Would The Hills continue to exist if Lauren Conrad left for a weekend trip to Italy? You bet it would. And since the title of this episode is "When Lauren's Away," you bet your bottom dollar these crazy-ass reality hos are going to play.
No sooner has Lauren departed for Europe, than Stephanie Pratt comes sneaking around the compound, hoping to score some approval from Audrina for her dinner date with Doug. ("Lauren's Doug" or "LD" as he'll henceforth be called.) Audrina seems skeptical. (See: Gossip Girl recap earlier this morning. Search for phrase: "first rule of feminism.")