Gilmore Girls Re-Watch: The Deer Hunters (Season 1 Episode 4)

Season 1, Episode 4 of Gilmore Girls is still in the very early stages of establishing characters, relationships, and the wonderful, quirkiness of Stars Hollow. In fact, “The Deer Hunters” leaves out the quirkiness of Stars Hollow altogether, unless you count Sookie’s obsession with her magic risotto or Mrs. Kim’s over-crowded antique shop. Instead, this episode keeps its focus on Rory, Lorelai, and Chilton.

One thing I’m realizing as I watch this show from the beginning again is how much Rory changes– or rather, grows into her character– throughout the series. Early Rory is more serious and quicker to get an attitude than the Rory we see as the show progresses. She’s not even entirely likeable at this point, to be honest. The comment to Mrs. Kim about the chocolate bar? Too disrespectful, too snarky, and again, not something Rory would have said in later episodes.

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Lorelai, on the other hand, is the super cool mom with the B52’s t-shirt and addiction to coffee that make her such a charming character. And her imperfections and whimsical nature make us root for her. She doesn’t fit in with the other “Chilton parents” at the parent-teacher conference, and she asks questions the others think are silly. One mom is even so brazen as to loudly whisper, “must be a scholarship student” when Lorelai is introduced as Rory’s mother.

What’s clear in this scene is that Lorelai is a different kind of parent than the others in the room. She’s more genuine and more supportive, and less concerned with test scores. While the others want to know how their kids can earn the highest possible scores, Lorelai’s question is whether or not parents can come for moral support.

Okay, but then there’s something even more significant, and that’s Lorelai’s flirtation with Rory’s teacher. Max becomes Lorelai’s first significant love interest of the series, and this episode makes it obvious he’s going to have a recurring role. Too bad their flirtation is interrupted when Lorelai learns Rory got a D on her English paper.

Of course, Lorelai is supportive– and she’s more concerned with Rory’s stress level than with her actual grades. She offers encouraging words and helps Rory study for the upcoming Shakespeare test. Lorelai falls asleep on the couch, and in sweet, parental sort of way, Rory covers her with a blanket before she resumes studying. Then she falls asleep with her head on the kitchen table, and Lorelai wakes to find her there. She reciprocates the same gesture, snuggling next to her at the table with the blanket. Unfortunately, there are no alarm clocks in this scenario, and they both oversleep.

They wake up in a panic, and a disheveled Rory takes her mother’s car in hopes of getting to school on time. Then, in a bizarre sequence of events, she stops to call Lane about her notes, and then gets hit by a deer. This is actually so ridiculous that it’s endearing. And it’s a heck of a lot better than getting in a car accident or actually hitting a deer (not the other way around). It’s also such an unbelievable story that Max smirks when Rory explains why she was late.

Then come the mother/daughter meltdowns. Rory is first, telling off her teacher and causing a scene while the other students are taking the test. Something about this scene makes me more uncomfortable than anything else– it just doesn’t feel right for Rory’s character. It is gratifying to see her lose it on Paris, but all feels a little off.

Lorelai’s meltdown in the headmaster’s office feels more authentic. She’s defending her daughter, and in many ways, herself. Headmaster Charleston stands his ground and insists that if Rory doesn’t want to be at Chilton, she’s welcome to leave. Harsh words, but obviously Rory isn’t going anywhere. There will be plenty more Chilton drama to come, and it only gets better.

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