Ted Rooney

Hal and the boys get competitive when the local church starts to undercut them on Christmas tree prices.

Rory's first day at Chilton Prep begins badly when Lorelai accompanies her daughter into the intimidating school wearing a T-shirt, cut-off jeans and cowboy boots, an outfit that draws disapproving stares from the other mothers.

Lorelai and Rory return from their backpacking adventure in Europe; Sookie confides the sex of her unborn baby to Lorelai; Luke returns from his cruise with surprising news; Lorelai fails to show up at her parents' Friday-night dinner.

After the disastrous scene at her parents' marriage recommitment ceremony, Lorelai begs Luke not to give up on their relationship.

Lorelai is determined to win the annual Stars Hollow dance marathon, and forces Rory to be her partner, and Rory and Jess argue nonstop, even with the townspeople whirling around them on the dance floor.

Mother and daughter both wrestle with romance when Rory finds herself painfully flustered every time she is around Dean, while Lorelai agrees to have dinner with Rory's teacher Max Medina.