49 Must-Watch Gilmore Girls Episodes to Binge Before the Reboot
We’ve been patiently waiting for the Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life reboot to come to Netflix this Friday, and it’s so close now we can practically taste it (or maybe that’s the Thanksgiving leftovers we’ll be eating while we’re watching?). We’ve talked about who Rory may end up with and whether or not that matters, different fan theories and new ways to love the show, and pretty much every other angle you can imagine. But now that the show is almost here, all there is left to do is wait — and while you’re waiting, you might as well brush up on your Gilmore Girls knowledge with some of the best episodes out there, which we’ve hand-picked for you in this handy list. Here are the seven best episodes from each of the seven seasons, in no particular order:
SEASON ONE
1. The pilot. This is required watching, of course, to remind us all where we started from.
7. Kiss and Tell. Rory and Dean kiss, and no matter which #Team you’re on, you can’t help but be excited for her.
8. Love and War and Snow. In this episode, Lorelai and Max have their first date, and you learn how much Lorelai loves snow. Stars Hollow looks more magical than ever.
11. Paris Is Burning. Paris shows her true mean-girl colors and tells everyone that she saw Lorelai and Max kissing. She and Rory fight it out, and there’s also a charming Sookie and Jackson storyline.
15. Christopher Returns. We finally meet Rory’s dad! He’s handsome! He might drive a wedge between Luke and Lorelai (for the first time)! It’s confusing! What will happen next?
17. The Breakup Part 2. The town bands together behind Rory after her breakup with Dean, and Lane meets a great guy at a party. Tristan is a real jerk at that same party, but of course he is. Rory comes home, ready to eat ice cream with Lorelai.
21. Love, Daisies and Troubadours. The finale episode is cliché to include, but it’s also one of the best. Max proposes to Lorelai with a thousand daisies (aww!), even though he and Luke have a bit of a rivalry going.
SEASON TWO
1. Sadie Sadie. Lane tries to avoid going to Korea for the summer, and Luke doesn’t seem too thrilled about Lorelai’s potential engagement.
3. Red Light on the Wedding Night. Lorelai’s bachelorette party is one for the books. She ends up calling Christopher instead of Max, and it becomes clear that marrying Max would be the wrong decision. She and Rory take a road trip.
5. Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy. Enter Jess! Luke’s nephew comes to town and #TeamJess is born. We’ll just have to see if things go our way on November 25.
12. Richard in Stars Hollow. This episode heavily features both Richard and Paris visiting Stars Hollow, so what could go wrong?
13. A-Tisket, A-Tasket. The famous picnic basket fiasco, in which Jess outbids Dean for Rory… er, for her picnic basket. What an outdated practice, ending in male rivalry and broken hearts. Still, it’s an interesting episode.
19. Teach Me Tonight. This episode is a bit hard to watch, because Rory makes some bad decisions, but it’s still a must-watch for the series. She gets in some trouble with Jess and it’s a turning point for her.
22. I Can’t Get Started. Finale’s are always on the list, no matter what. Luke and Lorelai mend fences, and Sookie’s wedding comes up. This is a jam-packed episode.
SEASON THREE
2. Haunted Leg. Kirk asks Lorelai out on a date, which is noteworthy enough.
4. One’s Got Class and the Other One Dyes. Lane dyes her hair, if only temporarily, and Jess and Luke find each other arguing like cats and dogs.
7. They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They? This is the infamous dance marathon episode, and the costumes alone are worth watching for. The only downside is that Kirk wins.
9. A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving. This one is perfect to watch this week. Lorelai and Rory have four different Thanksgiving dinners, and they’re the only two people who can handle it. Rory takes the opportunity to reveal to Richard and Emily that she’s applied to Yale.
13. Dear Emily and Richard. This episode is full of tension — between Jess and Dean, Lorelai and her parents, and Rory and Paris.
16. The Big One. Jackson and Sookie announce that they’re having a baby! Yay! Lorelai and Max finally see each other again, and they might not be fully over their prior relationship.
18. Happy Birthday, Baby. Rory tells Emily and Richard that she’s going to Yale, and they’re ecstatic. Kirk tries to bake the largest pizza ever and injures himself, because of course he does!
SEASON FOUR
2. The Lorelai’s First Day at Yale. Rory moves to Yale with the help of Lorelai and Luke. She arrives and realizes that her roommate is Paris Geller.
4. Chicken or Beef. Rory is back home in Stars Hollow for the weekend and has that all-too-familiar run-in with the ex. Turns out, he’s getting married, and he invites her to the wedding. Shocker!
7. The Festival of Living Art. Stars Hollow does their festival of living pictures, and of course, Kirk goes all out. Lane and the rest of the band search for a replacement guitarist.
11. In the Clamor and the Clangor. Lorelai learns that Luke has moved in with his new girlfriend without telling her, and Lane sneaks out to play a show — but Ms. Kim discovers her secret lifestyle.
