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Gilmore Girls 3.20 “Say Goodnight, Gracie”

by Arieanna on February 8th, 2008

Gilmore Girls 3.20 "Say Goodnight, Gracie"
Original Air Date: May 6, 2003 (Recap date: February 8, 2008)
Recap & Discussion

Discussion Questions:

• Is Lorelai proud of Rory for having guys fight over her?
• Why is Mrs. Kim giving Lane the silent treatment?
• Why does Luke want to lay all blame on Jess?
• Does Lorelai miss her parents?
• Is Rory going to the Chilton prom? If not, why?
• Did Mrs. Kim say yes, or no to Dave?
• Do you think Luke should have let Jess meet his father?
• Why can’t Rory and Jess face each other? Is it the fight, or the bedroom scene?
• Is Dean too young to marry? Is Rory jealous?
• Was it in bad taste to ask about the Dragonfly at the funeral?
• Did Jimmy intentionally bring Luke into the discussion with Jess out of spite?
• Did Luke do the right thing, not giving Jess other options or support?
• Could Jess have gotten his GED instead of going back to school?
• Why doesn’t Jess tell Rory the truth about everything? About leaving?

Gilmore Girls Episode Recap & Photos:

Rory has gone to fetch Lane’s backpack - which was a different color the night before (I don’t want to know what’s on it). Lorelai wants to hear all about the party. Rory says there was ’some fight’, but does not say with whom. Luke comes, having been called by Kyle’s father to ‘assess the damage‘ from the two guys who got into a fight. Luke thinks it was ’somebody whose name rhymes with Tess,’ Lorelai eyes Rory with that suspicion.

Instead of getting mad at Rory for being the inspiration for the fight and the damages, Lorelai sings "Did you ever know that you’re my hero, you’re everything I would like to be…" from ‘Wind Beneath My Wings.’ Lorelai chases after Rory singing the rest.

Some of the Inn guests want to take cooking classes with Sookie. Lorelai says Rory is going to dinner at the Gilmore’s that night, but she is not. And feels guilty about it. She hopes it will pass.

Lane tells Rory she came home after the party and the house was dark. No Mrs. Kim waiting up. She was asleep. And the next morning acts like nothing happened - like there was no drunken call. It’s not likely Mrs. Kim did not hear. Lane asks what the smell is - her backpack. So Lane has punished herself with extra Church work, going to the Adventist college, and not going to prom with Dave.

Jess is very busy at the diner. Taylor walks into the diner singing ‘Candy Man’ and handing out flyers and samples. Taylor’s Olde Fashioned Soda Shoppe and Candy Store is open. Luke comes back from his ‘errand’ and Jess complains about how busy it is and how he can’t get a guy to leave and it will affect his tips. Luke asks if Jess means ‘his’ tips. Luke tells Jess he was at Kyle’s. Won’t listen when Jess says Dean started it. Jess’ diner pay will go to pay for the damages - along with Dean, who already worked out a plan with the family to repay them.

The guy hogging the table leaves, but forgets his wallet. Luke runs out to him, pulling out the ID to see who he was. His jaw drops.

Lorelai decides to call her mom to see how she is doing. They fight over ‘whose choice’ it was that they are not seeing each other. Emily has nothing to say to Lorelai and doesn’t believe they can have a relationship.

Rory is late for the meeting to go over the final edition of the Franklin. Louise and Madeline are trying to choose their combo of date, dress and car for prom. Paris already has plans for prom night that include a private car with Jamie, dinner and a helicopter ride to Martha’s Vineyard. Rory doesn’t have plans to share yet.

There is a sign on Weston’s that Fran has died. They both can’t help thinking about the Dragonfly and whether they can now get it. They have a touch of guilt for wishing Fran to die, despite loving her, to get the Inn.

Lane is trying to talk to her mom, but it’s not working well. Dave comes by in a suit to talk with Mrs. Kim - says he has a crush on Lane too. Lists off all his good qualities. Says he wants to take Lane to prom. Mrs. Kim recites a quote, which just confuses him. Neither he nor Lane know if it was a yes or a no. Dave kisses Lane before going to look up the reference.

Luke goes to see the guy from the diner, who Luke seems to know. His name is Jimmy, and he is Jess’ father. Luke calls Jimmy a loser that Jess does not miss. Jimmy has not seen Jess for 17 years since Jimmy took off when he was supposed to be out buying diapers. Luke wants to know why he’s there, why then. Luke says Jess is having a hard enough time without Jimmy around. Luke threatens to put Jimmy’s head through a wall if he deters Jess from the path.

