If you stopped by here last Friday, then you know we’re doing something pretty fun every Friday in June or July. It’s a Gilmore Girls fest with the spotlight on the men of Stars Hollow complete with guest posts and weekly giveaways! If you weren’t here last week and you’re scratching your head in confusion, I suggest going here to get the full scoop.
Today…oh TODAY…we have such a treat. Awesome friend, Canadian, writer, reader, future fellow girl band member (we have a name and everything!) Rachel McMillan is here to talk about the man who, I’m pretty sure, is probably 99% of GG viewers’ favorite Gilmore love interest: Luke Danes.
I would tell you to enjoy the post, but I really don’t need to because, come on, it’s a given. And be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post. I’m giving away a Luke’s Diner tote bag, a $5 Starbucks gift card and a copy of my new book, HERE TO STAY.
*****
Butch Danes, Everybody by Rachel McMillan
Luke Danes is the reason I wake up in the morning.
You think I kid. I do not. The idea that maybe somewhere in this great wide world there is a Luke Danes (complete with inevitable attendance at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb) makes me want to throw back the covers at the shrill of my alarm and give this land of the living thing a chance.
My cousin teases me that I have a thing for fictional curmudgeons and he is right. Especially of the Danes variety. For Luke, all outwardly grisly and eye-rolly and sardonic is really just a plaid-covered marshmallow. Indeed, he is not unlike the Stars Hollow Darcy— eager to stand to the side of the town activities and furrow his brows —until the revolutionary war re-enactors need hot chocolate or Lorelai’s basket for the social needs bidding on.
I pooled my Gilmore friends for their impressions on the lasting Luke love and Ruth expressed that her top two Danes qualities were that he had a strong moral compass and code and he knows what he wants. I would like to endorse these but also add his ability to stand up to Taylor. Or against Taylor.
He’s also, bless his flannel curmudgeon heart, a traditionalist and a nostalgic. He keeps his father’s memory alive by opening his thriving diner in his dad’s old hardware store. You can judge the measure of a man by his friends: when Luke’s horrible miserly uncle passes, Luke is pressed with the unsavoury task of arranging his wake and funeral: the town of Stars Hollow who hated the old coot rallies because they know how much it means to him.
But the best lens through which to see Luke is in relation to —reaction of — and pining for Lorelai Gilmore. Luke loves Lorelai (please, someone—go and scrawl their names on a bathroom stall and draw a heart around it) and Luke sees nothing in life without Lorelai. She completes him. We learn —-ages and ages — after watching him yearn and pine and sigh —that he has kept the horoscope that announces Lorelai’s frenzied arrival from the moment they met:
Luke: It was at Luke’s, it was at lunch, it was a very busy day. The place was packed. And this person…
Lorelai: Oh, is it me? Is it me?
Luke: This person comes tearing into the place, in a caffeine frenzy…
Lorelai: Ooh, it’s me!
Luke: I’m with a customer, she interrupts me, wild-eyed, begging for coffee. So I tell her to wait her turn. Then she starts following me around, talking a mile a minute, saying God knows what. Finally I turn to her, and tell her she’s being annoying. Sit down, shut up, and I’ll get to her when I get to her.
Lorelai: You know, I bet she took that very well, ’cause she sounds just delightful…
Luke: She asked me my birthday. I wouldn’t tell her, she wouldn’t stop talking, finally I gave in. I told her my birthday. She went and got the newspaper, opened it up to the horoscopes page, wrote something down, tore it out, handed it to me. So I was looking at this piece of paper in my hand, and under Scorpio, she had written You will meet an annoying woman. Give her coffee, and she’ll go away. So I gave her coffee.
Lorelai: But she didn’t go away!
Luke: She told me to hold onto that horoscope, put it in my wallet, and one day it would bring me luck.
Lorelai: Boy, I will say anything for a cup of coffee! I can’t believe you kept this. You kept this in your wallet? You kept this in your wallet…
Luke: Eight years.
Lorelai: Eight years… “
EIGHT YEARS!
