There's some interesting symmetry in "Lorelai's Graduation Day" and "Fight Face."
In each episode, either Jess or Rory is in something resembling exile after a vehicle-related incident that served as the culmination of Lorelai's fears about someone's destructive influence over Rory, despite Rory's conviction that she made her own decisions in both situations. Jess and Rory can't talk to their respective family member directly or even bring themselves to ask about them by name, but they want to know how they're doing and approach the topic with the same quiet, awkward tone. The person they're with, respectively Rory and Luke, knows the situation is difficult, as it also affects them, and has vocally disagreed with Lorelai's response. Rory and Luke have tried to push estranged family members together at various times for the "greater good," but here, they answer gently and honestly, without any questions or expectations. Another bittersweet parallel for our book nerds and their intertwining life journeys!
