Though Jess is embarrassed and Luke mocks him over the swan attack, swans are in fact known to be aggressive and potentially dangerous to humans, especially in defense of their young.
Emily asks Jess if he eats meat, to which he replies that he is a carnivore. Milo Ventimiglia (Jess) is actually a vegetarian.
The book that Rory and Jess read is The Holy Barbarians by Lawrence Lipton. Lipton is a beat poet and the father of Inside the Actor's Studio host James Lipton.
Last appearance of Billy Burke as Alex Lesman, although he is mentioned in future episodes.