A Comprehensive Ranking of the Gilmore Girls Fall Episodes

‘Tis the season for cinnamon, jean jackets and Gilmore Girls. After a brief, but contentious, family battle over the Netflix account that left me without access to Stars Hollow for two weeks, we’re back (yay!) and paying more for streaming than ever before (boo!). It’s Gilmore Girls season – a show that covers all parts of the year but is a decidedly autumnal show. It’s harder than one might think to find an accurate list of fall Gilmore Girls episodes. After combing the internet and finding “fall” lists that include winter and summer episodes, I decided the world needed my assistance. I’ve done the work. I’ve put in the time. I scanned through every potential fall episode to check for pumpkins. Mark my words, this is THE ONLY list you can trust.

What qualifies as a fall episode? There’s only question you need to ask: How is Stars Hollow decorated? If Stars Hollow doesn’t have pumpkins outside Doose’s Market or corn stalks tied to its lampposts, it’s not a fall episode. If there’s snow on the ground, it’s not a fall episode. If Rory is talking about being on summer break, it’s not a fall episode. Now that we’ve established the rules. Here is a ranking (from best to worst) of ALL Gilmore fall episodes. Spoilers below!

They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They? (Season 3, Episode 7): One of the all-time greats. Directed by Kenny Ortega (so you know it’s high quality), the dance marathon brings out the best and worst of Stars Hollow's residents. We get a lovely Lorelai/Luke scene, an appearance from Adam Brody, choreographed dances, Kirk excelling at something, quirky town moments, Rory being the worst. All the makings of a classic!

A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving (Season 3, Episode 9): I’ve written about this Gilmore Thanksgiving episode at length in past newsletters, so I’ll just restate that this episode is a perfect balance of everything that makes the show great.

Let the Games Being (Season 3, Episode 8): What can I say? Season three has a strong run of episodes! The Gilmore family travels to Yale for a college visit that ends with a classic Emily/Richard/Lorelai/Rory blow up. Bonus points for the delightful beginning of Rory/Jess.

Rory’s Birthday Parties (Season 1, Episode 6): I always forget just how much I love this episode. It sets up so many important character dynamics that are explored throughout the entire series, especially between Emily/Lorelai. It also features Richard saying “I am an autumn” after taking a Cosmo magazine quiz that tells you whether you are a summer or a fall. Same, Richard.

The Festival of Living Art (Season 4, Episode 7): Another iconic town event! The Festival of Living Art brings together entertaining scenes between Taylor, Ms. Patty, Kirk and the Town Troubadour, incredible makeup and prop work and an ill-timed page (yes, a page!) announcing the birth of Sookie's baby. 

Kiss and Tell (Season 1, Episode 7): This episode has everything. Large amounts of junk food. A town festival. Shifting mother/daughter dynamics. Flannel shirts. A first kiss. Oompa Loompas.

Like Mother, Like Daughter (Season 2, Episode 7): Emily and Lorelai walking down a runway wearing matching outfits while dancing to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun? Yes, please. An examination of whether it’s better to have a small number of meaningful friendships or be part of a super secret Chilton society? I’m interested.

Presenting Lorelai Gilmore (Season 2, Episode 6): Featuring Lorelai and Christopher at their best, this is the one where Rory prepares for a debutante ball, Richard and Emily argue behind the scenes and the Gilmore girls end the night dressed up, eating burgers at Luke's.

Take the Deviled Eggs (Season 3, Episode 6): It’s not often that we see Lorelai lose it. But attending a baby shower for your ex's new girlfriend can do a number on you! In an entertaining subplot the town loner stages a mysterious protest.

The Fundamental Things Apply (Season 4, Episode 5): Rory struggles through an awkward first date, Lorelai and Emily clash over a designer for the Dragonfly Inn and Lorelai and Luke attempt to watch Casablanca but keep getting interrupted. 

Runaway Little Boy (Season 2, Episode 9): We say farewell to Tristan in this Romeo & Juliet infused episode with a healthy dose of Paris. 

Let Me Hear Your Balalaikas Ring Out (Season 6, Episode 8): Featuring the iconic line: “Why did you drop out of Yale?!”, this is the one where Jess comes back to town as a published author (swoon) to knock some sense into Rory.

Die, Jerk (Season 4, Episode 8): I’ve always enjoyed this episode, likely because it features some A+ Paris Gellar scenes. In other news, Rory is both a bad journalist and a mean one! 

