The Bittersweet Nostalgia: Unveiling the Truths of Rewatching Gilmore Girls After 23 Years

When revisiting Gilmore Girls 23 years later, viewers are confronted with harsh realities that may challenge their comforting nostalgia. The series revolved around Lorelai Gilmore, a single mother and inn owner, and her ambitious daughter Rory, who aspired to attend Harvard. Lorelai's wealthy but rigid parents offered financial support for Rory's education, on the condition that they all attend a weekly dinner together. This dynamic introduced Emily and Richard Gilmore as key characters in the show.

Beyond Lorelai's ongoing clashes with her parents, Gilmore Girls delved into the romantic lives of its two leading ladies. Lorelai had several significant love interests throughout the years, notably including Rory's biological father, Christopher, and the gruff yet kind-hearted owner of the local diner, Luke. Meanwhile, Rory's romantic journey involved relationships with her small-town boyfriend, Dean, the brooding rebel Jess, and the privileged playboy Logan. While online debates continue to discuss which of these characters was the best match for Rory, a re-watch of Gilmore Girls reveals more pressing issues with the series.

10 Rory Was Just As Toxic As Her Boyfriends

While Dean, Jess, and Logan each had their own flaws, Rory's dishonesty, self-centered behavior, and indecisiveness meant that she was equally if not more reprehensible than them. Rory's involvement with both Dean and Logan while they were married made her resentment towards their lack of commitment towards her quite deplorable. Additionally, she frequently mistreated Jess, using him as a means to incite jealousy in Logan rather than treating him as a genuine friend or partner. Despite the initially charming romance between Rory and Jess in Gilmore Girls, by the end of the show, it became evident that Jess deserved more than a teenage sweetheart.

9 Lorelai’s Relationship With Her Parents Makes No Sense

When Gilmore Girls started, Lorelai was effectively estranged from her parents and only interacted with them to secure Rory's tuition money. However, as time went on, a codependent dynamic developed between them, making it difficult to determine their true level of closeness or distance as a family. Depending on the episode, Lorelai would either be her mother's closest confidante or her fiercest enemy, resulting in inconsistent stakes and unearned drama within the show.

8 Living In Stars Hollow Would Be A Nightmare

The idyllic and picturesque Stars Hollow is infamous for its strict and often absurd rules enforced by Taylor Dosey. While these regulations may have some comedic value in moderation, they would transform the town into a stifling and eerily perfect Stepford-esque nightmare if taken seriously. According to a fan theory, Rory, the central character, may have written the original Gilmore Girls series as a self-promoting and idealized memoir, which would explain the inexplicable fixation of every member of this close-knit community on the love life of a local teenager. However, in reality, it is far from charming to witness neighbors, shop owners, and even politicians gossiping incessantly about the romantic escapades of a young girl.

7 Lane Kim Deserved Better

Lane Kim was frequently diminished to a mere sounding board for Rory’s troubles, but even this was preferable to her eventual destiny. Becoming pregnant with twins following her first, unpleasurable sexual encounter and subsequently abandoning her aspirations of becoming a rock star were an unfitting fate for the coolest character on the show. Lane deserved more, and Gilmore Girls disappointed its supporting star with this uneasy storyline.

6 Mitchum Was Right About Rory’s Career

Logan’s father, Mitchum, was unjustly portrayed as a monster when he candidly expressed to Rory that she lacked the necessary attributes to pursue a career in journalism. This perception seemed contradictory considering Rory herself had recently delivered a scathing critique, in a very public manner, to an aspiring ballerina. However, as time passed and the Gilmore Girls revival unfolded, it became evident that Mitchum's carefully articulated advice held some truth. It became apparent that Rory did not possess the qualities required to excel as a journalist, thereby validating the validity of Mitchum's initial remarks.

5 Luke’s April Antics Were Inexcusable

Luke's difficulty expressing his emotions was both exasperating and relatable, but in Gilmore Girls season 6, this characteristic was taken to an unrealistic extreme. Concealing his daughter's existence from his fiancée for weeks should have been a deal breaker for his relationship with Lorelai. It was astounding that Lorelai chose to stay with him despite this breach of trust, which ultimately diminished the impact of their eventual breakup.

4 Christopher & Lorelai’s Wedding Always Made Sense

Many viewers felt that Lorelai and Christopher were necessary for her eventual relationship with Luke, while others argue that the entire storyline of season 7 was a waste. Nevertheless, there were subtle hints leading up to this outcome. Lorelai had recently left Luke because he refused to marry her when she issued an ultimatum. Therefore, it makes sense for her to marry Christopher when he presented her with a similar ultimatum, as she did not want to be hypocritical.

3 Gilmore Girls Is Weird About Food (And Weight)

Rory and Lorelei indulged in an abundance of unhealthy snacks while maintaining their slender figures, which may seem unrealistic but is not entirely surprising for a television show that serves as an escape. Nevertheless, it was the revival's portrayal of the pair cruelly mocking random individuals at a swimming pool that veered into unacceptable territory. This tasteless scene in the "Summer" episode of Gilmore Girls sparked controversy, as it went against the typically endearing nature of the show's beloved characters.

2 Rory’s Wealth Is Deeply Confusing

1 Rory’s Year in the Life Fate Was Fitting

There were some complaints from viewers about Rory's affair with a married man in the Gilmore Girls revival, arguing that she would never cheat on her boyfriend. Similarly, others felt that the original show's driven heroine would not have found herself in a stagnant career. However, both of these choices align with Rory's character in the original show. Rory has always been a flawed and indecisive character, carrying an inherited fragile ego from her mother, Lorelai. The controversial portrayal of Rory in A Year in the Life is consistent with her original incarnation in Gilmore Girls, despite the disapproval of a small number of fans.