Rory and Paris finish their trip in Washington D.C. Jamie asks Paris on a date, and Paris freaks out. Rory comes home and finds Jess kissing a blonde at the Start Hollow End of Summer Madness Festival. She gets upset and Lorelai tells her she needs to choose between Jess and Dean.

b: 24-Sep-2002 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Amy Sherman-Palladino

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

45. Haunted Leg
gs: Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) David Sutcliffe (Christopher Hayden) Emily Bergl (Francie Jarvis) Dakin Matthews (Hanlin Charleston) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn)

Kirk asks Lorelai on a date and she respectfully declines. Rory and Jess have and argument about Shane. When Lorelai and Rory won't talk to Christopher, he shows up unannounced at Friday Night Dinner.

b: 01-Oct-2002 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Chris Long

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

46. Application Anxiety
gs: Matt Newton (Jack Springsteen) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Granville Van Dusen (Darren Springsteen) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Adam Brody (Dave Rygalsky) Tinsley Grimes (Carol Springsteen) Grant-Lee Phillips (Grant) Jeanette Brox (Jennifer Springsteen) Biff Yeager (Tom) Anita Finlay (Marie Springsteen)

Rory recives her Harvard application and her and Lorelai freak out. Rory and Lorelai visit an Harvard alumnist family. Lane looks for a band to drum in. Taylor wants to open an old fashioned soda shop next to the diner.

b: 08-Oct-2002 w: Daniel Palladino d: Gail Mancuso

NOTE: Music: Grant Lee Phillips; Tom Waits; and The Ramones doing "I Wanna Be Sedated".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

47. One's Got Class and the Other One Dyes
gs: Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Adam Brody (Dave Rygalsky) Heidi Swedberg (Debbie Fincher) Jessica Kiper (Shane)

Lorelai agrees to talk about running your own buisness at Stars Hollow High, but the kids just want to talk about her pregnancy. Wanting to do something wild, Lane dyes her hair purple.

b: 15-Oct-2002 w: Daniel Palladino d: Steve Robman

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

48. Eight O'Clock at the Oasis
gs: Judy Geeson (Natalie Swope) Jason Kravits (Dwight) Jon Hamm (Peyton Sanders)

Lorelai meets a man at an auction her mother invited her to. Lorelai goes on a date with him, only to discover he only wanted to talk about himself. Lorelai and Rory's new neighboor asks them to water his lawn while he's away on buisness.

b: 22-Oct-2002 w: Justin Tanner d: Joe Ann Fogle

NOTE: The house across the street from Dwight's was the one used in "Maybe It's Me", last year's short-lived WB series set in Rhode Island. A WB spokesperson confirmed to TV Guide Online that a line of dialogue from this episode was dubbed over at the last minute as a result of the terrorist attack in Bali. In the scene, which was shot well before the 10/12/02 disco bombing that left more than 180 people dead, Lorelai tells Rory that Peyton just flew in from Bali. Thanks to looping, producers were able to change the line from Bali to Maui, but some astute viewers picked up on the edit. When Emily invites Lorelai to the auction, she tells her that it's on Tuesday. When Lorelai calls auction information to get Paddle 17's number later, she says that she was at their auction the night before. However, they're getting ready for Friday night dinner while she's on the phone, which would indicate that the auction was on Thursday, not Tuesday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

49. Take the Deviled Eggs...
gs: Madchen Amick (Sherry Tinsdale) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Rose Abdoo (Gypsy) Alan Blumenfeld (Rabbi David Barans) Jim Jansen (Rev. Archie Skinner)

Lorelai and Rory go to Sherry's baby shower. Lorelai is incredibly uncomfortable, especially when Sherry talks to her about Christopher. On the way home, Lorelai and Rory devil-egg Jess' car. Luke discovers Jess works at Wal*Mart.

b: 05-Nov-2002 w: Daniel Palladino d: Jamie Babbit

NOTE: Lorelai talks about how she once made seashell candles which stunk up the whole house. In real life, Lauren Graham makes seashell candles as a hobby.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

50. They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?
gs: Adam Brody (Dave Rygalsky) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Ted Rooney (Morey Dell) Brandon Barash (Jamie) Jessica Kiper (Shane)

Lorelai and Rory participate in the 24 Hour Dance Marathon. Jess comes and stares at Rory. All night. Rory ocassionally stares back. Dean gets fed up and breaks up with Rory, very publicly. When Rory is hurting, Jess consoles her.

b: 12-Nov-2002 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Kenny Ortega

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

51. Let the Games Begin
gs: William Forward (Harris Fellows)

Rory and Lorelai tour the Yale campus with Richard and Emily. It ends badly when Richard sets up a meeting with the admissions officer for Rory, without telling Emily, Lorelai, or Rory. Jess and Rory are offically a couple.

b: 19-Nov-2002 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino s: Amy Sherman-Palladino & Sheila R. Lawrence d: Steve Robman

