Psha, do not give up! Lauren makes it all worthwhile! Yes, Alexis sucks... but she's sucked since day one. I have to say I miss the old show... but the new one is still good... which shows how good the old ones are... lol yeah... sure...
Most of the things that Rory is doing I don't understand... just as you said Plum, taking one man's opinion so highly, stealing a yacht... etc.
But, I can understand why she wants to "drop out." I don't think that's what she's really doing... I assume she is planning to go back soon enough. College can be scary... daunting... and the fact that she let one man's opinion sway her so much means that she can't truly be ready for the life she thought she wanted. She does need time to think... possibly a year... but she can and should go back at that time. If it was meant to be, it was meant to be... it lies in the kismet.
While Alexis has "improved," I have always thought she was the weakest link of the show. If she ruins "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," by goodness...
"Dear Richard and Emily" Yeah... it's a good one... although I don't really like the girl playing Lorelai... she's no Lauren. What are the extras like on the third DVD? Unfortunately, thus far, I only have the first season... But it always gives me something to look forward to!