8.1/102,023 votes#1 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/5/2000
When Rory is accepted to attend a prestigious prep school, Lorelai must swallow her pride and ask her wealthy parents for help paying the tuition.
Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Writer: Amy Sherman-Palladino
8.0/101,592 votes#2 - The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/12/2000
Rory's first day at Chilton doesn't go smoothly: First, Lorelai's attire offends Emily and the headmaster; then Rory meets some obnoxious classmates.
Director: Arlene Sanford
Writer: Amy Sherman-Palladino
7.8/101,429 votes#3 - Kill Me Now
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/19/2000
When Rory and Richard bond during a day of golf at the club, Lorelai feels jealous of Rory's deepening connection with her grandparents.
Director: Lesli Linka Glatter, Adam Nimoy
Writer: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Joanne Waters
7.9/101,372 votes#4 - The Deer Hunters
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/26/2000
After Rory receives a bad grade on her English paper, Lorelai helps her cram for a big Shakespeare exam – but catastrophe strikes on test day.
Director: Alan Myerson
Writer: Jed Seidel
7.8/101,314 votes#5 - Cinnamon's Wake
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/2/2000
Lorelai admits she has feelings for someone. Meanwhile, Rory has a budding relationship of her own that is moving forward.
Director: Michael Katleman
Writer: Daniel Palladino
8.5/101,404 votes#6 - Rory's Birthday Parties
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/9/2000
Rory clashes with Emily when Emily plans a formal birthday party for her. Meanwhile, Lorelai organizes a casual get-together to celebrate.
Director: Sarah Pia Anderson
Writer: Amy Sherman-Palladino
8.3/101,343 votes#7 - Kiss and Tell
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/16/2000
Rory shares a romantic moment with Dean, but doesn't tell Lorelai. When Lorelai hears about it from Mrs. Kim, she invites Dean over for movie night.
Director: Rodman Flender
Writer: Jenji Kohan
8.0/101,255 votes#8 - Love and War and Snow
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 12/14/2000
Snow strands Rory at her grandparents' home, while Lorelai spends the day with her beau. Meanwhile, Lane misses Rory and comes to visit.
Director: Alan Myerson
Writer: Joan Binder Weiss
8.7/101,444 votes#9 - Rory's Dance
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/20/2000
Rory attends her first dance with Dean but they get home late, causing Emily and Lorelai to fight over Lorelai's mothering skills.
Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Writer: Amy Sherman-Palladino
8.3/101,259 votes#10 - Forgiveness and Stuff
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/21/2000
Misfortune strikes at the Gilmores' Christmas party. Dean assures Lorelai that nothing improper happened the night he and Rory fell asleep together.
Director: Bethany Rooney
Writer: John Stephens
7.6/101,147 votes#11 - Paris is Burning
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/11/2001
After Paris causes a scandal by exposing the relationship between a parent and a teacher, she is confronted.
Director: David Petrarca
Writer: Joan Binder Weiss
7.8/101,150 votes#12 - Double Date
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/18/2001
Lorelai goes on a hellish double date with Sookie, Jackson and Jackson's odd cousin. Meanwhile, Rory double dates with Dean, Lane and Dean's friend.
Director: Lev L. Spiro
Writer: Amy Sherman-Palladino
8.0/101,179 votes#13 - Concert Interruptus
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 2/15/2001
Trouble ensues when Rory takes her friends to a Bangles concert in New York. Lorelai learns something about Luke's romantic past.
Director: Bruce Seth Green
Writer: Elaine Arata
7.8/101,147 votes#14 - That Damn Donna Reed
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 2/22/2001
Rory and Dean argue about women's roles after watching "The Donna Reed Show." Emily makes Lorelai face her feelings.
Director: Michael Katleman
Writer: Daniel Palladino, Amy Sherman-Palladino
8.1/101,135 votes#15 - Christopher Returns
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 3/1/2001
Rory's father returns, causing tension in Emily and Richard's house – and forcing Lorelai to make a big decision about her family's future.
Director: Michael Katleman
Writer: Daniel Palladino
8.1/101,120 votes#16 - Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 3/8/2001
Rory and Dean celebrate their three-month anniversary, but things don't go as planned. Luke's ex-girlfriend Rachel arrives in town.
Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Writer: Linda Loiselle Guzik, John Stephens
8.0/101,105 votes#17 - The Breakup, Part 2
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 3/15/2001
After recent events, Rory keeps busy, refusing to give in to self-pity. Meanwhile, Stars Hollow's residents rally around her, much to her dismay.
Director: Nick Marck
Writer: Amy Sherman-Palladino
7.9/101,069 votes#18 - The Third Lorelai
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 3/22/2001
When Lorelai's grandmother offers a trust fund for Rory's education, Emily fears losing contact with a financially independent Lorelai and Rory.
Director: Michael Katleman
Writer: Amy Sherman-Palladino
8.1/101,063 votes#19 - Emily in Wonderland
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 4/26/2001
Emily is horrified when she sees the place where Lorelai and Rory first lived, so she sets out to create a perfect bedroom for Rory in her house.
Director: Perry Lang
Writer: Linda Loiselle Guzik, John Stephens
8.0/101,053 votes#20 - P.S. I Lo...
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 5/3/2001
Still upset over recent events, Rory becomes angry with Lorelai, who didn't tell her that she is dating again.
Director: Lev L. Spiro
Writer: Joan Binder Weiss, Elaine Arata
8.5/101,232 votes#21 - Love, Daisies and Troubadours
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 5/10/2001
Rory finally tells Dean the truth about how she feels about him. Sensing something between Lorelai and Luke, Rachel makes a decision.
Director: Amy Sherman-Palladino
Writer: Daniel Palladino
The Best Episodes of Gilmore Girls Season 1
Every episode of Gilmore Girls Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Gilmore Girls Season 1!
Set in the charming town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, the series follows the captivating lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, a mother/daughter pair who have...
Genres:ComedyDrama
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Gilmore Girls" season 1. It scored 8.1/10 based on 2023 votes. Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and written by Amy Sherman-Palladino, it aired on 10/5/2000. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton".