3rd Season
2002-2003

#1 Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days
#2 Haunted Leg
#3 Application Anxiety
#4 One's Got Class and the Other One Dyes
#5 Eight O'Clock at the Oasis
#6 Take the Deviled Eggs
#7 They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?
#8 Let the Games Begin
#9 A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving
#10 That'll Do, Pig
#11 I Solemnly Swear
#12 Lorelai Out of Water
#13 Dear Emily and Richard
#14 Swan Song
#15 Face-Off
#16 The Big One
#17 A Tale of Poes and Fire
#18 Happy Birthday, Baby
#19 Keg! Max!
#20 Say Goodnight, Gracie
#21 Here Comes the Son
#22 Those Are Strings, Pinocchio

Other seasons
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7


#1 Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days: Aired Tuesday, September 24, 2002

On her last night in Washington D.C. over the summer, Rory helps Paris get ready for an unexpected date. While missing Rory, Lorelai has been having strange dreams, including being married to having twins with Luke. Sookie decides she needs to make the house more masculine for Jackson even though he insists that he likes it the way it is. Taylor puts together an end of summer festival for Stars Hollow. When Rory gets back, she is upset to see Jess making out with a platinum blonde in the middle of town. Rory finally admits to her mother about the kiss she and Jess shared. Lorelai tells Rory that she needs to decide between the two men and stop treating Dean like crap, and Rory ultimately decides to totally commit to Dean. Lorelai finally tells her parents about Christopher going back to Sherry because Sherry is pregnant. Lorelai's parents are disappointed in her and argue amongst themselves. Lorelai and Luke finally make some kind of peace when Lorelai stumbles into his diner late at night in desperate need of some comfort.

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#2 Haunted Leg: Aired Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Lorelai and Emily are still feuding after last week, and Rory tries to make peace. Lorelai battles a cold and a mouse at the inn. Kirk asks Lorelai out to dinner, and she tries to find a way to let him down easily. Rory finds herself running interference between Paris, student body president, and Francie, senior class president and ruler of the Puffs. Francie threatens to destroy Paris if Rory doesn't convince the power-mad girl to pay attention to some senior-class issues. Lorelai is furious when she finds out her mother talked to Christopher. Christopher crashes a Friday night dinner and protests that he didn't want things to turn out this way and Lorelai shouldn't keep Rory from him. Lorelai says that things are the way they are, and it doesn't matter what he wanted, while Rory assures her father that not speaking to him was her own choice. Rory and Jess finally talk, and Rory is mad about Jess's girlfriend, Shane, while Jess is mad that Rory didn't write or call him all summer and is still with Dean.

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#3 Application Anxiety: Aired Tuesday, October 8, 2002

Rory receives her Harvard application in the mail and then learns from a visiting panel of Ivy League admissions experts at Chilton that all her instincts about how to fill it out were wrong. Rory and Lorelai decide to consult a nearby Harvard alum, Darren Springsteen, and end up joining him and his Harvard-perfect family for a lunch filled with quiz questions. Darren later tells Rory that he thinks she's perfect for Harvard and he'll put in a good word with the admissions office for her. Rory is interested to meet Darren's odd-ball daughter, Carol, who works as a waitress and a birthday bunny and doesn't want to go to college. Both Lorelai and Dean start to worry about Rory leaving them when she goes to Harvard. Taylor bullies Luke into renting him the retail space that he bought next door to the diner so that Taylor can open an old fashioned soda shoppe there. Lane puts an in the paper to find a band she can drum in and meets a cute music-nerd named Dave who's looking for a drummer for his band.

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#4 One's Got Class and the Other One Dyes: Aired Tuesday, October 15, 2002

Lorelai gives a talk at the Stars Hollow high school about her career, but the school moms get mad when she ends up fielding more questions about her teen pregnancy than anything else. Lane, distraught over having to sneak around to practice with her band and her mother making her apply to religious colleges, decides to dye her hair purple, but chickens out and dyes it back to black before her mom sees it. Rory, helping Lane with her hair-dying experiment, realizes that Jess's girlfriend Shane works at the local beauty supply store, and finds herself being uncontrollably rude to the ditzy blonde. Luke confronts Jess about his relationship with Shane, and Jess admits that he doesn't really care about her, he's just with her because the girl he really likes isn't interested in him. Jess recommends that Luke do something similar and stop wasting his time waiting for Lorelai.

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#5 Eight O'Clock at the Oasis: Aired Tuesday, October 22, 2002

Rory finds herself taking over Lorelai's job of watering their new neighbor's lawn while he's on a business trip, but she has trouble with the spigot and can't get the water to turn off. She runs to town for help and Jess ends up coming to her rescue, but when he hears that Dean is on his way, he turns the water back on so that Dean can then rescue Rory. Lorelai goes to a charity auction that her mother organizes and meets a cute guy named Peyton. She asks her mother for his number, and she and Peyton end up planning on going to a David Bowie concert next week, but also planning a dinner date sooner. After dinner with Peyton, Lorelai realizes he's incredibly boring, but when she tells her mother that she wants to cancel her concert date, her mother freaks out. Emily is friends with Peyton's mother, and is worried that this slight by Lorelai will affect her social standing in her DAR circle. After getting yelled at by her father, Lorelai realizes how important this is to Emily, and agrees to go to the concert with Peyton if it will make her mother happy.

