The Long Morrow (S07E01)

In the storybook Connecticut town of Stars Hollow, thirtysomething Lorelai Gilmore (series star Lauren Graham) and her college-age daughter, Rory (series star Alexis Bledel), have been growing up together. Lorelai's elation over her engagement to diner owner Luke Danes (series star Scott Patterson) recently turned to frustration when he learned that he has a 12-year-old daughter, and unable to wait for Luke to come to terms with this life-changing discovery, Lorelai left him. Rory also faced a tumultuous year, dropping out of Yale after her dreams of becoming a journalist were dashed by a newspaper mogul who just happens to be the father of her boyfriend, Logan Huntzberger (series star Matt Czuchry). Rory's reckless behavior led to an unusual and painful parting of the ways between mother and daughter, with Rory moving in with Lorelai's patrician, old-money parents, Emily (series star Kelly Bishop--not appearing in this episode) and Richard (special appearances by Edward Herrmann--not appearing in this episode). But Rory has now realized that she belongs back at Yale, and she and Lorelai have joyfully reunited. At the same time, Rory begins her senior year and continues as the Yale Daily News editor without the supportive presence of Logan, who has been forced by his father to move to London and take his place in the family's newspaper empire. Continuing to add to the unmistakable style of Stars Hollow is a colorful roster of town characters, including Lorelai's friend and business partner, Sookie St. James (series star Melissa McCarthy); Miss Patty (recurring guest star Liz Torres), the local dance teacher and social commentator; Michel Gerard (series star Yanic Truesdale), the haughty concierge of the Dragonfly Inn; and Kirk (series star Sean Gunn), the town's jack-of-all-trades and master of none. Rory's two best friends are her intense classmate Paris Geller (series star Liza Weil) and childhood pal Lane Kim (series star Keiko Agena--not appearing in this episode). In the seventh season premiere, on the day after the finale of the sixth season, Lorelai wakes up in bed with Christopher (recurring guest star David Sutcliffe). Confused and mortified, she makes a hasty exit, ignoring Christopher's pleas that she stay. Once at home, Lorelai tries to get rid of everything that reminds her of Luke and ends up practically emptying her house. Rory receives a toy rocket ship as a parting gift from Logan and is baffled as to its meaning. She decides she should join him in London for the summer, only to learn he has bought her a ticket for a visit at Christmas. Kirk and Taylor Doose (recurring guest star Michael Winters) cause a bizarre accident that damages Luke's diner. Finally, Luke shows up at Lorelai's door and asks her to elope with him. (Warner Bros. UK)