Season 1 Plot
In the picture-perfect New England town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, quick-witted Lorelai Gilmore, 32 years old and manager of the historic Independence Inn, is mother to Rory and also her daughter's best friend, confidante, and mentor who's determined to help her avoid the mistakes that sidetracked Lorelai when she was a teen. As Rory prepares to enter the exclusive Chilton Preparatory School, Lorelai's blue-blooded parents, once kept at a distance by Lorelai, are now back in her life, as are the issues that originally drove them apart.
Gilmore Girls Season 1 aired on October 5th, 2000.
Season 1 Episodes
1. Pilot
Lorelai must ask her estranged parents for financial help when her daughter, Rory, is accepted into a prestigious prep school.
2. The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton
Lorelai oversleeps and accompanies her daughter to prep school wearing cut-off jeans and cowboy boots; Rory antagonizes Chilton's top student.
3. Kill Me Now
Rory and her grandfather enjoy a glorious day of golf, making Lorelai feel left out; the inn hosts a double wedding with two sets of identical twins.
4. The Deer Hunters
Rory becomes obsessive about studying for a Shakespeare exam after she receives her first D grade, but when she misses the exam it leads to a parent-teacher conference.
5. Cinnamon's Wake
Rory is flustered around Dean; Lorelai must cancel a date with Rory's teacher to attend Cinnamon's funeral.
6. Rory's Birthday Parties
Emily throws an elegant birthday party for an embarrassed Rory, who blows up at her grandmother; Rory later invites her grandparents to a wild party.
7. Kiss and Tell
Rory doesn't tell her mother about her first kiss with Dean, and a vexed Lorelai embarrasses her daughter by inviting Dean over to the house to watch videos.
8. Love and War and Snow
Rory is stranded at her grandparents' house by a snowstorm; Lorelai spends the night with Rory's teacher, Max; the townspeople re-enact a Revolutionary War battle.
9. Rory's Dance
Rory and Dean fall asleep together following a fairytale evening at a formal dance, leading to a blowout between Lorelai and her mother over discipline.
10. Forgiveness and Stuff
Lorelai is hurt when she is excluded from her parents' Christmas bash, but she rushes to the hospital after her father collapses at the party.
11. Paris is Burning
Lorelai tries to break up with Rory's teacher, Max, on parent-teacher night, which leads to more problems for her daughter at school.
12. Double Date
After Lorelai encourages Sookie to ask out Jackson, she finds herself on a double date with Jackson's weird cousin; Rory goes on a double date as well.
13. Concert Interruptus
Though Lorelai is excited about going to a Bangles concert, she offers the four concert tickets to Rory and three of her new schoolmates.
14. That Damn Donna Reed
Lorelai enlists Luke to help find a missing chick; Rory quarrels with her boyfriend over housewifery.
15. Christopher Returns
When Rory's father makes an unexpected visit, he awakens long-buried feelings of passion in Lorelai, as well as inspiring anger in Lorelai's parents.
16. Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers
Rory's boyfriend declares his love for her; Lorelai endures dinner with her parents and a blind date.
17. The Breakup, Part 2
Rory kisses Tristan at a party after fighting with Dean; Lorelai impulsively shows up at Max's house for a night of lovemaking.
18. The Third Lorelai
Rory's great-grandmother offers Lorelai a trust fund for Rory's education, causing Emily to fear losing her newfound relationship with them.
19. Emily in Wonderland
A road trip through her granddaughter's past inspires Emily to make up for the material things Rory did not have growing up.
20. P.S. I Lo...
Rory runs to her grandparents' house after discovering Lorelai and Max are dating again; Lorelai discovers the truth behind Dean and Rory's breakup.
21. Love, Daisies and Troubadours
Lorelai becomes increasingly serious about Max; Luke's girlfriend accuses him of being in love with Lorelai; Rory attempts to win Dean back.