Stopping by Stars Hollow: A Critic’s First Watch of 'Gilmore Girls' - Season 1, Episode 5

Season 1, Episode 5: “Cinnamon’s Wake”

Do I like Mr. Madina? Yes. Do I like Lorelai and Mr. Madina together? Yes. Can I not wait to see how this blows up horribly? Hell. Yes.

Follow up question. Do I like Dean? Yes. Do I like Rory and Dean together? Yes. Do I want them to blow up horribly? God, no. I want nothing but rainbows and sunshine for Rory and her first love.

Now let’s break down why I, the over-analytical viewer would possibly want Lorelai’s relationship to fail and Rory’s relationship to thrive. The difference between the two is innocence. Lorelai, in her discussion of dating with Madina waves Chekov’s gun around by stating that it could end his career if they’re found out and really hurt Rory. Because Lorelai proceeds to date Madina anyway, she’s tempting fate and will be punished for it.

Rory, however, is flying blind, her sails are filled with hopes and fear as she heads into the choppy waters of high school romance. I’m rooting for Rory to have a relationship that is smooth for most of the course. We as an audience are rooting for Rory’s relationships to go better than Lorelai’s, because Lorelai is also rooting for Rory’s relationships to be better than hers. The show has effectively made us think of Rory not just as Lorelai’s daughter, but as our daughter.

Plus Rory’s awkward nature with Dean is extremely true to life, and actually leaves me cringing empathetically as it reminds me of how strange and awkward I was with guys at her age. Though good for her for getting a cute looking, not-an-asshole boyfriend at age 16. I was the type of dumbass who would have gone for Chad Michael Murray’s bullshit and clearly Rory has more confidence than I…

Let’s move on before I start ranting about the ineptitudes of my romantic life.

Lorelai continues to be more of a mom-friend than a jealous teeny bopper monster, and her impassioned discussion with Madina showcases just that. And while I am eagerly waiting to see just how this relationship explodes, I do feel for Lorelai. It’s clear from the dialogue and performance that she really does want some type of romantic love, and I want it for her too. But I also want Lorelai to grow more. It’s a catch 22 with her character; I do want her to succeed but I also need her to fail so that way her future successes can be even greater.

This episode was also fantastic as a way to showcase the charm and familial nature of the Stars Hollow citizens. Yes, the town of Stars Hollow and its citizens has been a delightful aspect of the show that helped to set the character of the series. But with the death of Cinnamon, we see just how kooky and familial Stars Hollow is. The fact that everyone, regardless of their differences, united together in order to support Babette and Morey as they mourn was touching, and really honed in the fact that once you move to Stars Hollow you become part of the family regardless of how strange you are.

Also, the set design for Babette’s house was hilarious and well-executed, the balance of physical and verbal comedy that this series showcases is golden with neither being too heavy-handed.

With a warm fuzzy feeling, and the excitement of getting to see some romance on screen…

RIP Cinnamon, you beautiful bastard.

On to Season 1, Episode 6: “Rory’s Birthday Parties”!