After Rory (Alexis Bledel) gets accepted to the prestigious prep school Chilton, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) has to find a way to come up with the tuition money. Having run out of options, Lorelai goes to her estranged parents for the money. Emily (Kelly Bishop) and Richard (Edward Herrmann) give Lorelai the money under one condition: Lorelai and Rory have to attend dinner at their house every Friday night.

In this first episode of our favorite show, we get a glimpse of Stars Hollow and its eclectic characters. We meet Luke (Scott Patterson), Sookie (Melissa McCarthy), Michel (Yanic Truesdale), Lane (Keiko Agena), Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda), Dean (Jared Padalecki), Miss Patty (Liz Torres), and Drella (Alex Borstien).

b: 05-Oct-2000 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Lesli Linka Glatter

NOTE: A completely different set for the town of Stars Hollow was used in subsequent episodes.

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2. The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton
gs: Dakin Matthews (Hanlin Charleston) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Nick Chinlund (Ian Jack) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Alex Borstein (Drella) John Billingsley (Mr. Remmy)

What could go wrong Rory's first day of Chilton? A lot. First, the fuzzy alarm clock doesn't ring, Lorelai's clothes are at the cleaners, and Rory meets Paris Gellar. Could the day get any worse from there? And why is Tristan calling her Mary?

In this episode, we meet more soon to be familiar faces: Paris (Liza Weil), Madeline (Selly Cole), Louise (Teal Redmann), Tristan (Chand Micheal Murray), Headmaster Charleston (Dakin Matthews), and Babette (Sally Struthers) and Maury (Ted Rooney).

b: 12-Oct-2000 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Arlene Sanford

NOTE: Music: XTC did "I'm the Man Who Murdered Love" from the "Apple Venus Volume 2" cd.

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3. Kill Me Now
gs: Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Alex Borstein (Drella) Meagen Fay (Mrs. Shales) Eileen Barnett (Nanette) Charles C. Stevenson Jr. (Julian Johnson) Jay Gerber (Edward James)

Rory needs to learn a sport for school, so Emily convinces Richard to teach her golf. Both Richard and Rory were hesitant about it, but they ended up having a better time than anyone, including Lorelai thought they would. The inn hosts a wedding for identical twins that includes a lot of compromises.

b: 19-Oct-2000 w: Joanne Waters d: Adam Nimoy

NOTE: when lorelai is talking at the inn, she states that rory was subjected to spend all day sunday at the club with her grandfather golfing.....however rory is golfing with her grandfather on saturday. we know this because the wedding of the twins takes place on sunday, not monday.

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4. The Deer Hunters
gs: Scott Cohen (Max Medina) Alex Borstein (Drella) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Dakin Matthews (Hanlin Charleston)

Rory gets a bad grade on a paper and wonders if Chilton is the right place for her. She also gets hit by a deer and throws a very un-Rory-like fit. Lorelai throws a fit to match. A critic writes a review about the Independence Inn's restaurant that leaves Sookie very upset.

b: 26-Oct-2000 w: Jed Seidel d: Alan Myerson

NOTE: The sonnet that Paris recites in Rory's ear is Shakespeare's "Sonnet 116".

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5. Cinnamon's Wake
gs: Scott Cohen (Max Medina) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Ted Rooney (Morey Dell) DeLauné Michel (Dr. Jeannie)

Sookie makes things for the Chilton bake sale, where Max asks Lorelai an interseting question. Cinnamon, Babette and Morey's cat dies and the town holds a wake. The sparks between Rory and Dean become bigger and brighter.

b: 02-Nov-2000 w: Daniel Palladino d: Michael Katleman

NOTE: Music: "I Thought About You"; Grant-Lee Phillips did "Truly, Truly" from Grant Lee Buffalo's "Jubilee" cd.

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6. Rory's Birthday Parties
gs: Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Ted Rooney (Morey Dell) David Booth (Lars) Bridget Ann White (Mitzi)

Maybe the Lorelai/Emily realationship is finally getting better, the pudding and shopping has to mean something right? Wrong. After the party Emily throws Rory, things go back to normal. Emily comes to a realization at Rory's second party.

b: 09-Nov-2000 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Sarah Pia Anderson

NOTE: This episode was filmed during Alexis Bledel's actual birthday.
Music: Altered Images did "Happy Birthday".
Miss Patty introduces herself to Richard and Emily as "Patricia LaCosta".