15. Scene in a Mall. Luke lends Lorelai and Sookie the money they need to complete the Dragonfly Inn. It’s revealed the Emily is feeling ignored by Richard.
17. Girls in Bikinis, Boys Doin’ the Twist. Gilmore Girls do Spring Break! Rory and her roomies (including Paris!) head down to Florida for Spring Break, and they loosen up a little, even though it seems a bit… unnatural at first.
22. Raincoats and Recipes. Rory and Dean begin officially seeing each other again, but Lorelai isn’t happy about it. The Dragonfly Inn has a soft open. Luke and Lorelai also begin dating.
SEASON FIVE
2. A Messenger, Nothing More. Lorelai is burnt out from running The Dragonflly Inn, and she and Sookie take a day off. Emily and Rory get home from Europe, after having a fantastic time. Dean regrets his relationship with Rory.
3. Written in the Stars. Luke and Lorelai finally have their first date, and for Stars Hollow, not that many people are talking about it — that is, until Taylor takes it upon himself to have a whole town meeting about what a disaster their relationship (or, potential breakup) might be.
6. Norman Mailer, I’m Pregnant! Sookie realizes that she’s pregnant again, and Rory asks her father, Christopher, to stay away from Lorelai.
12. Come Home. Rory and Logan work on an article together. Emily shows her disdain for Luke, and the Gilmores decide to renew their vows.
13. Wedding Bell Blues. Richard and Emily renew their vows, but it’s not all a beautiful day. Rory and Logan hook up at the ceremony (and get walked in on!), and Luke and Christopher fight over Lorelai.
19. But I’m a Gilmore! Rory and Logan haven’t been dating exclusively, and when she tells them she’s less than okay with this arrangement, he tells her that they should be a couple. Luke takes over for Sookie as chef at the Dragonfly Inn, and she has some control issues.
22. A House Not a Home. Lorelai picks up Rory from the police station after she gets in some trouble with Logan. They get in a fight, and Rory decides to live with her grandparents in their pool house. Lorelai proposes to Luke.
SEASON SIX
1. New and Improved Lorelai. Luke and Lorelai begin making plans for their future together. Lorelai is still incredibly hurt over Rory’s decision to live with her grandparents.
4. Always a Godmother, Never a God. It comes out that Rory has a new number, and that she’s given it to Sookie but not Lorelai. She’s incredibly hurt by this. Logan’s family pressure begins to get to him.
8. Let Me Hear Your Balalaikas Ringing Out. Jess is back! He gives Rory some good advice about the future, and you can tell her gears are turning.
10. He’s Slippin ‘Em Bread…Dig? Another Thanksgiving episode. Luke has a hard time telling Lorelai about his daughter, but finally, Rory and Lorelai seem to be okay.
14. You’ve Been Gilmored. Lorelai makes Luke come to dinner with her, and Paris is forcefully removed from her post as editor of the Yale Daily News and replaced by Rory.
19. I Get a Sidekick Out of You. Lane and Zach get married, and they do it twice! They do a traditional Korean-style wedding, and then one that’s totally their own style. It’ll make you cry.
20. Super Cool Party People. Luke throws a party for his daughter, April, and Lorelai comes to his rescue when it’s about to go way downhill. Rory rushes to be by Logan’s side in the hospital after a stunt-gone-wrong.
SEASON SEVEN
1. The Long Morrow. Lorelai and Christopher wake up in bed together, and she immediately leaves his bed and rushes home. She tells Luke what she did, and they break up.
2. That’s What You Get, Folks, For Makin Whoopie. Rory is upset that Logan is gone and they won’t be able to go on their trip together. Lane returns from her honeymoon to discover she’s pregnant, and seems distraught about it.
7. French Twist. Christopher and Lorelai head to Paris to visit his daughter, and they have a great time. They decide to get married while they’re there. Rory’s time as the editor of the Yale Daily News is over, and she’s unsure about her future.
12. To Whom It May Concern. Luke is in a custody battle over April, and Christopher finds the letter of recommendation Lorelai wrote for him. He worries that he was her second choice.
14. Farewell, My Pet. While organizing a memorial service for Michel’s dog, Lorelai realizes her true feelings for Luke and ends her marriage to Christopher.
18. Hey Bale Maze. Luke and Lorelai talk about the problems in their relationship and apologize to each other. Rory shows Logan around town.
22. Bon Voyage. Ah, the finale. Rory gets a job on Obama’s campaign (simpler times) and spends time with Lorelai. Luke and Lorelai sort out their feelings for each other while the town throws a party for Rory.
That about wraps it up! We can’t wait to see what our fave episode is from the new Netflix series, A Year in the Life.
What’s your favorite Gilmore Girls episode? Let us know @BritandCo!
(Photos via Netflix)
