Lorelai finds Rory's bracelet on the dresser and says, "Oh, wow. I guess this means there really isn't a Dean anymore." Yeah, it's been like, two weeks, Lorelai. She hasn't shed a tear. He's been gone for months, really. Rory: "Yeah, that and it broke in the shower this morning." Now, was she still wearing it for two weeks after they broke up? Because I bet when Jess held her hand, he noticed her bracelet still on. He knows about the bracelet. I'm letting it go. Letting it go. Let it go. Gone. Rory says she would have taken the bracelet off anyway, probably. "Or Jess would have done it for ya," Lorelai says, echoing my sentiments. Rory crosses her arms and sternly asks what that meant. Lorelai stammers that it meant Jess probably wouldn't want Rory wearing her ex-boyfriend's bracelet. "Or that Jess is a thief and he would have stolen it," Rory says. Ooh, that's not what Lorelai meant. That's your own subconscious, Rory. But Lorelai thinks it's interesting that it works on both levels. Rory asks if this is how it's going to be from now on -- Lorelai liking Dean, hating Jess: "Jess will always be the evil guy who mouthed off to you and wrecked my car. And Dean will always be the perfect guy who would come over and change the water bottle." Yes. Yes. Yes. Lorelai moans, "Oh, I forgot about the water bottle!" Lorelai tells Rory that she didn't say anything at all, and that she's trying to be supportive. "Go team," supportive.

Rory wants to know how supportive Lorelai's going to be. Like, if she invited Jess over, would he be allowed inside of the house? Lorelai says he can come inside. "Are you going to talk to him?" Rory asks. Lorelai falls over and moans, "Oh, my God!" which would totally be my reaction, too. She promises to match him "grunt for grunt." Rory asks if there was a fire and Lorelai could either save Jess or her shoes, what would she do. "That depends," Lorelai says. "Did he start the fire?" Hee. Lorelai promises again to cut Jess some slack. "Did I like Dean? Yes. Did I worry about you less when you were with Dean? Yes. But I never expected you to be with Dean forever just like I don't expect you to be with Jess forever." Rory: "Oh, so now you're just waiting for the day I'm not with Jess anymore." Lorelai grabs Rory by both shoulders and says she's now looking forward to Emily getting here. Rory smiles, says she was kidding, and thanks Lorelai. "You're annoying, and you're welcome," Lorelai smiles. The doorbell rings. "Let the games begin," Lorelai smiles. You know, the only time my mother and I fought non-stop was the six months I was dating the Boy She Hated. We fought viscously over everything. She thought I was wasting my life, and I thought she was being cold-hearted and hateful. I was sixteen and she was realizing that I was growing up and the two hormonal changes at once started a war in my house that almost destroyed it. I know this show isn't about me, but this is a good way to throw some tension between Rory and Lorelai that's really needed, particularly with Rory going to school next year. The battle for independence. Bring it on, Season Four.