Gilmore Girls backdrop
Comedy•Drama

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 8.7/10

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.

Airs on
The WBThe CW
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons7

All1234567

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 9 - Rory's Dance
    8.7/10(1815 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 6 - Rory's Birthday Parties
    8.5/10(1796 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 21 - Love, Daisies and Troubadours
    8.5/10(1504 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 7 - Kiss and Tell
    8.3/10(1699 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 10 - Forgiveness and Stuff
    8.3/10(1582 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.1/10(2606 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Gilmore Girls

    READ
  7. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 15 - Christopher Returns
    8.1/10(1436 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 19 - Emily in Wonderland
    8.1/10(1341 votes)

    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:John Stephens, Linda Loiselle Guzik

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 8 - Love and War and Snow
    8.0/10(1601 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 13 - Concert Interruptus
    8.0/10(1477 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 16 - Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers
    8.0/10(1398 votes)

    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:John Stephens, Linda Loiselle Guzik

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 17 - The Breakup, Part 2
    8.0/10(1389 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 20 - P.S. I Lo...
    8.0/10(1319 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 2 - The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton
    7.9/10(2027 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 18 - The Third Lorelai
    7.9/10(1351 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 3 - Kill Me Now
    7.8/10(1829 votes)

    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:Lesli Linka Glatter, Adam Nimoy
    Writers:Joanne Waters, Amy Sherman-Palladino

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 4 - The Deer Hunters
    7.8/10(1758 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 14 - That Damn Donna Reed
    7.8/10(1449 votes)

    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:Daniel Palladino, Amy Sherman-Palladino

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 5 - Cinnamon's Wake
    7.7/10(1683 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 12 - Double Date
    7.7/10(1443 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Gilmore Girls Season 1 Episode 11 - Paris is Burning
    7.6/10(1446 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Rory's Dance" is the best rated episode of "Gilmore Girls" season 1. It scored 8.7/10 based on 1815 votes. Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and written by Amy Sherman-Palladino, it aired on 12/20/2000. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Rory's Birthday Parties".