Binge-watching 153 episodes of “Gilmore Girls” is an impossible task with only days before the revival hits Netflix. So we did our best to break down the seven seasons for you to get the maximum Gilmore effect. Each episode runs about 45 minutes, so grab your coffee and get watching.
* = must watch
** = watch if you have time
Season 1
* “Pilot”
Season 1, Episode 1
You’ve been Gilmored! The first episode sets the stage for the entire series with an introduction to Stars Hollow, Friday Night Dinners, Chilton, the Rory and Lorelai dynamic, everybody’s least favorite boyfriend (Dean), Luke and his diner and, of course, Emily and Richard.
** “The Deer Hunters”
Season 1, Episode 4
Gasp! Rory gets a D on an assignment and spends all night cramming with Lorelai for an upcoming test. After oversleeping, Rory gets hit by a deer while driving to school. There’s some pretty classic mother-daughter bonding in this episode. Plus, we get to meet Rory’s English teacher Max Medina. We like him. Also, trust us, Rory didn’t hit the deer. The deer hit her.
* “That Damn Donna Reed”
Season 1, Episode 14
We get the first glimpse of why Dean is the absolute worst in this episode when he fights with Rory about Donna Reed and how she’s a dutiful housewife. On the plus side, Lorelai finally admits she might have feelings for Luke. Oh, and Rory’s dad, Christopher, makes his first appearance. Prepare for a love/hate relationship with him.
* “Love, Daisies and Troubadours”
Season 1, Episode 21
Rory finally tells Dean how she feels. Luke gets a wake-up call from his girlfriend. Lorelai gets 1,000 yellow daisies from her perfect boyfriend Max. Just watch the damn episode.
Season 2
* “Sadie, Sadie”
Season 2, Episode 1
There are little things about “Gilmore Girls” that make the show so memorable. The often-strained relationship between Emily and Lorelai makes for incredible emotional fodder, and the Season 2 opener really highlights how strained their relationship is. Lorelai accepts Max’s proposal, and Emily finds out from Sookie that Lorelai is engaged. Also, Richard hates Dean (AMEN, GRANDPA!).
* “Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy”
Season 2, Episode 5
Hell Jess! Watch this episode only to finally see Luke’s nephew Jess, played by the forever brooding Milo Ventimiglia.
** “Lorelai’s Graduation Day”
Season 2, Episode 21
Emily and Richard finally get to see Lorelai graduate from college, and it’s a precious moment between the three of them (plus we get a Seth McFarlane cameo). But the highlight of the episode comes when Rory accidentally misses Lorelai’s graduation because she went to visit Jess in New York City.
* “I Can’t Get Started”
Season 2, Episode 22
Rory kisses Jess! Lorelai and Christopher almost kind of get back together. What an emotional rollercoaster, and we’re not even halfway through the series.
Season 3
* “They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They?”
Season 3, Episode 7
“Gilmore Girls” wouldn’t work without the charm and quirkiness of Stars Hollow. This episode highlights the town with a 24-hour dance marathon while moving along several other plot points. If you only have time to watch one episode, this should be it. There’s Jess and Dean drama, so you know it’s worth watching.
** “Dear Emily and Richard”
Season 3, Episode 13
While Christopher’s girlfriend is in labor, you get a glimpse of young Lorelai and how Rory came to be. It’s a nice origin story of sorts and loaded on the feels.
** “The Big One”
Season 3, Episode 16
There is no other reason to watch this episode other than to watch Rory’s classmate Paris freak out after not getting into Harvard and losing her virginity. It’s peak Paris. She might be the worst, but you love her anyway. Plus, Rory gets into Harvard, Princeton and Yale.
* “Those Are Strings, Pinocchio”
Season 3, Episode 22
Rory graduates from Chilton, and Friday Night Dinners are back on! That is all.
Season 4
* “The Lorelais’ First Day at Yale”
Season 4, Episode 2
Rory and Lorelai are best friends, and this episode really drives that home. Lorelai helps Rory feel acclimated at Yale by ordering a crap-ton of food. Oh, also, Paris is Rory’s roommate. She crafts now. Big on the laughs.
* “The Festival of Living Art”
Season 4, Episode 7
Kirk plays Jesus and Lorelai is a ball of stress because she is not allowed to flinch. This is the only “Gilmore Girls” episode to win an Emmy. You’ll understand why when you watch it.
** “The Reigning Lorelai”
Season 4, Episode 16
Richard’s mother, Trix, dies. Emily finds a letter from Trix urging Richard not to marry her. Oh, no. This is a great Emily episode and should not be missed.
* “Raincoats and Recipes”
Season 4, Episode 22
This is an episode of firsts. Luke and Lorelai have their first kiss, and Rory and Dean, well, you know. Drama. Plus, a naked screaming Kirk is always a plus, even if you don’t understand it.
Season 5
* “Written in the Stars”
Season 5, Episode 3
You meet Rory’s third boyfriend, Logan. Plus, Luke and Lorelai have their first date, and he shows her a horoscope she gave him when they first met that he’s kept in his wallet. Oh, my, God.
** “You Jump, I Jump, Jack”
Season 5, Episode 7
Luke meets the parents, and Logan brings Rory to an event staged by the Life and Death Brigade, a secret society at Yale.
** “Wedding Bell Blues”
Season 5, Episode 13
Emily and Richard renew their vows, Rory is the best man, Christopher tries to win Lorelai back (BUT WHAT ABOUT LUKE??) and Rory and Logan kiss. A lot happens.
* “A House is Not a Home”
Season 5, Episode 22
Rory drops out of Yale after being arrested for trying to steal a yacht with Logan. Lorelai asks Luke an important question. There are no daisies, though.
Season 6
* “New and Improved Lorelai”
Season 6, Episode 1
Rory and Lorelai’s relationship is strained after Rory drops out of school. Luke and Lorelai are engaged.
** “The Prodigal Daughter Returns”
Season 6, Episode 9
Nine episodes was too long for a Rory and Lorelai rift. Rory re-enrolls in Yale, yay. But ugh, Luke’s daughter he never knew he had, April Nardini, shows up for the first time.
** “The Real Paul Anka”
Season 6, Episode 18
This is the last episode that Jess appears in. Be still our hearts. It just wasn’t in the cards for those two lovebirds.
** “Partings”
Season 6, Episode 22
Lorelai makes a decision about her relationship with Luke, and Rory and Logan say goodbye as he heads off to England. Also, so many troubadours.
Season 7
* “Bon Voyage”
Season 7, Episode 22
Honestly, if you feel like skipping the entire seventh season, just go ahead and do it. It was the only season without creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and her husband, Daniel Palladino. But if you want to know how the series ended with minimal yelling, you should check out the series finale. It’s not perfect, but hey, that’s why we’re getting more, right?
@saamato | saamato@redeyechicago.com