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7. Kiss and Tell
gs: Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Ted Rooney (Morey Dell) Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester)

Rory gets kissed and doesn't tell Lorelai, but someone else does. When Rory finally admits to the kiss, Lorelai invites Dean over for movie night and Rory freaks out.

b: 16-Nov-2000 w: Jenji Kohan d: Rodman Flender

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8. Love and War and Snow
gs: Scott Cohen (Max Medina) David Huddleston (Harry Porter) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose)

Max's car breaks down in Stars Hollow and Lorelai shows him around town. The two end up at Lorelai's front door. After Lane does something dumb and needs to talk, Rory doesn't seem to be able to think of anything but Dean. Lane starts to worry if she still fits into Rory's life.

b: 14-Dec-2000 w: Joan Binder Weiss d: Alan Myerson

NOTE: When Richard is yelling on the phone about having to report to a "child" at work, he is making the first reference to Jason Stiles, who will appear beginning in the fourth season.

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9. Rory's Dance
gs: Chad Michael Murray (Tristan DuGray) Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Kay Freeman (Yoga Woman #2) Kyle Gibson (Jacob) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Maybin Hewes (Yoga Woman #1) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn)

Rory goes to the Chilton winter formal with Dean. Dean gets into a fight with Tristan and Rory and Dean stay out too late. Lorelai hurts her back while she's making Rory's dress and Emily helps take care of her. At least until they have a fight.

b: 20-Dec-2000 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Lesli Linka Glatter

NOTE: Music: XTC's "We're All Light".

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10. Forgiveness and Stuff
gs: Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Mary Anne McGarry () Richard Fancy () Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Lisa Long () Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Sean Gunn (Kirk Gleason) Rob Moore () Richard Faney () Brian Evers () Jane Lynch ()

Lorelai gets univited to her parents annual Christmas dinner, during which Richard has to be taken to the hospital. Luke takes Lorelai to see her father, and Emily suspects more than friendship between Luke and Lorelai.

b: 21-Dec-2000 w: John Stephens d: Bethany Rooney

NOTE: Music: XTC did "Thanks for Christmas" -- a rare Christmas single released under the pseudonym "The Three Wise Men", and The Waitresses did "Christmas Wrapping".

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11. Paris is Burning
gs: Scott Cohen (Max Medina) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Ann Gillespie (Mrs. Geller) Chad Michael Murray (Tristan DuGray) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn)

Rory starts to become attached to Max and Lorelai starts freaking out. Loreali attends parents day at Chilton, where Paris finds out about Max and Lorelai's realationship. Paris uses the information to turn the school gossip away from herself. After all that, could Paris and Rory become friends? Or could there at least be peace between the two?

b: 11-Jan-2001 w: Joan Binder Weiss d: David Petrarca

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12. Double Date
gs: Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Lukas Behnken (Todd) Max Perlich (Rune)

Sookie and Jackson double date with Lorelai and Rune. Rune is rude to Lorelai and Sookie won't talk to Jackson. Dean and Rory double date with Lane and Todd - without Lorelai's or Mrs. Kim's permission, and they get cuaght.

b: 18-Jan-2001 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Lev L. Spiro

NOTE: Music: XTC did "Earn Enough for Us."

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13. Concert Interruptus
gs: Chad Michael Murray (Tristan DuGray) Cleo King (Annoyed Neighbor) Deborah Theaker (Ms. Caldecott) Loren Lazerine () The Bangles (Themselves) Brandon Routh (Jess [as B.J. Routh]) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Jeffrey Hutchinson ()

Lorelai volunteers to organize the town rummage sale. She find Rachel's old sweatshirt and wears it to Luke's. Paris, Madeline, and Louise go to Rory's to prepare for a debate and end up going to a Bangles concert with her.
-Special Apperance by The Bangles-

b: 15-Feb-2001 w: Elaine Arata d: Bruce Seth Green

NOTE: The Bangles (Susanna Hoffs, Debbi Peterson, Vicki Peterson, Michael Steele) are seen performing portions of their songs "Hero Takes a Fall" and "Eternal Flame." In addition, their song "Walk Like an Egyptian" is played at the beginning of the concert scenes. (The latter two songs were both number 1 hits for the group.)

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14. That Damn Donna Reed
gs: Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Sean Gunn (Kirk Gleason) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) David Sutcliffe (Christopher Hayden)

After an argument over The Donna Reed Show, Rory has a Donna Reed night for Dean. Rory brings home a baby chick and it gets lost in the house, Lorelai panics and calls Like to help her find it. Lorelai volunteers to help Luke paint the diner.

b: 22-Feb-2001 w: Daniel Palladino & Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Michael Katleman

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15. Christopher Returns
gs: Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Peter Michael Goetz (Straub Hayden) Cristine Rose (Francine Hayden) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Sean Gunn (Kirk Gleason) David Sutcliffe (Christopher Hayden)

Christopher's in Stars Hollow and staying at Lorelai and Rory's. The whole town is buzzing about his visit. This week's Friday Night Dinner is more upsetting and akward than usual. Christopher's parents, Straub (Peter Micheal Gotez) and Francine (Cristine Rose) attend dinner and an argument breaks out. Lorelai accidentally blows off plans with Luke.

