Ep 14. That Damn Donna Reed

In Gilmore Girls season 1 episode 14, titled "That Damn Donna Reed," the residents of Stars Hollow are donning their best '50s attire for the Annual Dance Marathon. Lorelai and Sookie attend the dance marathon, but Lorelai quickly becomes bored and suggests they go to the local video store to rent some movies instead.

While at the video store, Lorelai and Sookie run into Dean, Rory's current boyfriend, who is renting movies for the dance marathon. Lorelai expresses her surprise that Dean is attending the dance marathon, as she had assumed he wouldn't be interested in something so old-fashioned.

Meanwhile, Rory and Dean's relationship hits a snag when Rory argues with Dean over his chauvinistic views on women's roles in the 1950s, which are showcased in the Donna Reed Show episodes they are watching for the dance marathon. Rory is upset that Dean believes women's only jobs are to cook, clean, and take care of the children, and she begins to question their relationship.

Elsewhere in Stars Hollow, Luke is feeling unmoored and lost after his apartment building burns down, leaving him temporarily homeless. He reluctantly accepts Lorelai's offer to stay in her parents' pool house, but tensions mount between the two as Luke struggles to adjust to living in such a different environment.

Back at the dance marathon, Lorelai and Sookie return with a stack of DVDs, but when they try to leave the gym, they are stopped by the dance marathon organizers. Faced with the prospect of having to participate in the dance marathon, Lorelai and Sookie are forced to come up with a plan to escape.

"That Damn Donna Reed" is a charming episode of Gilmore Girls that examines the many roles that women have played throughout history, both in the home and in the workplace. Through the lens of the Donna Reed Show, the episode explores the societal pressures and expectations placed on women in the 1950s, and the ways in which those expectations have evolved (or not) over time.

The episode's exploration of Dean's chauvinistic views on women is particularly well-done, as Rory's frustration with his comments and his inability to empathize with her point of view highlights the difficult conversations that often arise in relationships. The episode also touches on the changing dynamics between Lorelai and Luke, who are forced to confront their underlying feelings for each other as they navigate their new living situation.

Overall, "That Damn Donna Reed" is an entertaining and thought-provoking episode that showcases the strengths of the Gilmore Girls series, including its witty writing, fast-paced banter, and nuanced character development. Whether you're an avid fan of the series or just looking for a charming slice of life comedy, this episode is well worth watching.