Season premiere

Picking up on the same night as last season's finale, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson) begin making plans for their future, but Luke (Scott Patterson) is embarrassed when word spreads that Lorelai was the one who proposed. Still hurt over Rory's (Alexis Bledel) decision to drop out of Yale and move in with Emily (Kelly Bishop) and Richard (Edward Herrmann), Lorelai tells her parents that they can take care of Rory from now on. Richard hires an old friend and respected attorney (guest star Robert Foxworth, "Falcon Crest") to help Rory get an easy sentence for stealing the yacht, but the judge gives Rory 300 hours of community service. Logan (Matt Czuchry) throws Rory a "felon" party. Written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Rating: 4.0/7

Rory begins serving her 300 hours of community service and finds that life on a road crew is not pretty. Lorelai and Luke try to decide whether they will fix up Lorelai's house or buy the Twickham house. Luke's sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) begs him to hire her husband T.J. (Michael DeLuise) as a contractor. When Rory pays Luke a surprise visit at the diner to find out how Lorelai is, he feels obligated to tell her that he and Lorelai are engaged. Afterwards, Luke confronts Lorelai about her estrangement from Rory. Feeling lonely, Lorelai adopts a dog at the Stars Hollow pet fair. Finally, during a chance meeting, Lorelai and Rory have an angry confrontation about their mutual hurt feelings. Daniel Palladino wrote and directed the episode.

Rating: 3.8/6

Excited about catering the wedding, Sookie pressures Lorelai to set a date, but Lorelai won't commit. While completing her community service hours, Rory takes a job at Emily's DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) office. Convinced that she has a rival for the job of DAR president, Emily uses Rory as her spy. Logan returns from Europe and returns to Yale, forcing Rory to confront her true feelings about dropping out of college. Lane and her band return from their summer on the road. Luke agrees to take care of Lorelai's dog, Paul Anka, while she works late at the inn, and ends up rushing the dog to the vet. Finally, Lorelai admits to Luke her reason for putting off their wedding. Michael Zinberg directed the episode written by David S. Rosenthal.

Rating: 3.8/6

Missing Rory, Lorelai tries to call her and is upset to find that Rory's cell phone is no longer in service. Jackson's quirky family is in town for his children's baptisms, and Sookie asks Lorelai and Rory to be the godparents to her two children in the hope that they will reconcile when they see each other at the ceremony. However, mother and daughter end up fighting when Lorelai realizes that Rory have her new cell number to Sookie but not to her. Logan learns that his father expects him to graduate this year and enter the family business. Wanting to break free from family pressures, Logan whisks Rory off to a weekend in New York. Lane freaks out when Brian and Zack spend all of the band's tour money. Robert Berlinger directed the episode written by Rebecca Rand Kirshner.

Rating: 3.8/6

Rory does a fabulous job organizing a big DAR bash for Emily. However, at the party, Richard confronts Logan's father, Mitchum Huntzberger (Gregg Henry), about his opinion of Rory's journalistic talents, while Emily has an even uglier confrontation with Logan's mother, Shira (Leann Hunley), over the romance between Rory and Logan. Meanwhile, after a small kitchen fire at the Dragonfly Inn, Lorelai needs Richard's help settling the insurance claim and uses the time spent with her father to needle him about the fact that he has been unable to get Rory to return to Yale. Though he's annoyed with Lorelai, Richard has to admit that Rory is not where she should be. Michael Zinberg directed the episode written by Daniel Palladino.

Rating: 4.0/6

Richard tries to get information from Logan about Rory's future plans, but Logan mistakenly thinks that Richard is asking when the two of them plan to marry. Lorelai is in favor of Taylor's plan to change all the Stars Hollow street names back to their original historic names, until she learns that the street where the Dragonfly Inn is located was once known by a disgusting name. Rory makes a surprising confession to Logan. Richard finally faces the fact that he should never have let Rory drop out of Yale, and shows up at Lorelai's house to talk things over. Jackson Douglas directed the episode written by Keith Eisner.

Rating: 3.8/6

As Rory's twenty-first birthday approaches, both Lorelai and Rory are saddened by the fact that their ongoing estrangement will keep them from spending the day the way they had always planned. Richard tries to convince Lorelai to help him with a plan to get Rory back to Yale, but Lorelai insists that Rory has to make the decision herself. While Richard continues to worry about Rory's future, Emily throws herself into planning an elaborate birthday party. Meanwhile, Emily and Richard are shocked when they realize that Rory and Logan have been having sex. Madeleine Albright makes a cameo appearance. Bob Berlinger directed the episode written by Amy Sherman-Palladino

Rating: 4.1/6

Rory is pleasantly surprised when her old flame Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) appears at her grandparents' house and reveals an amazing development in his life. Rory agrees to go to dinner with Jess, and when Logan unexpectedly joins them, an ugly confrontation develops, leaving both Rory and Logan to face the choices they have made. Emily is concerned about Rory's sudden evasiveness and tries to exert some parental discipline. Meanwhile, Luke agrees to sponsor a local girls' soccer team and Lorelai channels all her concerns about Rory into caring for her dog, Paul Anka. Kenny Ortega directed the episode written by Dan Palladino.

