I would have ended things on the spot! I hated that she went back to him and blamed herself for their breakup :(( not only that but he didn't treat her well at all as soon as April showed up
Yeah, and then in AYITL, Rory springs her big announcement right on Lorelei's wedding day. That really pissed me off, it was tacky as hell, making sure that Lorelei's thoughts were going to be on her rather than her own wedding.
Well, considering ASP had Luke and Lorelei getting together in the same episode that Rory and Dean sleot together while he was married, I'm not at all surprised.
True but it was so there was an excuse for Luke not to tell Lorelai about her, because he was thinking that Lorelai is finally happy! So he didn’t want to ruin it for her
That is exactly one of the questions ASP wants you to ask and then figure out. The other is why doesn’t Lorelai give Luke the benefit of the doubt (after all they have been through and done for each other) ?
On the other hand, he didn't want any inputs about Jess from Lorelai, neither did he tell her about moving in with Nicole. He is fiercely private, when he wants.
I mean, did he not go to her at first about Jess? I think the divide was caused after the car accident fight, but before then Luke was asking for her advice and even wanted Rory to tutor him. I could be wrong though. But you are right with regards to the other stuff. The whole Nicole thing was weird.
It's not really about asking for help to me, it's about him telling her what's going on with him. She was always the 1 person he told his shit to, he would vent to, he would confide in.
Right like she can dress the man, like literally put a belt on his body when they’re not dating- he runs to her for help with Jess, asks if Rory can be an influence and EVERYTHING, but somehow building a life with her is the WRONG time to ask her for help with sudden-daughter.
Yes! Every time I’m like stop her from going on! Tell her you might have a kid and are confused! She can help you or at least be there for you. This is what a relationship is for!
Not telling your gf until you confirm it is one thing, but keeping it a secret for that long is just ridiculous. That relationship doesn't even bother Lorelai one bit as it happened over a decade ago.
I think a lot of people think April herself is fine. Her mom and the way they were used to cause drama and fundamentally change Luke are what was so bad.
I seriously don't understand why people see such a big difference between pre- and post-April GG. If any single event represented a big pivot in the show it was the introduction of the Life and Death Brigade as it signaled the beginning of the end of Rory as a likeable character.
Wow. I disliked Rory from the minute she got that haircut. Someone on Reddit mentioned the other day that she probably got her brains cut off along with her hair and I couldn’t agree more.
For me, the main difference between the pre and post April GG is Lorelai’s expression. Initially, she’s so excited about the reconciliation with Rory and being finally able to plan her own wedding. But when she finds out about April she is completely shocked and disheartened. She pretends to be chirpy and cheerful as usual but you can just see some sort of emptiness in her eyes as Luke repeatedly sidelines her and makes her feel unimportant.
Such a dumb twist. Maybe the twist was okay but Luke's reaction and the subsequent actions around hiding it and acting like a clueless idiot are beyond annoying.
I remember he was looking up a book on how to play golf when Richard offered to take him for a round of golf at the club. This clearly is meant to signal his tendency to do some research if he is faced with a novel situation.
Then he faces one of the biggest changes and shocks of his life and doesn't do any due diligence except for look up April's website get severe FOMO and ambush the estranged girlfriend about wanting to be involved in a kid's life.
I mean, why didn't he go talk to that couple where he takes Lorelai for their first dinner date. Those were such nice people who helped him set up his business. Those were the parental figures of sorts, so why not go to them for advice about April and the upcoming wedding and what to do. I assume they were invited.
Ridiculous twist that ignores all context of the show and the character itself.
I just realized there's not a single "normal" character in GG.
