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Season 3

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Season 3 of American series Gilmore Girls aired on the WB television network.

About[]

As season three unfolds, both Gilmore girls are growing up fast. Lorelai faced a heartbreaking disappointment when her rekindled romance with Rory's father, Christopher (David Sutcliffe), was thwarted by the unexpected pregnancy of his girlfriend. Trying to move on with her love life, Lorelai now faces the prospect of life without Rory as the dream of Harvard starts to become a reality. Lorelai continues to manage the historic Independence Inn and to nurture her dream of one day opening her own inn with her best friend, the fabulous chef Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy, Charlie's Angels), who is now adjusting to married life.

For Rory, the failed reconciliation between her parents was a crushing blow and led to her first angry confrontation with Christopher over his failures as a parent. She tries to overcome her disappointment by immersing herself in the demanding curriculum at Chilton Academy and the uneasy alliance she has formed with her intense schoolmate Paris Geller (Liza Weil, Stir of Echoes). Rory and Paris spent the summer together at a leadership conference in Washington D.C., where Rory managed to temporarily avoid the turmoil of her own love life. Now back in Stars Hollow for her senior year, she will finally have to choose between Dean (Jared Padalecki), her sweet, safe and steady boyfriend of over a year, or the smart, not-so-safe new boy in town, Jess (Milo Ventimiglia). The possibility of a romance between Rory and Jess continues to be a strain on Lorelai's long-standing friendship with Luke Danes (Scott Patterson, Little Big League), the owner of the local diner and the Mike Nichols to Lorelai's Elaine May. Also there to help Rory sort out her teen life is her friend Lane Kim (Keiko Agena, Felicity) who has now turned her music obsession into action. She has joined a band. Of course, her mother has no idea.

Starring[]

Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore
Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore
Melissa McCarthy as Sookie St. James (18 episodes)
Keiko Agena as Lane Kim (16 episodes)
Yanic Truesdale as Michel Gerard (13 episodes)
Scott Patterson as Luke Danes
Liza Weil as Paris Geller (18 episodes)
Jared Padalecki as Dean Forester (18 episodes)
Milo Ventimiglia as Jess Mariano
Sean Gunn as Kirk Gleason (18 episodes)
and Kelly Bishop as Emily Gilmore (17 episodes)
special appearance by
Edward Herrmann as Richard Gilmore (12 episodes)
Special Guest Stars
Billy Burke as Alex Lesman (3 episodes)
Marion Ross as Lorelai "Trix" Gilmore (2 episodes)
Mädchen Amick as Sherry Tinsdale (2 episodes)
Rob Estes as Jimmy Mariano (2 episodes)
Bruce McCulloch as Tobin ("Happy Birthday, Baby")
Sherilyn Fenn as Sasha ("Here Comes The Son")
Alix Kermes as Lily ("Here Comes The Son")
Recurring cast
Shelly Cole as Madeline Lynn (13 episodes)
Teal Redmann as Louise Grant (13 episodes)
Liz Torres as Miss Patty (10 episodes)
Jackson Douglas as Jackson Belleville (10 episodes)
Emily Kuroda as Mrs. Kim (9 episodes)
Michael Winters as Taylor Doose (9 episodes)
Adam Brody as Dave Rygalski (9 episodes)
Sally Struthers as Babette Dell (7 episodes)

Guest starring[]

