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Classic Romantic Moment: Remembering Gilmore Girls’ Luke and Lorelai

Gilmore Girls Luke and Lorelai Featured

THE SHOW: Gilmore Girls

THE PAIRING: Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and Luke Danes (Scott Patterson)

THE MOMENT: First Kisses, Season Four Episode 22, “Raincoats and Recipes.”


WB’s mother-daughter coming-of-age show Gilmore Girls still remains one of the most popular shows out there. At least, without looking at the technical numbers, this seems to be a general consensus thanks to the news of its return. For those unfamiliar, Gilmore Girls is about a single mother, Lorelai who is raising her daughter in the small town of Stars Hollow. While daughter Rory had a rotating group of young men vying for her heart – a primary three that sparked various “team X” fan girls, the will-they-or-won’t-they pairing of her mother, Lorelai with diner owner Luke Danes is the one relationship most viewers were most united on.

RELATED | 7 Reasons the Return of Gilmore Girls is the Best News Ever

With all of the Netflix revival news related to Gilmore Girls, I thought it might be fun to spotlight a moment between the epic romance of Luke and Lorelai. Because this show aired for seven years, making a compelling case for these two without a reader knowing the context isn’t the easiest of tasks. But I shall endeavor to at least try and hope anyone unfamiliar with this show might be curious enough to finally see what the fuss is about.

The Lead-In of Luke and Lorelai

From the very beginning, there were sparks between Luke and Lorelai. From Luke keeping Lorelai hydrated with her daily fix of caffeine to near kisses while pondering the best paint colors to faking marriage while apartment hunting, these two enjoyed a solid and memorable friendship before anything else happened.

"You Wanna' Dance?" Luke and Lorelai
“You Wanna’ Dance?”

GG Screencap31 Luke and Lorelai

Luke (Scott Patterson) and Lorelai (Lauren Graham) dance
Luke (Scott Patterson) and Lorelai (Lauren Graham) dance.

Until the one day, Luke finds Lorelai crying on a bench about the preemptive failure of a 20-year dream that involved owning her own inn. This moment changes their relationship. An invitation to his sister’s wedding follows where Lorelai learns “Luke can waltz!” in one of the sweetest, albeit adorably awkward first dance scenes ever. Later, the movie-hater Luke issues an invitation to a movie (this might suggest Lorelai is dating Luke, but if you were to ask her, she’s not sure).

All of this leads to the one momentous moment that forever shifts their relationship. Not to mention, a scene that though messy, is perfectly Luke and Lorelai.

Beware spoilers are ahead!

The Romantic Moment: Luke and Lorelai

As an investor in Lorelai’s new business, Luke earns himself an invitation to her family and friends weekend test run at the inn. He’s delighted, of course, until he spies Lorelai’s ex-boyfriend at Lorelai’s opening. Imagine his surprise because, well, Luke being Luke (the flannel-wearing strong silent type he is), he just assumes Lorelai knows his intentions. (Why does he really need to spell anything out?)

Gilmore Girls Screencap2 Luke and Lorelai

After everyone has gone home and the inn is quiet, he confronts Lorelai about what her ex Jason just told him. He feels a fool and he tells her so. Teetering on the edge of hysteria he asks, “I’m not a mysterious man, am I?” Snappy with an immediate comeback, Lorelai teases, “…Well, the wardrobe is a bit of a head-scratcher,” referencing his propensity to wear flannel and a ball cap.

Gilmore Girls Screencap4 Luke and Lorelai

Gilmore Girls Screencap3 Luke and Lorelai

Ignoring her, as he’s prone to do when Lorelai takes nothing seriously, he proceeds. “…I think I’ve been very very clear with my intentions.” Angry, animated and very nearly out the door, Luke exclaims, “You knew what I was doing!”

Gilmore Girls Screencap6 Luke and Lorelai

Gilmore Girls Screencap7 -Luke and Lorelai

Putting on a bit of a baffled front, Lorelai counters with “Well, no, not officially.” A normally calm and collected Lorelai is flustered and unsuccessfully tries to get a word in. She does want to know how she was meant to know Luke wanted there to be an “us” between them.

Facing her, incredulous, Luke’s rant continues. “Not officially? Oh, come on. I mean, I didn’t have a ref present, but other than that.”

Gilmore Girls Screencap9 -Luke and Lorelai

Determined not to let him best her in this argument, she persists. “Well, you didn’t say anything official.”