And through those eight years he has watched her with Max (gosh! There’s that episode where he’s standing in the snow and Someone to Watch Over Me is playing and he sees her with Max and you know snow is magic for Lorelai and …… sentence truncated on account of Rachel’s feels
He’s watched her with Roon ( okay. Maybe not with Roon ) and Christopher and Digger and …. Lorelai gets around.
But he never stops hoping or dreaming or waiting.
That time Luke made Lorelai her own ice skating rink…swoon!
He makes her a chuppah for her wedding even as you see the light leave his eyes at the announcement of her engagement, he brings ice for Rory’s birthday party, he declares that he cares for Rory more than he cares for himself after his mischievous nephew gets her in a car accident, he drives Lorelai to the hospital when her father has a heart attack (but only after making her a Santa burger), he teaches her to fish in a kiddie pond so she can go fishing with yet another guy (Bella’s dad from Twilight, trivia buffs!), he restores her relationship with snow by crafting her an ice rink, he goes on a bird-finding mission with her and he is all around the best friend/coffee enabler/ husband-and-father-stand-in in the history of the world. He even attends town meetings. He houses Lorelai when the great Poe Society fire rampages through the Independence Inn and he is always there—his butt looking good in jeans ( just ask Sookie). He even lets her dress him (and we watch her expression change when he morphs from full flannel to leather jacket and well-fitted pants and—obviously—a great belt).
(Note from Melissa: Rachel just listed some of the finest moments in all of Gilmore Girls’ history. AHH I just want to binge watch it now!)
As the seasons slip by, we see how remarkably important Lorelai’s relationship with Luke is. That the stability she has molded for herself as a single-mother and entrepreneur in a post-card perfect town is counterbalanced by her relationship with the zippy, quirky locals— and especially by Luke. Her rock—Who will force her to stand up for herself but also be the shoulder she can cry on.
When Lorelai and Luke speak at the local high school to impress upon the students the advice of business professionals, Lorelai is bombarded with unexpected questions about teenage pregnancy, culminating in the squeaky clean gang of moms confronting her on the street. Here, Luke doesn’t step up and defend her (though heaven knows he probably wants to) he recognizes that she can take care of herself. He is settled enough to know that she is strong enough to handle their barbs and jabs. Luke, here, as in many other instances, asserts himself not as dominant but equal. While Luke has alpha tendencies (the sports, the masculine presence, the fishing and the truck and the strength) he is emotionally strong too while flashing a remarkably sensitive side.
This sensitivity? Best seen when it comes to Rory Gilmore, his nephew Jess and his sister Liz. Rory: The coffee cake and balloons on her birthday, the awkward hug congratulating her on college acceptance, the attendance at her high school graduation and then later revelations that he has never forgotten her birthday: despite many unfortunate monogramed unicorn paraphernalia. Jess: the immediate embrace of extended family— Luke is willing to give Jess several chances despite the rift that it wedges between him and his heart’s desire Lorelai. And Liz— oh Liz! Luke even goes on the Ren Faire circuit on account of his love for Liz.
That time Jess dressed in flannel and a backward baseball cap like Luke…love.
And in true Darcy form he often does things for others with Lorelai on the tip of his heart’s tongue. The ultimate act of Lukeness arrives in the series finale when Luke sews a tarp to allow for a wonderful party for Rory, confessing ‘I just like to see you happy.”
He’s all selfless and upstanding, the type of guy who will fix the church-bells and condescend to verbal agreement with Taylor Doose over a house –who will throw all his cards in and stand up at a town meeting and declare his intention to keep his relationship strong… who will drive a mattress to Yale (and back).
But mostly he’s a strong man confident enough in himself to desire a strong woman. His equal. He wants Lorelai because she is one half of his whole. He knows she can take care of herself and rather than letting this intimidate him into retreat, he presses forward. He wants his match in every way.
And that is why I wake up in the morning wanting a Luke Danes. He has a strong sense of familial obligation and emotional support but he also has a very healthy attitude toward his relationship with Lorelai. All of the things about her that would present themselves as difficult to the wrong man are seen as flummoxingly brilliant and attractive attributes to the right one.
