Between the fast-paced dialogue, the adorable small town setting, and the genuine connection that Lorelai and Rory share, Gilmore Girls is a stand-out among TV dramas. Everyone’s favorite mother/daughter show still lives on even though it hasn’t been on the air in over ten years. Sure, Netflix brought it back for a four-episode revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life, in 2016, but it faced mixed reviews and many fans felt it didn’t have the magic of the original.
Even the best, most critically acclaimed series have some mistakes or missed opportunities, and that’s true of Gilmore Girls, too. Here are the five best and the five worst Gilmore Girls episodes.
Best: Application Anxiety (Season 3)
From the pilot, fans knew that Rory Gilmore was destined for the Ivy League. Between her long hours spent studying and the Harvard memorabilia on her bedroom walls, she was always going to get into Harvard… right?!
Well, maybe not so fast. In one of the best episodes, “Application Anxiety” in season three, Rory and Lorelai totally freak out about whether the studious daughter can actually get into such a hard school after all. They go to an alumni’s house for lunch that turns both weird and hilarious. The daughter, who didn’t go to Harvard, dresses up like a bunny for children’s parties. And Emily shines in this episode, especially when she makes a dig at actresses who want to go to Ivy Leagues.
Worst: The Long Morrow (Season 7)
By this point, it’s a fact that fans don’t like season seven of Gilmore Girls. Since showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino was long gone by then, it just didn’t have the charm and wit of the previous seasons.
But the episode “The Long Morrow” is particularly bad. There’s one moment that stands out: when Logan gives Rory a present of a two-foot rocket. It makes zero sense as a present, and Rory spends way too much time trying to figure out what it is. It’s basically a metaphor for the entire season. Chances are, some fans might not even remember much about this episode, which says something as well.
Best: The Lorelai’s First Day At Chilton (Season 1)
Now here’s an episode that everyone remembers (and fondly, too). When Rory decides to leave Stars Hollow High and go to Chilton, her best friend Lane is sad but it’s clear that it’s a new, exciting beginning. But, of course, the reason why fans recall this specific episode is about one thing and one thing only: the ridiculous outfit that Lorelai wore to bring Rory to school.
Lorelai was out of clean clothes and chose a tie-dye pink t-shirt, jean shorts, and boots. Sure, she covered up with a long coat, but she was asked to remove her coat and she couldn’t hide any longer. Oops. This was a sweet and funny episode, which is the tone that Gilmore Girls should always strike.
Worst: Pulp Friction (Season 5)
For many fans, the first four seasons are Gilmore Girls gold and the next few just don’t measure up. Whether you agree with that or not, you have to admit that the later seasons have some awkward episodes.
One such episode is the season five one called “Pulp Friction.” Rory finds Logan at a Pulp Fiction themed party, but it’s honestly a strange move for the good girl who would rather sit and read than go to a social gathering. This storyline sums up what’s wrong with this relationship: Rory is always trying to be who Logan wants her to be, and they don’t have the easy chemistry that she had with Dean and Jess.
Best: Rory’s Dance (Season 1)
From the pilot, it’s clear that Lorelai and Emily will have it out at some point over how Lorelai got pregnant in high school and essentially left her family behind in the process. That moment happens in the season one episode “Rory’s Dance.”
It’s so great because Rory is so adorable when she tries to act like she doesn’t want to go to the school dance but Dean knows that she does. And when Lorelai makes Rory’s dress, it’s a dreamy scene. When Rory and Dean fall asleep and Emily yells at Lorelai, it’s clear that drama runs deep in the Gilmore family and they all have a lot of problems to work out. This episode proves that Gilmore Girls may be about coffee, junk food, and jokes, but it can have serious moments, too.
Worst: Take The Deviled Eggs… (Season 3)
Christopher’s fiance Sherry is one of the worst characters on Gilmore Girls. She’s annoying, rude, and spoiled. It’s no wonder that the season three episode “Take The Deviled Eggs…” which is all about her baby shower is one of the worst episodes of the show.
It’s clear that Lorelai doesn’t want to attend the event, and to be totally honest, fans didn’t really want to come along for the ride, either. She takes Rory and then stays, and it’s just awkward. This is definitely a forgettable episode because it doesn’t have the witty catchphrases or silly situations of some of the other, better episodes.
Best: The Road Trip To Harvard (Season 2)
If road trips are fun, then a road trip with Lorelai Gilmore is the best thing ever, and fans wished that they were in the car with the mom/daughter duo when they went to Harvard in the second season. They didn’t know that they would end up there since Lorelai was running away after breaking off her wedding to Max, but it was perfectly fitting.
There are many standout moments from the episode. There’s the super creepy bed and breakfast that Rory and Lorelai stay at. There’s the time when Lorelai gets emotional over missing out on a college education but realizes that her daughter really will grow up soon and leave her. It’s one for the books.
Worst: Super Cool Party People (Season 6)
The Life and Death Brigade are a truly frustrating group, and the idea that Logan wants to constantly do stunts that could really hurt himself is tough to watch after a while. Anyone on Team Logan might switch over to Jess or Dean after watching the season six episode “Super Cool Party People” when Logan’s antics hurt him for real this time.
It’s honestly strange to think that Rory is so interested in someone who is immature and spoiled. This episode really drives that point home, and like a lot of the sixth season, it doesn’t have the charming feeling of the first four seasons of the show.
Best: Rory’s Birthday Parties (Season 1)
What girl doesn’t want several birthday parties? Well, Rory doesn’t, but unfortunately, she has to attend a formal party at her grandparents’ house with classmates from school that she can’t really stand. Thankfully, her mom is the best and throws her a cool party with the whole town, and that one goes much smoother.
The season one episode “Rory’s Birthday Parties” is perfection thanks to the fun party that Lorelai plans, but it also has a serious emotional heart. When Emily starts realizing how much she has missed out on and that Lorelai hid a lot of her life from her, it’s both beautifully acted and also really sad.
Worst: Summer (Netflix Revival)
The very worst episode of the show absolutely has to be the episode “Summer” from the Netflix revival. This episode featured so many things that don’t feel like they’re a part of the Gilmore Girls universe at all. There’s Lorelai and Rory fat-shaming a guy in a bathing suit, Rory working at the Stars Hollow newspaper instead of going off and following her dreams, and Lorelai watching the Stars Hollow musical. What?!
Some fans like to pretend that the revival didn’t happen, and honestly, it’s not the worst idea when you think about all of the magical moments that happened on Gilmore Girls the first time around.
