There is less than a week until Netflix's Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life is released and we couldn't be more excited for the return of everybody's favorite mother/daughter relationship. We first heard that #Netflix would be reviving the popular noughties #TV series back in October last year and ever since then we've been eagerly preparing for our return to Stars Hollow.
There had been hopes of a Gilmore Girls Revival for many years but it was the addition of the entire Gilmore Girls series to Netflix it arrived in on the US version of the streaming service in 2014, followed by a worldwide release earlier this year that really started the ball rolling. With a sneak peek, a full length trailer and several different promotional posters making waves, the excitement is truly building.
Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life News, Trailers, Reviews, Speculation and All You Need To Know
[[jwplayer:F0vwHm6b]]
With less than a week to go until the revival hits Netflix, the reviews are pouring in and we're getting several interviews with the cast. Entertainment Weekly also released a series of images of the entire cast in preparation for next week's big premiere. November 25th can't come quick enough and with A Year in the Life almost upon us, now would be the perfect time reacquaint yourself with the original series. However, just like Rory, we all lead very busy lives and some of us aren't able to indulge in binge watching the entire series in time for the release of A Year In The Life trust me, I've tried.
That, however, doesn't mean that we can't compromise by re-watching the most important moments from the series' 153 episodes. With that in mind, I've compiled a list of 12 vital episodes that definitely deserve another viewing. So whether your a Gilmore addict or you've never seen an episode, here's the episodes that deserve a watch before November 25th.
1. "Pilot" (Season 1, Episode 1)
Synopsis: When Rory is accepted into a prestigious prep school, Lorelai must swallow her pride and ask her wealthy parents for help paying the tuition. (via Netflix)
Why it's significant: The pilot episode of any show is important as it establishes the fictional universe in which the series is set. The Gilmore Girls pilot introduces viewers to every important aspect of the show from the important mother/daughter relationship to the quick witty dialogue to Lorelai's relationship with her parents to the town as well as other friends and family.
Best Gilmore-ism: "Does he have a motorcycle? If you're going to throw your life away he'd better have a motorcycle"
2. "The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton" (Season 1, Episode 2)
Synopsis: 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. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: Rory's experience at Chilton is an important storyline in the show and it's a huge part of her character, This episode also introduces us to Paris Geller Rory's best frenemy (was that word even a thing back in 2001?). It also features the unforgettable cowgirl incident.
Best Gilmore-ism: "We like our internet slow, okay? We can turn it on, walk around, do a little dance, make a sandwich. With DSL there's no dancing, no walking and we'd starve. It'd be all work and no play."
3. "Kiss And Tell" (Season 1, Episode 7)
What Happens: Rory shares a romantic moment with Dean and doesn't tell Lorelai. When Lorelai hears about it from Mrs. Kim, she invites Dean over for movie night. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: The show focuses so heavily on first experiences and this episode sees Rory experience her first kiss and her relationship with Dean blossoms. The Gilmores' love of food and film is also established in the episode. Plus, Jared Padalecki is heavily featured in this one which always makes it a worthwhile viewing.
Best Gilmore-ism: "I'm afraid that once your heart's involved, it all comes out in moron."
4. "Love, Daisies and Troubadours" (Season 1, Episode 21)
Synopsis: Rory tells Dean the truth about how she feels about him. Sensing something between Lorelai and Luke, Rachel makes a decision. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: The first Gilmore season finale sees the relationship between Max and Lorelai reach its peak potential however it's how Lorelai reacts to the situation that's important providing for the famous "a thousand yellow daisies" quotation. Rory is finally able to tell Dean that she loves him resulting in the two getting back together. The concluding moment of the first season sees the two Gilmore girls reunite in their sacred town of Stars Hollow as the show reminds us that we're happy to be in their little corner of the world.
Best Gilmore-ism: "Because sometimes you have something you need to say but you can't because the words won't come out or you get scared or you feel stupid, so if you could write a song and sing it then you could say what you need to say and it would be beautiful and people would listen and you wouldn't make a complete idiot out of yourself, but all of us can't be songwriters so some of us will never be able to say what we're thinking or what we want other people to know that we're thinking so we'll never get the chance to make things right again ever."
5. "Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy" (Season 2, Episode 5)
Synopsis: Lorelai tries to dissuade Luke from allowing his relative to live with him. Rory finds herself attracted to another boy. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: We meet Jess one of the only characters in TV history that managed to change from instantly unlikeable into one of my favourite characters. Jess is crucial to the entire story of Gilmore Girls and that is why this episode is one you have to watch again.
Best Gilmore-ism: "If you want to get him something inflatable, make it a blonde."
6. "Those Are Strings, Pinocchio" (Season 3, Episode 22)
Synopsis: Rory and Lorelai prepare for Rory's graduation from Chilton. But major developments involving the inn threaten to dampen their festivities. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: Rory graduates from Chilton in this tear-jerking episode. She's had quite a journey so far and it's only beginning for her. The school which was incredibly difficult on its students didn't keep Rory down.
