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The Best Episodes of Gilmore Girls Season 3

Every episode of Gilmore Girls Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Gilmore Girls Season 3!

Binge this in 15h 44m•Peaking at 9.0/10

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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 22 - Those Are Strings, Pinocchio
    9.0/10(1342 votes)

    S3:E22

    Rory and Lorelai prepare for Rory's graduation from Chilton. But major developments involving the inn threaten to dampen the festivities.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Daniel Palladino

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  2. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 7 - They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?
    8.9/10(1622 votes)

    S3:E7

    Lorelai forces Rory to be her partner at the Stars Hollow dance marathon, where Rory can't stop arguing with a boy – and another definitely notices.

    Director:Kenny Ortega
    Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino

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  3. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 13 - Dear Emily and Richard
    8.6/10(1430 votes)

    S3:E13

    When Sherry goes into labor and asks Rory to stay with her at the hospital, Lorelai reminisces about the day Rory was born.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino

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  4. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 9 - A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving
    8.4/10(1206 votes)

    S3:E9

    Lorelai and Rory have four Thanksgivings when they stop for celebrations with Lane, Sookie and Luke on the way to dinner with Richard and Emily.

    Director:Kenny Ortega
    Writer:Daniel Palladino

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  5. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 16 - The Big One
    8.4/10(1113 votes)

    S3:E16

    Rory and Paris compete to give a speech at a school celebration. Meanwhile, Lorelai shares a passionate kiss with someone unexpected.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino

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  6. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 8 - Let the Games Begin
    8.3/10(1153 votes)

    S3:E8

    Lorelai, Rory, Richard and Emily visit Richard's alma mater, but Richard causes trouble by secretly making some arrangements in advance.

    Directors:Steven Robman, Amy Sherman-Palladino
    Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino

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  7. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 19 - Keg! Max!
    8.3/10(1110 votes)

    S3:E19

    Rory makes plans to attend the prom. Lane's rock band debuts at a big party, where longstanding animosities finally explode.

    Director:Chris Long
    Writer:Daniel Palladino

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  8. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 1 - Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days
    8.1/10(1150 votes)

    S3:E1

    Back from a summer internship in Washington, D.C., Rory finds herself torn between Dean and Jess. Meanwhile, Lorelai questions her future.

    Director:Amy Sherman-Palladino
    Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino

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  9. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 17 - A Tale of Poes and Fire
    8.1/10(1080 votes)

    S3:E17

    When a meeting of the Edgar Allan Poe Society at her inn is interrupted by a disaster, Lorelai must find rooms for the guests at homes around town.

    Director:Chris Long
    Writer:Daniel Palladino

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  10. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 2 - Haunted Leg
    8.0/10(1082 votes)

    S3:E2

    Emily's attempts to reunite Christopher with Lorelai and Rory result in an ugly confrontation between Rory and Christopher.

    Director:Chris Long
    Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino

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  11. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 10 - That'll Do, Pig
    8.0/10(1056 votes)

    S3:E10

    Lorelai misses the town carnival when a visitor arrives. Rory's beau won't take her to the carnival – until he learns she might go with another boy.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Sheila R. Lawrence

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  12. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 20 - Say Goodnight, Gracie
    8.0/10(1031 votes)

    S3:E20

    After the brawl at her band's debut, Lane is in trouble with her mother. Later, Jess receives a visitor at the diner.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writers:Janet Leahy, Amy Sherman-Palladino

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  13. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 14 - Swan Song
    7.9/10(1073 votes)

    S3:E14

    Lorelai goes away with her boyfriend for a weekend in New York, but she worries about leaving Rory and her boyfriend together.

    Director:Chris Long
    Writer:Daniel Palladino

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  14. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 15 - Face-Off
    7.9/10(1031 votes)

    S3:E15

    Tired of waiting for her boyfriend to call and make plans for the weekend, Rory goes to a hockey game with Lane, where she sees a familiar face.

    Director:Kenny Ortega
    Writer:John Stephens

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  15. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 4 - One's Got Class and the Other One Dyes
    7.8/10(1073 votes)

    S3:E4

    Things get ugly when Lorelai speaks at the high school's career day. To rebel against her conservative mother, Lane does something drastic.

    Director:Steven Robman
    Writer:Daniel Palladino

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  16. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 18 - Happy Birthday, Baby
    7.8/10(1023 votes)

    S3:E18

    While Lorelai deals with the aftermath at the inn, Rory schemes to give her mom a special birthday party, complete with a gigantic surprise.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino

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  17. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 3 - Application Anxiety
    7.7/10(1092 votes)

    S3:E3

    After a Harvard application arrives, Rory and Lorelai seek advice. Meanwhile, Lane places an ad and becomes enamored with a respondent.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Daniel Palladino

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  18. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 6 - Take the Deviled Eggs...
    7.7/10(1085 votes)

    S3:E6

    When Lorelai winds up attending a social event with Rory, she learns more about Christopher's life than she wanted to know.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Daniel Palladino

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  19. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 5 - Eight O'Clock at the Oasis
    7.6/10(1098 votes)

    S3:E5

    After a disastrous date with a man she met at an auction organized by Emily, Lorelai tries to cancel the second date, despite her parents' objections.

    Director:Joe Ann Fogle
    Writer:Justin Tanner

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  20. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 21 - Here Comes the Son
    7.6/10(1065 votes)

    S3:E21

    Jess travels across the country for a visit. Rory helps Emily choose an outfit for Rory's graduation, resulting in a conflict with Lorelai.

    Director:Amy Sherman-Palladino
    Writer:Amy Sherman-Palladino

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  21. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 12 - Lorelai Out of Water
    7.5/10(1021 votes)

    S3:E12

    Lorelai gets an angling lesson from Luke before her fishing date with her new beau. Meanwhile, the political battle between Rory and Paris escalates.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Janet Leahy

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  22. Gilmore Girls Season 3 Episode 11 - I Solemnly Swear...
    7.4/10(1033 votes)

    S3:E11

    A classmate convinces Paris that Rory has been plotting against her. Meanwhile, Emily is sued by a former maid, and Lorelai meets an interesting man.

    Director:Carla McCloskey
    Writer:John Stephens

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Those Are Strings, Pinocchio" is the best rated episode of "Gilmore Girls" season 3. It scored 9/10 based on 1342 votes. Directed by Jamie Babbit and written by Daniel Palladino, it aired on 5/20/2003. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?".