In a chemistry lab, while separating copper from chlorine, I received a text message from one of my best friends that changed my entire outlook on the day: "MG, Gilmore Girls is coming back as a limited series on Netflix!!" Despite my general annoyance at the lab, I couldn't help but feel triumphant and excited. I've always been a Gilmore Girls fan, a Gilly, if you will. But lately, as the semester goes on, I find myself turning more and more towards Stars Hollow and its comfortable characters. Gilmore Girls is autumnal, like a warm bowl of pasta or a pair of socks fresh from the dryer. On my saddest, most stressed-out days, sometimes only Gilmore Girls makes things better. Here are eleven of the best episodes of the series:

1. Pilot (season 1, episode 1)

Included merely because it introduces the viewer to the world of the show. As far as pilots go, it's nothing spectacular. However, it's notable because it's the very first episode. It introduces us to the emotional landscape immediately, starts in the middle of the narrative, discusses all sorts of issues from Lorelai's privilege to her expectations for Rory to have an easier life than her. Further, it explicates the dichotomy of mother/daughter vs. best friend/best friend that Rory and Lorelai war with throughout the series.

2. The Road Trip to Harvard (season 2, episode 4)

This episode is special for highlighting Lorelai's flaws, both as mother and as woman, as she and Rory set out on an unplanned, unprecedented road trip to distract Lorelai from her abrupt cancellation of her engagement. Furthermore, it balances comedy and drama impeccably by holding a dramatic conversation in a hysterically floral bed and breakfast. It showcases Lorelai's nostalgia for what could have been of her life and her realization that very soon, Rory will graduate and move on to bigger and better things.

3. I Can't Get Started (season 2, episode 22)

Paris is an international treasure. Here, Lorelai gets everything she is supposed to want - that is, a successful relationship with the father of her daugter - and by the end of the episode, is taken from her. Rory, conversely, gets something she isn't supposed to want - a romantic interaction with Jess that she initiates. Meanwhile, Paris has political ambition, Jackson is wearing a kilt, Emily and Richard are receiving pity invitations and Sookie is getting married. It's dramatic high points are counteracted by the comedy of the wedding and all the antics that surround it. Additionally, it broaches Rory's impending departure from Stars Hollow and the ways that will influence not only her narrative, but Lorelai's as well.

4. They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They? (season 3, episode 7)

Arguably one of the most iconic episodes of the series, both aesthetically and plot-wise (I see you Team Jess people)! This episode again has it all: the townies (Kirk), the outfits, the hair, the romance, the comedy. From Luke's grumpiness to Dave Rygalski's charm, it's full of small town antics that range from the very dramatic to the very comedic. The episode marks the dissolution of Rory and Dean and ushers in the new romance between Rory and Jess.

5. Those Are Strings, Pinocchio (season 3, episode 22)

It's only fitting that both Rory and Lorelai take the time to say goodbye together to Chilton. This season represents a distinct shift in the show. Rory is, for the first time since the very first episode, completely single and, once again, embarking on a huge step in her life: Yale. It's funny, yes, but more importantly, it's a reflective look at the growth these women have experienced. Their relationship will never again be this way. Rory will never really live at home again. Despite this, their deep love for one another is extremely evident as Rory, valedictorian, brings to attention the kind of life her mother provided for her.

6. Last Week Fights, This Week Tights (season 4, episode 21)

This episode is exceptionally lovely despite the weird Dean/Rory/Jess interaction, largely because of the dance and romance that Luke and Lorelai finally seem to be giving into. Framed by TJ and Liz's funny (but still sweet) wedding, the episode parallels Lorelai's date with Luke and Rory's quasi-date with Dean. One is comfortable, inevitable, even, and the other uncomfortable and tense, especially considering the way the night ends. Rory's lingering with Dean and refusal of Jess sets a bad tone for the rest of this arc, which gets somewhat resolved in the following episode.

7. Raincoats and Recipes (season 4, episode 22)

Finally. This episode is widely regarded by fans of the show as one of the best, I think, because it, like every other episode on this list, encompasses everything the show is. Additionally, though, it marks an important shift in Lorelai's life. She comes to a complete understanding of her relationship with Luke, what he means to her and as her romantic life seems to finally come together, her familial world falls apart. Her parents are separated and, though Rory is home for the summer, she is defiant and disobedient, much more immature now than ever before. The differences in Rory as she's grown up are stunning and intriguing and something the show will continue to grapple with throughout its run.

8. Written in the Stars (season 5, episode 3)

When a female lead and her romantic love interest get together, a fear is that the show, without the romantic push-and-pull, will fail. Here, we see that Gilmore Girls is a show that is only really enhanced by romance, as we see Luke and Lorelai embark on their very first date as a couple. They're all in and so am I, the ever-patient viewer, who has seen the possibilities of their relationship from the first season. Also, Rory goes back to school, Asher Fleming is dead, Paris is back and we are introduced to Logan Huntzberger.

9. Wedding Bell Blues (season 5, episode 13)

Nothing like a wedding to bring a couple together and then slowly tear them apart from the outside in. Season five is interesting for Lorelai. As the familial relationships that scaffold her life were torn apart in the season four finale, this mid-season episode reunites them. Conversely, of course, her relationship with Luke ends largely because of it. The inverse relationship between Lorelai and her parents is particularly resonant in this episode, as she acidly tells her mother in the last few moments of the episode that she is done.

10. So...Good Talk (season 5, episode 16)

This may seem like a strange episode to link here as one of the best, but I'm not the biggest fan of the final two seasons of the show and, thus, am less familiar with them as I am the rest. Regardless, this episode reunites Luke and Lorelai, brings Richard and Emily back to the landscape of the show and demonstrates the effect of the breakup on Luke, who seemed fine in the initial aftermath, but is very clearly hurting from the lack of Lorelai in his life. It's not one of the finest, funniest episodes, but the last twenty or so seconds are incredible and, thus, worthy of making this list.

11. Bon Voyage (season 7, episode 22)

I don't think the finale is especially wonderful compared to some episodes, but it's worth watching the ways the writers at the time wrapped up these characters. Rory, newly graduated from Yale, is placed in a job that starts much sooner than she thought. To say goodbye, the town (led by Luke) throw her a surprise party that must go on, despite the rain. It brings everyone together: the townies, Luke, Lorelai, Rory and Richard and Emily, in Stars Hollow, saying goodbye to Rory. It's a little bittersweet, but mostly sweet, especially now that we know we get four ninety-minute more moments of these characters, hopefully in a way that feels authentic and holds true to everything that worked in these episodes I've listed.

If you watched the show, I hope this inspires you to rewatch your favorite episodes. If not, I hope it has inspired you to watch. Gilmore Girls is streaming now on Netflix.