This debut episode of
Gilmore Girls introduces the world to 32-year-old Lorelai Gilmore (
Lauren Graham), manager of the rustic Independence Inn in Stars Hollow, CT, and single mother to 15-year-old Rory (
Alexis Bledel). Though her daughter's excellent grades have assured her a slot at the prestigious Chilton Prep School in nearby Hartford, Lorelai is unable to afford the tuition. This situation forces her to swallow her pride and ask her wealthy parents (
Kelly Bishop and
Edward Herrmann), from whom she has been long estranged because she never married Rory's father, for a loan. Meanwhile, however, Rory begins having second thoughts about attending Chilton, thanks to her blossoming friendship with fellow teenager Dean Forester (
Jared Padalecki). ~ All Movie Guide