Category: S2Ep16: There’s the Rub

Ted Nugent

EMILY: Well, we intend to leave here completely different people.

LORELAI: Yes, I’m going to be Ted Nugent.

Theodore “Ted” Nugent (born 1948), songwriter, guitarist and activist. He initially gained fame as the lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist of The Amboy Dukes, a psychedelic rock/hard rock band, before embarking on a solo career. His biggest hit was the 1977 song Cat Scratch Fever. In later years, Nugent has become known for his outspoken conservative political views and advocacy of hunting and gun ownership rights.

Ted Nugent seems to be someone that Lorelai sees as completely different to herself, politically speaking.

Moonies

EMILY: I love it here.

LORELAI: Hm. Careful Mom, that’s how they get you in the Moonies.

The Unification Church of the United States, a religious movement which began in the 1950s and ’60s when missionaries from Japan and South Korea were sent to the US by the church’s founder and leader, Sun Myung Moon (1920-2012). It expanded in the 1970s when Moon moved to the US.

“Moonies” soon became slang for a member of the church, and although members of the church were quick to accept it and even wear it as a badge of honour, today most church members believe that’s offensive and derogatory.

The church has attracted a lot of criticism and controversy, with people often feeling their family members had been “brainwashed” into joining it. One of their techniques is “love bombing” where a new recruit is bombarded with affection, gifts, and promises of friendship. Lorelai is humorously suggesting the spa is doing the same thing to them by offering them perks like free cucumber water.

Ranch Dressing

EMILY: Oh Lorelai, come over here, look. They have cucumber slices in the water.

LORELAI: Oh wow! Now if they have ranch dressing in the soap dispensers, this place is great.

Ranch dressing is an American salad dressing made from buttermilk, onion, garlic, mustard, herbs and spices mixed into a mayonnaise base. It was invented in Alaska in 1949 by a plumbing contractor from Nebraska named Steve Henson, looking for something that his crew would enjoy eating on their salad.

He bought a guest ranch in California in 1956, naming it Hidden Valley Ranch and putting his dressing on the menu. Although the ranch closed only a few years later, Henson was making so much money from selling his “ranch dressing” that it became the headquarters for his thriving condiments business. In1972, Clorox bought the Hidden Valley Branch brand for $8 million.

Ranch dressing has been the most popular salad dressing in the US since 1992.

Paris and her Problems

Paris freaks out when she gets an A- on her Chemistry lab report on electrochemistry. Her parents, who were getting divorced in “Paris is Burning” after a terrible scandal her father was involved in, are back together again once Paris explained to her dad how much money a divorce would cost him. Apparently it was Mr Geller who wanted the divorce, even though he was the one causing scandal, because Mrs Geller doesn’t seem to need convincing.

The terrible scandal, which was implied to involve something sexual and illegal, is never mentioned again, and doesn’t seem to have had any consequences. Mr and Mrs Geller are now fighting with each other, and redecorating. Paris’ mother redecorated when they were first getting a divorce – maybe her husband didn’t like it, and it’s now being re-redecorated back it how it was before.

With all the fighting and redecorating, Paris hasn’t been able to focus on her studies as well as usual. This seems like a re-tread of the “Concert Interruptus” plotline, where Paris and her gang had to study at Rory’s house because of Paris’ issues with fighting parents and redecorating.

Miss Daisy

EMILY: So, are we all ready to go?

LORELAI: I guess so, Miss Daisy.

Lorelai refers to Driving Miss Daisy, a 1989 comedy-drama film by Australian director Bruce Beresford, based on the 1987 play of the same name by Alfred Uhry, who wrote the screenplay. The film stars Jessica Tandy as a wealthy Jewish widow named Daisy Werthan in Atlanta, Georgia, and Morgan Freeman as her chauffeur, Hoke Colburn.

Set in the 1960s and 1970s, the film explores themes of racism against black people, and prejudice against Jewish people, as well as the radical changes occurring in American society. The friendship between “Miss Daisy” and Hoke grows as she becomes more dependent on him, and both characters develop frailties as they age together.

Driving Miss Daisy was well received by critics and audiences alike as a heartwarming film, and a commercial success. It won four Oscars, including Best Picture and a Best Actress award for Jessica Tandy, who at 81 also became the oldest Academy Award winner. As of 2021, it was the last PG-rated film to win Best Picture.

Risky Business

LORELAI: Rory, you have to do something bad when Mommy’s out of town. It’s the law. You’re seen Risky Business, right? Now I’m not asking for a prostitution ring, but how about a floating craps game or something?

Risky Business, 1983 teen sex comedy written and directed by Paul Brickman, and starring Tom Cruise in his breakout screen role. The film is about a high-achieving high school student from Chicago whose parents leave him alone in the house while they go on a trip. In their absence, he ends up agreeing to let his parents’ house be used as a brothel for one night.

Risky Business was acclaimed by critics as a sharp, stylish satire that combines teen angst with snappy dialogue and some dark themes. It was the #10 film of the year at the box office, and is considered one of the best films of 1983. The scene of Tom Cruise dancing in his shirt and underwear to Bob Seger’s rendition of Old Time Rock and Roll has become iconic, and often recreated.

Spa Treatments at Birch Grove

Collagen facial skin rejuvenation and eye treatment (has Vitamin C and plant extracts in it)

Salt Glow (skin exfoliation done with coarse grains of salt)

Scalp Treatments

Watsu Massage (hydrotherapy shiatsu massage treatment done in a warm pool)

Pedicures

Egyptian Mud Bath (bathing in mud enriched with minerals that have anti-inflammatory effects)

Massages

They also have eucalyptus-scented air to breathe, cucumber water to drink, and serve fruit and yoghurt every morning by the pool.