Let the Games Begin

Season

Episode

3

8

Aired

November 19, 2002

Written by

Amy Sherman-Palladino
Sheila R. Lawrence

Directed by

Steve Robman

[[{{{transcript}}}|Episode Transcript]]
[[{{{transcript2}}}|Part Two]]

SynopsisEdit

Richard has the Bulldog spirit when he, Emily, Lorelai, and Rory tour Yale.  Rory goes through with the tour to please her grandparents. Richard even arranges an admission interview for Rory, although he knows she has her heart set on Harvard. Rory and Jess renew their romance.

Plot outlineEdit

In the aftermath of the Dance Marathon, Kirk parades around Stars Hollow with the trophy until someone steals it, while Lorelai and Rory painfully inch their way towards Luke's. After Lorelai tells Luke about Rory and Jess, he breaks up their first kiss as a couple and then lays down some ground rules with Jess about dating Rory. Lorelai and Rory reluctantly agree to accept Richard's invitation to accompany him and Emily to his Whiffenpoof reunion at Yale, where he springs quite an unwelcome surprise on all three women. Back from New Haven, Lorelai and Rory head for Luke's, and Jess and Rory finally get to have those first kisses. Rory visits Dean to apologize and tell him that she misses his friendship. Late at night, Lorelai and Rory each curl up with some bedtime reading -- the Yale brochure.

MusicEdit

• "Then She Appeared" by XTC
• "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits
• Also referenced: Perry Como

Movie ReferencesEdit

• Love Story

Pop Culture ReferencesEdit

Lorelai: We're lucky it wasn't snowing. It would've been the Donner Party all over again, but with slightly better hair.

Lorelai: Luke, we need a couple of doughnuts, and some of those extra legs Heather Mills is sending over to Croatia.

Lorelai: Mom, you know, if you’re not a little nicer to your help, you might find yourself in a Frank Lloyd Wright situation.

Luke: (to Jess, about Rory) Any evidence of alcohol, cigarette smoke, or anything else that Nancy Reagan would find unacceptable, and you will not be allowed near her without an adult present.

Lorelai: (to Emily) Gosh Mom, you were the Helena Bonham Carter of your day.

Emily: What can we do in a bathroom?
Lorelai: Meet George Michael.