Kimberly Stanphill

Just a freeway's drive away. And yet worlds apart. Rejected by his parents after a brush with the law, Ryan Atwood moves temporarily into the pool house of his attorney's posh Newport Beach home...and finds both friends and foes among the privileged O.C. youth.

Ryan protects Seth at a party in a bad neighborhood. Ryan again must save him after Seth invites the same people to a party in Newport. Luke is shot. Broke Jimmy has a hard choice.

Kirsten takes temporary custody of Ryan. Jimmy borrows money from Kirsten. Summer uses Seth for good luck at a casino benefit. Ryan's mom drunkenly embarrasses him and then leaves.

When Weevil's poker winnings are missing after a game at Logan's house, Veronica questions each player to piece together the evening's events and catch the thief. Meanwhile, on the eve of the Echolls' annual Christmas party extravaganza, Keith is hired by Lynn Echolls (recurring guest star LISA RINNA) to track down one of the potential stalkers of her husband, Aaron (recurring guest star HARRY HAMLIN).

While calling Lorelai from Rome, Rory admits that she complicated her relationship with Dean (recurring guest star JARED PADALECKI). Lorelai gives Dean a letter from Rory, but Dean's wife, Lindsay (recurring guest star ARIELLE KEBBEL), finds the letter and makes Dean move out of the house. Rory returns from Europe, and a terrible argument ensues when she and Lorelai encounter Lindsay and her mother. Meanwhile, Luke returns to Stars Hollow after spending several weeks helping his injured sister, Liz (recurring guest star KATHLEEN WILHOITE), on the Renaissance Fair circuit. Luke and Lorelai try to find a private spot to say hello but are interrupted by a town parade.