This is a really fun season. Some of my all-time favorite episodes are in here, and it was hard to pick my most favorite ones for this recap. My least favorites were relatively easy to pick, but only thanks to me reviewing them. A lot became clearer then.
But first, let’s talk about the characters and their development now that we’ve known them a little longer.
I cannot believe it’s already been one season of rewatches and reviews. A wonderful adventure!
Season 1, having watched all seasons by now, is my least favorite. This should not be taken to mean I don’t like it, though. I love it! More than anything, it means that the show for the most part gets better with every season, which means if you loved the show this far, you will absolutely adore it as it goes on. While some folks like the procedural feel the show has in its beginnings, a larger chunk of the audience, myself, and critics, agree that as it evolves, it becomes more serialized – which honestly we see even in season 1, with little loose ends here and there that feel like they’re not loose ends at all, but intentional slow reveals that we haven’t seen the end of yet – and it becomes a lot more and better than anyone expected of the show. Myself included.
Before I talk about my favorite episodes and all of my usual recap moves, I want to talk a little bit more about this season, bearing in mind that it’s my least favorite one, and that this is in large part due to how dude-heavy it is, especially compared to future seasons.
I need to be honest that I like the first 4 seasons more than the last 3 – I think it is mainly because there is a lot more drama in the last 3 -, but I still do like this season a lot. Especially once Dean leaves. In light of all the news about the revival (!!!), and that Jared Padalecki is coming back for it, I hope he comes back just so that everyone throws tomatoes at him. It’s unlikely that that’s his role, but a girl can dream.
Now let’s recap! Starting with my least favorites: On #5 I would put But I’m a Gilmore (5.19), because the Huntzberger fam sucks. At #4, We Got Us a Pippi Virgin (5.05) because Dean is there and Luke is a dick and everything is kind of boring. For #3, Say Goodbye to Daisy Miller (5.01) because Lorelai and Rory are fighting and that makes me anxious. At #2, I would say Say Something (5.14), because every time I rewatch that dream sequence of Lorelai, I cry. And my very least favorite is A House Is Not a Home (5.22) because it took me forever to write that review because I knew how stressful it is.
Now, my favorites! Norman Mailer, I’m Pregnant (5.06) would go at #5, because a lot of little funny moments happen throughout. At #4, But Not as Cute as Pushkin (5.10) would be next, since I liked Rory showing Anna around and all those shenanigans.
This insult is now an integral part of my vocabulary.
My #3 would be Pulp Friction (5.17), because Tarantino, and Luke and Lorelai just getting back together is also fun. For #2, Wedding Bell Blues (5.13), despite the drama that makes me nervous, it is a really solid and entertaining 100th episode. At #1, despite me maybe, I would put You Jump, I Jump, Jack (5.07) – rich kid shenanigans sounded fun, okay? Let me live.
Woooooop. That’s it. I anticipate the next two seasons will be super interesting to review, since I haven’t watched either of them more than once, maybe twice? See ya babes there.
This is a pretty good season as well. Probably my second favorite? Not sure. I like it a lot, though.
Starting with my least favorite episodes is hard, because there are rarely any episodes I actively dislike. Some might make me sad and that’s why I choose them, or because not much happens. Or because Dean happens. At #5, I would go for Chicken or Beef (4.04) because Dean is on it. Then at #4, The Incredible Sinking Lorelais (4.14), because it has Dean on it, and because it is depressing and makes me nervous. At #3, In The Clamor and The Clangor (4.11), it is not super interesting and it brings anxiety too. At #2, Tick Tick Tick Boom (4.18) and then #1 Afterboom (4.19) ’cause they are, uh, heartless.
Favorites are easier but also not because all of the episodes are always my favorites. At #5 there is Raincoats and Recipes (4.22) which would be higher on the list but Dean happens in a significant and disturbing way. Then (#4) I would say Festival of Living Art (4.07), because, well, Kirk is Jesus. After that (#3), Girls in Bikinis, Boys Doin’ The Twist (4.17), then at #2, Last Week Fights, This Week Tights (4.21) because of all the reasons. Finally at #1, The Lorelai’s First Day at Yale (4.02). It makes me so so happy every time I’ve watched it.
I am excited about future seasons, especially because I have watched them a lot less than the first four. Yay! See you on the other side. Like, uh, in 3 days or something.
This is going to be a tough one. I love everything about this season, pretty much. I could have done with less Dean, but I could always do with less Dean, so that doesn’t count.
As I have said before, season 3 is my favorite season. It is heavy on the Jess who I have an unfortunate soft spot for to this day, and it is a season in which I relate a lot to Rory on the academic front. The humor is at its best in this season, too. It is a theory of mine – and friends I have talked to – that most shows (that run for 5 to 8 seasons) peak at season 3 or 4. Of course, peaking is highly subjective, as most things I say are, so let me know your thoughts on this.
