If you’ve been around this blog at all this summer then you know what today is: Gilmore Guys day! Every Friday, awesome author friends are joining me here to talk about our favorite men from one of our favorite TV shows: Gilmore Girls.
So far, we’ve talked about Jess, Logan, Luke, Marty, Max, and Kirk. This week’s guest is the fabulous Allison Pittman, whose latest book, All for a Sister, I’m soooo impatient to read. (It takes place during the 1920s…my favorite!) Allison is writing about one-season wonder Digger Stiles. He’s sarcastic, he’s quirky, he’s fun…
Each week in this series also comes complete with a sweet giveaway. This week you’ve got a chance to win Allison’s new book, my book Here to Stay, a “Where have all the anvils gone?” magnet (one of my favorite quotes from the show) and a $5 Starbucks gift card. Enjoy!
Digger Stiles: A Man for One Season
Season 4 of The Gilmore Girls is dominated by two great developments in Lorelai’s life: a big, puffy, wavy weave, and her relationship with Jason Stiles. The weave, of course, is paralleled metaphorically with construction of the Dragonfly Inn—sprawling, wild, bits and pieces here and there, seeming to have a life of its own until it is finally ponytailed into submission.
Season 4 was also the last truly great season of Gilmore Girls. Now, I love a Luke and Lorelai happy ending as much as the next girl, but a certain zzzzip! went out the minute that deal was sealed. Never again would Lorelai offer to change out of a pair of track pants that proclaimed “Juicy.” (Emily: Into what? A bra that says “tasty?”) Never again would we get to see Lorelai at her snappiest and sexiest. Of all the men in Lorelai’s life (and I’m including everyone from Christopher Hayden to Luke Danes to Payton Sanders), only Jason “Digger” Stiles met her wit for wit.
Lorelai: Well hello, Digger Stiles.
Jason: Lorelai Gilmore. You sure grew up good.
Lorelai: Oh, did I? Thanks. Listen, why didn’t you return my calls?
Jason: Because I hadn’t seen you yet.
Lorelai: Four times. You never called me back.
Jason: I’ll call you back now. What’s your number?
Lorelai: 976-BITE ME
Jason: (To secretary) OK, did you get that, Mrs. Lomet? Because I know how much you like having numbers in your file.
What follows is a fabulous tit-for-tat that explains exactly why Digger was named the hero of Cabin 5 at summer camp, and Lorelai had the nickname “umlauts.” I go on record saying this bit of dialogue is perfect. It’s a minefield of emotions, never staying in one place for too long, and wrapping the paths of these two up nicely by the end.
From the first, Lorelai and Jason have something that Luke and Lorelai never had: tension. That electric, Sam-n-Diane tension that makes you want him to sweep everything off Mrs. Lomet’s desk and take her…
…on a date. And not just any date, but the perfect date. The kind of date every single girl dreams about, every married girl lives through, and all new parents have the first night they get a babysitter. From the beginning, Jason takes control, without being controlling. He is solicitous and romantic. Uncompromising. They don’t go out into the party at the restaurant, they leave. He doesn’t subject himself to fast Mexican food. If he needs razors, then by golly, he gets razors. (Because, you know, he needs to keep that beard trim.)
To prepare for this blog, I watched the entire story arc of Jason in one sitting. Not hard to do—I fast-forwarded through all the irrelevant Stars Hollow stuff (except for Sebastian Bach’s awesome debut) and the most boring freshman year in the history of the Ivy League (perfect tree not withstanding). Jason had no part of Stars Hollow; he didn’t want to be Bory’s step-father. He was Lorelai’s boyfriend. All hers. Not the subject of Miss Patty’s scrutiny, not someone to feed Luke’s frustration. Still, he was more than Lorelai’s boyfriend. While he would never be “Gilmored,” he brought a whole new dynamic to the Gilmore family. (Except for Bory, who could have been played by a Polly Pocket doll until the moment she drunk dials Dean.)
Jason was responsible for bringing us a new, vulnerable side of Emily Gilmore. He stoked the fire that had all but died inside Richard Gilmore. We got to see a glimpse of the Bulldog who bartered with Cubans and made a young Emily feel so very safe. Sure, what he stirred up brought the Gilmores to a place of separation, but it also brought them face-to-face with issues that had been buried for too long. But, moving on, because what we all care about is what Jason did for Lorelai.
