In “Double Date,” new beginnings and mismatched expectations play out across two very different evenings. Lane learns that the reality of a date doesn’t always live up to the version in her head, while Sookie and Jackson slowly move toward something real. In this post, I break down the pop culture references that pop up along the way, from Yoko Ono to Romeo and Juliet, and more.

Romance, rivalry, and reputation all collide in “Paris Is Burning,” where relationships start to shift under pressure. Lorelai struggles with her relationship with Max just as Paris’s parents’ divorce becomes the talk of the school. In this post, I break down the pop culture references from Psycho and The Odd Couple to Tonya Harding, and more.

“Forgiveness and Stuff,” is one of those Gilmore girls episodes where emotions take the lead. Rory and Lorelai are still fighting after the dance, Christmas dinner unravels, and Richard is suddenly rushed to the hospital. In this post, I break down the smaller set of references from this episode, including Wizard of Oz, Jimmy Hoffa, Charo, and more.