b: 01-Mar-2001 w: Daniel Palladino d: Michael Katleman

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16. Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers
gs: Chad Michael Murray (Tristan DuGray) David Huddleston (Harry Porter) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Lisa Ann Hadley (Rachel) Paul Cassell (Chase Bradford) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn)

Rory misses Friday Night Dinner to celebrate her 3 month anniversary with Dean. Things go wrong and they break up. Emily takes the opportunity to set Lorelai up with a very boring man. Rachel comes back to Stars Hollow.
b: 08-Mar-2001 w: John Stephens & Linda Loiselle Guzik s: Joan Binder Weiss d: Lesli Linka Glatter

NOTE: Music - John Lennon "Oh My Love"

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17. The Breakup, Part 2
gs: Chad Michael Murray (Tristan DuGray) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Lisa Ann Hadley (Rachel) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Sean Gunn (Kirk Gleason) Jacqui Maxwell (Summer) Scott Cohen (Max Medina)

Rory is upset about her break up with Dean and makes a list of things to do to take her mind off it. Rory and Lane go to a party at Madeline's, where Lane meets Henry. Lorelai realizes she never got over Max and goes to visit him.

b: 15-Mar-2001 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Nick Marck

NOTE: Music: A song by Grandaddy is played at the party. (In an earlier episode, Lane mentions buying the new Grandaddy cd for eight dollars).

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18. The Third Lorelai
gs: Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Chad Michael Murray (Tristan DuGray) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Marion Ross (Trix Gilmore)

Richard's mother comes to visit, Richard is thrilled but Emily is not. Gran offers to pay Rory's tuition, which makes Emily very unhappy. Things are akward between Rory and Tristan. Paris and Tristan go on a date.

b: 22-Mar-2001 w: Amy Sherman-Palladino d: Michael Katleman

NOTE: Beginning in this episode, part of the wall in the living room is knocked down and removed to create an arc and a shorter entrance into the room. The piano is also moved.

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19. Emily In Wonderland
gs: Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville) Lisa Ann Hadley (Rachel) Sean Gunn (Kirk Gleason) Max Perlich (Rune)

Emily comes to Stars Hollow and Rory gives her a tour of the town. Emily is having a good time, at least until she sees the potting shed. Lorelai and Rachel go see the old Dragonfly Inn, which makes Luke uncomfortable. Lorelai gives Rune a job at the inn against her will.

b: 26-Apr-2001 w: John Stephens & Linda Loiselle Guzik d: Perry Lang

NOTE: Lorelai mentions that she once played a Prince song for her mother, who nearly had a stroke. This is based on an incident from series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's youth.

The "abandoned inn" that Rachel finds is the family house that was used in the 1972-1981 CBS TV series, "The Waltons." The house (or inn) has quite a history on television, as it was also used in other TV series including "Mayberry R.F.D." and the series finale of "Lassie" that aired in 1971. It has been modified several times.

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20. P.S. I Lo...
gs: Scott Cohen (Max Medina) Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim) Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Lisa Ann Hadley (Rachel) Sean Gunn (Kirk Gleason) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn)

Lorelai helps Luke buy a birthday present for Rachel. Lorelai and Rory have a fight and Rory goes to Emily's to get some peace. Lane and Dean are science partners, and Lane doesn't tell Rory.

b: 03-May-2001 w: Elaine Arata & Joan Binder Weiss d: Lev L. Spiro

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21. Love, Daisies and Troubadours
gs: Chad Michael Murray (Tristan DuGray) Grant-Lee Phillips (Grant) Teal Redmann (Louise Grant) Liz Torres (Miss Patty) Liza Weil (Paris Geller) Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester) Sally Struthers (Babette Dell) Michael Winters (Taylor Doose) Lisa Ann Hadley (Rachel) Sean Gunn (Kirk Gleason) Shelly Cole (Madeline Lynn) Ted Rooney (Morey Dell) Dave (Gruber) Allen (The Second Troubadour) Scott Cohen (Max Medina)

Lately, every spare moment Luke has is spent fixing things at Lorelai's house. Rachel leaves because she suspects more than friendship between Luke and Lorelai. Max asks Lorelai to marry him with 1,000 yellow diasies. Something Rory says at the town meeting leads to her saying those 3 little words to Dean.

b: 10-May-2001 w: Daniel Palladino d: Amy Sherman-Palladino

NOTE: Music: P.J. Harvey did "One Line" from the "Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea" cd; Yo La Tengo did "My Little Corner of the World" from the "Gilmore Girls" soundtrack cd "Our Little Corner of the World". When lorelai's trying to think of the name of the guy in her dream she mentions the name Maven Hughes, that's a reference to ASP's mom, who's named Maven Hughes.