Gilmore Girls 1.01 “Pilot”
Gilmore Girls 1.01 "Pilot"
Original Air Date: October 5, (Recap date: November 7, 2007)
Photos & Discussion
Welcome to the first GilmoreGirlsNews.com recap session as we rewind and watch Gilmore Girls all over again. Together, we will discuss each episode of Gilmore Girls, starting today with the "Pilot".
Gilmore Girls Episode Recap:
We meet Lorelai Gilmore as she heads to Luke’s Diner in search of coffee. And we find her to be a coffee ‘junkie’
Lorelai is approached by a young guy and we are treated to our first cultural reference: Lorelai calls him a Jack Kerouac (who wrote ‘On The Road’)
Rory Gilmore on the hunt for lip gloss, of which Lorelai has vanilla, chocolate, honey or toasted marshmallow. While Lorelai gets Rory some coffee, the guy tries to hit on Rory. Rory quips "are you my new daddy?" to freak him out.
Lorlai arrives to work at the Independence Inn and Michel is on the phone - his quirks with customer service already apparent. Rory comes to visit and Lorelai calls her frumpy sweater a moo moo. They goad Michel into looking over Rory’s French paper.
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We meet Lane walking to school with Rory, putting on a Woodstock shirt that her parents would never approve of. They walk by Dean, whose jaw drops at the sight of Rory.
Rory’s classmates make fun of her for being studious. Rory is secretly pleased.
Sookie! A crash in the kitchen as we meet accident-prone head chef, Sookie. She and Lorelai dream to open their own Inn?
Lane brings Rory back home to Kim’s Antiques. Mrs. Kim has some health-crazy muffins for them.
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Back at the Inn, Sookie’s kitchen is buzzing with everyone trying to prevent her from cutting off her fingers or scalding her hands. Unfortunately, Sookie hits one in the face with a cast iron fry pan.
Rory has been accepted into Chilton, starting immediately. They are all very excited. And no, Lorelai did not have to sleep with the headmaster to make it happen.
Lorelai finds out that the tuition, which must be prepaid, is $50,000. Sookie comes for moral support and tries to bring up the "p" word (parents). Rory comes out excited in her Chilton uniform.
Sookie says "I’m going to the store, because you have absolutely nothing. You feel like duck?"
Lorelai responds "Ooh, if it’s made of chicken, absolutely."
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Lorelai must face her past and pay a visit to her parents. They immediately suspect it’s about money. They say Chilton is a great school and agree, on one condition - a weekly dinner:
"Since we are now financially involved in your life, I want to be actively involved in your life"
Rory runs into Dean on her way out of school. He actually gets her offhand movie reference, which impresses her. He’s new in town. Rory gets flustered around him. He and Rory walk through Stars Hollow. Dean admits to watching Rory, that she’s nice to look at and has intense concentration.
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Lorelai and Rory pick at their salad until their greasy burgers and fries are ready. Luke quips:
"Red meat can kill ya, enjoy"
Rory is a little snarky and admits she is not sure about Chilton. They argue and leave without eating. Miss Patty says she found a job for Dean, which prompts Lorelai to ask "what male friend", because she was not in the loop. She clues in that Rory doesn’t want to go to Chilton because of Dean.
It comes out that Lorelai got pregnant at 16. Rory doesn’t want to listen to the lecture about school being more important. Lorelai plays the ‘mom’ card and says Rory will go to Chilton.
Sookie had a meal explode and killed the Viking stove.
Gilmore dinner. Some tension. Emily hints at the money. Richard talks about Christopher, Rory’s dad. And insults Lorelai by saying Rory gets her smarts from her dad. She storms into the kitchen. Emily admits she was disappointed with Lorelai’s pregnancy - that they had bright futures. Emily dislikes that Lorelai and Christopher did not marry. That Lorelai shut them out of Rory’s life. That she left school and home to work as a maid at the Inn. Lorelai stands up to her - she built a strong life and now runs the Inn.
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Rory overhears Lorelai refer to begging for the Chilton money. It seems to humble her. She offers to take her mom for coffee, and their normal banter is back on track.
Lorelai is impressed with Luke’s sleek look - he had a meeting. He flirts back. When he brings them their order:
"I can’t stand it, this is so unhealthy. Rory, please, put down that cup of coffee. You do not want to grow up to be like your mom"
Rory replies: "Sorry, too late"
Lorelai beams. And continues to ask about ‘the guy’. And we leave them sitting in Luke’s Diner.
