Since Rory was a tyke, the Gilmore girls have planned her 21st birthday: in Atlantic City, sipping martinis, playing 21. But with the estrangement, Emily plans the birthday party -and it's soooo not Atlantic City.
Stars Hollow prepares for Halloween, and Lorelai has elaborate plans. Emily throws Rory a big party for her 21st birthday, and Rory invites Lorelai. Richard and Emily find out Rory is having sex, and Richard fears they may have made a mistake in letting her dwell with them.—Peter Brandt Nielsen
Emily plans an elaborate 21st-birthday party for Rory, who's saddened that her rift with Lorelai will prevent them from spending the day the way they had always planned. In other events, Richard wants Lorelai to help him get Rory back to Yale. Madeleine Albright makes a cameo appearance.—Patrick Russell