There’s a lot going on at the Dragonfly. A wake in the kitchen for one of Sookie’s dishes. Lorelai and Luke apparently have no plans for Valentine’s Day. Lorelai gives the age-old male explanation that Luke’s not a Valentine’s kind of guy, and it’s a made-up Hallmark holiday anyway. Sookie counters that Valentine’s Day actually does have a history, dating back like 2,000 years. And, to top it all off, there’s a zydeco band ready to audition for the wedding right in the middle of the Inn.
“I’m bummed kid,” exclaims mother to daughter. Lorelai is seriously doubting June 3, or any wedding date for that matter. Rory attempts to reassure her, and suggests she and Luke join her and Logan for a little weekend getaway to Logan’s family house on Martha’s Vineyard. “Do you have room for five? I’m not coming without Boozoo and the boys,” referring to the Zydeco band that won’t go away. Luke is a bit miffed with the proposition, unsure of where they stand with Logan. Lorelai announces a truce has been struck. As they prepare to hit the road, Lorelai proceeds to share a slew of unfunny jokes involving whale sperm.
So Lorelai and Luke get to the Vineyard safe and sound (it’s on an island, who knew?). Logan and Rory run down the many quirks of the crazy old house, and then Rory shows them to their room. It’s the “parents” who are acting strangely, unsure of whether they should re-emerge from their quarters or just call it a night. Luke’s fixated on Rory and Logan’s potential weekend breakup, and thinks Logan was a snob upon their arrival. Yes, Logan is a snob in general – but I actually thought he was okay the entire weekend.
Things go from bad to worse for Lorelai and Luke the following morning. Luke is busy complaining about everything under the sun, and Lorelai is bending over backwards to accentuate the positive. Luke, shut up already! He also brought his back-country bag, complete with freeze-dried spaghetti. Lorelai is beyond annoyed:
Lorelai: You didn’t even bring enough clothes
Luke: I’ll be fine, I’m warm-blooded
Lorelai: I know, check it and see (nice Foreigner reference)
They finally leave the sanctuary of their room to find Rory and Logan ready to go. First things last: put the newspapers down, guys. How old are you? Lorelai and Luke announce they’re going to take a walk on the beach, Luke complains some more, and then Rory announces she and Logan are hitting the gym. The gym? I’m with you, Lorelai. Luke proceeds to further annoy Lorelai by complaining about Logan’s basketball etiquette. He’s on very shaky ground.
The weekend turns around as they’re preparing dinner. Luke goes out to see how Logan’s coming along with the lobster (which Luke has never had). Logan brings up the inevitable Valentine’s Day gift presentation to the girls, and Luke’s empty-handed. So Logan very nicely offers up one of his gifts, even prepared with a solid shopping story to back it up. “We men gotta stick together”. Meanwhile, the girls are sharing some quality potato-mashing time. Rory tells Lorelai that she and Logan are thinking about a trip to Asia in the summer. “These could be the ones,” says Rory to Lorelai. You can place your bets on who looks more confident regarding that statement. And who knew that lobster could bring about world peace? At least Luke’s world…
After dinner, Lorelai finally spells it out for Luke: “Lately, I’ve been feeling like it’s just not gonna happen,” referring to the wedding of course. I also found myself wondering whether she bought the whole gift story. Luke’s response: “I love you, I’m going to marry you, and at our weeding we are having lobster”. Man does this guy like lobster. Come morning, Luke declares he slept like a log. They are greeted with breakfast in bed, and all is right with the world…
Enter Mr. Huntzberger, who blows into the house and abruptly shuts down what was turning out to be quite a nice weekend. He tears into Logan about post-graduate responsibilities in London. Lorelai to Logan: “Nobody understands letting family down better than I do”.
At episode’s end, Lorelai returns home alone (Luke’s spending more alone-time with April) – unaware of the terror awaiting her on the answering machine. It’s on. June 3rd. There are numerous R.S.V.P.s and a big ‘ol ad in the newspaper to prove it. Lorelai looks like she might faint. Gotta say, I didn’t see that coming…