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Discussion Questions:
- What is it about the writing that allows us to really ‘know’ the characters so quickly?
- Why do you think writers later phased out Sookie’s accident-prone nature?
- What do you think of Rory’s style? More unique? More to character?
- Why did Rory change her mind so quickly about Chilton? Was a couple hours with Dean enough to do that?
- Does Lorelai refer to her contacts in any other episode?
- Do you think this is the first time Lorelai may have ‘noticed’ Luke in a new light?
For those of you who missed the episode, here is a short clip from YouTube:
I won’t have time to be this detailed in recap or screencap on all Gilmore Girls episodes, but I’ll do my best to always start off the discussions this way.
Tune in tomorrow for episode 2!
Tags: gilmore girls, gilmore girls pilot, gilmore girls season 1, gilmore girls recap, gilmore girls pictures, photos, screencaps, discussion
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POSTED IN: Discussions, Gilmore Girls Recaps, Gilmore Girls Screencaps, Gilmore Memories, Lorelai Gilmore, Luke Danes, Rory Gilmore
35 opinions for Gilmore Girls 1.01 “Pilot”
Adrienne
Nov 7, 2007 at 2:05 pm
wow, its sooooo weird to see these characters from the beginning! wow… Rory.. shes def weird looking with those kids!
Jennifer!!!`
Nov 7, 2007 at 2:41 pm
I love this eps!
its weird seeing them from the begining
rory looks so young like a little kid
Bianca
Nov 7, 2007 at 2:49 pm
I love this episode! Ia gree with both of you they are so young! Luke is soo Freaken HOT!
gilmoregurl
Nov 7, 2007 at 2:54 pm
in one of the later episodes, someone asks Lorelai if she wears contacts. she says no. in some episodes she has glasses. i presume she wears contacts in real life and on that particular day of shooting they were bothering her so she wore her glasses. also one time (on his “dark day”) luke brings lorelai her glasses that she left at his place. the whole glasses concept makes a good reason for them 2 meet and talk. of course, im not sure if she wore glasses in the show 4 that reason.
nikki
Nov 7, 2007 at 2:54 pm
hey, everyone
i have a quick but odd question, in e every season of gilmore girls rory is looking to the left or the right but more on the line of left so does anyone know why that is becuase i am watchign the frist season and she is lookign to the left but from what i heard is that aka milo aka peter on heroes does the same tihng but he didnt come inot the show till season 2 but or was he in seoasn one or were they toghet in season 1 that why she lookign at him backstage or is it smetihng else but why do them only 2 look to the left and right on there own shws? well get back to me on this becuase me adn a few freind from new york is wonder aobut this
thank you so much for taking the tiem out to read adn reply to this
love
nikki
Arieanna
Nov 7, 2007 at 3:04 pm
They may just be trying not to look too directly at the camera. That can look fake.
What I like about the episode is just the innocence of it. Rory’s funky style - Docs! - the realistic conflicts of day-to-day life and the blossoming of relationships. It’s very wholesome.
lluh
Nov 7, 2007 at 3:09 pm
OMG! i’m crying here. seriously! that’s not fair. i want GG.
perfect episode, like always =(
lluh
Nov 7, 2007 at 3:10 pm
lauren and alexis so young, so cute.
i’m here remember my start with GG. good time…
Alyssa
Nov 7, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Luke was hot like usual :)
i thought rory looked adorable
and Lorelai was her witty self :)
erin
Nov 7, 2007 at 3:55 pm
I think they probably toned down Sookie’s accident-prone nature because it would get old really quickly to see her falling down or tripping or burning something in every episode. I thought it was overplayed even in this episode, so I’m glad it wasn’t such a huge issue later on. (It’s also funny to me that the actress who played Drella originally was cast as Sookie. I can’t imagine anyone but Melissa McCarthy in that role.)
It’s so weird to go from seeing the end of season 6 yesterday to the beginning of the whole series today! Rory does look so incredibly young. As for why she changed her mind so quickly about Chilton, I think it was partly just to advance the plot and partly because she was so in awe of the fact that a cute boy took notice of her, and it made her sad to think of leaving that, when the possibility of a boyfriend just presented itself.
I love old GG!
Jessica King
Nov 7, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Lauren and Alexis was so young.But I thought Lauren was look around 26 or 27 year old and Alexis was look around 16 or 17 year old this episode,I’m serious.But I hate Dean-cuz he hurt Rory so much this season.Luke is handsome guy.
