Wedding Bell Blues (Gilmore Girls)

"Wedding Bell Blues" is the thirteenth episode of the fifth season of the American comedy-drama series Gilmore Girls and the show's 100th episode overall. Written and directed by series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, the episode was originally broadcast on The WB in the United States on February 8, 2005. The episode features the renewal of vows by Emily (Kelly Bishop) and Richard Gilmore (Edward Herrmann). Their daughter Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and their granddaughter Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) serve as maid of honor and best man, respectively. "Wedding Bell Blues" received positive reviews from television critics.

"Wedding Bell Blues"
Gilmore Girls episode
An episodic screenshot displaying Emily and Richard having their first dance.
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 13
Directed byAmy Sherman-Palladino
Written byAmy Sherman-Palladino
Original air dateFebruary 8, 2005
Guest appearance(s)

Plot

Richard and Emily renew their vows with an elaborate ceremony and party, in which Lorelai serves as Maid of Honor and Rory as Best Man. Rory becomes upset as Logan arrives with another woman, and when confronted Logan tells her he has never been a "one-woman man." Despite this, Rory decides to pursue Logan, and is later caught by her parents and Luke in the midst of an intimate encounter with him. Christopher tries to get together with Lorelai, even though she has brought Luke to the reception. Luke walks out mad after Christopher tells him he is only temporarily with Lorelai and that he and Lorelai are destined to be together.[1]

Production
David Sutcliffe's character returned in the episode, ultimately causing tensions between Lorelai and Luke

"Wedding Bell Blues" was written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who created the series. She explained her choice: "When we did the season of Gilmore Girls where we were going to have the 100th episode, I was like, 'I’m directing that!' So, it’s good to be queen. It’s nice to be able to sit there and go, 'That’s a story I feel very strongly about'."[2]

Following the cancellation of sitcom I'm with Her, David Sutcliffe secured a deal allowing him to return for 7 episodes, including "Wedding Bell Blues". Sherman-Palladino implied that he would cause problems between Lorelai and Luke.[3] The wedding scenes were filmed at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles.[4]

Commenting on the episode's storyline and Emily's recent evolution of character and her invitation to Christopher, Sherman-Palladino said:

In life, you never solve your family issues. You take a few steps forward and feel like 'We're communicating better!' Then something happens and you're like, 'Why didn't I see that coming? It always happens this way!' I like our show to reflect that. For all her horribleness, Emily firmly believes that Lorelai's life would be better and not as hard if she'd listen to her. But her tactics are insane. At the same time, Lorelai's defense mechanism of shutting down isn't the best way to deal with her mother. While we wanted a fancy, flowery ceremony, we also wanted this 100th episode to be a very Gilmore story — it's about how Lorelai and Emily see Lorelai's life in completely different terms. By the end of the show, they're firmly back in their estranged battleground.[5]

Reception

Ratings

According to Time Warner, "Wedding Bell Blues" attracted the series' largest audience since November 2002 (6.3 million) and achieved a new all-time series record in women 18-49 (4.2/10) and fifth-best rating ever in women 18-34 (5.0/12). The series, which placed #2 behind only American Idol, in its time period among adults 18-34 (3.2/9), women 18-34 (5.0/12), adults 18-49 (2.8/7), women 18-49 (4.2/10), persons 12-34 (3.2/9) and women 12-34 (5.1/13). The 6.3 million viewers placed it #3 in the time period.

Gilmore Girls also improved over its year-ago performance in nearly all major demos including +33% in adults 18-34 (3.2/9), +56% in women 18-34 (5.0/12), +47% in adults 18-49 (2.8/7), +62% in women 18-49 (4.2/10) and +37% in total viewers (6.3 million).[6]

Critical reception

Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune enjoyed the episode saying: "There are many things to like about the 100th episode of Gilmore Girls, but chief among its many virtues is that it's not a lame, "remember that one time when that funny thing happened?" compilation of highlight clips." She called the episode "meaty" for featuring relationship troubles and praised Kelly Bishop and Edward Herrmann for their performances.[7] Bill Brioux deemed the episode "vintage Gilmore" and applauded its "rat-a-tat timing of the best screwball comedies of the '30s with witty, crackling dialogue to match."[8]

Ranking the series' best and worst episodes, TVLine encouraged people to watch the episode as "it's thrilling to watch the mayhem unfold — even if Christopher's appearance at the ceremony sends your blood pressure through the roof."[9]

Emily Yahr of The Washington Post named the episode the best of the show's fifth season.[10]

The staff of Entertainment Weekly shared similar views, writing: "besides being the obvious best in the season, the hour’s also one of the greatest of the entire series. There’s nothing like a contained party to really inspire everything to boil over, even if the consequences are pretty dire for everyone involved. The episode’s pacing is off the charts, and every detail is pitch perfect, from Emily’s tipsy confession that she does find Lorelai endlessly amusing to Rory finally making a move on Yale’s resident playboy."[11]

References
  1. "Gilmore Girls: Wedding Bell Blues". TV.com. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  2. Radish, Christina (February 4, 2013). "Creator/Showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino Talks BUNHEADS, Casting the Highly Specific Characters, Knowing Her Endgame, Writing Movies and More". Collider.com. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  3. Bellmont, Brian (September 20, 2004). "Luke and Lorelai, sitting in a tree". Today.com. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  4. O'Hare, Kate (February 6, 2005). "You go, 'Girls'!". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  5. "Gilmore Girls Turns 100". TV Guide. February 8, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  6. Marder, Keith (February 10, 2005). ""Gilmore Girls" 100th Episode Attracts the Show's Largest Audience Since 2002; Acclaimed Series Also Scores a New All-Time Series Record in Women 18-49 & 5th-Highest Rating Ever in Women 18-34". Time Warner. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  7. Ryan, Maureen (February 8, 2005). "'Gilmore Girls' anniversary puts parents in the spotlight". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  8. Brioux, Bill (February 8, 2005). "'Gilmore Girls' celebrates 100 episodes". Canoe.ca. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  9. "Gilmore Girls Best and Worst Episodes". TVLine. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  10. Yahr, Emily (October 1, 2014). "'Gilmore Girls' on Netflix: A refresher (and ranking) on each season". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  11. "The best of 'Gilmore Girls:' EW's favorite episodes". Entertainment Weekly. October 9, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
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