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Gilmore Girls 4.03 “The Hobbit, the Sofa and Digger Stiles”

by Arieanna on February 15th, 2008

Gilmore Girls 4.03 "The Hobbit, the Sofa and Digger Stiles"
Original Air Date: October 7, 2003 (Recap date: February 15, 2008)
Photos, Recap & Discussion

Discussion Questions:

• Why does Rory want to try so many classes?
• Why isn’t Lorelai looking for work?
• Why did Emily redecorate without asking Rory or Lorelai? Why did she do it?
• Do you think Emily is manipulating Richard to speak with Digger?
• Does Rory not want to open the door to the party because she is shy, embarrassed by the room, or anti-social?
• Is Paris a different person now?
• Why isn’t Rory socializing more?
• Do you think Sookie is prepared to be a mom?
• Why did Rory leave her dorm room in the first place?
• Should Rory confront Emily?
• Do you think it smart for Richard to go into business with Digger out of revenge?

Gilmore Girls Episode Recap & Photos:

Lorelai has brought Rory another batch of "I miss you" stuff - a rug from her, muffins from Luke, cookies from Sookie and a copy of the Stars Hollow Gazette. Rory says she already subscribed to it. It’s Shopping Week at Yale, so Rory can try out as many classes as she wants before making her final decision. She wants to go to at least 50 classes. Lorelai knows that Rory is going to be an hour early for her class, as keen as she was in elementary school.

Lorelai catches a whiff of "guilt and Chanel No. 5" and says that Emily has been there. Rory says no. Rory’s 4th roommate arrived the day before. Her name is Janet. She jogs.

Rory walks triumphantly into a completely empty classroom. Rory is just about to give up and leave when another student walks in. The TA makes fun of them.

The initial cost of renovating the Inn is $20,000 more than they expected. Jackson is hooking up the baby monitor to the house sound system - the cutest creepy thing he’s done yet. Sookie has an idea for them to go into party planning while they are out of work - to cater and plan parties. And the first birthday party is in a week for a little boy.

Rory stumbles into her dorm and drops her books. Then looks up to a fully re-decorated common room. Emily calls and asks if Rory sat on the couch yet. She did it - wants Rory to live like a "Yalie". She had snuck in to measure and had bribed to let the movers in. Aside from the couches and tables there is an entertainment unit with a plasma tv with all the extras. Rory doesn’t like the implication this has on the social structure with her roommates - it makes the common room ‘her’ room. Emily says ‘exactly’ and to never underestimate the value of the upper hand. That status matters.

Lorelai is running around her house grabbing plate and phone and the phone rings as she sits on the couch. It’s Rory. Lorelai complains about the party plans. Rory complains about Emily. Rory’s $25,000 make-over wins. Lorelai gloats a bit about what happens when you sleep with dogs. But Lorelai knows what trying to give the stuff back would result in. Keeping it is easier. At least when Emily attacks Rory’s soul, future and independence she threw in an ottoman. Rory is amused by Janet’s fitness routine.

Emily tells Richard that Jason (Digger) Stiles called. Richard does not want to speak with him. Thinks he has been sent to do his father’s dirtywork (from the firm that pushed Richard out). Emily invited Digger to dinner the next day because it was polite.

Paris is excited because the first party of the year will be on their floor. She wants to leave their door open and be a part of it. Rory meanwhile is covering the couch with a sheet so she can put her feet up. Paris doesn’t have suck-up furniture to solidify her social standing - she thinks opening the door will be less passive than just going to the party.

The Lord of the Rings party decorations are under control. Sookie ignores Lorelai’s attempts to ask about the menu. Seems like she’s got it under control. Lane brings over some props - a little cranky after having worn a bracelet to school. She was punished, parents were called, had a special prayer for her, etc.

Paris calls Lorelai to complain that Rory is not adjusting well. Rory walks in when Paris is ranting about the party. Rory wants to kill Paris. Lorelai does suggest that Rory get out and do the social part of Yale - not sit and read all night. Rory will open the door.

