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.

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

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.