Gilmore Girls 4.21 “Last Week Fights, This Week Tights”

Gilmore Girls 4.21 "Last Week Fights, This Week Tights"
Original Air Date: May 11, 2004 (Recap date: March 12, 2008)
Photos, Recap & Discussion 

Discussion Questions:

• Why is everyone so interested about Rory being single?
• Why does Lorelai want to know if Rory is ok hearing about Jess?
• What changed Jess’ mind about walking Liz down the aisle?
• Should Rory go out with the guy?
• Why is Luke flustered?
• Do you think Mrs. Kim can get over Lane living with boys?
• Why is Lorelai so mocking of Jess’ book?
• What do you think Lorelai may think after Luke’s reaction to the book?
• Why didn’t Rory call Lorelai?
• When she said yes, did Lorelai realize Luke was asking her on a date?
• Has Jess grown up?
• Why does Dean lie to Lindsay?
• Did Jess approach Rory the wrong way?
• Why does Rory say no to Jess?
• Does Rory want to be with Dean, not Jess?

Gilmore Girls Episode Recap & Photos:

Miss Patty is struggling to get the Maypole organized. Kirk is hurt not to be involved. Lorelai turns the corner and sees Jess reading a magazine – when he’s really reading the Love manual.

Sookie and Jackson are arguing radishes. Feels good to get back to the bickering. Rory calls, annoyed that everyone at Yale is partying while she is not yet done her finals. Lorelai wants to know if Rory wants to hear about the "J word" topic – seeing Jess around town. Rory says she’s ok with that. Lorelai offers to give him a taste of his own medicine – to run up and say she loves him, then run away.

One of the horses has wandered into the dining room. Sookie and Michel had noticed a while ago but not done anything about it.

Tana introduces her boyfriend to Rory. Janet is leaving already – all of Rory’s furniture has been moved out, it would seem. Offers Rory the plucky monkey. Paris hugs Janet. Oddly emotional at the parting. Tana has a poster of the folk in the building, most of whom are couples. Not Rory. She had a dry spell this year. Paris tries to set Rory up with Asher’s recently divorced son. Paris is off for her merry trip to London for the summer.

Lorelai goes to get a knocker from Mrs. Kim, which sparks a joke about founding fathers liking big knockers. Mrs. Kim wants Lorelai to give mail to Lane - is avoiding her. Lorelai resigns as postman, so Mrs. Kim increases the price of the knocker.

Liz is getting compliments about TJ from her friends, it’s the day before the wedding. Luke is cooking the turkey legs. Liz introduces Jess, who is apparently walking Liz down the aisle. Liz gets a package – a stripper. Right there, in Luke’s Diner. Luke looks pleased.

Jess goes to Doose’s, where Dean is getting some essentials for Lindsay. Seems ‘pleased’ to see Jess.

Richard is apparently ‘out of town’, and Lorelai loses no opportunity to try to get Emily to admit that they are separated. Emily wants to know if Rory has a boyfriend. Rory threatens to throw a roll at Lorelai when she goads her asking why Rory is not seeing anybody.

Lane, Brian and Zack are trying to split their phone bill. Lane’s aunt comes to tell Lane that Mrs. Kim would like to visit.

Rory is drinking her mix drink, finals over, when Emily shows up. Emily is there trying to fix Rory up on a date. Right then, quite literally. He seems decent enough – warns Rory she smells of alcohol. They both got caught in the trap set – knowing when and where they’ll be, their parent/grandparent set them up. Rory accepts his number, tempted on his invite to go out.

TJ comes out only in tights. Luke seems flustered (not about TJ). Lorelai has arrived – his lady. Luke asks her to help him keep a proud face on over his smirking face. Renaissance is comedic to him. Carrie flirts with Luke, avoiding looking at Lorelai. Liz’s dress is ripped, so Lorelai goes to offer her help. Liz is nervous about her wedding – she’s never been sober for any marriage before. Liz doesn’t like being single – wants to know how Lorelai feels about all that. Jess comes in – Liz hopes he did not break Rory’s heart, hearing they dated. Liz says Lorelai will make a great wife and sister-in-law some day. Lorelai spots the "You Deserve Love" book in Jess’ bag.

