but worth it. Sherry hopes she has a baby as good as Rory. Lorelai isn’t keen on being in the delivery room either. Thankfully Christopher arrives just as they’re moving Sherry to the delivery room – he wouldn’t miss it, he assures her. Lorelai looks sad.

Lorelai flashes to when Emily & Richard arrive just as she’s going into her delivery room. Emily is furious at Lorelai’s note:

Dear Mom & Dad,
I’m in labor. See you later,
Lorelai

Emily is angry with Lorelai for not letting her drive her to the hospital. Lorelai won’t let them into the delivery room.

Jess is closing up for the night, gives up arguing with Kirk to go home after 4 hours, when Luke & Nicole walk in chatting up a storm. The restaurant was bad but they had a great time. Jess makes it clear to Luke that he’s going out for an hour. Luke excuses himself to talk with Jess. Gives him a good smack on the head before bringing him back inside.

Chris is a daddy! Rory is asleep, so he brings Lorelai to see the new baby. The whole experience was thrilling for him. Lorelai says GiGi comes in a good second to Rory’s perfection. Chris thanks her for everything.

We look to the past and see Chris & Lorelai looking at baby Rory. Chris saying "I guess we should get married." And Lorelai being silent.

Lorelai brings a new DVD player to Emily. Who doesn’t know what compelled Lorelai to bring it. But she’s thrilled with the DVDs.

It’s a year after Rory is born. Emily and Richard are going to a function. There is another note. Nothing but pain on Emily’s face.

Lorelai walks upstairs with the DVD player singing a musical. She’s going to figure out the installation as she goes. Pan out to the family portrait that has always hung in the Gilmore livingroom.

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