Gilmore Girls (TV Series) That Damn Donna Reed (2001) User Reviews

The One Where Rory Housesits...

[taylorkingston · 7/10 · 4 April 2016]

I really like this episode. I thought it was funny, and interesting. It was also a little confusing considering I had no idea who Donna Reed was, but I got the idea. And I'm sure if you don't know, you will too.

In this episode, Rory is asked by Babette, and Morey to cat-sit their new cat while they're out. When discussing the fact that Dean's Mother always cooks dinner, they get into a fight, because he likes the idea of a tradition house wife. Rory decides to give Dean exactly what he wants, with her own spin of course. She invites him over while cat-sitting, and goes completely Donna Reed, in a 50s outfit, and everything. During the three courses of dinner, the new cat runs out, and they have to find her. Meanwhile, Lorelai helps Luke pick out a new color for the diner.

Fun Fact: Lorelai's parents say they never go to Europe in Spring, however in 1x19, Emily discusses the beauty of Paris in Spring with Michel.

First appearance of: The town troubadour.

Best part of the episode: Luke, and Lorelai at the diner.

Worst part of the episode: Dean.

Overall, I give this episode a 7 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Great.

Dean the scumbag

[jcw0111 · 7/10 · 26 January 2022]

I really don't know how Dean manages to stick around for so long since he shows just how controlling he is from this early on. Can't concentrate on much more than that.

Nice, but some observations

[jewewilkens · 8/10 · 1 October 2023]

Nice episode, but some things bother me with these Gilmore Girls and other aspects annoy me. How can a hotel manager be away from her own inn so often en so long? How can a cook like Sookie be 'out of office' so often. And when she is in, she should wear something to cover her long hair and not a fancy bandana. The kitchen by the way that does not look like a big, clean hotel kitchen at all. Why does Lorelai have to shout so loud all the time? Why does she always talk during movies, musical performances, lectures where everyone else is silent like they should? She's an embarrasment to her daughter time and time again. The stories are nice, the dialogues are a bit too smart too often but sharp and some of the other characters deserve some development.

Feminism and animal abusement.

[CursedChico · 6/10 · 23 November 2020]

Feminism and animal abusement.

They put baby chicken into cage. It is horrible.

Emily alco cooks birds. Such an animal abusement!

We see some feminism at first. Rory speaks against gender norms assigned by society . But then as favor or to try, she becomes a housewife.

Luke- lorelai is really interesting. Lorelai can hurt him. He knows also it but he goes for it.

That Darn Donna Reed

[ISmellSnow · 4/10 · 31 August 2020]

Lorelai really starts to process her feelings for Luke just in time for Christopher (Rorys father) to show up at the end. Rory and Dean have a fight about Donna Reed/the thought of having a traditional housewife. Rory ends up cooking him dinner and dressing like a 50s mom... She realized that Donna Reed wasn't just a pretty smile and pearls.