The GG spoiler lowdown ... thanks to mrsvw, opossum, Toni of MiloVentimiglia.net , Zap2it, the Deseret News, and Filmjerk. The spoilers are summarized and compiled by Rachel. The conglomeration can also be viewed at www.gilmoregirls.org/spoilers.html
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Last updated 04/12/03

Episode Information

Episode 3.17: A Tale of Poes and Fire
Written by Daniel Palladino
04.15.03

A group of Edgar Allen Poe fanatics have come to stay at the Independence Inn. Lorelai and Michel are talking about the Poe group. The group disturbs Michel, who is fine with Edgar Allen Poe as a person but doesn't believe that people should gather in groups of more than four people for things other than dancing or funerals.
Lorelai gives a couple their room key and makes a joke from "The Tell-Tale Heart". The couple looks confused and walks away. Lorelai doesn't understand why they didn't get the joke, and Michel tells her that they weren't part of the Poe group.

Another man, named Fred, comes to the desk. Lorelai makes yet another Poe joke, and Fred tells her, "It's just a hobby, we're not freaks." After Lorelai gives him his room key and he leaves, Michel suggests that she stop trying to "cute things up."

We're in a plain backroom of Wal-Mart, where thirty or so vested employees are gathered. Jess stands against the wall. Luke slips in and sits in the back, unnoticed by Jess. The store manager makes a speech about the "Associate of the Month" award. Jess smiles awkwardly as the store manager makes a cheesy speech about him.

Later on, the store manager approaches Luke and hands him a Polaroid of an unsmiling Jess, which reads "Associate of the Month". Luke thanks him for it and then stares at the picture, apparently concerned.

Lorelai, Rory, Luke, Nicole, Kirk, Dean, Lindsay, etc. are in the audience at an Edgar Allen Poe reading at Miss Patty's, hosted by the Edgar Allen Poe society. Fred is dressed as Poe (complete with stuffed raven) and reciting Poe's "The Raven". Lorelai and Rory are sitting in the back, whispering about Yale. Lorelai tells Rory that Yale is the best drama school and says that Rory should put that in the "Pro" column. Rory says that she's not taking drama, but Lorelai says that Rory will see some great on-campus performances and may even see the next Meryl Streep.

Rory and Lorelai notice a man on the front row dressed identically to Fred. The "Second Poe" is glaring at Fred, who's still reciting on the stage. Rory and Lorelai mention that it's like a Poe story in and of itself, and toss around funny titles like, "The Case of the Two Poes". Then Lorelai spots Dean and a tall girl, who Rory says is Lindsay. "Wow. He bagged a big one." Lorelai says. Dean notices them and waves, but when Lindsay sees Rory she seems less than thrilled. "I think Lindsay's ready to go to the ghetto on you." Lorelai says. Rory tries making excuses, saying that Lindsay is really nice. Lorelai reminds Rory of the time that Lindsay gave her a magnet shaped like Mark Twain's head, and says that Lindsay should mellow as both

Dean and Rory have moved on.

Later in the scene:

Lorelai starts talking with Luke, who is sitting nearby with Nicole. Fred notices them chatting and glares at them. Rory and Lorelai hope that he won't put a curse on them, or complain to Lorelai when he's back to being Fred the dentist from Tampa. Nicole whispers to Lorelai and holds out a pen. "You're an angel. Thanks." Lorelai says. Nicole says that she'll need it back. Rory whispers to Lorelai that Nicole's pulling a little Lindsay attitude.

Later in the scene:

Fred finishes up, and the Poe Society's leader, Iris, takes the stage. Lorelai and Rory see Fred and the Second Poe in deep discussion, both looking unhappy. Miss Patty fills them in. Apparently they were supposed to do two different readings, but got their signals crossed and both came prepared to do "The Raven". Lorelai wonders what will happen if they start fighting. "Will it punch a hole in the space/time continuum?"

Iris takes the stage again and announces that Second Poe will be giving a second rendition of "The Raven", allowing the to "compare and contrast interpretations of Poe's most famous work." Lorelai and Rory groan, and wish they had a flask there so they could play the "Nevermore" drinking game. Rory wonders if it was Poe's own work that drove him to the bottle.

