All 7 Gilmore Girls season finales ranked from worst to best

Gilmore Girls might not be known for its high drama, since its more so known for its sense of humor and quippy dialogue. But when it comes to season finales, the series consistently pulled out the stops to cap off its seasons with a memorable bang.

Whether Rory was stealing a boat, Lorelai was getting engaged while surrounded by a thousand yellow daisies, or graduation day made us all blubbering messes, the show always saved some of its biggest, most series-defining moments for its season finales.

However, some season finales were more exciting or just all around better than the others. In an effort to find out which Gilmore season finale stands above the rest, we’re ranking the show’s season-enders from “worst” to “best,” though that’s obviously subjective.

Note: For the purpose of this ranking, we’re excluding the Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life finale “Fall” and only including the proper season finales from the original series. All of the show’s season finales are amazing in their own right, but we’re ranking them based on personal preference and entertainment value. Copper boom!

Gilmore Girls season 6

As a whole, season 6 was one of the toughest seasons to get through. The series tackled some of its, for lack of a better word, darkest themes. Following the events of the season 5 finale, Lorelai and Rory aren’t on speaking terms, which is a separation that lasts for nearly half of the season. Likewise, Luke finds out he has a tween daughter, which casts another shadow over season 6.

By the end of the season, Luke and Lorelai’s wedding day still hasn’t arrived, and Lorelai’s feeling frustrated about waiting for Luke to feel ready and taking a step back as he gets to know April. It’s a sticky situation that’s made stickier when the ultimatum drops, they break up, and Lorelai runs to Christopher’s side and sleeps with him.

“Partings” isn’t all difficult to get through. Lorelai’s awkward behavior at the Friday night dinner and her impromptu therapy session in the car with Melora Hardin brings the laughs. But the rapid crumbling of Luke and Lorelai’s relationship is a bitter pill to swallow. Also, not for nothing, but the season 6 finale was Amy Sherman-Palladino’s final episode as showrunner. Enough said.

Click on for the Gilmore Girls season finale that either are — or could be — series finales, making them “okay” compared to the others!