Tricia O'Kelley as Nicole Leahy (5 episodes)
Dakin Matthews as Hanlin Charleston (4 episodes)
Biff Yeager as Tom (4 episodes)
Todd Lowe as Zack Van Gerbig (4 episodes)
John Cabrera as Brian Fuller (4 episodes)
Emily Bergl as Francie Jarvis (3 episodes)
Jessica Kiper as Shane (3 episodes)
Ted Rooney as Morey Dell (3 episodes)
Adam Wylie as Brad Langford (3 episodes)
Arielle Kebbel as Lindsay Lister (3 episodes)
Alan Blumenfeld as Rabbi David Barans (2 episodes)
Jim Jansen as Reverend Archie Skinner (2 episodes)
Brandon Barash as Jamie (2 episodes)
David Sutcliffe as Christopher Hayden (2 episodes)
Grant Lee Phillips as Town Troubadour (2 episodes)
Judy Geeson as Natalie Swope (2 episodes)
Rose Abdoo as Gypsy (2 episodes)
Scott Cohen as Max Medina (2 episodes)
Chauncey Leopardi as Kyle (2 episodes)
Senator Barbara Boxer as Herself ("Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days")
Congressman Doug Ose as Himself ("Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days")
Granville Van Dusen as Darren Springsteen ("Application Anxiety")
Tinsley Grimes as Carol Springsteen ("Application Anxiety")
Jeanette Brox as Jennifer Springsteen ("Application Anxiety")
Matt Newton as Jack Springsteen ("Application Anxiety")
Anita Finlay as Marie Springsteen ("Application Anxiety")
Heidi Swedberg as Debbie Fincher ("One's Got Class and the Other One Dyes")
Jason Kravits as Dwight ("Eight O'Clock At The Oasis")
Jon Hamm as Peyton Sanders ("Eight O'Clock At The Oasis")
William Forward as Harris Fellows ("Let The Games Begin")
Brent Hinkley as Jackson's Relative ("A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving")
John Aniston as Douglas Swope ("A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving")
Michael Des Barres as Claude Clemenceau ("A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving")
Lydie Denier as Monique Clemenceau ("A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving")
Scout Taylor-Compton as Clara Forester ("That'll Do, Pig")
Joe Fria as Joe Mastoni ("I Solemnly Swear")
Jim Ortlieb as Mr. Hunter ("Lorelai Out Of Water")
Peter Michael Goetz as Straub Hayden ("Dear Emily and Richard")
Cristine Rose as Francine Hayden ("Dear Emily and Richard")
Chelsea Brummet as Teen Lorelai ("Dear Emily and Richard")
Phillip Glen Van Dyke as Teen Christopher ("Dear Emily and Richard")
Cynthia Ettinger as Maureen Rollins ("Dear Emily and Richard")
Adrian Sparks as Doug Doose ("Face-Off")
Bob Larkin as Doose #2 ("Face-Off")
Jill Matson as Teacher ("The Big One")
Michael Mantell as Fred Larson ("A Tale Of Poes And Fire")
Stoney Westmoreland as Bill Borden ("A Tale Of Poes And Fire")
Robert Clendenin as Poe #2 ("A Tale Of Poes And Fire")
Beth Kennedy as Mrs. O'Malley ("A Tale Of Poes And Fire")
Willie C. Carpenter as Chief Baker ("A Tale Of Poes And Fire")
Bruce French as Mr. Leahy ("Happy Birthday, Baby")
Linda Porter as Fran Weston ("Happy Birthday, Baby")
Eileen Barnett as Mrs. Leahy ("Happy Birthday, Baby")
Jon Polito as Pete ("Happy Birthday, Baby")
Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs as Principal Merton ("Keg! Max!")
P.B. Hutton as Terry ("Keg! Max!")
Alex Borstein as Miss Celine ("Here Comes The Son")
Michael C. Maronna as Leon ("Here Comes The Son")

Trivia[]

  • Lorelai, Rory, Luke, and Jess are the only main characters to appear in every episode.
  • The season's promotional song was "That's What Girls Do" by No Secrets and had an alternate music video for it featuring clips of the show.
  • The season was released on DVD as a six-disc boxed set under the title of Gilmore Girls: The Complete Third Season on May 3, 2005 by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

Photos[]

Season 3/Gallery

Videos[]

Media[]

Gilmore Girls
(ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY • APRIL 2003)

Episodes[]

