Jay Krich

Lorelai is forced to miss the Stars Hollow Winter Carnival due to the unexpected arrival of Richard's haughty mother, the original Lorelai, otherwise known as Gran (recurring guest star MARION ROSS - "Happy Days"). Gran insists on having dinner with Richard and Emily at the inn and makes a surprise announcement. Meanwhile, Jess refuses to accompany Rory to the carnival--until he finds out that she might go with Dean.

Rory is tricked by her manipulative classmate Francie (recurring guest star EMILY BERGL), who convinces Paris that Rory has been plotting against her. Meanwhile, when Emily is sued by a former maid, Lorelai worries that if she gives a deposition in the case, it will cause more problems with her mother. Also, Lorelai meets an interesting man, Alex Lesman (BILLY BURKE), at a business seminar.

Nick defends a sexually abused teenage boy who wants to protect his father from being implicated in the crime, even though it appears that his father was the abuser.