HRG's cooking when Claire arrives. Table's already set, pumpkin pies are already made. Claire can't believe how good the place looks. Claire has something to talk to him about before everyone else shows up, but then Lauren comes out, distracting her. Claire pulls him aside as Lauren finishes cooking, and says she's surprised he bought a date and he should have told Mom. He tries to pretend she's not a date, but ultimately sort of admits it by saying Sandra will understand: "We're a complex modern family, and besides, she's got... Doug." He barely says the word Doug, which is the perfect delivery by Jack Coleman. Another knock, and it's Sandra and Doug (played by Hank Stratton, whom you might remember from ... every TV show ever, starting in the '80s.) They come in and Claire greets Mr. Muggles happily. Doug's carrying his own Pomeranian, which he introduces to Claire as Dame Penelope Jane Lovegood III, but tells Claire she can call her Miss Lovegood. Claire looks disturbed as he baby-talks to Miss Lovegood. I guess it's all right for her mom, but not her mom's boyfriend? Sandra sees Lauren and asks HRG if he hired a cook, but he's all, "No, that's Lauren!" In one of those too-loud voices you use when things are awkward. But Lauren's totally smooth and says that's a great way to break the ice, and it's nice to finally meet Sandra. She also says her full name is Lauren Gilmore, which I'll go ahead and declare a shout-out to Lauren Graham on Gilmore Girls. Because, why not? Sandra asks HRG if he brought a date, and he says, "Nooooo. That's Lauren!" [Also, didn't Sandra, as well, or is Doug special? - Z] Claire just rolls her eyes. She is so above her parents' relationship drama.