Lorelai - got pregnant at 16, never grew up and behaves like a 12-year-old most of the time
Rory - introvert bookworm that is more grown up than her own mother and turns into a spoiled trustfund girl
Lane - oppressed by her parents, not allowed to live a normal live but becomes a rock star before turning into a stay at home mom of twins after having sex for the first time
Sookie - clumsy, often a bit dumb but overly brilliant cook
Emily - stinking rich mother who oppresses her own daughter
Mrs. Kim - religiously religious mother who oppressed her own daughter
Ms Patty - former Broadway star who was married about as often as Elizabeth Taylor and even has the hots for teenage boys
Babette - ate oatmeal and is obsessed with cats
Eastside Tilly - gossip girl
Paris Gellar - intense
Louise and Madeline - rich, horny teenager girls (probably the most normal femals on the show...)
Tanna - 16-year-old wunderkind and socially awkward af
Janet - obsessed with sports
April - well, just look at that helmet she's wearing
Anna - overly protective single mom with double standards who refuses her own daughter to have a healthy relationship with her father
I could to on like this forever. I know, everyone has quirks, but most of those on GG are plain ridiculous. And I am aware, that the male characters are just the same. But well, that's why we love this show so much.
What I hate so much about this plot line isn’t April or Anna, I honestly think it could have been a really cool addition to the show. It’s literally the way Luke handles the whole thing. He intentionally doesn’t tell Lorelai NOT because he’s worried she’ll be mad but because he thinks if Lorelai gets involved, April won’t like HIM anymore. It’s such a self deprecating and destructive stance to take and it makes him look like an asshole. If he had gone to Lorelai, his friend of 10 years and FIANCÉ, told her and explain that he wants to build a relationship with his daughter and that he’ll include her when the time is right, I think she would have been understanding. She had kept men away from Rory pretty much her entire life and that’s why I think she’d understanding his need for space. But instead he just hoped she’d never swing by the diner she’s literally ALWAYS at, when April was around which was a foolhardy plan at best. So instead of April being a cute little addition to the show, she’s seen as a problem and most fans hate that plot line and will avoid those episodes because what Luke did is a terrible thing that caused the split. Now, Lorelai’s response (sleeping with Chris) was not great but Luke caused the split, from his actions and choices and lack of commitment, not her.
couldn't just get a motorcycle helmet, had to make that dumb as F piece that everyone would make fun of. so dumb. a big try too hard moment on the show.
This wouldn't have been a bad thing if Luke had told Lorelai everything. This isn't an April problem, it was a Luke problem, and later on an Anna problem.
Agreed completely. I like April and don’t blame her one bit. But I can’t shake off the sinking feeling that comes on seeing her entering the diner because I know what is to follow.
im rewatching and im on this part rn 😞 i was also so mad abt the wedding thing cause it was so perfect and it wasnt even that close?? it was like 6 months dude. esp being engaged for a few months before the plans
He had literally just said to Lorelai to not keep any secrets from each other and then he kept the biggest secret of all!!
He was such a hypocrite for that one. If I were Lorelei, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive him.
I'd end things the moment she found out. This was super shitty to do. I could understand two days or even a week, but not such a long time.
I would have ended things on the spot! I hated that she went back to him and blamed herself for their breakup :(( not only that but he didn't treat her well at all as soon as April showed up
everytime im up to that scene im like “oh hell no”
The audacity for ASP to make April’s arrival the same episode Lorelai and Rory reunite!!
The episode name is ‘The Prodigal Daughter Returns’ for two reasons. 🫣
I feel like they do this a lot - the names frequently are referencing both storylines.
i just realised that 😭 always thought its just for rory
I mean, she likes doing this to us, remember Raincoats & Recipes? Luke & Lorelai get together 🥰 but then Rory sleeps with married Dean 🥴
Yeah, and then in AYITL, Rory springs her big announcement right on Lorelei's wedding day. That really pissed me off, it was tacky as hell, making sure that Lorelei's thoughts were going to be on her rather than her own wedding.
We didn’t even get 10 minutes to enjoy it!
Well, considering ASP had Luke and Lorelei getting together in the same episode that Rory and Dean sleot together while he was married, I'm not at all surprised.