Best Gilmore-ism: "It's not so scary anymore."
Check out another teaser of Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life:
[[jwplayer:DdyGOCLh]]
If you can't get enough of the Gilmore Girls then check out these too:
5 Things Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life Needs To Succeed
A Year In The Life: All You Need To Know About The Gilmore Girls Revival
10 Observations Made Watching Gilmore Girls For The First Time
7. "The Lorelais' First Day At Yale" (Season 4, Episode 2)
Synopsis: Lorelai helps Rory move into her dorm, where she meets an odd new roommate, and learns that she will also be sharing her room with a familiar face. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: Rory begins the next chapter of her life Yale University. She also realizes that Paris Geller is her roommate and together the two have many more Yale adventures. This episode sets up the new norm for the Gilmore girls.
Best Gilmore-ism: "Copper Boom!"
8. "Raincoats And Recipes" (Season 4, Episode 22)
Synopsis: Lorelai invites friends and family to do a test run of the Dragonfly Inn opening. Two suitors pursue Lorelai. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: I don't even know her to begin arguably the most significant episode of Gilmore Girls ever. Lorelai and Sookie's dream becomes a reality when they open the Dragonfly Inn, Luke and Lorelai kiss for the first time and Rory loses her virginity to Dean who's cheating on his new wife, Lindsey.
Best Gilmore-ism: "I'm lovin' ya like a two-dollar whore."
9. "Say Goodbye To Daisy Miller" (Season 5, Episode 1)
Synopsis: Rory and Lorelai argue about a choice Rory made. Lorelai is happy in her new relationship. Emily and Rory plan to take a European trip.
Why it's significant: The Season 5 premiere picks up where Season 4 ended with Lorelai shocked at finding Rory and Dean together. Rory has always made everything in her life perfect, but this experience wasn't perfect and Lorelai argues that it wasn't like Rory especially because Dean is married. There's a large Gilmore disagreement.
Best Gilmore-ism: "It's not like I did anything truly terrifying like telling you that buttcrack-baring jeans have gone out of style."
10. "Written In The Stars" (Season 5, Episode 3)
Synopsis: Lorelai is a little offended that no one cares about her new relationship until it becomes a topic of heated discussion at the town meeting. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: Luke and Lorelai go on their first official date and Luke remind Lorelai of how they first met. At Yale, Rory meets Logan Huntzberger who becomes another main Gilmore Girls character.
Best Gilmore-ism: "Work. Inn. Buy shoes. Oh, my God, I can't move. I need coffee."
11. "French Twist" (Season 7, Episode 7)
Synopsis: Christopher and Lorelai take Gigi to visit Sherry. Rory's tenure as editor-in-chief of the university news paper comes to an end. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: Series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino wasn't involved in the seventh season so there are some unusual unfortunate storylines. This episode saw Lorelai and Christopher go to Paris and on a whim they got married. Not a huge deal in the spectrum of Gilmore Girls but may be referenced in the revival.
Best Gilmore-ism: "There will be food. But airplane food is one of life's cruel jokes. So we have snacks up the wazoo."
12. "Unto The Breach" (Season 7, Episode 21)
Synopsis: Emily and Richard host a graduation party for Rory. Lorelai and Christopher are relieved to find they can still be friends. Logan surprises Rory. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: Rory graduates from Yale university a crowning moment for the character as she has achieved all that she ever wanted. Logan proposes to Rory but she dos not accept thus ending their relationship.
Best Gilmore-ism: "Paris, I haven't been able to shake you off all this time. I'm sure we're going to be friends for a very long time"
13. "Bon Voyage" (Season 7, Episode 22)
Synopsis: In this series finale, Rory makes a sudden change in her summer plans, and Luke enlists everyone in Stars Hollow to throw her a farewell party. (Via Netflix)
Why it's significant: It's the series finale and a damn good one! So many series' never reach their conclusion but Gilmore Girls did get that opportunity, the only problem is is that so much was still left open-ended. It's a lovely episode full of nostalgic moments and a re-watch is definitely necessary so that you remember where the Gilmore girls left off.
Best Gilmore-ism: "Anyway we're better as friends you know, don't you think. Like "Hey Luke can I get some coffee", you know friends like that. Like "Hey Luke can you make all the burgers for Rory's re-enactment graduation party?" you know."
So there you have it: the essential "I don't have the time but I'm going to find the time" guide to reacquainting yourself with Gilmore Girls just in time for Netflix's A Year in The Life wow, that almost sounded like a Gilmore-ism in itself. The show may have come to a rather satisfying close nine years ago, but it's not the ending that the Palladinos envisioned and that is enough to warrant a revival. Go forth and binge folks, enjoy caching-up this week because there's not much longer to wait #GilmoreGirlsAYearInTheLife is almost here and I can hardly contain my excitement about taking a trip back to Stars Hollow.
Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life hits Netflix Friday, November 25.
[Source: Netflix, Entertainment Weekly]