Tana picks Rory’s Chilton outfit as what she wants to wear for the party. Paris begs Rory to let her theme their room for the party. Paris wants to wipe out the past 18 years - nobody knows her there, so she can be the fun Paris. Rory caves on a candle.

Lorelai is costuming up all the kids and pacifying little fights. Sookie arrives with an entourage of assistants and goes to the kitchen to prep.

Digger arrives and flatters Emily on his way to Richard’s office. He wants to partner with Richard, and is willing to buy his way in and will bring all his clients. His youth and clients could add to Richard’s reputation for a killer of a company. Richard thinks it’s a joke. Digger says it’s no joke - he wants to work somewhere where people haven’t known him since he was a kid, where he can be on his own, and where he won’t be called Digger. That, and it would really piss off his dad. Richard can imagine that face. Digger doesn’t hate his father - he just doesn’t want to be him.

Richard has not said yes yet, but he does seem pleased. As does Emily, who would like Richard to work less.

Sookie is setting up her food, but has a hard time grasping the concept of paper plates and plastic tablecloths, themed or not. And Lorelai has to remind Sookie to put the chafing dish away - fire is not good around kids. Out comes the brie, and Lorelai panics about the food. Sookie says not to worry, there are things for the kids.

Paris goes around advertising her ‘conversation room’ to the other students. Is proud of their room - and sabotaged the only other good room. Rory is bored. She goes to her room to read, but rethinks and goes to mingle. Madeline and Louise show up. They are making the rounds at all the first week parties at all the schools.

Rory spots the other keener guy from the class and goes to talk, but is intercepted by twin girls who ask if she is Rory Gilmore. Kick and Mickey, whose mom is tight with Emily in the DAR. Rory tries to evade, but they grab her and pull her to the couch, where they proceed to talk over her.

Paris comes over to say she’s not having fun and doesn’t have a ‘group.’ One more drunk guy and Paris flips - kicks everyone out, including the twins ‘Bim and Bim.’

The Lord of the Rings is almost over, so Lorelai goes to check on the food. Sookie is putting it out, but it’s all fancy food. Sookie has food for the adults, but Lorelai asks where the kids food is. A kid comes out and tastes a carrot, then puts it back. Says it tastes like diaper. Of all the dishes, only one is for the kids - a macaroni with a chipotle cream sauce. Lorelai says the kids won’t eat that. Sookie thinks kids don’t eat much, and thought Lorelai was only joking about the popcorn balls. And the cake is inedible too - chocolate with rum raisin ganache.

Lorelai goes into disaster mode and has one of the assistants go get packaged pizzas and cupcakes and junk food. Sookie doesn’t get it - she cooked all week and planned this very thoroughly. Sookie gets mad at Lorelai for presuming what the kids will like and for taking over. Sookie yells at a little girl who comes in looking for juice - and asks ‘what’s the matter’ when the girl makes to cry. Lorelai pacifies the situation.

Sookie says "I can’t do this" and points at her stomach. Sookie is worried her child will not like her. She realizes all the mistakes she made that night. Sookie says kids don’t like her, and she’s not sure she likes them. Sookie starts to cry and says she’ll be a bad mother. Lorelai tells Sookie that her little boy is very lucky and reminds Sookie how well she did with Rory. Sookie is ok now - just not ok enough to clean up the vomit.

Rory goes outside her dorm and spots the guy from her class, naked on the floor. Snoring. Rory wakes him up. He realizes he’s naked and on the wrong floor. He looks forward to being "the naked guy" for the next few years. Rory says maybe nobody saw him. Rory lends him her robe, and he introduces himself as Marty. Marty goes to look for his pants saying he is officially stupider than his brother.

Rory has decided now is the time to tell Emily to butt out of her life. She starts, falters, and the is interrupted by Richard announcing he’s going into business with Jason Stiles. Emily disapproves that both Jason and Richard are motivated by revenge. Emily goes on about how sons should not do that to their fathers. Rory loses her moment. Lorelai makes chicken clucking noises.

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POSTED IN: Discussions, Edward Herrmann, Emily Gilmore, Gilmore Girls Recaps, Gilmore Girls Screencaps, Lorelai Gilmore, Paris Geller, Rory Gilmore, Sookie St. James