Gilmore Girls 4.20 "Luke Can See Her Face"

Gilmore Girls 4.20 "Luke Can See Her Face"
Original Air Date: May 4, 2004 (Recap date: March 10, 2008)
Photos, Recap & Discussion

Discussion Questions:

• Does Lorelai think she has failed at being in relationships?
• Doesn’t Paris worry that her relationship with Asher could jeopardize his career if/whan it comes out?
• If Lindsay is bored, why not get a job?
• Why does Luke turn to tapes for help?
• What part of Luke’s plea do you think swayed Jess?
• Why is the test such a revelation to Luke?
• Is Paris over Asher now?
• Why does Paris change her mind?
• Why won’t Jess walk Liz down the aisle?
• Was Jess afraid to hear what Rory had to say? So he told himself it was in her court?
• Does Lorelai realize Luke asked her on a date?
• Is Luke ready to show Lorelai how he feels?

Gilmore Girls Episode Recap & Photos:

Lolreai grabs the paper and there’s a cat waiting for her on the porch. She calls Rory thinking that the cats know she broke up with Jason, and they want her to be a ‘crazy cat lady.’ Lorelai thinks she sends off a vibe of being single, choosing the wrong guy again. Now there are two cats.

It’s the middle of the night and Lorelai keeps waking up to leave herself messages of stuff she needs to do. Lorelai is sitting on Luke’s stoop at 5am, wanting coffee. She already drank all hers. She can’t sleep, her mind keeps running and making lists. Lorelai is feeling pressure to get the Inn done, to handle all the stress. Lorelai wants to take Luke on a private investor’s tour – he bargains to go if she eats oatmeal. Kirk complains that Lorelai is at the table he wanted, came early for.

Michel has  listened to Lorelai’s 25 messages – and was not happy to have to record them all. The desk is not there yet, which is pissing Michel off too. Luke is ‘kibbitz’-ing a bit. Sookie tries to set Lorelai up with the recently-divorced poultry supplier. Lorelai then introduces him to Luke, her ‘special friend’. She pulls Luke’s arm around her.

Luke had figured Lorelai was dating someone, so he is not totally shocked when Lorelai says she broke up. Feels destined to be alone, which Luke refutes. Both feel a little sad at their relationship woes. Lorelai sees Dr. Phil books in their future – Luke doubts they’ll cross his path.

Paris pretends to be seeing Rory, as an excuse to visit Asher. Paris expects the secret to come out soon – Asher is taking her to Oxford. It’s getting more serious.

Luke goes to the bookstore, but doesn’t want the owner to see the titles. Instead, he tosses down $100, grabs a bag, and leaves. At home, Luke puts the ‘book on tape’ in, and it starts off with "Looooove, you want it? You can have it." Luke seems to be ‘really’ looking forward to the introspection. He can’t say he deserves love. As instructed, Luke opens up the workbook.

Dean is staying late to help more at the Inn. Sookie is worried she cannot get zucchinis for her famous soup for the opening. Lindsay comes and fights with Dean because she wants to go out. Calls Dean selfish for never being with her. Dean retorts that it takes money to get her the townhouse and car she wants. She complains of being bored all day.

Liz has come to town – she and TJ are getting married in Stars Hollow in one week. A Renaissance wedding. It’s all planned out with the help of her friends, so Luke doesn’t need to do anything. But Jess doesn’t plan on coming. 

Emily caneled Friday night dinner with very transparent excuses. So Rory is home for Al’s Chinese, pizza and junk food. Lorelai shares the gossip of the Dean / Lindsay fight. Rory’s "I hope they make up" is not overly convincing.

Luke goes to see Jess, who is living in a very slummy looking place. Luke is there to try to get him to come to Liz’s wedding. Luke now things that TJ could be different than all the other guys. Luke thinks that Jess will regret it - not supporting his mother and being a part of what could be a turning point in her life. He’s refusing to be a part of Liz’s happiness. Luke says "you owe me" – that he was there for Jess when nobody else was. Jess has to leave (he’s a messenger).

Lorelai didn’t know about the wedding – finds out from Luke’s attempts to find wheat. He got sucked in to helping. Jess walks in just then – says he’s staying with Luke, not paying for a hotel. Luke is impressed with that.