The top five LEAST FAVORITE episodes are probably the most stressful or ‘meh’ ones. But they’re also there because I have to write down five, since I love most episodes. At #5, That’ll Do Pig (3.10), at #4, Happy Birthday Baby! (3.18), at #3, Say Goodnight Gracie (3.20), at #2 Swan Song (3.14), and at #1 Keg! Max! (3.19).
My top five FAVORITE EPISODES probably go like this: at #5, Take the Deviled Eggs (3.06) because the baby shower and the town loaner and the eggs!; at #4 I would say They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They? (3.07) because it’s a dance marathon, duh; for #3, Those Are Strings, Pinocchio (3.22) and its many lovely speeches and happy/sad times; A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving (3.09) at #2, because every dinner is hilarious, and there’s four of them! and Application Anxiety (3.03) is my absolute favorite, because it is perfect in every way.
You cannot skip anything this season because it is flawless so I am not even bothering with that part of previous recaps.
I love recap-ing.
I kind of love this season a lot, so it’s hard picking my LEAST FAVORITES, but I guess I can try. My #1 least favorite is probably Presenting Lorelai Gilmore (2.06), because debutante balls are gross and Dean is gross and Chris is an idiot. #2 could be Teach Me Tonight (2.19) not because it’s a bad one, but because it stresses me out and fills me with sadness. Then at #3, It Should’ve Been Lorelai (2.14), I guess, because I have zero interest in anything Chris-related. For #4, Sadie, Sadie (2.01) and for #5, Dead Uncles and Vegetables (2.17), just ’cause I have to pick them.
My top 5 ABSOLUTE FAVORITES: At #5 I will take Road Trip to Harvard (2.04). It is super fun and mostly only about the girls. And I mean, The Chesire Cat? Adorably annoying as fuck. At #4, A-Tisket A-Tasket (2.13) – I can’t help it, Jess screwing with Dean is my favorite thing. At #3 I think I will take Run Away Little Boy (2.09), because Paris is a treasure, and debates are fun. #2 goes to There’s The Rub (2.16), because it lets us see interactions (Emily and Lorelai alone, having something like fun, and Jess, Paris and Rory together) that we don’t often get. And my absolute perfect most favorite episode iiiiiiiiiiis the Bracebridge Dinner (2.10), because of reasons. All the reasons.
As for episodes you can skip (plot-wise), I recommend skipping zero episodes, but if you must:
In chronological order – Sadie, Sadie (2.01), Presenting Lorelai Gilmore (2.06), Like Mother, Like Daughter (2.07), Dead Uncles & Vegetables (2.17), Help Wanted (2.20).
Episodes you can’t miss, plot-wise (and again, ordered chronologically), are: Red Light on a Wedding Night (2.03), Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy (2.05), A-Tisket A-Tasket (2.13), Teach Me Tonight (2.19)/ Back In the Saddle Again (2.18) (depending on whether you care more about the Jess plot or the Gilmore grandparents plot), I Can’t Get Started (2.22).
I tried to keep this not too Jess-heavy but I can only do so much against the teenager inside me.
See you for Season 3, my favorite of all the seasons.
I want to do a recap kind of thing with my favorite and least favorite episodes, the most and least skippable, etc. This is super subjective and so, if you disagree, give me your own best/worst lists in the comments!
LEAST FAVORITE:
5. Christopher Returns (1.15) I hate Chris. I just do.
4. Star-Crossed Lovers & Other Strangers (1.16)
3. Love, Daisies & Troubadours (1.21)
2. The Break-Up Part II (1.17)
1. PS I Lo… (1.20)
ABSOLUTE FAVORITES:
5. Forgiveness & Stuff (1.10)
4. The Deer-Hunters (1.04)
3. Rory’s Birthday Parties (1.06)
2. Pilot (1.01)
1. Love & War & Snow (1.08)
xxxxxxx
FIVE SKIPPABLES: While I recommend watching the whole thing, if you must skip some, skip these – there is less happening, the plot barely moves, everything is annoying, or something. In chronological order:
– Kill Me Now (1.03)
– Rory’s Dance (1.09)
– Double Date (1.12)
– Concert Interruptus (1.13)
– The Break-Up Part II (1.17)
Eeeeeeeew. Just look at that peck. Gross.
FIVE NO ONE SHOULD EVER MISS: So, umm, the opposite of the last one. If you only watch 5 episodes in the whole season, first of all how dare you, but if that is the case, watch these: Also in chronological order:
– Pilot (1.01)
– The Deer Hunters (1.04)
– Love & War & Snow (1.08)
– The Third Lorelai (1.18)
– Love, Daisies & Troubadours (1.21)
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