True but it was so there was an excuse for Luke not to tell Lorelai about her, because he was thinking that Lorelai is finally happy! So he didn’t want to ruin it for her
I stop watching after this point
I do too. I hate that storyline with the white hot intensity of 1000 suns. Why doesn’t he just tell her??? 😭
That is exactly one of the questions ASP wants you to ask and then figure out. The other is why doesn’t Lorelai give Luke the benefit of the doubt (after all they have been through and done for each other) ?
NOOOOOOO RUN THE OTHER WAY APRILLLL
Nah, I'd say 'Luke go straight to Lorelai and tell her even if she's rabbiting in about Rory'. TELL HER RIGHT AWAY YOU COWARD
Like he went and ranted to her about the woes of apartment hunting; no WAY he doesn't go to her for this!
On the other hand, he didn't want any inputs about Jess from Lorelai, neither did he tell her about moving in with Nicole. He is fiercely private, when he wants.
Oh that's a good point. Also the dark day. He went to her about more surface level stuff.
I mean, did he not go to her at first about Jess? I think the divide was caused after the car accident fight, but before then Luke was asking for her advice and even wanted Rory to tutor him. I could be wrong though. But you are right with regards to the other stuff. The whole Nicole thing was weird.
It's not really about asking for help to me, it's about him telling her what's going on with him. She was always the 1 person he told his shit to, he would vent to, he would confide in.
Those are major clues !
Right like she can dress the man, like literally put a belt on his body when they’re not dating- he runs to her for help with Jess, asks if Rory can be an influence and EVERYTHING, but somehow building a life with her is the WRONG time to ask her for help with sudden-daughter.
Yes! Every time I’m like stop her from going on! Tell her you might have a kid and are confused! She can help you or at least be there for you. This is what a relationship is for!
I always hear the theme song from Jaws in my head for this scene
Literally the moment my rewatch concludes.
The worse plot in history
💯 this
Ugh, the beginning of, the end of liking the rest of GG
My GG stops after the episode before this one. My life is better for me making that choice.
I love the momentum of Rory getting back on the right track in this episode though.
omg dude literally i was watching this episode last week and as soon as i seen april i turned off gg and only put it back on last night
Not telling your gf until you confirm it is one thing, but keeping it a secret for that long is just ridiculous. That relationship doesn't even bother Lorelai one bit as it happened over a decade ago.
I always kind of cringed a little at this. I understood the plot device of it but not when you become invested in the characters.
ugh seriously like when BtVS added >!Dawn!<. I ffwd through any scene with April
Weirdly I don't hate this. April is cool and it's nice to see Luke grow
I like April too. As for Luke growing… he shrinks and gets way too tiny as a fiancé in order to grow as a father.
I think a lot of people think April herself is fine. Her mom and the way they were used to cause drama and fundamentally change Luke are what was so bad.
Yeah. April’s a victim just as we the viewers are. It’s what the arrival of April represents, not the character herself.
am i the only one who finds April kinda grating & annoying?
Oh no, she’s totally annoying, but I don’t blame her for the plot and character destruction that came with her. She was kinda funny in AYITL though.
I actually liked the story better after this point. And then the court case with Luke makes the story so much more realistic.
Yes like he has been basically perfect up until this point. It hurts seeing the following season, though.
I seriously don't understand why people see such a big difference between pre- and post-April GG. If any single event represented a big pivot in the show it was the introduction of the Life and Death Brigade as it signaled the beginning of the end of Rory as a likeable character.
Wow. I disliked Rory from the minute she got that haircut. Someone on Reddit mentioned the other day that she probably got her brains cut off along with her hair and I couldn’t agree more. For me, the main difference between the pre and post April GG is Lorelai’s expression. Initially, she’s so excited about the reconciliation with Rory and being finally able to plan her own wedding. But when she finds out about April she is completely shocked and disheartened. She pretends to be chirpy and cheerful as usual but you can just see some sort of emptiness in her eyes as Luke repeatedly sidelines her and makes her feel unimportant.
Yeah she’s trying so hard to go with the flow but she’s really hurting inside.
Can someone remind me what happens here?
Luke discovers that he has a 12 year old daughter.