Later on that night, Lorelai and Rory are leaving Miss Patty's when Fred approaches them, still in Poe character. He asks Rory if she's considering attending Harvard, and tells her that he was born in Boston, but attended West Point. The other Poe approaches and starts to contradict Fred's Poe facts. They start to bicker.

Later in the episode:

Lorelai and Luke are talking. Lorelai is suggesting that Jess has maybe stopped going to school, but Luke refuses to believe it. "He knows the rules. He's got to graduate to keep living with me." Lorelai regrets bringing it up and they go their separate ways.

Kirk is asking Second Poe how he can have a career as a Poe. Second Poe tries to explain that it's just a hobby, but Kirk doesn't understand. "Yes, but how can I have a career as a Poe?"

Later in the episode:

Lorelai and Rory arrive at the Independence Inn, where guests, Sookie, Michel, and other employees are standing around in pajamas and coats as firemen work around the building. There's also a fire truck with flashing lights.

Later in the scene:

The fire chief explains things to Lorelai. The fire is almost out, the structure is stable, and they'll be able to get back in the building in 24 hours. Lorelai tells the chief that she'll erect an 80-foot tall statue of him in the Inn. Then she snaps back into leadership mode and starts assigning tasks to Rory, Michel, Sookie, and the other employees.

Later in the episode:

The Independence Inn guests are having breakfast at Luke's. Sookie bulldozes Luke out of the kitchen so that she can cook her special food. Lorelai apologizes and tells Luke that if he just says the word, they'll go. After a minute, he says that it's okay and goes upstairs. "You're a doll." Lorelai says. As Luke exits, he hears Sookie in the back telling the cooks, "No, get rid of it. Dump it, dump it, I don't want to see it." Luke looks miserable at being so out of control.

Lorelai is on her way to Miss Patty's when she spots Rory entertaining a bunch of kids, including Fred's son, with a puppet show. Rory is astonished that the kids are interested, as she keeps repeating the same material over and over again, and named the puppets Mr. and Mrs. Sock Puppet. The kids call for Rory to come back, but she has to go to school. So Lorelai goes over to the kids and tells them to go to the diner and have breakfast with their families, and then ask the nice man in the baseball cap and flannel shirt to do sock puppets for them. "And if he says no, just ask him louder. It's part of the game!" The kids get excited and run over to the diner. Rory and Lorelai head over to Miss Patty's.

There's an emergency Independence Inn workstation set up. Michel is on the computer while Miss Patty takes phone calls and Babette is fascinated by the computer.

Paris is really upset that she didn't get accepted to Harvard. She feels that it's her punishment for having sex with Jamie, and doesn't know how she'll tell her parents. Rory brings Paris some schoolwork. Paris is sitting on her couch watching TV and doesn't want to stop watching her show. Rory leaves, and Paris tentatively looks at the schoolwork that Rory brought.

Lorelai is at the house, getting the guests set up. Fred Jr., who's sleeping on the couch, keeps calling Lorelai "Ma'am" which weirds Lorelai out. Fred comes downstairs and asks Lorelai where the toothpaste is. Lorelai goes into Rory's room, where she's making up the bed for Fred and his wife. Rory says that having other people sleep in her bed feels a little weird.

Later in the scene:

Lorelai is talking to Rory about her suspicions about Jess. Rory doesn't believe it either, and goes to Lane's house, where she'll be staying the night.

The doorbell rings. Lorelai goes to answer it and discovers a couple (the same couple at the beginning of the episode that she made the Poe joke to) who she thought had left, but they've come back to stay the night at her house like she'd offered. Lorelai is taken aback but hides it. She points them upstairs, to her bedroom. She jokingly asks Frank Jr. if there's room on the couch for her too.

Rory and Lane are at Kim's Antique store, setting up a trundle bed for the night. Lane has Second Poe and his wife sleeping in her bed. "I hope for your sake that they're very, very tired." Rory says.

Later in the episode

Lorelai is outside of Luke's building, asking if she can stay there for the night. A crotchety old neighbor thinks that Lorelai is talking to her and starts yelling. Lorelai asks Luke to throw his keys down, but he says that he'll just come down himself. Lorelai stand there self-consciously as the lady continues to yell at her.

