Gilmore Girls 1.11 “Paris Is Burning”

by Arieanna on November 21st, 2007

Gilmore Girls 1.11 "Paris Is Burning"
Original Air Date: January 11, 2001 (Recap date: November 21, 2007)
Photos & Discussion

Gilmore Girls 1.11 Paris Is Burning

Gilmore Girls Episode Recap:

Time to clean the fridge - so Lorelai & Rory play the alphabet game on diseases. But Lorelai gets distracted at "P" - she sees puppies! Rory reminds her that they cannot take care of a dog. Apparently Skippy the hamster used to bite and laugh at Lorelai. Eventually she abandoned the hamster back at the pet store.

Max has cooked Lorelai dinner, though she was not hungry until he was cleaning. When she chows down, sitting on the counter. After, they make quick work to go upstairs for Lorelai’s ‘extra credit work.’

Lorelai sneaks back in the house, but Rory is waiting for her on the couch. Rory comments on how happy Lorelai looks.

The next day in class, Mr. Medina is reading a verse from Emily Dickinson. The girls in the class wonder if he’s dating anyone. Paris says whoever is dating him would be a fool because of his ridiculous job and salary. Apparently Paris’ parents are going through a messy divorce.

Emily is gloating over Lorelai - why? Because the Chilton newsletter came out and she knew Lorelai had not yet read it. There is a Parents Day coming up - where parents go to school with their kids for a day. Lorelai is unsure she can make it, but when Emily tries to say she’ll go, to be sure Lorelai insists she’ll be there.

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Max is very on time for their date - Lorelai is not ready and Rory doesn’t want to be there. They argue about it while leaving him outside. Rory lets Max in - which is awkward for her. He asks Rory to call him Max, but Rory thinks it will be confusing to think of her teacher as a ‘part-time Max’ - confusing. So, they will use code names Rebecca and Norman outside of school.

Sookie and Jackson fight over vegetables. He wants her to use his new hybrid zuchini - she wants her regular squash blossoms. Lorelai comes into the diner with ice skates for her and Rory’s skating date. Luke eyes them warily and makes Lorelai hand them over to fix - too rusty. Sookie observes how good Lorelai’s ’service’ is at the diner.

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Rory suggests they bring Max skating - and tries to get used to saying ‘Max.’ Lorelai actually seems uncomfortable with Rory wanting to spend time with Max.

Lorelai soaks her frozen feet in water - after her attempt at skating. Sookie prompts about Max - Lorelai says:

"He is a great guy. For someone."

Sookie says that 2 months is when Lorelai starts to do her ‘getaway’ dance, which she seems to now be doing with Max. Lorelai says she’s concerned that Rory is getting attached to Max. Sookie counters by saying maybe Lorelai is the one afraid to be attached. Lorelai gets defensive - and insults Sookie for giving her relationship advice when she hasn’t had one in years.

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Mr. Medina asks Rory in the hall if Lorelai is coming to Parents Day. He is all nervous. Apparently Lorelai has not called in a while. Rory smiles at him - she sees how much he likes her mom.

Rory tells Lorelai about Paris and the sordid divorce being all over the papers. And that the school dynamic has changed - Madeline and Louise talked to Rory. Lorelai is trying to weasel out of Parents Day to avoid Max. And tells Rory to bring back Max’s book. Rory suspects Lorelai is about to break up with Max. Rory yells at Lorelai for lying to her and avoiding Max. And to leave her out of it.

Lorelai does make it to Parents Day. Paris’ mom is there yelling at her - she doesn’t want to stay and be gossiped at, and is putting Paris down. Class with Max is first. Although she didn’t want to go, just seeing and hearing him is maybe changing her mind. He subtly refers to the Proust book, and how he would normally read it - the same book she is going to give back. But she tucks it away.

Lorelai stays behind to speak with Max. She tries to shove the book back at him and apologizes for not calling back - he clues in that she’s trying to break it off. Lorelai says she’s not dumping him - she needs space. He says he wants as little space as possible. Lorelai insists that it’s all about potentially hurting Rory, who is getting attached - Max, like Sookie, realizes that Rory is a scapegoat and Lorelai is more worried about herself. Max won’t let her off that easily and is disappointed with her for giving up and making excuses.

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Max refuses to take back the book - instead, he grabs Lorelai and kisses her. Too bad Paris sees them kissing. And what does Paris do? She spreads that news as fast as she can to take the focus off herself. She comes to gloat over Rory. When Lorelai walks into the cafeteria, Rory runs off. Lorelai tries to apologize for her mistake.

Rory is angry Lorelai is using her as a scapegoat for breaking up with Max - she says she can deal with it all. Lorelai says that her strict rules have gotten Rory to where she is - which Rory cannot argue. But she suggests that the rules should change.

Looks like Emily knows. She immediately tells Rory to go upstairs. Emily reams out Lorelai for the kiss and for dating a teacher. Emily thinks she has a right to be involved and to judge. Lorelai becomes sad - says Max might have been the one.

Rory yells at Paris for turning around and putting Rory in the same spot she was in, with all the family gossip. Paris does apologize - she just wanted some attention off herself, but didn’t think of others. Rory offers her hand in friendship to talk if Paris needs it.

Jackson delivers Sookie her squash blossoms. Sookie asks Jackson on a date!

Lorelai meets Max for coffee and explains how she became anxious when Rory wanted Max to come out with them. And it was the first time Rory had referred to any boyfriend by his real name. She apologizes for freaking out and being mean. Max was reprimanded by the Headmaster for his behavior, and he is definitely feeling like he’s been acting irrationally. And doesn’t like himself for that. He suggests they take a break. The part - both affirming how much they life each other. But it’s still a parting.

Rory comes home to find Lorelai crying in bed. They hold each other.

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