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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!

Binge this in 15h 5m•Peaking at 7.7/10

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 a relationship most people only dream of.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.1/10(34 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    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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  2. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 2 - The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton
    7.7/10(29 votes)

    #2 - The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton

    S1:E2

    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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  3. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 3 - Kill Me Now
    7.2/10(21 votes)

    #3 - Kill Me Now

    S1:E3

    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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  4. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 4 - The Deer Hunters
    7.3/10(22 votes)

    #4 - The Deer Hunters

    S1:E4

    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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  5. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 5 - Cinnamon's Wake
    7.1/10(22 votes)

    #5 - Cinnamon's Wake

    S1:E5

    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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  6. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 6 - Rory's Birthday Parties
    7.3/10(21 votes)

    #6 - Rory's Birthday Parties

    S1:E6

    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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  7. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 7 - Kiss and Tell
    7.5/10(22 votes)

    #7 - Kiss and Tell

    S1:E7

    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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  8. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 8 - Love and War and Snow
    7.5/10(19 votes)

    #8 - Love and War and Snow

    S1:E8

    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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  9. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 9 - Rory's Dance
    7.6/10(19 votes)

    #9 - Rory's Dance

    S1:E9

    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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  10. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 10 - Forgiveness and Stuff
    7.2/10(20 votes)

    #10 - Forgiveness and Stuff

    S1:E10

    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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  11. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 11 - Paris is Burning
    7.2/10(20 votes)

    #11 - Paris is Burning

    S1:E11

    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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  12. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 12 - Double Date
    7.3/10(19 votes)

    #12 - Double Date

    S1:E12

    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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  13. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 13 - Concert Interruptus
    7.5/10(20 votes)

    #13 - Concert Interruptus

    S1:E13

    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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  14. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 14 - That Damn Donna Reed
    6.6/10(15 votes)

    #14 - That Damn Donna Reed

    S1:E14

    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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  15. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 15 - Christopher Returns
    6.7/10(15 votes)

    #15 - Christopher Returns

    S1:E15

    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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  16. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 16 - Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers
    7.1/10(17 votes)

    #16 - Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers

    S1:E16

    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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  17. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 17 - The Breakup, Part 2
    7.4/10(17 votes)

    #17 - The Breakup, Part 2

    S1:E17

    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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  18. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 18 - The Third Lorelai
    7.3/10(15 votes)

    #18 - The Third Lorelai

    S1:E18

    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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  19. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 19 - Emily in Wonderland
    7.2/10(14 votes)

    #19 - Emily in Wonderland

    S1:E19

    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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  20. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 20 - P.S. I Lo...
    7.3/10(14 votes)

    #20 - P.S. I Lo...

    S1:E20

    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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  21. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 21 - Love, Daisies and Troubadours
    7.5/10(13 votes)

    #21 - Love, Daisies and Troubadours

    S1:E21

    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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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Gilmore Girls" season 1. It scored 7.1/10 based on 34 votes. Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and written by Amy Sherman-Palladino, it aired on 10/5/2000. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton".