Top Ten Tuesday: My Top Ten Episodes of Gilmore Girls

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

       

Happy Tuesday, readers and friends. This week, our Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie topic. And since I could pick anything I want to write about, I decided to use this opportunity put up a post that I had written awhile back. Gilmore Girls is one of my favorite shows. It's funny, there's drama, and I love the relationship between Lorelai and Rory because it reminds me of the relationship I have with my mom. It's a feel-good show. I can't think of any episodes that I out-and-out dislike. True, there are some elements of certain episodes that I'm not fond of, but there are many more episodes that I love. Here are ten of my favorite episodes of Gilmore Girls.

10) Pilot

S1: E1

In the very first episode of Gilmore Girls, we are introduced to young mother Lorelai and her teenage daughter Rory at their favorite place to eat; Luke's Diner, in the center of Stars Hollow Connecticut. Lorelai runs the Independence Inn while the very smart Rory attends to high school. Later in the episode, Rory is accepted into the prestigious prep school Chilton. The Gilmore girls couldn't be happier- until Lorelai sees the tuition bill. After tapping all but one resource that comes to mind, she comes to the solution she's been avoiding for years; her parents.

I recently re-watched this one and it's interesting to see how different things were. So many things looked different, like Luke's Diner, Emily and Richard's house, and the characters, which I suppose is to be expected when a show lasts seven years. It was nice to go back and see where it all began.

9) The Road Trip to Harvard

S2: E4

It's the morning after Lorelai has called off her engagement to Max. Not wanting to endure the whole town looking upon her with pity, Lorelai decides she and Rory should take a road trip. They have no idea where they're going, but wind up at a quirky B&B named The Cheshire Cat. The bed and breakfast is a flop, but the whole trip is worth it as Rory visits Harvard for the first time.

It was sad to see Lorelai and Rory fighting because Lorelai didn't want to talk about Max, but it was definitely nice to see Rory visit Harvard for the first time.

8) A Tale of Two Poes and Fire

S3: E17

After receiving acceptance letters from three universities (Harvard, Yale and Princeton) Rory cannot decide which school she wants to go to. The decision should be easy as she has planned on attending Harvard all her life, but Yale is awfully tempting in its closeness to home. Yet Rory feels Lorelai will be unhappy with her decision to attend Yale after the stunt Richard pulled to get her an interview at the school. Meanwhile Kirk is making shirts depicting various things he sees around town, such as "Babette ate oatmeal." An Edgar Allen Poe recitation is taking place in town, where two actors recite The Raven. And then the Independence Inn catches fire. Lorelai scrambles about to find places for all of the guests to stay and ends up wandering the streets of Stars Hollow after offering her bed to a couple. By the end of the episode, Rory has made up her mind to attend Yale University and to show her approval, Lorelai decorates Rory's room with Yale posters and flags and pays Kirk to make shirts that say "Rory's going to Yale!"

This was a great episode because we see Lorelai put her feelings about Yale aside as she realizes how happy Rory will be there. And Kirk is always funny and I think the t-shirt bit was one of his funniest moments. P.S. If you'd like to own the "Rory's going to Yale!" and/or the "Babette ate oatmeal" shirts, you can purchase them here on Amazon.

7) You Jump, I Jump, Jack

S5: E7

Logan has kidnapped Rory for a Life and Death Brigade event in the woods. People are bungee jumping with umbrellas, holding entire conversations without the letter "e," and shooting bows and arrows. Rory roams around writing down the things she sees for an article in The Yale Daily News as everyone is dressed in formal wear and drinking champagne in this dream-like episode.

I'm surprised that an episode that contains so much Logan has made it to my favorites list, but this is a nice one. The outfits are neat and there is just a sort of whimsical feel that I enjoy.

6) The Fundamental Things Apply

S4: E5

In this episode, Rory goes on her first college date. She and her classmate Trevor go to a restaurant where Rory can't seem to think of anything to say. Meanwhile, Lorelai invites Luke over for movie night after learning he has never seen the classic Casablanca. But it's just casual (wink, wink).