Rating: 3.9/9

A surprise phone call from Christopher brings up issues of trust between Lorelai and Luke. Later, when a person from Luke's past shows up in Stars Hollow, he has no idea how to tell Lorelai about it. After months of estrangement, Lorelai and Rory make their first move toward reconciliation and Rory takes major steps to change the direction of her life. The episode was written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Rating: 4.0/6

After a long absence, Christopher (David Sutcliffe) reappears in Lorelai and Rory's lives with an offer to make up for lost time. Luke struggles with what the new person in his life will mean to him and his relationship with Lorelai. Lorelai and Rory enjoy their first Thanskgiving at the Dragonfly Inn, during which Rory receives surprising news about Logan. Meanwhile, as the band prepares for an important showcase performance, Lane has to deal with Zach's (Todd Lowe) jealousy over a song Brian (John Cabrera) wrote about her. Singer/songwriter Carole King guest stars as Sophie, the owner of Stars Hollow's music shop. The episode was written by Daniel Palladino and directed by Kenny Ortega.

Rating: 3.9/6

Feeling that he has missed too much and wants to get to know his newly discovered daughter April, Luke goes to have a talk with her mother, his former girlfriend Anna Nardini (Fenn). Meanwhile, Lorelai sets a date for the wedding after finding the perfect dress, but she is worried by the nagging feeling that something is about to go wrong. Back at Yale, Rory happily moves into a dingy off-campus apartment with Paris and Doyle (Danny Strong), and tries to avoid running into Logan. However, when Logan shows up at her apartment and declares his love for her, Rory breaks down. Written by Amy Sherman-Palladino and directed by Jamie Babbit.

Rating: 4.0/6

Knowing he has let too much time go by, Luke is still unable to tell Lorelai about the existence of his 12-year-old daughter, April (Vanessa Marano), and he is thrown into a panic when April wants to hang out with him at the diner. When April and Lorelai both show up at the diner and begin chatting, April innocently explains that Luke is her father. Lorelai tries to be supportive, even offering to postpone the wedding date, but Luke's reaction to this idea leaves her confused and hurt. Back at Yale, Logan takes unusual steps to win Rory back, and the newspaper staff rebels against Paris's reign of terror at the Yale Daily News. Meanwhile, Stars Hollow holds its annual Winter Carnival, and Lorelai and Rory run a booth featuring their dog, Paul Anka, as a fortune teller. Sherilyn Fenn guest stars as Ana Nardini. The episode was written by Daniel Palladino and directed by Stephen Clancy.

Rating: 3.7/5

While Luke deals with the reality of having April (Vanessa Marano) in his life, Lorelai tries to pretend she doesn't mind the repercussions the new situation is having on their engagement. Rory's concern over Paris's lack of management skills at the Yale Daily News finally reaches a crisis point when most of the staff quits in protest. With Logan's help, Rory makes a valiant attempt to get the paper out on time. Meanwhile, Lorelai breaks the news to Richard and Emily that their money will no longer be needed for Rory's education, and the resentment starts to build. The subsequent Friday night dinner erupts into an emotional confrontation where all four Gilmores finally get their issues out on the table. The episode was written by Amy Sherman-Palladino and directed by Kenny Ortega.

Rating: 3.6/5

Emily tells Lorelai that she'd like to get to know her future son-in-law better and asks her to invite Luke over for dinner. Wanting to avoid an argument, Lorelai purposely fails to mention that the wedding has been postponed. The Yale Daily News staff finally fires Paris and chooses Rory to be the new editor. A furious Paris kicks Rory out of the apartment, and Rory has no idea where she is going to go until Logan convinces her to move into his apartment. When Rory gives Christopher (David Sutcliffe) a tour of Yale, he learns of the new living arrangement and tells Lorelai. The episode was written by Jordan Nardino and directed by Stephen Clancy.