“What was I supposed to say?” Confounded by Lorelai though he’s really totally in love with her, he lists all he did to show her they were, well, a couple. “I did things. I let my actions speak. That’s what you’re supposed to do.” Slowing a bit, he reinforces his statement. “You’re supposed to let your actions speak. That’s the romantic way to do this, damn it.” He finishes in an almost dejected tone.

Gilmore Girls Screencap11 Luke and Lorelai

Trying to calm him down, she tells Luke he’s right… and she’s sorry.

Her apology falls on deaf ears. He goes on to confront her about it being wrong that she went along with each of his invitations and let him woo her when she is, according to Jason, dating another man.

Gilmore Girls Screencap16 Luke (Scott Patterson)

In no uncertain terms, Lorelai sets him straight: she’s NOT dating Jason.

But Luke isn’t done. He reaches the conclusion that all he’s done has been for nothing because… Lorelai is taken already. To an astonished Lorelai, with those words, Luke walks out the door as she exclaims, “I’m not taken!”

Gilmore Girls Screencap17 Lorelai .jpg

By this time, they’re facing each other outside the door standing on the inn’s porch. More of the argument spills over, including Luke proclaiming he did everything the book (a self-help romance book he’d read) said to do.

Gilmore Girls Screencap18 Luke and Lorelai

GG Screencap20 Luke and Lorelai

Still angry. he rambles on about never buying anyone flowers, and when he walked Lorelai home from the wedding, in a genuine way he says, “I thought there was a moment.”

“There was a moment,” she admits.GG Screencap21 Luke and Lorelai

Out of breath, abruptly Luke takes a step towards Lorelai and leans in.

Putting out her hands, Lorelai, with an edge of panic asks him, “What are you doing?”

Gilmore Girls Screencap23 Luke and Lorelai

“Would you just stand still?” is all she gets. Calmly and with authority, Luke kisses her soundly.

Gilmore Girls Screencap24 Luke and Lorelai First Kiss

Breaking apart, Lorelai takes a step back, clearly rattled.

GG Screencap29 Luke and Lorelai

Then, she steps forward leaning in.

It’s Luke’s turn to ask, “What are you doing?”

Gilmore Girls Screencap25 Luke and Lorelai

Quietly, she repeats, “would you just stand still?”

They come together again for their second first kiss. The first being Luke’s initiation, the second Lorelai’s. (Trust me, this can be a thing though probably only something Gilmore Girls could do.)

Gilmore Girls27 Luke and Loreai Kiss

GG Screencap30 Luke and Lorelai

Though their story is far from over, as they stand in the doorway kissing, for the moment, an image of happiness is present. It’s definitely one of the best moments of the entire show, and certainly one of the best kisses ever!

Have you watched Gilmore Girls? What’s your favorite Luke and Lorelai moment? Are you excited about the Netflix revival and the idea of more Luke and Lorelai scenes? Comment down below with any thoughts you have. I’d love to read your comments.


Photos: CW / WB

 

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By on February 13th, 2016

About Rissi JC

Rissi is a self-diagnosed Bookaholic and TV fandom addict. She’s currently an avid blogger and reader who enjoys interacting with readers, and often dreams about finishing her first novel. When not writing or reading, she can be found working as an INSPYs advisory board member or contributing to e-zines. Her scribbles are housed on her blog Finding Wonderland (https://www.rissiwrites.com).

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2 thoughts on “Classic Romantic Moment: Remembering Gilmore Girls’ Luke and Lorelai”

  1. Le Sigh. I LOVED Gilmore Girls with a deep and abiding affection. It was one of those series that had such relatable/unrelatable characters…you know the versions of people you would LOVE to be like; in some small part feel like you could be like, and then when you find out they like eating chinese take out and desert sushi too – you think: OMG – we’re totally twins! lol.

    I am totally excited/anxious about the new episodes a-coming — It has been so long!! Lorelai and Luke were left optimistically at the end – so I am interested to see how it went — BUT what about Rory??? I was never that fussed on Dean; Pre-Jesse was kinda a you-know-what – and Logan? Grrr – I only ever just tolerated him. But CHANGED-Jesse? After the book-shop etc? I wonder….?

    • As do I, Valancy, though I’m still not done with it. I’m savoring it by dragging it out, I suppose. 🙂

      I don’t think I’ve met changed Jesse yet, and I very much look forward to meeting him. Because everyone seems to adore him! I’d be willing to give him a second chance if I like this new Jesse. Right now, I’m kind of in a I-don’t-really-care-about-him place. But I DO so want to see Luke and Lorelai together as I suspect most GG fangirls do. 🙂

      Thanks so much for commenting!

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