Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 1
"Pilot"
Original airdate: October 5, 2000
Writer: Amy Sherman-Palladino
Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Cast: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Melissa McCarthy, Keiko Agena, Yanic Truesdale, Scott Patterson, Kelly Bishop, Edward Herrmann
The opening notes of The La’s “There She Goes” play as we get our first glimpse of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. We dip down and follow Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) into Luke’s, the town diner. She begs the owner, Luke Danes (Scott Patterson), for more coffee. He chides her for her addiction and health choices, before giving in and pouring her another cup. Soon, Lorelai’s daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel) arrives, they have a fast-paced exchange about makeup, complete with pop culture references—RuPaul, Macy Gray—before telling off a man who tries hitting on the underaged Rory. Cut to opening titles. “If you’re out on the road…”