Bere
Nov 7, 2007 at 4:26 pm
I enjoyed reading your recap…bunch of great memories come to my mind…I think you can read most of the characters pretty much since the beginning except maybe Luke..I do think is the first time Lorelai saw Luke like something else
Keep the recaps coming! I really liked this one =)
Amy
Nov 7, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I think Rory freaked out about Chilton and that’s why she didn’t want to go. Dean was more of a cover up because Rory was afraid to leave the school she grew up in.
Adrienne
Nov 7, 2007 at 4:38 pm
uh.. im not sure i agree with you Amy. she was all excited about going before she told her mom she didn’t want to go. I really do think it was because of Dean.
gg addict
Nov 7, 2007 at 4:44 pm
omegee i totally love the old seasons!i hav them all on dvd and have watched them all the way thru like 9 times.its awesome.oh does anyone know when the 7th season comes out on dvd?
thanks :)
-L
gg addict
Nov 7, 2007 at 4:58 pm
oh one more thing.has anyone else noticed how they always talk about lane’s “parents” and they only ever show mrs kim?its been buggin me.lol
Arieanna
Nov 7, 2007 at 5:17 pm
I actually agree with both Amy & Adrienne. I think it was a bit of both.
You know when you hear very exciting news, you get all hyper and that’s to be expected. But then the reality sinks in.
So, it could have hit Rory on some level that this was a big change. She was leaving what she knew - her friends, her school, her way of life. And going to something unknown and far more challenging. That’s enough to scare anyone.
Dean may have been the reason or maybe not. She may not even have known herself.
8 o clock
Nov 7, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Great recap!!! I started watching GG a year ago when I borrowed my friend’s Season 1 DVD set. I enjoyed it so much that I netflixed my way thru the remaining seasons, and then watched season 7 on TV (what a disappointment!). I hope for the closure movie. I love everything about this show. I am glad to watch it again on ABC Family. Pilot - Emily looks so old and batty in this episode. Her character really evolved as compared to most. Great music as well and sure do love the La-La music.
audrey
Nov 7, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I want a season 8. When is it going to start ?
gg addict
Nov 7, 2007 at 6:46 pm
in responce to audrey.there isnt ever going to be a season 8.the show is over :”( sad but true.the only thing keepin us gilmore lovers strong is the prospect of a reunion movie writien by amy sherman-palladino.
erin
Nov 7, 2007 at 8:04 pm
GG addict, I too have always wondered about the missing Mr. Kim, as I think that all throughout season 1 (and maybe some of season 2), Lane refers to both of her parents, but we only just see Mrs. Kim. Then at some point Mr. Kim is dropped and it’s just Mrs. Kim, but there’s never an explanation about where Mr. Kim is, which always bugged me!
Alia
Nov 7, 2007 at 9:39 pm
YAY!! this is cool to have GG back!! I have always wondered about Mr Kim. Maybe he lives in Korea?? that is my guess. I love season 1!!
Kayce
Nov 7, 2007 at 11:03 pm
I’m truly rooting for the tandem of Rory & Tristan during Season 1 – up until now actually. They really had soo much chemistry together (that ASP blinded not to see) plus their looks really do complements each other compared w/ Rory’s other leadind man, that vapid Dean!
Manu_GG
Nov 8, 2007 at 2:52 am
Oh My God, it’s wonderful to talk about our old and amazing GG.
…I miss GG sooo much guys, you have no idea.
…The pilot is very funny, specially because all the things like Luke’s Diner and our girls’ house are not the same ones used on the rest of the other seasons. And everything is so different. They were not talking that fast on this first episode.
….It’s so wonderful to recall all these things that made us fall in love with GG.
…I will love ASP forever. She and Dan changed a whole television story.
…And the characters….the characters gonna be forever in my heart.
….God, i’m crying!
Tucker
Nov 8, 2007 at 3:41 am
Best episode Imo.
Jen
Nov 8, 2007 at 7:08 am
Is it just me or do Tristan and Logan have the same kind of vive going on….
I love the young Rory style it’s very of the time (at least to me… I remember wear a huge sweat just like her). Don’t get me wrong, I love the older Rory’s style too (more fashion and grown up).