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#6 Take the Deviled Eggs: Aired Tuesday, November 5, 2002

Jess buys a used car from Gypsy, and Luke worries where Jess got that kind of money. Luke is amused when he finally gets Jess to admit that he has a part-time job at Wal-Mart. Lane takes it as a personal affront that Jess would get his own car after totalling Rory's. Rory gets an invitation to Sherry's baby shower, and admits to Lorelai that she's been talking to Christopher a bit on the phone. Lorelai drives Rory to the shower and gets talked into attending as well by Sherry. Sherry drives Lorelai nuts with her perfection and her planning and her gushing about how incredible Christopher has been through everything. Lorelai fumes on the way home with Rory and deviled eggs that they were forced to take with them. Rory suggests they throw the deviled eggs at Jess's car for catharsis. It works. The town loner gets permission from the town church to stage a protest, but when his banner falls the wrong way and then rips, no one can figure out what he's protesting.

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#7 They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?: Aired Tuesday, November 12, 2002

Determined to win the annual Stars Hollow 24-hour dance marathon, Lorelai forces Rory to be her partner. While everyone in town dances around them, Rory and Jess can't seem to stop arguing with each other, a fact that is not lost on Dean. Meanwhile, Lane and Paris are both surprised when the boys they like drop by to see them.

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#8 Let the Games Begin: Aired Tuesday, November 19, 2002

Richard corners Rory at a family dinner and persuades her to accompany him on a visit to Yale University, his alma mater. Although Rory has her heart set on going to Harvard, she reluctantly accepts the invitation, and the trip becomes a family affair when Emily and Lorelai tag along. Once they arrive on campus, however, Rory is infuriated to learn that she has an appointment with the dean of admissions. Meanwhile, back in Stars Hollow, Luke lays down the law to Jess about his relationship with Rory. Amy Sherman-Palladino wrote the episode directed by Steve Robman.

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#9 A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving: Aired Tuesday, November 26, 2002

Emily insists that Lorelai and Rory come to Thanksgiving Day dinner, which causes the girls to be even more overbooked: they have already committed to three other feasts, including celebrations being held by Lane, Luke and Sookie. While dining at the Gilmore estate, Lorelai is floored to learn that Rory applied to Yale University without telling her.

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#10 That'll Do, Pig: Aired Tuesday, January 14, 2003

Lorelai has to miss Stars Hollow's Winter Carnival when Great Grandmother Gilmore (Marion Ross) pays a surprise visit and insists on having dinner with Richard and Emily at Lorelai's inn, where she makes a surprise announcement. Meanwhile, Rory's plans to enjoy the carnival with Jess are complicated when they run into Dean and his little sister Carla (Scout Taylor-Compton). Sheila Lawrence wrote the episode directed by Jamie Babbit.

Rating: 3.9/6

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#11 I Solemnly Swear: Aired Tuesday, January 21, 2003

Rory is set up by the manipulative Francie who convinces Paris that Rory has been plotting against her. When Emily is sued by a former maid, Lorelai worries that giving a deposition in the case will cause more problems with her mother. Meanwhile, Lorelai meets an interesting new man at a business seminar.

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#12 Lorelai Out of Water: Aired Tuesday, January 28, 2003

When Lorelai surprises herself by agreeing to go on a fishing date with her new beau Alex, she turns to Luke for a lesson in fishing techniques. The political battle between Rory and Paris heats up when Paris tries to have Rory impeached. Meanwhile, Lane plots to go to the prom with Dave, and Luke asks Taylor's attorney out on a date.

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#13 Dear Emily and Richard: Aired Tuesday, February 4, 2003

Sherry's carefully planned labor goes awry when she goes into labor early and Christopher is out of town. Sherry asks Rory to be with her at the hospital, which reminds Lorelai of the day that Rory was born. Flashbacks tell the story of 16-year-old Lorelai as she learns she is pregnant, decides not to marry Christopher, and ultimately leaves home with her new baby. Luke goes on his first date with Nicole.

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#14 Swan Song: Aired Tuesday, February 11, 2003

Lorelai goes off with her new boyfriend for a weekend in New York, but worries about leaving Rory and Jess alone together. Meanwhile, when Jess shows up for dinner with Rory and her grandmother, Emily, and refuses to explain his black eye. Rory accuses Jess of fighting with Dean. Lane hatches a plan in order to hang out with her new beau.