I'm not entirely sure why I enjoy this episode other than the fact that I like hearing the song Rushmole Ruffians by The Smiths playing at the end. This is a more lighthearted episode without a ton of drama. Though I do enjoy the drama aspects of the show, it's nice to have a simpler storyline here and there.

5) Let Me Hear Your Balalaikas Ringing Out

S6: E8

Jess is back in town. Normally one would smell trouble when that phrase is uttered, yet there's something different. First of all, he's published a book. Secondly, he works at the publishing house that published his book. And lastly, he isn't arrogant anymore! It's a miracle! Finding that Rory has dropped out of Yale, Jess reminds her of how much she loved school and dreamt of being a journalist and encourages her to go back. After going out to dinner with both Rory and Jess, Logan lets his true colors show, causing Rory to see him in a different light.

I love this episode because finally someone is telling Rory what she has needed to hear for so long and if there's anyone that can get through to her, it's Jess. And I love that Jess has changed his life for the better. It's just a great episode.

4) They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?

S3: E7

It's a throwback to the 40s with a dance-a-thon in Stars Hollow. Lorelai is determined to defeat the champion Kirk and win this year, but can't find a partner. So, she enlists Rory. Dean decides to tag along and watch from the bleachers, where surprise, surprise, Jess and his girlfriend Shane are also watching. Keen to Rory's attention to Jess, Dean breaks up with her on the dance floor. As Kirk does victory laps around the gym to the Rocky theme song, the Gilmore girls stand in the middle of the floor, Lorelai comforting heartbroken Rory.

3) The Lorelais' First Night at Yale

S4: E2

After rushing about to fit five days' worth of activities into two, Rory is finally ready to move into the dorms of Yale University. Or so she thinks. She and Lorelai borrow Luke's truck and move all of her things into the dorms, yet when it comes time for Lorelai to leave, Rory finds she simply isn't ready yet. So Lorelai stays for a sleepover.

I think this is a good episode because it really displays Lorelai and Rory's relationship. In scenes like the party where they order food for the entire hall and at night when they howl at the boys through the window, you see how good of friends they are. Yet when Lorelai leaves Yale (both times) we see how close they are as mother and daughter.

2) Those Are Strings, Pinocchio

S3: E22

After three years of hard work (plus the ten years before she transferred schools), Rory is finally graduating from Chilton, and with top honors as valedictorian at that. Yet there's still room for drama in that the check Richard gave Lorelai disqualifies Rory for financial aid from Yale. This means that the plans to open The Dragonfly will be put on hold yet again. But Rory won't let it go without a fight. The ones closest to Rory attend her graduation, all swearing that they are simply too happy to cry. Yet when they hear her speech, with such kind words, no one is immune to tears. By the end of the episode, Rory is ready to attend Yale after a summer of backpacking through Europe with Lorelai, whom will get her inn after all.

The speech Rory gives gets me every time. Hearing her speak of her mother and grandparents in such a nice way is just so touching. And when Luke says, "I'm blubberin', you freaks," it's funny in a touching sort of way. He really does care for her.

1) Bon Voyage

S7: E22

On the last episode of this beloved series, Rory is offered a job as a reporter for the Obama ad campaign. It's bittersweet as Rory's dreams of a career in journalism are finally coming true, yet her and Lorelai's plans of having the best summer ever (filled with rollercoasters, no less) are put on hold. The whole town of Stars Hollow pulls together for a loving send off to their beloved Rory, organized by none other than Luke.

Okay, I balled when I watched this. It was so sad to think of it being the last episode of one of my favorite TV shows. But I feel like the show ended in the best way possible; Rory is off to pursue her dreams, Lorelai is backing her, the entire town of Stars Hollow gathers for a farewell party, and Richard and Emily finally give Lorelai the credit she deserves. And there may be a little something going on with Luke. Perfection.

So there are my top ten episodes of Gilmore Girls. With a show this fabulous, it's hard to narrow it down, yet in my opinion, these episodes are wonderful and get down to the heart of the show.

So, fellow fans of the show, what are some of your favorite episodes? I'd love to hear in the comments.

-Miranda Atchley