THOSE LAZY-HAZY-CRAZY DAYS

Gilmore Girls

Season 3 (2002)

Yes, this is technically an end of summer episode.  Lorelai even makes reference to the fact that it’s (presumably early) September.  Still, when I thought of which episode to watch to kick off the summer season this was the first that sprang to mind.  In re-watching it for the blog I realized it’s not quite as summery as I remembered, but it’s great fun regardless, a slice of Gilmore Girls from its prime.

This is the first episode of the third season, so there’s a sense of fallout and new beginnings throughout.  Lorelai is estranged from Luke after a Season 2 fight (the episode begins with a memorable dream sequence in which they’re married and expecting twins).  Rory is coming home after an internship in Washington alongside Paris.  And Lorelai has to explain to her parents that her would-be relationship with baby-daddy Christopher is, once again, kaput.  

Emily Al Fresco

The dinner scene between Lorelai and her parents is a highlight.  To reinforce the summer feel, they dine on the patio for a change, and Emily is hilariously (and justifiably) offended when Lorelai mocks their gift of scone mix, bought during their trip to Martha’s Vineyard.  Things go south quickly as Lorelai breaks the news about her breakup, and it ends with her slipping away while Richard and Emily argue with one another.

Another cute scene is Lorelai and Rory’s reunion at the airport, where souvenirs once again play a role (a bored Lorelai buys out the airport gift shop, including, weirdly, a baguette).  They then head to the End of Summer Madness Festival, town patriarch Taylor’s latest invention.  Anyone with a soul would want to attend a Star’s Hollow festival, and this one is no exception.  It looks wildly fun and is brimming with small-town charm, including a barbershop group that sings “Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer” on a loop.  

I want to go to there.

I grew up listening to Nat King Cole's rendition of “Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer.”  Many a summer night it would be playing on our record player (yes, record player!) while we barbecued or just sat outside on the porch watching the sunset.  Fond childhood memories aside, the lyrics just SCREAM summer, so it’s the perfect backdrop for this (semi) festive episode.  The festival scenes also remind me of Fourth of Julys spent at our own local outdoor celebrations.  This episode is folksy fun with just the right amount of angst and quirky characters, even if it is a little light on traditional summer trappings (a giant stuffed bear does make an appearance, however).

Happy Summer!

Summer Quotient: This wasn’t as summery as I remembered, though it earns a 3 off of the strength of the festival scenes alone.

See It, Skip It, Own It?

Worth owning along with the rest of the excellent Season 3—in fact you should own all of Gilmore Girls (yes, even the last season)!