Oh yah… and then there’s this kiss …..
*****
Rachel McMillan blogs at http://www.a-fair-substitute-for-heaven.blogspot.com and attempts at scribbling heroes who are beguiled by their heroine’s fast-tongues and whip-smart charm.
This week’s prize: HERE TO STAY, Luke’s Diner tote bag, $5 gift card to Starbucks
Giveaway Time!
First of all, the winner from last week is Melissa Oldaker! Congrats, Melissa. I’ll send you an email!
You’ve got through next Thursday to enter this week’s giveaway. Entry options are below.
Comments 64
I always rooted for luke. I was so sad when they werent together.
Author
I was sad too! Not so much in the early seasons because it made sense then, but in the latter ones–when they broke up–tears.
I don’t think I will ever get tired of watching this show. Growing up in CT and having the Lorelai/Emily relationship with my mom, I always identified with this show. I’m 44 and I still get choked up. Thanks writers, producers and the best quirky cast ever!
Luke reminds me of my husband – willing to give the shirt off his back to anyone that needs it! 🙂
awwwwwwww
Author
I second Rachel’s “awww!”
Ah, Luke! Epic, epic post Rachel! You did Luke Danes justice, and that, my friend, is hard to do.
Author
She did do him justice, didn’t she? I wouldn’t have known where to start with a post about Luke. I would’ve gushed unintelligibly…but Rachel did awesome with it!
Wow. Flummoxingly brilliant & attractive…#obsession 😉
Author
Hey is this Michael?! Look, we’re not obsessed, we’re just…okay, fine…a TINY bit obsessed. It’s just a good show…and Luke is a GOOD character. 🙂
Luke was my favorite for sure!
Author
I think that’s probably the consensus in general today. 🙂
So love me some Luke Danes!!
Author
Haha, yes, I told Rachel yesterday that I had a feeling her post would be much less controversial than yours (lol!) and much more of a communal love fest.
<3 LUKKKKKEEEEE isn't he just to die for!
Author
You did such an amazing job with this post, Rachel!
Beautifully done, Rachel, as always!
What’s the future girl band name? Is it Plaid-Covered Marshmallow? Please tell me it’s Plaid-Covered Marshmallow. Or Santa Burger!
Author
Plaid-Covered Marshmallow…hehehe…(note to Hillary and Rachel: This should be our backup name if we find out Shiloh! is already taken or something)
@Gina! Shiloh! (complete with exclamation mark) named for Hilary’s dog
I don’t have much to comment on because I agree with EVERYTHING you said. Team Luke (and Team Jess) forever!
Author
Jess…my only regret with this Gilmore Guys blog series is that we’re not doing a post on Jess since I already did a post on him awhile back. BUt the guy deserves two posts, doesn’t he?
Luke sounds like a wonderful kind of guy. A woman’s dream
joeym11@frontier.com
Author
A woman’s dream is pretty darn accurate.
#TeamLuke Love him! He is the best thing about the show. Nobody does flannel and a backwards baseball cap like Luke Danes!
Author
Nobody indeed. 🙂
Aww… what a fun post. Nicely done, Rachel. Way to pique non-viewers curiosity. 😉
Author
You’ll have to let me know if you ever decide to start watching Gilmore Girls, Rissi. I’d love to hear what you think of it.
Luke was adorable. I, especially liked the episode with the lobsters at Martha ‘ s Vineyard with Logan and Rory. Cute sweatpants :).
Author
Haha yes, the sweatpants!
Watching GG again, I’m sort of mad at Luke in the later seasons. C’mon, dude, you know this woman. Don’t just walk away without saying anything!!! Duh.
PS: Rory and Jess. And not just because Milo’s my cousin, although you know, blood is thicker than water.
Author
Milo is your cousin?!?! This is awesome. 🙂
And I understand your angst toward Luke in the latter seasons. I feel like the show threw in some needless conflict in season 6 and 7.