NOTE: Music: XTC did "Then She Appeared"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

52. A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving
gs: Adam Brody (Dave Rygalsky) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Ted Rooney (Morey Dell) Judy Geeson (Natalie Swope) John Aniston (Douglas Swope) Michael Des Barres (Claude Clemenceau) Lydie Denier (Monique Clemenceau) Brent Hinkley ()

Who can eat 4 Thanksgiving dinners? Rory and Lorelai can. They eat tofurky at Lane's, deep-fried turkey at Sookie's and normal Thanksgiving food at Luke's and Emily and Richard's.

b: 26-Nov-2002 w: Daniel Palladino d: Kenny Ortega

NOTE: Music: Nirvana - "The man who sold the world." Immediately after Dave kisses Lane, he says "I've gotta go," a line that Rory has said every time she has a first kiss.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

53. That'll Do, Pig
gs: Scout Taylor-Compton (Clara Forester) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Marion Ross (Trix Gilmore) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Emily Bergl (Francie Jarvis)

Gran comes to visit and decides she wants to see Lorelai and Rory's house. After Gran sees the house her, Lorelai, Richard, and Emily have dinner at the inn. Rory, Jess, Dean, and Clara go to the Winter Carnival together. And, as Rory puts it "Dean knows I'm dating Jess, Jess knows I'm friends with Dean and they both seem fine with it".

b: 14-Jan-2003 w: Sheila R. Lawrence d: Jamie Babbit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

54. I Solemnly Swear
gs: Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Emily Bergl (Francie Jarvis) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Joe Fria (Joe Mastoni) Billy Burke (Alex Lesman)

Francie sets Rory up after Rory makes her mad. One of Emily's maids is suring her, and Emily wants Lorelai to give a deposition. Lorelai and Sookie run into Sookie's old friend, Joe, at a class teaching how to run an inn.

b: 21-Jan-2003 w: John Stephens d: Carla McCloskey

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

55. Lorelai Out of Water
gs: Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Billy Burke (Alex Lesman) Adam Brody (Dave Rygalsky) Tricia O'Kelley (Nicole Leahy) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Samson Yi (Young Chui) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Biff Yeager (Tom) Dakin Matthews (Hanlin Charleston) Jim Ortlieb (Mr. Hunter)

Lorelai goes on a fishing trip with Alex, but Lorelai can't fish. Luke teaches her how. Paris tries to empeach Rory. Mrs. Kim says maybe when Lane asks her if she can go to the prom.

b: 28-Jan-2003 w: Janet Leahy d: Jamie Babbit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

56. Dear Emily and Richard
gs: Chelsea Brummet (Young Lorelai) Phillip Glenn Van Dyke (Young Christopher) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Madchen Amick (Sherry Tinsdale) Tricia O'Kelley (Nicole Leahy) David Sutcliffe (Christopher Hayden) Cristine Rose (Francine Hayden) Biff Yeager (Tom) Cynthia Ettinger (Maureen Rollins) Peter Michael Goetz (Straub Hayden) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn)

Sherry goes into labor and the only people to help her through it are Rory and Lorelai. We see flashbacks of Lorelai's pregnancy.

b: 04-Feb-2003 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Gail Mancuso

NOTE: Music: Nena did "99 Luft Balloons".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

57. Swan Song
gs: Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Billy Burke (Alex Lesman) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Adam Brody (Dave Rygalsky) Todd Lowe (Zack) John Cabrera (Brian)

Jess goes to Friday Night Dinner with Rory. He shows up late with a black eye and Rory thinks he got into a fight with Dean. Lorelai and Alex go to New York for the weekend with Sookie and Jackson.

b: 11-Feb-2003 w: Daniel Palladino d: Chris Long

NOTE: There seems to be a growing pattern of swan attacks here -- Michel tells Lorelai in "Kill Me Now" about being attacked by swans when he was a child. Swan Song is the name of a Dorothy Parker poem.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

58. Face-Off
gs: Marion Ross (Trix Gilmore) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Samson Yi (Young Chui) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Adam Brody (Dave Rygalsky) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Adrian Sparks (Doug Doose) Bob Larkin (Doose #2) Todd Lowe (Zack) John Cabrera (Brian)

Jess doesn't call, so Rory goes to a hockey game where she sees Dean's new girlfriend. Emily sees Gran kissing a strange man.

b: 18-Feb-2003 w: John Stephens d: Kenny Ortega

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

59. The Big One
gs: Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Scott Cohen (Max Medina) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Dakin Matthews (Hanlin Charleston) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Adam Wylie (Brad Langford) Jill Matson (Teacher)

Rory and Paris write speeches for the Chilton Bicentennial Celebration and it gets broadcasted live on C-Span. Paris and Rory hear from Harvard, with very different results. Lorelai runs into Max at a drugstore. Sookie finds out she's pregnant, and Jackson doesn't take it too well.