# EPISODE WRITER(s) AIRDATE #
1 Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Amy Sherman-Palladino 24 September 2002
Lorelai deals with the disappointment after her rekindled romance with Christopher is thrown off track by his ex's pregnancy. Rory, back from her summer trip to Washington, DC, starts her senior year and tries to deal with her parents' failed reconciliation.
2 Haunted Leg Amy Sherman-Palladino 1 October 2002
Emily and Lorelai have a spat when the meddlesome Emily ignores Lorelai's request to stay out of her love life and tries to reunite Christopher and Lorelai. Meanwhile, Rory discovers that Jess is upset that they didn't talk over the summer.
3 Application Anxiety Daniel Palladino 8 October 2002
Rory takes her first steps on the road to Harvard when her long-awaited application arrives in the mail and she sets up an appointment to meet an alumnus for advice. Meanwhile, Taylor tries to persuade Luke to open a soda fountain in Stars Hollow, and Lane puts an ad in the local paper searching for a rock band to join.
4 One's Got Class and the Other One Dyes Daniel Palladino 15 October 2002
The Stars Hollow PTA invites Lorelai and Luke to talk about their businesses at the high school's Career Day, but the students are more interested in Lorelai's teenage pregnancy. Meanwhile, Lane learns her mother wants to send her off to a conservative religious university, so she declares her independence by dyeing her hair purple (with Rory's help).
5 Eight O'Clock at the Oasis Justin Tanner 22 October 2002
Lorelai is attracted to a man, a son of high society, she meets at an auction, but her parents fear if Lorelai dates him her behaviour could jeopardise their own status. Meanwhile, Rory needs Jess's help when she has trouble turning off a neighbour's sprinkler system.
6 Take the Deviled Eggs... Daniel Palladino 5 November 2002
When Rory is invited to Sherry's baby shower in Boston, Lorelai plays chauffeur and finds herself dragged into the festivities against her will. Back in Stars Hollow, Jess comes home with a car, and Luke investigates where he got the money to pay for the new set of wheels.
7 They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They? Amy Sherman-Palladino 12 November 2002
Lorelai begins her search for a dance partner in hopes of capturing the winner's trophy at the annual Stars Hollow 24-hour dance marathon. She ends up recruiting Rory to complete her dancing duo, and Dean goes along to cheer them on. But when Jess arrives at the event with a date, Rory can't take her eyes off him, and Dean can't help but notice.
8 Let the Games Begin Amy Sherman-Palladino 19 November 2002
Richard causes a family uproar after he persuades Rory to visit Yale University, his alma mater, despite the teenager's lifelong dream of Harvard. Meanwhile, Luke lays down the law to Jess about his relationship with Rory.
9 A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving Daniel Palladino 26 November 2002
Emily insists that Lorelai and Rory come to Thanksgiving Day dinner, which causes the girls to be even more overbooked: They have already committed to three other feasts, including celebrations being held by Lane, Luke and Sookie. While dining at the Gilmore estate, Lorelai is floored to learn that Rory applied to Yale University without telling her.
10 That'll Do, Pig Sheila R. Lawrence 14 January 2003
Emily throws a dinner party for Richard's 60th birthday, and his mother, much to Emily's dismay, unexpectedly shows up to the event. Meanwhile, Rory tries to persuade a reluctant Jess to accompany her to the Stars Hollow High Winter Carnival, but Dean's possible attendance may influence Jess's decision.
11 I Solemnly Swear John Stephens 21 January 2003
Rory gets caught in the middle of Francie and Paris's student-council feud over the senior prom. Meanwhile, Lorelai may have found a new love interest in a guy she met at a business seminar; Emily learns that she is being sued by a former maid.
12 Lorelai Out Of Water Janet Leahy 28 January 2003
Lorelai gears up for her fishing date with Alex by reading library books netted by Rory, but finds herself needing to hook up with someone with more technical expertise. Meanwhile, Lane tries to persuade her mother to let her go to the senior prom.
13 Dear Emily and Richard Amy Sherman-Palladino 4 February 2003
When the Gilmore girls are invited to attend the delivery of Sherry's baby, Lorelai reminisces about her experiences as a teenage mother-to-be, including the day she realised she was pregnant with Rory. Meanwhile, Luke gets ready for his first date with Nicole.
14 Swan Song Daniel Palladino 11 February 2003
Rory asks Jess to attend a Friday supper at her grandmother's house, but he's reluctant to go on the dinner date. Meanwhile, Lorelai heads for New York City with Alex; and Lane hatches a plan to hang out with her new beau.
15 Face-Off John Stephens 18 February 2003
Rory tires of waiting for Jess to call so she meets up with Lane at a hockey game, where she also runs into Dean's new love interest. At the Gilmore estate, Gran visits for a few days, and Emily learns that she may be hiding a secret.
16 The Big One Amy Sherman-Palladino 25 February 2003
While in Hartford, Lorelai runs into Max and begins to wonder if she made the right decision in calling off their engagement. Meanwhile, Rory enters a speech contest at Chilton, and Sookie's strange behaviour is explained.
17 A Tale Of Poes And Fire Daniel Palladino 15 April 2003
As Rory considers which university to attend, an emergency arises at the inn and displaces members of the Edgar Allan Poe Society. Also: Luke is perplexed by Jess's employee-of-the-month award; and Rory pays a house call on the hibernating Paris.
18 Happy Birthday, Baby Amy Sherman-Palladino 22 April 2003
As Lorelai oversees repairs at the inn, Rory plans her mother's birthday bash. Also: Richard schedules a meeting with Lorelai; Luke agrees to meet Nicole's folks; Jess is caught in a lie; and Paris returns to school a changed person.
19 Keg! Max! Daniel Palladino 29 April 2003
Hoping to ensure that Rory's graduation goes smoothly, Lorelai reluctantly attends booster-club meetings, where she is surprised by Max's presence---and his attitude towards her. Meanwhile, Jess gets a wake-up call from Principal Merten; and Lane's band gears up for a gig at a house party that turns into a kegger.
20 Say Goodnight, Gracie Leahy & A.S. Palladino 6 May 2003
Already frustrated by his nephew's recent behaviour, Luke has an uncomfortable encounter with an unexpected visitor who's looking for Jess. Elsewhere, Dean has shocking news for Rory; Lane tries to smooth things out with her mother in order to go to the prom with Dave; and Lorelai and Sookie conspire to embark on a new business venture.
21 Here Comes the Son Amy Sherman-Palladino 13 May 2003
As Jess arrives in California hoping to spend some time getting to know Jimmy, Lorelai searches for the right moment to tell a stressed-out Rory that her beau has left town. In other developments, Lorelai gets news from Yale's financial-aid office; and Emily asks for Rory's help in selecting graduation-ceremony attire.
22 Those Are Strings, Pinocchio Daniel Palladino 20 May 2003
Rory readies to graduate from Chilton and circumvents Lorelai to make a deal that will ensure her future at Yale and enable her mother to bid on the Dragonfly Inn. In other developments, Emily and Richard give Rory an extravagant gift; Luke considers taking a cruise with Nicole; and Rory and Lorelai negotiate the contents of their summer-abroad backpacks.
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