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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).