Dorothy's son, Michael, shows up with news that he's separated from his wife and needs a place to stay. However, Dorothy quickly gets tired of his freeloading.
Blanche is shattered after her father, Big Daddy, passes away. However, she gets into a big argument with her sister, Virginia, and decides not to attend the funeral.
While Lorelai deals with rebuilding the inn, Rory schemes to give her mom a great birthday party. Meanwhile, Luke confirms his suspicions about Jess skipping school are correct.
Lane's rock band debut ends badly when the animosity between Jess and Dean results in a fistfight. Meanwhile, Lorelai serves on a committee and is uncomfortably reunited with Max.
After the brawl between Jess and Dean, Lane is in trouble and Luke is furious at Jess. But ironically, Lorelai is proud of Rory. Later, Jess ponders a major decision.
Jess travels to Venice, California where his father, Jimmy, lives. The reunion causes tension with Jimmy's girlfriend. Also, Lorelai agonizes over paying for Rory's Yale education.
It's the Christmas season and the girls decide to buy gifts for the one person they pick from a hat. Later, the girls decide to serve Christmas dinner for the homeless.
Samantha's Montana ranch is her family's legacy, so when a developer shows up to buy it, Sam isn't interested. But as he tries to win her trust and her ranch, Sam finds he might also be winning her heart. Erin Krakow, Ryan Paevey.
Mina has everything going for her, but her world is suddenly turned upside down when work sends her to her hometown in Tennessee to convince an old, stubborn restaurant owner to sell his property.
In the season finale, Rory and Lorelai happily prepare for Rory's graduation from Chilton. But major developments involving the Independence Inn threaten to dampen the festivities.
Upon returning from backpacking in Europe, Lorelai and Rory embark on a week of mother/daughter activities, in bittersweet anticipation of Rory going away to Yale as a freshman.
Mother and daughter move Rory into her dormitory at Yale, where she meets a strange new roommate, Tanna, and learns that her old adversary, Paris, will also be sharing her room.
At her first Yale party, Rory encounters twins who were instructed by Emily to keep her safe. Meanwhile, Lorelai and Sookie cater a kids' "Lord of the Rings"-themed birthday party.
Natalie tries to bring feuding neighbors together in her new condo building. Her unexpected ally is the building's super who prefers to avoid getting involved. Stars Ashley Williams, Paul Campbell.
After being stood up, Abbey gets inspired to open her heart in a letter, put it in a bottle and toss it out to sea. Months later, a man fishing discovers it and opts to reach out. Stars Bethany Joy Lenz, Andrew Walker.
Dorothy becomes alarmed when Sophia forgets the date of her wedding anniversary. After visiting a doctor, Sophia decides to regain some of her memories and decides to take a trip to Brooklyn.
It's the Christmas season and the girls decide to buy gifts for the one person they pick from a hat. Later, the girls decide to serve Christmas dinner for the homeless.