It’s the day of Fran’s funeral. Lorelai takes Miss Patty there, crying and looking back on what’s truly important in life - she is glad she had ‘all that sex.’ Rory goes to see Jess but can’t make herself go in. Jess spots her, but can’t make himself go out. He runs after her a little, then comes back in.

Fran’s friend gives a memorial speech and starts talking about the Dragonfly, but then the microphone cuts out. Lorelai and Sookie are trying to hear if the Inn has been passed on to anybody. While they bow their heads in silence for Fran, the marching band starts up outside - Taylor forgot to tell them his opening was postponed.

Lorelai and Sookie hover around the lawyer there to settle Fran’s affairs. Rory leaves them to tempt the ground to open.

Dean asks to speak with Rory - he asked Lindsay to marry him, and she said yes. Rory can just say ‘why?’ And lectures Dean about being too young, focusing on college, etc. Dean is hurt and angry, and lashes out at Jess, saying Rory chose him and he treats her like dirt. He’s angry Rory is not more happy for him.

Lane gives a heartfelt apology to her mother, saying she did everything her mother told her not to do. Lane is on her way to punish herself in her room when Dave comes by again, this time a bit more disheveled in his suit. Dave tells Mrs. Kim he read the whole Bible that night and doesn’t know what it (what she said) means. Dave asks for her to tell him, he’s ‘just so tired.’

Mrs. Kim says it’s not from the Bible. It’s Shakespeare. She tells Dave she is very impressed he read the entire Bible in one night. Mrs. Kim tells Dave they can go to the prom, but ‘not get married.’ Though Lane is grounded, Mrs. Kim tells Dave he can call her.

Lorelai and Sookie don’t have time to wait for the procession to complete, so go up to the lawyer (who is carrying the casket) to ask about the Dragonfly. He tells them the family is going to sell the Inn. He tells them to call on Monday - if the check clears, he says it’s all theirs. They jump up and down, the only ones not somber in the procession.

The "loser coffee guy" comes to the diner to see Jess after hours. Jimmy tells Jess he’s his father. Jimmy thought Luke would have told him. Jess is angry. They sit down over coffee, stealing furtive glances at each other. Unintentionally both start bobbing to and mouthing the words to a song on the radio. Jimmy runs out.

Lorelai points out a pretty dress and wants to take Rory shopping for prom. Rory gets upset and says she might not need a dress. Because of the party, the fight, and the "thing in Kyle’s bedroom." Lorelai pulls Rory into the jeep for privacy.

Rory rants about Jess not telling her anything, and goes from happy to not. She doesn’t like fighting and yet not fighting, because he walks away. Rory doesn’t want to sit around thinking about when they’ll talk, if Jess is mad or why he’s mad. Lorelai begs to know what happened in Kyle’s bedroom. Rory said she went to find Jess and they were kissing and it ’seemed like he wanted to…’ But they didn’t. Then he got mad, and Rory doesn’t know if it was about that or not, or if he was mad at her or in general. She doesn’t want to be the girl whose boyfriend treats her like dirt. Rory knows something has been going on for a while, but Lorelai says he’ll only talk if he wants to.

Jess confronts Luke about going to see Jimmy. Jess knows he had a right to know his father was there, even if Luke hate’s him. That Luke owed it to him to tell him, prepare him. Luke says no, he’s the one trying to knock sense into Jess and get him to take things seriously. The one taking care of him. Jess says he’s ‘not graduating’, but doesn’t tell Luke why, so Luke assumes Jess did it on purpose. Luke makes fun of Jess’ job at Walmart. Tells him he has to quit his job and go back to school. When Jess refuses, Luke tells him he has to leave.

Lorelai brought back breakfast from Luke’s so that Rory would not need to go there. Dean’s engagement is in the paper. Rory wants him to be happy, but doesn’t understand why they are getting married.

Jess is on the same bus as Rory, but they didn’t know it right away with the bus being full. They make small talk. Then Jess tells Rory he can’t go to prom because he couldn’t get tickets. Rory looks sad, but it’s her stop and she has to go. Jess says he’ll call. Rory gets off the bus and Jess pulls up a duffel bag - he’s leaving.

Tags: gilmore girls, gilmore girls season 3, say goodnight gracie, gilmore girls episodes, gilmore girls pictures, gilmore girls screencaps, rory jess, dragonfly inn

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POSTED IN: Dean Forester, Discussions, Gilmore Girls Recaps, Gilmore Girls Screencaps, Jess Mariano, Lane Kim, Lorelai Gilmore, Luke Danes, Rory Gilmore, Rory's love life, Sookie St. James