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#15 Face-Off: Aired Tuesday, February 18, 2003

Tired of waiting for Jess to call and make plans for the weekend, Rory goes to a hockey game with Lane where she runs into Dean and his new girlfriend, Lindsay (Arielle Kebbel). Lorelai confronts Jess about his poor treatment of Rory. Meanwhile, Gran (Marion Ross) comes to stay with the Gilmores for a few days and Emily is shocked to find her mother-in-law kissing a man. Kenny Ortega directed the episode written by John Stephens.

Rating: 3.7/6

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#16 The Big One: Aired Tuesday, February 25, 2003

While nervously waiting for their college acceptance letters to arrive, Rory and Paris find themselves competing to give a speech at Chilton's bi-centiential, where Paris makes a startling admission. When Lorelai runs into her former fiance, Max Medina (Scott Cohen) and they share a passionate kiss, she is left to wonder if ending the engagement was the right decision. Sookie's strange behavior has a surprising explanation. Jamie Babbit directed the episode written by Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Rating: 4.2/6

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#17 A Tale of Poes and Fire: Aired Tuesday, April 15, 2003

When a meeting of the Edgar Allan Poe Society at the Independence Inn is interrupted by a fire, Lorelai must find rooms for the guests at various homes around town. Forced to give up her own room, Lorelai spends the night at Luke's. Trying to decide among Harvard, Yale and Princeton, Lorelai and Rory make an extensive list of pros and cons for each school. Luke worries that Jess may be skipping school when he learns that Jess has been working a surprising number of hours at Wal-Mart. Rory visits a humiliated and hibernating Paris to deliver school assignments and a pep talk. Chris Long directed the episode written by Daniel Palladino.

Rating: 2.9/5

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#18 Happy Birthday, Baby: Aired Tuesday, April 22, 2003

While Lorelai deals with the rebuilding of the fire-damaged Inn, Rory schemes to give her mom a great birthday party, complete with a gigantic pizza. Richard surprises Lorelai with a large check from an investment he made when she was born, and Lorelai uses part of the money to repay her parents for Rory's education, a gesture which does not please Emily. Meanwhile, Luke confirms his fear that Jess has been skipping school to work extra shifts at Wal-Mart. Luke agrees to meet Nicole's parents. Paris returns to school a changed person. Tobin: Bruce McCulloch. Gail Mancuso directed the episode written by Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Rating: 3.3/5

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#19 Keg! Max!: Aired Tuesday, April 29, 2003

With graduation approaching, Rory is happily looking forward to attending the Stars Hollow High School prom with Jess, but he gets some surprising news from Principal Merten (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs). Lane's band makes its debut at a big party, but the evening ends on an ugly note when the long-standing animosity between Jess and Dean finally erupts into a fist fight. Meanwhile, Lorelai gets roped into serving on the parents' committee for the Chilton graduation party, putting her back in contact with a very uncomfortable Max Medina (Scott Cohen). Chris Long directed the episode written by Daniel Palladino.

Rating: 3.2/5

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#20 Say Goodnight, Gracie: Aired Tuesday, May 6, 2003

Both Rory and Jess avoid one another when they find it difficult to deal with their emotions after the fight at the party. When Lorelai and Sookie learn that the owner of the Dragonfly Inn has passed away, they see their chance to buy the inn of their dreams. Jess' long-lost father, Jimmy (Rob Estes), shows up in Stars Hollow and introduces himself to Jess, then suddenly leaves town. Luke is furious when he learns Jess has flunked out of high school and gives him an ultimatum to repeat his senior year or leave. Rory finds out that Dean is engaged to be married. Lane's beau, Dave, pleads his case to a stoic Mrs. Kim. Jamie Babbit directed the episode with teleplay by Amy Sherman-Palladino & Janet Leahy and story by Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Rating: 3.5/6

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#21 Here Comes the Son: Aired Tuesday, May 13, 2003

After the blow-up with Luke, Jess leaves Stars Hollow for Venice, California, to stay with Jimmy (Rob Estes), the father he knows almost nothing about. Jimmy admits he isn't capable of being a father, but promises to ask his live-in girlfriend Sasha (Sherilynn Fenn) to let Jess stay. Back in Stars Hollow, at the same time Lorelai is wondering how to tell Rory that Jess is gone, she learns that the money Richard gave her will make Rory ineligible for financial aid at Yale. Feeling stressed out about everything, Rory unexpectedly confronts Emily over her treatment of Lorelai. The episode was written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Rating: 3.3/5

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#22 Those Are Strings, Pinocchio: Aired Tuesday, May 20, 2003

Season finale

As Rory's graduation day approaches, the Gilmore girls plan their long-awaited summer backpacking trip across Europe, even as Lorelai faces the possibility that the recent fire will force the owners of the Independence Inn to sell the building. Rory takes matters into her own hands when she discovers that Lorelai is making a great personal sacrifice to pay for the Yale tuition. Richard and Emily present Rory with a lavish graduation gift, and everyone is touched by Rory's moving valedictory speech. Meanwhile, Luke has second thoughts about a summer cruise with his new girlfriend. The episode was written by Daniel Palladino and directed by Jamie Babbit.

Rating: 3.8/6

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Other seasons
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7