"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]
| "The Lorelais' First Day at Yale" | |
|---|---|
| Gilmore Girls episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 2 |
| Directed by | Chris Long |
| Written by | Amy Sherman-Palladino Daniel Palladino |
| Original air date | September 30, 2003 |
Plot synopsis
editLorelai 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]
Cast
edit- Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore
- Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore
- Scott Patterson as Luke Danes
- Liza Weil as Paris Geller
- Olivia Hack as Tana Schrick
- Robert Cicchini as Russell Bynes
- Alan Oppenheimer as Mr. Blodgett
- Howard S. Miller as Mr. Stein #1
- Allan Wasserman as Mr. Stein #2
- Joy Darash as Tess
- Mitch Silpa as Terrence
Reception
edit"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.
References
edit- ^ Barash, Susan Shapiro (March 6, 2007). Tripping the Prom Queen. Macmillan. ISBN 9780312334321 – via Google Books.
- ^ Diffrient & Lavery 2010, p. 278
- ^ Crusie, Jennifer; Wilson, Leah (March 1, 2007). Coffee at Luke's: An Unauthorized Gilmore Girls Gabfest. BenBella Books. ISBN 9781935251156 – via Google Books.
- ^ Diffrient & Lavery 2010, p. 127
- ^ a b c Riley, Arieanna (February 14, 2008). "Gilmore Girls 4.02 "The Lorelais' First Day at Yale"". Alloy. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ a b Calvin, Ritch (April 29, 2008). Gilmore Girls and the Politics of Identity. McFarland. p. 121. ISBN 9780786454945 – via Google Books.
- ^ Diffrient & Lavery 2010, p. 245
- ^ Harnick, Chris (October 24, 2016). "Gilmore Girls Binge Guide: The Essential Episodes First Time Viewers and Veterans Need to Watch". E! News. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ Jones, Maggie (November 21, 2016). "4 ways to prepare for 'Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life'". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ Hassler, Chelsea (November 14, 2016). "The 13 Gilmore Girls Episodes to Watch Before the Show Returns". Vogue. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
Bibliography
edit- Diffrient, David Scott; Lavery, David (2010). Screwball Television: Critical Perspectives on Gilmore Girls. Syracuse University Press. ISBN 9780815650690 – via Google Books.