Rory surprises everyone by agreeing to make her debut at a ball, and Lorelai finds herself attracted to a changed man.

Rory winds up in a fight while performing community service. Lorelai gets a dog. Luke and Lorelai decide to renovate Lorelai's house.

After two separate confrontations with the Huntzbergers at a D.A.R. party, Richard and Emily realize Lorelai was right about their treatment of Rory.

Both Lorelai and Rory are saddened that their estrangement will keep them from spending Rory's 21st birthday the way they had always planned.

Emily and Richard host a graduation party for Rory. Lorelai and Christopher are relieved to find they can still be friends. Logan surprises Rory.