Season 3

22 episodes · 2002

Back from a summer internship in Washington, D.C., Rory finds herself torn between Dean and Jess. Meanwhile, Lorelai questions her future.

Emily's attempts to reunite Christopher with Lorelai and Rory result in an ugly confrontation between Rory and Christopher.

After a Harvard application arrives, Rory and Lorelai seek advice. Meanwhile, Lane places an ad and becomes enamored with a respondent.

Things get ugly when Lorelai speaks at the high school's career day. To rebel against her conservative mother, Lane does something drastic.

After a disastrous date with a man she met at an auction organized by Emily, Lorelai tries to cancel the second date, despite her parents' objections.

When Lorelai winds up attending a social event with Rory, she learns more about Christopher's life than she wanted to know.

Lorelai forces Rory to be her partner at the Stars Hollow dance marathon, where Rory can't stop arguing with a boy – and another definitely notices.

Lorelai, Rory, Richard and Emily visit Richard's alma mater, but Richard causes trouble by secretly making some arrangements in advance.

Lorelai and Rory have four Thanksgivings when they stop for celebrations with Lane, Sookie and Luke on the way to dinner with Richard and Emily.

Lorelai misses the town carnival when a visitor arrives. Rory's beau won't take her to the carnival – until he learns she might go with another boy.

A classmate convinces Paris that Rory has been plotting against her. Meanwhile, Emily is sued by a former maid, and Lorelai meets an interesting man.

Lorelai gets an angling lesson from Luke before her fishing date with her new beau. Meanwhile, the political battle between Rory and Paris escalates.

When Sherry goes into labor and asks Rory to stay with her at the hospital, Lorelai reminisces about the day Rory was born.

Lorelai goes away with her boyfriend for a weekend in New York, but she worries about leaving Rory and her boyfriend together.

Tired of waiting for her boyfriend to call and make plans for the weekend, Rory goes to a hockey game with Lane, where she sees a familiar face.

Rory and Paris compete to give a speech at a school celebration. Meanwhile, Lorelai shares a passionate kiss with someone unexpected.

When a meeting of the Edgar Allan Poe Society at her inn is interrupted by a disaster, Lorelai must find rooms for the guests at homes around town.

While Lorelai deals with the aftermath at the inn, Rory schemes to give her mom a special birthday party, complete with a gigantic surprise.

Rory makes plans to attend the prom. Lane's rock band debuts at a big party, where longstanding animosities finally explode.

After the brawl at her band's debut, Lane is in trouble with her mother. Later, Jess receives a visitor at the diner.

Jess travels across the country for a visit. Rory helps Emily choose an outfit for Rory's graduation, resulting in a conflict with Lorelai.

Rory and Lorelai prepare for Rory's graduation from Chilton. But major developments involving the inn threaten to dampen the festivities.