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A rarity on the WB a well written television show that's actually funny and intelligent, "The Gilmore Girls" became the darling of television critics and fans desperate for an engaging series that would be fun. Combining elements of the screw ball comedy with witty dialogue and drama without the soap opera suds, "The Gilmore Girls" tells the ongoing story of Lorelai Gilmore (Graham) who became pregnant at 16 and deliberately cut her less than approving parents out of her life. Sixteen years later she strikes up an uneasy alliance with her parents to get her gifted child into a private school that she can't afford. Her wealthy parents are more than happy to oblige although the fact that they had never met their granddaughter became something of a stumbling block. Lorelai struggles with every parent's issues and the fact that their relationship is more like a best friend than a mother-daughter relationship, makes the central struggles in their relationship with others very interesting. ***

Graham's amazing comedic timing and the precocious Alexis Bledel as her daughter Rory makes this series fly. But without the incredible support of a strong cast and the witty Preston Struges-like dialogue elevates the shows immediately from the pack of routine dramas and comedies that litter TV like the decorative but meaningless designs on cakes. This marvelous boxed set includes all 21 episodes including the wonderfully wacky pilot episode. ---

We get a documentary about the series that gives a pretty good assessment of what series creator Sherman was trying to accomplish. We see lots of talking heads with the director of the pilot, cast members and others indicating what appealed to them about the program. It's a well put together documentary. Unfortunately, it's about the only worthwhile extra included here. ***

We also get deleted scenes although the presentation is a bit haphazard. In addition we get "Gilmore-isms" a montage of some of the better bits of witty dialogue and references to various icons, characters and music outside of the show. The chapter selections are, curiously, build around the commercial breaks of the show vs. some of the more important scenes or witty bits of dialogue.