Footnotes to the TV series
LUKE: Okay, Thelma, Louise, possibly there’s another way to learn to fish.
LORELAI: The Fishing Channel.
There isn’t really a Fishing Channel in the US – there’s one in the UK, though. American fishing shows are usually hosted by the Discovery Channel. Lorelai just assumes or guesses there is one, like the Cooking Channel and the Home and Garden Channel.
LUKE: Okay, Thelma, Louise, possibly there’s another way to learn to fish.
The film Thelma and Louise, previously discussed.
LORELAI: And what if I am a really great fisher? … And all this time I’ve been sitting here with the gift to fish and I am squandering it. It’s like if Mozart walked right by the piano store and never played a note.
The composer Mozart, previously discussed.
As a child, Mozart learned to play several instruments, began composing music at the age of five, and went on an international concert when only six. He could play the piano blindfolded and with crossed hands, but is is said that his favourite instrument was the viola.
Angler – person who fishes using a rod and line.
Wire line – any fishing line made from flexible metal. Wire line is only intended for freshwater fishing.
Lure – a broad type of artificial angling bait designed to mimic real prey animals and attract the attention of predatory fish.
Downrigger – a device used in fishing which places the lure at the desired depth.
Vertical jig, or speed jig – a long, slender piece of lead or metal that cuts through the water, mimicking an injured baitfish.
Trolling – a method of fishing where one or more fishing lines, baited with lures or bait fish, are drawn through the water.
Bottom feeders – a marine animal which lives on or near the bottom of a body of water, and may feed principally by scavenging. Examples include flatfish, cod, haddock, carp, and bream.
Forage fish, also called prey fish or bait fish – small fish preyed upon by others for food. Examples include herring, sardines, and anchovies.
Cisco – a salmon-like fish, in the US, often refers specifically to the lake herring (Coregonus artedi).
LORELAI: Hey, got any good stories? … No crazy, colorful uncle? Best friend with a funny name?
LUKE: Jeff Smith?
This is the first and only time we hear about Luke’s supposed best friend, Jeff Smith. He may be a joke.
LUKE: Even if there was something, which I’m not saying there was, she’s a suit. Not my type.
Suit, American slang for people working in management roles or corporate life.
JESS: Guess Gloria Allred wants to go slumming.
Celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred, previously discussed.
LUKE: Okay, looks like that’s the whole nine yards.
“The whole nine yards” or “the full nine yards” is a colloquial American English phrase meaning “everything, the whole lot” or, when used as an adjective, “all the way”. Its origin is unknown.
NICOLE: Yeah, my father always told me that which does not kill you, makes you stronger.
What does not kill me, makes me stronger. An aphorism of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, from his 1888 book, Twilight of the Idols. It is often quoted or alluded to with minor variants in wording, to express resilience. It can hardly be said to be universally true.
NICOLE: Well, hello Luke Danes, I’m Nicole Leahy, I’m Taylor Doose’s attorney.
Nicole Leahy is portrayed by Tricia O’Kelley. She began her acting career in Chcago, starting out in television commercials, and running a service centre for actors. After moving to Los Angeles, she had minor roles in several TV shows, including Frasier, Suddenly Susan, The Young and the Restless, and Everybody Loves Raymond, before joining the cast of Gilmore Girls. She continues to find roles on TV.
Note that Nicole has the same surname as the writer of this episode, Janet Leahy, who was also a consulting producer on the show.
The Annotated Gilmore Girls 