The first snow of the season falls heavily, stranding Rory at Emily and Richard's house and their cook at home, leaving Rory to make dinner and introduce her grandparents to the joys of frozen pizza with extra cheese. Luke is obsessing about the silliness of the re-enactment of the Battle of Stars Hollow in the town square, which basically consisted of twelve men who stood waiting all night for Redcoats who never arrived. He finally relents and makes amends to all by bringing them coffee. Lorelai is enjoying a walk alone in the snow when she comes upon Max, whose car has died in Stars Hollow on the way home from Stamford. She whisks him off for fiesta burgers and the movies, and they have a marvelous time on their first date. Luke gets a very pained expression on his face as he sees them walk through town arm-in-arm and kiss. When they arrive at Lorelai's house, their passionate embraces are interrupted by a distraught Lane, who was waiting there for Rory. Lorelai has a heart-to-heart

Luke's ex-girlfriend Rachel arrives in Stars Hollow unexpectedly, and immediately picks up on the attraction between Luke and Lorelai, which they deny. Rachel decides to stay for awhile, which leaves Luke and Lorelai with mixed feelings. Lorelai and Rory are amazed when Emily agrees to excuse Rory from Friday night dinner so that Rory and Dean can celebrate their three month anniversary. When Lorelai arrives for dinner, she discovers the source of Emily's largesse -- her mother has invited another guest -- a man with whom she secretly hopes to fix Lorelai up. After a painful dinner with one of the world's most boring men, Lorelai attempts to escape through the window of her old bedroom, but is caught in the act by Richard. When he is forced to admit that even he is bored by the man, he uncharacteristically covers for her and lets her make her getaway. Back in Stars Hollow, Dean treats Rory to a wonderfully romantic dinner, and then gives her a present -- a car that he's restoring for h