Episode synopsis
S1 EP18 – The Third Lorelai: When Lorelai’s grandmother offers a trust fund for Rory’s education Emily fears losing contact with a financially independent Lorelai and Rory.
Cast
Lauren Graham…Lorelai Gilmore
Alexis Bledel…Rory Gilmore
Melissa McCarthy…Sookie St. James
Yanic Truesdale…Michel Gerard
Kelly Bishop… Emily Gilmore
Edward Herrmann…Richard Gilmore
Liza Weil…Paris Geller
Chad Michael Murray…Tristin Dugray
Shelly Cole…Madeline Lynn
Teal Redmann …Louise Grant
Marion Ross… Lorelai ‘Trix’ Gilmore
Best character
Emily is a hot mess in this episode and it’s very entertaining. I feel mean for laughing at how flustered she gets around Richard’s mother as it is quite sad, but it’s also quite funny. I’m so glad the relationship I have with my own ‘mother-in-law’ (said in quotes because I’m not married but am in a seven-year-long relationship) is nothing like this.
She’s a bit manipulative with Lorelai about the trust fund though. I do get why she does it, she doesn’t want to lose them both again, but she could have gone about it in a better way.
Favourite scene
I love the scene where Emily is freaking out over finding all of the gifts Richard’s mother gave them. She’s completely unhinged and it’s one of the first times you’ve seen her not be her usual calm and composed self.
Best quotes and one liners
EMILY: You were on the phone.
RICHARD: Long distance.
LORELAI: God?
RICHARD: London.
LORELAI: God lives in London?
RICHARD: My mother lives in London.
LORELAI: Your mother is God? So, God is a woman… And a relative, that’s so cool. I’m gonna totally ask for favours.
RICHARD: [to Rory] Make her stop.
LORELAI: I still can’t get over that I’m related to God. It’s gonna make getting Madonna tickets so much easier.
LORELAI: [to dogs] She’s just upset.
EMILY: Stop talking to the dogs!
RORY: Henry VIII started a new church when the old one wouldn’t allow divorce.
PARIS: He also cut off his wife’s head. Is he still your role model?
TRIX: How’s your health?
LORELAI: Oh, good.
TRIX: Good. That means that the majority of your blood is Gilmore blood. Gilmore’s don’t get sick. Am I right Richard?
GRANDPA: Oh we wouldn’t dare Trix.
TRIX: That’s right. Your mother is always sick.
GRANDMA: I’m hardly always sick.
TRIX: You’re sick right now.
LORELAI: Are you sick now Mom?
EMILY: Headache.
TRIX: Well perhaps our presence in the dining room will teach your help that when one is told dinner is at 7:00, people often expects dinner at 7:00.
EMILY: But it’s only five after Mom.
TRIX: Only five after? Richard, in the even that I am kidnapped and a ransom is demanded at a certain time, I would prefer that Emily not be in charge of the drop off.
LOUISE: Those who simply wait for information to find them, spend a lot of time sitting by the phone. Those who go out and find it themselves, have something to say when it rings.
RORY: Nietzsche?
LOUISE: Dawson.
RORY: My next guess.
PARIS: My mother says the colour pink makes my head look small.
RORY: Uh, Paris. What are these cards that fell out of your jacket?
PARIS: Oh yeah. Those are notes for tonight.
RORY: Notes?
PARIS: Yeah. Just some reference points really – you know subjects to bring up in case the conversation lags.
RORY: Well can I suggest that you leave this one about the Spanish Inquisition out?
PARIS: It’s not very romantic?
LORELAI: One minute it’s ‘pass the pot roast’ and the next minute it’s ‘hey, have a pile of money’. Things are never boring at the Gilmore house.
LORELAI: Where’s Gran?
EMILY: Torturing the bathroom attendant I suppose.
Final thoughts and fun facts
I love how the writers forgot that Richard’s mom is canonically dead. I’m not sure which episode it’s mentioned in, but it definitely is. I feel like they are somewhat aware of this because Trix makes multiple references about death, so I’ll let them off. It’s funny.
When asking Lorelai to return the hat rack, Emily describes it as “large, bronze, with dragons or weasels – some sort of lizard-type animal that you hang your coat on.” But when Lorelai brings the hat rack to Emily’s house, It’s seen that the figures on it are actually cherubs, which resemble human babies, and look nothing like a dragon, weasel or lizard.
Marion Ross, playing Richard Gilmore’s mother, Lorelai Gilmore, aka Trix. Also portrayed Grandma Foreman previously on That ’70s show. Not only did she treat Kitty Foreman in the same manner as she does Emily but both shows kill her off only after a couple of episodes.
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Like this post? Why not read this one too: To Be Watched: May 2023