Rory starts her internship; Due to low attendance and much to Luke's delight, Taylor decides to close down the museum and sell the house; Richard and Emily invite Logan to dinner, and Lorelai begs to attend; Lorelai meets with an inn investor, which could mean travel in her future.

The magazine comes out and Luke and Lorelai get a little too enthusiastic when celebrating; Sookie goes into labor; Rory is given a surprising review by Mitchum Huntzberger and goes to extremes to unwind; Luke is upset when he finds out that Kirk has put in a competing offer on the Twickham house; Emily takes in a foreign ballerina.

The Prodigal Daughter Returns is the name of an episode for the American comedy-drama series Gilmore Girls.