Gilmore Girls News - #1 Community for Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls 1.18 “The Third Lorelai”

by Arieanna on December 3rd, 2007

Gilmore Girls 1.18 "The Third Lorelai"
Original Air Date: March 22, 2001 (Recap date: December 3, 2007)
Photos, Recap & Discussion

Discussion Questions:

• Emily goes on a tirade about the unwanted gifts from her mother-in-law, but doesn’t she do the same to Lorelai?
• Rory and Tristan are awkward together, why? Is it regret? Or liking?
• Are Paris and Rory friends now?
• Tristan does not clue into Rory’s movie references - is that a clue about their incompatibility?
• Why does Tristan ask out Paris?
• Why does Trix want to give Rory money?
• Was Emily right? Would money give Rory freedom to be apart from Lorelai?
• Why did Tristan tell Paris that the date was Rory’s idea?

Gilmore Girls Episode Recap & Photos:

Richard is the bearer of ‘good’ news - Lorelai the first, his mother, is coming for a visit. Emily does not seem excited. Emily goes to the basement to unpack 35 years of unwanted gifts, like the ’stupid naked angel butts.’ Has a near breakdown.

At Chilton, Rory is in an Elizabethan Government project with Tristan, and the two are awkwardly looking at / avoiding each other. Paris suggests that Tristan and Rory be King and Queen. Neither are keen to do this. Madeline volunteers to be Queen. Paris has scheduled them to work all weekend. Paris asks what’s up between Rory & Tristan - Rory avoids that. Paris asks for Rory’s particular opinion on her manifesto. They seem like friends now.

Rory forgets a book and goes back. Bumps into Tristan. Asks him to talk - wants to make sure things are not weird between them. He agrees, reluctantly, because the whole time you can see just how much he likes her. How flustered he is.

Emily is calling to get Lorelai to bring back a hat rack she had re-gifted to her - Lorelai makes fun of her for the ‘used’ present.

Rory and Tristan talk - agree they were both upset over their break-ups. Tristan says the kiss didn’t mean anything. Rory apologizes for crying - which had confused Tristan. Rory assures him that she cried because she hadn’t cried and was confused, not because of the kiss. That it was a ‘nice kiss.’ Tristan jokes about wanting to try again. He wants to swear off girls, which makes Rory laugh - she instead suggests avoiding girls with no substance. Like Paris.

Click to enlarge

Lorelai is excited to see Emily’s discomfort with her mother-in-law. Richard calls his mother Trix. Trix takes great pleasure in ordering Emily on useless errands and insulting her, while she does praise Lorelai for her self-sufficiency and wit. Gets annoyed that Rory wishes to go to Harvard not Yale. And asks how Lorelai pays for Chilton. Everything seems to displease her.

Click to enlarge

Rory kicks off study day with coffee and clown-shaped donuts, and positive feedback on Paris’ governmental mandate. Tristan pulls Paris into the hall to ask her on a date.

Paris drops by - pulling her ‘if you need to talk’ card. She needs help with clothes and makeup for her date. And support for her nerves. Rory takes her to Lorelai’s closet for clothes. Though she admits to missing Dean, she’s doing her best to impart advice and make the date fabulous for Paris.

Trix says that loaning money - and borrowing money - are distasteful things. She wants to instead give the money for Rory’s education. It is part of Rory’s trust fund - just available early. Lorelai is touched - Emily furious. Emily tries to tell Lorelai not to accept the money - that Rory would not need Lorelai if she had all that money. Emily sees money as the only tie between parent and child - but really is more worried about her tie to Lorelai and Rory.

Lorelai goes to tuck Rory in - sees the dreams on her wall. Harvard. Travel. Sookie tries to assure Lorelai that Rory is not going anywhere - that Emily is messing with her mind. But what if the money does change their relationship? Emily yells at Richard about Trix ruining everything. Tells Richard Lorelai will never come back if they have that money.

Click to enlarge

Paris is glowing about her date - and her kiss! Paris was a little eager in thanking Tristan - but he doesn’t want to go out again as anything more than friends. And tells Paris that the whole date was Rory’s idea. Paris turns around and yells at Rory - says she hates her. Rory confronts Tristan, who says:

"Is it better that I keep dating her even though I like somebody else?"

Though he’s looking at Rory pointedly, Rory thinks Tristan is referring to Summer. He sounds both sarcastic and hurt in his affirmation - Rory clues in.

Emily thinks something she said stopped Lorelai from telling Rory about the money. Lorelai tells Emily there is something wrong with her - to twist something great into something ugly. Trix witnesses their spat and decides to renege on her offer - that Lorelai is not mature enough to manage that sum of money, and that it’s Emily’s fault she is that way. Emily wants to fix it, but Lorelai says it’s ok. She seems relieved.

Lorelai picks up Rory at the bus stop and they each break the bad news. Lorelai may never see her black mini again. And Rory lost out on a quarter of a million dollars.

Click to enlarge

Tags: gilmore girls, gilmore girls season 1, the third lorelai, 1.18, gilmore girls photos, gilmore girls recaps, tristan rory, gilmore girls episodes, gilmore girls discussions

Share This

Related Stories

• New Poll: Will the marriage last?
• Meant to be… Lorelai. Luke. Christopher.
• Luke spills… but not to Lorelai
• Christopher rich?
• The Secrets of Stars Hollow

POSTED IN: Discussions, Emily Gilmore, Gilmore Girls Characters, Gilmore Girls Recaps, Gilmore Girls Screencaps, Paris Geller, Rory Gilmore, Rory's love life