2. I think that ep shows that could have been the case. When Rory is "auditing" that philosophy class, Lorelai wanders around a bit, alone, and her face expresses some measure of regret (particularly when she pauses to look at the photograph of that girl that looked like her.)

I don't hate him but I don't love/like him either. He's simply there and if he leaves tomorrow and never comes back fine with me, too. I'm not intrigued by RL. They don't give me anything. Never have in the first place and it hasn't changed since.