!Spoiler Alert! for all seasons of Gilmore Girls.
Unless you have been living under a large rock for the past few months you have probably heard at least a snippet of conversation revolving around the new mini-series of Gilmore Girls episodes coming to Netflix on November 25th. This new series aptly titled "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" will pick up in current time and feature all four seasons in one year of the girls' lives as 90 minute movies. To prepare for this epic moment many people have chosen to brave Netflix and pay the subscription fees to re-watch the original series "Gilmore Girls" from beginning to end. I have been doing this for weeks now, but if you can't sit through that much binge watching, here is a recap of all 7 seasons.
While we wait, here is my list of my favorite Gilmore moments, in no particular order.
Lorelai and Emily Fight
This happens in Season 1 when Rory attends her Chilton dance with Dean and they mistakenly fall asleep in Miss Patty's Dance Studio. Rory is out all night while her Grandmother, Emily, sits with her mom, Lorelai, who has a back injury. This is one of the first times we see how much Emily dislikes the lifestyle Lorelai chose for herself and Rory.
Lorelai Graduates
In Season 2, Lorelai graduates from business school and her parents, whom she believed would not care, come to show her their support. It is an epic moment, for me, because we see that her parents are not as cold-hearted as they seem. Rory misses the graduation when she goes to see Jess in New York leading to her realization of her feelings for him.
Rory Kisses Jess
The most epic finale moments of Season 2, both Gilmore Girls have a lot to think about. Lorelai is left by Christopher after a night together and Rory kisses Jess, who is back in Stars Hollow, but she is still dating Dean. I think this is a perfect example of how we don't always get what we want and sometimes what we want isn't what we need.
Rory Gets Accepted to Colleges
Rory is accepted into some of the top colleges in Season 3. She makes pro/con lists and frets more than ever before, but it becomes apparent there is a place for her, it just may not have been the place she had been dreaming of. I think that getting into any college is a big deal. Actually going to college and making something of yourself is an even better deal. Props go to Lorelai in this moment for not focing and holding Rory to her original dream of Harvard.
The Dance Marathon
This is in Season 3 and features so many amazing moments, I am counting it as one. Lorelai breaks her shoe and interferes in Sookie and Jackson's marriage (sort of), Rory and Dean break up, and Luke admits to wanting kids with the right person in the future. I think this is the culmination of tension. Although the dance marathon sets everything up, it is not the focus of the episode.
The Valedictorian Speech
The end of Season 3, Rory is made valedictorian and gives the most amazing speech at her graduation from Chilton. She pays homage to everyone who has supported her throughout her high school years. Lorelai and Sookie also decide to finally put an offer in on the building that will eventually become their inn. Rory realizes Jess is not for her at this time and she needs to let him go so they can both move on.
Sookie and Lorelai Open the Dragonfly Inn
This is one of the best moments of Season 4 because Lorelai and Sookie have been talking about opening their own inn since episode 1. To see them finally achieve their dreams makes you believe anything is possible. I also love the look of the set for the inn, it is perfect and has just the right amount of charm without making you want to hurl.
Luke and Lorelai Finally Kiss
In the Season 4 episode where Lorelai and Sookie do a test run of the inn, Lorelai insists she has broken up with Jason and misses all the clues Luke has sent her way. Nice work on the wooing Luke, but come on, Lorelai... you should have seen this one coming a mile away.
Logan / The Life and Death Brigade
In Season 5, Rory uncovers a secret society at Yale. She learns that she knows one of the members and gets an in to one of their events. Logan talks Rory into jumping off a platform with him suspended by only wires and an umbrella. This is the moment we see how dating Logan could be for Rory if she is willing to let herself go there. Also, the Life and Death Brigade members are awesome (Colin and Finn, especially).
Rory and Lorelai Reunite
In Season 5 we see Lorelai and Rory's biggest fight ever. Lorelai goes to her parents hoping for help and support when Rory decides to drop out of Yale. The fight itself spans several episodes in Season 6. I think more than the fight, the moment in Season 6 that belongs on this list is their reconciliation, when Rory realizes she has made a huge mistake.
Lorelai's Brief Marriage
Season 7 was a mess, lets be honest here. Lorelai and Christopher get married after her and Luke break things off. The marriage lasts only a few episodes and they are divorced by the Series Finale. I site this as a top moment because I personally believe Luke and Lorelai are made for each other, if only they would quit screwing it up.
The Series Finale
I like the way they ended the show, with Rory getting her dream job and overcoming all the obstacles to make it. It also means Lorelai succeeded, she raised an amazing, independent woman with little to no help and that takes a strong person. I think we need these new episodes to tie off the loose ends and know for sure our girls are okay.
To tide you over, here are the few videos Netflix has posted.
See you in the next season.
