"The Lorelais' First Day at Yale" | |
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Gilmore Girls episode | |
Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 2 |
Directed by | Chris Long |
Written by | |
Original air date | September 30, 2003 |
"The Lorelais' First Day at Yale" is the second episode of the fourth season of the American comedy-drama series Gilmore Girls . It originally aired on the WB in the United States on September 30, 2003. The episode was co-written by series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and executive producer Daniel Palladino. It was directed by Chris Long. [1]
Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) helps her daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel) pack in preparation for her first day at Yale University. [2] They borrow the pickup truck belonging to Luke (Scott Patterson), though he needs it later and Lorelai has trouble driving it. [3] Luke stays in Stars Hollow to deal with divorce filings while the Gilmores find their way to and settle in Rory's dormitory. [4] [5]
Rory meets two suitemates: Tana Schrick (Olivia Hack), a socially awkward 15-year-old; and Paris Geller (Liza Weil), Rory's old friend from Chilton Academy, whose life coach (Mitch Silpa) has suggested that they share a room. Luke, meanwhile, must deal with the lawyers for his wife, Nicole. Lorelai returns to Stars Hollow and asks to keep using Luke's truck for longer than he likes. [5]
Soon after Lorelai and her daughter have made their goodbyes, Rory pages her mother to come back to Yale. [6] Lorelai decides to stay there all night, and they order delivery food from many nearby restaurants, inviting other first-year students to share. Rory makes new friends. [7] [5]
"The Lorelais' First Day at Yale" is included in several lists of Gilmore Girls "essential episodes". [8] [9] [10] The episode is also cited as evidence of the different relationships Lorelai has with her mother and with her daughter: unlike what her mother Emily would have done, Lorelai helps her daughter (though Rory has been conditioned to exhibit separation anxiety) in a moment of crisis. [6]
The podcast Gilmore Guys had praise for the episode, rating it an average of 8 out 10.