In “The Breakup: Part 2,” everyone is avoiding something. Rory keeps busy so she doesn’t have to feel the breakup, Lorelai slips back toward Max instead of slowing down, and even Luke and Tristin sidestep the conversations they know are coming. In this post, I break down every pop culture reference from Nancy Drew to The Bell Jar

In “Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers,” Stars Hollow leans fully into romance. With the Founders Firelight Festival approaching, old feelings resurface, new tensions emerge, and not everyone is on the same page about what love is supposed to look like. In this post, I break down every pop culture reference from Hell hath no fury to Christine.

In “Christopher Returns,” the past comes crashing into the present. From disastrous family dinners to awkward morning-after conversations, this episode uses pop culture references to unpack love, blame, and expectations. In this post, I break down every reference from Fiddler on the Roof to Alfalfa.