Is there a more iconic couple from Gilmore Girls than Lorelai and Luke? In my opinion, they were clearly meant to be from their very first scene together in the pilot episode of the series.
Anyone who has watched Gilmore Girls knows that Lorelai and Luke are definitely a slow-burn couple, so don’t expect them to be officially coupled up right away. That being said, season 1 still has a lot of sweet moments between the two that establish their dynamic and hint at their feelings for each other. Here are some of the best Lorelai and Luke episodes from season 1.
The Best Lorelai and Luke Episodes of Season 1:
"Pilot"
(Season 1, Episode 1)
The very first scene of Gilmore Girls takes place in Luke’s Diner, where Lorelai is begging him for (another) cup of coffee. The whole grumpy diner owner and sunshiney customer relationship is immediately evident by their exchange. It’s also clear that Rory and Lorelai are regulars at the diner, and at the very end of the episode, Luke is once again taking their order. He’s dressed up this time, which Lorelai definitely notices.
Side note: Have you noticed how different Luke’s Diner looked in the pilot episode versus the rest of the series? It’s so odd!
"Rory's Birthday Parties"
(Season 1, Episode 6)
It’s Rory’s 16th birthday in this episode, and she’s having two parties. But before either party, Luke puts together a little birthday surprise for her at the diner for breakfast, complete with a coffee cake and balloons. Later, at Lorelai’s house during Rory’s second birthday party, Luke brings ice right when they’re running out. Lorelai hugs him, and her mother takes notice of their exchange.
She asks Lorelai about Luke, and Lorelai says that he’s just a friend. She isn’t very convincing though, since Emily’s response to that is “you’re idiots – both of you”.
"Love and War and Snow"
(Season 1, Episode 8)
Max (Lorelai’s current boyfriend and Rory’s teacher) is in town, and Luke spots Lorelai walking with him through the snow in Stars Hollow. Immediately you can see his face fall. Is someone jealous?
"Forgiveness and Stuff"
(Season 1, Episode 10)
It’s time for Richard and Emily’s annual Christmas party, which Lorelai is not invited to this year. To cheer her up, Luke makes her a Santa burger at the diner. Meanwhile, at the party, Richard has a heart attack and is rushed to the hospital.
Lorelai gets a call from Rory telling her what’s happened and starts to melt down, so Luke immediately closes the diner to drive her to Hartford. He then stays with her at the hospital the entire time, trying not to look too closely at the wounded patients being wheeled around.
"That Damn Donna Reed"
(Season 1, Episode 14)
Lorelai thinks the diner needs some sprucing up, so she convinces Luke to let her help him give the place a fresh coat of paint and some new curtains. The two share a moment while painting, and later on Lorelai calls Luke to help her find a baby chick (which was the subject of Rory’s midterm) that had gotten loose in the house.
Both Sookie and Emily question Lorelai’s feelings for Luke in this episode. It seems that everyone can see that there’s something between the two of them but Lorelai.
"Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers"
(Season 1, Episode 16)
Rachel, Luke’s ex-girlfriend, arrives in Stars Hollow unexpectedly. She immediately picks up on the obvious-to-everyone-but-them attraction between Lorelai and Luke, which they deny. Rachel decides to stay in town for a while, despite clearly not believing that nothing is going on between the two.
"Love, Daisies, and Troubadours"
(Season 1, Episode 21)
Luke’s been avoiding Rachel by hanging around Lorelai’s to fix things around the house. When he drops by to pick up his toolbox (which Lorelai and Rory named Bert), he and Max have a little standoff. Max starts to suspect that Luke and Lorelai were an item before, despite Lorelai’s protests.
Later, Max proposes to Lorelai with a thousand yellow daisies. However, she doesn’t tell him whether she’ll marry him or not. Meanwhile, Rachel is done trying to ignore Lorelai and Luke’s chemistry and accuses Luke of being in love with Lorelai. He denies it half-heartedly and Rachel leaves town.
Now onto season 2 for Lorelai and Luke...
So now the big question is- will Lorelai say yes to Max? Will she marry him? How will Luke react? We’ll have to wait until season 2 to find out.
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Gilmore Girls
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Coffee Mugs
As Lorelai Gilmore once said, “I can’t stop drinking the coffee. I stop drinking the coffee, I stop doing the standing and the walking and the words putting into sentence doing.”
Last update on 2024-10-04 at 13:41 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Stars Hollow Blanket
From Luke’s Diner to Doose’s Market to Lorelai’s house, all of your favorite Stars Hollow spots can be found on this blanket.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
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Hallmark Gilmore Girls Stars Hollow Map Blanket, 50" x 60", Gift for Christmas, Birthdays, Mother's... |
$39.99 |
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Last update on 2024-10-04 at 13:41 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
It's a Lifestyle T-Shirt
Featuring our favorite mother-daughter duo, of course.
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Gilmore Girls It's A Lifestyle T-Shirt |
$22.99 |
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Last update on 2024-10-04 at 13:41 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