Lorelai sleeps in Luke's bed and Luke sleeps on the couch or with Jess. There's a very good scene between them where Lorelai tells Luke about her dream that she had in "Lazy Hazy Crazy Days" (about them being married and her pregnant with twins). Luke goes to set the alarm clock, and Lorelai mentions that she's feeling some deja-vu and explains what she's talking about. When they realize that the conversation is getting sort of "intimate" they both get self-conscious. Luke turns off the light, lost in thought.

Later in the episode:

The fire chief is taking Lorelai, Sookie, and Michel back into the Inn. Lorelai starts making plans for that night, but the fire chief is a little hesitant. "Anyone give you a heads up about what's inside? You might want to wait 'till you get inside to make your plans." He opens up the door and they step in. "And go slow."

The inn has a lot of damage and they end up laying off a lot of people until it can get back on its feet.

Luke and Lorelai find out that Jess hasn't been attending school, but working at Wal-Mart full time.

Jess goes to see Rory when she is staying at Lane's and lies to her about still going to school. This is their only scene together throughout the episode.

Alex isn't mentioned in this episode, but he and Lorelai are still going out.

Episode 3.20: Say Goodnight, Gracie
05.06.03
Lane and Rory have a talk about the party/drunken phone call situation. Apparently Mrs. Kim has done nothing to Lane about it. Lane and Rory are both confused and Mrs. Kim's lack of punishment or anything is driving Lane crazy, since it's so not the norm. Lane has even offered to go to a Seventh Day Adventist college and live at home in order to achieve forgiveness.

There's a scene with Jess in the diner, serving customers, being sarcastic, etc. There's a man (Jimmy, but we don't know that yet) sitting in a back booth with a cup of coffee. Jess badgers him about opening his menu so that he can decide what he wants to eat. The guy doesn't say much.

Fran, the woman who owns the Dragonfly Inn, dies. Just about everyone in Stars Hollow goes to the funeral, including Lorelai, Sookie, Rory, Lane, Mrs. Kim, Luke, Miss Patty, Kirk, and Taylor. A friend of Fran's named Marjorie gets up to make a speech and mentions the inn, which perks the interest of Sookie and Lorelai. But then the mike cuts out, which Marjorie doesn't realize and so keeps on talking, although only those sitting on the first couple of rows can hear her. The mike cuts in and out sporadically, so they can only hear bits and pieces of words (like "inn"), which drives Sookie and Lorelai crazy. They think that she's talking about the inn and who she's left it to etc. While she's talking and after they hear the word "inn", Marjorie points at a man, and Lorelai and Sookie decide to ask him about it.

After the funeral they go outside, where Fran's casket is being carried around the town square. Sookie and Lorelai walk next to the man from earlier, who is a lawyer and try to talk to him about the inn. They tell him that they currently run the Independence Inn. "The one that burned down?" He finally says that he'll contact them on Monday, and if the check clears, the Dragonfly is all theirs.

Later on, Jimmy is standing outside of the closed diner, smoking a cigarette and watching Jess inside scrubbing tables and stuff while he listens to "Suffragette City". Finally he goes in, Jess tells him that it's closed and recognizes him as the "loser coffee guy".

Not much is said between Jess and Jimmy once it's revealed who Jimmy is; no heartfelt conversation and no real explanation or exchange of info.

Dave gets to take Lane to Prom.

Dean tells Rory that he's engaged to Lindsey. Dean really is engaged; it's not just a ruse to make Rory jealous or something like that, and Lindsey isn't pregnant. Rory mentions that they're kind of young, and Dean tells her that if she doesn't have anything nice to say she should shut her mouth.

Luke tells Jess to leave since he refuses to graduate.

Jess leaves for California after saying goodbye to Rory, though she doesn't know it's a long-term goodbye, as he doesn't tell Rory that he's leaving. They're on the bus to Hartford. She gets off at the Chilton stop, and he stays on. After she gets off the bus, he pulls out his duffel bag.

Episode 3.21: Here Comes the Son
05.13.03
[This episode has both the regular Stars Hollow etc. scenes, and scenes with Jess in Venice. The Stars Hollow stuff is posted here first, followed by the Venice stuff, though the scenes are actually interspersed throughout the episode.]

Lorelai finds out that Rory doesn't qualify for financial aid at Yale.

In a cute scene, Lorelai gives Paris a hug because Paris seems so down.

