The Best Episodes of Gilmore Girls Season 1

#1 Fan Favorite
8.1/10(2326 votes)
#1 - Pilot
S1:E110/5/2000
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
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Director:Lesli Linka Glatter
Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino
7.9/10(1826 votes)
#2 - The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton
S1:E210/12/2000
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
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Director:Arlene Sanford
Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino
7.8/10(1641 votes)
#3 - Kill Me Now
S1:E310/19/2000
When Rory and Richard bond during a day of golf at the club, Lorelai feels jealous of Rory's deepening connection with her grandparents.
Directors:Adam Nimoy, Lesli Linka Glatter
Writers:Joanne Waters, Amy Sherman-Palladino
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Directors:Adam Nimoy, Lesli Linka Glatter
Writers:Joanne Waters, Amy Sherman-Palladino
7.8/10(1581 votes)
#4 - The Deer Hunters
S1:E410/26/2000
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
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Director:Alan Myerson
Writer:Jed Seidel
7.8/10(1513 votes)
#5 - Cinnamon's Wake
S1:E511/2/2000
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
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Director:Michael Katleman
Writer:Daniel Palladino
8.5/10(1616 votes)
#6 - Rory's Birthday Parties
S1:E611/9/2000
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
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Director:Sarah Pia Anderson
Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino

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8.3/10(1542 votes)
#7 - Kiss and Tell
S1:E711/16/2000
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
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Director:Rodman Flender
Writer:Jenji Kohan
8.0/10(1450 votes)
#8 - Love and War and Snow
S1:E812/14/2000
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
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Director:Alan Myerson
Writer:Joan Binder Weiss
8.7/10(1667 votes)
#9 - Rory's Dance
S1:E912/20/2000
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
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Director:Lesli Linka Glatter
Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino
8.3/10(1436 votes)
#10 - Forgiveness and Stuff
S1:E1012/21/2000
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
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Director:Bethany Rooney
Writer:John Stephens
7.6/10(1311 votes)
#11 - Paris is Burning
S1:E111/11/2001
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
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Director:David Petrarca
Writer:Joan Binder Weiss
7.7/10(1317 votes)
#12 - Double Date
S1:E121/18/2001
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
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Director:Lev L. Spiro
Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino
8.0/10(1347 votes)
#13 - Concert Interruptus
S1:E132/15/2001
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
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Director:Bruce Seth Green
Writer:Elaine Arata
7.8/10(1316 votes)
#14 - That Damn Donna Reed
S1:E142/22/2001
Rory and Dean argue about women's roles after watching "The Donna Reed Show." Emily makes Lorelai face her feelings.
Director:Michael Katleman
Writers:Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino
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Director:Michael Katleman
Writers:Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino
8.1/10(1302 votes)
#15 - Christopher Returns
S1:E153/1/2001
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
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Director:Michael Katleman
Writer:Daniel Palladino
8.1/10(1274 votes)
#16 - Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers
S1:E163/8/2001
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
Writers:Linda Loiselle Guzik, John Stephens
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Director:Lesli Linka Glatter
Writers:Linda Loiselle Guzik, John Stephens
8.0/10(1258 votes)
#17 - The Breakup, Part 2
S1:E173/15/2001
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
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Director:Nick Marck
Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino
7.9/10(1229 votes)
#18 - The Third Lorelai
S1:E183/22/2001
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
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Director:Michael Katleman
Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino
8.1/10(1222 votes)
#19 - Emily in Wonderland
S1:E194/26/2001
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
Writers:Linda Loiselle Guzik, John Stephens
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Director:Perry Lang
Writers:Linda Loiselle Guzik, John Stephens
8.0/10(1207 votes)
#20 - P.S. I Lo...
S1:E205/3/2001
Still upset over recent events, Rory becomes angry with Lorelai, who didn't tell her that she is dating again.
Director:Lev L. Spiro
Writers:Elaine Arata, Joan Binder Weiss
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Director:Lev L. Spiro
Writers:Elaine Arata, Joan Binder Weiss
8.5/10(1397 votes)
#21 - Love, Daisies and Troubadours
S1:E215/10/2001
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
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Director:Amy Sherman-Palladino
Writer:Daniel Palladino