Gilmore Girls 2.02 “Hammers and Veils”

by Arieanna on December 10th, 2007

Gilmore Girls 2.02 "Hammers and Veils"
Original Air Date: October 9, 2001 (Recap date: December 10, 2007)
Photos, Recap & Discussion

Gilmore Girls 2.02 Hammers and Veils

Discussion Questions:

Does Emily rush dinner because she is hurt Lorelai has not told her about Max?
Did Lorelai realize that Emily found out about the engagement, by Emily’s cold shoulder? Or did Lorelai just really want to share it with her?
Why did Emily treat Lorelai badly after hearing of the engagement?
If you were admissions at Harvard, would Paris or Rory’s resume look better? Is social life a factor?
Is Dean irrational to be asking Rory to spend time with him? Or is Richard’s tirade still bothering Dean?
Why does Emily make the whole situation about herself? That Emily is the victim and her hurt supercedes Lorelai’s happiness?

Gilmore Girls Episode Recap & Photos:

Lolreai comes down with a newspaper veil - she went to a fancy dress store but freaked out at the styles and the whole process. Rory grabs the keys - they will go together.

Madeline, Louise and Paris are looking at summer school courses - to get ahead - and apparently Rory may as well. There is a charity home-building project that Paris tries to convince Rory not to attend. Henry asks how Lane is - he can’t get through calling and Mrs. Kim scares him.

Lorelai doesn’t want to tell her parents she’s getting married in 3 months - she puts the ring on another finger. Emily has them rush through dinner on the pretense that Richard has an early flight. Richard asks to speak with Rory, to apologize again, to make sure they are fine. Emily will not look at or talk to Lorelai. Lorelai switches the ring and tells Emily that she and Max are getting married. Emily says it’s ‘very nice’ that they ‘hope they’re in town’ and goes to the kitchen.

Luke is not surprised that Lorelai’s news did not go over well - he cynically says that there is nothing like a wedding to ruin a family. His examples are perhaps a little to specific to be made-up.

Lorelai gives Rory a pretty hammer with bows and fuzz. Lane brings over all her if-my-mother-finds-them-she’ll-throw-them-out possessions for Rory to keep while Lane is away. Dean comes over and gets a bit pouty that Rory will be gone all day.

Rory doesn’t get any instruction on what to do - so just decides to randomly nail something. Paris yells at her for being on ‘her wall’. This is not Paris’ first time working with Rebuilding Together - she’s a pro. Paris has been volunteering since 4th grade to get into Harvard - an endless string of charities. Rory is stunned.

Rory cancels her date with Dean to get caught up on 10 years of extra-curricular’s.

"I can’t hang out and kick back. I need to find a retarded kid and teach him how to play softball."

Rory feels horrible and under qualified. Dean is whining that he wants some Rory time - that with 3 days of school a week, he figured Rory would spend some of the summer with him. Rory calls Dean immature. Harvard is her dream. Later, Rory is hitting walls trying to find places and ways to volunteer.

Max tells Lorelai how thrilled his parents were - his mother cried twice. Lorelai is having a bit of a pity party comparing her parents with his. Max tries to rationalize Emily’s behavior given their past, but that just annoys Lorelai. They leave and Lorelai directs Max unknowingly to drive to the Gilmore house. Lorelai accuses Emily of never caring. She cries in her anger - saying that it hurts that Emily is never happy for her.

Sookie is busy preparing food ideas for Lorelai’s engagement party, so must block Lorelai from the kitchen. But is unsuccessful. Lorelai is in awe of Sookie’s preparations. And does not even mention to Sookie that she and Emily are having issues, or that Sookie was inadvertently involved.

Engagement party is in Stars Hollow town square - mountains of gifts, the queen and king on their thrones, music, dancing child brides - it’s amazing. Max will have to leave soon to teach his summer course in Toronto, so they will be apart until the wedding.

Dean apologizes to Rory for being jealous of Harvard. Lorelai seems sad that Luke is not there and excuses herself to go to the diner. Lorelai asks him to come - that it is a big night for her, and it feels like he should be there.

Jackson thinks that Sookie is dropping hints about marriage and breaks down - says he’s not ready for that but will move in with her. Sookie just laughs - thinks that he’s joking. Lorelai and Max are dancing - Luke comes, smiles and sits to watch. Lorelai waves back.

Lorelai makes a peace offering to Emily - asks her advice on veils. Emily sees through the ploy. Lorelai apologizes. She says whenever something good happens to her, she’s afraid Emily will make her feel bad. And if something bad happens to Lorelai, she fears Emily will say ‘I told you so’. She shares in the blame - but tells Emily that she is wrong to think Emily’s words have no effect on her. Emily is not ready to apologize straightforward, but instead suggests Lorelai wear a tiara instead (because of her big head).