As Valentine's Day approaches, Rory and Logan invite Lorelai and Luke to spend a weekend with them at Logan's family's house on Martha's Vineyard. Rory and Logan have a wonderful time, but Lorelai is upset by Luke's unfriendly attitude toward Logan. Luke's attitude changes when he realizes he forgot to buy Lorelai a Valentine gift, and Logan saves the day by letting Luke give Lorelai one of the gifts he had bought for Rory. When Lorelai finally confesses to Luke that she is worried the wedding will never take place, he reassures her that they will get married soon. The weekend ends in an ugly scene when Logan's father, Mitchum Huntzberger (Gregg Henry), arrives and berates Logan for ignoring his responsibilities in the family business. Melissa McCarthy also stars. The episode was written and directed by Daniel Palladino.

Proud parents Lorelai and Christopher (David Sutcliffe) attend a journalism panel at Yale where Rory dazzles the crowd. Afterwards, Lorelai offers to help Christopher out by babysitting his 4-year-old daughter and is horrified by the toddler's terrible behavior. The next day, Rory and Logan attend the wedding of Logan's sister, Honor (Devon Sorvari). While helping the bride and her three bridesmaids get ready, Rory is devastated to learn how Logan spent his time during their recent breakup. Logan tries to defend his actions, but a devastated Rory turns to Lorelai and Paris for comfort. Finally, Lane is still heartbroken over Zach (Todd Lowe), until he turns up at the diner with a surprise. The episode was written by Rebecca Rand Kirshner and directed by Linda Mendoza.

Rating: 3.2/5

Rory forgives Logan for his indiscretions, then needs some time for herself, so she pays a visit to Lorelai in Stars Hollow. Although Lorelai refuses to admit that she is upset, Rory can tell that she is bothered by the news that Luke will be gone for a few days on a field trip with his daughter, April. Against Lorelai's wishes, Rory pays a visit to the store owned by April's mother, Ana (Sherilyn Fenn), to spy on her. Meanwhile, when Zack finally works up the courage to ask Mrs. Kim for permission to marry Lane, he is surprised at the deal she makes with him. The episode was written by Keith Eisner and directed by Lee Shallot Chemel.

Lorelai has a bizarre dream in which singer/songwriter Paul Anka has a cameo role. Meanwhile, although Rory and Logan are back together, Logan is miserable knowing that Rory hasn't really forgiven him, and he takes off with his friends for another stunt with the Life and Death Brigade. Rory accepts Jess's (Milo Ventimiglia) invitation to attend an open house at his new book store/art gallery/publishing house in Philadelphia. While there, she is surprised to run into Luke, who is accompanying his daughter April (Vanessa Marano) on an academic field trip. Back in Stars Hollow, Lorelai is horrified to find that Richard and Emily have been looking at real estate in her town. The episode was written and directed by Daniel Palladino.

Rating: 2.8/5

On the night before Lane and Zach (Todd Lowe) get married, Lorelai and Rory's plans for a bachelorette party go awry, as do the plans made by Zach's buddies, so the two groups end up together for a makeshift party in a vacant parking lot. Mrs. Kim informs Lorelai that she cannot attend Lane's wedding without an escort. Since Luke is still out of town, Lorelai invites Christopher to be her date. Everyone attends two wedding ceremonies-one Buddhist and one Seventh Day Adventist-followed by a wild wedding reception in the town square. The episode was written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Rating: 2.9/5

Luke decides to give April (Vanessa Marano) a birthday party at the diner. Lorelai volunteers to help, and is hurt when Luke explains that he still thinks it's too soon for April and Lorelai to meet. However, Luke changes his mind when the party is a disaster, giving Lorelai a chance to bond with April while turning the party into a huge success. Meanwhile, Rory rushes to be with Logan at the hospital after he is seriously injured during a stunt with the Life and Death Brigade. The episode was written by David Rosenthal and directed by Ken Whittingham.

Temporarily unable to see after minor eye surgery, Emily enlists Lorelai's help as her driver and companion, finally revealing a huge surprise that catches Lorelai completely off-guard. Meanwhile, Rory takes charge of Logan's recovery when he is released from the hospital. Finally, Luke helps his sister Liz and her husband T.J. (Michael DeLuise) deal with Liz's pregnancy. The episode was written by Amy Sherman-Palladino & Daniel Palladino and directed by Jamie Babbit.

Season finale

Lorelai tries to avoid Luke and ends up pouring her heart out to a psychologist (Melora Hardin) who was invited to dinner at her parents' house. Elsewhere, Rory tries to avoid the Huntzbergers, particularly Mitchum, as she attends Logan's graduation and prepares for his inevitable departure; and Taylor's bothered by an influx of troubadours to Stars Hollow. Mary Lynn Rajskub, Sam Phillips, Grant Lee Phillips, Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, Sparks and Joe Pernice appear.