What happened between Jason and Lorelai was more than a spark. They weren’t flint and steel, they were iron and iron, sharpening each other. They came from the same world. They had the same ambitious entrepreneurial spirit. With Jason, we see Lorelai at her best. That flowing hair, that red dress—she’s a woman, W-O-M-A-N. We see her at the height of her confidence, unfettered by the idiosyncratic Stars Hollow. Jason is lavish with his compliments without being sycophantic. He regularly tells Lorelai she is not only beautiful, but she is peerless in her ability to mock the sick. He is ready to take this marvelously imperfect woman and bring her into his perfect world. Why?
Because, I think he sees the real Lorelai. Spunky and strong, and—despite what Season One Lorelai would claim—a product of the type of household that proudly gives out full sized candy bars on Halloween. She is class on her own. With Jason, she is calm, cool, collected. Centered. She’s the person she needs to be in order to bring the Dragonfly to life. Jason didn’t meddle in her business affairs. Face it, Christopher would have been making promises he didn’t intend to keep, Max would have been moping in the unfinished corners, and Luke would have belittled her every decision. Those were a critical 5 months for the inn, and Jason was the perfect man for Lorelai for that season.
And in the end, when she can’t be with a man who is suing her father, we see a corner turned. A loyalty we could never have imagined coming from the woman who ran away to hide with her baby in a gardening shed. She’s angry with her father, but she stands with him. She doesn’t understand her mother, but she hurts for her.
That last Jason scene, in the Inn, sitting in the chair alongside Luke, moments before THE KISS. He seems smaller, but no less confident. I was always glad that the writers let him go with a bit of dignity. Lorelai brings him food, and then, off camera, he leaves. His work here is done.
I’ll bet he hates Dallas.
Giveaway Time!
All right, here’s your chance to win a copy of Allison’s new book, All for a Sister plus my book, Here to Stay, a $5 Starbucks gift card and a Gilmore Girls magnet.
By the way, last week’s winner is Christine Szymanski. Be watching for an email from me, Christine. 🙂
Comments 37
Fantastic write-up, Allison!
Author
Agreed! I always fluctuated between ambivalent and mildly amused when it came to Digger. But Allison’s post changed my thinking…loved it!
Honestly? I thought he was funny but didn’t like him for Lorelai. I’m a Luke fan all the way!
Author
He was funny! I think he and Lorelai had great moments together…
Digger is a great guy, but I still like Luke best!
Author
As do probably 98% of GG viewers, I bet. Although I have heard the random person here and there say they think she should’ve ended up with Christopher. I don’t understand that, but to each their own. LOL!
Luke is definitely the right guy for the long game, my point is that Jason was the perfect guy for Lorelai in this season of her life. We didn’t get to see a lot of the business side of opening the Dragon Fly, but you know it involved countless meetings, negotiations, strategy planning. Incredibly time-consuming. So, how great to have a boyfriend who is equally engaged in his own business building. Jason would understand the importance of the stationery and post cards.
Author
I loved the point of your post. I’ve already said this elsewhere (on FB) but I think there are some nice real life points here too. Sometimes people (and things) come into our lives for a season, right when we need them (and they need us) most. And maybe it only lasts a season…but it’s still valuable…that relationship is still valuable…and when it ends we can look back and say, hey, maybe that wasn’t the long-term person or dream or thing I’ve been holding out for, but I grew from it or learned from it or am a better person because of it. That was definitely the case with Lorelai and Digger and I can think of some seasons/people in my life that sort of mirror that same thing…
Okay, end of philosophical rambling…
Oh my! This was the bestest post! I always liked Digger and agreed with everything. Sam and Diane! Now I want to do a Cheers series. 🙂 Great job, Allison!
Author
OKAY so…I really love the show Frasier. I think it’s hilarious and the characters are awesome. I figured since I liked Frasier, I’d also love Cheers. Well, I tried to watch Cheers and could not get into at all. I stuck it out through almost three seasons…and I just couldn’t make myself like Sam or Diane…or Sam AND Diane. What’s wrong with me?
I tend to watch “Cheers” more for the supporting characters: Carla, Coach, Cliff, Norm, et al. Sam and Diane were a little overrated. (And then Rebecca replaced Diane and she was terrible!)
You summed it up perfectly!
Author
Agreed.
Allison, you’ve made me take a careful look at my feelings about Digger. I’ve considered his wit (it’s true, he matched Lorelai step for step) and his being entirely Lorelai’s. I think he does see the real Lorelai, and I think he genuinely cares about her. But I still think he’s pompous and arrogant and smug and I just don’t like him. 🙁 But I LOVE your post! 🙂
Author
He is pretty pompous. LOL! But the man is hilarious…and like both you and Allison said, he and Lorelai are a great match wit-wise.