TJ comes in raving about his tights. Then Jess walks Liz down the aisle. Lorelai, Jess and Luke have trouble not laughing at the singing ‘minister’. "Love is the greatest toy around," or so the song says. TJ and Liz exchange touching but simple vows.

Mrs. Kim did not know about Lane’s roommates. She looks around like a deer in headlights. Eventually just runs out. She runs into Lorelai, freaked about the boys and the broken furniture. But mostly the boys. Mrs. Kim thinks that Lane is dirty. Lorelai suggests she think of them as girls, not as boys. She heads back.

Luke seems to think Jess is doing better with his life. TJ wants to remarket tights as "air pants – the pants that breathe". Lorelai gossips to Luke about the book she saw Jess with. Luke says maybe Jess is just trying to learn something – to better himself. Lorelai calls those types of books idiotic, but Luke defends them. Actually gets annoyed – saying it’s more pathetic if people don’t try. He walks off.

Rory is at the bar where the guys are deep in sports talk. She’s left sitting alone at a table. He does come over, but only seems to be interested in getting one thing from Rory – for things to get ‘exciting.’ The pub crawl is set to continue with one of the ‘best drunk drivers’ taking them along. Rory opts out. Then discovers she has no cash, and it’s recommended she not walk outside alone. She makes a call.

Mrs. Kim returns. Notes things will be cleaned, fixed, and that they are girls. Her ground rules.

Liz & TJ dance and Lorelai comes to see if Luke is ok. Lorelai apologizes for what she said about Jess & the book. When the dance floor opens, Luke (who doesn’t dance) asks Lorelai to dance. They both seem very happy. And get closer and closer together.

Dean comes to the bar - he’s the one that Rory called to come get her. Rory explains about her bad date. The waitress informs Rory that her tab (via the other guy) is still open, so Dean and Rory plan a good dinner.

Lorelai and Luke are walking home. Lorelai talking about TJ throwing his tights, not Liz’s garter. And a few other prize moments. But, it might be the dance that was the best, she says. She says it was fun and with an abrupt ‘night’ is about to turn in. But Luke casually says

"We should do it again."

Like a movie or something. Luke says he can be a movie guy. And asks Lorelai if she’s free for Sunday. She seems a little confused, but says she’s free. Luke walks off smiling and sighing. Lorelai’s jaw drops.

Jess has waited to say goodbye to Luke. He tells Luke he wants to pay back all the money. That he appreciated everything Luke did for him. Jess has read the book – and in this relationship like in others, he wants to let Luke know he appreciates it. Hoping for reciprocation. Luke tells Jess he’s here for him, always. They hug, and Jess leaves.

Dean walks Rory back to her room. She’s thrilled she doesn’t have to think about school anymore, though Dean knows it won’t stop her. Dean says it was good to get out – that Rory was funny. Rory wants to know how it is that Dean can be there. Where does Lindsay think he is? Deans says it doesn’t matter. Rory asks what’s going on with Dean. And, must then, Jess walks into Rory’s dorm! He wants to talk with Rory. Rory tells Dean he should go home.

Rory wants to know why Jess won’t leave her alone. He says he doesn’t know what he wants, but he had to see her, talk to her. He says "come with me" to Rory. Just away – nowhere important. Rory says she can’t do that. Jess says they’ll go to New York – they’ll work, live together and be together. It’s what he thinks Rory wants, and what he wants. Jess says he wants to be with Rory, but not there and not in Stars Hollow. That they need to start new.

Jess tells Rory he’s ready for this, that she can count on him now. Jess tells Rory he knew they were supposed to be together, since the first time he saw her. Jess tells her not to say no to get him to stop talking and to go away – to say no only if she really doesn’t want to be with him. Rory says ‘no’. So Jess leaves. Rory sits and puts her head in her hands.

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