Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days
Season 3, Episode 1
Original airing: September
24, 2002
My Rating: 65
The Good:
This was a pretty mild emotional opening for season three.
We spent a good amount of time catching up with characters catching up with
each other.
I liked the resolution of Lorelai’s Christopher relationship
as it stands at the moment. I’m glad this was addressed in the episode between
Lorelai and Rory. It’s completely understandable for both of them to be upset
enough to cut Christopher off for a while. It was a pretty huge event in all of
their lives and they need time to recover.
I really liked Emily and Richard’s response to Lorelai’s
news about Christopher. I expected them to be upset, but I didn’t really know
how that would manifest in the show. It was a surprise to see it turn in to an
argument between them instead of a united front of disappointment against
Lorelai. I felt both Emily and Richard’s reactions fit their characters very
well and will allow for a natural continuation of the storyline in several episodes
to come as they come to a full confrontation with Lorelai.
What I liked most though was how the Friday Night Dinner
scene led in to the resolution of Luke and Lorelai’s fight which began in S2E19
– Teach Me Tonight. Luke still seems upset with Lorelai, but one of the biggest
pillars of his character is how he will yield to her needs and happiness. That’s
not necessarily a good thing for balance in their relationship, but it’s
consistent to have him finally give in and be a support for her again. I hope
we see even more of Lorelai returning the favor this season. I liked that their
scene, interactions, tone, and conversation were all very mild. They didn’t
need to have another big blow up and it was a good adjustment after the anger
displayed at the Gilmore Manor.
I found the subplots of Kirk and Sookie well-suited to the episode.
They didn’t feel out of place and brought a nice dash of humor.
Rory and Paris wrapped up their final days in Washington, DC
for their summer program. It was excellent seeing Paris get a date without
realizing it was occurring. Her typical focus on academia led to this very cute
scene with the tall and not-overly-dashing Jamie. I really liked this entire
story as it led to great moments between Paris and Rory. It’s easy to see how
their relationship has blossomed over the past seasons. They are at a point of
confidences and emotional support that I’ve been hoping they’d reach for a
while now. I enjoy them much more as friends than I do as enemies.
It was also interesting to see all the little hints about
Rory’s emotional state over the summer. She’s obviously pulling away from Dean.
Her discussion with Paris about compatibility seems to be all about Jess. And
her unfinished letter is addressed to him as well. The big moment is when Dean
signs off the phone with “I love you” and Rory is conveniently distracted to
avoid saying it back.
I felt they show even had a moment in the airport when
Lorelai was picking Rory up from her flight home. Lorelai mentions arranging
the evening so Rory can spend it alone with Dean and Rory’s physical reaction
is to tense up, open her eyes very wide, and look quite terrified. This was all
really excellent to put it out there how Rory’s Jess attraction is affecting
her relationship.
The show hits it home even harder when they’re at the
festival and a dressed-up Rory spots Jess kissing another girl. This leads in
to the inevitable fight with Lorelai who learns about the kiss at Sookie’s
wedding. Lorelai was going to find out eventually and I knew there would be a
big fight about it. I didn’t fully expect Lorelai’s position to be “choose
whomever you want, but choose!” I expected her to be more fully on Dean’s side,
so it was nice to see her more on the side of treating everyone with respect no
matter what Rory chose to do. Dean’s sudden arrival again showed Rory being
off-balance and uncomfortable. And her lingering glance to Jess during her hug
with Dean was really quite upsetting.
The Bad:
All of this preparation is why I was really disappointed by
the end of the episode. Rory’s decision to recommit to her relationship with
Dean doesn’t really make a lot of sense, except as a way to keep the love
triangle storyline full of extra drama. After seeing Rory’s reactions to Dean
throughout this episode, it doesn’t feel like she really wants to be with him
anymore. Regardless of if she chooses to pursue Jess, she just doesn’t seem
that interested in Dean anymore.
Favorite Moment:
I greatly enjoyed the entire pre-date scene with Paris and
Rory. Paris’ unnecessary panic was accentuated by her stunning appearance and obvious
desire for things to go well. Jamie invited her out after hearing how she
enjoys crushing opponents during debates. He’s pretty aware of, and attracted
to, her strong personality. So she really has nothing to worry about if she
would just calm down and be herself.
It was great having Rory give Paris the mental slap of sanity
to help calm her down. And it was sad and adorable when Paris asked Rory to
hide in the closet and then thanked her through the door. I also enjoy
vulnerable Paris moments and this was a lovely string of them.
The Bottom Line:
This was a good episode, but it didn’t leave me super
excited or emotionally affected overall. I’m a bit annoyed by the ongoing
confusing presentation of the Rory and Dean relationship, but not enough to have
any lingering annoyance once I finished the episode.