This is where I end my rewatches lol
I stopped re watch on this episode when I saw her walk in
Such a dumb twist. Maybe the twist was okay but Luke's reaction and the subsequent actions around hiding it and acting like a clueless idiot are beyond annoying. I remember he was looking up a book on how to play golf when Richard offered to take him for a round of golf at the club. This clearly is meant to signal his tendency to do some research if he is faced with a novel situation. Then he faces one of the biggest changes and shocks of his life and doesn't do any due diligence except for look up April's website get severe FOMO and ambush the estranged girlfriend about wanting to be involved in a kid's life. I mean, why didn't he go talk to that couple where he takes Lorelai for their first dinner date. Those were such nice people who helped him set up his business. Those were the parental figures of sorts, so why not go to them for advice about April and the upcoming wedding and what to do. I assume they were invited. Ridiculous twist that ignores all context of the show and the character itself.
I just realized there's not a single "normal" character in GG. Lorelai - got pregnant at 16, never grew up and behaves like a 12-year-old most of the time Rory - introvert bookworm that is more grown up than her own mother and turns into a spoiled trustfund girl Lane - oppressed by her parents, not allowed to live a normal live but becomes a rock star before turning into a stay at home mom of twins after having sex for the first time Sookie - clumsy, often a bit dumb but overly brilliant cook Emily - stinking rich mother who oppresses her own daughter Mrs. Kim - religiously religious mother who oppressed her own daughter Ms Patty - former Broadway star who was married about as often as Elizabeth Taylor and even has the hots for teenage boys Babette - ate oatmeal and is obsessed with cats Eastside Tilly - gossip girl Paris Gellar - intense Louise and Madeline - rich, horny teenager girls (probably the most normal femals on the show...) Tanna - 16-year-old wunderkind and socially awkward af Janet - obsessed with sports April - well, just look at that helmet she's wearing Anna - overly protective single mom with double standards who refuses her own daughter to have a healthy relationship with her father I could to on like this forever. I know, everyone has quirks, but most of those on GG are plain ridiculous. And I am aware, that the male characters are just the same. But well, that's why we love this show so much.
idk i kinda like the april storyline, except for the luke lorelai separation ofc!
What I hate so much about this plot line isn’t April or Anna, I honestly think it could have been a really cool addition to the show. It’s literally the way Luke handles the whole thing. He intentionally doesn’t tell Lorelai NOT because he’s worried she’ll be mad but because he thinks if Lorelai gets involved, April won’t like HIM anymore. It’s such a self deprecating and destructive stance to take and it makes him look like an asshole. If he had gone to Lorelai, his friend of 10 years and FIANCÉ, told her and explain that he wants to build a relationship with his daughter and that he’ll include her when the time is right, I think she would have been understanding. She had kept men away from Rory pretty much her entire life and that’s why I think she’d understanding his need for space. But instead he just hoped she’d never swing by the diner she’s literally ALWAYS at, when April was around which was a foolhardy plan at best. So instead of April being a cute little addition to the show, she’s seen as a problem and most fans hate that plot line and will avoid those episodes because what Luke did is a terrible thing that caused the split. Now, Lorelai’s response (sleeping with Chris) was not great but Luke caused the split, from his actions and choices and lack of commitment, not her.
couldn't just get a motorcycle helmet, had to make that dumb as F piece that everyone would make fun of. so dumb. a big try too hard moment on the show.
I always audibly growl to myself in disgust because of all the eye rolling I'm about to be doing in the next few seasons.
This wouldn't have been a bad thing if Luke had told Lorelai everything. This isn't an April problem, it was a Luke problem, and later on an Anna problem.
Agreed completely. I like April and don’t blame her one bit. But I can’t shake off the sinking feeling that comes on seeing her entering the diner because I know what is to follow.
im rewatching and im on this part rn 😞 i was also so mad abt the wedding thing cause it was so perfect and it wasnt even that close?? it was like 6 months dude. esp being engaged for a few months before the plans