The first episode of Gilmore Girls is one that fans have likely watched over and over again. With hilarious lines, the charming mother/daughter duo, and a lot of coffee, the show already stood out from many others.
While A Year In The Life isn't perfect, fans can ignore the Netflix revival in favor of a much better episode. The Gilmore Girls pilot is interesting as there are a lot of things that remain exactly the same throughout all seven seasons, and there are also some things that are totally different. Let's take a look at the pilot of this beloved series.
Changed: Lorelai And Luke Aren't Dating Yet
Lorelai and Luke are one of the most important romances on Gilmore Girls. But in the pilot, the two characters, played by Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson, aren't dating yet.
Loyal fans can tell that they have some witty, flirty banter, and knowing how deeply they fall for each other, it's easy to see some clues in the very first episode. But nothing concrete is happening, besides their familiar dance where Luke thinks Lorelai has had too much coffee and she swears she needs more.
Kept The Same: Lorelai Has A Tough Relationship With Her Parents
Lorelai manages to get somewhere with her mom Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) near the end of the Netflix revival, but during the first seven seasons of the show, she and her mother don't get along. Lorelai doesn't do well with her dad Richard (Edward Herrmann), either.
Lorelai has a tough relationship with her parents in the pilot, as she speaks to them for the first time in a while in order to ask if they would pay for Rory's private school. The tension between them continues.
Changed: Rory Almost Chooses A Boy Over A Big Opportunity
In the pilot, Rory considers not going to Chilton because she wants to date Dean (Jared Padalecki). Near the end of the series, when Logan (Matt Czuchry) proposes, Rory says no.
She doesn't want to choose Logan over the opportunity that she has to travel the world and begin her journalism career. She has changed a lot since the pilot, as she's no longer a teenage girl and has become a young adult. She probably can't believe that she almost sabotaged her own chances at success.
Kept The Same: Rory Is Ambitious And Studious
In the first episode of Gilmore Girls, Rory is so ambitious and studious that she's willing to give up an easy life of straight A's at Stars Hollow High and go to Chilton, which many people would consider to be their version of hell.
Rory stays ambitious throughout the series, always reaching for higher goals, such as wanting to get into some Ivy League schools.
Changed: Rory Doesn't Have A Relationship With Her Grandparents Yet
In the pilot, Rory is super shy and awkward about Emily and Richard, as she doesn't know them at all. She has barely seen them and she has only heard her mom talk about how terrible they are.
This is another thing that changed after the Gilmore Girls pilot. Rory goes from not knowing her grandparents to becoming very close with them. She and Richard in particular have a very sweet, special relationship.
Kept The Same: Rory And Lane Are Best Friends
Rory and Lane are always best friends on Gilmore Girls. This is something that is introduced in the pilot, as Rory and Lane (Keiko Agena) both attend Stars Hollow High together, and it's clear that they don't really hang out with anyone else.
These two characters remain friends on the show and while they have some tension between them, which happens to even the best of friends, they're always very close.
Changed: Kirk Has A Different Name
Fans know Kirk (Sean Gunn) as the annoying but still somewhat loveable Stars Hollow resident who starts random businesses all the time and says some pretty weird things.
In the pilot, this character is named Mick. It's definitely surprising to re-watch the pilot and realize this.
Kept The Same: Luke's Diner Plays A Big Part On The Show
Luke's Diner plays a big part in the pilot and that is kept the same throughout the entire series. Lorelai and Rory can't go a day without grabbing coffee there (except when Rory is traveling, as she does a lot in the Netflix revival) or eating at least one meal there.
As Luke and Lorelai fall in love, Lorelai spends even more time at the diner, and even Lane gets a job there later on in the show. It really wouldn't be Gilmore Girls without Luke's.
Changed: Only One Of Rory's Love Interests Is In The Pilot
Rory is known for having three love interests: Dean, Logan, and Jess (Milo Ventimiglia). But in the pilot of the show, only one person is there, and that's Dean.
This is a major thing that is changed after the pilot as based on this episode, it would seem like Dean is going to be Rory's one true love, but that's not exactly true as she will fall for a few people over the years.
Kept The Same: Stars Hollow Is A Wonderful, Quirky Town
Gilmore Girls fans love Stars Hollow and for good reason, as it's a beautiful small town with residents who care about each other.
One major thing that is kept the same on the show is the wonderful, quirky town of Stars Hollow. It's always got odd but charming people, festivals, and a comfortable vibe. This town is one reason why Gilmore Girls is so comforting to keep watching.