Rory and Emily are both very stressed about Rory's graduation. Rory is struggling with finishing school, scheduling everything out, and when Lorelai tries to schedule in some "chill time", Rory flips. Emily is stressed about the graduation itself; what to wear, etc. She's even getting on Rory's nerves, as she does things like calling Rory and berating her for not returning her calls. "I don't care how busy you get, young lady. You have to call your grandmother back." She wants Rory to help her figure out what to wear to the graduation.

Lorelai goes to pick up Rory from Emily's (where they've been having a fashion show of sorts), and gets into a fight with Emily. Rory ends up telling Emily that she (Emily) is being stupid.

Luke tells Lorelai that Jess is gone. He feels like he's failed Jess, but Lorelai tries to reassure him that he's done the right thing. "You supported him, you defended him, you gave him a chance. If he chose not to take it, there was nothing more you could do." Luke still isn't totally convinced and leaves after saying that he's got a pretty good idea of where Jess went.
Lorelai tells Rory that Jess is gone. Rory doesn't really react all that much, since she's really stressed about finishing all of her high school stuff.

At the end of the episode, we find out that Rory made valedictorian.

[Venice stuff:]

Jess gets off of a bus in Venice. He looks tired and out of place in his dark clothes and backpack filled with books. He pulls out a map and a crumpled piece of paper and looks at the street signs around him. The sun is brighter than what he's used to, so he's squinting. An old man offers to help him out, since Jess looks lost, but Jess turns him down with the usual sarcasm. "A little sun will be good for you, young man!" Jess continues to walk down the street, passing all of the usual fare: the sunglass stands, the palm readers, the beaded jewelry makers on sitting on the pavement. He passes a bookstore and pauses to write down the name and address.

Suddenly a sixteen-year old girl named Ivy (with long wild hair, a multi colored knit cap, tee shirt, shorts over tights with socks and Vans) shoves Jess down on the sidewalk. She yells at him for stepping on a painting that was on the ground. Jess doesn't know what to make of this. Then a thirteen-year old boy named Chance (dressed very similar to Ivy, hands stained different colors, paintbrushes sticking out of his back pocket) runs up and sees his painting. Ivy becomes gentle and tries to comfort him while he tries to remember how what mixture he used to make the green paint. Jess asks if Chance made the painting, since it's a really good painting, and Ivy tells him to go away. "You know, you're pretty tough for someone dressed like Pippi Longstocking." Jess says. Ivy then sees Jess's backpack on the ground and picks up one of the books that has spilled out ("Ask the Dusk" by John Fante). She makes fun of the title and then refuses to give it back. Jess grabs the skateboard that she's holding and refuses to give it back until she gives him back his book. Jess is getting really pissed, and they yell at each other for a while. Jess then makes a move towards Ivy, but a boy (Skinner) suddenly jumps in front of him, blocking his path. Then other kids (Chuck, Tree, and Bob, a girl) appear from the stop of stairs, from behind buildings and trees. "Wow. It's Newsies." Jess says. Skinner replies, "And who, pray tell be you?" Ivy tells the others that he stepped on Chance's painting and they all agree that it was really rude. Then they talk about Jess as though he's a dog. Jess says that he's tired of the Apple Dumpling Gang and asks for his book back. Then Ivy states that she's getting bored, hops on Skinner's skateboard, and heads off. Jess follows her on her board, and the three other kids follow.

Jess and Ivy have a skateboard chase, through alleys and around tourists. Finally Ivy falls off of her board. Before she can make another break for it, Jess kicks away her board and then picks it up. As the three other kids arrive behind them, he asks for his book again.

Later, on the Boardwalk:
Jess is standing in front of an apartment building. The number on the fence says "422", which matches a number he has written down on a piece of paper. After an internal struggle, Jess makes up his mind and starts to open the gate, but suddenly a bunch of mutts come running over, barking like maniacs. Jess jumps away from the gate. Not knowing what to do, he yells "Is anybody home?" from the sidewalk. A woman, Sasha, appears on the roof of the building and tells the dogs to pipe down. They stop barking immediately.