Until I read Melissa’s post about her book and Gilmore Girls, I’d never had any interest in the show, since I knew next to nothing about it. After reading her post, I ordered the first season from the library, and I’m hooked! Obviously I haven’t gotten very far yet, but I’m way excited about Lorelai and Luke!
Author
Yay for being hooked! Watching Lorelai and Luke is one of the best things about the show, for sure.
Luke as a love. What an enjoyable and great post.
Author
I agree, Anne…definitely a great post. Yay Rachel!
Until I read Melissa’s post about her book and Gilmore Girls, I’d never heard much about the show. I was curious, so I ordered the first season from the library. Let’s just say I am officially hooked. 🙂 I’m obviously not very far in yet, but already I can’t wait to see what happens with Luke and Lorelai. Meant to be? I’d say yes.
Whoops! Didn’t mean to comment twice!
Author
No worries…I do that all the time. 🙂
I love love love Luke! I yelled many times at Lorelai for not being with him! He is so in love with her the entire time and you know she is with him but just won’t go for it! Such a great show!
Author
It’s true…there was probably a piece of her scared of ruining the friendship. And, well, too…the writers couldn’t let them get together too early or they probably would’ve lost viewers. 🙂
Love love love this!!! GGs Forever!!!! I’m holding out hope for a reunion show…oh, or a movie!!!
Author
Me to, JoJo! I would LOVE a reunion show or movie…that is, assuming all the same actors come back and that they get the original writer. I’d love that so much!
I know I’m probably in the minority or maybe the only one but I never saw Gilmore Girls. Luke is dreamy and wow! I think I need to get the series on DVD…lol
Author
Just be careful if you do start watching…it’s soooo addicting. 🙂
I haven’t watched the show but Luke does look (and sound) interesting. It was fun to read this post even though I haven’t seen the show.
Author
Yay I’m glad it was fun to read even if you haven’t seen the show. That was my hope for this blog series–something fun for fans who still obsess over it but also hopefully an enjoyable peek into the show even for those who haven’t seen it.
YES! Luke is definitely my fave love interest on GG. And you totally hit all the high points … I had flashback feels remembering all those swoon-y Luke moments.
Author
Rachel did an awesome job capturing all the best moments, didn’t she? And there are soooo many swoony moments. 🙂
These posts are really really making me want to go back and watch all the seasons of GG’s. It’s been too long since I have seen the first few seasons!
Author
It’s never a bad thing to rewatch it. 🙂
he sounds interesting
Author
That he is .:)
I absolutely love this blog, Rachel! Well-done! And now, after reading so many of my favorite Gilmore Girls moments, I think I’m going to have the pull out the DVDs soon! 😀
Author
I don’t even know how many times I’ve rewatched the whole series–many, that’s for sure. But I’m in the same boat. After reading Rachel’s post I had like a dozen episodes come to mind that I want to rewatch!
I loved this blog post!!! I loved Luke on Gilmore Girls! He had a big heart and he was a sensitive guy! I was so sad when Lorelai and Luke weren’t together!!
Author
Same here, Alex. I’m glad by the end of S7 they finally got their issues resolved.
Love me some Luke…a man of few words, but with such a big heart!! I have really enjoyed all these Gilmore Girls posts. They make me want to go back and watch the whole series again!
Author
Right there with you, Melissa. And congrats on winning last week’s giveaway! 🙂
LUKE LOVE!! Thanks for the shout-out, Rachel!
Who could resist Luke and his giant cups of coffee?
I like to think that the dream Lorelai has where she’s pregnant with Luke’s twins is a foreshadowing of what happens after Season 7. 🙂
I like that idea too!
Can’t believe I missed the Luke post! Even though it’s been two weeks I’m gonna comment anyway.
Oh Luke….*sigh*….all uptight and agitated and in love. One reason I loved L&L was because they accepted each other just the way they were. He “got” her and she loved him for it. Just so much fun to watch unfold. I would love to have seen how it all ended. I’ll just have to settle for the stories I can make up in my head!
This post finally makes so much sense! I should’ve found the show so much earlier! I’m addicted, but they stopped playing it on whatever channel that was – now I’ll never know what happens! (Or, at least not until they start over again)