Pilot - Season 1, Episode 1

After getting burned out on reruns of Charmed and re-watching Friends for about the zillionth time, I decided to try something new.  Gilmore girls went live on Netflix this year and everyone freaked out so, here we are.  I sat down and watched the first episode.  And then the second, and then three weeks later I was balling my eyes out at the finale to season seven…

After the binge, I started listening to a Gilmore Girls Podcast.  I hated it.

The hosts get off track and talk about the show less and less each episode.  I decided there had to be more people out there that were affected by this show like I was.  So this will be my reactions to each episode after I watch them all a second time.  I'm hoping to catch things I missed the first time and reflect on things that got my attention again.

Here we go.

In the pilot, we are introduced to much of the cast.  The sets are quintessential Americana. The characters are quirky. The Fashion is notable and the Pop Culture references are HUGE. 

Characters

• Lorelei – Mom.  She comes across as scattered, but hard working and struggling against her past.
• Rory – Daughter.  She’s the epitome of teen angst in this.  Typical teen girl, but more focused on school and reading.  I get the impression she’s nerdy and little self-centered.
• Luke – Diner Guy. We don’t know much about him yet, but you get the feeling by the end that you will.  Grungy (for the early 00’s) Or hipster as we could call him now. Flannel shirt, backward cap, and grumpy.
• Drella – Harpist. I immediately loved her.  Snarky and sarcastic.
• Lane – Rory’s Asian Best Friend.  Didn’t get much of a feeling of her in this one.  Again, we feel like more is coming with her story and her crazy mom.
• Mrs. Kim – Lane’s Mom. I’m not Asian nor do I have Korean friends so I don’t know how accurate she is, but she’s intense in this episode.
• Dean – High School Boy.  Dean is tall, dark and creepy.  It's immediately obvious more is coming with him and Rory, but I’m rooting against it.
• Sookie – Chef. Scattered and accident prone.  I want more of the chaos with her!
• Emily and Richard Gilmore – Lorelei’s Parents. They come across very stuffy and pompous.  I do like Emily’s quick witted comebacks in the kitchen.  Richard is still a bit of a question here.
• Ms. Patty – Dance Studio Owner.  Rory talks about her as a gossip and all-knowing with the town, so we know that we will see more of her.  Interesting first impression with the cigarette and comment about Dean.

Fashion

Just a few comments here.  The weird jungle themed blouse under Lorelei’s suit? Rory’s gigantic sweater. Most of the fashion seemed normal, but a number of costume changes let me know that time is moving fast and that these Gilmore girls are definitely girly. Note the Brown Leather Backpack on Rory.

Sets

In the pilot, we are introduced to Williams Hardware, which is actually a diner. The Independence Inn, where Lorelei works. Stars Hollow High; Rory, Lane, and Dean’s School. Kim’s Antiques, Lane’s home, and Mrs. Kim’s business.  The Gilmore Girls Home, where Lorelei and Rory live. Lastly, the Gilmore Estate, where Richard and Emily live.

I few comments on background events in the sets. 

Middle-class vehicles? Interesting choice for Connecticut.  Shows that we are in a smaller, less-wealthy town.

The randomness of the crossing guard when everyone is jaywalking and wandering around the streets.

The Glass Chimney Kim’s Art and Antiques. This is next to Kim’s Antiques. Is it part of the Kim’s home? Is it a neighboring store? Very confusing.

Pop Culture

I really feel like the quick and fast pop culture references are what hooked me.  They make me think and sometimes question my knowledge.  They are certainly part of the charm and enhance the writing and flow of the show.  I'm going to list the ones that I caught, please let me know if I missed some!

• Jack Kerouac
• RuPaul
• Macy Gray CD (then they are listening to Macy Gray later)
• Officer Krumpke
• The inevitable “cliques” outside the school. Band, Cheerleaders, Skaters, Jock and Nerds
• Scooters – very late 90’s early 00’s
• Slam Book.
• I’m going to be in a Brittany Spears Video
• Stephen King
• Zsa Zsa Gabor
• Ruth Gordon in Rosemary’s Baby
• Chicago. Windy. Oprah.
• My first Melville
• Madame Bovary
• Flo Jo
• Little Match Girl
• Pull a Menendez

Quotes

Some of the best lines come from this first episode!

Here are my favorites:

Lorelei’s First Line of the Show: “Please Luke, please, please, please”

Luke: “How many cups have you had this morning?”

Lorelei: “None”

Luke: “Plus”

Lorelei: “5…”

Rory’s First Line: “Hey, It’s freezing!”

Lorelei regarding the peach sauce: “I wanna take a bath in that sauce!”

Mrs. Kim: “Boys don’t like funny girls.“

Rory: “You’re happy, did you do something slutty?”

Lorelei: “I’m not that happy.”

Michel: “People are particularly stupid today. I can’t talk to any more of them.”

Miscellaneous Comments:

I love, love, love the kitchen scene with Sookie and the other kitchen staff! I actually snorted when she hits the guy in the face with the frying pan!

Harvard? Is this something that we will hear more of? Foreshadowing perhaps?

Lorelei’s visit to her parents defined that future interaction.  It tells us a lot about why Lorelei is who she is and starts to lead into the angst between all four. Money is going to be a constant source of contention here. 

The exchange with Dean and Rory is very awkward.  I’m not sure if it was the acting, or the writing, but it made that part of the episode weird for me.

The fire at the Inn with the stove… Noted.

Richard handing Rory a section of the newspaper. Potential bonding moment?

And last… Rory has on too much make-up.  I feel like they are over-compensating for acne or something. She is a teenager after all.

Final Thoughts
Maid Count: 1

Overall I would give this a 4 out of 5 Coffee Cups.

Clearly, I enjoyed the episode.  It was witty and fast-paced. I love the sarcasm and snarky characters.

If you would like to chime in about episode 1, please leave your comments below!