Tissues, lots of tissues. That's what you're going to need to get through Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life — at least according to Lorelai Gilmore herself. In an interview with E! News, actress Lauren Graham said that the new season of Gilmore Girls is "for sure" going to make fans cry. That's not all that surprising, since the four 90-minute episodes are going to reintroduce us to Lorelai, Rory, and Emily Gilmore after the loss of their family's patriarch Richard. Surely there are going to be some heavy emotional moments to deal with that will require a lot of Kleenex. But Graham's warning also isn't so farfetched considering that the previous seven seasons of Gilmore Girls definitely had their tear-inducing moments.
Sometimes, these were happy tears; other times, not so much. But if there's one thing fans already know about this show, it's that it definitely requires you to keep the tissues handy. In honor of the upcoming Netflix revival, premiering November 25, it's worth going back to those episodes that resulted in some good and some very bad crying jags. Even better, this list is in order so you can have your own cry-tastic Gilmore Girls marathon right now.
1. "Rory's Dance" (Season 1, Episode 9)
In this episode, we get our first Rory and Lorelai fight. No surprise, it's about the youngest Gilmore staying out way past her curfew with Dean. (Think "sleeping on Miss Patty's floor with Dean and waking up the morning" kind of "way past her curfew.") It also gives us cool mom Lorelai shouting, "You're going on the pill." All of this shouting stems from the fact that Lorelai's own mom, Emily, was there to catch her in her worst moment. Shed a tear in honor of all mother/daughter misunderstandings.
2. "Forgiveness And Stuff" (Season 1, Episode 10)
You're not quite done crying yet, because Richard's had a heart attack, and you're going to need a few more tissues to get through Emily telling Richard he can't go yet.
3. "The Breakup, Part 2" (Season 1, Episode 17)
Breaking up is hard to do, but it's a little easier if you just let yourself wallow. This is advice that Lorelai tried to give Rory after her breakup with Dean. But Rory wanted to just go on with her life, even hitting up a party to forget all about him. Too bad she ended up kissing Tristan, a regret that has her leaving the party to finally have a good cry on her mom's shoulder. Don't feel bad if this episode makes you want to wallow along with her.
4. "Loves, Daisies, and Troubadours" (Season 1, Episode 21)
If you don't tear up after Rory finally tells Dean, "I love you, you idiot," then you're a stronger person than I am. But if you don't cry a few tears of joy over seeing those thousand yellow daisies, then you're a robot. That's the only explanation.
5. "Hammers and Veils" (Season 2, Episode 2)
Lorelai and Emily have their fair share of fights, but this one in particular strikes a nerve because you totally understand where they're both coming from. Lorelai didn't tell her mom that she was engaged, and, therefore, when Lorelai finally did tell Emily, she feigned excitement. Because of that, Lorelai decides to go to her mom with Max in tow to confront her on her reaction. It's one of the sadder scenes of the show, because you really start to understand how much these two still need to work out. Of course, Lorelai's apology to her mom may also get you tearing up in a different way.
6. "Red Light On The Wedding Night" (Season 2, Episode 3)
It's that moment when Lorelai finally admits what we already know: She can't marry Max Medina, and now she needs to run away. It's a quick moment, but boy is it an impactful one that will leave you sobbing.
7. "Dead Uncles and Vegetables" (Season 2, Episode 17)
Luke plans his Uncle Louie's funeral, assuming no one is going to show up for his cranky relative. But you know what they say about assuming, especially in the always surprising Stars Hollow. Seeing those revolutionary war re-enactors is too much for anyone's eyeballs to handle.
8. "I Can't Get Started" (Season 2, Episode 22)
When you finally think that Lorelai and Christopher might actually have gotten it together, you get the devastating news that he's going back to his pregnant girlfriend. That final scene of Lorelai and Rory (who just kissed Jess), looking despondent before walking down the aisle at Sookie's wedding to the saddest song is one of the most deflating moments ever.
9. "They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?" (Season 3, Episode 7)
While a broken heel should be the real reason you're left crying after a 24-hour dance marathon, Rory ends up crying over being dumped in front of the whole town. Her devastated face as Dean calls her out for having a thing for Jess is what all teenage nightmares are made of. Grab the Kleenex, and have yourself a good cry.
10. "Those Are Strings Pinocchio" (Season 3, Episode 22)
Rory's graduation speech that honors her mom is hard to get through without crying. Even Luke couldn't stop himself.
