The Gilmore Girls episode 'The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton' holds a special place for many fans of the show as we see Rory embark on a new academic journey to reach her full potential while her Mother, Lorelai, comes up against the world she ran away from at 16.
First aired in the year 2000, 'The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton' sets the stage for a new chapter in the lives of the Gilmore women. The episode introduces the prestigious Chilton Preparatory School, where the bookish and ambitious Rory, embarks on a new chapter.
Here we’re taking a look at the hidden details that make 'The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton' a fan favourite.
Rory: [about the Chilton students] They kept calling me "Mary."
Lorelai: You're kidding me. Wow, I cannot believe they still say that!
Rory: What?
Lorelai: Mary, like Virgin Mary. It means they think you look like a goody-goody.
Rory: You're kidding.
Lorelai: No.
Rory: Well, what would have called me if they thought I looked like a slut?
Lorelai: Well, they might have added a "Magdalene" to it.
What Happens In The Gilmore Girls Episode, "The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton"?
'The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton' serves as the second episode of Season 1 in the beloved series Gilmore Girls.
On the morning of Rory's inaugural day at Chilton, Lorelai finds herself still asleep! Rushing to get ready, she has to put on the only clothes she has left - (the now iconic) denim cut off shorts and a pink tie dye t-shirt - only to be confronted by her own Mother in the headmaster's office! Lorelai's choice of clothing is so out of place with the halls of Chilton and immediately becomes a target for sharp criticism from Emily.
Rory meets the school's office manager, who familiarises her with the school's culture and the possibility of earning extra credit. A student volunteer passes Rory's file out the window to Paris, Madeline, and Louise. Paris, feeling threatened by Rory's academic achievements, attempts to downplay her accomplishments but shows signs of nervousness.
Rory's day takes a downward turn from there. She receives a three-inch binder filled with a week's worth of notes from a single class and encounters challenging classmates, including Paris Geller, who sees Rory as a rival and asserts her own intellectual superiority. Tristan, a new classmate, incessantly teases Rory by calling her "Mary."
Back in Stars Hollow, Luke criticises Lorelai for her unconventional choice of outfit so she desperately has to change before picking Rory up. At the end of the day, Lorelai picks up Rory from Chilton, bringing coffee as a comfort in a new outfit and they bond over their shared frustrations about their days.
Stars Hollow Has A Population of 9,9,73
The "Welcome to Stars Hollow" sign in the episode "The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton" prominently displays a population of 9,973, emphasising the small-town charm of the setting.
Sean Gunn Plays Another Character Named Mick Here
Sean Gunn portrays a character named "Mick" in this particular episode, while his iconic role as "Kirk" is established in the remainder of the series.
The A.V. Club Ranked This Episode As The Weakest
While rewatching the series, David Sims of The A.V. Club expressed his opinion that among the early episodes of Season 1, this particular episode is the weakest, as the show was still finding its groove.
Paris’ First Appearance
Liza Weil was initially considered for the role of Rory, but Amy Sherman-Palladino was so impressed with her that she created the character of Paris specifically for her. Paris first appears in 'The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton'.
Jackson’s First Episode
'The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton' also marks the first appearance of Jackson.
Luke Kept The Diner Open Just For Lorelai
Luke steps outside when he sees Lorelai and Rory walking past, and he subsequently puts up the closed sign, indicating that he had kept the diner open just for them.
There Is A “Moose Connection”
Lorelai suggests seeking advice from a big guy named Moose. Jared Padalecki, who plays Dean, would go on to portray Sam Winchester in Supernatural (2005), where his character gets nicknamed Moose by Crowley.
Midwest Street Also Hosted The Dukes Of Hazzard
A reference is made to Daisy Duke from The Dukes of Hazzard (1979) in 'The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton' which was also filmed on Warner Bros. Midwest Street.
Within the expansive grounds of Warner Bros., Midwest Street stands as the largest backlot set, boasting a rich history of hosting significant events. Recognisable to many, Midwest Street has graced the screens of iconic productions like 'The Music Man', 'Rebel Without a Cause', 'Bonnie and Clyde', as well as beloved television shows such as 'The Dukes of Hazzard', 'Gilmore Girls', 'Pretty Little Liars', and 'Grease Live'.
Transforming into "Anytown, USA" Midwest Street captivates audiences with its quaint small-town square, adorned with a gazebo, a picturesque courthouse, and a steeple church nestled among street-level storefronts.
Lorelai’s Jeep Is Different From The First Episode
Lorelai's jeep in the first episode had a slightly different colour and a hard top, but now it has a soft top, which remains consistent throughout the rest of the series.
Luke’s Sign Is Also Different In This Episode
Luke's sign is nailed to the wall of the diner, whereas in future episodes, it will be hanging.
Is Chilton Actually Worse Than Stars Hollow High?
The social dynamics that Rory hoped to escape from at Stars Hollow High School are only intensified by the more complex conflicts she encounters at Chilton, involving more sophisticated and treacherous minds.
There Is A Harry Potter Reference
Interestingly, there is a mention of the new Harry Potter book in 'The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton'.
There Is A Connection With “A Cinderella Story”
The teacher, played by John Billingsley, also portrays a teacher in “A Cinderella Story”, which stars Chad Michael Murray (Tristan Dugray).
There Is Someone Else Driving Instead Of Lorelai
During the scene where Lorelai takes Rory to her first day at Chilton, there is a continuity error where the passenger seat is empty once they reach the highway, and Lorelai is no longer shown driving (the driver is wearing a cream-coloured shirt instead of a pink shirt).
There Is A Connection With “The West Wing”
Liza Weil (Paris Geller) and Dakin Matthews (Hanlin Charleston) also worked together on 'Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life' (2016), reprising their respective roles. They also appeared together on 'The West Wing' (1999) as Karen Larson and Simon Blye, respectively.
'The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton' is one of the early and most engaging episodes of Gilmore Girls that showcases the show’s famous storytelling and attention to detail that has made it so beloved. From the clever references to classic literature and pop culture, to the nuanced character development and relationships, this episode is a treasure trove of hidden gems which show Rory starting at Chilton.
