Gilmore Girls News - #1 Community for Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls 1.14 “That Damn Donna Reed”

by Arieanna on November 27th, 2007

Gilmore Girls 1.14 "That Damn Donna Reed"
Original Air Date: February 22, 2001 (Recap date: November 27, 2007)
Photos, Recap & Discussion

Discussion Questions:

• Why does Lorelai get separation anxiety about Rory sleeping next door when she seemed fine letting Rory stay at the Gilmore house during the storm?
• Why did Lorelai shy away from the tender moment with Luke?
• Is missing-Stella the first time Lorelai asks Luke to help her with something at her house?
• What does Luke read into Lorelai asking for his help? Does he think it is a more-than-friends thing? Does he think the chick is a ploy?
• Why does Lorelai seem surprised when Sookie suggests maybe there is something more going on with Luke?
• What are Lorelai’s feelings for Luke at this point? Is she confused?
• Was Lorelai flirting with Luke after they bought paint?
• How does Christopher’s return to town affect Lorelai / Luke’s chances?

Gilmore Girls Episode Recap / Photos:

Dean brings over pizza to movie night - the Donna Reed show. The spotlessly perfect life where nothing happens. Lorelai and Rory make up their own more interesting dialogue, but Dean is charmed by the family life and the wife cooking dinner.

Lorelai suggests Luke ’spruce up’ the diner with paint - Taylor has barked up that tree before with the town ‘beautification committee’. Luke doesn’t like to paint, and won’t close to do it - Lorelai suggests she come over for a midnight painting party.

Click to enlarge

The Gilmore’s find their Martha Vineyard plans shattered by full bookings - Lorelai tries to convince them to go somewhere else. Like Europe - but they only go in Fall when it’s cheaper to travel first class. Lorelai floors them by suggesting they fly coach.

Babette comes to ask if Rory can look after their new kitten, Apricot. Housesit for the night. Lorelai has a bit of a panic - it will be only the 2nd night she and Rory spend apart.

The troubadour! Dean picks up Rory from the bus, who has taken home a chick to co-habitate with / study for a month. Dean makes an offhand comment about oppressed wives shopping for their husbands more on Thursdays, which upsets Rory. They have their first fight, about the rights of women to choose to be at home, or not. And to not have to be perfect.

Lorelai names the chick Stella. Then goes to get Luke to choose new paint colors. Kirk lost a bet to Taylor that Luke was painting. Rory tries to do her homework, but is upset about Dean.

Click to enlarge

Luke chooses colors just slightly richer than those already there. It has not been painted since his dad was alive. How much of his life was tied into the Hardware store. Always wanting to work there. He made it a diner because he liked to cook a bit more. Lorelai is sad she doesn’t have that relationship with her own father - but Luke reminds her that she has it with Rory.

Luke shows Lorelai the spot where his dad took an order on the wall. She suggests they not spruce that. It almost looks like they will kiss, but Taylor and the town are at the door trying to see what’s happening. Luke whispers ‘thank you’ and there is another tender moment. Lorelai gets nervous and decides to leave for the night. Luke looks like being that forward cost him a lot.

Rory goes to borrow a CD from Lane, who pulls it out of her secret under-the-floorboards compartments. Lorelai returns home to find Stella missing.

"Stelllllllaaaaaaaa"

Lorelai calls Luke to help her find the chick. He seems surprised, but goes right over. He seems surprised to know that there is actually a chick.

Dean calls to check that Rory still wants him over - but he’s already outside. Meanwhile, Rory has done herself up Donna Reed-style. She is extra polite. Has candles everywhere. And has made Dean dinner. Surprises abound.

Lorelai asks Luke what he meant when he commented there actually was a chick in the house. Why did he come, otherwise? He evades.

Click to enlarge

Dean is impressed, Rory can cook, and he’s never had anyone but mom cook before. He tells Rory he does not expect her to be Donna Reed, just herself. Rory said it was fun and that she learned that she was one of the first women television executives, as well as acting on the show.

They found Stella. Luke tosses out the lamp he broke, and sees Dean tossing out garbage next door. Rory and Lorelai come out. Each pair asks what the other were doing, and each evade. Lorelai is not mad about Dean, but does make fun of Rory’s outfit. Apricot goes missing, so Lorelai goes to help.

Sookie toys with Michel by not making him an egg white omelet on principal - though she makes a mean one. Just enjoys torturing him. Sookie tells Lorelai that the chick line was a lot like code for ‘I’m not wearing any underwear.’ And asks why Lorelai called Luke, of all the many people who could help. She evades it all - but it should come as no surprise, after Luke has already asked her out… Lorelai is upset, and even Sookie saying Luke is a nice man doesn’t help.

The Gilmore’s found a Martha’s Vineyard place after someone died. Rory talks about her chick, and lets slip about Luke finding her. Emily pounces on why he was there. She says Luke is the male lead in every story Lorelai tells. She thinks Lorelai is lying about him. Says she is not blind to her daughter’s life. And asks Lorelai, out of respect for her mother:

"Do you have feelings for this man?"

"I don’t know. Maybe I do. I haven’t given it much thought. Maybe I do."

Emily gloats over getting it out of her, but then degrades her for possibly considering Luke.

Lorelai bought an enormous amount of paint. Lorelai suggests they paint Friday - that she can get out of dinner for a ’special occasion’. She smiles nervously.

A man on a motorcycle drives into town - Lorelai drools over it. A motorcycle buff. It’s Christopher - Rory’s dad. Surprise all around. Rory begs Lorelai to let Christopher stay at their place. Christopher takes Rory for a ride and Lorelai, with an angry yet pleased look, whispers…

"Christopher…."

Click to enlarge

Tags: gilmore girls, gilmore girls season 1, that damn donna reed, donna reed, 1.14. 1×14, episode 14, gilmore girls screencaps, gilmore girls photos, gilmore girls episodes, recaps, discussions

Share This

Related Stories

• Ode to the Stars Hollow Troubadour
• Alexis Bledel at “I’m Reed Fish” Premiere
• I’m Reed Fish
• Alexis Bledel “I’m Reed Fish”
• Gilmore Girls Season 1

POSTED IN: Christopher Hayden, Discussions, Gilmore Girls Recaps, Gilmore Girls Screencaps, Lorelai's love life, Luke Danes