Our little Rory Gilmore is all grown up and starting college. Yep, the supercaffeinated recap take on the Gilmore Girls has brought us to the beginning of season four. My, so much has changed and yet so many things have not. Luke came back from his cruise with Nicole a different man, Lorelai and Rory survived backpacking across Europe, Sookie became more pregnant, and that’s just where the stories started. Whew. Keep reading to jump into the highlights from the beginning of the fourth season.

Collegiate Surprises

Ah, the Ivy League. College is the thing Rory’s been focused on since the beginning of the series, and it’s finally here in “The Lorelais’ First Day at Yale.” Most teens I know are beyond ready to get away from their parents and to college, but what happens when your mom is your best friend? I’m sure I’m not the only one who watched this episode like a scientist studying an unknown experience.

I adored the way the story blended Rory and Lorelai’s attachment to each other with the theme of letting go. The sweetness of Lorelai realizing Rory needed more housewares and then coming back to spend the night with Rory was all handled in a nuanced, meaningful way. Rory’s still within driving distance of Stars Hollow, and while she has the opportunity to have different experiences at college, she also gets to keep her roots in her hometown life almost as much as she did when she attended Chilton.

Also, way to be rude about the truck, Lorelai! Her not giving Luke’s truck back was played up for humor, but man, it wasn’t thoughtful of her. Those little things annoy me about the Gilmores sometimes… which you’ve probably noticed if you’ve been reading these recaps. Am I being too mean?

Favorite quote: “I’m not storing your microbe mattress, forget it.” – Luke

The Most Uncomfortable Invitation

Living in a small town can lead to awkward situations… like happening to be around when your ex-boyfriend is getting married and winding up invited to the wedding. Watching this uncomfortable scene between Dean and Rory unfold in “Chicken or Beef?” made me squirm. There’s no saying no when you’re put on the spot, and Rory accepted the invitation for her and her mother. Yikes.

And it went downhill from there. Even though Dean was ready to start a life with Lindsay, this episode revealed he was still hung up on Rory. It’s a slight problem and planted a seed for a plot point that will play out through the season. Dean’s regret over losing Rory came up when he was drunk at his bachelor party, and Luke overheard it. Luke isn’t exactly a guy who dives into personal information; the confession clearly made him uncomfortable but he handled it and dissuaded Rory from attending Dean’s nuptials.

Favorite quote: “It’s pretty. It looks like heaven. Or a Victoria’s Secret commercial, which, to some people, is basically the same thing.” – Rory

Not So Subtle Threats

Over the last four seasons, both Rory and the audience have been repeatedly told about Rory’s excellent writing skills. She’s received compliments, good grades, and awards for her work. “Die, Jerk” marked maybe the first time she received any kind of criticism, and while none of us really enjoy hearing about our missteps, it’s a necessary part of improving. Doyle told Rory her work in reviews wasn’t strong enough, and she struggled to express her opinion.

Once she opened up, her negative words about a Yale ballet impressed Doyle but didn’t have the same effect on the lead ballerina. The review may have been a bit too aggressive, in truth, since it led the ballerina to tell Rory she wanted her to die. Still, it marked an important lesson for Rory.

Lorelai discovered something important in the episode, too. She learned Luke and Nicole were giving their relationship another try, and she was surprised to find she had strong feelings against it. Hmm.

Favorite quote: “Hug a dolphin another day, all right? We need to rev up the gunships and retaliate before the next strike.” – Paris

What did you like best about the beginning of the fourth season? Talk to me in the comments.

IMAGES: Warner Bros., Gilmore Gifs, Madison, Aarn Dingle/Tumblr