Each episode of Gilmore Girls is packed with the usual witty dialogue, heartfelt teenage moments, and clever references. 'A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving' from season three has become one of the most memorable and beloved installments.
Beyond the surface of this holiday episode lies a wealth of fun details and hidden nods that enrich the story - there’s plenty to uncover for anyone paying attention. These layers add depth and charm that highlight why the show continues to resonate with viewers.
Luke Danes: “Shouldn't we give thanks first?”
Jess Mariano: “Thanks for what?”
Luke Danes: “Well, that we're not Native Americans who got their land stolen in exchange for smallpox infested blankets.”
Lorelai: “Amen.”
What Happens In The Gilmore Girls Episode “A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving”?
It's the American holiday Thanksgiving and Lorelai and Rory have agreed to dinner at four different places: the Kims' house with Lane and Dave, Luke's with Luke and Jess, Sookie's with Jackson and his family who deep-fry everything, and Emily and Richard's.
At her grandparents house, Rory surprises Lorelai by revealing she has applied to Yale. Kirk adopts a cat which seems to permanently attack him. Dave asks Lane out and shares a kiss with her after playing at Mrs Kim’s Thanksgiving party. Paris worries that her difficulty finding a shelter volunteer position will affect her acceptance to Harvard. Dean confronts Jess, making it clear that he won't be "Mr. Nice Guy" anymore.
Is there a real Korean Thanksgiving?
Mrs Kim, Lane and her wider family are from Korea, where the people also celebrate their own Thanksgiving day. Chuseok, also known as Korean Thanksgiving Day, is a vibrant and significant holiday celebrated in South Korea.
Chuseok is a three-day festival that brings families together for festivities. During this time, Koreans gather in their ancestral hometowns to honour their ancestors and share a special meal. It's a time of reunion, as loved ones travel from near and far, creating one of the biggest traffic jams as they make their way to the provinces outside of Seoul.
Families also partake in the traditional ancestral memorial ceremony known as charye, where a table is adorned with delicious offerings including freshly harvested rice and fruit. Chuseok is a time for gratitude, reflection, and strengthening family bonds amidst the bountiful harvest season.
Rory and Lorelai are Watching the 1975 Documentary named “Grey Gardens”
In the opening scene, Lorelai and Rory are watching the 1975 documentary "Grey Gardens."
The 1975 documentary 'Grey Gardens' is a fascinating and intimate portrayal of the lives of Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter, Edith Bouvier Beale, known as "Big Edie" and "Little Edie" respectively. Directed by Albert and David Maysles, the film explores the eccentric and reclusive world of the women, who are relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The documentary takes place in their dilapidated mansion, also named Grey Gardens, located in East Hampton, New York. It provides a glimpse into the once-glamorous lives, now living in squalor and isolation.
Dave Plays David Bowie At Mrs Kim's House
Before playing Hymn 17 as requested by Mrs. Kim, Dave performs the main riff from David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World"
There is a MacGyver Connection
Michael Des Barres makes an appearance in this episode as Claude Clemenceau. He is known for his regular role as Murdoc, MacGyver's nemesis, on the show 'MacGyver' for seven seasons. Jared Padalecki, who portrays Jess in Gilmore Girls, also starred in an unaired pilot for 'Young MacGyver' as Clay MacGyver, MacGyver's nephew.
There is a Connection With The Film "To Sir, with Love"
Both Judy Geeson (Natalie Swope) and Michael Des Barres (Claude Clemenceau) were part of the cast of the film 'To Sir, with Love' released in 1967.
Dave and Lane Kiss Each Other For The First Time
During the episode 'A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving', Lane and Dave finally share their first kiss.
It Is Not Rory and Dean’s First Break Up!
When Rory mentions that it's too soon to kiss Jess in front of Doose's Market because of her recent breakup with Dean, Jess replies, "It's not the first time a couple has broken up," to which Rory responds, "it is for us."
However, this statement is incorrect as Rory and Dean previously broke up in Season 1, Episode 16, and did not get back together until Season 1, Episode 21.
While A Great Joke, The Manson Girls Are Not In The Same Prison As Louise’s Dad
Louise mentions that "one of the Manson girls" will be getting the trailer her family is using after visiting her father in prison on Thanksgiving Day. It's worth noting that Charles Manson and his associates were housed in California's correctional system, not Connecticut where the show is set.
Kirk’s Mercurochrome Was Discontinued Due To Mercury
In Doose's Market, Lorelai notices that Kirk's basket contains Mercurochrome, a product that was taken off the US shelves in 1998. While still sold in some counties, it was removed from shelves in the US due to its mercury content. It was sold as a topical antiseptic for minor cuts and scrapes and as a biological dye.
'A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving' stands as a memorable holiday episode that encapsulates the show's trademark blend of humour, heart, and fun hidden details.
