‘Gilmore Girls’: Amy Sherman-Palladino on Why 1,000 Yellow Daisies Proposal Might Be 1 of Lauren Graham’s ‘Favorite Scenes Ever’
Lauren Graham is best known for playing Lorelai Gilmore, the fast-talking, coffee-loving single mom on Gilmore Girls. Portraying the now-iconic TV character from 2000 to 2007, Graham reprised the role in 2016’s Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
Including the revival, Graham’s played Lorelai in 161 episodes of Gilmore Girls; 157 in the original run plus the four-part Netflix series. But, according to the show’s creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, one of the actor’s “favorite scenes ever” is also one of the most memorable from Gilmore Girls Season 1.
Max Medina proposes marriage during an argument
In Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 21: “Love, Daisies and Troubadours,” is when the famous 1,000 yellow daisies moment happens. Showing up early for a date with Lorelai, Max Medina (Scott Cohen) sees Luke Danes (Scott Patterson) and they have a slightly awkward encounter.
He asks Lorelai about her relationship with the diner owner and it soon escalates to a full-blown argument. Out of nowhere, Max suggests he and Lorelai should get married.
Not at all impressed by his delivery, Lorelai explains to Max her vision of the perfect proposal. It involves a horse, candles, and 1,000 yellow daisies.
Amy Sherman-Palladino says it’s likely a favorite of Lauren Graham’s because she has few lines
After Lorelai shares her idea of the proper proposal, Max sends her 1,000 yellow daisies at the Independence Inn. She shows up to find Michel Gerard (Yanic Truesdale) arguing with Kirk Gleason (Sean Gunn) about the flower delivery only to realize what they mean.
Stunned, she sits among the flowers while Max proposes to her over the phone. It’s one of the most memorable moments of the season and of the entire show.
According to Sherman-Palladino who directed the episode, it probably ranks high among Graham’s favorite scenes. But not because it’s a romantic moment but rather because of the few lines Graham had to deliver.
“For Lauren [Graham], it might have been one of her favorite scenes ever because it’s one of the few times she didn’t have to say anything,” Sherman-Palladino once told Entertainment Weekly.
Lorelai Gilmore dates Max Medina in ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 1
Much of Lorelai’s storyline in early episodes of the series revolves around her dating Max, a teacher at her daughter Rory’s (Alexis Bledel) school. At first, Lorelai’s hesitant to date Rory’s teacher.
But she and Max eventually start dating and things go so well for them that they date for the majority of season 1. The storyline continues in Gilmore Girls Season 2 until Lorelai calls off her and Max’s wedding shortly before they were set to walk down the aisle.
Watch Gilmore Girls and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life on Netflix.