b: 25-Feb-2003 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Jamie Babbit

NOTE: Adam Wylie, who played Brad Langford in this episode, recently starred on Broadway as Jack in "Into the Woods".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

60. A Tale of Poes and Fire
gs: Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Rowan Joseph (Jim Hatlestad) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Tricia O'Kelley (Nicole Leahy) Arielle Kebbel (Lindsay Lister) Beth Kennedy (Mrs. O'Malley) Willie C. Carpenter (Chief Baker) Michael Mantell (Fred Larson) Stoney Westmoreland (Bill Borden) Robert Clendenin (Poe #2)

The Poe Society is staying at the inn, at least until there's a fire. Then the guests move into homes in Stars Hollow. Rory gets accepted to Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, and has to choose which one she will attend. Jess is employee of the month at Wal*Mart.

b: 15-Apr-2003 w: Daniel Palladino d: Chris Long

NOTE: Art imitates life: the shirts Kirk made in this episode bear a close resemblance to the black shirts with the words "a film by kirk" written in lower-case white letters which were created by some "Gilmore Girls" fans on the net after "Teach Me Tonight" aired.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

61. Happy Birthday, Baby
gs: Bruce McCulloch (Tobin) Tricia O'Kelley (Nicole Leahy) Jon Polito (Pete) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Biff Yeager (Tom) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Bruce French (Mr. Leahy) Linda Porter (Fran Westin) Eileen Barnett (Mrs. Leahy)

It's Lorelai's birthday and the town throws her a surprise party. An investment Richard made in Lorelai's name finally pays off. Luke meets Nicole's parents.

b: 22-Apr-2003 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Gail Mancuso

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

62. Keg! Max!
gs: Scott Cohen (Max Medina) Adam Brody (Dave Rygalsky) Todd Lowe (Zack) John Cabrera (Brian) Tricia O'Kelley (Nicole Leahy) Arielle Kebbel (Lindsay Lister) Samson Yi (Young Chui) Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs (Principal Merten) Chauncey Leopardi (Kyle) P.B. Hutton (Terry)

Lane's band is playing at Kyle's party. When Jess gets upset with Rory, Dean makes sure she's okay, then gets into a fight a fight with Jess that brings the cops to the party. Dave gets jealous of Young Chui. Jess learns he's not graduating.

b: 29-Apr-2003 w: Daniel Palladino d: Chris Long

NOTE: Music: The White Stripes did "Fell In Love With A Girl" from their "White Blood Cells" cd; The Clash did "White Riot" from their "The Clash" cd. During the filming of the fight scene, Jared Padalecki was slightly injured when one of Milo Ventimiglia's punches connected.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

63. Say Goodnight, Gracie
gs: Alan Blumenfeld (Rabbi David Barans) Rob Estes (Jimmy Mariano) Jim Jansen (Rev. Archie Skinner) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Adam Brody (Dave Rygalsky) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Chauncey Leopardi (Kyle)

Jess' father, Jimmy, shows up and Luke has a talk with him. Fran dies, and Sookie and Lorelai are curious about what will happen to the Dragonfly Inn. Rory learns Dean and Lindsay are engaged.

b: 06-May-2003 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino & Janet Leahy s: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Jamie Babbit

NOTE: Music: David Bowie did "Suffragette City" from his "Best of Bowie" cd.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

64. Here Comes the Son
gs: Rob Estes (Jimmy Mariano) Sherilyn Fenn (Sasha) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Adam Wylie (Brad Langford) Alex Borstein (Miss Celine) Alix Kermes (Lily) Michael Marrona (Lee)

Jess goes to California to see his father and is not warmly recieved. Rory stresses out over finals and graduation.

b: 13-May-2003 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Amy Sherman-Palladino

NOTE: Music: The Beach Boys did "Catch A Wave" from their "Vol. 1 - Greatest Hits" cd; Blondie did "One Way Or Another" from their "Greatest Hits" cd. Alex Borstein, who appeared in the first few episodes as Drella, returns in this episode as Ms. Celine. The California scenes in this episode were filmed entirely on location in Venice Beach, California. This episode was originally intended to serve as the pilot for a Jess-centered show which the WB later declined to pick up, citing high production costs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

65. Those Are Strings, Pinocchio
gs: Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Dakin Matthews (Hanlin Charleston) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Adam Wylie (Brad Langford) Grant-Lee Phillips (Grant) Ted Rooney (Morey Dell) Rose Abdoo (Gypsy)

Rory graduates from Chilton as valedictorian. Rory asks Emily and Richard to pay for Yale. Lorelai and Sokie buy the Drangonfly Inn. Lorelai and Rory prepare for their European trip. Luke leaves for his cruise with Nicole.

b: 20-May-2003 w: Daniel Palladino d: Jamie Babbit