11. "The Incredible Sinking Lorelais" (Season 4, Episode 14)
No one is having a good day; Lorelai is having trouble raising money for the inn and Rory is feeling overwhelmed by her workload. Both end up crying into the arms of the men they trust most, but only because they keep missing each other.
12. "Last Week's Fights, This Week's Tights" (Season 4, Episode 21)
After waiting so long for a Luke and Lorelai moment, we get it by way of a dance that melts all of our hearts and has us smiling through our happy tears.
13. "Raincoats and Recipes" (Season 4, Episode 22)
This is an episode that will have you crying tears for two very different reasons. The first reason is a good one: Lorelai and Luke finally kiss. But the second reason is the bad news: Rory has sex with a very married Dean. This one is a roller coaster of emotions.
14. "Written In the Stars" (Season 5, Episode 3)
Luke and Lorelai's first date ends with him saying he's all in and us all in tears.
15. "Emily Says Hello" (Season 5, Episode 9)
It's hard not to get choked up watching Emily Gilmore cry all alone in her big beautiful house after she goes on her first date with a man who isn't Richard. Don't fight it, and just let the tears fall.
16. "Say Something" (Season 5, Episode 14)
Lorelai Gilmore has had her breakups, but none of them hit her quite as hard as the one with Luke. She can barely get out of bed, and even calls him frantically talking about The Way We Were. But it's the sight of her bawling her eyes out, saying she blew it, that will have you in tears yourself.
17. "So... Good Talk" (Season 5, Episode 16)
With A Star Is Born playing in the background, Luke shows up at Lorelai's door to rekindle their love with a kiss that will have you in tears. Happy ones, in honor of all those loves who haven't gotten away.
18. "To Live And Let Diorama" (Season 5, Episode 18)
"Why doesn't he like me?" Those five words, said by Rory as she lays on the bathroom floor after too much Founder's punch, are enough to leave anyone in tears.
19. "A House Is Not A Home" (Season 5, Episode 22)
Rory steals a yacht and then wants to drop out of Yale. Lorelai is understandably not too happy about any of this. It's why Rory goes behind her back and tries to work out a deal with her grandparents. It's sad just thinking about it, but even sadder once you see the look that Lorelai gives Rory as she sets up her new place in Emily and Richard's pool house. Of course you may end up turning those sad tears to happy ones in the final moments when Lorelai proposes to Luke. So. Many. Emotions.
20. "Twenty-One Is The Loneliest Number" (Season 6, Episode 7)
In honor of Rory's 21st non-Atlantic City birthday party, cry one lonely tear for the Gilmore girls not being able to get it together. Also for not being able to try the chocolate box.
21. "The Prodigal Daughter Returns" (Season 6, Episode 9)
While we can all cry happy tears for the reunion of Lorelai and Rory, a few sad tears will be shared for Emily sitting in that plane crying after her falling out with Rory. "I lost her like I lost you," Emily tells Lorelai. And now we're all crying.
22. "Partings" (Season 6, Episode 22)
Parting is such sweet sorrow and both Gilmore girls are feeling it. Rory has to say goodbye to Logan so he can go to London, and Lorelai has a fight with Luke about putting the wedding on hold that leads her to give him a tearful ultimatum. But, wait, save some tears for those final moments where you realize Lorelai just slept with Christopher. Amy Sherman-Palladino was just being cruel with this one.
23. "The Long Morrow" (Season 7, Episode 1)
How does one manage to keep it together after Luke tries to get Lorelai to elope only to find out she was with Christopher? I'm asking for a friend.
24. "I'd Rather Be In Philadelphia' (Season 7, Episode 13)
After watching Richard collapse in the final moments of the episode before, this one is a doozy that will have you crying throughout pretty much all of it.
25. "Will You Be My Lorelai Gilmore?" (Season 7, Episode 16)
Lane asking Rory to be the godmother of her twins with the question in the title is enough to make you saw aww and start full out bawling over the adorableness.
26. "Lorelai? Lorelai?" (Season 7, Episode 20)
No, I'm not uglycrying over Lorelai's karaoke rendition of "I Will Always Love You" that was so clearly dedicated to Luke. You are.
27. "Bon Voyage" (Season 7, Episode 22)
Whether you love it or hate it, there's no way you can deny that the final episode of the Gilmore Girls is worthy of all your tears. And then some more.
There's not a lot of time for a seven season marathon, but I would suggest giving these particular episodes another watch. Maybe think about stocking up on tissues too. Just a suggestion.
Image: Robert Voets/Netflix; Giphy (6)