As for the the Lorelai noticing Luke in a new “light”, I do think that could have been the first time she took notice. In season 2 when Jess cleans out the rain gutters, her and Rory talk about how she didn’t care much for Luke at first (She called him Duke for 2 years just to get to him). So I do think it could be the first time that she thought of Luke in that way because before he was just the diner guy, now he’s Luke the go-to friend.
Lara Joy
Nov 8, 2007 at 7:18 am
agree. best episode. i love GG so much. amys GG. GG is the best show ever. it should never end. there are so many successful seasons left in this show. i love season 1. i watch it every day on dvd. i love the season because there was it most about the mother-daughter friendship. and Rory looked soooo cute. i loved her more than lorelai in this season. i wanted to be exactly like her. season 4 was a great season too well all were great. and I always liked TJ, Liz, Babette and Patty. they were funny. i love the song “my little corner of the world” they play it at the end from the first episode. There was GG really GG. I hate season 7, I want Amys season 7…and season 8,9,10 and 11. and more. I can watch Amys seasons a thousand times and I still love it. Damn it, why can’t they break ‘Gunsmokes’ record… D. Palladino came to the point… 16 GG seasons… why can’t they understand that GG is the best show ever and unique!!! without GG I can never watch TV again - just my GG DVDs - at least they can’t take the GG DVD’S away!—I love,love,love GG forever… whenever…even in 1000 years I still love GG…
Adrienne
Nov 8, 2007 at 7:54 am
i think Lorelai wore to much lipstick!!! LOL
Janet
Nov 8, 2007 at 8:38 am
In this episode, I love the contrast established between Lorelai’s Stars Hollow life and the Gilmore mansion life. How full of life and happiness Lorelai is in Stars Hollow, and how small and miserable she is when she steps into the Gilmore household. Even as a viewer, you can feel the tension and condescension coming from Emily and Richard.
Great stuff.
Mary
Nov 8, 2007 at 11:08 am
The writing is sharp and to the point, like a fencing match. The delivery, listening, and timing are essential to the understanding of the words. Sometimes, the references enhance the storyline, and make the point more effective or funny. That’s why the writing is so impressive.
It takes good acting to reveal years of hurt, smothering, yearning, wishing, hoping, and pure self consciousness and unworthiness. Yet, with humor all these things come together to make GG worth watching. I have always liked the pilot, for the way it just throws things out there revealing the characters.
Sookie’s character evolved from a clutsy artistic chef to a master chef. It seems, once she had a baby it calmed her down. But, she was still obsessed with being a great chef. She could not afford to be as clumsy, since she was a partner in The Dragonfly Inn and a mother who a little one had to depend on.
I think Luke and Lorelai were always attracted to each other, in one way or the other. Why would Lorelai go to the diner every day, if she did not like to see him, even if it was to give him a hard time…. In Wedding Bell Blues, he said he made her mashed potatoes for a week while she had chicken pox. So, he has been a part of their lives for a long time. Always there to help when needed, hoping it would turn into something more. And, Lorelai looking for a companion that was right there all the time.
It was fun to watch the characters evolve….
We really need a GG movie to do justice to the great characters they spent 7 years developing.
And, to bring closure to a great series.
Grace
Nov 8, 2007 at 11:08 am
i like that question about L&L — i think maybe it’s not the first time she saw him in a new light, but the first time she’s allowing herself to think that way, because at the end doesn’t she ask rory if he’s cute? i think she’s been thinking about it a little bit… i love how the L&L was a development since day 1 :)
and i like early rory better than the later seasons!
i also think that they writing allows us to get to know the characters because it’s not contrived….they let them act with their own quirks and don’t try to write to a certain “type” of character — it all comes out in the actions & dialogue!
hooray for gilmore girls!
Pamela
Nov 8, 2007 at 12:45 pm
I don’t care how many times I have watched this series from the Pilot thru Season 7’s ending, I still get a warm & fuzzy feeling while stepping into Stars Hollow for an hour a day five days a week.
It was an enormously great show while it lasted and I certainly hope to be able to watch Lauren Graham in an equally memorable series again.
karen
Nov 8, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I think in the first season Alexis is a much better actress and her voice is much lower and controlled. As the seasons go on her acting gets worse and her voice gets higher.
Abbygail
Dec 17, 2007 at 12:08 pm
if you look when lorelai walks away from luke with first time after shes like you got wings baby if you look at his eyes he total checkes her out he he eh
Kiki
Apr 14, 2008 at 1:11 pm
This is my favorite episode!!!!! :)
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