In some ways, I feel bad for Digger. He’s a guy who wants…and I think he thinks he knows what he wants: Lorelai and business success with Richard. But he’s really searching for approval…just look at the way he plans that first date with Lorelai. (And okay, maybe it’s just the Midwestern niceness in me but if a guy went to all that work and expense, there is no way I’d tell him I’d rather be at the party–no way!) Most of all, he’s searching for fatherly approval…and he just never gets it.
So…maybe the arrogance is a cover.
I really did hate how Lorelai acted on that first date with him. He did go to a lot of trouble and expense, and all she did was run him around all night trying to create the perfect experience for herself. Ugh. No matter how willingly he went along, and no matter how well it turned out, it was just inconsiderate.
I enjoyed Digger. Like you said, he had great wit. And a nice car. 😉 I think he was good for Lorelei, but came at the wrong time in her life.
Author
He did have a nice car. AND HOLY COW his guest room. I want to move in there.
I adore Jason – he’s my favorite of Lorelai’s men. Witty, well-dressed, and a guest bathroom full of Kiehl’s products – there’s no downside.
Author
He has the best guestroom ever. I mean, that’s kind of reason enough to be in a relationship, right? His overly trained dog is also pretty hilarious.
Cyrus! I love Cyrus!!
Seems Digger’s intellect has sparked a great, dictionary-words post, Allison. Loved this!! I shall watch that season again better informed. Nah. Probably still be relaxed fun for me! (wish Bunheads had succeeded… More great dialogue.)
Author
You know, I tried really hard to like Bunheads. I knew I’d love the dialogue–and I did–but I had a hard time with the characters. I felt like there wasn’t that immediate sympathetic pull for the main characters like there was with GG. It was quirky and fun, but I needed more reason to root for the main character. Still, though, the dialogue was fantastic!
What an awesome and completely perfect synopsis of “Digger” and Lorelei’s relationship!! If I hadn’t just finished season 4 I would be pulling it out to watch it again!! I salute “Digger” and Allison Pittman for this great post! I will definitely read your book!
Author
Saluting right alongside you. 🙂
Oh and as I watch Season 5 I think you’re right about all the seasons that came before! Although, I am #teamlogan all the way and can’t wait to get to the roller coaster that is their relationship! I tend to want to fast forward through Lorelei and Luke. I love them too but kinda boring and safe.
Author
I am with Allison in that I often like to view Season 4 as the end of the series. But that probably partially stems from non-love of Logan. You’re right though…in those final seasons Lorelai and Luke kinda bottom out…
He seemed funny
Author
He is pretty funny. 🙂
I never could stand Jason. He seems…nasty to me. Really carnal, or something. But I do get your points. He was a witty fella.
You’re so right about Luke and Lorelai! Once they were together, it was a little bit boring.
All I really was for Jess to be with Rory–smart Rory, not college Rory. Weird how going to college made her LESS smart…
Author
Yep, Jason was witty but he did have this somewhat sharp edge that made him less likable than some of the other men in Lorelai’s life. But I love Allison’s point–that he was perfect for her in that time. And yes, agreed on Luke and Lorelai…thing is, I think the writers *tried* to add spice and conflict, but it didn’t work. The whole April thing, for instance…Lorelai giving Luke an ultimatum…none of it felt true to the characters. To get uber technical, I feel like the writers confused conflict and tension…we didn’t need more conflict per se. We needed more tension…
And I’m SO agreed on Jess and Rory. Honestly, that’s what kept me watching those final seasons–the hope that Jess would finally come back for good. And then he never did and Rory just got stupid… 🙂
*All I really wanted…*
I loved the back and forth between Lorelai and Digger! He was a great match for her – good looking and witty (what a combination!). I need to go back and watch those Gilmore Girls episodes now!
Author
They’re fun ones to rewatch 🙂
Beautifully done! I always liked Jason — this post really sums up why. Luke may be perfect for Lorelai, but I’d be happy to take Digger off her hands for her. 🙂
Author
I liked Jason too but I never really loved him. Allison’s post gave me new perspective, though! If you’d like to find the guy I believe he’s in Dallas with all the washed-up Enron guys (according to that one episode anyway…) 🙂
I loved this blog post! It is perfect! Even though I think Luke was perfect for Lorelai, I liked Jason too!