The season picks up at the exact point the previous season ended, with Lorelai embarking on a relationship with Luke and Rory beginning an affair with married Dean. Having finally admitted they are separated, Richard and Emily formalise things by having Richard move into the pool house, with the girls splitting Friday nights between the two of them. Dean's marriage to Lindsay comes to an abrupt end when she finds a letter Rory wrote to him about their night together. He and Rory try dating again but have difficulty spending time together and quickly split for good.