The Ins and Outs of Inns (Season 2, Episode 8): Lorelai and Sookie clash over plans to move forward with buying their own inn. It's a rough episode for the Lorelai Gilmore fans (me) but season two is just so strong that it still lands in the top of half of the rankings.

The Party’s Over (Season 5, Episode 8): Richard and Emily may be estranged but they love a good scheme! They host eligible male bachelors from Yale to try and get Rory to move on from Dean. Crazily enough... it works.

Emily Says Hello (Season 5, Episode 9): It’s a big one for Emily Gilmore! She dabbles in the world of dating but the episode ends with a gut punch of a scene – Emily crying alone in her house. In other news, Christopher returns and makes things complicated, per usual.

Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy (Season 2, Episode 5): It’s the introduction of Jess and mere mention of his arrival creates tension between Lorelai/Luke.

Ted Koppel’s Big Night Out (Season 4, Episode 9): A football episode of Gilmore? It does exist! The whole family shows up for the Harvard/Yale football game and guess what... it does end in a fight that inspires Lorelai to finally go on a date with Jason (bleh).

You Jump, I Jump, Jack (Season 5, Episode 7): I showed this list to one of my friends who asked me if I put this episode too low in my ranking, so like any good writer, I did a rewatch to be sure. And this episode is ranked exactly as it should be. While it’s an IMPORTANT episode for the show, setting up Rory/Logan and Luke/Emily/Richard dynamics that remain crucial through the end of the series, the Emily/Richard B-plot drags the episode down. Both characters are at their most one dimensional. Shout out to Lane/Zach for watching Stop Making Sense on their date night, which is back in theaters right now and everyone should go see it.

Cinnamon’s Wake (Season 1, Episode 5): This episode is incredibly sweet (Babette/Lorelai kitchen scene!) and sets up town quirks that make this show truly standout.

We’ve Got Magic to Do (Season 6, Episode 5): It’s a Gilmore vs. Huntzberger SHOWDOWN and Emily and Richard will destroy anyone who attacks their beloved granddaughter. High marks for Richard’s delivery of “You crushed that girl!” and every scene with Paris.

An Affair to Remember (Season 4, Episode 6): Lorelai and Sookie cater a party that Emily is hosted, only for it to be canceled last minute. Lorelai and Emily share a sweet scene that inspires Lorelai to confront Jason on Emily's behalf! 

But Not as Cute as Pushkin (Season 5, Episode 10): Rory hosts a prospective student at Yale but quickly finds out the two of them are nothing alike. In the middle of it all, Logan stages a showy prank that embarrasses Rory. 

Fall (A Year in the Life, Episode 4): It’s sad that the SERIES finale of my favorite show is so low in this ranking. But unfortunately, this is the slot it deserves. It’s too long, didn’t wrap up too many loose ends and I still have a problem with the way the last scene is directed. I could discuss this forever. This is my Roman Empire.

The Prodigal Daughter Returns (Season 6, Episode 9): All is right in the world! Rory puts her life back together and reunites with her mom! And if the episode just ended there, it would jump up this list. But wait… what’s that… the sound of a plot device that is about to bring out the worst in our beloved Luke Danes? Ladies and gentleman… meet April Nardini.

Twenty One is the Loneliest Number (Season 6, Episode 7): In sharp contrast to Rory’s Birthday Parties, this season six Bday episode finds Rory/Lorelai estranged. I do hate to see our Gilmore girls at odds!

Norman Mailer, I’m Pregnant! (Season 5, Episode 6): Despite the iconic line that is also the episode’s title, this one just doesn’t have much going on. It’s mostly used to tee up stronger episodes coming later in season five.

Welcome to the Dollhouse (Season 6, Episode 6): Rory and Lorelai are still in a fight and the show just isn’t the same without these two talking! Low marks!

We Got Us a Pippi Virgin! (Season 5, Episode 5): Low ranking because Luke is being a jerk and Dean is in too much of the episode. Enough said.

He’s Slippin em Bread… Dig? (Season 6, Episode 10): Too much Christopher. Too much Luke lying. Too much Zack being annoying. 

Tippecanoe and Taylor, Too (Season 5, Episode 4): Jackson and Taylor fight to be elected Town Selectmen. The best part of the episode is Hep Alien’s rock & roll spin on Believe It or Not.

Go Bulldogs (Season 7, Episode 6), The Great Stink (Season 7, Episode 5), The French Twist (Season 7, Episode 7): Season seven is famously the only season of the show without Amy Sherman-Palladino at the helm and it shows! Therefore these episodes are ranked at the bottom, to the best of my memory and without in-depth consideration, as I have not rewatched them in some time.