The Lorelais' First Day At Yale
episode #4.02 | written by Elise

WB Summary: The Gilmore girls share Rory's first day at Yale University by moving Rory into her dorm, where she meets a strange new roommate, Tanna and learns that her old adversary, Paris, will also be sharing her room. Overwhelmed with excitement, Rory is also embarrassed to find that she isn't quite ready to let Lorelai go. Meanwhile, Luke continues to wrestle with the aftermath of his disastrous cruise with Nicole.

Elise's Comment:

This episode marks the beginning of a very uneasy adjustment to the new setting of the show: Rory at Yale, while Lorelai is back in Stars Hollow. Those inspiring and cozy moments revolving around their relationship and the Stars Hollow events will be on shorter supply from now on. However, the writers did a good transition. The fans would soon settle into this new pace, different, but acceptable. I can not, and repeat can not, believe that Paris is Rory's roomate. I was expecting a new character to enter the picture, you know, another strong character. Nope. The other two roomates only make brief appearances.

The arrival at Yale was however filled with a couple of funny moments: from the "going off to Yale" picture, to the student card picture, and to part of the campus map missing. Who can forget Luke's truck, the stick, and the mattress? Luke was kind enough to lend his truck (which is supposed to be old, as mentionned in Forgiveness and Stuff) to Lorelai, who drives it in reverse all the way from her house to the diner! The multiple references to the mattress were hilarious... especially when that Yale girl gave Luke that mean look.

The big seperation was not easy for the Lorelais, who spent almost every single day together, for the past 18 years. There were a total of three goodbyes, each one sadder than the previous. It was very Lorelai to order all the take-out to "evaluate" the food, the service and the delivery guys. Nice touch from the writers. It was also very Gilmore-like to spend the night at the dorm... howling. A new school year, a new season!

Lorelai: God, he's so possessive about the stupid truck.
Luke: It's my truck, I possess it!

Rory: Since we were short on time, I had them make us something to go. My Yale special.
Lorelai: Oh, share, share.
Rory: Sausage wrapped in a pancake tied together with bacon.
Lorelai: You made that up?
Rory: I don't know how I do it.

"Copper boom!" - Lorelai and Rory

Lorelai: Thank you.
Rory: For what?
Lorelai: For pretending that you're not at this moment thinking about missing your tour, finding your phone jack, navigating the Old Campus.
Rory: It's my gift to you.
Lorelai: Let's go unload and get you a new map.
Rory: Bless you.

"... because when I think of Luke Danes, I think nothing." - Lorelai to the lawyers

"I'm not storing your microbe mattress, forget it." - Luke

Tanna: As they're ransacking your room, professional thieves typically start at the bottom drawer and work their way up. That way they don't have to close drawers before opening the next one. Saves time.
Lorelai: Okay. So, no storing your valuables in the bottom drawer. Got that, Rory? Good tip, Tanna. Thanks.

[ written march 8 2004 ]

© 2004 Little Corner of the World [Elise]