22 episodesFirst aired 24 September 2002
E1Sept 200244m
Back from a summer internship in Washington, D.C., Rory finds herself torn between Dean and Jess. Meanwhile, Lorelai questions her future.
E2Oct 200243m
Emily's attempts to reunite Christopher with Lorelai and Rory result in an ugly confrontation between Rory and Christopher.
E3Oct 200243m
After a Harvard application arrives, Rory and Lorelai seek advice. Meanwhile, Lane places an ad and becomes enamored with a respondent.
E4Oct 200241m
Things get ugly when Lorelai speaks at the high school's career day. To rebel against her conservative mother, Lane does something drastic.
E5Oct 200243m
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.
E6Nov 200241m
When Lorelai winds up attending a social event with Rory, she learns more about Christopher's life than she wanted to know.
E7Nov 200243m
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.
E8Nov 200244m
Lorelai, Rory, Richard and Emily visit Richard's alma mater, but Richard causes trouble by secretly making some arrangements in advance.
E9Nov 200241m
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.
E10Jan 200342m
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.
E11Jan 200341m
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.
E12Jan 200343m
Lorelai gets an angling lesson from Luke before her fishing date with her new beau. Meanwhile, the political battle between Rory and Paris escalates.
E13Feb 200341m
When Sherry goes into labor and asks Rory to stay with her at the hospital, Lorelai reminisces about the day Rory was born.
E14Feb 200344m
Lorelai goes away with her boyfriend for a weekend in New York, but she worries about leaving Rory and her boyfriend together.
E15Feb 200344m
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.
E16Feb 200344m
Rory and Paris compete to give a speech at a school celebration. Meanwhile, Lorelai shares a passionate kiss with someone unexpected.
E17Apr 200344m
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.
E18Apr 200344m
While Lorelai deals with the aftermath at the inn, Rory schemes to give her mom a special birthday party, complete with a gigantic surprise.
E19Apr 200343m
Rory makes plans to attend the prom. Lane's rock band debuts at a big party, where longstanding animosities finally explode.
E20May 200344m
After the brawl at her band's debut, Lane is in trouble with her mother. Later, Jess receives a visitor at the diner.
E21May 200343m
Jess travels across the country for a visit. Rory helps Emily choose an outfit for Rory's graduation, resulting in a conflict with Lorelai.
E22May 200344m
Rory and Lorelai prepare for Rory's graduation from Chilton. But major developments involving the inn threaten to dampen the festivities.