Sasha: You selling something?
Jess: No.
Sasha: So what can I do for you?
Jess: Does Jimmy Mariano live here?
Sasha: Does he owe you money?
Jess: No. He owes me a burger.
Sasha: What?
Jess: I'm his… Jess. I'm Jess.
Sasha: Jess...?
Jess: Jess Mari...
Two of the dogs start going at it.
Sasha: [to the dogs] Frodo! Back off! Now! [back to Jess] Sorry. What were you saying?
Jess: I just want to see Jimmy, okay?
Sasha: Hey, did you ever see the Wizard of Oz?
Jess: Yes.
Sasha: Remember when they went to the Emerald City and they rang the bell and the guy with the beard stuck his head out and they said that they wanted to see the Wizard and he said 'No,' and they said she's got the ruby slippers and he said 'Well that's a horse of a different color come on in,'?
Jess: Yes.
Sasha: Well, I'm the guy with the beard and I'm saying that no unless you can come up with the ruby slippers.
Jess: I'm his son.
Sasha: His son.
Jess: Yes. His son.
Sasha: [stunned] Well, that's a horse of a different color. Come on it.
Jess looks at the dogs still congregated on the other side of the gate.
Jess: Do they bite?
Sasha: Only those two.
Sasha disappears. Jess looks at the pack of yapping mutts.
Jess: [calling up] Which two? Hey! Which two?
Jess pushes the gate open, walks in, and stands on the patio. Sasha comes out of the bottom apartment. She apologizes, as she didn't know he was coming. Jess explains that he didn't plan it, he just followed up on an open invitation. She welcomes him and introduces herself as Jimmy's girlfriend. She also introduces the dogs (Angus, Chowder, Rufus, Legolas, Resputin, Jimmy Stewert, Mudhead, PawPaw, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Spot). Sasha then tells Jess that Jimmy's not home, and he says that he'll go walk around for a while, but she asks him in and says that she'll call his work. He starts to decline but she's already going inside, so he follows her.

The place is small but colorful. Jess looks around the room very carefully, looking for clues about this guy who calls himself his father. So far he doesn't see any. Sasha goes into the kitchen and offers him some tea. Jess notices some cats sitting on the top of a bookcase, watching him.

Jess enters Jimmy's office, which is piled floor to ceiling on three sides with books. On the fourth wall are cases and cases of vinyl all in plastic all pristine. Jess has walked into heaven. He looks around in disbelief. He goes over to a desk cluttered with paper and magazines. There's a black and white photo of a hot dog stand right at the base of the pier. A plump happy family poses proudly in front of it. A banner reading "Dante's Inferno: the World's Greatest Hot Dog's Grand Opening" is hung above their heads. The logo is a large hot dog with a Satan's horns cape and a devilish grin. Under that picture are a series of pictures depicting the stand through out the years generally getting crummier and crummier as the years progress until finally the shell of the stand is there but it's a tee-shirt stand. Then another picture with Jimmy standing with his arm around an old man. A sign reading " Dante's Inferno Grand Re-Opening" hangs above their heads. And then several pictures of what looks like construction on the place are scattered around. Jess stares at the picture of Jimmy. Smiling happy. Next to a faded but still evil-looking hot dog.

Finally Jess tears himself away from the pictures and moves over to an armoire. He opens it and inside sees a small girl who looks like an owl sitting there, reading a book. She stares up at him with her huge eyes when Sasha enters the room. Sasha tells Lily (the girl) to put the books back in the armoire when she's done. She then asks Jess if he's ready, and they leave. Lily calls Jess back and tells him to shut the door of the armoire.

Jess and Sasha walk down the Boardwalk, making small talk about LA. Sasha tells Jess that Lily is her kid, but not Jimmy's. Sasha's surprised that Jess didn't know that Jimmy and she aren't married. Without missing a beat, Sasha makes comments to passerby; giving someone back their lost keys, offering to mend a pocket, telling a woman to "Give Reilly a kiss." She obviously knows a lot of people in the town. They arrive at the base of the Santa Monica Pier, and Sasha announces, "We're here."

In front of them stands the same Dante's Inferno hot dog stand that he saw in the black and white pictures and the other pictures around Jimmy's desk. It is completely restored with a very shiny tall devil dog standing ten feet tall. There's an awning and several tables set up in front. There's a roller blade and bike rental next door so there is a ton of activity around. Sasha asks the kid at the counter where Jimmy is, and they're directed to go around back. They go around the side of the stand. Sasha opens the side door and heads in. Jess hesitates for a second and then follows her.

At first Jimmy doesn't want Jess to say, but they do have a good conversation near the end of the episode and Jimmy says Jess can stay if Sasha says it's okay.