#Still grateful that Logan's introduction helps to bring Rory & Dean: Part 3 to a merciful end

[thefirst3chapters]

Rewatched "Written in the Stars" recently, and it's interesting that Jess and Logan both meet Rory for the first time in a short scene and then run into her later in the episode, where Rory confronts them regarding their first introduction.

Both of the scenes with Rory and Jess are with just them, and both of the scenes with Rory and Logan include his friends, which kind of foreshadows what the beginning of these respective relationships will be like and the subsequent conflicts this sociability (or lack thereof) will lead to.

When Logan and his friends see Rory again, Logan expresses interest in Rory ("Okay, put my number"), but he doesn't remember her name from earlier. This isn't a condemnation of Logan (I certainly don't have a perfect memory!), but it seems significant that Jess, despite everything he has going on, immediately locks in Rory's name for life. ("Goodnight, Rory.") Logan is pretty skilled at being socially gracious when he wants to be in a way that teenage Jess isn't, and to his credit, he does say to Rory, "Tell Marty I said hi, and I promise to remember you instantly next time," and he remembers her name after this.

The argument Rory and Logan have is about whether Logan has the right to talk down to Marty because Logan is paying him. Logan can absolutely be thoughtful and generous, and there's multiple examples throughout the next few seasons that highlight this, but the first impression he gives Rory (and the audience) isn't great. He seems to think this debate is spirited and "fun," without personal ramifications, but Rory clearly doesn't agree and is hurt by the way Logan talked to her friend.

Rory points out that Jess left the dinner and stole her book and stops him from doing a magic trick (I love that the show alerts us to Jess's dorkiness in his first episode), and while he shares his side of the story ("Potlucks and Tupperware parties aren't really my thing" / "Nope, borrowed it,") he doesn't continue to fight her on it and moves on ("So, what are you doing?" / "I just wanted to put some notes in the margins for you.")

Logan tells Rory to call him "Master and Commander" while Rory calls Jess "Dodger." Guess which nickname is met with exasperation and which is met with curiosity and endearment. 😉

There are fans who see Rory and Logan's argument as charming and witty and find Jess stealing Rory's book to be solely irksome, but Rory's expressions at the end of both of these scenes say a lot. She's clearly intrigued and delighted by her conversation with Jess while frustrated and exhausted by her conversation with Logan.

There's also something special about the way the end of the second scene with Rory and Jess is presented; it closes the episode, it focuses on both of their (smiling!) faces, and it has a fitting soundtrack.