Rory gets a panicked call from Paris, who is at the hospital.

Luke nearly flips out when Jess attempts to examine the tap in the stereo. Luke locks the door after Jess leaves. Turns back on the tape. Scores are being analyzed, and we can assume from Luke’s "Yikes" that he came up with "your road is impassable". Chapter 7 asks "what is fantasy?" The ultimate fantasy of which is the ‘ultimate companion’. A test.

"Whose phone calls or visits are never unwanted or too long? Do you see her face? Who would you most like to have in your life to ward off moments of loneliness? Do you see her face? When you travel, who would make your travels more enjoyable? Do you see her face? When you’re in pain, who would you most like to comfort you? Do you see her face? When something wonderful happens in your life… who do you want to share the news with? Do you see her face? Whose face appears to you, my friend? Whose face?"

Luke has only "Whoa" to say.

Rory is at the hospital but not sure where to go. The sound of Paris yelling leads the way. Asher Fleming is in the hospital! He had dropped his spoon, gone pale, and had some pains. Paris had insisted on taking him to the hospital. Angina, not a heart attach. But Paris can’t see him, not being family. Paris realizes that Asher is old. Seeing him there is bringing home to her that he cannot frolic with her, and she’s just 19.

Michel & Sookie are helping to assemble booklets for the Inn while Lorelai embroiders the pillow cases. Jackson is sleeping with the zucchini, which Lorelai finds hard to believe. Lorelai feels bad – she wanted everything ‘within reason’ to be done to ensure the zucchini are fine. They go to see Jackson.

It’s TJs bachelor party. After Luke rejects a lap dance, TJ asks ‘what is a lap’ and thinks it is an illusion – where does it go when you stand? Was it ever there?  Jess comes, but just reads.

Paris thinks it’s time to have ‘the talk’ with Asher. That it’s too weird. Asher sits Paris down for a serious talk. He has appreciated her greatly this year – admits to other such relationships in the past. Asher says he’s been writing down places to take her to while they are in England, but offers to let her stay so she does not get bored. Paris seems flattered. He offers her the chance to re-asses – though he doesn’t wish to. He admits he’s selfish and old. Paris says he’s not so old.

Another girl comes looking for Asher – Rory sarcastically calls her ‘girlfriend’. Rory is surprised when Paris comes to say she’s leaving with Asher. The other girl is Asher’s granddaughter.

Luke still won’t sit down, not wanting to create that lap. They watch mud wrestling. TJ comes to tell Jess that Liz is afraid to ask him something – Liz wants Jess to walk her down the aisle. TJ refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer. TJ and Jess get into a brawl. Then Luke and Jess battle it out. They all get kicked out.

Lorelai tells Jackson he doesn’t have to sleep with the zucchini. Lorelai apologizes for freaking out about dumb things like that. The experience of opening the Inn is flying by, and it’s not fun. Each person must drop something off someone else’s to do list – Lorelai has to drop the pillows, Sookie is making 6 not 8 desserts, Michel has to cap his references for hires at 4. They lie down, all warm from the heaters, and look at the stars. 

Luke is not impressed with fighting with Jess in a strip club. But Luke came to a realization that drops a lot of anger and stress. He realized Jess is who he is, and Luke cannot change him. He will stop trying. And is sorry for dragging Jess there if he doesn’t want to be there. Jess says he doesn’t hate Liz or Luke – he’s there because of Luke.

So, why wasn’t Jess coming then? Rory. Jess tells Luke that he told Rory he loved her last time he was there. He dropped the bomb and ran. Jess didn’t want to hear what she had to say, if anything. Jess says the ball was in Rory’s court, and she didn’t call. Luke tells Jess he did it wrong – open 2-way communication is the foundation of love. Luke tells Jess he was bargaining – his expectations from Rory were out of line with what he deserved. Luke says he’s not dysfunctional anymore – things change. "Stay Tuned", Luke says. And then seems impressed that Jess told Rory how he felt.

So, they slept with the zucchini. They all slept very well too. Lorelai goes home, and finds that Luke is there. He wants to talk with her. Luke asks Lorelai to come with him to Liz’s wedding. Luke seems very pleased with himself.

Relieved and happy, he offers Jess the tape and book. He’s done with it. 

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