Ep 22. Those Are Strings, Pinocchio

In the season 3 finale of Gilmore Girls, titled "Those Are Strings, Pinocchio," Lorelai and Rory are both facing major life changes. Lorelai is still dealing with the fallout from her breakup with Max, and she's struggling to decide whether or not to accept his proposal if he asks again. Meanwhile, Rory is getting ready to graduate from Chilton and is feeling the pressure to figure out where she wants to go to college.

The episode opens with Rory and Lorelai getting ready for a cotillion that Emily has planned for them. Rory is dreading it, but Lorelai is excited to get dressed up and dance the night away. However, when they arrive at the event, they discover that Max is there. Lorelai is surprised and a bit flustered by his presence, but she tries to keep her cool and enjoy the evening.

Meanwhile, Rory runs into Jess, who has come to the cotillion with his girlfriend Shane. Rory is surprised to see him there, and she's even more surprised when he tells her that he's moving to California to live with his dad. She's sad about it, but she tries to keep up appearances and act like she's fine.

As the night goes on, Lorelai and Max have a chance to talk. Max tells her that he still loves her and wants to be with her, but he knows that she needs time to think. He leaves the cotillion without getting an answer, but he tells Lorelai to take all the time she needs.

Meanwhile, Rory is feeling overwhelmed by all the changes happening in her life. She's worried about where she'll go to college, she's sad about Jess leaving, and she's unsure about her future in general. She confides in her mother, who tells her that it's okay to feel lost sometimes and that everything will work out in the end.

The episode ends with Lorelai and Rory sitting on their porch, drinking coffee and watching the sunrise. They talk about the future and all the possibilities it holds. Despite all the uncertainty, they know that they have each other and that together, they can get through anything. The final shot shows them sitting side by side, smiling and sipping their coffee, a symbol of their unbreakable bond and their ability to face whatever comes their way.