Célèste's Review of S2E7 "Like Mother, Like Daughter"

“Like Mother, Like Daughter”

Season 2, Episode 7

Original airing: November 13, 2001

My Rating: 62

The Good:

• At this point in the show, it's important for the faculty and staff at Chilton to gain a better understanding of how Lorelai and Rory are different than the typical Chilton student and parent, but how that's not necessarily a bad thing. This episode does a succinct job of accomplishing that goal.
• The episode also makes a really good point about introversion, which is the kind of plot point that you don't see much on other shows. I love that they take a stand for wanting to spend some time alone.
• Watching Emily bask in the glory of being a model as Lorelai slowly comes around from uncomfortable to amused is definitely a great moment.
• After weeks and weeks of boring Paris plots, the show finally does something new with her. There's a sense that she and Rory are moving from enemies back to cautious allies, which, in my opinion, is a much more watchable place for them to be. 

The Bad:

• The Luke plot just doesn't really work for me. Lorelai wondering about his dating life at the beginning feels tacked on because she's basically ignored the idea of dating him all season. Plus Eva's interest in him is too overplayed. I did like the argument in the diner though. 
• The barbecue scene didn't work for me either. The maid asks them to come out to the patio and then Emily asks them to come back inside. It doesn't really make sense, which I guess is the joke, but I don't think that really qualifies as a joke. They just lost me there. 
• There are more silly TV mistakes here than usual. From the 5-minute lunch periods to the 4-person fashion show, they were noticeable to the point of being distracting. 
• Chilton episodes are still just not as interesting as Stars Hollow episodes or family episodes. I keep waiting for them to get better, but they still feel more like filler than like classic, show-defining moments. I think it's because the world of Chilton still has been as fully developed as the world of Stars Hollow. Well into the second season, this episode draws primarily on interactions with completely new characters we've never seen before and don't necessarily have the sense we'll see again. 
• There's a lot of comedy in this episode that just doesn't hit as hard as it usually does. I enjoyed the fashion show, but the Puffs scenes were a little boring. 

Favorite Moment:

Paris asks Rory if she really looks like that when she wakes up. 

The Bottom Line:

This episode is necessary to further establish Rory and Lorelai's relationship with Chilton, but it still feels a bit like filler.