Season one of Gilmore Girls is easily, the best one. The majority of the season focuses on introductions to the characters and setting up backstories that are important for the show throughout its 7 season run.
In this season, you learn that Lorelai (Played by Lauren Graham) is a single mom, who got pregnant with Rory at age 16. She ran away from her parent’s home shortly after where she ended up being a maid at the Independence Inn. This caused a lot of tension between them, which made them grow apart and ultimately, struggle to reconcile throughout the series. Living alone together for so many years helped Lorelai and Rory grow close. They became more like best friends than mother and daughter.
Now that I’ve filled you in on a little backstory, let’s talk about where we begin in the Pilot episode. The audience is introduced to the girls and the quirky little town they live in, known as Stars Hollow (Which is in New England, Connecticut). Rory (played by Alexis Bledel), is now a 16-year-old Sophomore in High School. She is brainy and sweet and loves to read. So much so that she takes books with her everywhere she goes. Including dances, dates, and trips.
Rory is first shown in her small town high school, but it is revealed that she has been accepted to Chilton, a fancy and strict private school where the tuition is too much for Lorelai to pay, thus forcing her to go to her estranged parents and ask for money. Which, after doing so much on her own for all of these years, is really hard for her to do. They agree to pay for Rory’s schooling because they only want the best for her. However, Lorelai must agree to let them be more involved with their lives, including Friday night dinners. She agrees. This sets up tons of stuff for the season, and other seasons.
The majority of this season is about seeing Rory start to deal with life at Chilton and Lorelai struggle with her relationship with her parents, dating, and work By the time you start season one it is revealed that Lorelai no longer works as a maid at the Inn but instead, runs it. You also meet her best friend, Sookie (played by Melissa McCarthy) and get to watch their friendship play out. She is the chef at the Inn where Lorelai works. You are also introduced to Michel (played by Yanic Truesdale), the incredibly grouchy attendant at the Inn.
Other characters we are introduced to in this season are Paris Gellar (Liza Weil), who is initially Rory's enemy at Chilton, but later becomes her friend. Tristan Dugray (played by Chad Michael Murray), the "it" guy at Chilton, who is preppy and at times, a bit of a jerk. He later shows that he has a crush on Rory. Rachel, Luke's ex-girlfriend, who comes back to town for a few episodes and plays with his emotions again. Lane Kim, Rory's best friend. Kirk Gleason, a guy with good intentions that often come off wrong. He works a string of jobs in the town which often changes from episode to episode. Taylor Doose, is the owner of Dosse's Market and an old-fashioned Soda Shop (in later seasons). He also runs all of the town meetings as the town selectmen. He is fussy and overly dramatic sometimes. The last really important person I can think of is Jackson Belleville. He is a farmer and the produce supplier for the Inn and sometimes the town itself. He is witty, sarcastic, and overall a happy guy. His relationship with Sookie add more cuteness to the show!
Another important part of this season sees the girls trying to date. Rory's first boyfriend is Dean Forrester, played by (Jared Padelecki. Yeah, THAT Jared Padelecki!) lol Their relationship has its highs and lows. It's the usual puppy love type stuff. Dean is super sweet, caring, and just totally and completely in love with her. I just love their relationship in this season. It's adorable. Lorelai starts dating Rory's teacher Max. At first, this seems to be a problem for all three of them. But seems to be going well by the end of the season. But from the very beginning, as a fan, you can just tell that Luke (played by Scott Patterson) is her soul mate. She is just destined to be with him. He is the owner of Luke's Diner where the girls eat at almost every single day. The two flirt all the time and the chemistry is totally there. Even other characters see it too. Also at one point, Lorelai has a short lived fling with Rory's father, Chris, her high school boyfriend.
Overall, this season is fun and captivating. It is full of pop culture references from the 90's and relatable subjects. It also has some seriously fast dialogue. I love watching the relationships in this season blossom and other stories play out. I love the town and the people in it. I enjoy the bonds and family dynamics and the dysfunction. Gilmore Girls season 1 is simply, the best! I highly recommend it to teens and young adults too.
I give Gilmore Girls Season 1 a 5/5 Star Review (my first perfect score btw).